Filed under: Halifax Cluster
Kairos Halifax Cluster
April 3rd, 2013; George Wright House
Chair: Mary Rigby
Welcome and Introductions: Carolyn, Linda, Wyn, Lindsay, Theresa, Sharon,
Debbie, Mary, Fran, Gail, Gerry;
Regrets: Bill, Ruth, Doug
- Opening Reflection by Mary:
“In Feb. Gerry invited us to reflect on images that came to mind from the Idle No More movement. After 2 or 3 people spoke about the images brought to mind Gerry led us in a responsive prayer from Kairos resources for this year’s overarching campaign ‘Truth, Reconciliation and Equity’. Today’s reflection follows from both Gerry’s reflective images and on the subject Billy focused on last month – namely water.
We have just passed through another Lenten period and Easter celebration – a celebration of rebirth – is not water central to this story? For the past 5 years, during Lent, the Ecumenical Water Network invited faith based organizations and individuals to celebrate 7 weeks of Water. This year instead of developing new texts, 7 of the most timely reflections from the past 5 years were used again – doesn’t this illustrate the importance of water?
Themes of the weekly study/reflection include:
Water is the cradle, the source of life – biologically and culturally;
Water is the well of health – over 80% of our bodies is water, approximately 80% of the earth’s surface is covered by water; water is central to our health and that of the earth;
Water is the Creator’s gift to all life – we have the gift of water and it is up to us to pass the gift on to future generations in a form and sufficient amount for their use.
Water is both scarce and over abundant; it does not flow or stop flowing according to national boundaries – regional, national, and local cooperation is needed to maintain water in the amount and quality required for human use.
Human life is dependent on water physically, socially and culturally – water is part of the Global Commons – clean fresh water should be available to meet the basic needs of all living things, it is not a commodity to be bought and sold.
It is our responsibility to consider the TRUTH of water as a right, to question privatization and to work towards RECONCILIATION in the apparent differences in the availability of water, and to work toward EQUITY of water among nations and people within nations. Here we are assuming uncontaminated potable water. Immediate areas that spring to mind regarding this assumption are the Middle East, particularly the distribution of water between Israel and Palestine and water availability to urban Canadians and to the majority of people living on First Nations areas. Equity in water could bring peace to many areas of conflict.
Water is a resource vital to all life, and a basic human right; not a resource to maintain as an economic advantage for one group of people or one nation over another.”
A prayer circle followed.
Theresa spoke about the people who live in China and other places who have no plumbing and added that maximum profit is not the first consideration.
Sharon spoke of the huge numbers of children who are dying because of contaminated water. She also spoke of how hot water helps so much in healing when she goes to physiotherapy.
- Minutes: Wyn and Carolyn spoke about the failure of Bill C-400 re
development of a national housing strategy for secure, adequate, accessible, affordable housing. It was voted down Feb. 27, 2013.
- Finances: Gerry stated that the fee that was being charged has been
removed. She also said that we can get our banking information electronically now so there will be no more need for fees to be charged. There is also no more need for a co-signer (which was Anna Parks) for cheques.
- Correspondence: None was received. Mary did, however, refer to the
statement sent to the United Church Moderator as a result of the discussion some of us had with Sandra Ascencio from El Salvador March 25th. That statement expressing our concerns re Goldcorp and its ‘continuing to fail to meet United Church of Canada social and environmental screening criteria’ was shared with Kairos Halifax members by email. Linda mentioned that our statement was especially timely because the UCC General Secretary is now in process of writing and sending to all courts of the United Church the official statement requested by General Council on this issue.
On the subject of Sandra Ascencio’s speaking tour, it was mentioned that
the night of March 25th she spoke in Mahone Bay to a full house of 70 people. She also spoke at Tatamagouche, Wolfville and Frederickton with a very good number of supportive people in attendance at each place.
Mary mentioned that Lisa Rankin, Breaking the Silence coordinator who
translated for Sandra, will be speaking in Halifax at a micro-credit event the first Sat. in May and recommended the video on Goldcorp, “Gold or Life”. Linda reminded people of the book launch of a social justice thriller, “Tailings of Warren Peace” by Steve Law this Sat. at St Andrew’s United Church. It will also be a fundraiser for Breaking the Silence. It was mentioned that 60% of the mining companies in the world are Canadian.
