Forging Right Relations
Strategic Objective: Deepen Indigenization and healing in The United Church of Canada towards self-determination and the possibility of reconciliation.
Self Governing
A fully self-governing Indigenous Church within the United Church will be created and developed, implementing the Calls to the Church.
Priority? | Key Activities |
---|---|
✓ | Structure/Model: Indigenous Church |
✓ | Funding model: Indigenous Church |
Indigenous Testamur | |
Theologies/Spiritualities: Indigenous ways | |
Indigenous Youth Leadership | |
New Indigenous Ministries |
Accomplishments
In this period, the National Indigenous Elders Council has been meeting bimonthly to provide leadership to the Indigenous Church, recently reaching out to expand the number of participating Elders. In addition, the regional Circles of the Indigenous church have been meeting monthly. Indigenous commissioners have been named for General Council 45, and preparations are under way for an Indigenous pre-event.
Staff have supported the implementation of a significant property assessment process across the Indigenous church, which is coming to a conclusion. Community Capacity Development Coordinators are working on a proposal as to how the Indigenous church might best benefit from the percentage commitments, related to sales of property, that are part of regional council policies.
Finally, in this quarter the Healing Fund, entered into a very positive 2-year commitment with United Church Women to support Indigenous healing and justice.
Challenges
For future decision about the Indigenous church to be informed by data, as one factor, there needs to an investment in greater data collection related to Indigenous congregations. Community Development Capacity Coordinators are working on this, and this will permit an independent but connected process, linked to the data-informed vision and strategy of Toward 2035 anticipated by the denomination.
Looking Forward
Work is underway with Philanthropy to support another Indigenous ministers’ retreat following on the positive experience of last year. Town Halls are being planned for the Indigenous church to inform communities about Mission and Service grant application processes.
** Note that Indigenous pathways is using another process other than key results methodology for their reporting. **
For questions on the Strategic Plan, or for a summary of all 2024 Operational Plan Activities including descriptions, contact .
United Church Designates a Special Sunday for Orange Shirt Day
Since 2013, Orange Shirt Day (September 30) honours Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families, homes, and communities. Many… continue readingElders Have Set a Path Forward for the Indigenous Church
The National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering met in Winnipeg from November 29 through December 2 for a time of discussion, reflection, and prayer.NISG to Create Framework to Help the Indigenous Church Move Forward
National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering (NISG) to meet in Winnipeg November 29 to December 1, 2024, to build a shared understanding of leadership and… continue readingModerator’s Orange Shirt Day Message 2024
September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a day to reflect, pray, and learn, and to honour… continue readingModerator’s National Indigenous Peoples Day Message 2024
In her National Indigenous Peoples Day message, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne reminds us that we can all take specific actions to celebrate or recognize… continue readingRemembering Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and Buffalo Woman
Please join in prayer to support the families of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and the unidentified woman called Buffalo Woman.2023 National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering Concludes on July 30
We give thanks for the opportunity to gather and give room to many strong voices.With Strong Voices: National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering
The 2023 National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering will take place in Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton from July 27–30.Establishing an Autonomous National Indigenous Organization
The 44th General Council has authorized a remit on removing structural barriers so that the Indigenous Church can determine its place and structure… continue readingBreak Us and Mold Us
A prayer for the renewal of the church by the Rev. Karlene Brown-Palmer, St. Paul’s United Church, Tillsonburg, Ontario.Downloads
- Strategic Plan 2023-2025 (423.33 KB) (PDF)