A Place for Reconciliation and Cultural Safety

This month I would like to highlight the piece of artwork “Many Eyes.”

You might have seen this displayed in various places; you might even have it displayed at your church or on your congregational website. It is used in the LCA Reconciliation Action Plan.

There is a great deal of Christian symbolism embodied in this artwork by a 9-year-old Eastern Aranda and Wangkangurru Lutheran, Henry.

One symbol is God’s loving eye.

God’s love for every one of us is represented by the eye at the centre of the cross. He watches over every one of us as we come and as we go, ever calling us back to himself, the only place where we will find true and lasting reconciliation.

How do you interpret this painting? I encourage you to read more here.

We are well aware that in our Australian community there is a lot of controversy around Indigenous matters and Rconciliation, and recent events have again raised many questions.

How can we as Christians respond?
How can we demonstrate acts of reconciliation in loving and real ways which are not tokenistic?

In Victoria and Tasmania, we are required to meet state Child Safe Standards (as well as our LCA ones). In both states, the safety of Aboriginal children is at the forefront and must be clearly demonstrated, even where there are no (known) Indigenous children or families present in our congregations.

In the “Many Eyes” painting, one interpretation suggests:
There are ‘many eyes’ watching us from outside the cross. What do they see? – how we treat each other, how we listen to each other, how we respect each other, how we bless each other. What is our witness of reconciliation to them?

In my work around our district, sadly, I have occasionally seen some very unloving responses to reconciliation and the cultural safety of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

My challenge to us all is to consider our actions very carefully. How might we do better? Be specific. Be intentional.

In particular, as your congregation goes through its Child Safety Standard self-assessment (especially Standard #4) and prepares its Action Plan for the next three years, consider what specific things you might do to enhance reconciliation and promote cultural safety. (Helpful resources are found here under Standard #4)

“God…reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” 2 Corinthians 5:18