June 2021 Archives - Montreal Anglican

Basic Income: What is it and how can it help?

Nancy Greene-Gregoire — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:41:36 +0000

Mrs Nancy Greene-Gregoire is a member of a Montreal working group on Basic Income as well as a member of Diocesan Council

(Editor’s note: you will find many links in this article; to make it easier for you to locate sources it will be posted on our website www.montreal.anglican.ca click on the Social Justice link, scroll down to the Homelessness/Food Security to find the link to Guaranteed Basic Income Resources)

After church on April 11, the Cathedral’s Ecological and Social Justice Action Group (ESJAG), teamed up with a local working group (Nancy Greene-Gregoire, Rev. Deacon Peter Huish, Terri Burman and Caroline Jondahl), and invited Sheila Regehr, co-chair of Basic Income Canada Network https://basicincomecanada.org/ to talk to us about basic income.
When the pandemic threw so many people out of work in March 2020, the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) kicked in quickly. As a result, we have seen the social and economic advantages of providing a basic income for so many people.
Yet those on social assistance have not received anything extra. Instead, they face intrusive conditions for assistance that must be met, never have enough to cover more than the bare minimum needed to survive, and are discouraged from making any income since it results in an immediate drop in benefits and a lag in benefits if the income is not sustained.
Studies show that when Basic Income is implemented, mental health improves, visits to emergency rooms are reduced, crime is reduced, and people remain motivated to work. Employers like it because healthy employees are better workers and turnover isn’t as high. Recipients like it because they can take the time to retrain if needed and find a job they can commit to keeping.
At the event on April 11th, Sheila brought us up to date on Federal initiatives.
Bill C-273 requires Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to create a national strategy for a Guaranteed Basic Income, including potential partnerships with provinces to determine how best to structure and implement a Basic Income. You can register your support for the bill here: https://www.ubiworks.ca/basicincomebill.
Since Sheila talked with us, NDP Leah Gazan’s Motion 46, which calls for the CERB to be converted into a permanent Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, (https://www.leahgazan.ca/basicincome) didn’t pass but it had widespread support and will contribute to the growing momentum of the movement (https://www.leahgazan.ca/statement_from_leah_gazan_on_motion_46).
Our Diocese has prepared templates for communication to both Federal MPs and Quebec MNAs: https://www.montreal.anglican.ca/social-justice
The recent report from British Columbia (https://bcbasicincomepanel.ca/) showed that provinces cannot do this alone: they need the backing of the Federal government.
Sheila suggested we could advocate for basic income by contacting our local municipal representatives since cities reap the benefits of a population receiving basic income. Why not take a moment and write to the Mayor of Montreal https://mairesse.montreal.ca/en/send-message-mayor ?
People had more questions when the live session ended, and Sheila answered them by email:

Does the Basic Income Network advocate for a specific model of UBI? If so, what are the details of that model?

Sheila Regehr: Yes, we do. People can find everything we have to say about different models and what matters most in a report (https://www.basicincomecanada.org/policy_options ) we released just as COVID was hitting Canadian shores in January 2020.
There are three designed, costed and funded options in the report. We did not try to design an ideal but rather to show governments they have options. Option 1 is for 18-64 year olds and Option 2 includes seniors. Both are based on the same kind of model of current income guarantees for seniors and children where benefits gradually reduce as other income increases. Option 3 is the full, individualized Universal Basic Income (UBI) where the same amount goes to everyone.
After CERB was introduced and the pandemic was raging, BICN made a decision to declare a preferred option for government in the interest of saving lives and preserving well-being: That’s Option 1 focused on 18-64 year olds, at the level of CERB’s $2000 per month which, adjusted for inflation, is very close to our benefit level of $22K per year (in 2017 dollars). We were very happy to see the government recognize that this was a reasonable dollar amount for people to try to get by on and that they recognized the importance of cash delivered rapidly. Other elements of CERB design, however, involve conditions and penalties for employment, which mean that it is not a basic income.

Are there any models that show how much money people would receive for Basic Income and the policy for reducing it as people earn income on top of Basic Income?

