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Dear friends,
In September, many of us, even if we're long out of school, feel like we're
entering a "new year"—a time of re-energizing and returning to work after the
summer weeks. Please think about whether this time of renewal can be a time for
you to recommit to peace, justice, and local and global change, and check out
and pass on some of the info below for ideas about how to get involved.
Getting Away with Murder in the Philippines: Write the Prime
Minister
 Write the Prime Minister We respond with great sadness and outrage to ongoing assassinations of
advocates for justice and human rights in the Philippines, including five of our
partners in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
Under the pretext of a "war on terror" against insurgent groups, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has escalated the war against civilians, using political
killings to try to silence those who challenge the government or growing
globalization. Since 2001, over 700 community activists, human rights advocates,
journalists, and Indigenous people, including 13 UCCP pastors and lay members,
have been killed, and none of the killers have been brought to justice.
ACT NOW! The United Church thanks those who have responded
to our appeal by writing the UN and the Canadian government to call for a UN
investigation. Protests from within the country and overseas have forced the
President to form an investigative commission. It is crucial to keep up the
pressure to ensure an independent and thorough investigation to bring those
responsible to justice. Your action will help protect many partners and other
activists who are subjected to threats, surveillance, and great risk of
assassination. Please write to the United Nations and the Government of Canada
to urge an investigation of the political killings by the UN and a joint mission
by the Canadian government and NGOs.
» Write your letter using our info, sample letters, and
addresses
» Sign the worldwide petition launched by Asian human rights
groups
» Read the letters of our overseas personnel who have done human
rights work in the Philippines
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Water: Life Before Profit Campaign Continues
 Water: Life Before Profit Year two of the KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives water
campaign is now underway! Continue your action on water and participate in the
second year of this campaign, which will focus on corporate accountability for
damage to water and to all who rely on it for sustenance, health, and
livelihood.
Call on the government to stop supporting any Canadian
corporate venture that violates international human rights and environment
standards, and to develop legislation that will hold Canadian corporations
accountable for their actions at home and overseas.
Plan ahead and highlight this campaign and all of the work
that KAIROS does on KAIROS Sunday, February 18. Campaign materials include a
mini-poster with a map linking water struggles around the world, a water action
booklet, a bottled water brochure, and a KAIROS Sunday poster with liturgy by
Keri Wehlander on the back.
Order these by contacting KAIROS at 1-877-403-8933 ext. 221,
416-463-5312 ext. 221, or orders@kairoscanada.org. An online
order form is also available.
» Information and resources for the KAIROS campaign
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Proposed Law for Tougher Sentencing: Act Now
 Church Council on Justice and Corrections Proposed legal changes (Bills C-9 and C-10) currently being debated in the
House of Commons would limit judges' powers to create sentences that are based
on specific circumstances and take into consideration interests of victims,
offenders, and families in our community.
The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC), a national coalition of
11 Christian denominations with multi-faith and secular partners, encourages
people to become informed and express their concerns about the human and
financial costs of the proposed changes.
Write, e-mail, or phone your local MP, the Prime Minister,
and the editor of your local paper.
Discuss this issue with your local group, church social
justice committee, or service club. CCJC can provide resources and perhaps
suggest how to get a speaker in your area.
Learn more by contacting Lorraine Berzins, CCJC's Community
Chair of Justice at lberzins@ccjc.ca or
Heather MacDonald, United Church Program Coordinator for Refugee/Migrant, Racial
and Restorative Justice at hmacdona@united-church.ca.
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Make Poverty History Month: A Global Campaign
Join in the month of action to Make Poverty History, from September 16 to
October 17, 2006. In the lead-up to the International Day for the Elimination of
Poverty on October 17, people in over 70 countries will be organizing activities
to campaign for
- more and better aid
- trade justice
- an end to child poverty
- cancellation of debt
Obtain materials, learn about the issues, sign on to the campaign, and find
out what's happening in your community by visiting makepovertyhistory.ca.
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Overseas Service Opportunities
Interested in serving abroad with global partners of the United Church?
Partners regularly request personnel to join in mission for a year, two years,
or longer. For example, the Amity Foundation, a partner with a long history of
friendship with the United Church, currently invites experienced ESL teachers to
teach in post-secondary institutions throughout both urban and rural China for a
two-year appointment.
» Details on United Church overseas service
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Visit a United Church Global Partner in China—Join the Amity
Easter Tour 2007!
Dates: April 16–25, 2007
Venue: Henan Province, with a stop in Beijing
Since 1991, the Amity Foundation (a global partner of The United Church of
Canada), in cooperation with the China Christian Council (CCC) has organized
Easter Tours for groups of 12 to 14 people to visit urban and rural
congregations in one particular province in China.
This year, we will visit Henan, the most populous province in China. In
Beijing, participants will be given a briefing, meet with Chinese church
leaders, worship with local Christians, and visit the Great Wall and the
Forbidden City. The group will then fly to Henan and visit local churches, the
HenanBible School, and Amity church-run projects in rural areas, including those
focusing on HIV/AIDS, a key issue. There will also be visits to cultural and
historical sites.
Cost: The cost per person will be US$ 1,200. This includes domestic airfare,
food, accommodation, and travel in Henan Province. It does not include airfare
to Beijing or visa fees. Those preferring single rooms pay an extra US$200.
For more information, contact Theresa
Carino at The Amity Foundation, or Rivkah Unland at the United Church's
People in Mission desk.
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