Archive for December 2020
Thank you for all your support to KAIROS in 2020!
December 31, 2020
Throughout this unique, difficult year, all of us at KAIROS have been reminded over and over again about how blessed we are with resilient, inspiring partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, and with faithful supporters across the country. As we look to…
Post filed in: Executive Director
Final message from Jennifer Henry, Executive Director
December 24, 2020
When I think of what KAIROS is, at its essence, the first words that come to mind are “together,” “accompaniment” and “solidarity.” Almost 20 years ago, KAIROS was created out of rich legacy as a place for churches and religious organizations…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
“We have courage because of your support.”
December 24, 2020
Agnes Wasuk Petia (below), the Coordinator of the South Sudan Council of Churches’ National Women’s Programme (SSCC-NWP) told us this in 2018 when she was here to talk with people across Canada about the anti-violence and peace-building initiatives spearheaded by the SSCC-NWP. Throughout this difficult, unique year, KAIROS has continued to…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Believing in impossible change: KAIROS Christmas video message for sharing
December 24, 2020
Dear Friends, May we be ready this Christmas to really welcome the Holy One, the radical love and justice that changes everything. Let’s believe in impossible change and join our hands and hearts to the movements around the world that…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Being known under the tree
December 23, 2020
1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 This cold and blustery January may seem far removed from lush and leafy summer gardens, but the fig tree mentioned in the gospel reading for this week has…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: The baptismal drive
December 23, 2020
Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 As a young adult, I became interested in alternatives to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Being someone interested in all kinds of things, it was…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Glorious display
December 22, 2020
Version en français Epiphany has many subtle meanings in the original Greek. The one I like best for this year and these lectionary readings is ‘glorious display’, and what a display of glory is offered to us! We need to…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Second South-South gathering of KAIROS Women, Peace & Security partners, November 24-27
December 17, 2020
From November 24-27 KAIROS Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security partners gathered virtually for the second South-South gathering of the program. During this virtual gathering, partners had the opportunity to: share and reflect on their work with grassroots women peacebuilders;…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Government of Canada reneges on promise to empower CORE
December 16, 2020
Late in November of this year, KAIROS learned that the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade had made the decision not to grant the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Business Enterprise (CORE) investigatory powers. The decision comes almost three years…
Post filed in: Corporate Accountability, Ecological Justice
December 18 is International Migrants Day
December 15, 2020
Sometimes this important recognition gets lost, especially for Christians, in the preparations for Christmas. Yet when we really think about the Christmas story, we meet God’s people on the move, travelling to meet imperial demands, fleeing in terror at imperial edicts. Sacred texts…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Réflexion Spirituelle: Manifestation de gloire
December 15, 2020
English version Dans son étymologie grecque, épiphanie a plusieurs significations quelque peu différentes. Celle que je retiens cette année pour cette lecture du lectionnaire est celle de « manifestation de gloire». Et, en effet, quelle glorieuse manifestation nous est présentée! Nous devons…
Post filed in: En français, Spirited Reflections
Hope Still Rises: a conversation with Daoud Nassar -Toronto West KAIROS online presentation
December 14, 2020
This conversation on Nov. 7 with Palestinian farmer and advocate Daoud Nassar was quite a lesson in turning the other cheek. He explained that his Palestinian family has owned their farmland in the West Bank since 1916. Israel declared his and all the surrounding land “state…
Post filed in: Middle East, Regional News
Acción Ecológica files climate change lawsuit in Ecuador
December 14, 2020
On International Human Rights Day, Acción Ecológica, KAIROS partner organization in Ecuador, and a consortium of organizations and groups filed a lawsuit before the Ecuadorian state. The lawsuit claims that the oil refinement process contributes to climate change, which has local and global consequences. In particular, the lawsuit denounces Chinese transnational oil…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Latin America
Tell your MP to support climate action in pandemic recovery
December 11, 2020
