What is the Quaker Ecology Action Network of Canadian Yearly Meeting?
In 1999, Friends meeting in Winnipeg at Yearly Meeting felt the need to develop a connection among us, and others of like mind to develop a Quaker faith perspective on matters and issues relating to Human-Earth-Spirit relationships. In 2001, Yearly Meeting approved the “Sustainability Minute”:
“Friends believe that we are all manifestations of the Creator, the Divine Spirit of God. As our knowledge has grown we have come to realize that indeed all life forms are exquisitely inter-related and inter-dependent: thus al life is sacred. We envision a Religious Society of Friends in the 21st Century that includes in its testimonies a clear call to responsibility to live in harmony with all life on Earth.”
This connects with the Advice and Query (#42) of our Faith and Practice.
“We do not own the world and its riches are nor ours to dispose of at will. Show a Loving consideration for all creatures and seek to maintain the beauty and variety of the world. Work to ensure that our increasing power over nature is used responsibly, with reverence for ife. Rejoice in the splencour of God’s continuing creation.”
These statements have been incorporated in our Canadian Yearly Meeting “Faith and Practice”, along with other statements around “Unity With Creation”. In ten years since the Quaker Ecology Action Network has been in existence, we have been active as individuals and as a Special Interest Group of Canadian Yearly Meeting to live out this witness.
We have given leadership at Sessions of Yearly Meeting; we have prepared an issue of The Canadian Friend, as well as regularly submitting articles and an annual report to Documents in Advance of CYM outlining developments in the year; we have taken the concern for climate change to Yearly Meeting (2009) and had a Minute approved (2009); we supported the travels of lead Friends from Quaker Earthcare Witness to travel among Friends in Canada; we support the work and witness of Canadian Friends in the KAIROS network.
In 2010-12 we are supporting the FWCC process of developing “Friends’ Responses to Global Change”. In previous Yearly Meetings we have lent support to CYM support of The Earth Charter. An Interfaith initiative, “Faith and the Common Good” has been supported in small ways including financial and using their excellent resources. The most recent report to Canadian Yearly Meeting can be read in Documents in Advance of Canadian Yearly Meeting , 2010 (p. 86) [password required to access business pages]
LINKS TO OTHER NETWORKS:
PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST FOR QUAKER ECOLOGY WITNESS
AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDE:
- Integrity of Creation
- Stewardship of Resources
- Climate Change
- Nuclear Issues,
- Biotechnology
- Simplicty
- Right Relationships
- Sustainability
- Ecological Footprint
- Living Our Quaker Testimonies
We keep connected with our e-list which is our regular way of keeping Connected. To be on this e-list, click here for the sign-up page.
To connect with the present convener of QEAN, email Arnold Ranneris
This page last updated on
2010-12-11 3:20 PM
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