“Jesus had the capacity to give voice to hurt that had been muted, and therefore newness could break through. Newness comes precisely from expressed pain. Suffering made audible and visible produces hope, articulated grief is the gate of newness, and the history of Jesus is the history of entering into the pain and giving it voice.”
( ― Walter Brueggeman )
Friends in Justice,
Sometimes it seems there are so many things in the world that are wrong and broken beyond repair that it is tempting to give up hope and give up trying. All our efforts for good feel like pushing a rock up hill and the hill only gets steeper and the rock keeps rolling back down. And yet, in the face of the many challenges and frustrations that beset us in our work for justice and peace, the message of Jesus – as distilled through the words of Walter Brueggeman – is that there is never nothing we can do. Even (or perhaps especially) when all our fix-it efforts seem to come to nothing, we can still and always give our voice and tears to the groaning of the world and stand in solidarity with pain and grief. “The replacing of numbness with compassion, that is, the end of cynical indifference and the beginning of noticed pain,” says Brueggeman, “signals a social revolution.” It doesn’t end there. But here – in pushing past numbness, not looking away – is where the hope for newness begins.
Blessings,
— Jane Dawson (she/her)
NEWS
PALESTINE
Join PalNet Pacific
PalNet Pacific is a network created by individuals living in the Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada. We are a Regional Chapter of the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI). Through our education and advocacy activities, we strive for justice and equity for all people living in Palestine and Israel. You can like us on Facebook @PalNetPacific and/or sign up for our email list at PalNetPacific@gmail.com
And check out these resources
- International Law, the Israeli Occupation of Palestine and the Question of Apartheid [download here]- presentation by Michael Lynk, Associate Professor of Law at Western University and former UNHCR Special Rapporteur for Palestinian territories [Please credit Professor Michael Lynk if you share any of this material with others]
- “Inside Israeli Apartheid” – documentary video
- “Amnesty International Report finds Israel guilty of enforcing ‘apartheid’ on Palestinians“ – documentary video
- ‘Til Kingdom Come – documentary video
February is Black History Month!
Discover Black authors at the United Church Bookstore, and expand and challenge your perspectives with their experiences as Black Canadians.Dive deep into anti-racism titles like The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power by Desmond Cole and Reflections on Emancipation and Anti-Black Racism for Canada.
Rev. Barry Morris of Longhouse Ministry has lawn signs and bumper stickers available – these can be picked up from the Longhouse Ministry (604 254-4531 / 2595 Franklin St., V5K 1X5) almost any time and any day.
United Church Calls for Release of Water Defenders
The United Church of Canada joins with 250 organizations from 29 countries to call on the Salvadoran government to drop the charges against leading Water Defenders arrested on January 11 and advocate for their release. Staff of The United Church of Canada are in regular communication with ADES as we accompany their efforts to free their colleagues and community members. We continue to advocate for their release with officials. We invite you to hold those detained, their families, and the entire community in prayer at this time. You can follow ADES on Facebook
More information here.
And other news from the UCC – United Church Stands with Filipino Human Rights Defenders
We want your Pride photos!
With an eye towards updating the Affirming Ministry section of the Pacific Mountain Region’s Justice Ministry site, we’d like to encourage you to submit photos celebrating Pride and Affirmation from your Community of Faith!
Additionally, if you attended the 2022 AGM & Affirming Celebration in Prince George, we’d especially love any photos you have!
Send them to Alexandra (she/her), at abarr@united-church.ca
Is your faith community thinking of making upgrades to your church or service buildings in 2023? You may be eligible for financial assistance through The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints program. With the church’s commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2030, this one-of-a-kind program offers up to $30,000 in grants towards energy conservation and renewable energy projects (conditions apply). To learn more about how your faith community can be supported, visit FaithfulFootprints.org.
EVENTS
Poster times in EST – 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain start. Zoom link here.
Wednesday, February 15
5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain
As a special United In Learning event, join Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble and Affirming Connections to learn about the malicious misinformation campaign and threats that have been launched against the drag and 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada – and what you can do.
Our speakers will address some of the dangerous myths circulating around drag, trans and other queer identities; look at recent Canadian online and in-person instances of anti 2SLGBTQ+ hate, some of which include Christian groups; and explain how these connect to wider hate, racist, and extremist anti-vaccination movements.
Our guests will also share some ideas on what you and your community of faith can do to bring a faithful public response in your context, as well as support and care for those who need it.
Unearthing Solidarity: Global Voices on Mining
Everyone is invited to join us on Thursday, February 16, 4-5:30pm Pacific / 5-6:30pm Mountain for an online event with Indigenous and global partners who are advocating for mining justice.
Seeking justice in resource extraction has long been a goal for Development and Peace (Caritas Canada) and KAIROS, and more recently for the Student Christian Movement (SCM). These three groups have organized a learning and action series for students and young adults that includes an in-person study of Joan Kuyek’s book, Unearthing Justice: How to Protect Your Community from the Mining Industry. At the February 16 webinar, Joan will moderate a panel of three global or Indigenous partners to deepen and expand this learning circle.
Follow up to the webinar will include planning an action at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto in March.
United For Old-Growth March & Rally
Help protect the last of BC’s old growth forests! Almost 200 organizations, including faith groups and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, have signed a Declaration to end logging in at-risk old growth forests. And most will be participating in the February 25th march and rally. This is a key moment to show our new Premier that we are serious about holding him to his promise to “accelerate” action on old growth within 100 days.
