Prayers and invitation to action May 5 and May 11
We join in prayer for the loved ones and community of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran in their grief and in their relief, as both bodies have now been found in the Prairie Green landfill near Winnipeg. We pray for their healing journeys.
On March 26, Mashkode Bizihiki’ Ikwe (Buffalo Woman) was identified as Ashlee Shingoose from St. Theresa Point First Nation. Ashlee’s remains are believed to be the Brady landfill in Winnipeg, and discussions about a search there have begun.
We lift prayers that the spirits of Morgan, Marcedes, and Ashlee are at peace with the Creator.
We pray with deep gratitude for the volunteers and professionals who willingly took on the hard task of searching the landfill, and who continue to search. We pray for all those who advocated for a search that should never have needed their advocacy. It should have happened long ago. We give thanks for those who did listen, and who helped the search begin. May all these voices help our society do the right thing, including taking on more commitments to stop this terrible and continuing epidemic of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people.
God, hear our prayers and grief. Move us to the committed action of compassion and give us the strength to believe in the possibility of change, through our actions and your spirit.
All communities of faith, ministries, and people in our Regional Council are encouraged to publicly show support and take action against colonization, racism and the injustice of the Murdered and Missing and speak out against this epidemic. You can show your support for the families, and demand justice for the missing and murdered, by participating in two upcoming days of action:
- May 5 is Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). On this day you can wear red, hang a red dress outside your home or church, and participate in Red Dress events in your community.
- May 15 is Moosehide Campaign Day. This year, we are invited to walk and fast to end violence. The United Church supports the Moosehide Campaign. For more information on this year’s Campaign Day activities, please visit the website. And don’t forget to order moosehide pins for your community of faith.