Debbie spoke about the vast amount of materials being sent her way to a
point of being overwhelming. She has also not heard from Alma Brooks. Debbie also spoke about a video she has seen recently, “We we children” on APTN concerning the schooling (forced) of First Nations’ children including their being torn from their parents.
- Reports/updates/concerns:
Affordable Housing – Wyn advised that the housing strategy had been defeated. Carolyn remarked that it will be sometime before this strategy will be seen in the legislature again.
Violence Against Women (Aboriginal Women) – It was decided that each member would receive a copy of the report Wyn has prepared as a step toward commencement of a deeper look into what has reduced the souls, in the mind of the murderers of Aboriginal women and girls to such a point of insignificance that hundreds are being destroyed by the murderers with impunity. Gerry felt that we should take the time necessary on May 1st to address our intentions where violence against women and girls is concerned as we begin our search for the truth as a group rather than just 4 of the members originally designated, Gerry, Sharon, Bill and Wyn.
Debbie interjected that there are now many women interested in leadership roles including referring to Bill having pointed out that grandmothers are viewed as persons of great and increasing wisdom. Debbie also referred to Chief Shawn Atleo as “a class act” in the world of First Nations.
Fracking – Lindsay advised that he has been working on the issue of fracking, finding that there is no need for going to extremes of using toxic chemicals alleged to be required. Lindsay referenced lubricants and hydrochloric acid which are lethal in nature. He has learned that the UK uses non-toxic chemicals. It was suggested that Lindsay continue his research and share more with us at the next meeting.
Lindsay also mentioned the great loss at the death of Mary Shaffer who has just died. She was an inspiration and great help to him.
- New Business:
Mary informed us of the fall Atlantic Regional Kairos meeting planned for Sept. The place is not yet confirmed. It could be at Tatamagouche Centre or it could be at the new United Church centre in Sackville, NB. She will keep us informed as plans are settled.
Mary has been talking with AST about the extent to which students have been told about KAIROS. She has learned that students have heard almost nothing about KAIROS – what it is, its relationship to churches, or that it is something students and church leaders/members would want to support. Mary is proposing that our group arrange a date in October or Nov. when we can have a block of time with the whole student body. Mary is also suggesting that we lead them in The Blanket Exercise. We would of course need time, training and practice to be able to do a good job of it. Bev can help to train us for this task. She is leading one in her area April 17th. It would also be important to include Aboriginal people in the presentation. The group agreed that this would be a good workshop for students to participate in, that it would take training for us to do it, and that it would raise the awareness of students re Aboriginal issues and would also raise the profile of KAIROS. Mary will report re the date available at AST.
Re raising the profile of KAIROS within our churches, Mary talked about the upcoming annual meetings of the Anglican Diocese and the United Church Conference. In the past, Bev has set up and staffed a display re KAIROS, but is not able to do that this year. With Bev’s help, Mary will have a display at the Anglican meeting and Linda will set one up at the United Church conference.
- Announcements:
To the disappointment of all, Theresa announced that she would be leaving KAIROS Halifax for 6 months. She will use this time to do some writing about her perspective re the history of China over the past 100 years. Younger persons today do not know that history and Theresa has much to share. Everyone supports and wants to encourage Theresa with this project.
Sat. April 13th at Pier 21 there is an event re Violence Against Women. Cost
is $20; time is 9:30-noon.
It was mentioned that Feb. 20th KAIROS shared information about the Nov.
2012th unveiling of a stained glass window created by Metis artist, Christi Belcourt, in the House of Commons commemorating the legacy of former Indian Residential Schools.
- Next meeting: May 1st Chair – Gerry Lancaster; Reflection – Lindsay Rankin
Respectfully submitted,
Wyn Farnell, Recording Secretary
For your information:
June meeting – chair is Sharon; reflection by Wyn
No meeting in July or August
Sept. meeting – chair is Linda; reflection by Anne Leonard
October meeting – ?
November meeting – ?
KAIROS ATLANTIC 