Nishtum ohtu kah weetumaan(First posting)

I am beginning this blog today for a number of reasons:
-to help friends keep track of me
-to provide news to interested persons about my activities
-to reflect on what I experience in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in a way that others may access, in the hope that these reflections will be of help to others in their walk with Christ, and in the hope that those who do not walk with the Lord Jesus may be helped towards such a walk
-to give honour and glory to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour

DCIP meeting -Friday, Sept. 30, Sat., Oct.1
Tomorrow afternoon(Friday) I will be flying to Moosonee, for a meeting of DCIP(Diocesan Council of Indigenous People). A part of my position as the Mahmow Program Coordinator is that I am the Diocesan staff support person for DCIP. DCIP also serves as a Board for the Mahmow Program. DCIP is composed of at least one member from each of the Cree parishes of the Diocese, and meets twice a year. This is the first meeting since the 2005 Diocesan Synod(in this Diocese the Synod meets every three years).

Some of the agenda items: structure of DCIP for this new triennium, selection of a DCIP facilitator, review of 2005 Diocesan Healing Gathering, 2006 Diocesan Healing Gathering, 2006 James Bay Great Chapter(combine with Healing Gathering?), issues arising from 2005 Sacred Circle, Mahmow Program update, Diocesan financial priorities, Eeyou Diocese progress

Natalie Gill, Diocesan Youth Coordinator, is a partner for the meeting

The DCIP meetings are open to any members of the Cree parishes to attend. The travel costs for designated DCIP members only are provided for in the Diocesan Budget. Others are welcome to attend, but their travel costs will not be provided by the Diocese. However, the hosting parish will endeavour to provide meals and accommodation for all who come from beyond Moosonee/Moose Factory.

The meeting will be held at the Church of the Apostles, Moosonee. It begins on Friday at 7 pm. Then there will be meeting sessions throughout Saturday.

Delegates expected for the meeting: Charles Bobbish(Chisasibi -Diocesan ACIP rep("Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples" - a national Anglican Church body of indigenous peoples), Christopher Napash(Chisasibi), Janie Pachanos(Chisasibi), Mary Georgekish(Wemindji), Donald Gilpin(Eastmain), George & Gladys Matoush(both of Mistissini -Gladys is also representing Waskaganish, where she was raised and continues to spend a significant amount of time), Ronnie Otter(Waswanapi), Caroline Chum(Moose Factory), Grace Delaney(Moose Factory -alternate Diocesan ACIP rep), Norm Wesley(Moose Factory), Philemon Wesley(Kashechewan), Edna Sutherland(Constance Lake), Evelyn Pewenish(Constance Lake), & various members of Moosonee parish(Katie Normand, Moosonee's designated DCIP rep is away, however)

Church of the Apostles, Moosonee -Sun., Oct. 2
At 11 am I will be preaching and celebrating Eucharist. At 6 pm I will be leading a special service of healing. (The Church of the Apostles is a parish which has no incumbent. I am the priest-in-charge of the parish, and make monthly visits. The regular Sunday services are usually led by Parish Lay Readers)

The DCIP meetings always cover alot of ground. For the working sessions of the meetings we sit in a circle, on chairs, but with no tables. Following informal opening worship we have a sharing circle. In the sharing circle we go round the circle, each person introducing themselves and responding to a question. Following the opening circle we set the agenda for the rest of the meeting. I am perhaps the only person who has been at every DCIP meeting since the first one, with the first edition of DCIP in 1997. At that meeting I was invited to be one of two non-indigenous partners. People share stories of sorrow and joy, and I am always deeply moved by the stories and people. I eagerly look forward to each DCIP meeting, where my own faith is always both challenged and strengthened. There are heartbreaking stories from the communities of youth suicide, family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and other tragic happenings, but always there is the light of Christ, and a sense we find together that Christ is at work bringing healing and hope.