Volume 7, Number 1 • Winter 2010

Dear friends,

2010 has begun with strong responses from United Church members to two urgent situations: the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, and the cuts to KAIROS that were announced by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) at the end of November. This issue of United Action for Justice shares how we can continue to respond to these concerns and more. New resources for all ages are also available for deepening our understanding of justice issues and connecting with others, and exciting activities and events are taking place across Canada.

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United Church Response to Haiti Earthquake

The United Church, working with ACT Alliance and with our partners in Haiti, the Methodist Church of Haiti and the Karl Lévêque Cultural Institute, is responding in diverse ways to the earthquake of January 12. Visit the United Church website for funding appeal information, partners' statements, background information, worship resources, photos and videos, and more.

» Find out more about how partners and the United Church are responding
» Learn more about ACT Alliance

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Call for Interfaith Action: Organize an Interfaith Dinner and Invite Your MP

On June 21 world religious leaders will gather in Winnipeg to send a message to the world’s political leaders who will be in Huntsville for the G8 Summit. Using the interfaith statement "A Time for Inspired Leadership and Action," the religious leaders will tell the G8 leaders that they need to fulfill their previous promises to end poverty, invest in peace, and care for creation.

Between now and June, local faith groups across Canada are called to together organize interfaith dinners and invite their MPs to discuss their commitment to these issues. People across the United Church are invited to join these efforts.

» E-mail Barbara Lloyd or call 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4196 for more info
» Watch this site to learn how to organize an interfaith dinner and engage your MP

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Act Now to Save the Lives of Community Activists in El Salvador

Please act to defend members of a United Church of Canada partner organization and related groups from threats and killings directed against opponents of a Canadian-owned gold mining project in the Cabañas department of northern El Salvador. Since June 2009, four people have been murdered, and threats continue against leaders of the Santa Marta Association for Economic and Social Development (ADES), a non-governmental organization that is a United Church partner. ADES works closely with the journalists of Radio Victoria, the Cabañas Environment Committee, and others concerned about the ecological impact of the proposed mine.

» Visit our Take Action to learn more

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Carbon Fast for Lent

During Lent participate in a carbon fast by significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels each week in a different area, such as electricity, heating, food, waste, and transportation. Invite your congregation, ministry, or group to become involved by using the materials contained in the February edition of Mandate magazine and the KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives website. A Carbon Sabbath workshop for children is also contained in the February Mandate.

» Download adult and children's programs from the February Mandate, or order your own
» Visit the KAIROS carbon fast info and resource page
» View the Moderator's Lenten message

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Pre-event Workshop to More Franchises: A Second Cup

Come reflect, learn, and find inspiration through the United Church mission theme 2009–2011, Living for the Earth: Choosing Creation over Empire, at a pre-event workshop on June 18, the day before More Franchises: A Second Cup begins at Emmanuel College, Toronto.

The workshop with global partners, activists, and theologians will explore the role of the church in the current ecological crisis and how to live for the earth and create alternatives to empire. Free for those attending the main conference, or $20.00.

» Learn more about the workshop
» Register through More Franchises: A Second Cup

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Support KAIROS in Response to CIDA Cuts

In the last two months, United Church members have written letters and e-mails, phoned their MPs, and met with them regarding their objections to the cut of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funding to KAIROS. Thank you to all for this tremendous show of support! In January, KAIROS staff and the staff of member denominations also organized a cross-Canada campaign of ecumenical meetings with MPs to ask for the reinstatement of CIDA funding to KAIROS. Participation in these meetings is important in explaining the critical role KAIROS plays in the social justice work of our church regionally, nationally, and internationally. These actions are making a difference, but the struggle continues!

» Visit "Seven Ways to Support KAIROS" on the KAIROS website
» Get "KAIROS and CIDA Cuts at a Glance" briefing notes for talking with your MP and your congregation

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Moving toward Full Inclusion

How did the United Church become a church that seeks to fully include all people regardless of their sexual orientation? This resource is helpful to those wanting to understand this journey. It documents the history of the United Church in this area with particular attention to the theological and biblical understandings that have guided it. Each chapter includes questions for discussion, reflections on scripture, and stories.

» Order a copy from UCRD

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World Development and Relief Youth Resource

Believe It: God's Riches Are Here! Download or order a new 2.5-hour workshop on this exciting theme for youth over 12. Explore with youth how God’s riches may be different from those of a consumer culture and that their choices do matter. Youth will learn about how they are connected to global partners in Colombia and the Philippines who are supported by World Development and Relief/Mission and Service Fund.

» Download this workshop
» Order this workshop from UCRD

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Celebrate Black History Month in February and Asian Heritage Month in May

February is Black History Month and May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. These are continuing opportunities to prayerfully reflect on the rich diversity of Canadian society, and to honour and celebrate these important aspects of Canadian history.

» Learn more about Black History Month
» Learn more about Asian Heritage Month

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 Upcoming Events

Three exciting events are coming up soon: the multifaith Redistribution of Wealth: Economic and Environmental Justice from Indigenous Faith Perspectives, March 5–7 in Vancouver; Sounding the Bamboo, a gathering for diverse racial-ethnic and Aboriginal women in the United Church, May 13–16 in Winnipeg; and the national gathering for The Journeys of Black Peoples in the United Church, June 24–27 in Edmonton.

» Learn about Redistribution of Wealth
» Learn about Sounding the Bamboo
» Learn about The Journeys of Black Peoples gathering

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