CRC GENERAL ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE 2006 Words/Themes/Messages For The Conference To Hear And Proclaim: Feedback from the Tables on June 10, 2006

Words/Themes/Messages Broken and Blessed Acknowledge that we are broken and blessed (Is 50:10-11) Don’t extinguish fires courageously lit; walk in the embers With “yearning”... “intentionality” recognizing our brokenness – continuing to have the courage of truth – supporting this message with the five symbols Let us build with our broken stones Building beyond our broken hearts

Words/Themes/Messages Dialogue in Truth Continue the dialogue in truth with daring … between us, with the church and with the world Reconciliation: life-long-ongoing, need to stay in dialogue, embrace our mission, need to know oneness with all – earth, air, cosmos, the whole of life! Create the atmosphere of trust that supports and promotes dialogue, conversation among ourselves as CRC, with our respective Congregations and the ecclesiastical leaders The Canadian Religious Conference must speak out and encourage actions that are paths of truth, life and unity

Words/Themes/Messages Dialogue in Truth Joyful witness of ongoing reconciliation and bridge-building Creating bridges beyond our brokenness Being all together signs of reconciliation, to live reconciliation with ourselves and others (to reconcile with one another, between us, with others) To continue and to emphasize our becoming more conscious, more aware, more informed about NON-violence in all: relationships, environment, women, etc. Courageous dialogue, speak the truth courageously Remaining in dialogue between congregations, the Church, society

Words/Themes/Messages Dialogue in Truth Reconciliation is never totally completed; it means “mining”, going deeper into the issues Daring to reconcile – among us, the Church, social groups (in society), finding joy Together, in hope, building with our realities Courage to keep moving into the gaps that are conflictual CRC model: a way of being together that mirrors the soul of Canada, rich in diversity of culture and language, working towards reconciliation and unity and focusing on what unites us and on what we can do together to further the Gospel in our fractured world

Words/Themes/Messages Dialogue with Bishops With our broken stones, continuing to build the Church with confidence Reconciliation in dialogue, in truth between the CRC and the bishops – reconciliation in speaking and listening Creating places of dialogue with our Bishops Continue dialogue with the Bishops Name the “gaps” in our areas of division: relationships between religious congregations and Church hierarchy, regional alienation True communion within the Church which recognizes the diversity of gifts and roles

Words/Themes/Messages Being Prophetic Renew our vision of God In this time of our brokenness being reborn in thanksgiving, Magnificat! Continue to expand our horizons on contemporary challenges and make visible the signs of hope that are ours Take a step now to bring hope to our people Together, going forward, in our prophetic commitment... Interdependently walk boldly into mystery

Words/Themes/Messages CRC Itself We are very pleased with the topics and themes that the CRC is engaged in, but we would like to be helped to integrate more effectively the profound sense of reconciliation found in these themes The people in the regions feels disenfranchised from and by the new CRC structure. We recommend that the CRC structure be re-examined to hear and honor the wisdom and diversity of the regions.

WORDS OF RECONCILIATION We are all broken rocks Courage to speak and tell Diversity, perseverance, courage, shifting sands In brokenness, we discover new life Beauty, transparence, frailty, diversity, seeking Injuries, outpouring of life = mystery! Name, risk, trust, let go, let God My strength is in my weakness

WORDS OF RECONCILIATION Frailty, sincerity, courage, light, freedom Opening – gaiety; frailty – beauty, freedom = God, come to my aide! Awareness of our brokenness opens the way Constructing/Confidence/Communication Uniting Risk/Network Equilibrium = CURE