‘We have faith’ is displayed boldly in every corner where the Faith Secretariat has a considerable presence here at the COP17.

The first and only other time I’ve visited Africa was in 2000, in Ghana representing The United Church of Canada at a gathering of African lay centres. And as soon as I stepped onto the continent again yesterday, memories of witnessing the deep faith of Africans were rekindled.

This morning as I finish packing for Durban, South Africa, where the United Nations climate talks will take place over the next two weeks, I’m cherishing the encouraging words in a message from one of our United Church ministers:

As I prepare to join faith leaders from around the world at the United Nations climate change conference in South Africa (COP17), I am watching the cascading effect of our Canadian faith leaders’ statement and efforts of last month. Here are a few of the things that have happened since then:

Over the past several days I have been in Ottawa speaking with other faith leaders and political leaders about the moral and spiritual challenge of climate change. On Sunday evening I participated in such a panel at a fully public event hosted at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and the following morning, in a full-day Interfaith Forum.

Like so many Canadian celebrities, it had to go make it big in the United States before it could come back to Canada and be welcomed. I’m talking about the Occupy Wall Street movement, which was born in Vancouver at Adbusters magazine. 
 

September 11, 2001. Each of us remembers where we were and what we were doing when we got the news. It was a day of profound shock, sadness, and urgency, compelling us to connect with family members, draw those we love close, and make sure everyone we cared for was safe and accounted for as our world fell apart.

“For those of us who want to see democracy survive and thrive—and we are legion—the heart is where everything begins.” So writes Parker Palmer in his new book, Healing the Heart of Democracy.

This sounds to me like a call to spiritual practice, something the church offers in community. Representing The United Church of Canada at Jack Layton’s funeral last Saturday reminded me of how important this is.

I have lost track of the number of pastoral calls, notes, and letters on top of visits made on your behalf as the people of The United Church of Canada to those affected by so-called natural disasters over the past two years.

Today’s conversation with Gwen Nicol-Macdonald (serving North Street United in Goderich, Ontario, with her spouse, Roy) brings yet another expression of gratitude to you for your prayers. Gwen is eloquent about what is happening in her community not only physically but also spiritually. She paints a compelling picture, as seen through her comments:

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the first apology offered to Canada’s First Peoples by The United Church of Canada. No, we’re not “there yet” because we’re still on the long journey toward seeing our apologies fulfilled in actions and in truth, healing, reconciliation, and right relations. It’s why we take opportunities to participate in the work of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well our own Right Relations work.

Over 500 United Church of Canada youth, young adults and leaders are on their way home from Rendez-vous 2011. Be ready.

I've had the priviledge of spending the past four days with this lively community of faithful, creative individuals, through powerful expressions of Christian witness, in song and in prayer, through the challenging presentations of plenary speakers and in many conversations.

These teens are coming home with enlarged hearts and big ideas about being 21st century disciples.