“Love that does not satisfy justice is no love at all…. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”
( ― Martin Luther King, Jr. )
Friends in Justice,
Sometimes it seems that our work for justice carries us off in all directions, involved in projects addressing multiple instances of inequity and domination. Each issue is important in its own right – be it racial justice, environmental action, a guaranteed liveable income, a just peace in Palestine and Israel, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, indigenous reconciliation, and more – and each entails significant effort combatting conditions that seem intractable. The challenge with pursuing so many different causes is that it can carve up a struggle that must be united to succeed. It is important to situate our work within the broader struggle against all systems of domination that keep people isolated and vulnerable, recognizing that oppression is intersectional and justice is indivisible. As Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us, justice is also indivisible from love. Our work for justice isn’t an afterthought. It is at the heart of things, where love matters most.
Blessings,
— Jane Dawson (she/her)
NEWS
Following Earth Week 2023, The United Church of Canada is pleased to share our new 2021–2022 Sustainability Report! In light of this year’s Earth Day theme – Invest in our Planet – we are excited to share highlights of the work our faith communities have been doing over the past two years—a demonstration of how deeply invested we are in caring for God’s Creation.
Download the report at this link.
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem is one of the Mission and Service partners of the United Church. They have launched a major international initiative focusing on antisemitism
Last week they hosted a book launch of their new book: This is Where We stand: A Sabeel Reflection on Antisemitism. Click here for a recording of the book launch.The book is available for purchase on the Sabeel website, at this link!
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) has been a program of KAIROS for 25 years. Originating as a wing of the United Church of Canada, KAIROS is now restructuring to become a standalone organization with its own charitable status. This includes the development of a new KBE Framework. More details here.
Also! KAIROS has released the COP27 Delegation Report. Check it out here.
The Climate Action Discernment Process guide is hot off the press. Take a look today and bring it to your community this year.
The goal of the Climate Action Discernment Process is to help your group move towards immediate concrete action while at the same time building a foundation from which future action can emerge. This process is designed to follow after engaging in one of the first three Faithful Climate Conversations, which provide time for your group to sit together to express concerns and to establish a mutual sense of why it’s important to take action beginning with prayerful reflection. This is critically important foundational work for any group that wishes to participate in sustained and effective action in community.
Establishing an Autonomous National Indigenous Organization
In 2022, at General Council 44, the National Indigenous Council proposed that the church identify and remove any structural barriers that would prevent the development and sustaining of an autonomous National Indigenous Organization within The United Church of Canada. When any requested change in church structure will alter the Basis of Union of The Manual, as this will, a Category 3 Remit is required.
The remit requires a vote by every regional council and each pastoral charge’s governing body. MORE HERE.
PALESTINE
Canada, Stand Up For Palestinian Children’s Rights
Twenty people from across Canada make up the planning team for this campaign. The planning team come from a variety of faith backgrounds, including several different church denominations. The campaign is open to anyone who wants to take action for the rights of Palestinian children.
Current actions you can take are found HERE.
Guaranteed Liveable Income
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.
The work towards GLI continues! Contact your local MP, write letters, show your support and more! Details on these actions here.
Developed in 2011, the Greening Sacred Spaces Certification program motivates, recognizes, and celebrates those faith communities that demonstrate commitment to caring for the environment through action. There are 3 levels to aim for and complete: Light Green, Medium Green and Deep Green. Each certification level has a corresponding checklist of possible actions in 8 categories such as Community, Energy, and Water.
Whether you are just getting started or are ready for the next level of greening, the GSS Certification program is an excellent way to engage your faith community in stewardship right at your place or worship. It is an opportunity to showcase what you have accomplished together.
EVENTS
TODAY! Climate and ecological justice issues affect everyone on this planet, crossing national, regional and municipal boundaries. But not everyone is affected to the same extent. Extensive studies have demonstrated that predominantly Black, Indigenous and racialized communities are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change and exposure to environmental degradation. This is called environmental racism. This pattern is a symptom of systemic racism and colonization in Canadian communities that diminishes relationships within creation.
Join For the Love of Creation for a webinar on Tuesday, April 25, and learn more about how environmental racism manifests in Canada and how we can address it.
- 4-5:30pm Pacific / 5-6:30pm Mountain
Register at this link.
New Developments in Israel-Palestine and the Role of the Churches
What is the role of Canadian churches in advocacy regarding Palestine? Join Anglican, Lutheran, United, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic leaders for a conversation about how churches in Canada are involved in advocating for and with partners in Palestine, and what next steps may be needed in a context of new developments in a deteriorating situation. Guest speakers include the Right Reverend Carmen Lansdowne!
- Thursday, April 27, 2023
- 4-6pm Pacific / 5-7pm Mountain / 7-9pm ET
Learn more and register through this link!
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Sunday, April 30
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1-2:30pm Pacific / 2-3:30pm Mountain
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Online via Zoom
Join EnviroMuslims, the Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC) and For the Love of Creation (FLC) for a joint webinar sharing in a circle of ritual and reflection on how our faith compels us to seek climate justice. We will be guided by Muslim, Jewish, Indigenous and Christian spiritual leaders. We hope this will be the beginning of an even broader sharing going forward.
This will be a 90 minute session on Zoom with presentations and breakout rooms. Register here!
The John Albert Hall Lecture series happens May 4-6 (what a great weekend to be in Victoria!) Check out more details hereFeaturing:
- Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of the United Church of Canada
- John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Professor of Religious Studies, Crandall Univ.
- Kathy Chan, UVic Law Professor and Acting Director of the CSRS
All allies, advocates, survivors and families of those who have been affected by this crisis are asked to join us in unity on this cause. We are calling on all organizations to come together to support the families and to create awareness of the MMIW+ with mainstream community and to advocate to implement the Calls for Justice.
Join AMCS, IRSSS, First United, Helping Spirit Lodge, VAFC, Salal, VACPC, DEWC and others for this event.
- Friday, May 5, 2023
- 12-2pm Pacific / 1-3pm Mountain
As we are approaching the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, come and see a personal account of a Palestinian from Nazareth.
Register for this in-person event at this link.
Moose Hide Campaign Day is a day of ceremony where all Canadians are called to join together to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to take practical steps for our collective journey of reconciliation.
Learn more and find resources here!
SAVE THE DATE – Sponsoring Refugees: Challenges and Strategies
Join The United Church of Canada’s Refugee Sponsorship staff to address the challenges of Refugee Sponsorship in the current political climate, and share strategies that are working. A United-in-Learning offering, online.
- May 31, 2023
- 10am-12pm Pacific / 11am-1pm Mountain
- More info & registration details coming soon!
OPPORTUNITIES IN JUSTICE
Come and See Pilgrimage to Palestine and Israel – 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.
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’.