Best Practices

We don’t need statistics to see evidence of poverty in our community – Ingersoll is a small town after all. We all know someone who is having a tough time making ends meet or finding a job, struggling to pay rent, or even finding a place to live. Then there is hidden poverty; the kind we don’t hear about as much but that we know exists – a disabled woman down the street who can’t pay her utility bills; a teenage boy who is essentially homeless and sleeps on a different couch every night; your child’s friend at school who often “forgets” her lunch because there’s nothing at home to bring.

Blame it on the red hair, but I get angry about a lot of things. I’m angry about the apathy I see around me about the deep wounds of this world. I’m furious at certain politicians for squelching democratic debate around issues and for making decisions based only on the economic bottom line without consideration of social and environmental impacts.

A reflection on Crossing the divide: Why culture should be cool. (2013, October 12) The Economist.

On the surface, a life of action in the cause of biblical social justice and the quiet of contemplation don’t seem to mix.

Before presenting a conference paper, academics who study Aboriginal history have a tradition of acknowledging the First Nations upon whose traditional lands they are standing. This stems from historic traditions that began before Europeans showed up in Canada, when First Nations would request permission to pass through other peoples’ lands when travelling for any reason. This is a common human practice; across the globe civilizations used similar practices.

January 20, 2013 is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. For the church, this is an opportunity to reflect on questions such as: What does it really mean to value the sanctity of human life?