July 3, 2024 Announcements

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Sunday, July 7, 2024 – Mission Moment

In Yemen, the ongoing war, collapsed economy, and disrupted public services have led to one of the worst humanitarian situations in the world, which includes severe malnutrition, hunger, displacement and poverty. To address this, PWS&D, through Canadian Foodgrains Bank, has supported the distribution of essential food baskets to severely food-insecure households. Musa, a displaced man from Al-Hodeida, lives in cramped conditions with his family and struggles to make ends meet by selling water bottles. His wife requires surgery, adding to their financial strain. With the assistance received, Musa’s family improved their food security by purchasing fruits and vegetables. With essential food needs addressed, Musa can now redirect the money he earns towards improving sanitation facilities for their home.

Prayer Partnership

We pray for the youth and leadership at the uplift 2024 national gathering at Brock University in St. Catharines, who are spending today learning about the role of transformative justice in building a more peaceful and just world.

Sunday, July 7 We pray for ministers and professional church workers coping with mental health issues that they will find support, encouragement and understanding.

Monday, July 8 We pray for the people, ministries and mission of the Presbytery of Kamloops.

Tuesday, July 9 We pray for all the victims of the April earthquake in Taiwan, for their families, communities, frontline responders and for the healing of the land.

Wednesday, July 10 We pray for the Women’s Missionary Society as its members plan to move forward in their endeavours to continue the work of mission locally and globally through prayers, study, service and fellowship.

Thursday, July 11 We pray for the Committee on Church Doctrine as it discusses how the church can journey with people seeking to make Christ-centered decisions around medical assistance in dying.

Friday, July 12 We pray for the people of Haiti during challenging times and lift up the partners, programs and participants supported by PWS&D, ensuring the vital work they do can continue.

Saturday, July 13 We pray for Ukraine in the ongoing invasion. As the media moves onto many other wars that break our hearts, may we not forget all those who are caught in situations of conflict.

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Social Action Spotlight – July – September 2024

Anti-2SLGBTQI+ Rhetoric and Violence

Recently, there has been an alarming rise in harmful language and violence targeting LGBTQI people—especially those who are transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming—both here in Canada and across the globe. The PCC’s Confession to God and LGBTQI People acknowledges that: “The church has often perpetuated harmful lies that LGBTQI people are dangerous and abusive… The church’s prejudice contributes to hatred and neglect of LGBTQI people making them targets for physical, spiritual and emotional violence. For these unloving and unjust actions, we ask forgiveness.” Since doing justice and acting with love are important marks of Christian discipleship, the church chose to confess and repent, a process which involves repairing the harm we have caused and working to prevent future harm.

One impact of the recent increase in rhetoric demonizing and dehumanizing 2SLGBTQI+ people is that many transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming youth and adults feel that there is no place for them in society. They feel unsafe in public. While the emotional and spiritual wounds this causes are significant on their own, such rhetoric has also led to instances of physical violence. For example, in June 2023, a former student of the University of Waterloo entered a Gender Studies classroom and stabbed a professor and two students; an attack that appears to have been motivated by transphobic rhetoric.

One doesn’t have to actually call for violence to contribute to its likelihood. Rhetoric that scapegoats marginalized people can also cause harm, inciting hatred that some people will use as justification for violence. In a very real sense, attacks on any marginalized group can create situations where violence is tolerated; even normalized or seen as desirable. This doesn’t just make the targeted group less safe, it makes everyone less safe; violence spills over.

But safety and peace can spill over too. The church is called to be peacemakers. Intentionally working to support safety and healing and prevent harm are faithful ways to respond to anti-2SLGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence.

Questions for Reflection

We are called to love our neighbour. What are some ways you see people in your community acting with love? What are some things that could be done better?

It’s easy to think of violence spilling over. What do you think it would look like if safety or peace “spilled over?”

What can you do?

The 2023 General Assembly approved a recommendation “That congregations be encouraged to consider responses in their local communities to acts of hate and harm towards the LGBTQI+ community and sponsorship support of LGBTQI+ refugees.” Programs supporting LGBTQI people facing difficulties exist in many communities.

• Find programs in your area and see if there are ways you can support them.
• Consider sponsoring or otherwise supporting LGBTQI+ refugees.

Learn more

Resources are available on the Gender, Sexuality and Inclusion page of the Social Action Hub: presbyterian.ca/justice/social-action/gender-sexuality-inclusion

 

Knox is a caring and inclusive community of faith.  All are welcome here!