Principles-Based Justice Work
The 44th General Council has put forward a guiding framework of principles to support justice work in the United Church of Canada, to allow our work to be agile, responsive, and timely in relation to historic, current and emerging justice issues. Pacific Mountain Region (PMR) Justice embraces the grounding framework put forward by the Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee (TICIF) to live into part of the church’s ongoing learning and efforts to decolonize its processes, actions, advocacy, and ministries.
As a region, PMR strives to live into the call to Embolden Justice outlined in The United Church of Canada Strategic Plan 2023-2025.
From the TICIF Committee:
“Principles operate as guides and direction for prayerful discernment of responses to situations of injustice. Principles do not spell out in detail what specific actions should be in specific circumstances but rather provide a framework for making ethical, justice-seeking decisions. Contexts and the particularities of each justice issue will need to be considered in such decision- making, guided by the principles.”
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The call to bold discipleship, deep spirituality, and daring justice means that the people of the United Church cannot remain silent in situations of injustice. Addressing injustice includes (though is not limited to) building:
- awareness and understanding of the injustices our neighbours experience
- analysis of the systems and forces that perpetuate injustice
- advocacy with those neighbours who are most vulnerable and marginalized
- action with those neighbours who invite/welcome our participation in their work
These principles are intentionally interdependent and are informed by the United Church’s policies, affirmations, and commitments.
Anti-Oppression
Lament and actively oppose the expressions of oppression and colonization, including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and discrimination of any kind in our churches, our communities, our nation, the world, and God’s good creation. Encourage the ministries and work of anti-oppression in our churches.
Truth-telling
Recognize, acknowledge, and repent the ways in which The United Church of Canada has contributed to, or enabled, whether intentionally or unintentionally, suffering and unjust practices, including its participation in colonization. Amplify the voices of the most marginalized as opposed to those who hold power. Encourage critical analysis of power and thoughtful exploration and questioning of biases.
Holistic Scope
Recognize and name complexities and potential multiple oppressions in situations of injustice and strive to avoid false dichotomies in analysis and in statements. Seek to remain in relationship and in dialogue even when it is difficult and painful, at the same time being aware of systemic power differences at play. Seek to act ecumenically and with interfaith groups when appropriate.
Respect for Human Dignity
Be in solidarity with those among us experiencing injustice, oppression, the denial of dignity, and violation of human rights. Affirm the right to resist, repudiate, and challenge any expression of injustice.
Full Participation and Decolonization
Challenge all expressions of colonialism through recognizing and naming colonial mentalities that are automatically replicated in our institutions and relationships with partners. Support community-based self-determination, including the self-determination of Indigenous peoples. Listen attentively to social movements and groups of people who are historically marginalized and who are most affected by injustice. Engage in critical discernment about the best ways forward when called upon to speak and act for justice, to dismantle institutions and practices that are instrumental in replicating colonialism and usher a new mode of thinking and doing that decolonizes.
Equity, Mutuality, Respect, and Reparations
Pursue equity, mutuality, respect, and reparations as the path towards justice, reconciliation, and right relations. Continue to be prayerful companions in mutual discernment, discipleship, and justice-seeking with United Church partners, ecumenical and interfaith partners, and with other justice-seeking groups.
Costly and Prophetic Solidarity
Speak and act prophetically against injustice in all forms, knowing that the Holy Spirit calls us to costly solidarity with the least of these, in living our discipleship in the world.
Flourishing Spirit of Justice
You're invited to be connected to Justice-related ministry, work, and life in our regional council!
- Submit your United Church-based social justice event or announcement to the regional council newsletter, 'Community Connections'! Complete the online submission form here: https://form.jotform.com/PMR-UCC/cc-submissions
- Sign up to Pacific Mountain Newsletters to receive Justice-related news! Tick the JUSTICE NETWORK box on the sign up form, then click Subscribe.
- Visit the topic pages in the Justice menu.
- Scroll through the Recent News section below to see what the Justice Ministry has been up to, and for important action and invitations.
Regional Minister for Justice
Dr. Kendra Mitchell-Foster
KMitchellFoster@united-church.ca
1-800-934-0434 (within BC)
or +1-236-607-0344
We are excited that Dr. Kendra Mitchell-Foster has increased her leadership within Pacific Mountain Regional Council, in the vital role: Regional Minister for Justice.
Kendra currently serves the region as Campus Minister at University of Northern BC, in Prince George. She will continue in that role in addition to guiding Justice Ministry.
Kendra has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to fostering interfaith connections, building communities rooted in justice, and advocating for initiatives promoting peace and equity. She brings an invaluable skill set that aligns with our regional council's vision and mission! Kendra's expertise in social network analysis and policy change will further strengthen our endeavors to address systemic issues and advocate for meaningful change at all levels.
As Regional Minister for Justice, Kendra’s areas of focus will be in the area of reconciliation with Indigenous communities, affirming ministry practices, eco-justice advocacy, and fostering interfaith peace-building.
The possibilities that Kendra's leadership will unlock as we continue our journey toward justice and reconciliation are thrilling. Welcome, Kendra!
Recent News: Justice Ministry
Ecumenical Resources for World Food Day – October 16
Friends, Coming up soon on Sunday, October 16th, is World Food Day. In honour of that, we’re sharing ecumenical resources from Until All Are Fed […]
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Newsletter – Justice for the Week of September 12 & Beyond
“One of our basic confessions as Christians is that a light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot, will not, shall not overcome it. […]
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Faithful Climate Conversations ~ with the Pacific Mountain Justice Network
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online, September series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources. […]
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Newsletter – Justice for the Week of August 29 & Beyond
“The church has a really strong history on social justice, and that’s obviously the work that I feel called to do as a theologian and […]
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Upcoming Events
Friends, We have several upcoming events to share, drawn from the Reconciliation Matters newsletter. We encourage you to check out the newsletter here, particularly the […]
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In Solidarity with First United’s August 10th Statement on the VPD’s actions during the City of Vancouver’s decampment of the Hastings Street Tent City
Friends across the region, In solidarity with First United’s response to the Vancouver Police Department’s actions during the City of Vancouver’s decampment of the Hastings […]
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Newsletter – Justice for the Week of July 11 & Beyond
“The times are urgent; let us slow down. Slowing down is losing our way – not a human capacity or capability. It is the invitations […]
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Newsletter – Justice for the Week of June 24 & Beyond
“Along the Sacred Fire we walked and talked with our Great Creator, By the Sacred Fire we heard living legends of long ago, beside the Sacred Fire we shared our stories and our […]
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We’re Affirming!
It’s official! At the AGM in Prince George on Saturday, June 11, 2022, PMR officially become an Affirming Regional Council. In prayer, song, and acknowledgement […]
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