Filed under: ANNUAL REGIONAL MEETING
NOTES FROM KAIROS ATLANTIC REGIONAL MEETING
September 26-28
Tatamagouche Centre
Friday evening: Regional Representative report (Kenn Stright)
Kenn began his ‘duties’ in November, giving thanks to Bev McDonald for continuing and attending the fall meeting of the Regional Reps, and the ACE committee. Part of the duties of the Regional Rep is to ensure that the Coordinating committee meets and deals with the business of the region (most notably the Annual Regional meeting). Kenn attended the Spring meeting of the Regional Reps in Winnipeg, and the ACE Committee. It is great to have Marilyn Smith attending these meetings as the Canadian Baptist Ministries pursues membership in Kairos.
Winnipeg was a fitting setting to look at the new resource “In Peace and Friendship” A good effort was made to connect the reps with the Aboriginal concerns in the city and province. Vivian Ketchum joins the reps and helped us understand some of the issues post-residential school settlement. The evening was an open meeting of interested folk from across the Winnipeg area. We also connected with the Mennonite Community of Sunday.
Campaign overview from Jim and Mary started the day with the showing of Year 2 CD
Saturday morning: Business meeting # 1: Financial Report (Bev. McDonald)
Bev began the first business portion distributing the financial report for the year 2007. We are dependent on a national grant of $5,000 which is used to promote the work in the region. We also have funds given by AEJN of 2,413.57. Major expenses are for the Annual meeting, especially subsidies and transportation. We also pay the expenses of people who represent us at various events.
We had a slight deficit for the year. Bev walked us through the report… $7,900 operating cost estimate.
Bev submitted the report for approval Margaret/Cathy moved it be accepted
Bev has received a request from Sharon Murphy to attend National anti-poverty organization. (NAPO). Margaret moved we look at the AEJN to defray the cost of NAPO for Sharon $ 250. Linda seconded. Passed.
Tim talked about travel. Expenses occurred will be paid. (Not a cost per km).Submit to him. Need to look at how we do this. Maybe look at this in relation to visioning. Informal conversation at lunch.
Business # 2 Welcome to the Fish bowl
Topics to be explored:
Purpose: People need to get together to network and connection and learn what is being done.
Need a chance to know what the resources are/what the direction is to be… so we are familiar enough to do the task before us – in community, networking… feeling well equipped.
Need ways to get the message across – start here and then find ways
Learning… networking… resourcing… feeding in regional to national (resources more relevant)
Don’t have enough time to reflect on Atlantic experience of social justice.
Things have changed. We need to connect with other organizations… and especially your youth. We need skills to do this work… skills on issues, on culture, on connecting.
Many find it s a struggle to be effective in our context – strengthen ourselves for the struggle to sharing…
Need to have fun and celebrate – together!
Need to know the practical good that comes from the conversation.(action plan)
Location: This place is nice. Central. Concern that we can’t reach out to a community and make an impact. Moving around the region. Money: the cost is getting prohibitive. There are churches that can host us and look after our needs. On reserve or university setting (to attract a radically different group). From an organizers point of view, same ol’, same ol’ is more comfortable. Need a strong organizing committee to go out from the known
Date: The date is good for those who are here. Keep it as it is… the date should reflect the momentum we take into the campaign (the enthusiasm). It conflicts with a number of people who would like to be here. Want to ensure National/International/ resource people available. Also want plenty of notice for topics and publicity. Need to plan well in advance. Talk with folks like Development and Peace. (Shared venue).
Style: What should it look like? Format and parts… We’ve changed… ie. Business meeting throughout – many people need to leave. Shortening the program may have people leave even earlier… we are ‘planning for the comfortable instead of planning for change’. If we plan for a different group we may do things much differently. We need to demonstrate the ability to partner… have this as part of pour meeting… various presentation – move to various location… who
Planners: if different people plan, we need different planners ie. Youth, low income, aboriginal (planning for a different constituency) spend a year preparing for a unique experience. Sometimes the planning is simply the same stuff over and over. Often what we plan is not what happens. Suggested theme: Reenergize for a new economy… there are other options.
Communication: need to get out to people what happens at a Regional meeting, agenda, what to bring, etc.
* National Gathering in June 19, 2009 – do we still meet in 2009? Do we find our own money to have our own regional meeting?
When people need to gather, they will. Maybe it’s not just ‘us’ who need to ask… what about others who don’t come? How do we provide for others?
A grant for next year may be in doubt if there is a National gathering.
Need to let people know what will be happening next year.
We do have a reserve to fall back on.
