Page 7 - Presbyterian Connection

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FALL 2024
Connection
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESBYTERIAN
7
The Rev. Stewart Laughing Bear Fol- ster, National Indigenous Ministries Council member.
of supporting truth, healing and reconciliation work.
Ecumenical and
interfaith guests
The Rev. Dr. Eui Sig Kim brought greetings from the Presbyterian Church in South Korea, noting that the denomination, with its 10,000 congregations, 2.5 million mem- bers and 1,500 missionaries, is forever grateful to The Presbyte- rian Church in Canada for its con- stant and ongoing support. The Rev. Dr. Kim presented a plaque of friendship to the moderator.
Guest speaker Rula Odeh, Board Chair of Canadian Friends of Sabeel, was joined by her sister Samia Odeh, an accom- plished musician and songwriter, who shared songs to accompany Rula’s presentation. The women are of Palestinian Christian herit- age, and their father is a 1948 “Nakba” (Catastrophe) survivor from Jerusalem. Rula noted that speaking at the General Assembly gave her much hope and energy. She talked about her family’s story, what it means to be dehu- manized, and what it means to
Young Adult Representatives at the 2024 General Assembly.
practice “costly solidarity.” She spoke of the horrors taking place in Palestine and asked that we continue to insist on accountabil- ity, including advocating the Ca- nadian government to uphold in- ternational human rights law. Rula concluded by saying, “We pray for justice and peace for all—for Palestinians and Israelis alike... It is not antisemitic or racist to call for these things, it’s about truth, justice and our values. It’s the only way to ensure that Israeli and Palestinian children will have a future full of hopes and dreams they can achieve one day.” Samia ended the session with an original song called “Kites,” written for Palestinian children with the hope that one day they and Israeli chil- dren will fly their kites together in peace.
Father Bodhan Hladio, a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada, spoke about the his- tory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and of Ukraine itself and the ongoing violence its people have suffered at the hands of Russia. He talked about the cur- rent war and the devastation that
it has inflicted, and continues to inflict, on Ukraine and its people. He thanked the PCC for support, saying, “I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank all of you for the overwhelming, prayerful, moral and material support you and your communi- ties have extended to Ukrainian refugees since the war began.” He also asked that we continue to support Canada’s efforts to help Ukraine defend itself, and the work of government, non-govern- ment and church agencies offer- ing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in Canada.
2024 Cutting Edge
of Mission Award
This year’s Cutting Edge of Mis- sion Award recognized the work of Sanctuary Mental Health Min- istries, which aims to equip the church at the local level to sup- port mental health and well-being through community, connection and resources. Sanctuary’s re- sources are developed in collabo- ration with theologians, mental health professionals and people
with lived experience of mental health challenges. These resourc- es are free to access and help faith communities worldwide to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and pro- mote mental well-being.
Sanctuary’s CEO, Daniel Whitehead, accepted the award on behalf of the organization and expressed gratitude to the board, staff, supporters and people who have served through their work. Daniel spoke of the remarkable growth and change he has wit- nessed in the eight years since he began serving as CEO. He has watched it grow from a struggling non-profit in Vancouver, B.C., into an internationally renowned or- ganization, helping hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
Daniel noted that people living with mental health issues often struggle with stigma and rejection from society, and are branded with labels rather than being seen as beloved siblings in Christ. “We must make more space in our congregations and help people struggling with mental health to find a place in the body of Christ.”
He noted that we all need friends to support us in this life and that this award will motivate Sanctu- ary to continue to fight for those who need a friend in their time of struggle.
The Cutting Edge of Mission Award recognizes individuals and organizations involved in in- novative and fresh mission work. Recipients are given $10,000 to honour their work and assist them in advancing it.
Narratives that Shape
Us: an ecumenical
panel discussion
The panellists: Rula Odeh, Board Director, Canadian Friends of Sa- beel and Assembly guest speak- er; Dr. Allen Jorgenson, Professor of Systemic Theology, Martin Lu- ther University College; Moderator of the 2023 Assembly, the Rev. Mary Fontaine; Fr. Bodhan Hlad- io, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada; and Moderator of the 2024 General Assembly, the Rev. Dr. Pat Dutcher-Walls. This diverse group discussed their roots and heritage as a means
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The Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of the 2023 General Assembly, the Rev. Victor Kim, Principal Clerk, and the Rev. Don Muir, Deputy Clerk, during the first sederunt.
The Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald answering a question during the Assembly Council report.