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Greetings Bethel Family,

   As all of you are aware of the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children found under the residential school system in Kamloops, our hearts are broken and we are all deeply saddened by such tragedy. I thought it was important to send out a brief response from our church regarding this tragic discovery. This inexcusable act, like many other wrongs that have happened throughout history, continues to show us that humanity is broken and in need of Jesus. As we, along with our entire nation grieve with our Indigenous communities, we cannot ignore such wrongfully sinful actions. 

   As followers of Jesus, we are called to love unconditionally and this love that we are shown through scripture by Jesus is a love that doesn’t stay silent but provokes action and change for those that are wronged. Today, I would encourage each of us to prayerfully consider what we can do as individuals to support our Indigenous communities and help reconcile the horrific past that they have experienced as the result of people and churches that brutally mistreated them and did not represent the person of Christ. Please take some time to educate yourself regarding the terrible history of all that has happened and let's all be intentional about doing what we can to come alongside, comfort and support our indigenous brothers and sisters as we seek to help change the future for all people in both Canada and the Word that we live in.