Current News:

1. 2010 CCFGM International Visitor: Archbishop Elias Chacour

2. 2010 Katharine Hockin Award and Reception

3. Mamow Be-Mo-Tay-Tah (Let Us Walk Together): Racial Justice Resource 2009

4. Forum joins Task Group on Global and Contextual Theological Education

5. Transcripts of Trialogue on Mission and Power

6. Mission for the 21st Century: Edinburgh 2010

7. Opportunities for Ecumenical Accompaniment through EAPPI

Older news items:

8. New Edition of Sojourning: A Leader's Guide for Short Term Mission Travel

9. Canadian Theologians Prepare Submission for Edinburgh 2010

10. New Resource for Short-Term Mission Participants

1. 2010 CCFGM International Visitor: Archbishop Elias Chacour
 

His Excellency Abuna Elias Chacour is Archbishop of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and All of Galilee of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. He is a 3-time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and has forty years of experience seeking to promote peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. An ambassador for non-violence, he not only preaches but lives the Sermon on the Mount.

There will be three events with the Archbishop in Halifax, Nova Scotia to which the public is invited:

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2. 2010 Katharine Hockin Award and Reception
 

Rhea and Ray Whitehead are the 2010 Katharine Hockin Awardees. The Whiteheads began their work as Hong Kong overseas staff from 1961-1976 undertaking urban mission and Asia related research. Upon returning to Canada Ray Whitehead's work included serving as director of the Canada China Program of the Canadian Council of Churches and teaching in the area of Christian Ethics. This was an important time of ecumenical work and a new era between the churches of the west and the churches of China. Rhea Whitehead served the Anglican and then the United Church as staff person for the Asia region, before becoming the General Secretary of the Division of World Outreach of the United Church. One of her greatest contributions has been her leadership in raising the challenge of how the church could hold together its missiological commitments to partnership and its justice commitment to the full participation of women in church and society. Upon 'retirement' the Whiteheads served the church in the Philippines. Following this they responded to a request to teach in Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, the national seminary of the China Christian Council.

The community is invited to a reception to honour the work and ministry of Rhea and Ray Whitehead Thursday May 27 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto.

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Dr. Katharine Hockin, a former director of the Forum, was a Canadian born in China of missionary parents. She worked throughout her life to deepen and to promote ecumenical understanding of God's mission in the world and of how this mission can be shared by Christians today. For Katharine Hockin, mission and education were inextricably linked. For over fifty years, Katharine taught in Canada and in China, passionately engaging her students and the church in mission and ecumenical work. She leaves a legacy for all of us who continue building faith, knowledge, understanding and human relationships through mission and ecumenical cooperation.

See also the list of past recipients of the Katharine Hockin Award for Global Mission and Ministry - 2000 to present.

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3. Mamow Be-Mo-Tay-Tah (Let Us Walk Together): Racial Justice Resource 2009
 

Each year the Canadian Ecumenical Anti-Racism Network, of which the Forum is a member, produces a racial justice resource for use by churches. This year's resource focuses on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Residential Schools and aims at deeper understanding of the legacies of colonization on indigenous peoples in Canada.

Use the links below to download the Mamow Be-Mo-Tay-Tah: Racial Justice Resource 2009 in English or French.

To request hard copies of Mamow Be-Mo-Tay-Tah contact Peter Noteboom at The Canadian Council of Churches: noteboom@ccc-cce.ca.

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4. Forum joins Task Group on Global and Contextual Theological Education
 

Forum Co-director, Jonathan Schmidt, represents the Canadian Churches' Forum on the recently convened Emmanuel College Council Task Group on Global and Contextual Theology. Howard Pentland, Emmanuel alum and former General Council minister for Theological Education, expressed the need for Emmanuel to engage and shape its mission and curriculum with intentional commitment to weaving global and contextual perspectives through all its work and to create an ethos where these dimensions were evident and alive at the college. In response, the Task Group was formed of clergy, faculty, and church staff seeking to build strong frameworks for intercultural theological education.

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5. Transcripts of Trialogue on Mission and Power
 

Transcripts of Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Tapia, Rev. Dr. Russell Daye and Bishop Mark MacDonald Trialogue on Mission and Power are available (in .pdf format).

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6. Mission for the 21st Century: Edinburgh 2010
 

The forthcoming Centenary of the World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh 1910 is proving to be a suggestive moment for many people who are seeking direction for Christian mission in the 21st century.

Several different constituencies within World Christianity have begun to plan significant events in 2010 including a Canada 2010 group that has been meeting regularly since 2008 and that will provide written submission on the topic of Mission and Power to the Edinburgh 2010 conference. The Edinburgh 2010 initiative brings together representatives of many different strands of mission and church life.

This intercontinental and multi-denominational project is based at New College, Edinburgh, and headed by an International Director, Dr Daryl Balia. It is governed by a 20 member General Council. For full information and to follow monthly news online, please visit the Edinburgh 2010 Web site.

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7. Opportunities for Ecumenical Accompaniment through EAPPI
 

WHERE? Palestine/Israel through the World Council of Churches' (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).

WHEN? Canadian churches are seeking members to be part of an ecumenical team of 3-4 Canadians to participate in the EAPPI for a 3-month terms in 2009. The EAPPI seeks short-term human rights monitors (three months) to be Ecumenical Accompaniers in Jerusalem and communities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The EAPPI is a WCC initiative under the Ecumenical Campaign to End the Illegal Occupation of Palestine: Support a Just Peace in the Middle East. Its mission is to accompany churches in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation and support a just peace in the Middle East.

Participants in the program monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy and, in general, stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation. Experience in conflict resolution, mediation, and human rights work is an asset; good health and willingness to work in tough conditions is required. Much more information on the EAPPI and regular updates from the Ecumenical Accompaniers are available at the EAPPI website.

For more information on how to apply in Canada, please contact your Denominational National Office, or contact us.

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News last updated on April 17, 2010

Older news items:

8. New Edition of Sojourning: A Leader's Guide for Short Term Mission Travel
 

A new edition of our book Sojourning: A Leaders Guide for Short Term Mission Travel is now available through our Resources page. It includes current research on the impact of short-term mission travel, suggestions for post-trip involvement, and a Trip Leader's Toolbox. Sample forms from Sojourning are available for downloading.

And... don't miss our upcoming Mission Trip Leaders' Seminar guided by Sojourning: A Leader's Guide for Short Term Mission Travel in Calgary, March 7-8, 2009. This ecumenical seminar is for individuals contemplating trip leadership, those who already have groups preparing to go, and seasoned trip leaders. It allows participants to reflect together upon the practical and theological issues involved and to build their programs from beginning stages, to plan for all of the details of the actual mission exposure trip, and to focus on the essential aspects of post-trip. Please see our Programs page for details.

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9. Canadian Theologians Prepare Submission for Edinburgh 2010
 

A group of Canadian theologians are working on a collaborative reflection on Mission and Power, one of the 9 study themes identified for the Edinburgh 2010 Conference, a centenary commemoration of the 1910 World Missionary Conference. The Canadian submission will be added to similar collaborative reflections on these study themes from around the world which will be joined together in the Edinburgh 2010 Conference. For further information about the study themes and other activities, please visit the Edinburgh 2010 Web site.

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10. New Resource for Short-Term Mission Participants
 

Remaining Faithful: How Do I Keep My Experience Alive? A manual for reflection, integration and prayer after a short-term mission experience in another culture. Published by From Mission to Mission in the United States in 2005, this resource is available in Canada through the Canadian Churches’ Forum for Global Ministries and can be ordered on-line (Look for item RE05 in the Re-Entry section).

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