SR: As you’ll see in the report, we chose a benefit reduction rate of 40%. We debated this for a long time and wanted to ensure that the benefit reduction was more gradual than other models we’d seen (for example the Ontario pilot rate was 50% and this Ontario formula is what the Parliamentary Budget Office has costed out). Our more gradual rate assures that people benefit well up into the middle income brackets to provide more security. Our funding sources ensure that higher income earners are the ones who pay a fairer share of the cost of the program, especially the very wealthy.

What research is there on the effects of UBI on the environmental crisis we face? For example, less deforestation in Indonesia, more people engaged in environmental activism, less need to promote environmentally destructive industries (e.g. manufacturing unneeded items to keep people employed and fuel the economy), less short term budgeting leading to low quality, soon to be replaced purchases, healthier and also more ecological food choices, avoidance of environmentally destructive jobs, etc.

SR: These questions about the environmental/basic income intersection are great and I don’t have direct answers to them. But they are most welcome and certainly timely so many thanks to the person who raised them. BICN is working with The Energy Mix (https://theenergymix.com/ ) and other partners on a project this year to bring people together in different kinds of communities across Canada to discuss these very issues and report to government on our findings.
You can watch the March 11 talk with Sheila Regehr on the Cathedral YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/osgweRWUjLg

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Delayed 200th Anniversary Celebration in Chambly planned for September

Anita Young — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:39:27 +0000

SAVE THE DATE!
Delayed 200th Anniversary Celebration in Chambly (hopefully) set for September
Historic St. Stephen’s with St. James Anglican Church in Chambly, Quebec, was set to celebrate its 200th anniversary in May 2020. The pandemic put an end to that plan, but a new date has been set: September 12, 2021.
Understanding that the unexpected may recur, a “rain date” has also been decided: November 21, 2021.
The celebration of St. Stephen’s 201st year will be attended by Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Bishop of Montreal Mary Irwin-Gibson. Further details will be given closer to the date.
St. Stephen’s, first envisioned to sit snugly next to Fort Chambly, was built across the road in 1820 so as not to crowd other government buildings. It was one of the so-called “million churches” built from a million-pound British fund established in 1818, as thanks for the victory at Waterloo.
Perhaps to avoid the fate of the original Fort, which was built of wood and burned to the ground, the church is made of fieldstone. Described as “old colonial” style, it is a building of graceful proportions and original fittings that houses an imposing, still working, pipe organ bought for £189 in 1854 and beautifully rendered stained-glass windows in the Renaissance style that depict Biblical scenes and sayings.

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Community Garden

Christopher Belle — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:36:02 +0000

Saturday, May 08, 2021 marked the beginning of a new project for St Joseph of Nazareth Anglican Church with Mission Nouvelle Generation. The church has offered a portion of the church yard for use by the Mission. We have decided to start a Community garden.
A number of volunteers from the Mission, St. Joseph’s, and the surrounding neighbourhood, worked together from 9:30 am until 2pm (with a one-hour lunch break) to pour and spread the black earth (some 30 yards worth). We hope to plant radishes, spinach, tomatoes, jalapenos, beans, and other delights. The plan is to eventually yield sufficient produce that would be then distributed to people who are in need.
Volunteers left their names on a duty roster, vowing to visit the garden and do any necessary weeding and watering.
It is hoped that this initiative will bring people together that might not meet otherwise. Some are intrigued by the opportunity to help others, while some just love gardening. Some are just looking forward to eating. Either way, it was a joy to work and chat together, praising God for such a wonderful spring day.

