Moderator Mardi Tindal's blog: Embracing Hope

I had my picture taken last night embracing Hope. Hope is one of the cows Jeff Peters and other Kingston, ON, area farmers are caring for while hoping prison farms will be reinstated, and they will have a ready herd for them to get restarted.

With Jeff Peters and Hope. Photo: Cindy Tindal.

Those involved in the Save Our Prison Farms movement in this area bought back 10 of the farms’ cows that went to auction last summer when the prison farm operations were being wound down. When I returned to my hotel room, I heard on the news that all six farms that have operated throughout Canada were officially closed yesterday.

With The Church Council on Justice and Corrections, I see prison farms as part of some of our society’s best efforts in restorative justice in Canada, promoting healing and wholeness for the community as well as for the offender. The United Church of Canada stands firm in our commitment to restorative justice.

Jeff and his wife Sue are members of Inverary United Church, which was packed to overflowing last evening—packed with many stories of hope (not only about the cow) as well as with people.

A panel of ordinary/extraordinary United Church members, including Jeff, who are doing the work of the church in the world spoke about their faith in action. Panelists inspired many more stories to flow from the gathered crowd. I too was invited to speak about my passion and work for God’s healing of soul, community, and creation. (It was great for this farm girl to be able to proudly tell such an appreciative rural crowd that my Dad was Canada’s plowing champion in 1952! Urban folks tend to look quite puzzled when I mention that.) At least one federal election candidate was present, listening to the stories and concerns of his community.

Person after person, young and old, spoke of how their United Church formation and involvement has encouraged them into volunteer prison ministry, international development projects, caring for street kids, providing meals and fix-it projects for the community, and much more—even quite personal actions such as removing gender language from wedding vows in order to be in solidarity with those entering a same-sex marriage. Carolyn Hoessler, a member of Faith United in Kingston, mentioned that her congregation (which worships in a school) has 61 supporting households. One day, with 35 members in worship, they asked folks to name expressions of their lay ministry in community. Those gathered named 108 organizations through which they live their faith every day.

It’s been an amazing week of encouraging one another throughout Bay of Quinte Conference, place after place:

In worship at Lakefield United last Sunday, where they’ve cut their heating bill from $9,500 to $5,000, with a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
In play and dialogue with youth and young adults (and their leaders) of this Conference who are focused on care of the earth. These good folks have created their own games and means by which to talk about what it will truly take to participate in God’s healing of creation. It was wonderful to see Jim Burns at this event, as Jim was one of those who provided excellent leadership development opportunities for me when I was a teenaged church camp counsellor and Jim was on the board of Camp Big Canoe. Generation after generation, we have reinvented ministry with youth in our church.
In courageous conversation with the impressive church community of Curve Lake about what is required for this community to enjoy the leadership of their well-educated young adults who leave to find work elsewhere, as well as what it will take to resolve land concerns.
In an evening of abundance in worship with church members, ministers, and choirs of Oshawa Presbytery, following a delicious 100-mile potluck dinner to which Jan brought a plate, cutlery, and a cup for the Moderator (a practice the youth asked me to encourage everyone to undertake).
In a fantastic “soul, community, and creation” town hall in the packed hall of Trinity United in Cobourg, which has committed itself to a renovation that will dramatically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions—and allow it to become more accessible.
In lively conversation in North Trenton with members of Belleville Presbytery about the kind of faithful leadership that’s required to help the church find new ways of being the church. We explored great questions together, such as: How can we better be in and of the people in all councils of our church: congregations, presbyteries, Conferences, and General Council? How can we be more articulate about the theological underpinnings that are at the core of our decisions and actions as a church?
In courageous conversation with Ruth Wood, her spouse Ann, and members of Calvary United Church in Kingston, where Ruth provides ministry, exploring what it means to accompany one another faithfully through gender transitioning.

Later today I’m off to Smiths Falls for another town hall. It’s certainly been a week of embracing hope in more ways than one: engaging with one another in the most courageous of conversations and listening deeply to one another and to the toughest of questions about how we are and must be church today in our communities and beyond.

How are you engaged in courageous conversations—and embracing hope—for God’s healing of soul, community, and creation?

Want to stay up to date on this blog? Subscribe by e-mail or RSS.

Comments

SophiaWisdom

Posted on: 04/02/2011 12:58

Wow, Mardi. You sound busy but it sounds so life giving! It sounds like there are such wonderful initiatives happening across the church. It excites me to hear of such passion for God's mission.

I am following your travels through Twitter and I love hearing the excitement behind the words. I had never heard of prison farms; it sounds interesting and I would love to hear more. The "green" projects that are happening are inspiriting. I love hearing that youth are passionate and active and that people are supporting their ministry. I look forward to hearing more.

ggarlough

Posted on: 04/06/2011 17:17

Hi Mardi:

Congrats to Jeff Peters & the people lobbying and working FOR prison farm system.

I had a wonderful learning experience- which grew out of a terrible situation - 15 years ago, a friend and neighbour was sentenced to a Federal term .......... most of which was (fortunately) spent at the Pittsburgh farm innear Joyceville.

The "farm" gave him a supportive and constructive way to live out his sentence - he came home - renewed and determined to be a contributor to his community. The "farm woirk" gave him a purpose and a chance to reposition his life path. ( during the time, I got to know some of his fellow inmates................ they likewise "grew in stature' during their "pittsburgh" time)

The Harper government, according to my Riding MP, could not afford to keep the farms open because they were "losing money" - costing more than the $ income generated! There was no 'value' assigned to the positive value of the prison farm system in constructive rehabilitation!

And so goes our society, when Conservative "common sense" over-rules real positive contributions to our people of Canada.!