Join us pre-Roundtable for a Prayer Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a trip that is spiritually motivated. Pilgrims stop to pray, worship, and reflect along the way. This particular pilgrimage is intended to bring Christians together to be physically present in a strategic place for refugees- the Canada-US border at Pembina-Emerson. It is time set apart to intercede and to actively listen to God and those we meet along the way. It is a communal experience, a bringing together of spiritual gifts and hearts to hear from God as we pray and learn together.
Who is leading this Prayer Pilgrimage? IAFR team members- Sharon Schmidt, Alison Witt and Sarah Miller.
Why join this Pilgrimage?
1. To grow in practices of prayer and discernment. Our day will be shaped around a rhythm of prayer and group reflection.
2. To learn about asylum seekers crossing the US/Canada border and what our response could be.
3. To get to know other leaders who are interested in engaging with refugees.
Why pray at the Pembina-Emerson border crossing?
● It’s a liminal space- a place where life and death decisions are made and life altering actions occur. (Please note: there will be no political statement or advocacy as part of this experience)
● It is also a symbolic place and a contentious place. This border is representative of all the other unofficial, and official, crossing points along our shared borders. ● We believe that this is a place God is leading us to go and pray.
Questions we’re prayerfully taking with us:
● What are our neighbours saying? We will listen to key people- those with lived experience as refugees and those who support them
● What is the Lord saying? What does He want us to see, to do or not do?
When is it? Wednesday, October 16th, departing from Winnipeg at 10:45 am, meeting in Emerson, Manitoba at 12:30 pm. We will return by early evening.
Register by Oct 4th. The number of participants will be limited.
Cost:
● There is a suggested donation of $25 to participate. This will allow us to bless the non-profits and refugees we will visit with an expression of gratitude for their time and effort.
● It’s a 1.5 hour drive to the border. The cost of shared transportation will be split between all the participants.
● More details will be sent out. Interested? Email Sharon@iafr.ca