Seeds of Hope in Bloom: Pathway of Truth
Grace United Church, Lloydminster, AB was awarded $2,000 in June of 2025 from the James Robertson Memorial fund in support of the Pathway of Truth towards Reconciliation project.
“We have grown to understand that we can’t just say “Hey, Indigenous People, you are welcome at Grace United Church” we know we must walk with them in their world.” This is what the folks at Grace United are saying. They remark that it is a real mindset change for the congregation.
Since receiving the grant, the group held 5 events related to the project, each one helping them gain a greater compassion and understanding for their indigenous siblings. One such meeting was hosted the Heart of Treaty 6 (HoT6). The meeting was well-attended by several agencies/businesses in Lloydminster and surrounding area including Onion Lake First Nation. This group meets 4 times a year and Grace United were pleased to finally have the opportunity to host them. Feedback was very positive from both the organizers and the attendees. As well, hosting the event opened the door for Grace to play a key role in the Trauma Induced and Culturally Sensitive (TACT) two-day training in March 2026.
Changing our Mindsets- Decolonizing Our Thoughts!
The grant from the Foundation went mostly to the event featuring Lisa Byer-de Wever from Montreal, PQ. Lisa is a diaconal minister who identifies as black and Indigenous. Lisa preached at their Sunday service then after a lunch, she offered a workshop for 42 participants called “Changing our Mindsets- Decolonizing Our Thoughts!”. The attendees have been talking about it ever since!
“The acceptance of the congregation and the community for the work we are doing is being felt in many ways,” says a project organizer. “Our relationship with the local Indigenous groups such as the Lloydminster Friendship Centre and HoT6 is heart warming. We also have a closer relationship now with the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter and Residence in Recovery.”
They are also partnering more with Lakeland College in a number of ways. The college is using the kitchen to help with food security for their students and also participating in events such as Lisa’s decolonization workshop.
Plant Your Own Seeds of Hope… and Watch Them Bloom!
The United Church of Canada Foundation offers a variety of grant opportunities for organizations and individuals to bring life to the mission and values of the United Church. The Seeds of Hope granting program awards approximately one million dollars every year is support of innovative United Church projects. Our spring granting round is open now! How will a funding boost from Seeds of Hope help your project take flight? Learn more and apply now: unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/seeds-of-hope.
We are always available if you need help completing your application. Should you have any questions, please email us at grants@united-church.ca.
Grants from the Foundation, representing the generosity of many United Church people, help make this work possible! To make a financial gift to support this good work, please click here. Thank you!