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A Year to Remember

Kim Briand — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:34:06 +0000

This past year has been a terrible time for us all. While saying that, we here at St. Paul’s in Greenfield Park, have been kept busy by opening our hearts to those in need.
When the pandemic started in March 2020, it was brought to our attention that there were many people in need in our community. So, with God’s grace, starting in the spring and continuing through the year we were able to help by providing food gift cards to families in need and treats for the children at the Women’s Shelter, making frozen food for seniors and – along with St Margaret’s of Antioch – providing for our Breakfast program for two local schools.
The Women’s Craft group has knit hundreds of hats, scarves, etc. for schools and slippers and blankets for a local men’s shelter. This not only helped the schools and shelters but kept these ladies busy while being isolated in their homes.
During this pandemic the Lord has laid many requests upon our hearts, but one of his biggest challenges was to help those who are in isolation and lonely and need support. Many of our parishioners and friends have found this pandemic very stressful and when the Lord laid it upon us to take this time of idleness and do some more, the flood doors opened wide.
The children of St. Paul’s sent out Easter cards with a beautiful, encouraging message written by Isabel, an 11 year old from our Sunday school. It spoke of her feelings of sadness and also of encouragement to all for the future. This message was included in each of the 178 cards sent out and were so truly appreciated.
We are currently making sandwiches for the homeless in Montreal. The request for help was from a young woman who attended St. Paul’s as a child and is now part of an organization in Montreal called “Bread and Beyond”. They supply over 2000 sandwiches/month to several different shelters on the island of Montreal. We called our parishioners and friends and were able to supply 25 loaves of sandwiches and other goodies the first week. We now have over 30 men and women from our community who have offered to contribute on a weekly basis.
The Lord has truly blessed us during this pandemic. We have come together as Christians to do what the Lord wants of us, and we, with God’s help, always find a way to succeed.
These projects are not only helping those who benefit from our donations, but it is also helping us to keep busy and forget our problems for a while by helping those in need.
So even though the pandemic has been very difficult and very isolating…it has also given.us something good, it has made us look deep inside ourselves and to realize we are not on this earth just to survive, but to survive by giving of ourselves to those less fortunate and to come together as Christians to help those by giving of ourselves. But the most important message from this is that we could not have done or continue to do any of this without the help of our Lord and Savior therefore all “Glory” goes to Him, our one and only God…
Please stay safe and give of yourselves, with God’s help, at this time and always .

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Aslan Is On The Move: Focus on Racial Justice Begins

