Hope and Courage: On June 24, Naomi Manuel will be speaking at a Symposium and Lunch organized by Yellowknife Victim Services at the Elks Hall. In 2002, Naomi Manuel, a survivor of domestic abuse, lost her son at the hands of her ex-spouse. By sharing her story, Naomi provides insight into recognizing and identifying the characteristics of family violence that are often overlooked. Please see the poster for more information.

Purple Box: The purple box is nearly empty, any donations of juice, granola bars etc, for this very important part of our outreach ministry will be greatly appreciated.

Summer is here (we hope) and as of July 6th, we will join the Lutherans for Sunday Services in the Chapel. The service will start at 10 am (please note time change) and will continue at that time and place until we return to our own space on September 7th.

United for Peace Resources: Last Sunday you received information regarding the United Church "United for Peace" campaign. Further to that information, you may be interested in the following:
1) You can make a secure donation to "United for Peace" online at the following address: https://www.strategicprofitsinc.com/unitedchurch/donate/index.php
2) People across Canada are using a colourful blog at this location: http://www.u4peace.blogspot.com/ to share their stories, ideas, images, and actions.
3) You can read a blog created by moderator, David Giuliano when he visited the Middle East. It can be found at: http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/moderator/070402
4) For more information, please email: peace@united-church.ca

Prayer Cycle for upcoming week:
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
Northern Community Prayer Cycle: Aklavik

Readings for next Sunday, June 29^th, 2008
Seventh after Pentecost
Genesis 22: 1-14
Psalm 13 or Jeremiah 28: 5-9
Psalm: 89: 1-4.  15-18
Romans 6: 12-23
Matthew 10: 40-42

Participating in Today’s Worship Service
Opening & Closing Host: June V. & Jan S.
Greeters: Marlene B and Bernice D.
Reader: Bruce G.
Candle Lighter: Hizee P.
Musician: Janet S.
Offering Counters: Melanie D. & Peg P.

Stewardship Seconds When stewards venture out in faith, God provides what is needed.

Getting to Know about Social Justice in Bolivia

An auditorium in Cochabamba, Bolivia, was packed and rocking for the opening of the Social Summit for People’s Integration in December 2006. Most of those present were Quechua or Aymara from Bolivia and neighbouring countries. Bright Indigenous clothing, rainbow flags, smudge smoke, and chants in various languages signalled that this would be an unforgettable evening for the few Canadians present.

The United Church of Canada had made it possible for two Canadian Aboriginal leaders to join the Common Frontiers delegation. Common Frontiers is a coalition of trade unions, human rights groups, and other non-governmental organizations concerned about the impact of free trade agreements. The summit in Bolivia was a chance to press for social goals like health care and education after decades of inattention.

John Beaucage, Grand Council Chief for the Union of Ontario Indians, approached the microphones and began with a few words in the Ojibway language. The crowd exploded into thunderous applause with no translation possible or needed.

John sent greetings from the 42 Native reserves in Ontario to the Government of Bolivia, to President Evo Morales, and all the peoples and nations in Bolivia. He talked about Canada as a rich country where most of the Native population lives in poverty. He again brought the house down when he said that even after hundreds of years of mistreatment, “Like you in Bolivia, we in Canada stand firm!”

The Social Summit for People’s Integration showed that social movements in Latin America continue to transform politics by proposing ways of doing things that benefit everyone, not just those who have enough money and power to protect their own interests. Your M&S gifts are contributing to the quest for social justice in Bolivia as well as in Canada.