Author Archive
West Hill United Church Goes To Ottawa
December 4, 2013
On November 28, a delegation from West Hill United Church in Scarborough, Ontario delivered a petition to the House of Commons calling on the federal government to end the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Steve Watson’s article,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
You Are Not Alone
December 1, 2013
Barbara Fullerton, a United Church minister from Paris, Ontario recounts her experience with members of the El Estor human rights defender work team, and reminds us that we are all in this together.
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Latin America
What mine eyes have seen….
November 30, 2013
As the Guatemala study tour draws to a close, KAIROS BC/Yukon regional representative Janet Gray, one of the group’s photographers, talks about the pictures in her camera and those in her mind.
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
Reflection on the International Day to End Violence Against Women
November 27, 2013
On the International Day to End Violence Against Women, we remember and support victims and survivors of all forms of violence against women, and express solidarity with all those working to end this violence. In this post, Helen Knott, a…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
A Day of Spectacular Beauty
November 27, 2013
Emma Hebb is a member of Wesley United in St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick. After a swim in beautiful Lake Izabal near El Estor, she reflects on society’s seemingly insatiable appetite for natural resources, and the all people who care about…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
A Beauty that Hurts
November 25, 2013
During a “day off” in Antigua, Wilf Bean, former director of the Tatamagouche Centre, wrestles with the contradictions and questions he faces as a Canadian on this tour studying the impact of Canadian mining companies.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Latin America
Where is Your Brother?
November 24, 2013
Georgina Baisley from Miramichi Presbytery of the United Church relates stories of resistance to mining’s impacts on water and human rights in Guatemala.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Latin America
Voices Amplified
November 23, 2013
The struggle of Indigenous people in Guatemala to defend the land and a way of life resonates with Helen Knott, a Dane’zaa and Cree woman from Treaty 8 territory in northeastern British Columbia.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Latin America
Day 3 – Circle of Life
November 22, 2013
On Day 3 of the Guatemala Study Tour, United Church diaconal minister Elaine Kellogg describes a meeting with the Committee in Defense of Mother Earth in San Miguel Ixtahuacan.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Latin America
The Road to San Marcos
November 21, 2013
In her first blog from Guatemala, Tanis Desjarlais from Kawacatoose First Nation in Saskatchewan explains how she found hope and inspiration on the road to San Marcos.
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
Day One in Guatemala!
November 20, 2013
Lynn Hamilton, United Church clergy, writes a guest post on Day One of the Guatemala Study Tour. “Tuesday. Our first full day together as a group. Folks from Victoria, the Miramachi, and 12 points in between begin a day of…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
Press Release: National Council of Churches in the Philippines Commemorates Jubilee in Somber Mood, Intensifies Aid
November 19, 2013
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the country’s biggest coalition of mainline Protestant and Non-Roman Catholic churches, commemorates the 50th year of its founding on November 15 in a somber mood brought about by the destruction wrought…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Media Releases
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
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
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
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
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
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
Bridging Chasms – by Bob Faris
September 25, 2013
Many people were a bit more than surprised to hear the story of the rich man and Lazarus being read at my father’s funeral. It is not a usual passage on such occasions, at least in small town Ontario. But…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Justice Rises: 25 Years after Redress to Japanese Canadians – by Kim Uyede-Kai
September 17, 2013
On the anniversary of the Redress to Japanese Canadians United Church minister Kim Uyede-Kai sifts through memories surfaced by a summer flood and calls us to attend to the injustices for which God still cries.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
Good News for Justice Seekers – by Rebecca Warren
September 11, 2013
“I saw it in the eyes of those who had worked in social service much longer than I had—a certain kind of grim resignation to keep doing the work alongside a dark futility that it would not make any real…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Speaking Truth In Season and Out of Season – by Kawuki Mukasa
September 3, 2013
Kawuki Mukasa reflects on “gift and burden of prophecy” and the call to act for justice.
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Global Burning and the Christ Fire: A Riff on Luke 12:49-56 by Steve Heinrichs
August 12, 2013
“The crowds in Jesus’ day must have been a heck of a lot smarter than we are.” Steve Heinrichs, Director of Indigenous Relations at Mennonite Church Canada, reflects on the signs of time times and what we are called to…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
Loving thy Neighbour in an Age of Consumerism – by Daniela Gunn-Doerge
August 8, 2013
“I’d like to think of myself as a kind and goodhearted person, as I think most would. But what does it mean to love my neighbor and serve others when I find contradictions in my behaviour every step of the…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Truth and Mercy in the South Saskatchewan Watershed – by Eileen Klassen Hamm
July 22, 2013
Eileen Klassen Hamm, Program Director for Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, writes about watershed discipleship and right relationship on the South Saskatchewan River.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
What is Transformational is Rarely Measurable – by Kathryn Robertson
July 16, 2013
Kathryn worked with the ECEJ (Ecumenical Coalition for Economic Justice) from 1997 – 1999 and then with CAWG (Canada-Asia Working Group) from 1999 – 2001. In 2001, 6 months before Independence, she moved to work in Timor-Leste. Kathryn has been…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
The Parable of the Good Samaritan – by Barry Van Dusen
July 8, 2013
Barry Van Dusen is an ordained minister with The Presbyterian Church in Canada, where he served as convenor of the church’s Justice Ministries Advisory Committee. He has also served as a volunteer fire and emergency chaplain and on the board…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Democratic Republic of Contrasts
July 2, 2013
Amelia Torrie We KAIROS delegates went our separate ways on Saturday, June 29, and no doubt, like me, everyone is reflecting on what we saw and experienced during our 12-day trip. For me, the word “contrasts” applies. Contrast the wide,…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage