It’s your last chance to register for
Junior Camp at Hills of Peace!
What are you waiting for?! Register by Wednesday July 13th.
July 16-20, Theme ―It’s a God Thing
Director Corleen McLean corleen.mclean@gmail.com or 306-716-2784
We will play together, work together, sing together and learn together - and we will learn to see God in everyone we meet. There will be mini-Olympics, sunrise walks, "backwards day" and lots of crafts, classes and activities!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samish Island Family Reunion starts this
weekend!
July 16 - 23
Have you registered? It’s surprising how many people forget to register with all the hustle and bustle of getting ready. Help our cooks and teachers out by registering today with Fred Robbins fredrobb@telus.net today!
Please be aware that some people are very sensitive to scented personal care products. Be "scent free" at Reunion so that we may all have a healthy time together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s time to register for SINGLES REUNION at SAMISH ISLAND!
Aug 14-20 Cost $198.11 Reunion Theme “Discerning the Power Within”
Presenter: Seventy Karen Peter
Northwest Support Group has the following goals:
* Healing: Emotional, physical, spiritual, and sense of self worth
* Support: Building a support system; bonding with each other
* Commitment: Recognition of our commitment to God and God's commitment to us
* Define life's purpose: Develop life's disciplines and clarify specific objectives
* Doing the vision: Going beyond self, responding to God's call to us, being empowered to fulfill God's call.
Retreat activities include large and small group interaction, individual sharing time, classes, campfires, special dinner, uplifting worships, and other events. This is the opportunity to renew contacts with other singles. Take time to think, "Will I venture with other caring singles!"
Register with Betty and Ken Fernandes bettyken2@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click here to see the Camp Kimtah flyer!
Remember to register today!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New – Canada West Mission Prayer List
In August we will be starting up a Canada West Mission Prayer list which we plan to have come out the first and 15th of each month(or close to those dates). The prayer requests will stay on the list for 2 cycles or one month, please update your requests after that. You may want to assign one person from your congregation to send these in, and of course anyone can send individual pray requests as they feel the need. Please send your prayer requests to debra@communityofchrist.ca These prayer requests will be sent out via an email network unlike the Weekly Wire. Please send your prayer requests to me on the 1st and 3rd Monday’s of each month.
When writing a prayer request please use the following format:
John Smith – Vancouver – Broken arm
Mary Smith- Ribstone – Cancer and Stomach issues
Joe Smith – Calgary – Personal Strength and Support
There are two reasons for the simplified format, one – we anticipate a large list and two – it’s important to be mindful of the personal privacy of the person asking for prayers. God will know what each of us needs.
Blessings,
Debra Donohue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mission Conference 2011
Are you making plans to come to Vancouver for Mission Conference 2011? Our full schedule will be out soon, but please note that our activities will go into the early evening on Sunday night. You will probably want to make your return travel plans for the holiday Monday.
Mission Conference Accommodation
Be sure to book your accommodation early for Mission Conference in Vancouver, September 2nd to 4th. We have LOTS of FREE accommodation available! To arrange for billeting contact Linda Phelps at 604-792-1057 or chez-phelps@shaw.ca
Mission Conference Registration
Register now to debra@communityofchrist.ca or call toll free 1-877-411-2632 Remember that everyone attending must register so we can plan for meals and special events!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming Camps, Retreats and Reunions!
July 9-15 Family Reunion Hills of Peace
July 16-20 Junior Camp (8-11 yrs) Hills of Peace
July 16-23 Family Reunion Samish Island
July 21- Aug 1 Spectacular Graceland University
July 23-29 Junior High Camp (12-14 yrs) Hills of Peace - postponed until next year
July 24-30 Camp Kluane (girls 12-14 yrs) Samish Island
July 31-Aug 6 Camp Chimacum (boys 12-14 yrs) Samish Island
August 5-7 Young Family Weekend Hills of Peace
August 7-13 Camp Kimtah (15-18 yrs) Samish Island
August 14-20 Singles Reunion Samish Island
September 2-4 Canada West Mission Conference - Vancouver, BC
September 16-18 Young Adult Retreat Samish Island
September 23-25 Men's Retreat Hills of Peace
Sept 30-Oct 2 Singles Retreat Samish Island
Please remember to register today!
Samish Family Reunion Guest Ministry: Susan Skoor, Brad and Lori Martell. Registration fredrobb@telus.net
For more information on these and all camps, click here to see the
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click here to see the latest issue of
“What’s Up … in the CWM” online.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Justice -- Human Rights
Welcome to this issue from the “In The Forefront” mailing list. To alter your profile, follow the steps at the end, where your profile is listed.
