Peace and Justice @ MFM

Peace Signs, January 2012

2012-02-07T10:27:00.000-05:00

January 30, 2012 Number 94
In this month's issue:

Editor's Note by Jason Boone
Otterville by Merrill R. Miller
Joseph in Egypt: A parable for Mennonites in the empire by Berry Friesen
A king is not saved by his great army by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach
Let God be God by Max Ediger
Politics and Prayer by Tom Beutel
Mennos swimming in a media sea by Keith Lyndaker Schlabach

Living Courage Tour comes to Montreal

2011-10-21T16:27:00.000-04:00

You are invited to an inspiring discussion with international human rights activists Chantal Bilulu and Vernie Yocogan-Diano this Wednesday, October 26th at 5:30pm, in the Dawson College Boardroom (3040 Sherbrooke Street West, room 5B.13).

LIVING COURAGE will make connections between gender-based violence in areas of conflict, whether the result of civil wars in Sudan or the Congo, or the mistreatment of Indigenous people in the Cordillera region of the Philippines or on the ancestral lands of Canada’s First Nations. Indigenous women everywhere, women who are migrant workers here, all of us – women and men – can share experiences as human rights defenders and peace-builders in our communities.

The tour is part of the KAIROS Women of Courage program. Participants will identify opportunities for advocacy to end violence against women in Canada and in the global South, while promoting respect for women’s rights pledged in national and international human rights law.

MCC Canada seeks Advocacy Interns in Ottawa

2011-10-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

The Ottawa office of Mennonite Central Committee Canada has an opening for an Advocacy Intern. The position, which is unpaid, puts you in the middle of the team providing expertise and assistance to the advocacy efforts of MCC Canada.

Applications for the winter term (January to April) will be reviewed starting November 1st. For further information and to apply for this position, contact Amgad Tadros at amgadtadros@mennonitecc.ca.

Peace Signs, August 2011

2011-10-05T07:27:00.000-04:00

August 25, 2011 Number 90
In this month's issue:

God's strategy for Shalom by Andre Gingerich Stoner
Otterville by Merrill R. Miller
Trampling on the poor by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach
Prayer and meditation by Tom Beutel
Abundance for all
Readers respond to past issues

Join the Franciscans for a Spiritual Gathering for Peace on October 22

2011-09-30T10:27:00.000-04:00

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Assisi Inter-religious Peace Prayer of 1986, representatives of the Native, Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities will gather in a spirit of friendship, in order to share their common attachment to values of peace and solidarity.

The Spiritual Gathering for Peace, an initiative of Religions for Peace – Québec and the Franciscan Family of Québec, will allow participants to partake in an unforgettable experience of spiritual harmony, in an atmosphere of friendship and unity.

During this gathering, members of each faith community will present prayers and sacred chants. The evening will also include moments of silence and meditation.

Come take part in this evening of prayer and meditation for peace!

Date: October 22nd 2011
Time: 7 to 9 pm (doors open at 6:30
Location: Holy Family Parish, 7355 Lajeunesse, Montreal (Metro Jean-Talon)

A light snack will be offered following the celebration. For more information, visit the Francsiscan blog.

Pacifest at Maison de l'amitié this Saturday

2011-09-13T17:27:00.000-04:00

Join the Maison de l'amitié (120 Duluth E.) this Saturday, September 21 from 3-9pm for for Pacifest! A "Peace Bistro" will offer free fair-trade coffee and cake, in honour of the International Day of Peace. Come by for some good company, good music, and free goodies!

Updates from MCC Ottawa

2011-09-12T08:27:00.000-04:00

Ottawa celebrates International Peace Day with dynamic events
From September 21st to October 2nd, Canada's capital will be abuzz with peace events and activities of all kinds. As part of the fifth Ottawa Peace Festival, put on by local peace and justice groups in partnership with the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI), these exciting events aim to promote peace, unity, and harmony in honour of the International Day of Peace. Read more

Episcopal Bishops explore the complexity of mining issues in Latin America
Bishops from Peru, Bolivia, and the United States participated in an international seminar that analyzed the political, economic, social, and environmental impacts of mining in order to position these complex challenges within the mission of the Church. Read more

