National Aboriginal Day of Prayer, June 21, 2002
Here below are the resources produced for the celebration of the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer 2002, prepared by a Joint Working Group on Worship, appointed by the Anglican Council of Indigenous People and the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee.
In preparation for June 21, 2003, this Joint Working Group of ACIP and FWM invites your stories and contributions of worship resources.
How does your community celebrate the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer? What stories do you have to share from recent years’ celebrations?
What suggestions do you have for how this Working Group might serve the church’s involvement in National Aboriginal Day of Prayer services and other celebrations?
Contact us, c/o Eileen Scully: escully@national.anglican.ca
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About National Aboriginal Day – June 21,
and our partnership with Indigenous Anglicans in Canada.
In 1971 the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada declared June 21 as a “National Indian Day of Prayer” and requested all dioceses to commend this day to parishes and congregations throughout Canada. In 1995, participants of the Sacred Assembly in Hull, Quebec – a national meeting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people – revived an earlier campaign to observe June 21 as a national day to recognize the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canada. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, falls on June 21. For generations, this was a sacred day for many Aboriginal people on which they celebrated their culture and heritage. On June 13, 1996, Governor General Romeo Leblanc declared June 21 National Aboriginal Day.
In Winnipeg in 1994, representatives of the Indigenous people gathered and made a covenant to build a truly Anglican Indigenous Church in Canada, claiming their place and responsibility “as equal partners in a new shared journey of healing, moving towards wholeness and justice.”
In July of 2001, the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada commended for study and implementation the working document A New Agape: A Plan of Anglican Work in Support of a New Partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Anglicans. This plan expresses the commitment of the Anglican Church of Canada to a new relationship with the Indigenous (or Aboriginal) Peoples of Canada based on a partnership which focuses on the cultural, spiritual, social, and economic independence of Indigenous communities.
As we celebrate the passing of the summer solstice, let us pray in thanksgiving for the gifts that Aboriginal peoples have brought to Canada and to the church, Let us pray that we might all walk in the spirit of the Covenant made by the Indigenous partners in Canada to “do all we can to call our people into unity in a new, self-determining community within The Anglican Church of Canada”.
The Anglican Indigenous Covenant Collect
Creator God,
from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love,
and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership,
may be strengthened and guided
to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ,
who is our light and our life. Amen.
About Our Logo
The logo for the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples was designed by The Rev. Mervin Wolfleg of the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta, inspired by words and images of The Rev. Arthur Anderson, a Plains Cree from Punnichy, Saskatchewan. Mervin explains its many symbolisms.
· The fish at the centre of the logo is formed by the overlap of two circles — or two traditions — coming together, the Aboriginal tradition and the European tradition.
· The point where they come together is where Christ is to be found, represented by both the cross and the fish (which also contains the form of the Greek letters, Alpha and Omega).
· The cross is surrounded by the four colours of the four peoples of the world. Our vision is of all races coming together.
· The fish and the cross also contain within them the initials of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.
· The eagle has always been a strong image for Aboriginal peoples. The eagle feather attached to the cross comes from Isaiah 40:31 — “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” If people can come together, they will fly.
· The green in the logo represents our Mother Earth, and the blue the waters of the oceans that surround the continents.
· Blue is also the colour of hope for Aboriginal people. When we are watching for good weather to come, we look for the first signs of blue in the sky.
· Green is also the symbol of new growth.
· Red is the colour of the Aboriginal peoples.”
Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the center of this Sacred Circle through which all of creation is related. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen. (Episcopal Native Ministries’ Gospel Based Discipleship)
May the Creator watch over you.
May the Spirit guide and lead you.
May Jesus make himself present in all that you do.
And the blessing of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you, within you,
and surrounding you and those you love, this day and always. Amen.
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Additional Resources for the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer
An Opening Prayer
Creator God, Holy One, God of all people, hear our prayer.
Give your blessing today to all Aboriginal peoples of this land.
Guide us and give us strength as we seek to walk together.
Comfort and renew our men and women in times of sorrow and despair.
Grant your grace and healing on all of us, your sons and daughters.
Hear our prayer for those who gather here today to seek reconciliation between the original peoples of this land and the newcomers.
Give to all a sense of justice, give us an awareness of new beginnings.
