Together, yet Apart, Heart Garden

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reconciliation Team at Immanuel, Wetaskiwin has discovered different ways of doing its ministry in the parish and in the community. This has been true of our Heart Garden this year, as well. After some time of creative thinking we came up with a way to make it happen.

We gave out packages for making hearts to anyone who wanted one, and also to the families that have been receiving weekly Sunday school packages. We cleaned up the garden and planted the flowers. Then, one by one, we added the hearts to the garden.

Together, yet apart, we remember the children who were taken to Residential Schools; the part that our church had in running those schools, the children who died and those who did not return to their families, and how we must always be willing to say we are sorry. This act of remembrance and reconciliation is a public sign in our community of Wetaskiwin.

We are hoping that next year we will be able to gather together to share stories, create hearts and plant our garden. Our commitment is to remember and to work together for reconciliation in our community and in our diocese.