Edward Yankie — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:29:28 +0000

I arrived at the cathedral on Palm Sunday to be a steward for the mere twenty folks who were allowed in. It was my first time back to church in person since Christmas morning, and I was wearing my Black Lives Matter mask. A friend I hadn’t seen in months approached and said, rather adamantly, “ALL lives Matter.”
I looked at him and blinked. There was a Black Lives Matter banner hanging right behind us over the doors of the church.
“ALL lives matter,” he repeated with pronounced emphasis, as if to correct my mask.
“OK,” I said. “But you do understand, right?– why people are saying black lives matter?” I couldn’t help address him a bit like a child. I’m still a Christian in training.
“Yes.”
“Good.” Case closed. Moving on. I had been growing tired of exchanges like this, most of them outside the culture of the church. Another example of white people socially policing themselves.
“It’s because of a few idiots!” he said, and turned and went back into the church.
This struck me at the time, as it does now, as the official Quebec narrative from the top down; Systemic racism is a figment of the imagination in misguided, militant, shrill people. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.
At that time, the verdict of Derek Chauvin trial was still pending and that same week, here in Montreal, two separate and disturbing videos were circulating online. One was of an out-of-control police officer punching the face of a black man who was being held down on the ground in Mount Royal Park. The people watching the incident were shouting at the police and protesting. Then in another horrific piece of footage from in the Metro, an STM officer repeatedly punched a woman who was being held down. This time, bystanders not only protested but intervened. The officers were defended by their superiors. But in both incidents, the footage speaks for itself.
The conviction of the murderer of George Floyd brought shock and sighs of relief to many; the fact that we did not expect justice is in itself is a telling fact of history. But within twenty-four hours of the verdict, six more people in the U.S. had been killed by police. And the grim incidents in the past month have not abated. In Canada the violence involves fewer guns, but plenty of fists. And reading the comment section on the recent videos in Montreal is not an uplifting or edifying experience.
We still have a serious problem in our culture that goes way back. And historically, of course, the church has always been immersed in this culture.
Writing about this, talking about it, is not easy for anyone of any hue. Talking about the history of the sin of racism within the church, be it about slavery, social segregation, or the subtle microaggressions often experienced by many, is a difficult task, taking us outside our collective comfort zone. All of us, with our various backgrounds in the Anti-Black Racism Task Force, can agree on that. It’s one of the easiest things to agree on. Nevertheless this conversation is taking place. Because the Holy Spirit so often pushes us outside our comfort zone – into the place where change for the good happens.
One evening, during one of our zoom meetings, Bishop Mary was with us as we were talking about our plans for racial justice work within the context of the challenges our church faces during the pandemic. During a pause, we asked her what she thought. She said: “Aslan is on the move.”
Aslan, of course, is the lion who represents Jesus Christ in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia Chronicles. And he is pretty good at pushing people outside their comfort zone. In the face of all this social turmoil, change, and much-talked-about pandemic upheaval, Aslan is indeed on the move.
One of the things we’ve learned in the past year, as the great lion nudges us along, is that in order to be true Christians, we – all of us – must be anti-racist. And as Ibram X. Kendi points out in How To Be an Anti-Racist, there is no safe, neutral ground of simply “not racist” in the struggle between racism and anti-racism. Being anti-racist is active, not passive, and at the very least we need to speak out and not be silent (and thereby complicit).
Recently the Task Force sent out a survey to the clergy, lay leaders and students of theology to determine just where the diocese is on anti-racism work, and to what degree we are passionately engaging in it.
The results have come in; some churches, like the Cathedral, are examining themselves and their history with gusto; others would like to start, and have asked for resources, while a small minority think it’s a non-issue – we hope to change their minds.
To answer the need for resources, among other things, the task force is creating an online resource (attached to the Diocesan website), and also a Facebook page, both called Montreal Anglicans for Racial Justice and Equity. The title indicates that we want to be for something and not merely against something. Along with this comes the following mission statement:
“To educate and increase awareness in the Anglican Diocese of Montreal of the history of racism and the church’s participation and complicity in racist practices, that we may properly repent. To equip and enable members of the diocese to confront and dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy inside and outside the church. To honour Christ in all persons by building bridges, and by promoting and celebrating diversity in the church and the world.”
Yes, it’s a mouthful. But it gets the idea (of the necessary work) across. And despite being serious, uncomfortable, and challenging, it’s a joyful thing to repent. And do justice. And build bridges. Not to mention celebrate. To our delight, Bishop Mary and the Synod Planning Committee have decided that the diocese will focus on this particular mission with great intention over the next three years. And a diocesan learning session for church leaders is being prepared for early October. Something to celebrate indeed.
More recently, the Most Reverend Linda Nicholls, our Archbishop and Primate, reached out to my friend and co-chair Dion Lewis and invited him to speak at The Council of General Synod, along with other distinguished guests, on the topic of Dismantling Racism. She understood that for Dion to speak on a personal level regarding his own encounters with racism would take tremendous courage. But courage is not lacking in Dion. On May 8th he shared some personal stories with the Council and added:
“I have been affected by subtle racism from some very well-meaning people in my own parochial activities. These subtle biases, subconscious actions, and sometime conscious actions cause pain. Personally, I have had to learn how to just ignore and forgive these actions to continue to share my gifts and talents with the community at large. We need to stop causing this pain to each other and most importantly not do it again… Love is our greatest gift, but if we are called to clear the way for God, we all need to start levelling and clearing the path. Part of this shared task involves not throwing obstacles onto the cleared road.” He concluded by saying that we need to learn from what we’ve done and do better.
After the meeting, our Primate Linda responded with a beautiful letter of thanks which ended, “The only way forward for all of us will be by listening and learning together.”
I think Aslan would agree.

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Future partnership with Kinshasa in the DRC being considered

The Partnership Committee of the Diocese — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:27:35 +0000

The Partnerships Committee of the Diocese has been very active in spite of the roadblocks put in place by COVID-19. We feel it is important to reach out – even if only in prayer – to the wider community. To that end, we, in Montreal, have managed to maintain strong connections to four dioceses from around the world.
As most of the diocese is aware, we have an ongoing partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem, where we provide moral and prayerful support. In addition, there are two other dioceses with whom we have been learning and supporting one other through visits and the occasional financial contributions; the Diocese of Masasi in Southern Tanzania and the Territory of the People in Northern British Columbia. These relationships are ongoing and have been in place through multiple bishops.
This year we began discussions on a possible fourth partnership, this one with the Diocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It began with a personal relationship between our Bishop Mary and their Bishop Achille. After some correspondence between the Bishops and between Bishop Achille and our committee, we (together) identified an urgent need that we could help with. Their Diocese was being badly hit by COVID-19 and there were very few resources available to help fight it. The Bishop decided to visit all the parishes of his diocese in order to share information on preventive measures, including the preparation and distribution of simple documents teaching good health practices. Though their own efforts they were able to finance approximately one third of the costs of the program and we, the Diocese of Montreal, provided the remaining financial support needed, amounting to $3,850 (Canadian).
The Partnership Committee was particularly pleased to help as Bishop Achille and his diocese were being as self-reliant as they could; we just provided the final resources to get the program under way.

