"Writing, research and editing for 'Changing Course' was done by Murray MacAdam. Nancy Friday, John Hiemstra. Diane Marshall, Kathy Vandergrift, Mark Vander Vennen, John Olthuis, Ted Schmidt, Gerald Vandezande and Agnes Struik". -- Acknowledgements.
Includes bibliographical references.
"Why are poverty and hunger so widespread in Canada ? Why do so many people feel left out of our society, whether from unemployment, disabilities, loneliness or other causes ? What can be done about these problems ? 'Changing Course' is a study guide for individuals and groups who are trying to make sense of our society and want to learn how to improve it. It reaches the root of our problems: the values which dominate our society. 'Changing Course' shows how a more genuine application of Christian values would help create a truly just society". -- back cover.
Contents: Foreword / Ted Scott, Archbishop, Anglican Church of Canada -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Layer One: Social Realities and Social Policy -- Layer Two: Social Structures -- Layer Three: The Heart of the Matter: How Are We Saved ? -- Alternative Layer Three: God's New Start -- Alternative Layer Two: Reforming Social Structures -- Alternative Layer One: Healing Social Realities with Christian Values -- Conclusion -- Appendix.
Includes "Questions for Discussion" at the end of sections.
"Edited by Murray MacAdam with John Bird and Kevin Arsenault".
Includes list of "Resources", pp. [147]-151.
"The stories told in this book are true stories about people who refuse to separate economics from community. From loving one's neighbour as oneself. And from caring about the earth under one's feet. These days, the movement supported by people who want to build a neighbourly economy is often called 'community economic development'. (The same idea gets different names at different moments; in my father's youth, it was called 'the co-operative movement'.)" Intro. p. 3-4.
Contents : Contributors -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction / Janet Somerville -- Community Economic Development in Canada: Band-Aid or Breakthrough ? / Murray MacAdam -- Babylon Revisited: CED [Community Economic Development] and the Economic Injustice of Our Times / Kevin Arsenault -- New Dawn: The Cape Breton Giant / John Bird -- Edmonton Recycling Society: Mixing a Mission with Bottom-line Success / John Bird -- Getting the Church Onside: Riverdale Economic Ministry / Murray MacAdam -- Kagiwiosa Manomin: A First Nation CED Project / John Bird -- Up and Over the Money Wall / Murray MacAdam -- Mondragon: Ideas with Legs / Greg MacLeod / Fair Shares for Farmers: Community-Shared Agriculture / Edward M. Bennett and Dianne Heise -- An Advent Reflection from a Fair-Share Family . Laura Reilly -- Growing the Community Economy / Murray MacAdam -- Afterword / Cynthia Patterson -- Resources.
The author, resources/information officer for the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, talks about consumerism and the benefits of a "alternative" Christmas with reduced gift-giving. "We still claim that the true spirit of Christmas is in giving. If so, we can help those most in need, instead of swapping gifts with friends who have everything they require. Why not make donations to the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund in their name. (PWRDF has a handy Christmas card gift for this purpose.)"
Includes photo of Murray MacAdam and his young daughter with caption "Rosie with dad."
75 Anglicans and other Christians gathered in Edmonton from 15-21 August 2014 for a justice camp. "Sponsored by the diocese of Edmonton, this year's gathering focused on the theme of 'land', where participant learned about issues involving food security, ecology and conservation, and the oil and gas industry, among others". "Stephen Martin, professor of theology at King's [College, Edmonton], outlined the central role that land plays in people's faith and lives. God's desire for people to honour the gift of land has become distorted he said. 'Land is not seen as a gift from God, but as a commodity. The land is good, but we have not always been good to the land'." "The Rev. Chris Brouillard-Coyle, rector at the Anglican Parish of St. Paul's, Essex and Trinity, in Cottam, diocese of Huron, was part of the group that visited Fort McMurray". "Meanwhile, a seven-member Cuban delegation came to receive training for a justice camp being planned for Cuba in 2015".
MacAdam, who is the Social Justice and Advocacy Consultant for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, writes: "I agree with the cogent point made by editor Paul Feheley in the summer 2013 issue of the Journal ['Vegas maybe, but Ottawa no!', p. 4] that the strong resolution on homelessness passed at the Joint Assembly must be backed by action. He asks, 'How many people will find housing thanks to this resolution ?' The answer is up to all of us, and in the action we can take to live out this resolution sustained by the call of our faith to 'set the oppressed free; (Isaiah 58). .... In politics, numbers count -- and if enough of us raise our voices and urge our fellow Anglicans, neighbours and friends to do likewise, we can make a real difference".
"The editorial, 'Walking a mile in their shoes' [Jan. 2010, p. 4], was one of the best newspaper columns I have ever read. Kristin Jenkins captured the gutsy, gospel-inspired ministry of downtown Toronto's All Saints Church-Community Centre in a vibrantly human, honest way. This is truly the good new of Jesus Christ in action. As the social justice and advocacy consultant for the diocese of Toronto, I got a sense of the value of this ministry during recent visits to the Dan Harrison Housing Complex, located beside All Saints. It was sobering to meet tenants who spoke of an unsafe and degrading environment due to the presence of drug dealers and other criminals, and poor building maintenance. However, tenants also spoke of how thankful they were for All Saints' presence among them, and how All Saints staff have nurtured a sense of community. This is a ministry that can make us feel proud as Anglicans, and that deserves our active support". [Text of entire article.]