From hotter and more frequent wildfires to wars and conflicts, from the erosion of democracy to deepening inequality, the world is full of signs of crisis. Hope, in such circumstances, can seem not only elusive but illusory. But as followers of Jesus, we are a people of resurrection. Where can we find signs of resurrection in our midst and join in God’s redeeming work? This is the question the Diocese of Toronto’s online Outreach & Advocacy Conference hopes to address on Oct. 18.
The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Espicua – Anglican priest, environmental and human rights lawyer, coordinator of advocacy strategies for the Diocese of Brasilia and the Communion Forest facilitator for the Americas.
“The idea for this collaboration with our companion diocese, the Diocese of Brasilia, came out of two things,” says Elin Goulden, the Diocese of Toronto’s Social Justice and Advocacy consultant. “The first was a conversation I had with Fr. Rodrigo as part of the companion diocese meetings last December. I was struck by how similar the ecological and social justice challenges we faced in our two dioceses were, despite our very different contexts. The second was the successful joint theology day seminar held by the two dioceses last March. The online format and simultaneous translation made it possible for Brazilians and Canadians to listen and learn from each other.”
Ms. Goulden hopes that translation can be offered for at least some of the sessions so that members of the Diocese of Brasilia can join in the event, though at the time of writing these details were yet to be confirmed.
The middle part of the day will feature a range of workshops on current justice issues. The diocese’s Right Relations coordinator, the Rev. Leigh Kern, will lead a session on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action a decade after its report. Where are we today, and what is still needed to make reconciliation a reality? The Rev. Canon Maggie Helwig, whose book Encampment: Grace, Resistance and an Unhoused Community was published this spring, will speak on the theological implications of coming alongside people living in encampments.
As more and more people face homelessness, it seems as if fewer neighbourhoods are willing to accept the shelters and supportive housing needed. A panel of three – a United Church minister and two laypeople, one United and one Anglican – will speak from their own experiences of helping to create welcoming communities, starting at the parish level. Meanwhile, as tariff wars and the rise of AI send shockwaves through the economy, the idea of a basic income is gaining traction, a proposal that will be explored by Sheila Regehr, founding member of the Basic Income Canada Network.
The reformer Martin Luther is believed to have said, “Even if I knew the world would go to pieces tomorrow, I would still plant a tree.” The Anglican Communion Forest movement invites dioceses and parishes around the world to do the same, as a practical and symbolic act of hope, helping to preserve biodiversity, provide habitat and help to address climate change. Members of the diocese’s Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care will explore the theology and practice of growing trees at the conference.
In other workshops, community activist Kevin Barrett will speak on the work of Community Land Trusts as a vehicle for economic and housing justice, drawing on his own experience as a founding member of the Kensington Market Community Land Trust. Another afternoon session, “Harvest Justice,” invites participants to engage with a theatrical depiction of the injustices and challenges faced by migrant agricultural workers in Canada, and to imagine a different way, one that would treat these essential workers with dignity. The Mixed Company Theatre will put on this performance.
At the end of the day, there will be an opportunity for participants to come together, share what they have learned and lift up each other and their respective ministries in prayer.
This exciting online day of learning is offered free of charge to participants. Plan to attend; perhaps you can join as a group for a parish “watch party.” For more information and to register, visit www.toronto.anglican.ca/outreachconference
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