Summary of April 23 meeting

We met on Tuesday April 23 at Nancy's place.  The main discussion centered around travel, and how it affects others and the environment.  Some of the questions that were raised were: How do we minimize the carbon footprint of our travels?  When travelling to other countries, especially developing countries, how does tourism affect the local people?  What about volunteer tourism - how does this affect local jobs and economies?  And other important questions. 

We talked about some personal travel experiences, and how they affected us.  We talked about purchasing carbon offsets (a type of credit for greenhouse gas reduction) as a way of compensating for the carbon footprint of our travels (see the David Suzuki Foundation website for more information).  Or starting a voluntary 'gas tax' as a group, which would be pooled together to contribute to an environmental cause.  We talked about how travelling can teach us about how our decisions affect others around the world, both positively and negatively. 

Thank you Nancy for hosting, and for leading the discussion.  Looking forward to the next meeting on Sunday May 12 (note the time change to 5 pm). 

- Submitted by Amanda

Three new Recommended Websites

This evening, the Just Living group decided to add three new websites to its Recommended Website list.  They are:

AVAAZ - The World in Action
David Suzuki Foundation
KAIROS Canada - Faithful Action for Justice

Our Sunday, April 14th conversation...

Photo by Karla W.

After Christine's beautiful and heartfelt opening prayer we began with our group check-in and welcomed our new member, Shirley.

During our check-in we discussed a number of issues raised in the articles which have been recently posted on the blog site. Cori brought along the recent Winnipeg Free Press, Our Past Our Future insert relating to aboriginal awareness. Bev noted some discussion items around Project Peacemakers (e.g. colonization, violence and militarism in Canadian society). *Oak Table AGM to take place next Tuesday with a number of key speakers.

Shelley and others noted the personal impact of going through the "slavery footprint" exercise (see Recommended Websites). Ongoing response to Bill 18 was reviewed.  Gareth mentioned a book of interest entitled, The Inconvenient Indian, by Thomas King. Some discussion ensued with regards to information communication (i.e. blog post vs. group email).


Mike brought up a troubling article he had read regarding the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Program and the concern over the fate of community pastures now that the Federal Government has abandoned this along with many other environmental protection programs.  Mike also reminded us of the resources available through the Sandy-Saulteaux training center such as sweats, work/help days and the Feast for Friends held each September, that can help us build relationships with our aboriginal neighbours.  Christine introduced the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives Manitoba resource, Breaking barriers, building bridges, also relating to aboriginal and non-aboriginal relations.

The main topic of discussion was initiated by Gareth and Michelle who had met back in mid-March to discuss strategies to bring about change and ethical consideration to our consumptive practices. Examples from purchase of food and clothing to technology and travel were given along with ideas such as a voluntary gas tax and how it has been used to increase user awareness, as well as raising money for a group-selected environmental project. Doris Janzen Longacre's book, Living More With Less, as well as Fair Trade Manitoba's Consumer Guide (see Recommended Websites) were suggested resource materials.


Various people stepped forward to further explore a number of these areas for future, more focused study as we continue to learn, to do, and to be.

Next meeting at Nancy's home, April 23, 7 p.m.

Submitted by Karla

Summary of Tuesday March 26 meeting

We had a great meeting on Tuesday at Christine's place.  After the check in, Gareth presented material for discussion about Amos, the Old Testament prophet of Social Justice. It was striking how the issues of poverty and inequality in Amos' time still resonate today.  We discussed the idea that living simply, with respect for the land, without an abundance of possessions, is perhaps the more natural state in comparison to the consumerism of modern society.  

We also talked about the Idle No More events attended by some of the group members in March, such as the Wab Kinew presentation and the symposium at the University of Winnipeg.  The Idle No More movement is important in many ways;  to initiate discussion on aboriginal rights, to demonstrate aboriginal culture, to unify all Candians concerned about Bill C-45, among others. We talked about how to show solidarity with the Idle No More movement on a personal level - to reach out and make personal connections with the aboriginal community. 

