 |
|
June
2015
|  |
ISSUE
No. 36
| |
|
Ottawa Office
e-newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
Quotation of the month
"The Indian Residential School System - and the entire colonization project -- is a moral wound that has been inflicted on Indigenous peoples. Our people need to heal. And the Church needs to heal from the wound it has sustained through its participation in colonization."
- Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada
|
| |
What is Reconciliation? 
What is reconciliation? What does it look like? How do we move toward it? These were only a few of the key questions raised at the concluding events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and at KAIROS Time for Reconciliation gathering held in Ottawa, May 31 to June 4.
Numerous MCC staff from across the country were privileged to participate in the historic events that included, among other things: worship, workshops, speeches, sharing circles, a walk involving 8,000 people, a mass blanket exercise on Parliament Hill, drumming and dancing, and the release of the TRC's long-awaited report.
Among many things, we heard repeatedly that reconciliation is not a destination but a journey that demands the respectful and authentic participation of all Canadians. Check our blog for future reflections on the TRC.
|
Parliamentary business: "Is Canada's Democracy in Crisis?"
"Is Canada's Democracy in Crisis?" As we approach a fall federal election it is important to examine these kinds of questions. On May 26 this question sparked a debate between National Post and CBC columnist Andrew Coyne ("Yes") and author John Pepall ("No") as part of the McDonald-Laurier Institute's Great Canadian Debate series. Jennifer, Esther, and Rebekah were able to attend the live event, but it is now also available online.
|
|
Take Action: Good Soil campaign update
Since the launch in March, Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) has had overwhelming support for the Good Soil campaign which seeks to strengthen support for small scale farmers. As of June 2 at least 188 letters have been written and 52 MPs contacted. Please join this important food security initiative by writing a letter to your MP, urging increased and sustained support for small-scale farmers.
|
New Resource:
We are all invited to participate in the upcoming federal election. This not only includes voting, but also engaging our local candidates and party leaders on the issues that matter to all of us. The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC), in partnership with partner organizations, has developed a resource in anticipation of our upcoming fall federal election to help us think about key issues and address our concerns in public debates and conversations.
We are also working on our own resource- coming soon!
|
Opportunity: Advocacy Research Intern
Are you a young person and interested in the intersection between faith and politics, gospel and government?
|
Staff update: 40th Anniversary Celebration
Last month the Ottawa Office celebrated its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we hosted a drop-in open house at our Sparks Street Office on Thursday, May 28. We were very blessed by all the friends, colleagues, former colleagues, and MPs who helped us celebrate with stories and cake!
- Read Monica Scheifele's reflection on the blossoms that have sprung over the years from seeds planted in 1975.
- View the photo gallery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
