Executive Director
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Spirited Reflection: Mary of Palestine
November 30, 2020
A Cry for Justice – Theological Reflection from the KAIROS Palestine-Israel Delegation A year ago, I was travelling the roads and cobblestone paths of Palestine on the KAIROS Israel-Palestine delegation. When you’re a Christian in Bethlehem, in the days leading up to Christmas, the gospel stories of Jesus’ birth resound in your heart. In Manger…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Middle East, Spirited Reflections
KAIROS Steering Committee Announcement
October 22, 2020
After eight and a half years as KAIROS Executive Director, 27 years overall with the ecumenical justice coalitions and KAIROS, Jennifer Henry will be leaving, effective December 31, 2020. “It has been an honour and privilege to serve this incredible…
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Thanksgiving video message for sharing
October 7, 2020
As we gather on Thanksgiving, there is no doubt that this year is different. However, I am looking forward to it for the reminder it brings to turn our hearts to gratitude. And there is so much to be thankful for. I am particularly grateful to the migrant workers who…
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Towards Right Relation: Statement of the KAIROS Executive
June 2, 2020
KAIROS strives to bring together Indigenous peoples, settlers and newcomers in shared commitments to human rights and ecological justice. As a community grounded in diverse spiritualities, we commit to vision of right relations between all peoples and the earth. As surely as we know such a future is…
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Vers des relations justes : déclaration du Comité Exécutif de KAIROS
June 2, 2020
KAIROS s’efforce de mobiliser les peuples autochtones, les descendants des colons européens et les nouveaux arrivants autour d’engagements communs envers le respect des droits humains et la justice environnementale. En tant que communauté enracinée dans des spiritualités diverses, nous soutenons une vision de relations justes entre tous les peuples et la terre. Aussi convaincus…
Post filed in: En français, Executive Director
A public letter on Guaranteed Basic Income
May 4, 2020
Forty one Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada bishops have sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance calling for a Guaranteed Basic Income. Read the letter
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A joint statement: Gender, faith and COVID-19
May 4, 2020
KAIROS supports the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other Global faith-based organizations in their call for gender justice amid COVID-19 response. “A Joint Statement: Gender, Faith and COVID-19” depicts why the impacts of COVID-19 are being hardest felt by women and girls. The statement reads: “As…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
KAIROS signs joint statement on human rights oversight of governments’ COVID-19 responses (English & French)
April 16, 2020
A total of 157 organizations and 144 individuals – including Indigenous organizations, civil society groups, unions, academics and former politicians– are urging federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to adopt robust oversight measures to strengthen human rights protection and guard…
Post filed in: En français, Executive Director
Easter video message to share: Easter mystery in extraordinary times
April 6, 2020
Dear Friend, These are tough times we are living in right now. We are very concerned for the grave risks, particularly to vulnerable peoples and communities in Canada and around the globe. It can be hard to keep our spirits…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
A message to Canadians from religious leaders in Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
April 2, 2020
Hope, gratitude and solidarity Canadians are experiencing the devastating impact of COVID-19 in what has become a rapidly evolving crisis. Understandably, this crisis has brought about feelings of anxiety, apprehension and fear. Critical elements of our daily lives are being thrown…
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KAIROS offices are closed until May 31
March 31, 2020
Dear Friends. I want to reach out to you, sending strength and courage in these difficult times. Like many, we have made the decision to close our offices and suspend our in person programming (including KAIROS Blanket Exercises) until May…
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KAIROS is NOT going away
March 27, 2020
Dear Friends, I want to reach out to you with solidarity and hope in these perilous times. We send each and every one of you our strength and commitment to weather this crisis together with our eyes and actions clearly focused on…
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Letter to the Editor: Trump’s peace plan for the Middle East should be rejected, says NGO
February 12, 2020
Re: “Trudeau should leave the fake diplomacy to Donald Trump,” (The Hill Times, Feb. 3, p. 4). KAIROS Canada urges the prime minister to publicly reject the U.S. president’s “Peace to Prosperity Plan” for Israel and Palestine, which contravenes international…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Middle East, Op Eds & Rabble
Solidarity with members of the Chinese community who are experiencing a deepening of racism
January 29, 2020
As the news is filled with regular updates on the Coronavirus, we want to express our solidarity with those who are directly impacted by the illness and their families. We share our grief for those who have died, and our…
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Peace and goodwill to all peoples: KAIROS Christmas video
December 18, 2019
In days leading up to Christmas, I walked through the streets of Bethlehem with Palestinians for whom it is home. In this place of present day occupation, where people struggle to live in dignity and peace, you can’t help but…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
A conspiracy with the God of Hope
December 13, 2019
By Jennifer Henry I have rarely seen anything as beautiful as the group of women and children who gathered to meet the KAIROS delegation in Thabra in the West Bank. About thirty women and young children, all so incredibly welcoming…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East
Spirited reflection: Let’s name that for which we are so thankful
October 10, 2019
What am I grateful for? Gratitude can be hard to find in the stress, pain and panic of our broken, aching world. I have long admired those who make time for a gratitude journal. There, sometimes online so others can…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Mourn and organize
June 13, 2019
An excerpt from Jennifer Henry’s Opening Remarks, Streams of Justice at the KAIROS Atlantic Gathering in May I begin in gratitude…and from memory . . . In a crowded Scarborough church, with a table full of candles, and media pushing…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Regional News, Spirited Reflections
Easter 2019 video: Where do you see new life?
April 16, 2019
Dear Friends, I invite you to watch KAIROS’ 2019 Easter video: Where do you see new life? Please share it with your family, friends, congregation and community. Post it on Facebook or tweet it. If you attend a church, consider…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections, Video Playlists & Photo Albums
KAIROS Christmas video for sharing
December 21, 2018
“This Christmas, let’s settle only for great joy—not for the few, the powerful, the privileged—but for all. Peace and goodwill for all peoples.” Dear Friends, With Christmas approaching, I would like to share with you a short video message and…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Unbinding All Saints
November 1, 2018
Recently, news has come to us from a global partner, news of the increased threat of violence to them for their important work for human rights and peace. The situation is so fraught that I feel unable to share the…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
Just and inclusive tables: KAIROS Thanksgiving video message
October 4, 2018
As Thanksgiving approaches, I would like to share with you a short video message about our common work of setting a just and inclusive table. I invite you to take a moment to watch it and share it with your…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Migrant Justice, Spirited Reflections, Video Playlists & Photo Albums
Easter video: Come and witness first light
March 27, 2018
Dear Friends, I invite you to take a moment to watch the KAIROS Easter video. Share it with your family and friends, post it on Facebook and tweet it. Share it on your congregation or community e-lists. Show it in…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections, Video Playlists & Photo Albums
Spirited Reflection: Coming down from the mountain
February 14, 2018
Have you ever been to a conference, retreat or gathering of like-minded souls, and wanted it to go on and on? A place where you felt understood, where you were with “your people”? A moment when you hear a speaker, a greater leader, that inspires and challenges…
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections