Our God is a relational God and God calls us to live in relationships which are life giving with one another, with God, and with the created world. God longs for all God's people to know life in all its fullness – creative and fulfilling relationships.

Right relations has to do with living in relationships that are loving, just, mutual, caring, and respectful of one another. Right relations has to do with seeking “life abundant” (John 10:8) for all God's people.

Here are some resources that might help you on this journey.

Updated December 2, 2009

Race updated
Gender
Justice updated
Differently-abled
Intercultural Church updated

Race

Living in Right Relations with Each Other:

Anti Racism Workshops - for Ministry Personnel – will be held in each presbytery in the winter and spring of 2010. Watch the website and presbytery mailings for details. All ministry personnel are expected to attend one of the workshops.

Niigaanibatowaad: FrontRunner (DVD and Study Guide) This video and study guide helps groups explore issues related to discrimination related to race. The video is available for loan from AVEL and the study guide is available on the UCC website www.united-church.ca/files/aboriginal/schools/resources/frontrunners_studyguide.pdf

The Box, the Book, and the Preacher (DVD)
Mark MacDonald, in the 37 minute DVD, offers an incisive analysis of the churches' history with Aboriginal peoples in North America , describing the spirituality of the church as that of a box (building), a book (Bible), and a preacher. The first national indigenous bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada speaks from his own experience, he offers stories, subtly powerful images, and new ways of looking at ancient scriptures as guides to help us recover the power of the gospel for today. Available from AVEL .

The Sharing Circle: Stories about First Nation Culture by Theresa Meuse-Dallen, illust. Arthur Stevens (Nimbus publishing, 2003) The Sharing Circle is a collection of seven stories about First nations culture and spiritual practices. The book will engage and inform children of all ages. (available from UCRD 978-1-41760-542-2, $11.95)

The United Church of Canada Anti Racism Policy Statement
Statement of Beliefs

We believe we are all equal before God.
We believe racism is a sin and violates God's desire for humanity.
We believe racism is present in our society and in our church, and throughout time has manifested itself in many forms to varying degrees.
We believe that the struggle against racism is a continuous effort. Therefore, our anti-racism policy statement is only a first step. It provides the basis for the creation of a church where all are welcome, where all feel welcome, and where diversity is as natural as breathing.
We believe change is possible. We believe in forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation and the potential to learn from stories and experiences.
We believe we are called to work against racism and for a society in which the words of the gospel are realized among us.
We believe in a vision of society in which these words of the gospel are realized:
It is through faith that all of you are God's people in union with Christ Jesus. You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ. So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free persons, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)

From the Anti-Racism Policy Statement “That All May Be One” adopted by the 37th General Council (2000).

Available online at www.united-church.ca/beliefs/policies/2000/t314

To explore issues around racism see: That All May Be One and Ending Racial Harassment . Both these resources offer background information, stories, and workshops for committees, boards and congregations. (both books are available from UCRD)

The Journeys of Black Peoples in The United Church of Canada is a growing network of self identified Black peoples who together strive to access, promote, and support the well-being of Black peoples within The United Church of Canada. Online Community: http://communities.united-church.ca/blackpeoples

Circle and Cross: Dialogue Planning Tool This guide is a new resource to enable a conversation about spirituality and justice in the relationships among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada . It offers some context, guidelines, model agendas, worship resources and bibliography. (Available from UCRD)

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Gender

Same-sex / Same-gender/ Equal Marriage – if you or your congregations wishes to explore your marriage policy – some helpful resources are:
   Of Love and Justice (4 workshops available from UCRD);
   the Affirming Congregations Process ( www.affirmunited.ca );
   First Comes Love then Comes Marriage: Video available from AVEL – (May 2004)
   See the 10X'10 section on the MOA page on this site (Mission, Outreach & Advocacy)

Jackie Harper is also available to facilitate congregational discussions on this issue.

From a book mark available from the UCC:

BECAUSE The United Church of Canada has men in higher paid jobs and women in lower paid jobs, and female imagery for God is still controversial, and children are forced into binary gender roles, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, two-spirited, and queer people are not welcome in many churches, and women are strong and creative leaders, and men are nurturing and caring partners, and sexual abuse and harassment exist in our churches, and women still suffer from violence in their own homes but this violence is not spoken about in our churches, and it's okay to talk about child poverty but not women in poverty, and women with disabilities are doubly marginalized, and women of colour and Aboriginal women are second-class citizens in our churches, and men must promote gender equality and reach out to other men because when well-meaning men turn the other way, they participate in the oppression of women, and God created us all in God's image, and above all because The United Church of Canada should be a safe, liberating place for everyone, I am part of the gender justice movement.

See the full text of the bookmark.

For copies of this bookmark contact: gender@united-church.ca 1-800-268-3781 or 416-231-5931 ext.3015

How might you engage in conversation about the gender justice movement?

• Make available copies of the bookmark
• In a small group or at a committee or board meeting invite people to identify affirmations, challenges and concerns in the statement
• Name ways you and your faith community are addressing issues of gender, violence, abuse, poverty, discrimination
• Consider becoming an affirming congregation

For more information contact Jackie jackie.harper043@sympatico.ca

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Justice

Kairos Canada Resources: www.kairoscanada.org

Creating a Climate for Justice: A 20 page education and action guide with theological reflection, workshop outline, voices from the Global South, worship suggestions, and tools to help you track and reduce your own greenhouse emissions.

Our Oil Dilemma: Reflections and Queries : a collection of stories of challenge and change from around the world, with questions for individual or group reflection.

Fuelling Conflict: A global map showing the connection between what's in our gas tanks and human rights abuses around the world.

Connecting the Drops: 20 minute DVD telling the story of the recent KAIROS ecumenical delegation to the Alberta tar sands.

Carbon Sabbath a three-year campaign of KAIROS focuses on how individuals, communities, and society use fossil fuels, and the impact those have on other people and creation. For resources see www.kairos.canada.org/en/getinvolved/campaign to learn more about the Carbon Sabbath Initiative and find the video A Different Kind of Oil Crisis Coming soon! KAIROS Carbon Sabbath for Lent – a resource to help explore our use of fossil fuels within the context of Lent.

Action for Justice eNewsletter www.united-church.ca/communications/newsletters/uaj This e-newsletter of the Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit is sent out 4 times a year. Sign up to get regular information on social action, campaigns, and events that promote local and global social justice.

Differently-Abled

New Resource: Welcoming Differences – Including Children Who Experience Challenges. With experience in Reach for the Rainbow, a program that integrates children and youth with disabilities into camps throughout Ontario , author, Kathy Nantais has created a very helpful resource for including all children in our programs. Special needs included are Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Visual Impairments and Hearing Impairments. This book offers facts, fallacies and strategies for success for the above challenges. Cost $6.95. Available at Presbytery Resource Centres and UCRD.

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Intercultural Church

What is the Intercultural Church ? www.united-church.ca/intercultrual/becoming

This new document describes the intercultural church in a simple, straightforward way. It defines interculturalism, offers biblical background, and shared practical examples of what church communities can do. Available as a PDF download.

Readings for the Intercultural Church – Updated

This brochure recommends books and resources on interculturalism available for purchase from UCRD. It covers becoming an intercultural congregation, worship and preaching, leadership, pastoral care, children, theology, and Canadian contexts and issues. www.united-church.ca/files/sales/ucrd/brochure_intercultural.pdf

The Ontario Multifaith Calendar Stay current with festivals of the World's faiths. http://www.omc.ca/products/calendar.html

Getting to the Heart of Interfaith by Pastor Don Mackenzie, Rabbi Ted Falcon, and Sheikh Jamal Rahman

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