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Sept. 2015
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ISSUE
No. 38
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Ottawa Office
e-newsletter
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Quotation of the month
"For people of faith, religious convictions are not purely a private matter. Values, justice principles and moral commitments inform all our actions. They guide us when we speak to politicians and when we vote on election day."
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The vote is on! How are you engaged?
Summer is usually a quiet time for politics, but not this year -- we're in an election campaign!
On August 2, Prime Minister Harper visited Rideau Hall to ask Governor General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament, thus kick-starting the 2015 campaign. With a fixed election date of October 19, this eleven-week, 78-day-long federal campaign will be the longest in Canadian history since 1872!
A federal election provides the unique opportunity to engage in important public policy conversations with a view to shaping the future of our country. For Christians, an election is also an occasion to consider the political implications of our faith, and a time to humbly discern how Jesus' call to love our neighbours may be reflected in the public good.
As party leaders zig-zag across the country and local candidates knock on doors, we encourage you to get involved! In the coming weeks, think and pray about the issues and policies that matter to you. Talk to your neighbours, friends, and faith community about them. Find out who your local candidates are and invite them to respond to your questions and ideas. And finally, on October 19, let your voice be heard at the ballot box.
MCC's Ottawa Office offers a 2015 Federal Election Resource. D rawing on the concerns of our program and partners around the world, this primer highlights issues and questions for your consideration during this election season. Make sure to keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for election questions, information, and resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
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New resource: for Peace Sunday 2015 
"Crossing to the other side: Living as people of peace in a time of fear and terror"
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| | After the storm (Photo courtesy Depositphotos) |
We live in a time of fear. A time of growing anxiety about terrorism. How do followers of Jesus live faithfully and joyfully in this climate of fear? How do we share the peace of Christ? The Peace Sunday Packet for 2015 invites your faith community to reflect on these and related questions. The packet is now available online. It offers worship, study and action resources for small groups and congregations on living as a people of peace in a time of fear and terror.
We at MCC mark Peace Sunday on November 8, 2015 (near Remembrance Day).
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New resource: for World Food Day 2015
"From Hope to Harvest: Pray, Give, Advocate"
World Food Day--October 16--was established in 1945 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to increase awareness of world hunger and food security.The harvest season also invites God's people to a time of thanksgiving. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank and MCC have joined together to produce a packet of resources for churches to mark World Food Day. These resources are intended to help your faith community focus on God's provision of food for all, while remembering that not everyone enjoys access to the abundance the earth provides.
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Take action
A year after the devastating war on Gaza, children still sleep in the midst of rubble, because reconstruction of their homes has been negligible.The primary cause is Israel's blockade, which prevents building materials such as wood, steel bars and cement from entering Gaza. Add your voice to thousands of others calling on world leaders to end the blockade on Gaza. Sign the petition!
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Staff update
For the first two days of September, our advocacy colleagues from Washington and New York joined us in Ottawa for our annual, in-person gathering. We are also privileged to host Mark Epp, MCC Canada's new program director. Mark has held several leadership positions within MCC, most recently as Area Director for Central America and Haiti. We are excited to welcome Mark to Ottawa for his first official visit!
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