Conference explores our call to participate in Christ’s liberating work

From Exodus to the prophets to Jesus’ proclamation of his ministry, the liberation of the oppressed and those in captivity is integral to the good news of God’s saving work. Nor is this liberation restricted to human beings – in the eighth chapter of Romans, St. Paul declares that creation itself will be liberated and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

As God’s people, we in the Church are called to participate in this work. Sometimes (all too often!) individual Christians and the Church itself have been captive to worldly systems and structures that “corrupt and destroy the creatures of God,” in the words of the baptismal liturgy. Yet at other times, the Church has also been at the forefront of challenging and overturning these structures, upholding the dignity and worth of God’s creatures and sharing the good news of her liberating and life-giving Lord.

This year’s diocesan Outreach & Advocacy Conference, to be held online on Saturday, Oct. 17, will explore ways in which the Church can be a catalyst for God’s liberation and new life. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Dean Detloff, research and advocacy officer at Development and Peace – Caritas Canada. Dean is also a sessional faculty member at the Institute for Christian Studies and co-author, with Matt Bernico, of the recent book Enough is Enough: Degrowth, Capitalism, and Liberation Theology. An engaging speaker, Dean brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of Christianity and social justice.

A choice of workshops in the afternoon will feature people around our diocese engaged in bringing this message and practice of liberation to their different contexts. Going beyond performative messages to authentic reconciliation, the Rev. Leigh Kern will discuss the process of renewing the treaty relationships between our diocese and local First Nations communities. The Rev. Angie Hocking, with members of the Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union, will look at best practices for street outreach from the perspective of those being served. Meeting people on the margins with love and dignity can be especially challenging in the face of dehumanizing rhetoric and policy, but it is even more necessary in such a context, as the Rev. Canon Simon Bell can attest from the experience of faith leaders in Barrie. The Rev. Michael Van Dusen, deacon at St. Aidan, Toronto, will explore how the advancing climate crisis demands a re-examination of our “business as usual” assumptions and practices.

For the seventh year in a row, this day of learning will be held online via Zoom. After last year’s conference, the Social Justice & Advocacy Committee sought feedback from past participants to see whether we should return to an in-person event. While some respondents favoured an in-person event, others felt that format would limit their ability to participate, whether because of travel distance, cost or conflict with caregiving obligations. What united respondents was a desire for more dialogue following the keynote address, as well as an opportunity for networking with other participants. The format of the conference has been adjusted accordingly, leaving only one session of concurrent workshops but offering facilitated breakout groups over the lunch period for participants from different parishes to engage in conversation. Parish “watch parties” are also welcome.

The conference is offered free of charge to participants, who are encouraged to register at www.toronto.anglican.ca/outreachconference. We look forward to spending the day with you!