Filed under: Halifax Cluster
KAIROS Halifax Cluster
George Wright House
Sept. 4, 2013, 1:30pm
Chairing the meeting: Linda Scherzinger
Focus for our work: Indigenous concerns, “Truth, Reconciliation and Equity”
- Welcome and Introductions:
Present: Mary, Doug, Carolyn, Linda, Theresa, Gerry, Annie Leonard, Wyn, Bev, Sharon, Bill, Gail, Mel, Fran
Absent: Ruth, Lindsay
- Prior to the opening of the meeting Wyn introduced and circulated a petition in support of the Native Women’s Association campaign for a National Inquiry re the Missing and Murdered Women.
- Opening Reflection/Prayer: Annie Leonard led in a prayer reflecting on opposites
- Group discussion to re-evaluate: “How are we doing?” Linda led the group in a brainstorming session re our Group Norms / Agreements for how we do our work as Kairos Halifax. The notes from this discussion were taken on a flip chart and are shared separately following these notes of the remainder of the meeting.
- New Business:
(a) Sept. 22nd “at the ovens” – Mary has reserved the Community Oven in Dillman park in Dartmouth for Sunday afternoon Sept. 22nd. She distributed a paper with details about the event. The time is from 12:30 until 2:30PM. Folks are to bring their own utensils, food (for the oven), and a chair or blanket to sit on. We will celebrate the fall Equinox and beginning of the International Peace Week. It was suggested that it could be a fundraiser and people were encouraged to bring $5 to contribute. If anyone comes along who is without food, during the event, no person should be turned away.
(b) Atlantic Region Annual Meeting: Sept. 28-29 at Tatamagouche – People wishing to go should register ahead. Carpooling is encouraged. On Sat. the 28th registration takes place at Tatamagouche Centre at 10am. There will be a full day of presentations on Sat. and the business meeting will be held on Sun. morning before people leave for home.
(c) Blanket Exercise at AST: A training and trial run will be held Oct. 2nd at 1:30pm at our regular meeting at George Wright House. We will be leading AST students and staff in the Blanket Exercise the afternoon of Oct. 16th. It was suggested that Sacred Heart staff and students observe the exercise to introduce it to them for possible future events there. Bev mentioned there will be some dressing up required for the exercise.
(d) Sign up volunteers: A sheet was circulated for people to sign up to share the responsibilities of chairing meetings, taking minutes, and opening the meetings with reflection / prayer. The typed volunteer list resulting from that procedure is also included with the group discussion notes following this portion of the minutes.
(e) National Office Changes: Bev mentioned that there have been a number of staff persons at the national Kairos office who have resigned and/or will be leaving their post – including Julie Graham.
(f) Syria and Pope Francis: Theresa spoke about Pope Francis designating Sat. Sept. 7th as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace and the suffering people of Syria.
(g) Missing and Murdered Women: Wyn distributed copies of a paper she has researched and written re “The Forsaken”, The women, their vulnerability and marginalization leading to unexpected violence.
(h) For information Gerry reported that we now have $424.68 in the bank.
- Upcoming Events:
(a) Billy called attention to Oct. 4th when there will be a Sisters in the Spirit vigil / Native Women’s Association event – not sure of time and place
(b) He also announced that Oct. 3 to 5 there will be a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Commons and the Royal Declaration
(c) Also, October 24-27 at Pier 21 the United Church is holding a national conference called “Behold” re inter-cultural relations.
- Next meeting: October 2nd at 1:30pm at George Wright House – purpose/content of that meeting is to practice and prepare to lead the Blanket Exercise that we will lead at AST on the 16th. Mary will lead us through that practice.
Respectfully submitted,
Wyn Farnell
Following the meeting there was a social time over tea, coffee and cookies provided by volunteers who also helped rearrange the room for a guest speaker.
We re-gathered at 4pm along with about 35 other guests who came to hear Canadian Eva Bartlett share her experiences in Gaza from 2008 to present.
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