Sharing with Development and Peace: some conversation about shared venue.
Sunday morning: Reflection
Jim commented on the experience. Abdulai really appreciated getting to know people at a different level and know that people are concerned with his world and the issues that face Ghana and Africa.
Jim thanked us for our hospitality and openness. Bev asked re. Jim’s work…. We have partners across Africa but specifically Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These represent both justice needs and Canadian involvement. Resource extraction does little to alleviate poverty or create National Development.
Mary made comment grateful to be present to remember what Kairos truly is… the overlapping of people seeking change. People meeting (North and South) seeking change, a way in to the future… would wish to have us meet face to face. Moved by how hard people work who don’t ‘wok’ for Kairos – sacrifice of time and energy to give selves to faith justice – spirit and passion – helps ‘get back on track’. Important to get out and hear and experience the grassroots… and then do the best to resource the regions.
(Basecamp Kairos)
Website is being restructured – and the whole institution – 26 people and some volunteers. (mid-October). Costs have escalated.
Business meeting Part #3
Minutes from 2007. Declare minutes as accepted
The meeting looked at those positions within the organization that need to be filled:
Nominating Portion of the Annual meeting: Coordinating Committee
NS Doris McCallum
PEI
NB Tim Devlin
Nfld/Lab Pat Kennedy
Anti-Poverty
ARC- A Eric Tusz-King
Regional Rep. Kenn Stright (2 year term)
Secretary Rhoda Hogan
Treasurer Bev McDonald (1 year)
Member-at-large Sharon Murphy (Anti-poverty)
Member-at-large Cathy Scott
That this be the slate of officers: Bev/Tim
Next years meeting: what finances are available? No money from this meeting. AEJN monies will be below $2,000.00.
Maybe eliminate Friday night. Do a 24 hour meeting for $95.00 and not subsidize travel.
This would make possible a 0-expenditure meeting plus a $10.00 car-pool.
Doris/Sharon moved we accept this proposal
Expression of thanks to the Tatamagouche Centre and their hosting.
Those who planned and those ho participated and those who made such an effort to be here.
Abdulai commented on the excitement he felt being with people who connect the spiritual with a passion for social justice. Going back home expired to go home and make a change… a journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step!
Good to be part of story telling and bonding.
Meeting ended with gratitude! Communion followed. Truro lead all the worship experiences and the gratitude of the gathering was expressed to them.
2007 ANNUAL REGIONAL MEETING
A brief message from St. John’s
Further to my earlier update last spring (see below), I just wanted to touch base with you before the weekend gathering. I regret I cannot be there, but as I mentioned at the meeting last year, my son is getting married in St. John’s this weekend. I had encouraged others to attend form St. John’s, but I’m not sure if anyone registered.
I’m not sure if you are aware of some very sad news. Sister Marie Ryan passed away suddenly during the summer. She was instrumental is keeping KAIROS active in St. John’s for so many years, and a friend to so many in KAIROS. She was also working with us on reviving KAIROS is St. John’s. Please remember her in your prayers during the weekend.
Christopher Picard, Executive Director, at The Lantern, and I continue to discuss strategies to revive the local KAIROS cluster in St. John’s. We are hoping to host a public information session about KAIROS at The Lantern later in the fall, as a part of a weekly series, entitled, “The Many Faces of Social Justice.” More on this later, as plans are put in place.
Best wishes and blessings for a good weekend of meetings. Regards.
Pat
St. Stephen Kairos Cluster
Annual Report for the Atlantic Regional Meeting Sept. 26 – 29 2008
Our cluster partnered with the local Volunteer Centre/Food Bank on the Week to End Poverty event. We held an art gallery event at the Food Bank and looked at the poverty situation in our county and the causes locally, Nationally and globally. A petition was taken to our MP Greg Thompson asking for the four actions in the Kairos materials.Along with the petition letters from a grade three class were also presented.
I was asked by the cluster to write articles in the local News paper on Kairos, from what the organization is about to the issues we are tackling. The St. Croix Courier was interested so i have been doing a weekly column from October 2007 to End of April 2008. Resuming in the fall.
We promoted Earth Hour in the community and were able to get the town to participate and announce that the town council was supportive of the action. We approached the schools through an active middle school science teacher who did a project in his class. He also contacted the school district which in turn encouraged participation throughout the district.
We held a Kairos Sunday on April 20th. This is to mark Earth Day. It was of course an ecumenical event with choirs from several churches participating. Two speakers on the subject of caring for the earth. Rev. Andrew O’Neil spoke on the spiritual contections to the earth and Janice Harvey of the NB Conservation Council and a columnist for the Telegraph Journal spoke on the environmental issues of today. There were over 100 people in attendance Action sheets were distributed and $300 raised for the local food Bank.
