More than 225 Indigenous Anglicans and friends have arrived at the Wilderness Edge Retreat Centre, Pinawa, Man. for the seventh national Sacred Circle, Aug. 5 to 12. Participants will worship, fellowship, and make important decisions about the ongoing process of self-determination—a priority for Indigenous Ministries across Canada.
The Anglican Church of Canada is providing ongoing coverage of Sacred Circle on a dedicated blog, which features short articles and video highlights. Updates will also be shared in social media.
Sacred Circle began Sunday night with the arrival of some 20 people who had walked, by relay, from Beausejour, Man., 60 km. away. The walk was inspired by the event theme “Walking the Dream” and participants spoke about the work of self-determination en route.
A highlights video of the walk is available on the blog.
At the opening Eucharist Monday morning, the Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, spoke on the significance of the day’s feast, the Feast of Transfiguration. He described the process of transfiguration that Indigenous Anglicans have been undergoing over several decades and he likened this to an exodus, “from racism to respect, loss to recovery, submission to self-determination.”
Archbishop Hiltz encouraged Sacred Circle participants with the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples when they witnessed the transfiguration: “Get up. Do not be afraid.”
The Sacred Circle agenda will include updates on the new ministries of Indigenous bishops, including ones elected in Ontario and Saskatchewan. A similar position is emerging in Northern Manitoba.
- Visit the Sacred Circle 2012 blog
- Learn more about past Sacred Circles
- Watch documentaries of past Sacred Circles
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