Blog

Nine Religious Groups unite to insert religious values into the political debate.

Faith groups have combined to organize a federal candidates’ meeting, with differences, for the riding of Beaches-East York on Tuesday September 14th, 2021. The Church of the Resurrection will host the Zoom event at 7:00 PM.

One difference is that candidates are being asked to respond to questions on themes of the climate emergency and social equity. The organizers have asked the candidates to go beyond statements on the party platform and to articulate how their response would affect Beaches-East York.

The second difference is that the faith groups have included a preamble to each theme area stating the religious principles that frame the questions in an ethical as well as political context. Candidates have been asked to include an explanation of how and why their political messages address these values, in their responses.

The third difference is that the organizers requested that the candidates focus on addressing the questions and not on attacking other parties or personalities.

Invitations have been sent to the candidates of all the major parties competing in the riding of Beaches-East York. Invitations were based on whether the parties currently have representatives in parliament or whether they have nominated candidates in at least 80% of Canadian ridings.

The audience will join online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88684751033?pwd=UUpNMExDa1lydERqNnlEcUJFd2Y0dz09

In addition to the questions from the organizers questions will be taken from Zoom participants during the evening and compiled to ask the candidates.

The religious communities organizing this event include St. Aidan’s Anglican, Beach United, Beach Hebrew Institute, Calvary Baptist Church, Church of the Resurrection, Anglican, Danforth Mennonite Church, St. John’s Norway Anglican, Kingston Road United, Toronto United Mennonite Church.

For more information:

Michael Van Dusen
416-570-0203
mjpvandusen@gmail.com

Christina Blizzard
christina.blizzard@gmail.com

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.  It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God.  And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation.  So we must help time and realize that the time is always ripe to do right.
Reprinted in Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man from a speech in Washington D.C. March 68.

Concerned about Racial Justice?
Over the last year we’ve been learning more about systemic racism and how painful it has been to Black, Indigenous and other people of colour.

Once you know — you can’t unknow but now what do you do about it?

This is an invitation to be part of a small working group of committed people who want to work on actions of inclusion and reconciliation within the BUC and broader community.  The Environmental Action Committee is an example of how small actions can lead to progress. 

Please join us and be part of positive change.

Contact Mary Anne Lemm maryanne.alton@sympatico.ca
or Karen Dale karen@beachuc.com

Quote from Jesse Thistle FB page — Author of From the Ashes July/21
Thanks to those who took a little time to reflect on Canada Day. I got my haircut yesterday – the first in months – and all the factory workers and barbers in the Crow’s Nest shop were wearing orange. These were regular-ass white middle-aged Tim Horton-drinking Canadian factory workers taking the time to honour, one of them said, the lives lost, the bodies discovered. That’s something. I have never seen anything like this in my whole life, regular people caring and standing up for Indigenous people. Thank you to those guys in the barbershop and everyone else who stood up. Things are starting to change. Mega respect to my boy Tristan.

June 28, 2021 7:00 pm ET

More on The United in Learning website:
https://www.united-in-learning.com/index.php/webinars/403-two-spirit-people-a-part-of-our-circle-and-our-teachings?goal=0_b151b1ffa7-c3677f20d4-188824213&mc_cid=c3677f20d4&mc_eid=3f8753f721

Course Description
Prior to colonization, our communities viewed Two Spirited people as incredibly gifted and they often held revered positions in our societies. Two Spirited people were often our visionaries, Medicine People and were an integral part of our communities. Unfortunately, colonization disrupted that balance and significantly contributed to our people adopting homophobic mentalities. Today, many Two Spirited people and other Indigenous folks are working hard through education, traditional teachings and living by example to restore the balance that once existed in our communities.

This gathering is intended to provide attendees with some of the basic knowledge of and vocabulary for building relationships with and among Two Spirit people. This includes pronouns and the importance of respecting people’s pronouns at work and everyday life. We will also learn about the difference between sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

Cost
Free — brought to you by Mission and Service

Leadership
Keith McCrady is the current Executive Director at 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations who dedicated much of his energy on education and public health initiatives that will support a strong two-spirit community. McCrady is also a proud Two Spirit, Anishnaabe and Cree father.

June is PRIDE month! Let’s remind ourselves that as compassionate people we must use our voices to stop the global violence and expressions of inequality, torture and even executions toward people simply because of who they love, how they look, or who they are. ​

Compassion in PRIDE

“I’d like to say that LGBT people don’t want to yell about themselves on every corner.
We don’t come out for heterosexual people to know.
We don’t come out for religious people to know.
We don’t come out for the ones who hate us to know.

We shout and make as much noise as possible just so other people like us who are scared and can’t be themselves would know that they are not a mistake and they are not alone.

We come out because we want to show other LGBT people
That we too can live a normal life and we too can be loved and accepted.
And also, we come out, because we want to show others,
That we are people, just like them.”

-Artem Kolesov

For more information visit the website   https://charterforcompassion.org/