Manitou Intentional Learning Community

World Labyrinth Day: A Global Celebration of the Labyrinth

Taking Steps for Peace took place Saturday, May 5, 2018 on World Labyrinth Day organized by MILC.

The day included a workshop at St. Peter’s United Church.  Participants learned to lead labyrinth walks with the indoor labyrinth available, from Amy Hallman Grout, Rev. Linda Saffrey, Rev. Dawn Vaneyk, Faye Moffatt.

The labyrinth walk took place at 1p.m. at the  outdoor labyrinth site at Lourdes Grotto, Van Horne St.

  Race and Racism in Our Congregations and Communities

In a culture that both “doesn’t do death” (eg. no service, visitation), yet claims the right to choose death (Medical Assistance in Dying) how do Ministry Personnel help people of faith navigate the complexity of choices as we confront End of Life issues? How can we enable helpful conversations?

This was the first of two events designed to help Ministry Personnel support individuals and families as they plan for End-of-Life decisions.

On February 22, 2018, Rev. Kathy Dahmer lead participants in an examination of the following questions:

• How our faith inform our views of life and death
• How changes in our culture impact those views.
• The spiritual and psychological impact of a culture that “doesn’t do death”, and how we challenge that trend.
• How Ministry Personnel can effectively and faithfully walk with people through the many changes and choices End of Life issues present.

More than 200 people turned out at St. Peter’s United Church on November 7th for the film launch of Truly and Humbly: Memories of the First Apology by filmmaker Hoi Cheu.  Truly and Humbly documents the stories and experiences of those present with the United Church apologized to the indigenous people of Canada for failing to recognise the value of their spirituality and for imposing Western civilization on indigenous people.  The film not only documents the past but calls non-indigenous Canadians to walk different past. The evening of November 7th, featured the documentary film followed by questions and answers with the filmmaker and project committee members.  Moderator Rev. Jordan Cantwell and Sheila Cote-Meek, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs both provided reflection on the film and the work to be done towards reconciliation.  The United Church presented Hoi Cheu with a painting as a thank you for his volunteer work that made the project possible.  Artist Leland Bell presented Hoi Cheu with the work.

Drum circle Waabishki Mkwaa.

Chief Steven Miller of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek giving a welcome before the film viewing.

Filmmaker Hoi Cheu speaking with the audience following the documentary film viewing.

Artist Leland Bell presenting Hoi Cheu with painting.

United Church Moderator Rev. Jordan Cantwell speaking with audience member following the documentary.

On November 8th, 2017, United Church Moderator Rev. Jordan Cantwell was in Sudbury to speak at MILC’s annual general meeting.

She join us at St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church in Sudbury for a meeting with youth and a public presentation.

The MILC annual general meeting took place over the dinner time between talks with the Moderator.

On Saturday, September 16, 2017, the United Church of Canada in Mission and Service along with MILC hosted a stewardship workshop focused on assisting church members how to inspire, ask and thank.  This practical workshop ran from 10am to 4pm with leadership from:

The cold temperatures and strong winds did not stop a resolute group from gathering at the Lourdes Grotto on May 6th, 2017 for the annual celebration of World Labyrinth Day.  St. Peter’s along with MILC organize the annual event to coincide with World Labyrinth Day in order to encourage and examine the spiritual practice of Labyrinth walking.