Submitted by
Tim Devlin
Chairperson St. Stephen Kairos
“ Truro and Area KAIROS” Report 2008
Kairos is a national organization founded in 1972, The first name was “Ten Days for World Development” The name ten days was derived from the fact that it took five mainline church Clergy Persons ten days to travel across Canada promoting Social Justice. In the late 1990’s the name was changed to “Ten Days for Social Justice” because justice was and is needed all around the world. At the time of the Millennium the name was changed again to “Kairos” from the Greek word meaning a time for a new beginning, or a change.
Kairos has spent 36 years raising awareness about the cause of injustices around the world, trying to influence the policies and practices of Canadian government, business, churches, education and media. It takes one of our most important resources “people” to do this work.
When Jesus asked his disciples to take up the cross, he gave them the promise of hope. Hope is the product of love, Hope comes from loving our neighours, and Hope comes from the struggle to change.
All Canadians need to examine their relationship with the earth, are we committed to the healing and restoration of the planet?
Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiative consists of eleven churches and church agencies committed to faithful action for justice partnership. Kairos also includes nearly 100 local ecumenical groups.
To learn more go to www.kairoscanada,org
In spite of the fact that Halifax and Moncton seem to be in locations that are believed to be a better drawing card for attendance and transportation to special national Kairos visitors and workshops from Toronto{ a view not totally agreed to by Truro and Area Kairos} we still maintain an active group, and like any other organization we have highs and lows in numbers, however our attendance is pretty constant.
With a sound ecumenical gathering, special Kairos services are promoted and initiated in our ecumenical churches, examples World Water Day, then too we have promoted “Life Water Canada ” whereby money is given for the digging of water wells in Africa , the cost to dig one well is only 3,000 dollars.. If you wish to know more about this project go to www.lifewater.ca. Great success achieved for Power Down on March 29th, and Earth Day. on March 22nd. Many letters are written to appropriate persons on Current issues and petitions signed on line.
By all reports many of us are studiously trying to eliminate as much carbon use as possible in our daily lives.
I have been making inquiries in grocery stores to buy and have signs placed on food items that will promote the 100 Mile Meal, and of course in my church as well as many others in this area; we have been using JustUs Coffee since its conception.
There has been much information circled in relation to Palestine olive oil, however we have not seen any positive results.
In line with Re- energize we visited a private local wind farm. You will hear more about that later. Also through Church in Action of Maritime Conference Environmental Working Group I will be conducting a workshop on Oct. 4th. For all Green Enthusiasts of Truro Presbytery Churches
We have been promoting Izzy Dolls for a few years now, these are small knit dolls and stuffed with cotton and are used for packing items to be sent to victims of HIV/AIDS in Africa . There is a big story behind these Izzy Dolls, go to www.icross-canada.com or www.icross-icross.com. One of our churches in Truro has held a doll day for the past two years, I mailed between 450 -500 dolls last fall to Victoria B. C., this Spring I mailed 519 doll to the same place. Victoria is the only place in Canada that has an ICROSS “International Care And Relief For Starvation and Suffering” organization It was founded by Billy Willbond a returned Cyprus Peacekeeper.
REPORT OF THE HALIFAX CLUSTER OF KAIROS (2007/2008)
“Following the tradition we inherit from our Jewish brothers and sisters, let us welcome the carbon Sabbath into our homes and our hearts with a deep conviction. For it is not merely that dwelling in Sabbath time might effectively contribute some small part to securing a planetary inheritance for our children. Rather dwelling in Sabbath time, abiding in the world in a new way may, be the ONLY solution there is.” Thus ended the reflection of the ecumenical Kairos Sunday service on February 10, 2008 at Bedford United Church given by Dr. Anne Marie Dalton, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Saint Mary’s University.
“re-energize…time for a carbon Sabbath” has been the theme of the campaign for Kairos over the last year. I hear members of the cluster say they are traveling by metro transit for the first time, having garden vegetables delivered to their homes by local farmers, attempting to eat locally as much as possible, planting vegetable gardens, patronizing local farmer’s markets plus walking and riding bicycles to work and to do errands.
