General News and Announcements

July 27, 2010

Montréal: Bells will ring out from churches across Canada on Wednesday, 28 July, at 5:55 p.m., in memory of the victims of the Grand Dérangement (the Acadian Deportation).

At the initiative of Covenanter Church in Grand Pré, Nova-Scotia; the Gospel, Ecumenism and Theology Committee-Maritime Conference; and Ministries in French-General Council, the commemoration of the Acadian Deportation signifies recognition of the need for reconciliation and healing for Acadians.

This initiative, begun five years ago, resonates across the country. Each member of The United Church of Canada is invited to light a candle—a light of hope and healing—on the evening of July 28, and to place it in a window. Please join in this gesture of prayer and solidarity with Acadians scattered across Canada, the United States and Europe. This gesture coincides with commemorative events held in churches in the four Atlantic provinces and in Louisiana. The Société Nationale de l’Acadie (SNA) will also hold events.

July 28 marks the anniversary of the decision of the English Governor, Charles Lawrence, 255 years ago, to deport the Acadians.  The bells ring to honour the memory of the women, men, and children who lived through the dark years that followed—a direct consequence of the expulsion and migrations imposed on the Acadians.

The Société Nationale de l’Acadie (SNA), through the auspices of the Commission l’Odyssée acadienne, which is responsible for the organization of the events, has invited all Acadian parishes to ring out their church bells On July 28, the official day of commemoration of le Grand Dérangement.

Jean J. Gaudet, president of the Commission de l’Odyssée acadienne, states in a communiqué that he “wishes that this act of solemn commemoration [will] become a tradition in Acadie.”

With its emphasis on engagement for justice and reconciliation between peoples, the United Church could not remain silent on the subject of this tragedy. Please join this movement of recognition wherever you are.

For more information and details on how you can get involved, please visit Light of Hope and Healing 2010.

• Darla Sloan, Responsible
  Ministries in French
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 514-284-1675, ext 223
  E-mail: Darla Sloan