A prayer to mark the 20th anniversary of the United Church Apology to Former Students of United Church Indian Residential Schools, and to Their Families and Communities.

God of struggle, and of reconciliation,
Be with us as we remember what we have been a part of:
Cruel and unjust systems
Efforts to say “sorry” … and to mean it

Remind us that our history as people is like a braid
We are wrapped together
And there is tension in that, and pain
But there is also strength

Remind us of the beauty and sacredness of braids
The beauty and sacredness of relationships
Remind us to never again sever these braids
But to honour them in everything we do

God of struggle, and of reconciliation,
Be with us as we recognize what we must be a part of:
Loving and just relationships
Saying “sorry” … and actively meaning it.
Amen.

—Sara Stratton, Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator

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