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Committee to Support Divinity Student from Masasi

The Partnership Committee of the Diocese — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:24:25 +0000

The Partnership Committee is pleased to provide an update on the support being planned for the Diocese of Masasi in Southern Tanzania. As a reminder, this partnership began under the auspices of Bishop Barry Clarke and Bishop Patrick Mwachka and has continued under Bishop Mary and Bishop James Almasi.
After much discussion between bishops and members of the Partnerships Committee, we decided to sponsor the education of one of their clergy who will attend the Montreal Diocesan Theological College for two years to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Theology. We felt that this support of one priest would help to upgrade the knowledge skills of many while saving on future costs to study abroad.
The candidate is the Rev. Linus Buriani, a priest who is well known by members of our committee. Following his studies, he will return to teach at St. Cyprian’s Theological College. The Diocese of Masasi has plans for St. Cyprian’s to become a regional centre for theological training. Father Linus has strong English skills.
This is a major financial commitment on the part of the Partnerships Committee and serious fund-raising efforts will be required. They are actually under way:

As the committee will not be making any trips to the partner dioceses due to COVID-19 restrictions, the amount budgeted for such trips is set aside for the project
The parish of All Saints by the Lake has graciously agreed to contribute their Paul Busing Bursary Fund (around $4,500) to support the education of a theology student from the developing world
The corporation of St Stephen’s Chambly has been asked to offer a thousand dollars a year for two school year.

The Partnerships Committee will also receive contributions from the 2021 Bishop’s Action Appeal as the Bishop recently announced. We hope to also receive funds directly from individual parishes, many of whom have benefited from visits by the bishops (Patrick and James) and development officer (Father Geoffrey Monjesa who was ordained deacon in Montreal by Bishop Barry).
We thank all of you in advance for your generosity.

To learn more about the work of the Partnership Committee or if you are interested in joining, please contact the Rev Andy O’Donnell at wryce2024@gmail.com.

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New Executive Director at Action Réfugiés, Carolina Manganelli

Montreal Anglican — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:19:30 +0000

The Board of Directors of Action Réfugiés Montréal is pleased to announce that Carolina Manganelli has been named Executive Director effective May 3, 2021.
Ms. Manganelli holds a BA in Sociology, with Distinction, as well as a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and a Juris Doctor (JD) from McGill University. She pursued graduate studies and obtained a Master’s of Law (LLM) in Human Rights Law, with Merit, from the University College London. She is a member of the Barreau du Québec since 2005.
Fluent in four languages, Ms. Manganelli has extensive experience in private law firms, running her own law practice, in the federal civil service, and with not-for-profit organizations. Her work with refugeed people includes 2 years in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina facilitating the return and protection of displaced persons, and deciding asylum claims as a Member of the Immigration and Refugee Board –
Refugee Protection Division. In 2016 she was appointed a Member of the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal, where she works in collaboration with judges to hear and decide complaints brought under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Carolina was the Interim Executive Director of Dress for Success Montreal, a not-for-profit which empowers women to achieve economic independence. Thanks to her impressive academic background, varied work experience, and grassroots-level intervention, the Board is confident that Carolina will energetically lead Action Réfugiés’ programs as well as its advocacy efforts.
“I am looking forward to leading the team at Action Réfugiés Montréal’’, said Ms. Manganelli, “as it represents an opportunity to continue the advocacy efforts and grassroots accompaniment to refugeed people for which the organization is well-known.’’
Ms. Manganelli succeeds Paul Clarke, the current Executive Director, who is retiring after eight years as the leader of Action Réfugiés.

About Action Réfugiés
Action Réfugiés Montréal is a strong voice for refugeed people in Montréal and beyond. We seek justice for asylum-seekers and refugeed people. We promote partnerships among refugeed people, faith communities and society for mutual empowerment. Through our programs, we provide hope and assistance while raising awareness of the rights of refugeed people. Formed in 1994, Action Réfugiés Montréal receives core funding from the Anglican Diocese of Montreal and the Presbyterian Church in Canada. There are seven employees.
For more information, go to actionr.org.

