November 28, 2010 First Sunday in Advent: Candle of Hope
God of light, who came into a world of darkness and who has
never left it, we invite you to be present in the lighting of this candle.
This candle, known as the Candle of Prophesy or Hope, remembers especially
the hope that was brought into the world by the prophetic words that told of
the Christ.
There is so much hope in the promise of a child that is not yet
born. This hope is the beating heart of the Christmas story, a hope for
salvation, justice and right relationship with God.
This world needs hope. In the absence of justice:
Indigenous children are taken from their families and
communities. The cases of murdered and missing Indigenous women are not
adequately investigated. Mercury poisoning is passed from mother to child.
But these women and children also nurture the spirit and will to
pursue justice. Some have rekindled hope by leading their communities in
protecting their land. Others have walked thousands of kilometres to bring
their messages to the government. How can we honour the hope that they bring?
What prophetic hope can we offer, in our words and deeds, of a better future
for all?
The candle flame that burns here represents the presence of
Christ in a dark world. Let us honour that fire that burns within us, the
longing for justice and healing.
First Sunday in Advent: Bulletin Insert
On September 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This followed more
than twenty years of discussions within the UN system. Indigenous
representatives played key roles in the development of this Declaration.
There are over 370 million Indigenous peoples in Africa, the
Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They are among the most impoverished,
marginalised and frequently victimised people in the world
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
is celebrated globally as a symbol of triumph and hope. Effective
implementation of the Declaration would result in significant improvements in
the global situation of Indigenous peoples.
-Ad Hoc Coalition on the UN Declaration
The 46 Articles address specific violations committed against
Indigenous communities and individuals. Each article reflects a painful reality
for Indigenous people. Each article is a redress of an established wrong.
According to Article 22.2 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples: States shall take measures, in conjunction with indigenous
peoples, to ensure that indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection
and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination.
Recognising that there exists specific and targeted violence
towards indigenous women and children in the US and Canada today, a vital,
faithful and prophetic response is to call on the government to implement the
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CANADA – Take action: https://www.kairoscanada.org/en/take-action/the-land-our-life/kairos-day-of-action-december-5/december-5th-beat-the-drum-action-update/
US – Take action: https://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14586
December 5, 2010 – Second Sunday of Advent: Candle of
Preparation
God of light, who came into a world of darkness and who has
never left it, we invite you to be present in the lighting of this candle.
This candle, known as the Candle of Preparation or The Way
remembers the necessity of repentance for a right relationship with God and our
neighbour.
Repentance is turning back to God when we have gone astray.
The churches went astray when they tried to make indigenous
children more like non-Native children in residential and day schools. Children
were punished for speaking their languages and were told their culture and
spirituality were evil.
What does it mean to repent? What can we do as individuals and
as a church to bear fruit that befits repentance in respect to our indigenous
neighbours?
The candle flame that burns here represents the presence of
Christ in a dark world. Let us honour that fire that burns within us, the
longing for justice and healing.
Second Sunday in Advent: Bulletin Insert
On September 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This followed more
than twenty years of discussions within the UN system. Indigenous
representatives played key roles in the development of this Declaration.
There are over 370 million Indigenous peoples in Africa, the
Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They are among the most impoverished,
marginalised and frequently victimised people in the world
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
is celebrated globally as a symbol of triumph and hope. Effective
implementation of the Declaration would result in significant improvements in
the global situation of Indigenous peoples.
-Ad Hoc Coalition on the UN Declaration
The 46 Articles address specific violations committed against
Indigenous communities and individuals. Each article reflects a painful reality
for Indigenous people. Each article is a redress of an established wrong.
According to Article 7.2 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous peoples have the collective right to live in
freedom, peace and security as distinct peoples and shall not be subjected to
any act of genocide or any other act of violence, including forcibly removing
children of the group to another group.
Recognising that cultural genocide through the practice of
assimilation is an historical and current reality in the US and Canada, a
vital, faithful and prophetic response is to call on the government
to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CANADA – Take action: https://www.kairoscanada.org/en/take-action/the-land-our-life/kairos-day-of-action-december-5/december-5th-beat-the-drum-action-update/
US – Take action: https://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14586
December 12, 2010 – Third Sunday of Advent: Candle of Joy
God of light, who came into a world of darkness and who has
never left it, we invite you to be present in the lighting of this candle
This candle, known as the Candle of Joy, remembers the promise
of balance restored and all things made new.
John the Baptist jumped for joy in his mother’s womb. Later when
he was in prison he needed Jesus to remind him that prophecies of justice and
healing were being fulfilled all around him.
Healing and renewal often come through the distinctive spiritual
relationship Indigenous women and men have with the land, and their
responsibility to future generations.
How might we, by upholding the rights of indigenous peoples,
participate in the fulfilment of prophecy?
The candle flame that burns here represents the presence of
Christ in a dark world. Let us honour that fire that burns within us, the
longing for justice and healing.
Third Sunday in Advent: Bulletin Insert
On September 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This followed more
than twenty years of discussions within the UN system. Indigenous
representatives played key roles in the development of this Declaration.
There are over 370 million Indigenous peoples in Africa, the
Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They are among the most impoverished,
marginalised and frequently victimised people in the world
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
is celebrated globally as a symbol of triumph and hope. Effective
implementation of the Declaration would result in significant improvements in
the global situation of Indigenous peoples.
-Ad Hoc Coalition on the UN Declaration
The 46 Articles address specific violations committed against
Indigenous communities and individuals. Each article reflects a painful reality
for Indigenous people. Each article is a redress of an established wrong.
