Emmanuel Christian Community is a place where people of all different backgrounds can discover Christ.  We say this or something similar to this every Sunday. We are a community of spiritual transformation and have a commitment to share Jesus with those in our world.  And we want to seek social justice for all. Part of that call to social justice is our involvement in responding to the injustices of refugees who come to Canada.  Another part of that desire to seek justice is by seeking reconciliation with the Musqueam people who were on this land before us.

We recognize, respect and gratefully acknowledge that we worship on the unceded, ancestral and traditional territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) First Nation people. We consider it a privilege to be here.

This acknowledgement is just the starting place.  We hope to continue to inform, educate and grow together towards reconciliation with our indigenous neighbours. Reconciliation happens because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, who was not counting our sins against us, but rather restoring us to God.  And He now charges us to do the same.
(2 Cor 5: 18-19)

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

"21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act."

"215" | A lament by Brian Doerksen & Cheryl Bear

Regent College Podcast - “First Nations & Land Acknowledgment” with Dr. Cheryl Bear (Episode #105)

Regent College Podcast “Indigenous Spirituality: Pantheistic or Monotheistic?” with Dr. Cheryl Bear (Episode #121)

KAIROS - Strength for Climbing: Steps on the Journey of Reconciliation

Indigenous Canada Course - U. of Alberta (FREE)

"Why We Do Land Acknowledgments in My Church" Ken Shigematsu