On July 4, from I to 2:30 p.m., at 9916 – 154th Street Edmonton, the second annual Genocide Memorial Service will be held. Last year, a service of dedication of a riverbed garden was held as a memorial to victims of genocide. Participants placed an inscribed stone in the riverbed, and spoke to the reason why it was important to honor the victim’s names that were listed on the stones. Facilitators were Reverend Brian Kiely minister of the Unitarian Church of Edmonton, and Reverend Audrey Brooks, Unitarian Chaplain, U of Alberta. Musicians were Gordon Ritchie on harp and Erin Van Der Molen-Pater as vocalist.
This year, you are invited, with many people from different religious and cultural groups, to name and honor millions of people whose lives were lost through violence. There will be music, song, and drumming. Lewis Cardinal will call the blessing of the four directions and speak to the importance of our remembrance.
The Raging Grannies and the Women in Black, the Grandmothers who support the Grandmothers in Africa who are raising children orphaned by parents who died of HIV/Aids will be present.
Bring a large stone with the name(s) of the peoples you wish to honor. Weatherproof it so the inscription will not wear off. If you placed a stone in the riverbed last year, you may speak to that, or place a different stone this time.
Genocide Memorial Garden
“ Humanity stands in a river of its own blood.
This garden honors the memory of victims who died violent deaths because of wars, racism, religious persecution, sexual orientation, greed, slavery, ethic cleansing and appropriation of aboriginal lands.
Audrey Brooks, Unitarian Chaplain,
U of A Interfaith Chaplains Association
Ph- 780 – 489 - 8842
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment