"'Thousands of Canadians wake up every day in a rundown apartment, a crowded hostel among strangers or even out in the cold', said Murray MacAdam, social justice and advocacy consultant for the diocese of Toronto, told the 'Anglican Journal' as people across Canada prepared to observe National Housing Day on Nov. 22 [2014]".
1. That this General Synod request each diocese to examine their financial property and people resources with the intent of developing practical responses to increase the affordable and appropriate housing supply in the light of the urgent need of affordable and appropriate housing across Canada for low income and homeless families, single parents and singles.
2. That each diocese request their parishes to examine the quality of their Christian community life by exploring ways of involving and supporting those who are all too often excluded in our society and church: the homeless, the unemployed, the deinstitutionalized, the hungry.
3. That this General Synod encourage diocesan bishops to use their office to support, ecumenically and politically, the development of housing programs.
4. That this General Synod encourage all members of the Anglican Church of Canada - (a) to support affordable and appropriate housing programs when exercising their political responsibilities; and (b) to examine their own property and its use in the light of the Biblical injunction to offer hospitality to the stranger.
5. That responses to the above resolution be encouraged, supported and publicized by the National Program Committee, its staff and members. CARRIED IN ALL ORDERS Act 67
March 3, 2008 -- The Anglican Primate and the Evangelical Lutheran National Bishop call on the members of their respective churches to advocate for affordable housing solutions for the homeless with letters and visits to their Members of Parliament.
In a letter sent to the Minister of Human Resources and Development Canada, Monte Solberg, on Feb 27, 2008, the leaders urged the government "to address homelessness in Canada as part of a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy."
The letter follows the tabling of the federal budget which left the estimated 150,000 to 300,000 homeless people in Canada out in the cold, and another 1.5 million Canadians in desperate housing need without relief.
The joint Anglican-Lutheran initiative takes inspiration from the prophet Isaiah who asks what true religious observance is: "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house?" (Isaiah 58:7).
"Our vision," the leaders' letter concludes, "is to go beyond the prophet's call, to create a society where the hungry are able to eat their own bread, and the homeless poor are brought into their own house."
"Being in full communion means more than worshipping together," says Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Anglican Primate. "Members of both our churches give generously of their time and money to help people who are homeless. They run thrift shops, food banks, overnight shelters, and hospitality programs. But they know that charity isn't enough. Advocating together for justice is also part of being in full communion."
"I'm so excited by this initiative," says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "It demonstrates how working together in full communion we can make a much larger impact and a stronger witness, hopefully inspiring our government to address the realities of homelessness in Canada."
The joint initiative is modelled after a campaign of the diocese of Toronto encouraging Anglicans to visit their local MPs to express concerns about housing and poverty.
Hiltz and Johnson are inviting Lutherans and Anglicans to write or visit their federal MP, and where possible, to do this jointly. The purpose is to ask the Government of Canada to:
- Renew and increase the affordable housing funding which is set to expire at the end of 2008
- Join with the provinces to develop a comprehensive housing strategy as part of an overall national poverty reduction strategy
On line resources are available to help people participate in this initiative: [http://www.accnotes.org/ecojustice/reports_policy_documents/bring_the_homeless_poor_into_t/ ]
- "Bringing people who are homeless into their own house" - a resource that explains this initiative and gives tips for writing and visiting with your MP.
- A bulletin insert for use in church bulletins, encouraging congregations and parishes to become involved.
- A copy of the joint letter from The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and The Reverend Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Monte Solberg.
- 30 -
For more information contact: Trina Gallop, Manager of Communications, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, 888-786-6707 ext. 172, tgallop@elcic.ca [or] Maylanne Maybee, Coordinator of Ecojustice Networks, The Anglican Church of Canada, 416-924-9199 ext. 219 mmaybee@national.anglican.ca
Prime Minister Stephen Harper should move immediately to release funds designated for affordable housing, according to the leaders of four Canadian churches -- Archbishop Andrew Hutchison of the Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop Ray Schultz of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Rev. Peter Short of the United Church of Canada and Henry Hess of the Christian Reformed Church of North America.
In June 2005, Parliament approved a budget that included $1.6 billion dollars over two years for new affordable housing. Eight months have passed and these dollars remain uncommitted, the church leaders note.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the church leaders cite the involvement of church members across Canada to care for the most vulnerable in their communities, through food banks, community suppers, and shelter programs. "Yet they know these acts of charity are not enough ... Without secure, affordable and long-term housing, `home' for the people they serve will never be possible."
Church groups and other civil society groups are ready to act, they say, to partner with federal, provincial, and territorial governments and develop housing that is :long overdue and desperately needed".
"Unless you take decisive action to allocate these funds," the church leaders say, "we fear they may simply revert to debt reduction -- making only a marginal difference to Canada's economy and doing precious little to address the social and infrastructural deficits behind Canada's crisis of homelessness and affordable housing."
The four leaders remind the Prime Minister, who has asked God to bless Canada, of the words of the prophet Isaiah, explaining that God blesses you "when you share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house".