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“Dignity: Christ in Me, Christ in You” Video project shines light on spirit of Mile End Mission

Linda Hachey — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:29:15 +0000

Ms Linda Hachey is the Executive Director of the Mile-End Community Mission.

This past March, the Mile End Community Mission was invited to participate in week four of a five-week Lenten study organized by The Rev’d Jessica Bickford of Phoenix Community Projects in collaboration with Revd’s Chris Belle, Nick Forte, Amy Hamilton and Roslyn Macgregor. The study, called “Hope and Promise: Companions on the Journey, aimed to explore ways in which hope and God’s promise accompany our spiritual journeys.
As honorary Chaplain of the Mile End Community Mission, Roslyn Macgregor agreed to take the lead on two of the five baptismal promises the Lenten study sought to review: to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
With countless stories of individual and collective struggles for peace and justice unfolding at the Mile End Mission on a regular basis, Ros thought that it would be interesting to develop a little video to help portray a sense of what dignity means to some of our members. In doing so, she felt it might also help open the door to discussion during this Lenten study about some of our shared feelings, experiences and understanding of dignity. Thanks to Nancy Greene-Grégoire, Vice President of the Mission’s board of directors and her husband Jean-Charles, filming and editing of the video soon began.
The video called: Dignity: Christ in Me, Christ in You, grew out of a few conversations on the topic with a group of Mile End Mission’s staff and members. The final version was then presented to the over twenty participants from various churches/parishes who took part in the “Hope and Promise” Lenten study session, shedding light on many different and interesting reflections.
In the video, the creator of the Mile End Mission’s Community Art program, Joanne Racette and a couple of regular participants, Lynda S. and Mary M. discussed dignity through their experience in the art group. The many comments they raised all seemed to point to how “we’re the same when we’re all at the same table” …everyone with their empty canvases, surrounded in an atmosphere of non-judgement.
“Non-judgement is such an important part of showing dignity”, said Linda S. If you are judging someone, how can you be treating them with dignity? “Even though some days were very hard during the Mission’s art group with people transmuting a lot of different energy and behaviours,” Mary M. also observed that “there’s no judgement at the Mission”. Promoting this non-judgemental approach through her approach to art itself, Joanne R. exclaimed “It’s the spirit of the Mission!”
Another member, Linda L., brought up one of her biggest fears – not being remembered, which stems from not having children, getting older, and not having many family members left. During the pandemic, however, she said, “all of you hadn’t forgotten me at all”. That is what the Mission means to me. “They are there to help you carry your cross” and “they do it with dignity”, “respecting people’s boundaries and limits”. This reminded me of when Nancy Greene-Grégoire said that part of dignity for her is being remembered each year by the gang at the Mission to come in and bake cookies for the Open House. Could it be as simple as that? Inclusion!
Linda further recalled the dignity she’s felt through her many interactions over the years with Doris R., who is head of the Mission’s friperie. In essence, Doris’ approach to life has helped Linda see that “you may be poor but you can still be proud”.
For Carleen T., a long-time member of the Mission and head of our meals and Food Bank program, the need to just be human with other members by asking them how they are, by remembering their name, by treating them with kindness as we would all like to be treated is crucial to showing dignity. Thanks to Carleen, in non-pandemic times, the Mission’s Food Bank most often appeared like a family gathering with coffee and food being passed around to members as they sat waiting comfortably for their names to be called to pick up their weekly grocery bags. When Gilles E. would come by with his guitar, he’d often get me and others to sing good old country songs with him to amuse everyone while they waited.
Recently, a local mother of three called to ask if we give out food to people in need. We offered her three big bags of groceries and she was so shocked that it was all so easy. She was expecting the third degree and lots of red tape. Ours is not a typical Food Bank scenario, to be sure. It’s more like a celebration of food, the harvest, sharing, community and caring. Dignified.
Setting a proper table with table cloths, salt and pepper shakers, nice napkins etc. shows our members that we truly care and that no matter their circumstance, “they are our people and they are home”, says Lori Olson, the Mission’s Program Manager and Members’ Advocate. For Missy Olson, our Housekeeping & Food Storage Coordinator, the feeling of joy from giving a homeless person a sandwich, is priceless.
There is joy in dignity! Dignity is non-judgemental. It’s inclusive. It’s kind and compassionate. It’s respectful. It’s love, isn’t it?
As Christians, we are supposed to see Christ in all people, loving our neighbours as ourselves. One of many ‘Christ moments’ at the Mission came to us not long ago as a man who was completely at the end of his rope was talking about suicide. When he told us his story we couldn’t help but cry, especially when he said how much he knew it would hurt his mother. We gave him some money to get to a shelter for the night. It was a sad moment, but at the same time it was a beautiful moment. I think he was as surprized by our sadness for him as we were concerned about his future. While we don’t know what happened to this man, we know that he felt listened to, and that really meant something to him.
Discussions in the five break-out groups following the video presentation were very interesting and touching as many of us shared personal stories and thoughts about dignity. While we didn’t have time to return to the larger group to share what we’d discussed in the break-out groups, it seemed clear that each one of us related to the preciousness of treating others and being treated with dignity. Could this seemingly simple act help lead the way to justice and peace among all people?

