TSP Outreach Ministries
Justice Note – a bi-weekly summary of information from The Social Justice Project of Toronto Southeast Presbytery. It is a collection of information and announcements from a variety of sources intended to provide information about social justice actions, education, information and resources to people of faith. If you wish to receive this email in your inbox every two weeks send a note to BBaskin@united-church.ca.
Action
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May 08 to 09 Yinka Dene Alliance Protecting Our watershed from Oil Across Country Freedom Train will be in Toronto. Freedom Train Solidarity Concert on May 8 at The Great Hall 8:00 p.m.Freedom Rally NO TAR Sands in front of Enbridge Stakeholders meeting on the lawn of Metro Hall 55 John Street 11:45 a.m. on May 9. |
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Thursday, May 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. What's Next with Occupy Toronto? At Church of the Holy Trinity (10 Trinity Square, off Bay St north of Queen). We will gather to talk about what next now that Occupy TO has woken from its winter slumber and others like the Ontario Federation of Labour, Income Inequality.ca and others are seeking ways to bring us together as movement that cares for everyone. This is an opportunity for conversation about issues that need questioning and structures that need challenging. The structure will be informal and shaped by those who are there. This event is supported by Toronto Southwest Presbytery Occupy working group, The Social Justice Team at Church of the Holy Trinity, and others. More information at Barb Baskin or 416.551.4263. |
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Stand up for Indigenous rights and work for a more equitable Canada: Put yourself in the Picture! KAIROS is working toward equity for Indigenous people in Canada through its campaign for 2011-2012: Truth, Reconciliation & Equity: They Matter to Us! The campaign includes workshops, participation in Truth and Reconciliation Commission events, print resources and our snazzy photo action in which you say that you want to be part of building a more equitable future. For more information on this campaign please visit our website or contact Julie Graham, Education and Campaign Program Coordinator at jgraham@kairoscanada.org. Don't miss your chance to participate in this public witness for Indigenous rights in Canada. Submit your photo and we'll post them to Facebook, Flickr, and include them in the KAIROS display at upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Commission events across the country. |
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Put Food in the Budget is inviting you to host a town hall meeting to tell the premier what you think. Check out their website for upcoming dates and answer the survey to share your thoughts. |
Education
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Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 80 Blythwood Road. Join Out of The Cold Volunteers from across the city to mark the 25th Anniversary of this program and movement. Join us to eat & drink, share and hear stories, celebrate your contributions to the program, reflect on the words of Sister Susan Moran and others, and consider responses to our history. This event is co-hosted by The Social Justice Project, Dixon Hall, and Blythwood Baptist. RSVP The Social Justice Project (Beth Baskin) at 416.551.4263 or Dixon Hall (Carina Cooke). |
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Wednesday May 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Thought Leader Forum – Fight Climate Change and Create Jobs with Guest speaker: David Miller at Trinity St. Paul's United Church 427 Bloor St. West map. |
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Saturday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. Together in Faith: Working for Action on Climate Change at Bloordale United Church, 4258 Bloor St. W., Toronto. An Invitation for faith groups to meet with Dr. Kirsty Duncan, MP. Dr. Duncan will speak on climate change and discuss how faith communities and the general public can bring about real, responsible action on climate at this critical time. Over 60 faith leaders and organizations have signed the Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change. Sponsored by the Green Awakening Network and the Environmental Working Group of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. For information, please contact Rita Bijons 416.766.6331. |
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Wednesday, May 23 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The End is Near: The Future of Co-op and Non-profit homes in the Post-agreement era. The Social Planning Council is hosting a policy forum at the Northern District Public Library at 40 Orchard Park Blvd just north of Eglinton and Yonge. Please register as space is limited or contact Mary Micallef at 416.351.0095 x251. |
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Saturday, May 26th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Join Bob & Dorothy McEllhinney in conversation about their time spent with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Enjoy a Filipino buffet dinner and participate in raising funds for some much needed equipment for the local conference office. The event will be at Downsview United Church at 2228 Keele St. For more information contact bobmce2002@yahoo.com. |
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May 31 to June 2 Meeting Place: Intergenerational Gathering of Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto details here. This event is open to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. |
Information
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People have been asking about the MegaQuarry in Melancthon Township. 3191574 Nova Scotia Company, operating as The Highland Companies, has filed an application for a 2,316 acre 200 foot below the water table open pit limestone quarry to be situated on lands they own in Melancthon Township. We, (NDACT) are of the strongest view that the Highland application should not be approved. This is an application for what would be the largest ever quarry in Canada and the second largest in North America. The proposed quarry site is situated on prime agricultural land, to be excavated invasively 200 feet below the water table in the midst of the headwaters for a number of significant river systems that serve a large portion of Ontario's population. Northern Waters Presbytery continues to be connected to the campaign and will provide information about actions we can take part in. You can also check out the website directly and consider participating in the July 28th fundraiser. |
