Right Relations and Reconciliation

Calendar of Events

Month of June: National Indigenous History Month
July 16th: Sunday service focusing on Right Relations and Reconciliation. Come enjoy our guest speaker Rev. Rodney Smith-Merkley.

Rev. Rodney Smith-Merkley was born and raised in Chesterville (Eastern Ontario) and studied biology at the University of Guelph prior to completing his M.Div. at Queen's Theological College (where he met his wife Suzanne, who is a high school teacher). Rodney and Suzanne have three children ages 13 to 18, and live in Bobcaygeon. Rodney was minister in Bobcaygeon for 6 years before coming to the Buckhorn Pastoral Charge (Wesley and Curve Lake) in January 2019. Prior to that he served 7 years in Elgin and Portland, two active rural congregations north of Kingston. Prior to that he was settled in Bella Bella on the central coast of BC, where he had a wonderful, challenging, and interesting three years serving the Heiltsuk First Nation. Rodney works one day a week for the United Church's East Central Ontario (ECO) Region (churches from Kingston to Oshawa) as minister for Respectful Relationship and Indigenous Justice, and is a volunteer with the Bobcaygeon Truth and Reconciliation Community. Rodney enjoys sailing, canoeing, cross country skiing, basketball (among other sports), and food!

Oct 1st: Orange Shirt Sunday: Orange Shirt Day, Sept 30th, is the National Truth and Reconciliation Day commemorating the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada. You may already have an orange shirt with a logo purchased at Atlohsa in 2022 or other retailer, or an orange shirt in your closet. Wear your orange shirt on Sept 30th and to Sunday service Oct. 1st to acknowledge your support for First Nation peoples.