Thank you, Redeeming One, that you promise us your fresh new start each day and each new year.
Guide us, God, so that ancient wrongs may be redressed, broken promises forgiven, and a new covenant forged.
Open our minds, our mouths, our hearts, our whole beings to your healing presence, as we seek ways to walk together.
We pray for wisdom for our leaders, our elders, and ourselves.
Our God and Creator, Great Spirit, listen to our prayer.
Walk with us, and guide us as we walk with one another.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
An Opening Prayer for Purity
Creator God, cleanse our hearts of all stain from sin and brokenness,
that we may walk with you along the good road, your holy way.
Purify our minds, that we may be guided by your holy word.
Clear our eyes, that we may see the goodness you have created.
Open our ears that we may hear your voice.
Make our souls one with yours,
that we may worship you in spirit and in truth,
and love you with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls.
May our hearts always beat as one with yours,
through your Great Messenger, your Son, Jesus. Amen.
A Collect for Healing
Creator God, your mercy calls us to reconciliation and healing,
May we look up to see we are standing at your gates;
And at your gates everyone is welcome. May we seek all good.
Be with us, each one, as we go out to work this week.
Help us to grow in our hearts and in our minds.
Sharing the gift of love you have brought in your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
A Litany of Reconciliation by Aboriginal Peoples of Canada
Creator, we long for wholeness in our church. For honest, open communications. To say what we need to say, in safety and without fear.
Refrain : Hear our Prayer, O God, and in your love, answer.
Creator, help us to stay close, to never let go of one another, in joy as well as in pain. To embrace, to feel the physical presence of one another, and to be truly present, one to another.
Refrain : Hear our Prayer, O God, and in your love, answer.
We pray for our brothers and sisters within the Anglican Communion, especially for ………………………. Hear our Prayer, O God,
Refrain : and in your love, answer.
Creator, we need to feel connected to our families, and to the church family. To learn and to grow. To be part of a web of relationships. To pass on values, love and a sense of closeness. To be part of an inner circle of safety. To spiral out to an open circle that welcomes others in.
Refrain : Hear our Prayer, O God, and in your love, answer.
We pray for the needs of this congregation , especially for the sick ……………………… for those who have died…………….……
Hear our Prayer O God.
Refrain : and in your love, answer.
Creator, we long for a gentle time of warmth and wholeness. For time and energy to nourish relationships. For honest sharing out of genuine love for all members of the church community.
Refrain : Hear our Prayer, O God, and in your love, answer.
Creator, we long to dance. To move into the centre of the circle. To touch and grow together in community into completeness.
Refrain : Hear our Prayer, O God, and in your love, answer.
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An Offering from One Indigenous Anglican Community
The National Aboriginal Day of Prayer is a day to honour the gifts of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples across Canada. This service has been created as an offering of welcome, sharing and celebration of the gifts of the Lenni-Lenape, Algonkian and Iroquoian peoples of the Diocese of Huron (Huron LAIC).
This offering is part of a new initiative encouraged by the Joint Working Group on Worship, of the Anglican Council of Indigenous People and the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee. In this initiative, we hope to offer to the church ‘portraits’ of local celebrations of the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer. It is our hope that other local communities will share with us the resources that they have developed for the celebration of this Day, so that as we journey together in celebration and in healing and reconciliation the gifts of more and more local communities may be made visible to the whole church.
We welcome you to use this service as a resource in the planning of your own local celebrations. However, a word of caution. Though it is, indeed, a “National” day of prayer, authentic worship grows out of the particularities of local context and culture. It is best to see the full text of this present liturgy as an idea-generating resource for your own planning. On the other hand, there are portions of the text, such as the choice of Scripture readings, hymns, and some of the prayers, which may be fully appropriate to your local context. Local discernment is necessary.
Please keep in mind the following principles and suggestions:
· The Day is about celebrating the gifts of indigenous people. Celebrate!
· Wherever possible, predominantly non-indigenous communities and congregations should make the space and time to include indigenous people in planning, and invite indigenous people to offer leadership. Non-indigenous communities need to be careful not to appropriate the spiritual gifts of aboriginal peoples, but rather to invite aboriginal people to share those gifts with them. For example, the smudging rite described in the liturgy from LAIC, like any other traditional aboriginal practice, is a gift to be invited, and will be shared if this is deemed appropriate by the givers. These are not practices simply to be used by non-indigenous people.