Worship
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The second Tuesday of every month (May 8 & June 12) Homeless Memorial Service at noon at Church of The Holy Trinity beside the Eaton Centre. |
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For the World Council of Churches' World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel the United Church Partners in Mission Unit has created two complete worship services for May 27 (Pentecost) and June 3 which are attached and can also be found at the United Church website. These services, which include full sermons, or the option of sermon starters, lift up the World Council of Churches' World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel with this year's theme of displacement and dispossession. |
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Truth, Reconciliation & Equity: They Matter to us is the KAIROS campaign and they have created an order of service to be used near May 26th, National Day of Healing and Reconciliation. It can be found at Workshop Worship Booklet. |
Looking Ahead
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June 4 to 8 The Grassy Narrows community struggles will be highlighted in a number of events supported by the Student Christian Movement of Canada. Bishop Mark McDonald, The Anglican National first nations' bishop is endorsing the event and helping to promote it. If individual churches or organizations would like to endorse the event, email your endorsement. |
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Proposed events:
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June 4th Press Conference and Media Event, location TBA |
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June 5th Speaking Event with leaders from the community, location TBA |
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June 6th Fish Fry with fish from the Grassy Narrows community, location TBA (but likely on the legislative grounds) |
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June 8th River Run Rally, 12pm starting at Grange Park (families and children encouraged to attend!) |
From a CBC TV documentary about Grassy Narrows and their struggles with mercury poisoning. |
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July 3 – 10, 2012 – Eco-theology, Faith and Practice Course offered by Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto and Elliott Allen Institute of Ecology and Theology at Villa St. Joseph Retreat Centre (near Coburg) 905.372.2741 www.villastjoseph.ca Residential Cost is $450.00 plus TST course fee. For information contact: Program Director: Linda Gregg, CSJ, D. Min. lm.gregg@utoronto.ca or Ecology and Ethics: Mary Rowell, CSJ, PhD. mary.rowell@utoronto.ca. |
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Friday, October 26 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Public Event and Saturday, October 27 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Network day including: Bible study, workshops, and worship. Calling congregational Outreach and Social Justice Committees, youth, activists and allies in community justice-making please hold the dates for Growing Justice: a gathering to nourish ministries of compassion and justice across the four Presbyteries of Toronto Conference. Keynote speaker is Ched Meyers. |
The next Justice Note will go out on May 22, please be sure to share information with me and I will share it with others BBaskin@united-church.ca.
Social Justice Project
Welcome to The Social Justice Project of Toronto Southeast Presbytery, its vision is that; "United Church congregations, inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, will be actively and effectively engaged in social justice ministry and become visible advocates for just and sustainable communities".
If you agree with this vision your congregation can become part of The Social Justice Project which will provide opportunities for congregations to receive staff support, resources and connections and they choose their own approach to address injustice.
We can offer:
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Opportunities for talking with and learning from like-minded individuals and congregations |
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Staff support for testing and turning ideas into action |
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Educational presentations |
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Tools and occasions for advocacy and action |
The Social Justice Project is funded by Fairlawn Avenue United Church and supported by Toronto Southeast Presbytery. The steering committee of: Jannie Mills, chair (Fairlawn Avenue), Gail Lindsay (Northlea), Gordon Soplet (Rosedale), and Liz Tinker (Bloor Street) have overall supervision of the project and activities.
Connect with The Social Justice Project through Beth Baskin BBaskin@united-church.ca or 416-551-4263. Beth can meet one-on-one with ministers, Outreach chairs, etc. or come to committee meetings, speak during or after services and will entertain other possibilities. The Social Justice Project is being shaped and created by the participants. Get in touch and we will see what happens. Please pass this information along and share it widely. An introductory letter and information sheet has been sent to all congregations this week and follow up phone calls will be made over the next few weeks. Please consider your involvement.
Find out more about this project, and how your church can take part by downloading the flyer:
Introducing Beth Baskin
Staff, Social Justice Project
1117 Gerrard st. E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Z9
416-551-4263
BBaskin@united-church.ca |
Introduction Letter:
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