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Propers for Memorializing the Covenant, 1994 (April 5)

These propers honour the creation of the Covenant in 1994, developed by Indigenous Anglican leaders following the 1993 Apology offered at Sacred Circle. The Covenant has become a foundational expression of identity and partnership, calling the Church to walk in healing, maturity and love in Christ.

Background

In 1993, a Sacred Circle gathering was held at Minaki Lodge in Kenora, Ontario. At that gathering, the Most Rev. Michael Peers apologized on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada for the damages Indigenous Anglicans incurred as a result of their experience in the residential schools operated by the Church. In 1994, a small group of Indigenous Anglican leaders met in Winnipeg and wrote the National Native Covenant. That covenant responds to the apology and has become foundational to the work of healing and reconciliation that continues.

From the General Synod 2019 resolution to Memorialize the Apology of 1993 and the Covenant of 1994: “The sentence comes from the Gospel. The Collect is the one we use that goes with the Covenant. In the readings, Isaiah has long been an inspirational reading with reference to the strength of the eagle and we have seen eagles soar at each of our sacred gatherings. The letter to the Ephesians speaks of maturity which concerns leaving the old life behind to follow in the new life of Jesus. The Gospel gives us the message of Jesus to his followers to love one another as He has loved them. This continues to be the goal of faith, to love as Jesus loved. The prayer over the gifts and after Communion are inspired by the National Native Covenant.”

Sentence

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34

Collect

Creator God,
from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
You have 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
grow into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life. Amen. 

Or

Creator God,
at the height of great despair and loss,
you visited us to deliver us
from the darkness of the effects of colonization
to form us into a family
where healing and reconciliation are at the centre of our lives.
May we, who share in the new covenant of Jesus,
who has redeemed us by his blood,
share in the glory of your eternal kingdom.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

Readings

Isaiah 40:27-31; Psalm 67;
Ephesians 4:17-24; John 13:31-34

Prayer over the Gifts

Creator God,
accept all we offer you this day
as you accepted us as your children and bring us into covenant love.
May we who receive these holy things
be found reconciling with each other
and come to maturity in you through our brother Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer after Communion

Reconciling and loving Creator,
you bring new life to all who accept your call.
May we who receive these holy things
respond to your call by loving one another and growing in faith.
This we ask on the name of our brother, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.