Murray was chosen as the first Leading Elder of The All Native Circle Conference along with Gladys Taylor and served for many years on the Board of The Francis Sandy Theological Centre, at Five Oaks. After years of support on that Board, Murray enrolled in the program and in his early 70’s was recognized as a Designated Lay Minister and served at the Alderville First Nation.
For many decades Murray was active at the General Council level in all aspects of our denomination’s efforts at Healing and Reconciliation.
The 1986 Apology
Long before my people journeyed to this land your people were
here, and you received from your Elders an understanding of
creation and of the Mystery that surrounds us all that was deep,
and rich, and to be treasured.
We did not hear you when you shared your vision. In our zeal to tell
you of the good news of Jesus Christ we were closed to the value of
your spirituality.
We confused Western ways and culture with the depth and
breadth and length and height of the gospel of Christ.
We imposed our civilization as a condition of accepting the gospel.
We tried to make you be like us and in so doing we helped to
destroy the vision that made you what you were. As a result, you, and
we, are poorer and the image of the Creator in us is twisted, blurred,
and we are not what we are meant by God to be.
We ask you to forgive us and to walk together with us in the Spirit of
Christ so that our peoples may be blessed and God’s creation healed
The Right Rev. Bob Smith
General Council 1986
The United Church of Canada
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