Save the date! MCC United Nations Liaison Office hosts 16th annual student seminar
From October 27-29, 2011, students are invited to travel to New York City to participate in the 16th annual seminar hosted by the MCC United Nations Liaison Office. Read more

Nominations for YMCAs of Quebec 2011 Peace Medal

2011-09-10T10:27:00.000-04:00

The YMCAs of Quebec is now calling for nominations for the 2011 Peace Medal, celebrating individuals and groups who are models of peace for their community. Peace is their main focus, and they invest phenomenal energy in bringing it to life. Thanks to the support of the Brian Bronfman Family Foundation, all medalists will receive a sum of $1,000 to be remitted to the charity of their choice. The deadline for nominations is 4pm on October 3, 2011. For more information, go to www.ymcaquebec.org/en/ys_quebec/medal/.

Walking for Peace

2011-08-21T18:27:00.001-04:00

Jean Béliveau left Montreal on his 45th birthday, August 18, 2000, to walk around the world with a message of peace. Over 76,000 km later, his trip is almost over. He aims to walk onto the island of Montreal on October 16, 2011, then will get to work on a conference and a book.

Read more about him online or visit his website to follow his progress.

Global Conference on World's Religions After 9/11 in Montreal on September 7

2011-08-14T11:27:00.001-04:00

The Dalai Lama will open the Conference in Montreal on September 7, 2011

He will be joined by
Author Deepak Chopra
Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi
Professors Tariq Ramadan, Robert Thurman, Stephen T. Katz and Gregory Baum, and
Swami Dayananda Saraswati

This event is held under the auspices of McGill University and the Université de Montréal and will be held at the Palais des Congrès. For more information and to register visit www.gcwr2011.org

Full Program

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM : Opening Remarks
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM : His Holiness The Dalai Lama
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM : Lunch (not included)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM : Author Deepak Chopra
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM : Panel Discussion / Conclusion with

Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi
Professor Tariq Ramadan
Professor Robert Thurman
Professor Stephen T. Katz
Professor Gregory Baum
Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Peace and reconciliation: Interview with Fr Michael Lapsley

2011-08-07T14:27:00.001-04:00

Fascinating interview with Fr Michael Lapsley, founder of the Institute for the Healing of Memories, with Kate Turkington on Radio 702 in South Africa on Sunday, July 17 2011:

Fr Michael Lapsley with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Loaves and fishes

2011-08-02T08:27:00.000-04:00

A good and simple reflection from Franciscan friar Pierre Charland:

When Jesus’ disciples notice that people in the crowd are hungry, they suggest that they be sent to the villages where they can buy food for themselves. This is the logical solution: every man for himself! Let them buy food! And in our world, where everything can be bought and sold, this is something we expect to hear, and it may be the solution we would ourselves choose...

Read the full post on the Franciscans' blog at www.francisofassisi.ca.

Peace put on the table in the House of Commons

2011-07-25T12:27:00.000-04:00

By Jennifer Wiebe, MCC Ottawa
06/24/2011

This week, two peace-related motions were tabled in the House of Commons: one advocating for the establishment of a federal Department of Peace; the other endorsing the development of a Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC).

Tabled by NDP MP Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior), these motions call for Canada to take stronger political leadership for supporting non-violent means of preventing and reducing conflict at home and abroad, and for recognizing the pivotal role civilians can play in building sustainable peace.

The text of the motions, introduced on June 21, is as follows:

M-248 — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should establish a Department of Peace as part of the structure of the federal government and cabinet with a mandate to advocate for the non-violent resolution of conflict at home and abroad, the professionalization of peace work by Canadians, and the development of a culture of peace in Canada and internationally.

M-247 — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should adopt the recommendations of the Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC) Development Committee and should: (a) accept the constructive role civilians with peace building expertise can play in advising government on alternatives to military approaches to resolution of conflict; (b) enter into discussions with the CPSC Development Committee to further develop the concept of a CPSC; (c) develop and refine an assessment, training and accreditation program for peace professionals; (d) deliver two pilot training programs to test the concept and the training; (e) determine how Canada, through the CPSC and in consideration of a federal Department of Peace, can best contribute to sustainable peace in Canada and abroad; and (f) report back to the House on progress towards implementing these recommendations within six months of the passage of this motion.

