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Departing with Joy and Resolve
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Contributed by Jane Orion Smith, Chair of KAIROS' Board |
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| Complete KAIROS Delegation: Back (L-R): Claude Lacaille (Reseau oecumenique pour la justice et paix); Sue Winn (ACC -- Ecojustice); Bert Pitzel (RC Archdiocese of Regina); Fay Edmonds (Grey Sisters); Sue Wilson (Sisters of St. Joseph of London); Rusa Jeremic (KAIROS Staff); Joy Warner (KAIROS Great lakes-St. Lawrence).Middle (L-R): Lilia Solano (Colombia); Irene Fraser (ACC-Ecojustice); Sampath Arivesena (Sri lanka - PWRDF); Lana Schramm (KAIROS Prairies North); Marion Bryan (PWRDF).Front (L-R): Chandra Phelps (KAIROS Cambrian-Agassiz); Heather Hamlin Gravells (KAIROS Atlantic); Jane Orion Smith (KAIROS Board Chair); Jennifer Henry (KAIROS Staff); Sandi Evans (KAIROS BC-Yukon). (Click on image to enlarge) |
Sing to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre." (Psalm 81:1-2)
The KAIROS delegation to the World Social Forum arrived with anticipation and the weight of many concerns upon us; we depart in joy and with resolve that the kingdom of God is at hand, that another world is possible.
In a week packed with infinite opportunities to hear from peoples from many countries about a plethora of issues, many of which can seem overwhelming --even unresolvable-- we have found hope and inspiration.
The magnificence of the World Social Forum is not access to information but the development of relationships. Over this week, delegates have encountered people from around the world and been changed by the Spirit as they have heard each other's stories, told from deep places. The Holy Presence is at the heart of genuine human interaction wherein the sacred work of personal transformation is engaged. We have heard the stories of landless people in Brazil reclaiming unused land, of Colombians labouring for human rights under the threat of death, of women and men from around the world implementing economic and social alternatives to create sustainable communities. These personal interactions draw us into their struggles, into the common whole of Christ, where we find ourselves strengthened and energized to work for peace with justice together.
Alongside this, we have been reminded of the importance of celebration and joy in the midst of struggle. We have sung and danced all over Porto Alegre with tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters from the global community; we have chosen life over death by remembering that, even in the midst of the pain of the world, we must celebrate the life we have been given and renew it each day.
Finally, we seventeen on the delegation arrived from across Canada, Sri Lanka and Colombia as strangers and leave as friends. These new relationships will help seed and feed the ecumenical movement for justice that we are building in Canada. We have felt the hand of God move amongst us and return to our communities with greater conviction, awareness, and joy to do the work of the Lord, the work of KAIROS. And, we will remember to dance a bit more often as we do it.
In Friendship,
Jane Orion
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