It is a rare event that a brand new country is born and that is where this newsletter starts. On Saturday July 9, 2011, the Republic of South Sudan was created. Its hopes and challenges are outlined below, as well as the potential effects on Darfur and the rest of Sudan.
This newsletter also contains an acknowledgment of, and action for, a persistent, usually hidden yet appalling situations – refugees. The recent World Refugee Day reminds us of the millions of people who have been traumatized by being forced from their home, usually carrying brutal images that forced them to leave. In addition, there are actions related to Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi and also to Walmart.
____________________________________________________________________
Pour la traduction française: cliqueter ici; et cliqueter alors le bouton de traduction sur la page Web.
Para la traducción española: clic aquí; y entonces hace clic en el botón de traducción en la página web.
__________________________________________________
SUDAN: CREATING TWO COUNTRIES . . . OR CHAOS ?
On July 9 2011, Sudan officially became two countries – the existing Sudan in the North (Republic of the Sudan), and the world’s newest (193rd) country, the Republic of South Sudan. Before digging into an analysis it is fitting to stop long enough to recognize that for the South Sudanese this is a day to savour! From a distance I can only ponder the depth of joy they must feel, given so many deaths, so much pain and cruelty and sacrifice over the last 50 years
Challenges for any new country are immense and South Sudan is no exception. As noted in previous newsletters its very creation wasn’t certain. And while this link (http://www.untilall.org/Darfur.htm#B2.%20CurrentStatusSSudan) contains a sketch of the challenges and will be updated with more depth shortly, in the end I can only hope that the sheer resilience of the people, combined with the perseverance of those around the world working to make the entire area better, will prevail.
There is no simple, clickable action for Sudan at the moment. However the following would be helpful to show that resources spent on the above dynamics have strong backing.
Take Action: (US citizens; can be modified for other citizens to contact their country’s leaders);
Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and tell the operator the following (remember while it may sound scary, if you get through the person will be pleasant):
“The recent birth of the Republic of South Sudan was made possible in large part by the US-brokered 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Please continue to support the results of this initiative by being fully engaged in the building of South Sudan and in the critical need to resolve all outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan. Also, continue your “all-Sudan” approach by being fully engaged in resolving the Darfur issues. In all cases be sure to combine credible options such as debt reduction or removal from the terrorist list, with clear and measurable results from Sudan’s government. Thank you.”
________________________________
STAND WITH AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Aung San Suu Kyi, having recently been freed from house arrest, has finally made her first significant political move. She has bravely called on the military regime to free the thousands of monks and peaceful activists still held in horrific prisons, some in cramped dog cages. In support, thousands of Burmese have risked their own safety to join her call for freedom through an online petition! Recently, the regime issued an ominous warning to Suu Kyi – and the Generals may be deciding right now between dialogue or another brutal crackdown.
Activists in Burma have appealed to the world for help, saying that pressure from the international community is crucial to preventing violence and freeing political prisoners. Consider supporting Suu Kyi and the brave Burmese, sign on to their petition, and send it to the EU, India and other key governments who can press the regime.
Take Action:
Avaaz Petition for Suu Kyi and Burmese Activists
_______________________________
SUPPORT WORLD REFUGEE DAY
World Refugee Day was last month. In the U.S., Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced the Refugee Protection Act of 2011 in Congress. The bill would correct some of the most worst policies toward refugees and re-establish the United States' commitment to protecting the persecuted. For detailed information, check out our fact sheet.
Refugees seeking asylum now face prolonged detention in prison-like conditions without due process safeguards, such as a custody hearing by an immigration court, and denials of their requests for asylum based on an arbitrary filing deadline and overly broad exclusion provisions. The Refugee Protection Act of 2011 would correct some of the worst policies toward refugees and re-establish the United States' commitment to protecting the persecuted
Take Action (US citizens only):
http://actions.humanrightsfirst.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=4347
__________________________________________
SUPPORT “OUR WALMART” ORGANIZATION
Walmart is the world’s largest retail company. Thus what happens related to Walmart affects thousands of people worldwide. So it was interesting to see the formation of “OUR Walmart”, which stands for the “Organization United for Respect at Walmart.”
Nearly one hundred Walmart Associates from across the country travelled to Walmart corporate headquarters. They presented a declaration to Walmart executives, asking that the company respect their right to speak up about problems they face in their stores, improve their wages and working conditions, and treat all employees with respect.
The effort was an action taken by the new Associate-led group, OUR Walmart, which is seeking to improve the lives and working conditions of Walmart Associates in stores across the country. The group is the largest ever of its type seeking to improve conditions at Walmart. You can support their efforts by signing the petition below:
Sign the Petition:
Click here to sign the petition.
