With thanks for years of service in Northwest Ontario and Manitoba

Kairos is deeply grateful to the leadership and service of several volunteers who are stepping down from their roles.

Debby Dandy, regional representative for Kairos Northwest Ontario and Manitoba, and Carin Crowe, vice-chair have led the Kairos movement in their region for the better part of two decades.

Other key members of the Coordinating Committee who have concluded their service in recent years are Yvonne Bearbull, Kenora representative, Ellen Wood, past regional representative, Ellen Cook, treasurer, and Kerry Saner Harvey, secretary and logistics wizard.

Debby Dandy was not the first Kairos regional rep, but perhaps the second in what was then known as the Cambrian-Agassiz region. Debby served in this volunteer regional representative role – a coordinating role across a vast region – for several years during the latter half of Kairos Canada’s first decade. Following this, she led Kairos Brandon. In 2022, Debby’s strong leadership skills were again called into the regional sphere.

“I have always had a deep concern for social justice issues and found that Kairos was an organization where I could learn and respond,” says Debby. “The personal growth that I experienced as an early regional representative was powerful. The opportunity to learn directly from those affected by injustice in Manitoba, Canada and around the world was hugely meaningful. The relationship between my faith perspective and the work of Kairos kept me engaged and active over the years. One of my favorite memories is being in Ottawa and doing a Blanket Exercise on the lawn of the Parliament building. I have also been impacted by the opportunity to facilitate Blanket Exercises and participate in the learning and awareness raising of others.”

With one foot in the regional work, Debby’s heart and hands have really been in local climate action. Also in 2022, Debby and her friend Madelyn Robinson were key actors in establishing Sustainable Brandon. Watch the video on how this grew out of a Faithful Climate Conversation, a For the Love of Creation program that Kairos supports.

Carin Crowe took on the regional representative role in 2012. Having a nursing background, Carin was used to a running a tight ship and getting things done. She saw ways to strengthen the regional coordinating committee by modelling it after the Kairos Board with one representative from each denomination in Kairos’ membership. Within a couple of years, she had a full complement of representatives and a very active committee.

“I joined Kairos North East Justice and Peace in 2003 on the suggestion of my minister,” writes Carin. “He knew I had a passion for social justice. The many issues Kairos responds to have become important to me. I’ve learned so much! I became Regional Chair in 2010 and served for five years and have been active past chair since. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with folks from coast to coast. Through Kairos I was trained in delivering the Kairos Blanket Exercise. [This was a] turning point for me. I was fortunate to deliver the Blanket Exercise for 15 years to hundreds of people across Manitoba. My biggest Blanket Exercise was on the grounds of our provincial Legislature to 250 people. Thanks, Kairos for all I’ve learned and the wonderful people I’ve met!”