According to Article 25 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and
strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally
owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal
seas and other resources and to uphold their responsibilities to future
generations in this regard.
Recognising that it is in everyone’s best interest that Indigenous
peoples are legally entitled to protect their traditional lands, a vital,
faithful and prophetic response is to call on the government to implement the
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CANADA – Take action: https://www.kairoscanada.org/en/take-action/the-land-our-life/kairos-day-of-action-december-5/december-5th-beat-the-drum-action-update/
US – Take action: https://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14586
December 19, 2010 – Fourth Sunday of Advent: Candle of Peace
God of light, who came into a world of darkness and who has
never left it, we invite you to be present in the lighting of this candle.
This candle is called the Candle of Peace or Love. At Christmas
time we celebrate the God of Love who came to Earth as the Prince of Peace. If
we are inspired by love, let us be the peacemakers that Jesus calls the
children of God.
The absence of direct violence is not the same as the presence
of peace. Peace is denied when resources are unequally distributed and access
to power is a privilege given to only a few. Violence can be committed against
communities, cultures and the earth itself, and all of these acts impact
people whom God has created and loves.
In this season, while we celebrate the loving Emmanuel, the God
Who Is With Us, let us manifest God’s peace-making love as we recognize God’s
spirit in our Indigenous neighbours. Indigenous communities have lost and
continue to lose land and resources. Non-Natives continue to prosper from
stolen lands and resources. The path of peace is the path of mutuality and recompense.
To live justly is to insist that the people in power who represent us stop
taking or selling what does not belong to them. To make peace is to insist that
those who have lost their lands and livelihoods be adequately compensated.
The candle flame that burns here represents the presence of
Christ in a dark world. Let us honour that fire that burns within us, the
longing for justice and healing.
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Bulletin Insert
On September 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This followed more
than twenty years of discussions within the UN system. Indigenous
representatives played key roles in the development of this Declaration.
There are over 370 million Indigenous peoples in Africa, the
Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They are among the most impoverished,
marginalised and frequently victimised people in the world
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
is celebrated globally as a symbol of triumph and hope. Effective
implementation of the Declaration would result in significant improvements in
the global situation of Indigenous peoples.
-Ad Hoc Coalition on the UN Declaration
The 46 Articles address specific violations committed against
Indigenous communities and individuals. Each article reflects a painful reality
for Indigenous people. Each article is a redress of an established wrong.
According to Article 28.1 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous peoples have the right to redress, by means
that can include restitution or, when this is not possible, just, fair and
equitable compensation, for the lands, territories and resources which they
have traditionally owned or otherwise occupied or used, and which have been
confiscated, taken, occupied, used or damaged without their free, prior and
informed consent.
Recognising that Indigenous communities are disadvantaged by
government and corporate refusal to consult them on issues that directly impact
their land and also by their refusal to compensate for damage done to
traditional economies through resource extraction like logging and mining, a
vital, faithful and prophetic response is to call on the government to implement the
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CANADA – Take action: https://www.kairoscanada.org/en/take-action/the-land-our-life/kairos-day-of-action-december-5/december-5th-beat-the-drum-action-update/
US – Take action: https://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14586
December 25, 2010 Christmas Day: Christ Candle
God of light, who came into a world of darkness and who has
never left it, we invite you to be present in the lighting of this candle.
This candle, the Christ Candle, represents Jesus, the Light of
the World. The coming of the Messiah was heralded by prophets and angels.
It was read in the stars by the Magi and longed for by the priests of the
temple.
The nativity story is just as remarkable after two millennia,
yet it is easier today to see the miracles and wonder without seeing the
poverty, pain and oppression that Jesus was born into. The context is just as
much a part of the nativity as the content.
If Jesus were born today into an Indigenous community how would
we relate to him or recognize him? How would we celebrate his birth and what
gifts might we bring him? How far do we have to go, how much do we need to
learn and unlearn before we are ready to meet God in our Indigenous neighbours?
The candle flame that burns here represents the presence of
Christ in a dark world. Let us honour that fire that burns within us, the
longing for justice and healing.
Christmas Day: Bulletin Insert
On September 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This followed more
than twenty years of discussions within the UN system. Indigenous
representatives played key roles in the development of this Declaration.
There are over 370 million Indigenous peoples in Africa, the
Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They are among the most impoverished,
marginalised and frequently victimised people in the world
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
is celebrated globally as a symbol of triumph and hope. Effective
implementation of the Declaration would result in significant improvements in
the global situation of Indigenous peoples.
-Ad Hoc Coalition on the UN Declaration
The 46 Articles address specific violations committed against
Indigenous communities and individuals. Each article reflects a painful reality
for Indigenous people. Each article is a redress of an established wrong.
The tragic and brutal story of what happened to us, especially at
the hands of governments, is well known. … But today, with the adoption of
the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the United Nations
General Assembly, we see the opportunity for a new beginning, for another kind
of relationship with States in North America and indeed throughout the world.
-Statement of Indigenous Representatives from the North America
Region, 13th September
2007.
Recognising that a historic opportunity exists for Christians in
Canada and the US to support indigenous peacemakers, a vital, faithful and
prophetic response is to call on the government to implement the
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CANADA – Take action: https://www.kairoscanada.org/en/take-action/the-land-our-life/kairos-day-of-action-december-5/december-5th-beat-the-drum-action-update/
US – Take action: https://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14586