Plans for "justice camps" for young people underway

General Synod’s Eco-Justice Committee is launching its first “justice camp” directed at young adults.

The first camp will be held this summer, Aug.15-21, in Winnipeg. The theme will be on Food Justice, “Setting the table: a place for everyone and every place honoured.”

“Food sits at the heart and stomach of our collective life. It’s time to start talking about it together because all is not right at our collective table,” said Rev. Cathy Campbell, of St. Mathew’s church, Winnipeg, who has written a book about food and food security.

The plan is to gather an ecumenical Christian community of people 18 years and older to reflect on the current food and agricultural situation. “We will eat, pray, sing, study, work and learn together,” said Ms. Campbell.

Participants will reflect on the economic, ecological, community, and faith dimensions of food and agriculture. They will have an opportunity to visit one of five sites: mixed farming sites in Clearwater and near Brandon, Man., a commercial fisheries site on Lake Manitoba, an organic market farm in St. Adolphe, and an urban food centre in Winnipeg.

“We hope that young adults, university students and seminarians will make a special point of coming,” said Laura Marie Piotrowicz, youth ministry developer for the diocese of Rupert’s Land.

Arrangements are being made to give course credits from the Faculty of Theology of the University of Winnipeg and from the Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies at the Canadian Mennonite University, said Ms Piotrowicz.

The Eco-Justice Committee, the Mennonite Central Committee, the United Church of Canada and the Canadian Food Grains Bank are supporting the camp. Funds are also being sought from the Anglican Foundation, and from individual dioceses including Rupert’s Land and Montreal.

The registration fees are $300 which includes food, accommodation and materials.

The idea for justice camps came about last September when members of the Eco-Justice Committee reflected on how they might capture the enthusiasm, energy, and idealism of young people for the Anglican Church’s ministry of peace and justice.

Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has endorsed the justice camps.

Plans for future justice camps are being made in British Colombia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island on themes of peace, indigenous justice and ecology.

For registration and further information please contact: Laura Marie Piotrowicz
Youth Ministry Developer
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
935 Nesbitt Bay
Winnipeg, MB R3T 1W6
Tel:(204)992-4204
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.foodjusticecamp.org


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