View in your browser

Winter 2025
KAIROS Great Lakes-St. Lawrence
NEWSLETTER

Message from the Chair

I am looking ahead with concern and fear about 2025, with geo-political challenges and elections in Canada. Meeting with the KAIROS members in my local group and with the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Coordinating Committee gives me joy and hope. It gives me strength because engaging in justice is a positive action.

KAIROS stands for respect for human dignity and promotes care for all aspects of our amazing earth. 

This is our faithful response to “do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Let us continue to celebrate that this ecumenical organization is strong and respected in Canada.

In KAIROS, in Hope,

Cherilyn Spraakman

Chair, Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Coordinating Committee  

Summary of Local Committee Activities
as of January 2025
Indigenous Rights

Several KAIROS members participated in the Walk for Grassy Narrows in Toronto in September 2024.  KAIROS Guelph sent a letter urging Dryden Fibre Canada to act immediately to remove sulfate and organic matter from its discharge.  These chemicals feed bacteria that produce highly toxic methyl mercury from the inorganic mercury released years ago.  

In SW Ontario, the Teaching and Sharing Circle members hosted a video and discussion series for several agencies via Zoom, using “They Came for the Children” and “Stolen Lands Strong Hearts”. The London Indigenous Teaching and Sharing Circles, designed when the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) was unavailable during Covid, have ended.

KAIROS Ottawa continues its focus on building settler-Indigenous relationships in the city.

David Janzen from SW Ontario KAIROS spent three weeks at Arizona’s Apache Stronghold which is resisting copper mining on their sacred lands. 

KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) facilitators in KAIROS Guelph participated in discussions of the new administration of the KBE and continued to facilitate KBEs with groups that had prior agreements.

Dave Gordon, a member of the York Region KAIROS Group, was involved in early planning for the Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall. He joined in celebrating the opening of the Spirit Garden on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Spirit Garden honours residential school Survivors. 

Photo: Members of Durham KAIROS, Simcoe County KAIROS, and York Region KAIROS at the Walk for Grassy Narrows in Toronto. 
Ecological Justice

KAIROS Guelph is continuing Climate Conversations in area churches and sent out information on the Loss and Damage Fund to all Guelph churches.  The committee is networking with the local Seniors For Climate Action Now! Chapter that organized a public rally at City Hall October 1, one of over 70 events across Canada that day.  Other projects include election preparation and a Beat the Heat information card for heat wave response. 

Photo: Members of KAIROS Guelph at a Seniors For Climate Action Now! Event on October 1, 2024

Simcoe County KAIROS hosted a Wonder Walk to explore and honour Creation. A naturalist led the walk, and a committee member read reflections from Susceptible to Light, poetry by Chelan Harkin and Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, by John Philip Newell.

SW Ontario members signed petitions urging protection of Ontario nature, and raised awareness of combatting waste via an entry in the Ingersoll Christmas Parade and participation in Oxford Reusapaloozaha (a free swap meet).

Photo: Members of Simcoe County KAIROS on a wonder walk in Tiffin Conservation Centre in June 2024
Migrant Justice

SW Ontario members reported that several area churches are sponsoring refugees.  Petitions on migrant rights were signed.

Photo: KAIROS Canada is committed to work addressing the causes of forced migration, while promoting a climate of dignity and welcome for uprooted people. 
Combatting Poverty

SW Ontario members are involved in a Saint Vincent de Paul Affordable Housing project, have distributed information on the importance of stopping privatization of the Ontario health system, and participated in local food security efforts of distribution, community garden establishment and meal preparation for those who need assistance.  John and Yetty Joosse spent 5 weeks in South Africa working on a project supporting disabled citizens.

Simcoe County KAIROS is developing plans for advocacy on food security issues as they learn from expert and lived experience speakers.  Several churches provide daily breakfasts to unhoused and precariously housed neighbours. After three years, this program is now being financially supported by the County of Simcoe.

KAIROS Guelph representatives, as part of a Social Justice Coalition, also donate and serve meals to downtown guests.  The committee is represented on Basic Income Guelph (BIG) that held a very successful, well-attended public meeting in June.  BIG also organized a post card campaign supporting Bill C-223 to develop a framework for a Canadian basic income, and it continues to build a network of local allies.

Photo: John and Yetty Joosse from Southwest Ontario KAIROS on their trip to South Africa in 2024. Joy via song and dance is always a hit!
Peace

Several committees have expressed great concern about the Israel-Palestine situation. 

On the evening of September 8, York Region KAIROS and Newmarket Aurora for Palestine held "Peace Vigil for Palestine: Grieving Together", at Riverwalk Commons in Newmarket. 

SW Ontario members have attended rallies in London protesting indiscriminate bombing of Gaza.

Simcoe County KAIROS has been particularly active, partnering with Christians for Just Peace in Israel/Palestine, and with Simcoe County 4 Palestine to facilitate a number of events.  In May, they held a Gaza Peace Pilgrimage of prayer and reflection along a nature trail.  Three subsequent events each featured an expert speaker: Dr. Stephen Sizer, author of Seven Biblical Answers to Popular Zionist Assumptions; Lisa Loden, a messianic Jewish leader, author and peace advocate; and Jeff Halper, an Israeli anthropologist speaking on From Genocide in Gaza to Decolonizing Palestine: Toward a Democratic State For All Between the River and the Sea. The first two speakers are available on video at the links above. The committee also worked with the Mennonite church to organize a day of prayer for peace on Sunday January 26.

The Canadian church leaders’ May press conference on Gaza can be viewed here.

SW Ontario members involved with Development and Peace have hosted presenters and funded projects in Peru (Heartlinks), South Sudan and Haiti.

Photo: Peace Vigil held in Newmarket in September 2024
Organization

National leadership workshops included one where Leah Reesor-Keller, KAIROS Canada Transitional Executive Director reported on KAIROS’ administration shifting from the United Church and presented the changes to the KBE administration.  Other workshops included ideas for forming new committees, and how the national office could encourage clergy connection with KAIROS.

Photo: Leah Reesor-Keller, KAIROS Canada Transitional Executive Director

Several groups continue to meet by Zoom; others meet in person. 

Simcoe County KAIROS prepared a PowerPoint presentation on their activities and plan to present it to local churches to encourage participation.

Dufferin County KAIROS is discussing how to add more justice initiatives into its charity work.  
KAIROS GREAT LAKES-ST LAWRENCE REGION COORDINATING COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE

Chair: Cherilyn Spraakman, Newmarket, Ontario

Regional Representative to the National Network: Elizabeth Snell, Guelph, Ontario

Secretary: Janyce Elser-Ethier, Russell , Ontario

Treasurer and Contact Coordinator: Betty Anne Platt, Whitby, Ontario

Social Media Coordinator: Elaine Gareau, Barrie, Ontario


Connect with us: Facebook
KAIROS Canada website