__________________________________________
=== FOLLOW-UP TO PREVIOUS ISSUES ===
__________________________________________
Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields
This newsletter followed the upheaval in Sri Lanka in 2009 which ended in the government declaring victory over the Tamil Tigers. Recently a film has been created that clarifies some of the atrocities committed during the final weeks of that quarter-century-long civil war. The film, partly captured on mobile phones, shows highly disturbing footage. It was broadcast as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon faced growing criticism for refusing to launch an investigation into possible war crimes during those closing weeks.
In April 2011, Ban Ki-moon published a report by a UN-appointed panel of experts, which concluded that as many as 40,000 people were killed in the final weeks of the war between the Tamil Tigers and government forces. It called for the creation of an international mechanism to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by government forces and the Tamil Tigers during that time.
The film raises serious questions about the consequences if the UN fails to act, not only with respect to Sri Lanka but also to future violations of international law. You can follow the program on Twitter using #KillingFields.
Watch film:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sri-lankas-killing-fields
Ai Weiwei Freed
A previous action demanding the release of one of China’s famed artists, Ai Weiwei has been met with his recent release. Thank you to all cho participated.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jun/22/ai-weiwei-freed-by-chinese-police
Mid-East Protests – Over Five Months Later
Amazing as the original Tunisian and then Egyptian protests were, many were uncertain what would happen in Egypt, and predicted a much more difficult path for some of the other countries that might catch the “contagion.” Here is a brief synopsis of two countries, followed by the appropriate links.
EGYPT: While many took satisfaction in the ouster of President Mubarak, others knew that the basic apparatus was still in place. This became evident by the end of June, when major clashes took place. This resulted in calling for a “Million Man” march to again refill Tahrir Square and re-establish the people’s demands for true and complete reforms. Stay tuned.
SYRIA: Syria has been a contrast to Egypt – clear crackdowns in which Rights groups say that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed and 10,000 people arrested. I stand in awe of these people and others, who knowing their government would an did have little reard for their people’s lives, nonetheless kept coming back
Egypt: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/20117814138272938.html
Syria: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/20117684729673824.html
_______________________________
=== ARTICLES OF INTEREST ===
_______________________________
Milestone For Domestic Workers
Activists campaigning for the rights of domestic workers are celebrating the passing of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) convention recognizing domestic work as work. The convention is a long time coming and has brought the often invisible and abused to the forefront of protection, says a leading human rights agency.
“Domestic workers face beatings, sexual abuse, non-payment of wages and human trafficking situations. They run the gamut of physical and mental abuse used to control someone and in some households it is a slave owner mentality,” said Human Rights Watch (HRW) Deputy Director in Asia Phil Robertson. “There are enough cases of abuse that there has to be some sort of protective framework for these domestic workers.”
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93003
Economics: Possible Landscape by 2025
By 2025, six emerging economies – Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Russia – will collectively account for about one-half of global growth. As dynamic emerging economies evolve to take their place at the helm of the world economy, a rethink of the conventional approach to global economic governance is needed. The current approach rests on three premises: the link between concentrated economic power and stability; the North-South axis of capital flows; and the centrality of the US dollar.
In Global Development Horizons 2011, the World Bank presents what it believes to be the most probable global currency scenario in 2025 – a multicurrency arrangement centered on the dollar, euro, and renminbi. This scenario is buttressed by the likelihood that the US, the eurozone, and China will constitute the three major growth poles at that time.
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/lin3/English
Economics: Transparency Awry: Two Cases, Worlds Apart, of Unaccounted Billions
a. Zambia, a Flawed World Transparency Mechanism, and Missing $$ Billions
Transparency is a laudable and much needed goal to help curb the corruption around the world. But this article shows the difficulty in achieving the goal. One such initiative - Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) – was created to help, but as noted in this report, may do the reverse. Its focus on the transparency of the {usually developing} target nation, in this case Zambia, comes at the benefit of the recipient {usually developed world} corporation. Oversimplified, there is little or no focus on the latter, which as illustrated, allows it to distort the end result by billions of dollars to its benefit. The corporation gets the money; the developing country gets the debt. The article argues for a better mechanism: corporate country-by-country reporting (CbC), created by Richard Murphy, a founder of the Tax Justice Network.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/20116188244589715.html
b. Pentagon Can’t Account for over $6Billion for Iraq
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/06/13-3
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Missed an action email? An archive is kept at:
http://www.cofchrist.org/humanrights/hr-newsletter/default.asp.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In appreciation and support,
Rod Downing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment