November Global Justice Focus

Part of a church minister’s job is to “empower the laity.”  The life and work of Trinity-St. Paul’s Church belongs to the congregation and as ministers we are called to do what we can to encourage and support congregational participants in the work of ministry.  I am therefore heartened by the opportunity, this November, to support some of our congregation in speaking in Sunday services on topics that have special relevance for them. 

On Sunday, November 2nd, Anupama Hial spoke to us about her role as a minister in India. Anu comes from Orissa located in northern India. Christians are in the minority in India. Most members of Anu's congregation are Dalits and tribals who are deemed untouchable by high caste Hindus.  Anu has special ministries with illiterate women and also with transgendered persons. She is strongly committed to the struggle for justice, equality, dignity and liberation for all who are oppressed and marginalized, striving together with them towards social transformation.  Anu is worshiping with us this Fall while she is an exchange student at Emmanuel College.

On November 9th, we will hear from Sara Stratton, a staff member with KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives.  Sarah will be talking about Christian Faith and the Tar Sands.  KAIROS is working on policies and actions, not only about the tar sands, but also about the whole issue of fossil fuels, climate change, human rights and other related justice issues.  Sara helped organize a recent forum on tar sands in Calgary and working on a delegation of Canadian church leaders to visit the tar sands in May 2009.

On November 16th, John Olthuis will speak on the recent agreement reached by the Innu Nation with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with regard to the development of the Lower Churchill region.  This agreement lays out quantum and location for various selections of Innu lands, and establishes economic areas assuring Innu participation in resource projects in the region. The agreement also provides compensation to the Labrador Innu for impacts associated with the Churchill Falls development. This settles the outstanding grievance of Innu Nation with respect to damages suffered to Innu lands and properties as a result of the flooding caused by the upper Churchill River development in the 1960s.  John has provided legal counsel for the Innu for many years.

On November 23rd, our Middle East working group is hosting a “Holy Land Sunday” service with guest speaker Diana Ralph, founding member of Independent Jewish Voices, Canada.  This will be a combined service with the congregation of Bathurst Street United Church and will provide us with a deeper understanding of the difficult relationship between Israel and Palestine and efforts being made towards peace and reconciliation.

We look forward to our continuing focus on global justice themes during the month of November.
 
Hans van Nie