In addition to the Kairos Sunday service which occurred on a very stormy night in February, our group has participated in many local initiatives in the Halifax/Dartmouth area. When a member attends a non-Kairos event, we ask them to share with the group the message or actions around the event they have attended. Halifax is rich in local activist groups and there are scores of related events going on at any one time. We promoted and took part in the “Light’s Out Earth Hour” project on March 29 in the metro area. We have taken part in urgent actions initiated by the national Kairos office including writing to the Prime Minister to ask the Canadian government to call upon the Israeli government to end the siege in Gaza . (January 2008). We have supported the efforts of local groups such as the publication “Street Feat”, a publication sold by homeless and unemployed people. We continue to communicate with the Atlantic School of Theology with whom the Halifax Cluster has committed an on going donation to their library in memory of Sister Helen Ralston who had been a member of the cluster. We support local church efforts such that undertaken by Calvin Presbyterian Church on poverty and homelessness. We convened an interactive piece at the ACW Annual Meeting held in April at the Anglican Diocesan Centre on the topic of “Sowing the Seeds of Peace”. We have spoken to Halifax Presbytery of the UCC to promote Kairos and the “Re-energize” campaign.
At present we are working towards programming at the Kairos Regional AGM in Tatamagouche. Robert Massoud of Zatoun Oil will be participating in the annual meeting and a mini-tour is being organized in the region taking advantage of his presence. The sale of Zatoun oil ties in with the Kairos initiative “Economic Advocacy Measures to Promote Peace in Israel and Palestine ”. We are also organizing a Human Rights Training Workshop for November 21 and 22 in Halifax which will be centered on human rights violations in Colombia . A Kairos Colombian partner, Fr. Omar Fernandez will take part in this event.
Thanks to the efforts of all the members who assist in many ways such as the setting up of the Kairos blog at “kairoshalifax.wordpress.com”, the formatting of bulletins, attending local events, responding to urgent actions, and offering leadership at meetings, etc. we contribute to Kairos, the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives as we are able.
Bev McDonald
Cluster Leader,
Halifax Kairos
Kairos Cape Breton 2007 – ‘08
October: The first meeting of the year focused on a report of the Kairos Atlantic Regional meeting and a discussion of goals and plans for the coming year. It was decided to begin by expanding our vision with a visit to learn from an “off grid” home. It was also proposed that we sponsor an interactive, practical “Re-energize” workshop for homeowners and churches in the new year and to explore the possibility of getting support for the workshop from Clean NS.
November: Some members attended a workshop on renewable energy led by Dr. Paul Gipe, internationally renowned expert on wind energy and policy who was on a speaking tour of the Maritimes.
Sixteen members and friends carpooled to Gabarus to tour the “off grid” home of Dr. and Mrs. Norm Kienitz. They were very knowledgeable and generous with their time. It was a very informative day as we learned from their experience of conserving and producing their own renewable energy from a windmill and solar panels. Norm Kienitz and his business partner are also the developers of the Lingan windmills near Sydney. (See their website for more information: www.capebretonpower.com.) They encouraged our interest and highly recommended that we all read the book “Plan B” by Lester Brown.
December: The meeting was cancelled due to a snow storm, but, having had a positive response from Clean Nova Scotia, the decision was made, via telephone and email, to co-sponsor a “Re-energize” workshop with Clean Nova Scotia (who will help fund the workshop) in March.
Written recommendations were sent to the NS Department of Energy in response to the 2007 Energy Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan.
January/February: Planning meetings were held to plan the workshop goals and objectives, time and place, agenda and style. Possible resources and speakers were identified and volunteer tasks were assigned and carried out. The goals of the workshop: to creatively inspire and challenge people to protect and care for the earth; and to provide practical “how to” ways to use less energy more efficiently and to use alternative / renewable energy resources (solar, etc) for our houses, churches and other buildings.
March: The workshop was March 1st from 10 am to 3 pm. St Alban’s ACW provided the lunch. Presenters included: Sr. Ellen Donovan, Srs of Charity, Rev. Wade Reppert, First United Church, Donald Dodge, Conserve NS, Bruce Young, home energy specialist, ACAP Cape Breton, David Lovekin and Janice Ashworth, EAC, Stefan Tylak, Clean NS, Rev. Lorna MacQueen, Trinity United and participants with local success stories. There were also displays, information distributed, and table discussions.
The event was well publicized and approximately 50 people came to the workshop. Everyone was intently interested in the speakers’ messages and in the displays and there were good discussions. One woman who was not able to come, sent a display re a solar heating devise that she promotes and sells and she began receiving email inquiries immediately after the workshop. Church members who attended the workshop also began to share what they learned with parishioners, friends and neighbours.
Filed under: Truro and Area Cluster
KAIROS ATLANTIC 