Christmas 2024

Christmas is a season of hope, a time to reflect on love and joy incarnated in our weary world. Yet, for many, that hope can feel out of reach. In a world facing ongoing conflicts, suffering and natural disasters, we may ask: where is hope alive? How can we tend and grow the flames of hope? Together, our little bits of good and our hopeful actions can make a difference.

I find hope in KAIROS global partners who work in regions of prolonged conflict, climate crisis and extreme inequalities—from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan to Palestine and Israel, to Guatemala and Colombia to the Philippines. Our partners build conditions for just, equitable and sustainable peace and climate justice even in the face of extreme adversities while fostering dialogue and healing within communities that are most marginalized and impacted.

Hope bears many names, many of them women—Naty Atz from Guatemala, Lucy from Palestine, Chantal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Proscovia from South Sudan, to name a few. They are women defenders of human rights, peacebuilders, advocates for justice, and protectors of the environment. Despite often facing threats to their own lives, these brave partners put hope into action daily.  

I invite you today to support our global partners working for peace in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Your generous gift of $250, $150, $75 or the amount of your choosing is urgently needed.

I find hope in our work towards reconciliation. Although Canada might seem removed from global conflicts, the importance of peacebuilding and reconciliation here is just as urgent. With the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) transitioning to an Indigenous-led model, KAIROS is committed to ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ voices remain at the heart of Canada’s untold history. These voices bring the KBE to life, making it an experience that not only reveals the impacts of colonization but also honours the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples, inspiring transformation and understanding. This complements KAIROS’ continued advocacy work related to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in collaboration with our partners.

Your gift of $250, $150 or $75 can be an expression of your commitment to reconciliation. Please give.

I find hope in our shared work for climate justice. Through KAIROS’ Strengthening Voices for a Just Transition project, we connect Indigenous leaders, climate justice groups, networks, and ecumenical partners to explore the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of the energy transition, aiming to strengthen just transition policies and programs with principles from Indigenous peoples, young people, and those most affected by the climate crisis.

During COP29 (November 11-22, Baku, Azerbaijan), KAIROS and For the Love of Creation invited communities across Canada to join candlelight vigils from November 15-17. These gatherings offer space to reflect on our love for the Earth, our concerns for those affected by climate change, and our hopes for transformative action.

And I find hope in our shared commitment to migrant justice.

KAIROS’ Migrant Justice program collaborates with faith-based organizations, migrant-led groups, and broader advocacy networks, so that together we can stand up for the rights and dignity of migrant workers and their families. Every person deserves to feel secure, valued, and empowered to thrive. For migrants seeking safety and new beginnings, the path to regularization not only provides legal stability but fosters an environment where individuals and families can thrive.

I invite you to be a part of this faithful journey toward justice and ask you for your support. Your donation of $250, $150 or $100 will support our shared work for justice!

KAIROS continues to work with partners in Canada and around the globe who embrace hope, no matter how challenging their reality is. They claim the promise of peace and ask for our continued faith in them as advocates for transformative change.

Can we count on your support this coming year? In 2025, KAIROS will play a leading role in the Canadian Jubilee movement to strengthen the voices of Indigenous Peoples, global partners, and Canadian faith communities in advocacy for economic and ecological justice. We plan to bring together Indigenous, Global South partners and Canadian faith representatives to attend the G7, COP30 and G20  global events and gatherings and produce public education resources tailored to Canadian faith communities.

You may remember that the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative (CEJI), a predecessor of KAIROS, played a leading role in Jubilee from 1998-2001. The highlight of CEJI’s activities during this time was its participation in the global campaign to cancel the debts of the poorest countries, with the gathering of 640,000 signatures on a petition in Canada. Will you join us again in 2025 as we raise our voices for justice?

This Christmas, our work for human rights and ecological justice needs you more than ever. Your support is an act of hope—please give today.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with peace and hope.

Leah Reesor-Keller, Transitional Executive Director