The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music presented its Report #13 on Resolution C032 (A Prayer to Remember the Innocents) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C032)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church expresses remorse for the role The Episcopal Church played in the irreparable harm suffered by Indigenous children who attended Indigenous boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s and acknowledges that the effect of that harm carries on in boarding school survivors and their descendants; and be it further

Resolved, that the 81st General Convention receives the gift of the following prayer to remember the Indigenous children who were forcibly taken to boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s:

A PRAYER TO REMEMBER THE INNOCENTS

Ohiŋni wičhauŋkiksuyapi kte.  "We will always remember them."

Dear Lord, Almighty God, we pray for all Indigenous children who were in residential and boarding schools in Canada and the United States.  Some died there; we ask that you give assurance to   their descendants that their souls are with you and their ancestors. Some survived there; we ask that you give your healing grace to all who endured hardship while there and are still struggling with those memories. Lastly, we ask you to help us guard our children against harm in this world. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen.

And be it further

Resolved, That the use of this prayer be encouraged in liturgies throughout The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention designate September 30 or another appropriate date on the Church Calendar as the annual remembrance of these Indigenous children; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to prepare appropriate biblical lessons, collects and other liturgical resources commemorating the lives and suffering of these children; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention directs the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to report back to the 82nd General Convention with its recommendation for the inclusion of this commemoration in the church calendar and Lesser Feasts and Fasts.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church expresses remorse for the role The Episcopal Church played in the irreparable harm suffered by Indigenous children who attended Indigenous boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s, and acknowledges that the effect of that harm carries on in boarding school survivors and their descendants; and be it further 

Resolved, that the 81st General Convention receives the gift of the following prayer to remember the Indigenous children who were forcibly taken to boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s: 

A PRAYER TO REMEMBER THE INNOCENTS 

Ohiŋni wičhauŋkiksuyapi kte.  "We will always remember them." 

Dear Lord, Almighty God, we pray for all Indigenous children who were in residential and boarding schools in Canada and the United States.  Some died there; we ask that you give assurance to   their descendants that their souls are with you and their ancestors. Some survived there; we ask that you give your healing grace to all who endured hardship while there and are still struggling with those memories. Lastly, we ask you to help us guard our children against harm in this world. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.  Amen. 

  And be it further 

Resolved, That the use of this prayer be encouraged in liturgies throughout The Episcopal Church; and be it further 

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with Indigenous communities in the Episcopal Church, to consider designate September 30 to determine another appropriate date on the Church Calendar as the annual remembrance of these Indigenous children; and be it further 

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with Indigenous communities in the Episcopal Church, to prepare appropriate biblical lessons, collects, and other liturgical resources commemorating the lives and suffering of these children, and ; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention directs the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to report back to the 82nd General Convention with its recommendation for the inclusion of this commemoration in the church calendar and Lesser Feasts and Fasts.

Debate ensued.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #84)