November 28 - Updates and Announcements

Seeing Reconciliation:
Watch the documentary Reserve 107 https://www.reserve107thefilm.com/  
From the website: When a group of Mennonites and Lutherans in the town of Laird discover that the land they live on is in fact the former reserve of the Young Chippewayan First Nation, they are forced to acknowledge the history that has brought them to their present confrontation. Myths, assumptions and fears are shattered as this old injustice is about to provide an opportunity for friendship and renew a fierce determination to repair the wrongs of the past.

Advent Fundraiser for the month of December:
Community Outreach and Focus on Missions are fundraising to support Rev. Lori Calkins and the birth work she is doing with Indigenous communities. This work plays an essential role in healing, breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma, and cultural reawakening for Indigenous families of many nations. Our goal is $15,000.

Our monthly  TABLE TOP ADVENTURES  (aka Games Night) is coming up this Friday, December 3, 2021. If you enjoy board games, puzzle building, crafting, etc., please join in! Vaccinationsproof of medical exemption, or proof of negative Covid test taken in the preceding 72 hours is required — remember you must have the QR code to confirm vaccinations.

During Advent, St Paul's Community Outreach and Focus on Missions are partnering to raise financial support for Rev. Lori Calkins.

Earlier this year, Rev. Lori Calkins spoke to our congregation regarding her work as an Indigenous cultural birth helper to Indigenous families here in Edmonton, across Treaty 6 territory and beyond. This work plays an essential role in healing, breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma, and cultural reawakening for Indigenous families of many nations. It also provides direct, tangible, multi-generational redress for the harms done by our church’s role in running Residential Schools.The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action include: "We call upon church parties to the Settlement Agreement, in collaboration with Survivors and representatives of Aboriginal organizations, to establish permanent funding to Aboriginal people for: Community-controlled healing and reconciliation projects. (61:i)”. Financial support for  this ministry directly responds to this call to action. The first year of this ministry was funded by the Diocese, but it has since become necessary for Lori to search out her own funding, which has included grants; individual and family donations; and foundation and endowment funds. Lori has shared with us that she is very grateful to know this Advent project is taking place. Funding is close to depleted so this contribution will help her essential work to continue. Please hold her, her colleagues and the families they support in prayer. Our goal during Advent is to raise $15,000 towards her salary, which is roughly two months worth of work. Only together can we ensure the spirit and goals of the TRC Calls to Action are met and exceeded.  

Layette Activity: On December 19 after the service, you are invited to join in the creation of several small layettes for clients of Indigenous Birth of Alberta. New or gently used items can be donated to this activity on December 5 and 12, and a box for those donations will be set up in the foyer. Items that will go into the layettes include:

• receiving blankets,
• sleepers, onesies,
• a bigger blanket,
• pads (for the birthing person),
• diapers,
• wipes,
• baby socks and
• hats.