Vegreville Faith Communities Consider 'Good and Hard Work of Reconciliation'

The Christian families of St. Mary the Virgin, Vegreville Anglican Parish and the Vegreville United Church came together recently for their second ecumenical gathering in as many weeks. 

On April 23, they enjoyed a wonderful service with Bishop Stephen London presiding at St. Mary’s for three baptisms, four confirmations and one reception into the Anglican Communion. 

Looking ahead to National Indigenous History month in June, they welcomed Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Rural Communities Liaison Officer in the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, to the United Church. 

Brownlee spoke about the “good and hard work of reconciliation” with our many Indigenous and Métis neighbours, especially those in our rural communities; thus, remembering that Jesus calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves. 

With thanksgiving for Brownlee’s ministry, and her willingness to travel to Vegreville from Wetaskiwin, the parishes presented her with a quilted, Indigenous-inspired prayer shawl made by the Rev. Laureta Blondin and blessed by the Rev. Pamela Milton. The quilt’s design features a center fabric panel entitled “The Journey Home,” originally created by artist Karen Erickson. 

Erickson painted her piece “Every Child Matters” out of reverence to those grieving the trauma and loss which occurred at Residential Schools across Canada. Her painting depicts two siblings set free when they are discovered at a residential school. Painted holding hands, the children are now reunited as they make their way back home having been torn apart from each other at residential school. A moon and feathers represent the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people joining together to guide them home.

One hundred per cent of the proceeds from sales of the panel, are being donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and the Orange Shirt Society by Northcott Fabrics, who reproduced the artwork on fabric and distributed it to quilt shops across Canada. Submitted by the Rev. Laureta Blondin, rector, St. Mary’s, Vegreville