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Remember the thrill of passing the Affirming Church motions last year? This will come close. We are ready to make a concrete contribution to the process of reconciliation by making a meaningful donation from our Legacy Fund to the First United capital campaign (called First Forward).

Every Sunday we acknowledge that the land we are on is First Nations territory. That same land is the source of our Legacy Fund, which resulted from our redevelopment project. The United Church of Canada has fully acknowledged its role in the damage suffered by indigenous peoples in Canada and committed to the work of reconciliation.

At Lynn Valley United Church, the Social Justice and Outreach Team has identified the work of reconciliation with indigenous peoples as a continuing priority for Lynn Valley United Church. One way in which the desire for reconciliation can be put into action is through the creation of spaces in which healing can occur, spaces designed through an indigenous lens.

First United Community Ministry Society is rebuilding using just such a lens. It is open to all but by the nature of the Downtown Eastside many of its clients are indigenous. They come from all parts of BC and elsewhere. The new building will be a place that facilitates healing as it delivers valuable services.  A significant donation from Lynn Valley United Church will provide us with an effective and efficient way to address the work we have committed to do towards reconciliation.

The Board is recommending a donation of 1% (one per cent) of the Legacy Fund as it will stand on June 30. (This will be approximately $40,000.). In accordance with the Board policy governing donations from the Legacy Fund, the Board of Trustees was consulted and agreed that it would not significantly prejudice the long-term sustainability of the Fund or jeopardize the Fund’s ability to continue to support the mission and ministry of LVUC.

The Board has put in place a policy describing the strict conditions governing
donations from the Legacy Fund; this donation meets them.

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