· Work with the people and resources that you have locally.
· Consider including story-telling as a focus in your local worship
· Consider praying in solidarity with other indigenous communities by including stories (from video or print resources) of aboriginal people from across Canada.
· Consider dedicating the offering for the day to a local aboriginal healing initiative, either one that you know of, or through the Anglican Church of Canada’s “Healing Fund.
We invite you to share your stories of National Aboriginal Day celebrations, and any locally-developed liturgical resources with us. Contact information: Anglican Church of Canada, 600 Jarvis St., Toronto, ONT M4Y 2J6, (416) 924-9199. Indigenous Ministries: Donna Bomberry, ex. 626 or dbomberry@national.anglican.ca; Healing Fund: Esther Wesley, ex202 or ewesley@national.anglican.ca; Joint Group on Worship: Eileen Scully, ex 286 or escully@national.anglican.ca.
National Aboriginal Day of Prayer 2002, Chippewa of the Thames, Ontario
Note: the words Miigwech (Ojibwe), Nya’weh (Mohawk), and Inishic (Delaware), Yau (Oneida) used in the text all mean “Thanks” or “Amen”. This service was first developed for National Aboriginal Day 2001.
Gathering of the Community
We bring in, from the four directions, cloths of four colours, symbolic of the teachings and peoples of those directions. This procession lends itself well to liturgical dance. We also welcome in the four sacred plants, the healing medicines from each of these directions: tobacco, cedar, sage and sweetgrass. These medicines have been burned in a smudge of the worship space, to purify the space before our gathering. They will also be used in the smudge that accompanies the collect for purity. The medicines and colours are placed together at the altar as a reminder of the need to hold all directions, peoples, wisdom teachings, and healing gifts in harmony, wholeness and balance.
Entrance Hymn: Many and Great, O God Are Your Works (Common Praise, # 407)
Elder: Creator, we offer the burning of sweet grass, tobacco,
sage and cedar as a prayer for purification
and as a reminder for those gathered here
to cleanse our thoughts and hearts
that we may hear and be guided by your word and direction.
We thank you for all our relations:
the four leggeds, the wingeds,
the star people of the heavens
and all living things you have blessed us with to sustain this life.
Empower each of us through the bringer of Peace,
your Son Jesus,
to see and change for better the common life
of all people and creation.
Hear our prayers this day and everyday.
Accept our thanks for all the blessings you have given us,
and for the opportunities to use these blessings
for your honour and glory in service to others. Miigwech.
Collect for Purity
Presider: Creator God,
All: cleanse our hearts of all stain from sin and brokenness,
that we may walk with you along the good road, your holy way.
Purify our minds, that we may be guided by your holy word.
Clear our eyes, that we may see the goodness you have created.
Open our ears that we may hear your voice.
Make our souls one with yours,
that we may worship you in spirit and in truth,
and love you with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls.
May our hearts always beat as one with yours,
through your Great Messenger, your Son, Jesus.
Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Amen.
All are invited, as they are able and comfortable, to join in the rite of smudging. Smudging is a prayer for purification, similar to the use of incense in church. The smoke is made from the burning of the sacred medicines, fanned with an eagle feather. The person being smudged draws the smoke over him or herself in an act of prayer for cleansing and preparation for worship. There will be four stations for smudging, at each of the four directions.
Collect for the Day (The Covenant Collect)
Presider: Creator God,
from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love,
and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people,
journeying together in partnership,
may be strengthened and guided
to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ,
who is our light and our life.
All: Amen.
Proclamation of the Word
Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-4
Psalm 8
Matthew 5:21-24
Sermon
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of the People
Prayers for the East
Holy God, God of many names. We honour you through the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of the east; the spirits of all people of the east who have gone before us, the spirits of those who are yet to come. We pray for all people who now live to the east of us.
(Particular intentions may be named.)
We thank you for the colour yellow, the sacred colour of the east, the colour of the rising sun. When the sun rises we offer our prayers to you, thanking you for the new day, for new opportunities, for new beginnings, for hope. Each new day reminds us of your faithfulness to us, your people.
