Canadian pilgrimage – postcard two

Canada Pilgrimage: Postcard 2 

London | Toronto | Winnipeg

Land Acknowledgement:
“The City of Toronto acknowledges that we are on
the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit,
the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples
and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
The City also acknowledges that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13
signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties
signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.”

Travelling around the Toronto area, then onwards, north and west to Winnipeg, Manitoba has focussed our minds and hearts on truth and reconciliation, and the work of treaty commissions. Looking beyond this lands, I applaud this week the awarding of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to South African judge, Navi Pillay for her groundbreaking work in speaking truth and promoting peace and international law across the globe, and in particular in relation to the genocide in Gaza.

Meeting Community Leader, Mary Bee Haworth at the L’Arche community in London, Ontario, and talking with them about hope in community when hearts have been broken apart and broken open, restored hope in the vital work of peace and reconciliation through supporting people with intellectual disabilities through relationships, and empowering them to thrive. Themes of diversity and inclusion continued as we moved on to Toronto, where the diversity of that city is mirrored in the diversity of St. Luke’s United Church – ‘a small, diverse, and vibrant congregation made up of long-time members, newcomers to Canada, people living with housing and food insecurity challenges, young adults in school or early in their careers, families and single people.’  It was a privilege to join them, and Associate Member Nancy Hardy, in worship and for lunch afterwards.

In Winnipeg, the witness of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; the work of Shahina Siddiqui of the Islamic Social Services Association; the education programmes of Commissioner Loretta Ross and her team at the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba; the educational work of Kerry Saner-Harvey and the team at ‘Share the Gifts: honour the treaties’ all impressed upon us the need for ongoing education and learning across the globe about truth, reconciliation and the power of treaty. All of this while our anchor home for worship, food and stimulating conversation was with our friends at the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) meant for a powerful few days ‘at the heart of north America’. How might we engage in, and embed this learning most effectively as the Iona Community? I look forward to hearing more from our Canada Region about possible ways forward.

The day before we left Winnipeg we met, online and onsite, with 45 Members and Associate Members of the Iona Community to consider next steps for the Iona Community in North America. Lorna Bowry, Convener of the IC North America Advisory Group, updated the group on developments, and encouraged the continued growth and deepening not just of membership, but of passion and concern, locally expressed, for justice and peace. And our final gathering with the Winnipeg local planning team saw them making a commitment to meet regularly on site to deepen their commitment to the Rule.

The Fingerprint Labyrinth continues to accompany us as we travel. At CMU, with around 70 students and faculty members celebrating communion together, worshippers were invited, during the sharing of the bread and wine, to walk the labyrinth as an act of solidarity, acknowledging the sacrifice of all who protest injustice. The simple invitation to take off your shoes and walk a path of peace was a point of connection reaching beyond words and doctrine; reaching to actions for truth and reconciliation in our world.

God of all creation:
God of all land, treaty and territory,
of sky, river and ocean,
forgive our greed.
As we rush to name, own,
acquire and sate so
many hungers,
we pray for bread for all
who hunger – and a hunger for justice
for those who are fed.
In the name of the God of all creation.
Amen