So far, several United Churches have signed the Declaration, including Duncan, Esquimalt Justice Team, Fairfield, First Metropolitan, Salt Spring, and Green Up, Oasis United. As well, BC-Yukon Kairos, which many churches belong to, is a signatory.
Please join us. We hope you can add the name of your congregation or justice team to the Declaration. And also that you can publicize the March and Rally through bulletins and social media, and on February 25 turn out with your banner. (Here’s a Digital amplification kit to help you do this.) This mega-event could change the history of forestry in BC. Please unite with us and do everything you can to make it a huge success!
- February 25
- Walk: begins at 12pm Pacific / 1pm Mountain, Centennial Square (lək̓ʷəŋən territories, Victoria)
- Rally: 1:30-3:30 pm, BC Legislature
Coldest Night of the Year Walk with FIRST UNITED
Join FIRST UNITED for this year’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walking event. Support our life-saving work in the Downtown Eastside. Start a team with friends, family or fellow members of your congregation.
More information: Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 4pm-7pm
Starts and finishes at 312 Main St., Vancouver (or you have the option to do it virtually and walk in your own neighbourhood)
5km and 2km routes through the DTES, Chinatown and False Creek seawall (the 5km option has a rest stop).
Register here and learn more at this link. Questions? Email or phone Will Goldbeck, Development Coordinator, at wgoldbeck@firstunited.ca or 604.243.3032.
Affirming Connections presents a special Black History Month event:
Tuesday, February 285pm Pacific / 6pm MountainHear from expert guests on the role that organizing and agitating for justice has historically played in Black spiritualities and faith communities, and how this work is evolving to keep pace with the technologies and challenges of the world we live in. We’ll also talk about how these lessons can be applied by Affirming communities that are invested in organizing alongside 2SLGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities—and how all “angelic troublemakers” can practice solidarity.
PIE Day (also known as National Affirming Day) is an annual opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values of P.I.E. — Public, Intentional, and Explicit — in our Affirming, Welcoming, or Inclusive congregations and communities.
This year, we’re challenging you to think about the meaning behind the I in PIE. How intentional are you in the welcome you extend to 2SLGBTQ+ and other marginalized folks? And more importantly, are your intentions pointing you in the direction of action?
Join our panel of experts for a rich discussion and be inspired on what actions you and your community can take for this Year of Intention!
5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain, register here.
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources. You can still register for the second series!
- In four parts, it’s offered March 9, 16, 23, 30, from 7-8:30pm Pacific. Register here!
Find out more here!
For a poster you can print out and share with your congregation, click here!
Give it up for the Earth – Lent
As in past years, For the Love of Creation is partnering with Citizens for Public Justice on “Give it up for the Earth,” a Lenten initiative. This annual campaign runs from February 22 – April 8 (Easter), pledging personal actions and supporting FLC’s advocacy goals from COP 27. A webinar on Biodiversity and COP 15 will also be held in March. Sign up to CPJ’s newsletter for updates. Resources for Give it for the Earth 2022 are available.
Earth Week 2023 – Together for the Love of Creation
During the week of April 16 – 23, engage in a climate justice activity…praying, learning, acting.
Coming together for the love of creation is a way to connect, grow, listen, inspire hope and affect change. Your activity could be visibly joining a community-wide event or creating something new. This is a chance to reach out to other faith communities and neighbours in your climate justice initiatives.Read more.
OPPORTUNITIES IN JUSTICE
Come and See Pilgrimage to Palestine and Israel – New October 2023 Dates
Rev. Marianna Harris and George Bartlett (former Ecumenical Accompanier) invite you to come on a pilgrimage to see for yourself what is happening in Palestine and Israel. Visit key holy places while reflecting on God’s vision of peace and shalom. The program will be facilitated by the Sabeel Center in Jerusalem, a Mission & Service partner. Details here!
Ecumenical Accompanier, World Council of Churches – Palestine and Israel, 2023
The United Church of Canada is seeking two individuals to serve as Ecumenical Accompaniers between June 2023 and March 2024, each for a period of three months. Created in 2002 in response to an appeal from local church leaders, EAPPI(opens in a new tab) is an ecumenical response to create an international presence to contribute towards the realization of a just peace in Palestine and Israel. More here.
Hunger on the Hill (Young Voices Ed), Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Ottawa
The United Church of Canada invites United Church Young Adults (ages 18-30) interested in learning about global hunger and in meeting with MPs in person to apply for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) Hunger on the Hill(opens in a new tab) Event being held in Ottawa March 4 – 8, 2023. The United Church of Canada is a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. More details at this link!
Inter Faith Learning Tour organized by ICHRP, Philippines
The United Church of Canada invites United Church people interested in learning about human rights in the Philippines to consider registering for the Inter Faith Learning Tour being held in the Philippines February 27 – March 9, 2023. More here.
National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee
The National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee fosters open dialogue, mutual respect and builds long-lasting friendships and cooperation between Christians and Muslims. We are currently seeking one United Church of Canada representative at this time. More here.
CONTACT US
If you’re interested in the work of the Justice Ministries, we would love to hear from you.Have you come across articles and events in our community that you’d love to share? Please get your suggestions in by Thursday at noon to ensure they make it in the newsletter.
Want to subscribe? Click here, and check off the box labeled ‘JUSTICE NETWORK’.