We thank you for the medicine of the east, tobacco. When we offer the tobacco, we thank you for our children, those who carry the future of our people in their lives. Tobacco, like children, needs protection, nurture and cultivation in order to grow.
Help us, Creator God, to care properly for the lives of the children which you have entrusted to us; to honour and respect them, to protect them, and to learn from them.
We thank you for Jesus, your son, whom we honour at the beginning of each new day. We thank you that he lived among us as a baby, a child, a youth and a young man.
All: Awaken in us new dreams and hopes never before imagined.
Let us behold the miracles that are born with each new dawn.
Creator of hope, hear our prayers.
Prayers for the South
Holy God, Creator of all. We honour you through the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of the south; the spirits of all those to the south of us who have gone before us, the spirits of those who are yet to come. We pray for all the people who now live to the south of us.
(Particular intentions may be named)
We thank you for the colour red, the sacred colour of the south, the colour of warmth and love. We thank you for all the emotions you have placed in our hearts; emotions which you share with us and ask us to share with each other.
We thank you for the medicine of the south, cedar. When we offer the cedar, we thank you for all who nurture the youth among us. We remember these people when we see the green boughs of the cedar throughout the seasons of the year.
We thank you for Jesus, your son; for Mary his mother, and for Ann his grandmother. We thank you that he befriended and ministered lovingly to women during his life, and that he first appeared to women at his resurrection.
All: Warm our lives as roots deep in the soil of your earth,
and stretch out our hearts as branches to be places of nurture and protection.
Sower of life, hear our prayers.
Prayers for the West
Holy God, God of darkness and of light. We honour you through the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of the west; the spirits of all those to the west of us who have gone before us, the spirits of those yet to come.
We pray for all people who now live to the west of us.
(Particular intentions may be named)
We thank you for the colour black, the sacred colour of the west, the colour of wisdom and knowledge. As the sun sets in the west and the darkness of night comes upon us, we thank you for all we have learned during the day, all the insight we have received from you so that we might share it with others when daylight returns.
We thank you for the medicine of the west, sage. When we offer the sage, we thank you for our elders who carry within them the experience gained through life.
Help us, Creator God, to respect our elders, to seek out their knowledge and to make use of it for the good of our people. Help us to care for our old people and to include them in the lives of their families and communities.
We thank you for Jesus, your son, who as a young man carried within himself the wisdom and knowledge given by you, God for all times and ages. We also thank you that Jesus will meet us at the darkness at the end of our earthly life and lead us to the brightness of the eternal life.
All: Guide our steps through all ending-times.
Fill us with your peace as you enfold us with the great mystery of night until morning calls us forth again.
Creator of kindness, hear our prayers.
Prayers for the North
Holy God, Mysterious One. We honour you through the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of the north; the spirits of all people to the north who have gone before us, the spirits of those who are yet to come. We pray for all people who now live to the north of us.
(Particular intentions may be named)
We thank you for the colour white, the sacred colour of the north, the colour of the blanket of snow which covers mother earth while she sleeps. We are reminded of the purity of the white snow, the purity you expect in the lives of your people, the purity which comes when you forgive our mistakes.
We thank you for the medicine of the north, sweetgrass. As we offer the sweetgrass we thank you for our spiritual elders who teach us of your forgiveness. We thank you that as we burn the sweetgrass we are purified from uncleanness and are then able to find your presence in our lives.
Help us, Creator God, to respect our spiritual leaders and to assist them in their journey among us. Help those of us who are spiritual leaders to be conscious of the responsibility given to us by you and by our people. Help all your people to turn to you for forgiveness and purity of life. We thank you for Jesus, your son, by whose blood we are washed clean of our sins and made as white as the snow.
All: Teach us to use with care your gifts;
to love with tenderness
all our relations as gifts from your heart.
Creator of wisdom, hear our prayers.
Presider: Creator, Great Spirit, Gchi Minidoo,
steady in wisdom, prophetic in struggle,
constant in kindness, courting us with hope,
guiding in revelation,
be with us and help us to be with each other.
All: Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Yau. Amen.
Confession
Presider: We were created from God’s loving heart,
and that same love embraces us with forgiveness.
God’s healing and reconciling love helps us
to see our brokenness for what it is,
in the same moment that grace and forgiveness are offered to us.