Phoenix Community Projects logo

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Action réfugiés Montréal NOMINATION d’une nouvelle directrice générale

Montreal Anglican — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:26:03 +0000

Le conseil d’administration d’Action réfugiés Montréal est heureux d’annoncer la nomination de Carolina Manganelli à titre de Directrice générale, et ce en date du 3 mai 2021. Madame Manganelli détient un Baccalauréat en Sociologie, obtenu avec distinction, ainsi qu’un Baccalauréat en droit civil (BCL) et en common law (JD) de l’Université McGill. Elle a poursuivi ses études supérieures et a obtenu une Maîtrise en droit (LLM), avec spécialisation en Droits de la personne, de la University College London, obtenue avec la mention « mérite ». Elle est membre du Barreau du Québec depuis 2005.
Madame Manganelli s’exprime en quatre langues. Elle a longuement œuvré dans des cabinets privés d’avocats; au sein de la fonction publique fédérale; avec des organismes à but non lucratif; et elle a aussi fondé et dirigé son bureau juridique. Parmi son implication auprès des personnes réfugiées on peut compter deux ans en Bosnie-Herzégovine à la suite du conflit armé, où elle facilitait le retour et la sécurité des personnes déplacées. De plus, Madame Manganelli a été Membre décideur au sein de la Commission de l’immigration et du statut de réfugiés – Division de la protection des réfugiés, où elle rendait des décisions sur des demandes d’asile. En 2016, elle a été nommée Membre Assesseure au Tribunal des droits de la personne du Québec, où elle travaille en collaboration avec les juges pour entendre et décider les plaintes portées en vertu de la Charte des droits et libertés de la personne.
Carolina a été directrice générale par intérim de Dress for Success Montréal, un OBNL qui vise à accompagner les femmes dans le besoin vers leur indépendance économique. Grâce à sa feuille de route impressionnante sur le plan académique, son importante expérience professionnelle ainsi que son travail sur le terrain, le conseil d’a dministration est confiant que Carolina mènera avec brio les programmes d’Action réfugiés ainsi que les efforts de plaidoyer au nom des réfugiés.
« Je me réjouis de diriger l’équipe d’Action réfugiés Montréal » affirme Madame Manganelli. « J’y vois une continuité des efforts de plaidoyer et d’accompagnement sur le terrain des personnes réfugiées, ce pourquoi l’organisation est si bien reconnue. »
Madame Manganelli succède à Paul Clarke, directeur général en poste, qui prend sa retraite après avoir dirigé Action réfugiés durant huit ans.
Action Réfugiés Montréal est une voix forte pour les personnes réfugiées à Montréal et ailleurs. Notre objectif est d’obtenir justice pour les demandeurs d’asile et les personnes réfugiées. Nous faisons la promotion de partenariats entre les personnes réfugiées, les communautés religieuses et la société, dans une optique d’autonomisation mutuelle. Grâce à nos programmes, nous apportions de l’espoir et de l’appui tout en éveillant les consciences sur les droits des personnes réfugiées. Fondée en 1994, Action réfugiés Montréal reçoit du financement du Diocèse anglican de Montréal et de l’Église presbytérienne du Canada. L’équipe est composée de sept personnes.
Pour de plus amples informations, visitez actionr.org.

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