“Here, then, is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the brokenness of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can burn away and make our faith stronger…. In the hardships, we are called to listen better to the faint whisperings of the ‘still, small voice.’”
( ― Malcolm Guite )
Friends in Justice,
The PMR AGM is coming up (June 1-4, 2023)! Balancing climate justice, post-pandemic awareness, and call to gather together as people of God, we are excited to be gathering in-person and live-streaming this meeting from the land of the Stó:lō people, at the University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford BC. There will be a Justice table (or two) at the meeting and an informal Justice pub night (time and location TBD!). If you have any justice-related events, resources, or news items you would like to share at the AGM, please let us know by May 26, 2023. Contact Jane (jdawson@united-church.ca) or Alexandra (abarr@united-church.ca).
Blessings,
— Jane Dawson (she/her)
NEWS
May is Asian Heritage Month!
The celebration of May as Asian Heritage Month began last week. This is a time to prayerfully reflect on the contributions of Asian Canadians to Canadian society. In PMR, we are grateful for the Asian Communities of Faith, ministry personnel, and congregation members who make us who we are.
In the spirit of celebrating Asian Heritage month:
- Reminder of the Korean Peace Appeal
- Korean Rainbow United has been working on a translation of Open Hearts, Affirm United’s main resource for ministries in the formal Affirming Journey. We are excited about the proposed release the Korean version this fall.
With open hearts, open minds 마음이 열리면 정신도 열립니다
there is welcome in this place 이 곳에 여러분을 환영합니다
there is welcome in this space 이 공간에 여러분을 환영합니다
there is welcome with embrace 두 팔 벌려, 열린 마음으로 환영합니다.
with open hearts
CLIMATE JUSTICE
Urge Senators to Redress Environmental Racism and Support Bill C-226
If Bill C-226, becomes law, it will be an effective tool for addressing environmental racism in Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities across Canada. It will require the government to examine the links between racialization, socio-economic status and environmental risk, and develop Canada’s first national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice.
Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate location of polluting industries and other environmental hazards close to Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities and the greater exposure of these communities to the harms that these hazards cause.
LEARN MORE & SIGN THE LETTER HERE
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.
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.
LEARN MORE.
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.
Moderator Carmen Lansdowne meets with church leaders and government officials, urges further advocacy for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel
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.
Good News from Ottawa!
On April 18, the Senate voted to send Bill S-233 – the National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act – to be reviewed by the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance where they will discuss the merits of the bill as written, propose changes, and hear from expert witnesses. This is a significant step forward.
A bill needs to pass in both the House and the Senate to become law. Bill S-233’s sister bill, C-223 has been introduced but is waiting for an opportunity to be debated. You may contact your MP directly or use this advocacy tool on UBIWorks website to encourage the movement of these bills.
A GLI video from the Atlantic Regions can be found here.
Interested in joining the GLI network? Contact Rev. Barry Morris
EVENTS
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!
Hosted by Canadian Voices for Palestinian Rights on Saturday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m (Pacific) with Dr. Basel Ghattas.
Register at this link.
Come discuss Justice plans for the AGM!
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.”
- Thursday, May 18, 2023
- 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain
- Details & registration here.
Sponsoring Refugees: Challenges and Strategies
Starting May 31, 2023 (Online Webinar Series)
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. Register on CHURCHx.
OPPORTUNITIES IN JUSTICE
Youth Climate Motivators
The Church in Mission Unit of The United Church of Canada is seeking individuals to fill the role of Climate Motivators as part of the Canada Summer Jobs Program for 2023. The work of the Climate Motivators will include liaising with a local community of faith (could be a camp, regional office, etc.), team meetings, leadership development, action planning for local context, advocacy to align United Church policies with climate commitments, and advocating for climate justice with MP in local ridings. More here.
Equity & Diversity Researcher
The Office of The Moderator and General Secretary of The United Church of Canada is seeking one individual to fill the role of Equity & Diversity Researcher as part of the Canada Summer Jobs Program for 2023. This position will focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, primarily with respect to youth and young adults, and with other equity groups and networks in the church. More here.
Program Coordinator, Global Advocacy 2S LGBTQIA+
Within the context of the church’s strategic and operational plan, the Program Coordinator, Global Advocacy 2S LGBTQIA+ leads and enables the church’s advocacy for global 2S LGBTQIA+ rights, including religious-induced homophobia, while working in solidarity with affirming networks in the church, civil society, government and the global ecumenical space. More here.
Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent, Geneva
The United Church of Canada encourages individuals of African descent living in the Diaspora with four years of related work experience to apply for the Fellowship programme for People of African Descent to be held in Geneva November 13th to December 1st of 2023. This intensive human rights training will be held at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. More details here.
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’.