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ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 49 | SEPTEMBER 2012
ARTS, JUSTICE AND MISSIONAL LIVING John Liira, Senior Pastor of Highway Christian Fellowship, Sidney
perspective with authority and confidence in our communities. If this element is lacking, we are not truly sharing the Gospel in its fullness! The prophetic proclamation issues a call to “spend ourselves on the hungry”. (Isaiah 58)
One in six people in our world does not have physical or economic access to adequate food to sustain health. We were recently honoured to have One in six people in the world is our District Superintendent, Rev. Ken overweight. Ironic statistics aren’t Russell visit us at Highway Christian they? Smacks of injustice doesn’t it? Fellowship and he requested I share There is more. Are you aware that how we in Sidney are responding in a 48% of food is wasted from field to creative way to this issue. During the fork along the food chain? Does it month of June we hosted an art ever disturb you that almost half of exhibition at a local gallery, which the world’s population lives on less promoted the message of God’s than $2 per day, or that 800 million justice in an inspiring way right in the people are malnourished, 200 million heart of our community. The exhibit being children. I know, I know, we was called, JUST FOOD. artwork: Jairo Alfonso Castellanos, Cuba are all numb to statistics because we see them all the time. Here is one more for good Eighteen international artists (six Canadians) were measure, 8.7 million people die from hunger every year. commissioned by the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) to create artwork for this exhibition by Drought, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and now rising giving them six human rights declarative texts passed by food costs are causing millions of the world’s poorest the United Nations, coupled with some Old Testament people to not have enough to eat and the numbers are texts on the theme of God’s justice and hunger. rapidly growing. Presently, a food crisis is spreading Each artist was asked to create art inspired by those across the southern edge of the Sahara, from Mauritania texts. The result was a provocative and compelling on the Atlantic to Sudan on the Red Sea. The United collection of art illustrating contemporary perspectives Nations says the disaster threatens 15 million lives and on food issues and human rights which has been on may grow to affect several million more. These are exhibition in universities and art galleries across Canada. recurring issues and yet we in the west enjoy an It enhances the living Word of God in a dramatic way! abundance of not only food supply but also food selection. At an opening gala reception on June 2nd, mayors and council members were honoured publicly with the Doesn’t it make you want to get engaged to do presentation of a special edition bible published by the something? It ought to! The human rights to food and Canadian Bible Society that highlights all of the biblical other justice issues are resonating more and more texts on hunger, justice and poverty. Isn’t it cool how within our western culture. The renewed social and the Word holds relevance today and still finds its way political emphasis in food security and reducing hunger into the public square to once again issue a prophetic should encourage Kingdom initiatives to be taken to the call to action, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk marketplace. It is time! The church must present the humbly with our God! message of mercy and justice from a Kingdom
this issue Arts, Justice & Missional Living 1 BCYD Global Workers 2 University Christian Ministries 3 Women 2 Women 3 Assistant Superintendent 4 Aboriginal and Cultural Ministries 4 BC Teen Challenge 5 7 Ways to be Missional 5 Next Generation Ministries 6 Children, Preteen and Family 6 District Clergy Care Coach 6 Happenings Around the District 7 District Calendar 8
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