Saving the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference

The success of the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is everyone's concern. Today the UN General Secretary warned that the talks were faltering, and he pleaded to the nations of the world to increase their pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was also reported today that the Canadian federal government is pondering weaker --not stiffer-- emissions targets for the oil and gas sector. It is now very urgent that we let our government know what our hopes and concerns are.

This Fall the Adult Sunday School of Community Mennonite Church explored the biblical imperative of "Creation Care." We agreed that caring for the health of this sick and groaning planet is not optional for Christians, for our very hope is that God will set the creation free from its bondage to decay (Rom 8:21) and, in Christ, gather up all things in heaven and earth for the praise of his glory (Eph 1:10). And in this cosmic plan we were able to see that the Christian vocation to care for the less fortunate is deeply dependent on a healthy environment. In the context of these discussions we shared a number of inspiring experiments from the past year where we have tried to "walk the talk" of creation care.

Now we have another important opportunity to speak. As leaders gather in Copenhagen for the summit, the church dare not be silent in its prayers and advocacy:

• We should pray for the negotiators and leaders in Copenhagen, that they may have the wisdom to see and the courage to do what is right.
  
• We should write our Prime Minister immediatetly. You may wish to use a pre-written letter addressed to the Prime Minister contained in the link: http://www.climatechangetaskforce.org, or send your own email directly to the Prime Minister's Office (pm@pm.gc.ca).
• We should write our local Member of Parliament. The MPs are listening carefully to their constituency on this issue and they may have some influence in the decision our government takes this week. For those who live in the "Oakridges-Markham" riding (this includes Stouffville), our Member of Parliament is Paul Calandra. You can share your "comments or thoughts" on his webpage (http://www.paulcalandra.com/have-your-say.htm). I wrote Mr. Calandra last week and outlined my concerns and hopes. To his credit, he phoned me back within hours and even left his cell number on the answering machine. He clearly took notice; I encourage you to write him.
  

The good news of the Bible is that God's work of reconciliation in Christ includes reconciliation with all things on earth (Col 1:20). This week we have some important opportunities to witness to and participate in what God is doing.
Arnold Neufeldt-Fast

Give A Day To World AIDS

Today is World AIDS Day, and Jane Philpott from our congregation is the founder of the "Give a Day to World AIDS" movement, inspiring people to give a day's pay to help those affected by HIV/AIDS.

You can watch an inspirational message from Jane, read her blog post, listen to her interview this morning with Andy Barrie on CBC's "Metro Morning" radio program... (if you click here and wait a few seconds, you should hear the audio. The interview's running time is 6:27.)

You can also use this online calculator to calculate a day's pay and make a donation.

Jane concludes her blog post with these words that speak with particular resonance in this season of Advent...

We may be daunted by the magnitude of the task. But we have already come a long way. In the five years since the Give a Day movement started, the number of people in the world on antiretroviral treatment has increased by ten-fold! This has happened through extraordinary efforts of countless people around the world.

To reach a world without AIDS, we have to walk far. We share this path together.

Please engage in an act of solidarity today. Please give a day’s pay… because a day makes a world of difference.