This is not the first time the concept of a Department of Peace has been introduced in Canadian Parliament. Atamanenko is taking up the mantle of his former colleague, now-retired NDP MP Bill Siksay, who previously tabled a motion as well as an ambitious Private Members' bill that drew up the department's architecture.

Bill C-447 (the Department of Peace Act)— moved by Siksay on March 3, 2010, and seconded by Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis—outlined a ministry that would serve as the government's central agency for strategic peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding activities. As mapped out in the legislation, the department would consist of five branches, one of which would house a Civilian Peace Service.

When the 40th Parliament came to a dramatic end on March 25, 2011, Bill C-447 in its current incarnation died along with it. As it stood, however, the legislation had reached first reading with the maximum number of joint-seconders permitted. Additionally, there was a complementary motion on the floor—M-463, introduced by Siksay and seconded by Jack Layton—that called on the House to support a Department of Peace in principle.

Although this bill died with Parliament's dissolution, Atamanenko has indicated his intent to reintroduce the legislation in the fall while working closely with peace advocates such as the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI)—a civil society movement dedicated to strengthening the institutional capacity for peacebuilding within the Canadian political landscape. CDPI's sister organization, Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC), will also continue working towards building sustainable peace, particularly through its unique methodology for accrediting peace professionals. CPSC's long-term vision is to generate a large cadre of qualified peace professionals who can work in areas susceptible to, or currently in, conflict, and who are competent in conflict prevention, transformation, and peacebuilding.

Private Members' business (such as motions and bills) provides one avenue through which to raise the profile of non-violent alternatives within the political context. To build citizen support for its initiative, in January of this year CDPI launched a national petition to endorse the establishment of a Department of Peace. Continuing with this campaign, they aim to gather 10,000 signatures that can eventually be tabled in the House of Commons. In addition to signing this petition, interested constituents can contact their local MPs, asking them to sign-on to the two important motions tabled this week.

Both Mennonite Central Commttee Canada (MCC) and Mennonite Church Canada have been supporters of the Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) for several years. As such, we will continue to monitor and support the development of this concept within the Canadian government as the 41st Parliament moves forward.

Prayer to live mercifully

2011-06-23T10:27:00.002-04:00

By Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy

O God, teach me
Not to envy, to hate, to justify, to imitate, to support, to ennoble, or to kill for
Those who take the food from the table of others and then teach contentment,
Those for whom the taxes are destined, who demand sacrifice,
Those who eat their fill, who speak to the hungry of good times to come,
Those who lead humanity into the abyss, calling

Hate, love,
Unfaithfulness, faithfulness,
Lies, truth,
Slavery, freedom,
Too much, not enough,
Homicide, heroism,
Evil, good.

And, O God, teach me
when I have food, to remember the hungry;
when I have work, to remember the jobless;
when I have a home, to remember the homeless;
when I am free, to remember the imprisoned;
when I am without pain, to remember the suffering;
when I am loved, to remember the unloved;
when I am living, to remember the dying;
when I am dead, to remember the living.

And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion, and thereby
spend my time and my eternity doing good upon earth,
helping by word and deed, by prayer and sacrifice of self
those who cry out for what I take for granted.

Amen.

Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy is a priest of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church and a co-founder of Pax Christi USA.

Peace Signs, June 2011

2011-06-21T10:27:00.000-04:00

June 16, 2011 Number 87
In this month's issue:

The challenge of becoming a living peace church by Andre Gingerich Stoner
Otterville by Merrill R. Miller
Security in people, not prisons by Christina Warner
The bizarro after-Easter celebration
Many ways to peace by Brother James Dowd
Cell phones and shalom by Tom Beutel
Prayer to live mercifully
Readers respond to past issues

Solidarity with Palestine

2011-06-14T13:27:00.002-04:00

Aidez MDS à nettoyer la Montérégie

2011-05-26T15:08:00.003-04:00

Suite aux dommage causés par les récentes inondations en Montérégie, Yves Bourgeault (responsable du Mennonite Disaster Services Québec) lance un appel afin de constituer pour le 14 juin une équipe de bénévoles prêts à intervenir pour l'opération de nettoyage qui commencera dès la décrue des eaux. Vous pouvez dès maintenant proposer votre nom en envoyant un courriel à chantaljean [à] gmail [point] com.

