Heart Gardens

The United Church of Canada has been represented throughout the Truth and Reconciliation process over the past years. Our denomination was involved in the dark reality of Residential Schools for First Nations peoples, a form of cultural genocide. The collaboration of church and state was racist at its core, even though there were many fine people who worked in those schools. I received this yesterday from Kairos and I hope congregations everywhere will participate.

The formal Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) process comes to a close in Ottawa from May 31 to June 3, 2015.  As a legacy to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, former students of Indian Residential Schools and their families, KAIROS is joining with the TRC, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and Project of Heart and inviting children and youth across the country to create a Heart Garden.

We invite children and youth in parishes and congregations to make hearts, send one symbolic heart to Ottawa, and plant a Heart Garden in your community to recognize our shared commitment to reconciliation.

Here is all you need to know about how to create your Heart Garden and send a symbolic heart to Ottawa: http://www.kairoscanada.org/home-page-feature-2/heart-gardens/

Be sure to keep a close eye on the KAIROS website for updates and resources for the May 29 to June 3 Time for Reconciliation KAIROS Gathering, including worship resources to mark the ceremonial close of the TRC: www.kairoscanada.org/time4reconciliation