Faith in Action is a group of people from many different faith communities in Greater Victoria with a shared concern for the poor and vulnerable in our society. Our focus is to advocate for BC income assistance programs and other anti-poverty initiatives that recognize the dignity and worth of all citizens. All who share this vision of a just and sharing community are welcome to join with us.
By consultation, collaboration and consensus, Faith in Action works:
- To educate our members and faith communities about the needs of the poor.
- To provide resources, forums and venues that enable persons of faith to participate in finding creative solutions to identified problems and issues.
- To engage in an on-going conversation with all levels of government about the need to humanize the policies, services and programs that assist the poor.
- To communicate what has been learned to the news media and in the public arena.
Contact Sheila Hanna at (250) 920-3662 for more information.
Category: Outreach | Also filed under: Faith in Action |
Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
First†Metropolitan United Church participates in KAIROS, a dynamic church-based social justice movement.
KAIROS works with its members, partners, and a cross-Canada community based network in the following areas:
- Ecological justice
- Solidarity in Canada
- Human rights and trade
- Grassroots action for global justice grounded in the local community
Visit the KAIROS in action page for program plans and annual reports. A daytime group meets monthly from 10 to 12 noon at First Metropolitan United Church on the third Thursday of the month. An evening group meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm at Christ Church Cathedral.
Contact Janet Gray at (250) 478-5066 for more information.
Category: Outreach | Also filed under: KAIROS |
Date: December 6, 2009
Time(s): 2:oo pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary
Each December 6, First†Metropolitan United Church hosts an inter-faith service on National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day was established by the Government of Canada to mark the anniversary of the day 14 women were massacred at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. Join women and men from throughout Victoria to remember and commit yourself to concrete action to end all forms of violence to women and girls.
Guest Speaker Most Rev. Andrew Hutchinson (former Primate of Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop of Montreal, when Dec.6 ,1998 tragedy happened.
Special music by Sabbath Group, who are university students involved in monthly reflective worship for young Adults and others. http://firstmetvictoria.com/567
Date: Mar 29, 2010
Time(s): 10:00 am or 7:00 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church
Bill Phipps will share recent updates and insights of this key area for our church and our country. Bill is a member of the United Chruch of Canada’s Right Relations Committee..
Category: Events | Tag(s): Social Justice |
Date: Mondays, Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22 and Apr 26
Time(s): 7:00 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Room 200
This film series explores different facets of the climate change issue. Become more well-informed so that you can actively support policies and legislation that addresses this critical world issue.
Jan 25: H2Oil. the process of oil sands extraction affects fresh water and the lives of the people who live around it.
Feb 22: Sea Change. A documentary about the acidification of the world’s oceans and the impact of this on its inhabitants.
Mar 22: Flow. It’s World Water Day, so come out and watch an award-winning flim about the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century – the world water crisis.
Apr 26: Island on the Edge. Food security is an issue that affects everyone. This film documents production of food on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and what would happen to our food supply if the Island was suddenly cut off from the rest of the world.
Category: Events | Also filed under: Environment |
Date: April 12, 2010
Time(s): 7:00 to 9:30 pm
Location: St. John the Divine Church Hall, 1611 Quadra Street
Sponsored by Aboriginal Neighbours of Vancouver Island, Amnesty International Victoria, Quaker Aboriginal Affairs Committee of Canada and Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group of Vancouver Island, this presentation features speakers Robert Morales, Chief Negotiator for the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, who is presenting their case for land and human rights violations by Canada before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Craig Benjamin, Staff Campaigner for Human Rights of Indigenous People, Amnesty International Canada. Free admission, refreshments served.
Category: Events | Also filed under: Outside Events |
Date: April 28, 2010
Time(s): 12:00 noon
Location: Front steps of BC Legislative Building, 501 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC
Wanted: People of faith to “beg for justice” on behalf of the poor of this province. Join with religious leaders in a 35-minute service designed to draw attention to the needs of the vulnerable, and to lift up begging as a spiritual practice. If you can’t come to this important event, you can still participate by sending your answer to this question: If you had to beg this provincial government for justice in regards to the poor and the vulnerable in our communities, what would you ask for? A few ideas might be affordable and appropriate housing, increased income assistance and disability rates, higher minimum wager, more support for the working poor… Send your “asks” to the email address below. If you could include your name, that will make this action even more personal, but it isn’t necessary. Your contributions will be compiled, printed out and placed in the bowl for presentation in the legislature by a member of the Legislative Assembly on April 28.
Category: Events | Also filed under: Faith in Action |
Out of the Rain provides a vital service to the youth of this city who need shelter on winter nights. The team providing this outreach program Tuesday nights from November to April is looking for a food coordinator who will coordinate a weekly food roster (soup, muffins, hard-boied eggs, assorted raw vegetables and dip) with church volunteers. He/she will also recruit, as required, food contributors from outside the church and shop for food items that are purchased. To learn more about this rewarding opportunity which starts in October 2010, please contact Carol or John Newhouse at 250.598-5434 or Leslie or Bob Wilson at 250.590-4586.
Date: June 27, 2010
Time(s): 7:00 pm
Location: Centennial Square (next to Victoria City Hall)
Rabbi Harry Brechner from Emanu_El Synagogue invites people from all faiths, communities and politics to stand together in silence on Sunday, June 27 at 7:00 pm in Centennial Square.Please come out and support the leadership that
that Rabbi Harry is showing in trying to find common ground and respond to the crisis that presents itself in the Middle East. Check the church bulletin board for information.