Archive for 2013

KAIROS Times: November 2013

November 14, 2013

Read the November 2013 issue.

Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter

Mission from the Margins

November 13, 2013

In her final blog from the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan, Executive Director Jennifer Henry reflects on the global church’s call to “justice, solidarity, and inclusivity [as] key expressions of mission from the margins.”

Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections

Assistance in the Wake of Typhoon Haiyan

November 12, 2013

On November 8, one of the strongest storms on record slammed into the central Philippines killing thousands and causing unprecedented damage to communities. Here’s how you can help those in need.

Post filed in: Asia-Pacific

Costly Discipleship – by Sheryl Johnson

November 10, 2013

Sheryl, KAIROS’ Fundraising Assistant, is attending the WCC Assembly on behalf of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute. In this blog she reflects on her experience in Busan and, inspired by the many examples of prophetic and challenging witness, asks how…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

KAIROS Participates in Study Tour to Guatemala

November 7, 2013

From Nov 19-29, KAIROS network member Helen Knott will join Latin America partnerships coordinator Rachel Warden in a study tour to Guatemala. Sponsored by the Mining the Connections Working Group of the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada,…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

Meet the KAIROS Delegates on the Guatemala Study Tour

November 7, 2013

Helen Knott Merritt, BC elen HelenHelenTansii, Jahonnache. I am a Cree, Dane Zaa, and English woman currently in my last year of studies for my Bachelors of Social Work. I have worked for an NGO creating a program for Indigenous young people to do…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

KAIROS named Best Activist Religious Group by NOW Magazine

November 7, 2013

KAIROS is feeling the love, certainly in Toronto. We’ve been named “Best Activist Religious Group” in NOW Magazine’s 2013 BEST OF TORONTO Readers Poll. The popular Toronto weekly officially announced the winners on November 7th.

Post filed in: Media Releases

Her Name is Edna

November 6, 2013

In her presentation to the workshop “Dialogue of Theologies in the Struggle for Life: For a New Ecumenism” at the World Council of Churches’ 10th Assembly, KAIROS ED Jennifer Henry argues that it is “the migrants and refugees knocking at…

Post filed in: Migrant Justice

We will leave no honors, no love, no fame …

November 5, 2013

Sheryl Johnson, In Busan for the WCC Assembly, reflects on the 1980 student pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju, and Korea’s theology of liberation.

Post filed in: Asia-Pacific

Dying by the Sword – By James Loney

November 5, 2013

An unnamed follower of Jesus decided to act. He took his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. “Put your sword back,” Jesus commanded. “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matt 25:53)…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

Not Lost in Translation … Facing Up to Canadian Mining

November 4, 2013

In this report from the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan, KAIROS ED Jennifer Henry meets those affected by Canadian mining overseas, and reflects on our response as justice-seeking communities of faith.

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights

A Story of Resilience, Grace, Persistence and Transformation

November 2, 2013

Father Michael Lapsley is an Anglican priest, a social justice activist, a freedom fighter and a healer. KAIROS Executive Director Jennifer Henry describes what it was like to break bread with him at the WCC Assembly.

Post filed in: Executive Director

IPCC Confirms We Must Act Now on Climate Change: Briefing Paper #37

November 1, 2013

KAIROS’ latest briefing paper evaluates the strength and weaknesses of the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It cites a new study by climate scientist James Hansen showing how burning just one-third of remaining fossil fuels…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice

KAIROS Joins in Letter to NB Premier re: Elsipogtog

November 1, 2013

he Canadian Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International, and KAIROS have sent a letter to New Brunswick Premier David Alward about the province’s response to anti-fracking protests at Elsipogtog. We urge the province to act “in a manner consistent with its…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

We Are Beginning To See the Light

October 31, 2013

KAIROS ED Jennifer Henry comments on WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit’s report to the Assembly, and its mention of the collaborative work between the churches and Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights

Senzenina

October 30, 2013

“Nothing falls outside of God’s dream for justice and therefore, nothing is outside the church’s mission.” KAIROS Executive Director Jennifer Henry reflects on the opening litany of lamentation and hope at the World Council of Churches’ 10th Assembly in Busan.

Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections

God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace: Follow KAIROS at the WCC Assembly!

October 28, 2013

As Executive Director Jennifer Henry heads to the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, Korea, she offers some thoughts on what the global church may aspire to and accomplish in the busy days ahead.

Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections

How Big Is the Table in God’s Reign? – by Ryan Andersen

October 21, 2013

The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Matthew 8:5-13) “ . . . Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

In Fracturing, Unity: Reflection on the Situation in Elsipogtog

October 18, 2013

The recent events at an anti-fracking blockade on Elsipogtog territory in New Brunswick point to the need for us to continue to seek right relationship with Indigenous peoples and to work for an ecological economy that honours all of creation.

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Kairos Times: October 2013

October 16, 2013

Read the October 2013 issue.

Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter

Joyful Abandon – by Marilyn Zehr

October 16, 2013

The Squirrels have been looking at me lately….“Take care of what you must,” they say, “but don’t forget to lighten your load and enjoy a race around a tree – preferably with a friend.” The squirrels remind Mennonite pastor, Marilyn…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

The Intersections of Faith, Migration, Human Rights, Development and Justice

October 15, 2013

“Every person bears the inherent gift of the likeness of God. A true and meaningful dialogue on migration includes migrants as subjects of their own destinies and puts primacy to their human rights and welfare. Such dialogue must not be…

Post filed in: Migrant Justice

Letter from Algonquin Grandmothers Attending Wabanaki Confederacy Conference

October 11, 2013

Our travel day was July 31st. It was a beautiful drive but rather long. We arrived late in the evening at the hotel and were anxious to get started in the morning. Because of work, some of the Kokoms couldn’t…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage

Heart Listening…A Requirement for Settler Christians – by Jennifer Henry

October 7, 2013

Taiaiake Alfred asserts that: “The convenient way to deal with the founding injustice of Canada is to allow colonialism to continue by ignoring the truth, to erase it from our memory, ban it from the schools, and suppress it in…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections

Family Separation Affects Children of Migrant Workers in Canada and Around the World.

October 2, 2013

Family separation is one issue being explored at the United Nations in New York, October 1-5, as migrants and their allies converge to discuss how to help decision-makers understand that justice must be part of any discussion on migration issues.

Post filed in: Migrant Justice

West Hill United Church Petition Calls for Increased Funding for Aboriginal Communities

October 1, 2013

A petition (pdf) has been initiated by the First Nations Study Group at West Hill United Church in Toronto to draw attention to the underfunding of core services for Aboriginal communities. It calls for the funding gap to be closed.

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights

Hope in Lamentations – by Jeff Lackie

September 30, 2013

The first thing I notice in my triennial foray into Lamentations, is the disturbingly modern picture painted by author. The assigned verses are only enough to whet the appetite, but having read further, I sensed a kindred spirit here; for…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

Churches Witnessing With Migrants

September 27, 2013

From October 1-5, 2013, KAIROS will join church reps from around the world gathering in New York City for the Churches Witnessing with Migrants gathering. This event will coincide with the United Nations High Level Dialogue on International Migration and…

Post filed in: Migrant Justice