KAIROS ATLANTIC


Halifax Cluster February 2012 meeting
February 2, 2012, 9:25 am
Filed under: Halifax Cluster

KAIROS HALIFAX MEETING

1:30 p.m. at Barat Residence, Summer Street, Halifax .

KAIROS Halifax, February 1st, 2012

Agenda

Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Opening Reflection – Gerry

3. Minutes

4. Correspondence

5. Old Business

  a) Truth, Reconciliation and Equality – Margaret’s letter; other

  b) Fracking – discussion and plans

  c) Cluster registration

  d) Face of Poverty – Carolyn

  e) Occupy NS

  f) Other – water coalition

6. New Business

7. Announcements

8. Next Meeting: March 7th

 

1.          Welcome and introductions–

Wyn Farnel, Gerry Lancaster,  Linda Scherzinger, Theresa Chu, 

Mary Rigby, Margaret Sagar,  Mary Rigby, Mary Power, Sister Margaret, Ruth Bishop

Lindsay Rankin, Kenn Stright, Caroline Earl.

Regrets: Anna Parks, Margaret Sagar

  1. 2.                  Reflection, prayer– Gerry led  time of reflection. Quiet time. Thanksgiving for all who help open our minds…With whom am I disconnected? Where do I say ‘sorry’? Where find injustice or disconnectedness? What can I do about it
  2. 3.                  Minutes
  3. 4.                  Treasurer’s Report:   Signing officer in place   $177.12. They are charging service charges again. Will appeal – again. Gerry will look in to this.
  4. 5.                  Correspondence:  From the office of the Prime Minister re. Canadian Environmental Network.
  5. 6.                  Old Business Updates:

            a. Fracking update… we will have a speaker come from the Council of Canadians (Angela) Wyn gave some information re. fracking

          b. Truth Reconciliation and Equality: They Matter to Us. 

1)         Margaret did a letter – address to the Minister. The Observer will publish a version of this. Sent to the Diocesan Times. (Can read in the Chronicle Herald.)

2)         Update from what the Presbyterian Community is doing and wishes to know what other communities are doing.(Kenn)

3)         Linda spoke on “Peace andFriendshipBuilding” at Tatamagouche (Feb. 10-12) Living Reconciliation. Also took part in a day of concern for Aboriginal people from Grand Parade to Friendship Centre. Very thought provoking. Aboriginal Network group is meeting at the Friendship centre. (Linda, Wyn and Mary).

4)         Many different ways to be supportive. Many things are positive (Gerry). Resources for Aboriginal concerns is inadequate – and misunderstood. (Lindsay). Continue to help raise awareness. Theresa spoke about introducing “Fatty Legs” in SH school.

c. Cluster Registration – we are now registered as a Community

d. Face of Poverty Report was circulated. Meeting again next week.

e. Occupy NS raised important issues… still active and seeking support from the community.  Thereas and Wyn and Linda a statement of support Occupy. February 26th at St. David’s.

Back to Fracking:  Aboriginal and Occupy have set up some of the events regarding the place of Fracking in the province. Wyn had information to share.  Had handouts from the event with Megan Leslie.

Where is the Provincial Government? Put out a scope of the environmental study. Go to Dept. of Energy website. 46% referred to a ban on fracking . Up to 90% depending on who is saying it. Linda gave an overview of what has been  happening and public will get a chance to comment in March.

What are our concerns and where do we want to go. Ruth continued the conversation from the Fracking coalition point of view. Two actions – one day conference on issues and also a day-long event where people go and talk with MLA’s. Many have already spoken with MLA’s. Need an emphasis on educating our church people. Theresa said we should attempt to do things as a Kairos group. Individual tend to get lost while a group can often get heard. Lindsay said we should be writing and expressing concern.

Kairos has published a Position Paper: Coal and Shale Gas: Obstacles to…

i. Cluster could put out our own statement. Based on sacredness of water, Justice, solidarity with others (aboriginal community).

ii. Could organize a workshop on fracking.

Maybe work in partnership with other groups that are concerned with the issues around fracking. Maybe some of the videos from theTruroworkshops might be available. No reason why we could sponsor such a workshop.

Carolyn suggest after the review is published would be the most appropriate time to do a workshop.

                        iii. Visit MLA’s to show concern –

March is when the provincial government will makes it statement re. review of fracking.

Are some members willing to talk with coalition regarding next steps – any of the above steps. Ruth and Linda Lindsay (and others) willing to write.

f)     Other:

Water coalition is back in operation – much more educational.

  1. Next Meeting
    Kairos cluster will meet on Wednesday March 7th, 1:30 at Barat Residence.
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