“A simple Christian moralism counsels people to be unselfish. A profounder Christian faith must encourage people to create systems of justice which will save society and themselves from their own selfishness.”
( ― Reinhold Niebuhr, as cited in the Niebuhr Family Daily Meditation Reader by Barry Morris [forthcoming] )
Friends in Justice,
What exactly does it mean to live – to actually live – a good Christian life? As suggested in the above quote by Richard Niebuhr, to follow Jesus in a fractious world on the brink of deepening crisis – climate change, political polarization, racial injustice, homelessness, economic inequality, toxic drugs – is surely to challenge our own taken-for-granted comforts and ask ourselves hard questions about what we need to let go, in order to let come. The question “what shall we then do?” is at the core of spiritual maturity, of spiritual commitment. To follow Jesus means that we, too, must each do something to redeem our battered, beaten world from the greed and selfishness that smother it. Yes, the Christian ideal is personal goodness, of course, but personal goodness requires that we be more than card-carrying members of the Christian community. Christianity requires, as well, that we work to create systems of justice that help the world become a better place for all.
Blessings,
Jane
NEWS
Justice work in the church can often feel lonely and discouraging, working for change that doesn’t come easily, if it comes at all. Just Conversations is a monthly online gathering for anyone in PMRC wanting to connect with others involved with justice work around the region. It will be a chance to deepen your justice work in your faith, share stories about what is happening around the region and develop strategies for working together to support each other in “being the change.”
Just Conversations will take place February 17th, from 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain.
- Just Conversations is free and drop-in style
- Open to ministry personnel and congregation members · Registration is required for the Zoom access. Register here.
- Facilitated by the PMRC’s Ministry for Justice (contact Jane Dawson (jdawson@united-church.ca) for more information).
One week ago, the United Church of Canada launched its Korea Peace Appeal Ten Thousand Signature Campaign, declaring that “70 years is enough. It’s time to end the Korean War.” The Appeal is a global campaign calling for a peace treaty that would bring a formal end to the Korean War. The campaign, supported by some 370 civil society organizations in Korea and beyond, seeks to collect 100 million signatures by 2023. Long-time partner in Korea, The National Council of Churches, has challenged The United Church of Canada to join them in support of the Korea Peace Appeal by adding 10,000 signatures to the online petition by this summer.
Learn more about the campaign here, and sign the appeal here.
In 2016 a delegation from the United Church went to Korea to recognize a partnership with the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea. The delegation included PMRC Executive Minister Treena Duncan [left] and past President (BC Conference) Rev. Cari Copeman-Hayes of Crossroads United Church [right].
“Having visited Korea and talked to some of the people there, I can confirm the importance of working with our Korean partners to continue to seek peace in the Korean peninsula. I encourage everyone in PMRC to add their signature to this campaign.” – Treena Duncan.
“I’m fully supportive of this. I have already signed and am encouraging the folks at Crossroads also to do so.” – Rev. Cari Copeman-Haynes
***
“Peace is something to aspire to, peace is a daily commitment. This is why I am supporting the United Church’s Campaign supporting the Korea Peace Appeal.” – Thea Sheridan-Jonah, 18-year-old UBC student, Member of Korea Peace Appeal Committee, GC44 Youth Forum Co-ordinator
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The United Church of Canada has a variety of Black History Month resources online for the month of February, from worship services to study guides, all of which can be found at this link.
UNITED IN LEARNING RACIAL JUSTICE COURSE
United in Learning is offering a Racial Justice Course, open to all members of the church. The course is split into two, 2.5 hour courses over a day, with five course offering options between now and November 2022.
More information on the course can be found here.
Looking at Guaranteed Livable Income Through the Window of Lent
Lent is the season for truth-telling and repentance. It calls us to deep reflection on how we might address the persistent inequities in our country. Since 1972, the United Church of Canada has advocated a policy of guaranteed annual income that is more equitable and effective than existing government support programs.
