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 +1-604-431-0434
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
A Service Dedicated to Supporting Palestinians in Their Struggle
A Service Dedicated to Supporting Palestinians in their Struggle In 2017 Ineke Medcalf travelled to Palestine, and found herself in the middle of a tear […]
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Guaranteed Livable Income PMRC Town Hall Recording
The Pacific Mountain Regional Council’s June 16 Town Hall was dedicated to conversation and education about Guaranteed Livable Income. Poverty can happen very quickly to […]
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United Church of Canada’s Response to Kamloops Residential Schools Grave Discovery
Good afternoon, The General Secretary asked that I share with you that the United Church’s statement: Response to Kamloops Residential Schools Graves Discovery is now […]
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Regional Justice Report – Walking in a Good Way
Friends,
I am pleased to (finally) share the final report from the justice consultation that was so ably run by Janet Gray. I am very grateful for her work, and for the participation of the Region. The Regional Executive has considered the report and believe it provides good direction and focus for this work. This report identifies areas of focus for this ministry that align with these priorities. Based on this, we will be posting the Regional Justice position (currently vacant .5 FTE) with the following areas of priority: Anti Racism; Affirming ministry; Support to Community of Faith, First Third Ministry and Networks with a special emphasis on initiatives involving climate justice.
Newsletter – Justice for the Week of January 17 & Beyond
“Justice is what love looks like in public” ( ― Cornel West ) Friends in Justice, New Year’s greetings —We are already half-way into the first […]
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The resolution passed at the General Meeting
Executive Minister, Treena Duncan is hosting a special town hall with guest Rev. Keith Simmonds. I hope you’ll join this conversation; as an Ecumenical Accompanier in Palestine and Israel from January through March of this year, Keith witnessed and reported on human rights violations carried out upon Palestinian Children in Occupied Palestine. I write with an update on the resolution you passed at the general meeting, concerning the regional council’s participating in a petition to the Government of Canada, concerning the potential human rights abuses of Palestinian children. The petition reads:
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Our Commitment to Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism
The work of becoming an anti-racist church is hard work and it is work that belongs to us all. It will require trust, prayer, faith, courage and deep commitment. It will take time to do well. Your Executive is committed to turning its words into meaningful action for such a time as this. We offer this statement of recommitting this Regional Council to the work of becoming an anti-racist Church.
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“Church Leaders Acknowledge Racism in Their Midst”
We as church leaders, acknowledge the pain, frustrations and anger of our Black communities, and recognize that systemic anti-Black racism is prevalent in our context in Canada as well; in the streets of our communities, in the justice and policing systems, and in our congregations and parishes. It is important for church members in our largely white churches to look at how we continue to perpetuate anti-Black racism, either inadvertently or intentionally.
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