We are gathered together by the breath-maker, who has named and called us here; and we are gathered on this very piece of Mother Earth which some call Havana Illinois. Not far from here we will find Rockwell mound and Dickson mounds, evidence that Indigenous peoples lives and creation stories are rooted in these places and that they have lived on these lands throughout Turtle Island since time immemorial.
We also understand that all land is Indigenous land, on which tribal nations first loved, prayed, grew, celebrated, cried, drummed, sang, and danced. These are
Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasha Nations.
We know that Indigenous peoples are not historical subjects but part of our communities, churches, schools, and leadership, and that they offer invaluable wisdom for how we exist, today and into the future, in relationship with Mother Earth and our human and nonhuman neighbors.
We understand the importance and necessity of acknowledging the land and its original, Indigenous peoples, and doing so consistently, whenever and wherever we might gather, virtually or in person. Also, we understand that this is only the first step and that, as we venture into the world, we must learn more, do more, and realize healing and justice for the Indigenous peoples whose lands we now occupy.
Let us begin this work for healing and justice by entering into a place of peace and prayer together.
Let us pray. Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more into your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.