Let us welcome the gift of God’s love,
and confess before God and each other
the sins that keep us from true friendship with God
and with one another.
All: Creator and Loving God,
you have searched us out and known us
And all that we are is open to you.
We confess that we have sinned:
We have put up walls between ourselves and you,
closing our hearts to your gifts.
We have failed to respect and honour
the gifts that you have given to us in creation,
mother earth and all living things.
We squander the inheritance of generations to come.
We have sinned against each other:
we have put up walls between ourselves and our neighbours,
giving in to the fear, ignorance and arrogance that make racism.
We have failed to respect the gifts of all your peoples.
We have failed to respect the gifts of the four directions.
We have used our power to dominate
and our weakness to manipulate;
we have evaded responsibility
and failed to confront evil;
we have trusted false gods
and listened to their promises;
we have denied dignity
to ourselves and to each other;
we have fallen into despair.
In our despair we have forgotten you,
and have gone astray from your path.
Forgive us for what we have done;
and forgive those who have hurt us.
Give us your blessing and help.
Let us walk in your great love;
through the great peace maker, your Son, Jesus.
Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Yau. Amen.
Absolution
Offertory Hymn Just as I Am (Common Praise #615)
The words of this hymn were written by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871). Her husband, Peter Elliott, served as priest at Six Nations in the early 1800s.
During the singing of the hymn, the fruits of the earth, field and vine – gifts of bread, wine and strawberries – will be brought to the altar. The strawberries are offered in thanksgiving for the fruits of the first harvest of the season, and will be given out later in the service in an act of exchange of friendship, as a symbol of the reconciliation and communion that is God’s gift to us.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Presider: Holy One, we raise our hearts and voices in thanksgiving
for all the good gifts of your creation:
for the strawberry, the first fruit of the season,
for all the gifts in creation that send your promise of new life.
Holy One, we give you thanks for the gift of your son, Jesus,
who reconciles us to you and to each other.
We give you thanks for the Holy Spirit,
who draws us together and helps us in our walk with Jesus.
May we honour you and each other in receiving these gifts,
by using them in service to you and our neighbours.
All: Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Yau. Thanks be to God.
The Celebration of the Eucharist.
One: The Creator is with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Open your hearts to God.
All: We pray for our hearts to be filled.
One: Let us give thanks to the Creator.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: Creator God
from the depths of our hearts we give you thanks.
From the rising sun in the East,
to the soft rains of the South,
to the setting sun in the West,
to the coldness of the North,
we come together to lift our hearts to you,
in thanksgiving for the first fruits of this season,
and for the gift of reconciliation, healing and new life
that we have through your gift of Jesus.
We unite with all creation
and with the angels, guardian spirits,
the saints and all our relations
to join in everlasting thanksgiving and praise as we say:
All: Holy, holy, holy,
God of all that was and is
and will be until the end of time.
In you is all power, honour and glory.
Everything in the heavens and on earth
and in the spirit world cries out to you
and gives everlasting praise to your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in your name.
Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Yahweh, Gchi Minidoo, Great Spirit,
You are the Holy One
who made the sun, the moon, the stars, and the planets.
You are the Holy One who made all that lives on the face of the earth, all our relations.
We marvel at all your creation.
Blessed are you who prepared many ways to your heart
for all your peoples,
through the prophets and leaders of Israel,
and through all those whose love for you,
opened their hearts and minds to your wisdom,
preparing the way for your Son’s walk on the earth.
Through your Spirit he took on flesh and blood
and was born of the virgin Mary.
Because of your everlasting love for us,
he gave of himself, even to suffering.
He carried the burdens of his people.
He taught us to let go of ourselves.
He fulfilled your love for us through his resurrection,
and reconciled us to you forever.
Before your son, our Lord, Jesus, was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks.
He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said:
Take this all of you and eat it.
This is my body which will be given up for you.
All: Chi Miigwech, Jesus. Nya’weh, Jesus. Inishic, Jesus. Yau, Jesus.
Celebrant: When supper was ended, he took the cup.
Again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink it.
This is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.
It will be shed for you and for all
so that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in memory of me.
All: Chi Miigwech, Jesus. Nya’weh, Jesus. Inishic, Jesus. Yau Jesus.
