‘God’s total identification with the incarcerated’
Christ at the Column, Caravaggio. Art: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen/Wikipedia Prison chaplain Leigh Kern on the large-scale human suffering unfolding for those confined during COVID-19—and what you can do about it From March 24 to April 2, detainees at the Laval Migrant Detention Centre took part in a hunger strike demanding their release, citing the […]
A Public Letter on Guaranteed Basic Income
What follows is an open letter signed by 41 Anglican and ELCIC bishops to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance calling for a Guaranteed Basic Income. this letter in PDF format A Public Letter On Guaranteed Basic Income The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada […]
Human trafficking and a cup of tea
“Human trafficking and slavery are evil, violent crimes against God, creation and humanity. They take root and grow where the commodification of people and the Earth is encouraged and rewarded, where ‘getting something for free is admired’, and where systems of oppression — colonization, imperialism, racism, patriarchy — create and perpetuate false realities, truths, orders, and values.” With those […]
Bishop Advocates for Social Assistance Increase
In a recent letter to local Members of Provincial Parliament, Bishop Susan Bell urged legislators from all political parties to use their voices to speak out in favour of an increase to Ontario social assistance rates. “In doing so, you will help uphold the dignity of some of our most economically vulnerable neighbours in our […]
Five years after the TRC report, reflections on reconciliation
A young participant in the TRC’s Walk for Reconciliation in Ottawa, May 31, 2015. Photo: Andre Forget ‘Every step … uncovers something else to do’ Five years after Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its final report and 94 Calls to Action as a response to the legacy of Canada’s Residential School system, the […]
Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts
“Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen lands, Strong Hearts” is a film about a devastating decision, made over 500 years ago, which continues to profoundly impact Indigenous and Settler people worldwide. Pope Alexander VI ruled that the lands being discovered by European explorers at the time was “empty” land and its millions of Indigenous inhabitants were “non-human”. […]
For the Love of Creation faith-in-action campaign
Join For the Love of Creation‘s faith-in-action campaign, which mobilizes people across Canada to reduce household GHG emissions and demonstrate support for increased federal climate action. The campaign launched on February 17, 2021 (Ash Wednesday) and will run until October 4, 2021 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the end of the Season of Creation). How it works Make a personal pledge to […]
Pilot Courses Tested Ahead of Fall Launch
Months before the pandemic disrupted many the patterns and practices of ministry and accelerated the shift to the digital realm, the people of Niagara had already discerned the need for a new kind of learning environment. The diocesan Mission Action Plan (MAP) envisions the Niagara School for Missional Leadership as a space where lay and […]
Niagara School for Missional Leadership Pilots Courses
After months of discernment, planning, and hard work, the Niagara School for Missional Leadership is taking shape, and the first of two pilot courses will be offered in February. One of the foundational elements of the diocesan Mission Action Plan (MAP) is the creation of a school for missional leadership in the diocese, as an […]
Discipleship and Mission: How do They Relate?
Just the other day, I was challenged about the idea of “mission” and being “missional.” My friend said, “You can’t put mission before discipleship.” He cited a well-known missional leader, Mike Breen, who wrote an article a couple of years ago with the startling title, “Why the Missional Movement Will Fail.” Let me give you […]