It was a wonderful discussion. Thanks to all who attended and especially to Christine for hosting.

- Submitted by Amanda

Bono: "God is in the Slums"

Photo-Source: http://webpages.scu.edu

This statement was part of a speech Bono made at the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast.  It was used in yesterday's Just Living meeting, as a prayer to conclude our biblical exploration of Amos, the Old Testament prophet who, over 2,500 years ago, was God's voice calling for justice.

“God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.”- Bono

Bono's speech, dubbed a sermon by many, was delivered on February 2, 2006 at the Washington DC Hilton, by activist and rock star Bono, to the 51st annual National Prayer Breakfast, attended by President George Bush and hundreds of national leaders. Bono is an energetic, non-partisan AIDS and anti-poverty activist who focuses his crusade on Africa. His remarks at the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast have been widely acclaimed as a uniquely powerful blend of faith and the mission of governments. 

You can read the rest of his speech at this 2006 event here.

- Submitted by Gareth

JUST LIVING CONVERSATION 10/03/13

Augustine United Church

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Submitted by Karla W.

The meeting commenced in Bob’s office where Gareth gave a brief tutorial on the basic format and workings of our Blog. After some discussion regarding the challenges relating to navigating through the “stuff of Blogs”, Gareth kindly offered to post information for members that did not yet feel comfortable doing so. Members can send Gareth information via email.

We reconvened in the Guild Hall and began our meeting proper with Bob saying a prayer. Forming a circle, the members were each, in turn, given a chance to speak…a “checking in” of sorts.

BILL 18

Bill 18 was the first item of discussion. Bob related some of his experience with regards the unfolding of events surrounding his interview and the resulting article in the Winnipeg Sun. Kathleen shared about her discussions with Gareth and Patrick from the Rainbow Resource Ministry about how they and perhaps other representatives from Augustine and the Rainbow Resource Ministry may make a joint-presentation to the government about the Bill when it “goes to committee” in the spring. Kathleen emphasized her concern that the focus and original intent of the Bill (i.e. the protection of all children) not be lost in all of the hype and anxiety about “homosexual lifestyles” that some conservative churches and schools are focusing on. Gareth noted that some faith-based schools have established GSAs (e.g. West Gate Mennonite).

There was some discussion about the portrayal and playing out of these events in the media, particularly when religious institutions are at odds…somehow the intended message is lost in all the hype. Mike expressed concern that Augustine, standing on its own may lose ground and /or credibility and stressed the importance of “being prepared” for fallout or backlash against Augustine’s controversial stand by seeking out allies, particularly among other faith groups. In this way we could stand as a united front and not just be viewed as a predictable (“that affirming United Church in the village”) voice. This would demonstrate that there are many other churches and Christians (and we know there are) who stand in favor of Bill 18.

He went on to say how he felt that the bulk of Christendom is not yet at the progressed state of sanctioning the GLBT lifestyle. Bob agreed, remarking that he had some ideas as to avenues to pursue in order to gain support for Augustine’s stand on the matter. Discussion ensued on potential allies, and what would be the best strategy to make connections. Gareth noted some recent welcoming community ministries (i.e. Hope Mennonite). There was some discussion around the affirming nature of Rady Center and some of the cities synagogues. Maureen stated she had heard that Faith Lutheran Church also identifies as welcoming/affirming.

We agreed that the time passed too quickly and regretted not being able to share more reviews and experiences of the various events of the past week. Mike offered to submit a review/summary of the Providence Series Lecture that a number of Augustinians attended on the Saturday evening presentation entitled Living To Consume Or Consuming To Live. 

 

Karla mentioned she had made some connections during a bridging workshop at the Idle No More symposium at the U of M this past Friday and shared our Blog address with others interested in issues of justice (more to follow on this symposium at a later date).

The group closed with a prayer poem led by Kathleen.

*Reminder, the next JL meeting will be held Tuesday, March 26^th at Christine’s home. Please see group email for details.