Loss of Part-time Prison Chaplains

For Immediate Release
Monday, October 15, 2012

Loss of Part-Time Prison Chaplains Not Just, Not Right, says United Church Moderator

Toronto: In a letter to the Minister of Public Safety, Vic Toews, the Moderator of The United Church of Canada has asked the minister to rescind the decision to eliminate part-time chaplaincy positions in Canada's prisons.

"Your decision to not renew part-time contracts with faith communities for the provision of chaplaincy services with Correctional Service Canada (CSC) will essentially eliminate chaplaincy services for non-Christians," writes the Right Rev. Gary Paterson in his letter to Toews. "This is not just; this is not right."

Paterson's letter notes that while it is true that volunteers are an essential part of chaplaincy services in CSC, the spiritual care and guidance provided by trained and dedicated chaplains is work that cannot simply be handed over to "volunteers." He explains that chaplains' activities include providing a "visible presence" to those within the institution, including times of crisis intervention; leading worship services and officiating at sacraments; offering religious education and pastoral care; developing community involvement; and facilitating the activities offered by volunteers. 

"Spiritual care is a basic human need and can be an important part of the healing and rehabilitation process for offenders-this is true for Christians, and for those of other faiths," writes Paterson.

The full text of the Moderator's letter is available on The United Church of Canada's website:
http://www.united-church.ca/files/communications/news/releases/121015_letter.pdf

United Church Moderator takes up challenge of sharing the Good News

United Church Moderator takes up challenge of sharing the Good News

the Not So Social Gospel

http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?o=1000&blog_id=2&entry_id=5312

UCC Youth Flash Mob

http://www.gc41.ca/news/flashmob-hill?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GC41News+%28GC41+News%29&utm_content=FaceBook

Mardi Tindal's Response to Wente

I received an email this week that claimed Wente's article as helpful and truthful.  I was saddened by this.  Here is Mardi Tindal's response.
http://united-church.ca/communications/news/moderator/120730

This Year's Journeying

Something about the weather, the flowers blooming, and new life experiences has been making me think of journeying in a new way this month.  I found this prayer helpful this week and so I thought I would share it with you.

This Year’s Journeying

Lord - I consecrate myself to You in this year’s journeying:

Take my feet from the safety of the shallows out into the challenge of unexplored depths.

Take my heart from the sterility of selfish preoccupations to the fruitfulness of wounded love.

Take my mind from the narrowness of human thought to the expansiveness of divine insight.

Take my hands from the poverty of having and keeping to the riches of giving and sharing.

Take my voice from the blandness of safe religion to the proclamation of Your radical kindom.

Lord - I consecrate myself to You in this year’s journeying:

Take my life

from safety to risk

from coldness to love

from darkness to light

from selfishness to sharing

from silence to proclamation.

Take my life for You kindom!

Amen. 

From “Fire and Bread” pg. 232

Vulnerability

http://www.davidlose.net/2012/04/the-power-of-vulnerability/

I read this article and listened to this Ted Talk this week and I thought it was worth sharing.
Blessings,
Karen