"We are asking you to spend tax dollars now in a way that will help to bring the homeless poor into their own house, and allow them the dignity of sharing their bread with others".
- 30 -
For more information, please contact: Maylanne Maybee, Justice education Coordinator, the Anglican Church of Canada; 416-924-9199, ext. 291, mmaybee@national.anglican.ca
"At their joint assembly this July [2013], Anglican and Lutheran delegates will be asked to consider a joint declaration addressing the issues of homelessness in Canada and responsible resource extraction involving Canadian companies here and abroad". "On the issue of 'responsible resource extraction', the declaration calls on the two churches to support indigenous communities in Canada and overseas 'in exercising their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent' with regard to development projects that affect their traditional territories. It also asks them to 'advocate for responsible and ethical investment both in Canada and around the world'. The declaration notes that Canadian companies are major players in mining, energy production and resource extraction across the country and abroad. 'They generate wealth for our societies, but they also give rise to serious and complex environmental, socio-economic, and human rights issues', the declaration states". "[T]he declaration also commits the two churches to 'advocate for renewed federal funding' and for an 'integrated national collaborative strategy and greater accountability on the part of provinces and municipalities' in addressing homelessness and substandard housing. 'As we look across Canada, we are disturbed by the reality that around 400,000 people are without a healthy place to live and that homelessness has continued to increase despite years of unprecedented economic growth and prosperity in our country'."
"Newly-appointed federal housing minister John McDermid attempted a hasty retraction in the midst of the election campaign last month after he sent a message to Canada's homeless not to look to the government to provide shelter this winter.
A request has been received from the Public Social Responsibility Unit to give new and increased energy to the work of economic justice in Canada.
That resolution #49 be lifted from the table. CARRIED #27-11-86
Text
Resolution #49 reads:
That this General Synod declares unemployment, homelessness and hunger to be major concerns of the Church. We recommend to the National Executive Council that adequate staff time be allocated to assist the Anglican Church of Canada, nationally, provincially and locally to address these concerns in the following ways:
a) to work together to seek just solutions to the problems of unemployment, homelessness and hunger;
b) to work with the unemployed, the homeless and the hungry towards such solutions;
c) to work ecumenically;
d) to challenge and to work with government: federally, provincially and locally to seek a more just society.
Moved by: Dr. D.N. Maybee
Seconded by: Ven. R.T. Pynn
That the disposition of this motion be as recommended by the Officers, i.e.
That this resolution be referred to the Program Committee for consideration, appropriate action and report back to the National Executive Council
be approved. CARRIED #28-11-86
Moved by: Rev. M.C. Ingham
Seconded by: Mrs. Pamela McBeth
That the proposals from the Public Social Responsibility Unit for new work in economic justice, be approved. CARRIED #29-11-86
"No stranger to ministering to the indigent, [the Rev. David W.] Opheim took up the challenge at All Saints [at the corner of Dundas and Sherbourne, Toronto] last August [2010] after three years as the incumbent at Saint Saviour's in Victoria, the homelessness capital of Canada. There, he managed the Rainbow Kitchen, which served hot meals to street people five days a week". "The drop-in centre at All Saints is where people on the outside come to get inside. .... Most have mental health issues, many are functionally illiterate. .... 'Where would Jesus be in all this ?' [Opheim] asks me. 'That;s the question. This is the real messy church'." "The Rev. Susan Haig is the associate priest at All Saints. Formerly a lawyer, she finds her new calling so strong that 'when my feet hit the floor in the morning, I can't wait to get to work'." "Opheim and Haig are passionate about extending radical hospitality beyond the four walls of the church". "All Saints is funded by FaithWorks, the outreach ministry of the diocese of Toronto". "Getting to know street people, who come to Toronto from every corner of Canada, restores their humanity as well as yours, Opheim insists".
"The acid test of any society is the way it treats 'the least of these': the down and out, the transients, the homeless, the poor. For a century, the Fred Victor Mission in downtown Toronto has cared for these people. Started as a Sunday school by the Methodist Church, later operated by The United Church of Canada, the Mission has taken many forms during its life. But always it has been a concrete expression of compassion and concern". -- back cover.
Contents: Acknowledgements / Cary Fagan -- Foreword / Bruce McLeod -- The Calling of Mary Sheffield -- City of Sin and Salvation -- Refined Ladies Among the Neglected Classes -- Fred Victor Plays His Flute -- A Magnificent Building at Jarvis and Queen -- A Shaky Start -- A Grand Forward Movement -- Satan's Battleground -- "Human Brotherhood Must Declare Itself" -- The Parson of the Poor -- Radio Days -- New Building, Old Mission -- The Mission Adrift -- Keith Whitney Takes the Plunge -- Agents of Change -- Short-Term and Long-Term -- Under Siege -- Making Homes First -- The Great Bar Controversy -- From Hostel to Homes -- The Quest -- Supporting a Community -- Epilogue -- Selected Bibliography -- Index.