Diocesan Weaving Project Begins with Smudging of the Loom

The Remembering the Children diocesan weaving project began with a smudging of the loom by Fred Matthews, lay reader-in-charge of Church of the Nativity, Frog Lake. Fellow Indigenous ministries team member Fiona Brownlee, aboriginal and rural communities liaison for the Edmonton diocese, welcomed loom keepers from several parishes and diocesan staff to Christ Church for ceremony. Matthews led the “Remembering the Children Prayer” by Archdeacon Travis Enright. He then smudged participants and the loom and sang two drum songs. Lay evangelist and weaving instructor Alison Hurlburt facilitated practice on the loom. Loom keepers will be on hand to help members of the diocese create a woven memorial for the children who died at Canada's residential schools. No weaving experience is necessary! The travelling loom will make stops in five Edmonton parishes beginning with Christ Church on Ash Wednesday. There will be opportunities to pray, reflect, repent and heal while weaving together. You can follow the project on Instagram: @RememberTheChildren.DioEdm Video Credit: Fiona Brownlee