Merci à l'avance de votre bon vouloir et de votre belle collaboration.

Nuclear film screenings

2011-05-24T09:27:00.001-04:00

Japanese director and anti-nuclear activist Hitomo Kamanaka will be at McGill on May 24 & 25 to screen two of her films (both at 6pm in Leacock Hall #219). After each film Ms. Kamanaka will make some remarks and answer questions. The theme of her work is the dangerous consequences of using nuclear energy, whether for weapons production or for electricity production, in Japan and in countries around the world.

See poster below, or this site, for more details:

Peace Signs, May 2011

2011-05-22T09:27:00.000-04:00

May 19, 2011 Number 87
In this month's issue:

Making sense of our household's budget by Tim Huber
Otterville by Merrill R. Miller
Praying for peace, paying for war by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach
Small things are special by Max Ediger
Killing Osama Bin Laden by Tom Beutel
The lure of the new: a real-life struggle with living the value of simplicity by Audrey Hindes DiPalma
Are You Pickin' Up What I'm Layin' Down, God?
Readers respond to past issues

Updates from MCC Ottawa

2011-05-16T16:27:00.001-04:00

Global church leaders gather to reflect on the impact of mining
A delegation of MCC Canada staff, board members, and partners participated in a much-anticipated Ecumenical Conference on Mining from May 1-3, 2011. Held on the campus of the University of Toronto, the conference provided the opportunity for Canadian church leaders to hear directly from almost 50 of their counterparts in the global South. Read more

DPRK visitors to Canada build connections with MCC
Two individuals from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known to people outside the country as North Korea, visited MCC offices in Canada to strengthen connections between MCC and the DPRK’s Korea Canada Cooperation Agency. Read more

A call to work for sustainable peace in North Africa and the Middle East
The executive directors of MCC Canada and MCC U.S. call upon Mennonite and Brethren in Christ church members to pray, discuss and speak out against a violent, unjust approach to “peace” in North Africa and the Middle East. Read more

Post-Easter faith reflections
Staff from MCC's advocacy offices continue to offer weekly reflections on biblical texts from the Revised Common Lectionary readings that provide points of connection to our work. Read more

Peace Signs, April 2011

2011-04-21T16:27:00.000-04:00

April 19, 2011 Number 86
In this month's issue:

Editor's Note by Lisa Amstutz
Without wood, there is no life by J. Ron Byler
Otterville by Merrill R. Miller
Earth Day and Good Friday by Tammy Alexander
The war business is over by Max Ediger
Easter People! by Brother James Dowd
Choices reprised by Tom Beutel
The paper cup fiasco by Audrey Hindes DiPalma
A Forsythia Peacemaker by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach
Readers respond to past issues

Election Resources

2011-04-13T19:27:00.002-04:00

Here are some interesting resources to help guide your thinking this election season:

And for health professionals, the Canadian Nurses' Association has prepared a Election 2011 Analysis and Report Card.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for Somalia

2011-04-10T10:27:00.001-04:00

Please keep Somalia in your prayers as the situation on the ground is deteriorating. Sporadic fighting continues in the south and central areas as clashes between the forces of the Transitional Federal Government and Al-Shabaab militia have displaced thousands in recent weeks. Pray for all parties involved, remembering especially the local NGOs who are trying to bring healing to those hurting.

Protest April 9: The Sounds and Darkness of War

2011-04-06T16:27:00.004-04:00

Protest march Saturday, April 9 at 12:30 p.m.
The Sounds and Darkness of War

End Canadian occupation of Afghanistan
Stop Canadian participation in the bombardment of Libya

12:30 Rally at President Kennedy and Bleury
13:00 Departure of the march

Organized by Echec à la Guerre.

Prayers for Peacemakers: Pray for the Arms Trade Treaty

2011-04-01T15:27:00.000-04:00

Pray for a successful resolution of an Arms Trade Treaty, an initiative aiming to regulate the trade of international arms, which is currently being negotiated at the UN. We pray that such a treaty would save lives and that it would target the corruption that now plagues the global arms arena.