The United Church Moderator reflects on reconciliation from local to national
Mardi Tindal was the Moderator, or elected leader, of the United Church of Canada from August 2009 through August 2012. Her term coincided with the opening of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and since the United Church and its predecessor denominations ran a large number of residential schools, the work of the Commission is very present and real for her work as both Moderator and a member of the church.
Moderator Mardi finished her term in August 2012. She has offered the United Church and its many partners rich and thoughtful contributions to the reconciliation journey, and you can read her blogs on truth and reconciliation at http://www.wondercafe.ca/tags/reconciliation
Her reflection on local involvement in Canada’s healing will be included in McGraw-Hill Ryerson’s new contemporary literary program for Grades 9–12 across Canada. In it she writes, “I’m convinced that this locally inspired activity represents a model of healing for our nation. It’s not about some grand national strategy initiated from one central place. It is about particular communities taking their part in God’s healing work seriously enough to invest in the hard work of learning, relationship-building, and change. By asking for and receiving the support of the Conference and the General Council, we are able to learn and work together—and inspire other communities in similar paths.”