In the attached guide, Rev. Barry Morris, Ann McRae, and Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin offer ideas for those composing Lenten liturgies or pastoral prayers or for use by Lenten study groups, or outreach committees. Each segment contains a suggested scripture, hymn ideas, a reflection or implication for GLI advocacy, and an action idea. The guide also includes complementary action suggestions.
The guide can be found at this link.
COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
A walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Team up, walk, and fundraise! It’s cold out there… but there’s no place like home. Link to participate and donate, as well as further details, here.
Fairfield United Church in Victoria, BC, is participating, and their campaign can be donated to or joined, and is listed under ‘Fairfield Trekkers‘.
EVENTS
HAVE A HEART DAY
The United Church of Canada is asking their communities of faith to participate in Have a Heart Day, held on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. This day is a project of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, led by Dr. Cindy Blackstock, which educates about and advocates for the rights of Indigenous children across Canada.
A prayer, and details about a Have a Heart Day activity can be found at this link.
The hope for Have a Heart Day is for non-Indigenous kids to learn about the different experiences of kids in Canada and take action out of a sense of compassion, and for Indigenous kids to speak from their hearts about what they want and need.
Gibimishkaadimin – Youth Reconciliation Project
This is wonderful opportunity for Indigenous youth ages 16-18 to participate in a leadership and educational exchange. Gibimishkaadimin will bring Indigenous youth from across the country together with non-Indigenous youth from the Shining Waters region for a summer canoe trip in Lake Temagami, followed by reconciliation projects in their communities, and a winter reunion of the group. Any costs for the Indigenous youth will be paid for by the Gibimishkaadimin Project.
The trip will take place from August 22nd to 30th, and there are 12 spots for Indigenous youth. The deadline for applications is March 31st, 2022.
Find more information about this opportunity here, and apply here.
FOR THE LOVE OF CREATION
A national initiative that brings together faith bodies and faith-based organizations in Canada under a unified banner to mobilize education, reflection, action and advocacy for climate justice.
A variety of events will be held in February, and they currently have an open call for participants in their Faithful Climate Conversation From Concern to Action, as well as for Facilitators for subsequent Conversations. More details available here.
National Affirming Day / PIE Day
With Affirm United
Why PIE? PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit.
We use the acronym PIE because it’s easy to remember and those words set the standard for an affirming welcome of LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people. PIE represents three ways for us to test just how real our Affirmation and celebration of gender or sexual diversity is.
This year’s theme is “Everyone Gets A Slice!”
Looking at the LGBTQIA2S+ acronym, which represents an endless diversity of identities and expressions, we acknowledge that some of the people who are represented by these letters often tend to get left out or underserved.
We are invited to consider which folks we may not have included in our Affirming programming and educational efforts and take strides to remedy that.
More information at this link, and free materials for events, including worship service templates, here.
From Affirm United, as a part of Pie Day 2022
LGBTQ2S+ people are a gift to the church and have the potential to revitalize our faith and faith communities.
Join us for a special one-night-only event where we will chat with Rev. Edman, author of the book “Queer Virtue.” She will give us some key insights on what she has discovered in her work and how the elements of “queer virtue” can challenge us to rupture false binaries, to “queer” lines that pit people against one another.
All identities and backgrounds welcome – and bring your questions! Registration and more details here.
United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel, 2022 Gathering
Details, including speakers, cost, and travel pool information, as well as registration (available soon) is at this link.
AN ACADEMIC & COMMUNITY CONFERENCE
Climate change, global warming, fossil fuel dependence, ecojustice, and threats to biodiversity call us to urgent social conversations. Spiritual and religious traditions can be important voices in the conversation. Many traditions teach about ecology and ethics through scriptures, rituals, and contemplative practices. They inspire communities of action, providing opportunities for study, advocacy, and support. How can the resources of our traditions be helpful in this conversation?
May 24th – 26th, 2022, held at Vancouver School of Theology
More information at this link.
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’.