Social Ministry fall 2015 learning circle – week three

Social Ministry fall 2015 learning circle – week three

It was a quiet day at CCS today.  All the students have gone home.  Staff dragged themselves in to debrief the three weeks that made up the Social Ministry fall learning circle.

The focus of this final week of the learning circle was Truth and Reconciliation.  Students wrestled with the legacy of Indian Residential School and the implications of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, both personally and for the church.

The first day was heavy, with a viewing of the film “We Were Children” and a discussion of the nature of apology.  Tuesday was about connecting the dots, understanding the intersections of mission, colonialism, empire, racism, land, power, violence and abuse, incarceration, and child welfare.  On the third day, students went on a reflection walk around The Forks (a historic meeting place of cultures in Winnipeg’s downtown) and took part in the KAIROS “blanket exercise.”  Thursday was a day for students to review their learnings from the past three weeks and offer affirmation and encouragement to each other as they continue to grow in ministry.

Safe travel, students, and we look forward to seeing you in person again in the spring.

Artistic reflections of Residential Schools

Josh and Debra on a walking reflection, leaving Upper Fort Garry

Posing with Gandhi

Path to Peace. The straight cobblestone path represents the European tradition, the winding path the Indigenous tradition.

At Oodena Circle, the Forks

Oodena Celebration Circle at the Forks, Winnipeg

Territories getting smaller and smaller – the KAIROS blanket exercise

Kim plays drum during a closing hymn

Students prepare to leave the fall learning circle

Lisa and Lynn modelling their CCS shirts

I am a walking advertisement for the Centre for Christian Studies