Celebrant: Creator, Great Spirit, Gchi Minidoo, Holy One,
we offer you this living bread;
and we offer you this life saving cup,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith.
All: Christ has died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again
Celebrant: Creator, Great Spirit, Holy One,
let your Spirit move among us and come upon these gifts of Mother Earth
and make them Holy,
so that they will become for us
the Body and Blood of your son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Look upon your people as we offer ourselves up to you
in union with all whom you join together
by your Holy and Great Spirit.
We thank you for allowing us to stand in your presence and serve you.
Creator, Great Spirit, Holy One from whom all holiness comes,
remember us your children, your little ones.
Let not our ears grow deaf to your voice,
but open them to hear your voice in the wind.
Let not our eyes grow dim with sin,
but open them to see your gifts in all creation.
Let not our hearts grow cold with bitterness,
but soften them to grow in brightness and strength,
to grow in love for you and all your creation.
Guide our footsteps
that we may walk a straight path in truth and kindness.
Bless our hands
that we will always reach out with love to one another.
Bless us with wisdom to follow the right directions,
so that we may have the courage we need
to face the sunrise and the sunset
as we strive to complete our circle.
Remember our Grandmothers and Grandfathers
and all our relations that have begun their heavenly life.
Guide those who look after the spiritual life of your people,
especially Michael our Primate, _______ our Metropolitan,
________ our Bishop, and all who minister in your church.
Make us worthy to share eternal life
with Mary, the mother of Jesus, Anna his grandmother,
with the leaders of the people, the apostles, martyrs, saints,
Blessed Kateri and all our relations.
May we join in union with them
and give you glory through your Son Jesus the Christ.
Through Jesus, with Jesus, and in Jesus,
in the unity of the Spirit who draws us together,
all glory and honour are yours, for ever and ever.
All: Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Yau. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Breaking of the Bread
Presider: Creator of all, you gave the people fields rich with corn
to be gathered, formed and shared
as life-giving bread for the people.
All: So may we, your church
be gathered, formed and shared
in your reconciling love.
Presider: Creator of all, you gave the people
the strawberry as a sign and celebration of new life
All: May we, your people,
taste the sweetness of new life together.
Presider: The gifts of God for the people of God
All: Thanks be to God.
Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Yau. Amen.
Prayer After Communion
Presider: Holy One,
you feed us with bread from heaven
and the gifts of mother earth.
In this communion, you have drawn us into your embrace
and you call us to friendship with one another.
You have given us the gift of reconciliation.
May we who have tasted that gift from you,
offer ourselves in peace and humility to one another.
And may you always walk among us as friend.
We pray this in your name
All: Amen
The Gift of Friendship
The Iroquois people have a public thanksgiving ceremony every spring where everyone is invited. This is something which is done in the presence of the spiritual leaders. The people gathered in order to give thanks for the land which produced the strawberry. They showed their thanksgiving by offering everyone present some of the gift of the strawberry. The point is that everyone receives a gift . No one is excluded.
In the Iroquois tradition, the strawberry is also a symbol of friendship, forgiveness and new life. If there has been a falling out between two people, and one person seeks to be reconciled, he or she will send a basket of strawberries. If they are received, then the other person is open to being reconciled. If they are not received, the other person is not ready at this time. Strawberries are used when there is a need for forgiveness in people’s lives. They are also about newness of life, for they come in the springtime when there is newness al around.
We are reminded to focus on new ideas, try new things and believe in new life. They are invited to see that mother earth is ready to give birth and bring new life by producing crops, fruits, plants and vegetables.
As we receive the strawberry, we are invited to reflect on the areas of our lives where we are in need of forgiveness and where we need to offer forgiveness. Lastly, we receive the strawberry in order to receive the newness of life the Creator has for us in Jesus.
Deacon: May peace and friendship enter our hearts,
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Deacon: Let us share in the gift of God’s friendship.
(The strawberries are eaten)
The Blessing
Presider: May the Creator watch over you.
May the Great Spirit guide and lead you.
May the love of Jesus be present in all that you do.
May we be blessed and surrounded by God’s love this day and always.
All: Miigwech. Nya’weh. Inishic. Yau. Amen.
Recessional Hymn: Walls that Divide
Dismissal
