In God’s call to us for a ministry of mercy and justice (Micah 6:8), World Renew joins all Canadians in a commitment to this day of September 30 as the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day designated for all to lament the atrocities that happened in residential schools across Canada, from which injustice and suffering still continues to the present time. Realizing the majority of us as Canadians are settlers on a land that was home to Indigenous peoples, it is especially important that we stand in solidarity with those who graciously gave us this place and who have been oppressed in the past and present.

World Renew staff in Canada will be remembering this day through activities of reflection and learning, and encourage all of our community of supporters to do the same. If you are part of the Christian Reformed Church community, we encourage you to explore the personal guided reflection resource available at this link. There are additional resources for which you can reflect and learn how to advocate at these links: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action outlined in its final report – particularly the Calls that refer to faith groups.

This call to participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a call to love our Indigenous brothers and sisters, to reconcile and heal relationships. We would love to hear from you if you have found any particular activities helpful in your efforts to remember this day and commit yourself to longer-term action and advocacy for changing the narrative from colonial oppression to all one body and nation! May God bless each of our efforts to be the beloved community he created us to be.