KAIROS Canada has endorsed For the Love of Creation, a faith-based initiative for climate justice and a just recovery from the pandemic. This summer, the initiative collected 2,500 signatures on an e-petition that calls the Government of Canada to: Commit to reducing Canadian GHG emissions by 60…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Op Ed: Canadian LNG is full of hot air
December 11, 2020
LNG development will prevent Canada from meeting its emissions reduction targets. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is lauded as a transition fuel, a replacement for coal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. The Canadian government has gone so…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Op Eds
Spirited Reflection: A Rigorous Spirituality
December 9, 2020
A Cry for Justice – Theological Reflection from the KAIROS Palestine-Israel Delegation In the late fall of 2019, I was part of the KAIROS Church Leaders’ Delegation to Israel/Palestine. This was, as one of our delegates, Rosalyn Elm, put it “Not…
Post filed in: Middle East, Spirited Reflections
test podcast
December 9, 2020
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Post filed in: Uncategorized
Lori Ransom appointed as Interim Executive Director at KAIROS
December 4, 2020
KAIROS Steering Committee has appointed Lori Ransom to the role of Interim Executive Director at KAIROS. Through the month of December, she will work collaboratively on a transition with Jennifer Henry, KAIROS current Executive Director, who will be leaving the…
Post filed in: Executive Director
Federal bill to implement UN Declaration a welcome step in the right direction
December 3, 2020
The Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a coalition of Indigenous peoples’ Nations and organizations and other human rights advocates, welcomes the tabling of Bill C-15, a federal government bill to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Bill C-15 would provide…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Women peacebuilders call for a voice at the table despite threats and lock downs
December 3, 2020
The pandemic has been particularly cruel to women, disproportionately impacting their wellbeing and safety, not only in Canada but also abroad. KAIROS’ international partners, operating in some of the most protracted conflict areas in the world, report dramatic increases in gender-based…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Op Eds
For the Love of Creation – Fall Online Forum
December 3, 2020
This past month, For the Love of Creation (FLC) hosted a Fall Online Forum series every Monday evening. This series was an opportunity for the members of For the Love of Creation, including KAIROS to introduce the work of this climate justice initiative…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
KAIROS condemns violence against Indigenous communities in Chiapas, Mexico
December 2, 2020
KAIROS is gravely concerned about the escalation of violence against Indigenous communities in the municipalities of Aldama, Chenalhó, and Chalchihuitán in Chiapas, Mexico. Members of the human rights program of the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, a KAIROS…
Post filed in: Latin America
WPS South-South Gathering builds solidarity for women peacebuilders
December 2, 2020
Amidst a global pandemic, KAIROS’ Women of Courage partners gathered online in late November to learn from one another to help empower women in the Global South for an equitable, just and feminist recovery and transformation. The second annual KAIROS’ Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security South-South Gathering brought together Organización Femenina Popular (OFP) (Colombia), Héritiers de la…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Faithful Climate Conversations bring the power to change to you
December 2, 2020
In April of this year KAIROS joined with a group of more than 30 Canadian organizations to launch “For the Love of Creation,” a faith-based climate justice initiative. In November, For the Love of Creation introduced a series of conversation guides titled “Faithful Climate Conversations.” These three conversation…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
KAIROS Regional Gatherings: Great speakers at your fingertips ANYTIME!
December 2, 2020
While we were sad not to be able to meet in KAIROS regional gatherings with handshakes and hugs, pulling chairs into knee groups or sharing meals, we are excited to tell you that having all the gatherings online has its own advantages. People…
Post filed in: Regional News
Take action before Dec 30! Protect human rights defenders in the Philippines
December 2, 2020
There is less than a month left to sign! The petition ends on Dec 30, 2020. If you are a Canadian citizen, please sign and encourage others to do so as well. For more details on the petition. KAIROS encourages you…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Bill C-12: Federal government must ramp up climate action before 2030
December 1, 2020
On November 19, the Trudeau government introduced Bill C-12, which would make Canada’s commitment to getting to net-zero emissions by 2050 legally binding. The “Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act” would require the government to set targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions targets and report annually on progress on…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice