Copenhagen Gathering

PDF Version

World Council of Churches Statement on Eco-justice and Ecological Debt

"The earth and all of its inhabitants are currently facing an unprecedented ecological crisis, bringing us to the brink of mass suffering and destruction for many."

Greetings from Hamilton Conference Office,

This December, our Moderator Mardi Tindal, will be traveling to Copenhagen with other Church leaders from around the world to pray and offer support for this historic United Nations gathering, Dec. 6th-18th.

Mardi writes:
“We follow Jesus, who challenged the death-dealing powers of the Roman Empire for the sake of life for all. As disciples, we too must challenge death-dealing societal policies and practices.”

We as Christians, Canadians and Citizens of the world are invited to call for climate action. For this generation and more importantly for our Children and their children.

While Mardi travels to Copenhagen , The Very Rev. Bill Phipps (Moderator from 2000-2003) will be fasting from December 6 to 13th in solidarity with Mardi and in prayer for support of our Canadian and world leaders. Bill plans to spend time in front of Stephen Harper’s office (in Calgary) and other community leaders.

I will also be joining Mardi and Bill in prayer and reflection the week of December 6th and plan to fast on December 6 and 7th.

We would like to invite Congregations from across our Conference to join with Mardi and Bill in prayer support of our world leaders in December. Below you will find a list of suggested action.  

Yours In Christ

Rev. Peter Hartmans
Minister for Faithful Public Witness
Hamilton Conference Office,
United Church of Canada

Action Suggestions:

 

Links:

United Church Links:

The Time for Climate Justice Is Now!

http://www.united-church.ca/getinvolved/takeaction/090930

From the Moderator’s Desk

http://www.united-church.ca/communications/moderators-desk

Mardi's modblog: Bearing witness to soul:

http://www.wondercafe.ca/blogs/moderator-mardi/mardis-modblog-bearing-witness-soul

Wondercafé discussion on the Environment:

http://www.wondercafe.ca/discussion/global-issues

 

Other Key Links:

http://en.cop15.dk/

 

World Council of Churches:

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1634/churches-to-ring-the-alar.html

 

Kairos Canada

http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/ecojustice/climate-change/copenhagen-2009/ring-350-for-copenhagen/


http://www.350.org

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
"Climate change is a reality. Life depends on a sustainable environment. With no world, there can only be nothing--no birds, no animals, no trees, no us. That’s why getting involved in 350.org is so important - it's an effective way to take action to turn around the climate crisis."
        Desmond Tutu was Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 until 1996 and is the 1984 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. Since his retirement, Tutu has continued to work as a global activist on issues pertaining to democracy, freedom and human rights

Prayer for Climate Justice
(from UCC http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/general/090914  )

Prayer

Creator and creating God,
In the wonder of your world we experience your providential care for the planet and its people.
We offer you our thanks and praise.
Creator and creating God,
in the exploitation of your world we recognize our human-centredness and greed.
We confess our sin before you.
We acknowledge our need for each other as part of your global family from North and South
And so we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Accept our confession O God and offer us your forgiveness
Empowering us to transform our lives as individuals, churches and nations,
Proclaiming your love for the earth and its people,
Enacting the principle of "Jubilee" in our relationships with one another and the earth,
Repaying our ecological debts in ways in ways that affirm your justice and shalom.
Amen.


Advocacy Information from our United Church Webpage:

(http://www.united-church.ca/getinvolved/takeaction/090930 )

Please send your letters to:
Your MP: the House of Commons website has a complete list of MPs' fax and phone numbers. Surface mail letters can be sent to: House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6

The Rt. Hon Steven Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: The Rt. Hon Steven Harper

The Hon. Jim Prentice
Minister of the Environment
Fax: 613-947-9475
E-mail: The Hon. Jim Prentice

The Hon. Michael Ignatieff
Liberal Party
Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
Fax: 613-992-5880
E-mail: The Hon. Michael Ignatieff

David McGuinty
Liberal Environment Critic
Fax: 613-995-1534
E-mail: David McGuinty

The Hon. Jack Layton
Leader of the New Democratic Party
Fax: 613-995-4565
E-mail: The Hon. Jack Layton

Linda Duncan
NDP Environment Critic
Fax: 613-995-5342
E-mail: Linda Duncan

The Hon. Gilles Duceppe
Leader of the Bloc Québécois
Fax: 613-954-2121
E-mail: The Hon. Gilles Duceppe

Bernard Bigras
BQ Environment Critic
Fax: 613-992-0878
E-mail: Bernard Bigras

 

Please send copies of your letters to:

Barbara Lloyd
Program Coordinator, Public Witness
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
The United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON  M8X 2Y4
Fax: 416-231-3103
E-mail: Barbara Lloyd