The St. Andrew & St. Paul ceremony. Left to right: Don Walcot, Judith Kashul, Keith Randall, Dr. Lawrence Hutchison, The Rev. Richard Topping

A long friendship in Christ was confirmed on Sunday, September 24, when a twinning covenant was signed by the Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry and The Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul, Montreal. During a visit by three members of St. Andrew & St. Paul in April, a formal covenant was discussed. The ceremonies at services in the two cities cement a relationship that began in 2000, and has grown through the exchange of visits, gifts and prayers.

At an afternoon service conducted by The Rev. Stewart Folster in his store-front mission on 20th Street in Saskatoon, Merle McGowan, chair of the Board, signed on behalf of the SNCM. Dr. Lawrence Hutchison, Clerk of Session, signed in a simple ceremony following the morning service in Montreal, which included the presentation to the congregation of a quilt the visitors had received in April. The Rev. Folster explained that “Bright Morning Star,” (Revelation 22:16) is a native name for Jesus. Corine Eyahpaise, the native elder who created the quilt, added that it represents a guide for a long journey.

“The Saskatoon Ministry, in a neat clean building, is a true mission, leading people to Christ, drawing them in with sympathy, food and a place to rest,” said Don Walcot, Chairman of the St. Andrew & St. Paul Board of Trustees and one of the April visitors. “Goals are modest but realistic and Stewart is a very knowledgeable and capable minister-missionary – a role model.”

The text of the covenant, based on a recommendation from the PCC, reads: "As God is our witness, the people of the Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul and the people of Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry, make this covenant. The essence of our twinning is our relationship in Christ as brothers and sisters. We promise to pray for one another and to share our joys and sorrows. We promise to correspond in various ways to enrich our friendship. We promise to find ways to share how God has spoken to us. We promise, as God leads us, to follow other paths that lead to areas of common concern. We promise to listen and learn from each other. Above all, we will share our commitment to Christ. We are the Body of Christ, in mission together, doing the work that God calls us to do."

The ceremony at St. Andrew & St. Paul was followed by a light lunch of wild-rice salad, bannock and muskeg tea, native treats The Rev. Folster introduced the visitors to in Saskatoon. Following suggestions of several Saskatonians, A&P Neechewagon (Cree for “friends), the church group supporting the twinning, will study western treaty history during the winter to enrich their understanding of the context surrounding native issues in Canada.

Compliments, Presbyterian Record, Nov.2006