Today, Virginia celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day. I invite you to read not only my words but the words of others as they reflect on what this day means.
Did you learn about Christopher Columbus and/or Columbus Day as a child? If so, what do you remember?
Northam states that “Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the resilience of our tribal communities and promotes reconciliation, healing, and continued friendship with Virginia’s Indian tribes.” How do you feel that we are called, as fellow humans and specifically as Christians, to celebrate this resilience and promote reconciliation, healing, and continued friendship with those who have been and/or are being oppressed?
To prepare for this prayer, I encourage you to look at this map and find out who originally occupied the land that you are inhabiting- whether this is where you live, where you are, and/or where you work.
A Prayer for Healing and Hope
O Great Spirit, God of all people and every tribe,
through whom all people are related;
Call us to the kinship of all your people.
Grant us vision to see
through the lens of our Baptismal Covenant,
the brokenness of the past;
(Here may be inserted specific, local prayers for the brokenness of the past.)
Help us to listen to you and to one-another,
in order to heal the wounds of the present;
(Here may be inserted specific, local prayers for the brokenness of the past.)
And, give us courage, patience and wisdom
to work together for healing,
and hope with all of your people,
now and in the future.
(Here may be inserted specific, local prayers for the brokenness of the past.)
Mend the hoop of our hearts
and let us live in justice and peace,
through Jesus Christ,
the One who comes to all people
that we might live in dignity. Amen.
