Holy Trouble in the Watershed
February 12, 2014
Whether it’s overfishing or the environmental and human rights impacts of resource extraction, as watershed disciples we are sometimes called to make holy trouble. In this sermon at Toronto’s Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, KAIROS member relations and campaigns coordinator…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
KAIROS Times: February 2014
February 11, 2014
Read the February 2014 issue.
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
Mandela and The Prince of Peace – by Jennifer Palin
February 11, 2014
UCC minister Rev. Jennifer Palin reflects on the swirl of media discussion following Nelson Mandela’s death and what a ‘living’ faith depends on.
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
How will you show your love on February 14?
February 7, 2014
On February 14, send a valentine to your elected representative asking them to ‘Have a Heart’ for First Nations children and youth. Shannen Koostachin was a courageous girl from Attawapiskat First Nation who believed “school is a time for hopes…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Talking about sin—and redemption—in the quest for justice – by Paul Heidebrecht
February 3, 2014
Lent and social justice – do these themes relate? Paul Heidebrecht, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) staff and former KAIROS Board member, reflects, “Advocacy presumes that the institutions of our own day are also fallen,” but he is also talking about…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
Fasting from Inaction and Complacency – by JoAnne Lam
February 3, 2014
In this week’s Spirited Reflection JoAnne Lam, seminary intern at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and CPJ, explains, “In Isaiah 58:1-9a, the people of Israel struggled with the efficacy of their fasts. They had thought that God required from them…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Unbearable Pain, Startling Hope: 40 years of Bold Witness to Ecumenical Social Justice – by Jennifer Henry
January 27, 2014
Executive Director Jennifer Henry reflects on ’40 Years of Bold Witness’ framing her thoughts with four characteristics of the “‘natural habitat’ of prophetic voices” outlined by Walter Brueggemann in “The Prophetic Imagination.” Longer than our typical Spirited Reflection, it is…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
URGENT ACTION: Indigenous Partner at Risk in Colombia
January 21, 2014
KAIROS is extremely concerned about the safety of Embera Chamí Indigenous leader, Flaminio Onogama Gutiérre from South West Colombia. Flaminio was in Canada in 2010 as part of a KAIROS sponsored tour. According to reports from Amnesty International, Flaminio is…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Latin America, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Dressing for Justice – by Keith Randall
January 20, 2014
We banter around the word “justice” all the time. Here Keith Randall, one of our Presbyterian companions, grapples with what justice means and how we achieve the best results. Do you agree? What do you think? (Spirited Reflections are always…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
The Joys and Fears of New Parenthood in our Beautiful and Scary World – By Shanna Bernier
January 13, 2014
Shanna Bernier works in Youth Ministry with the United Church of Canada and is mother to Bea. In this week’s Spirited Reflection she explores the injunction not to worry, as found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in light of…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Just as he came up out of the … what? – by Rev. Alex Bisset
January 8, 2014
Presbyterian minister, Rev. Alex Bisset reflects on this week’s readings from Matthew and Isaiah. The baptism of Jesus and the words of the prophet call us to more than pleasant songs about the River Jordan.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
Destined for Adoption – by Rev. Desmond Jagger-Parsons
December 31, 2013
“God destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ….” Our new Board Chair, Rev. Desmond Jagger-Parsons (UCC), reflects from his own perspective as an adoptive parent on this week’s scripture lessons and our joint destiny as adopted children…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Joint Review Panel report on proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline Project downplays Indigenous and ecological concerns
December 24, 2013
Despite overwhelming opposition from First Nations and their allies, the Joint Review Panel has given the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project conditional approval.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Christmas Reflection from the Chair of our Board
December 24, 2013
This week the Rev. Paul Gehrs of the ELCIC offers our Christmas Spirited Reflection as he completes four years as our KAIROS Board Chair. He reflects on the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt, the road KAIROS has been…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
KAIROS Times: December 2013
December 20, 2013
Read the December 2013 issue.
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
Advent, Human Rights and International Migrants Day
December 18, 2013
Alfredo Barahona, KAIROS’ Migrant Relations Coordinator, reflects on Advent and International Migrants Day from the perspective of his own personal experiences as a migrant to Canada from El Salvador, and his recent visit to Quito.
Post filed in: Latin America, Migrant Justice
Reconciliation in the Watershed
December 18, 2013
In this homily given at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity on December 15, KAIROS Member Relations and Campaigns Coordinator Sara Stratton reflects on the connections between the Truth and Reconciliation commission and the pursuit of Watershed Discipleship. What will…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
The Call to Justice Discipleship
December 16, 2013
In this, the final week of Advent, Michiko Bown-KAI explores the essential question of justice discipleship.
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Dusty Shoes or Golden Slippers
December 11, 2013
by Ellen Wood Ellen Wood is a grain, cattle and apple orchard farmer as well as an ordained United Church minister, now semi-retired. She has worked on many social justice causes, most recently the tar sands and the nuclear…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Latin America
Compassion for Creation
December 9, 2013
What if Creation had rights, just as human beings do? Pepe Elwert considers our call to be in right relationship with all of creation, and imagines what that could look like in this 3rd Advent Spirited Reflection
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
West Hill United Church Goes To Ottawa
December 4, 2013
On November 28, a delegation from West Hill United Church in Scarborough, Ontario delivered a petition to the House of Commons calling on the federal government to end the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Steve Watson’s article,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Bringing a Message of Hope for DR Congo to Parliament Hill
December 3, 2013
With recent talk of peace returning to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, KAIROS is hopeful peace-building efforts will continue at all levels – from international diplomacy between DRC and its neighbours, down to the grassroots level at which our…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Til The Moon Be No More
December 3, 2013
“In his days the righteous may flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!” In this reflection for Advent 2, Pepe Elwert explores the connections between Scripture and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
You Are Not Alone
December 1, 2013
Barbara Fullerton, a United Church minister from Paris, Ontario recounts her experience with members of the El Estor human rights defender work team, and reminds us that we are all in this together.
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Latin America
What mine eyes have seen….
November 30, 2013
As the Guatemala study tour draws to a close, KAIROS BC/Yukon regional representative Janet Gray, one of the group’s photographers, talks about the pictures in her camera and those in her mind.
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
Gendered Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
November 27, 2013
Michiko Bown-KAI reflects on where we can find hope in the context of gender-based violence and a war over mineral wealth in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Reflection on the International Day to End Violence Against Women
November 27, 2013
On the International Day to End Violence Against Women, we remember and support victims and survivors of all forms of violence against women, and express solidarity with all those working to end this violence. In this post, Helen Knott, a…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
A Day of Spectacular Beauty
November 27, 2013
Emma Hebb is a member of Wesley United in St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick. After a swim in beautiful Lake Izabal near El Estor, she reflects on society’s seemingly insatiable appetite for natural resources, and the all people who care about…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America