Index of IRCA-2007 Special Edition (Part 2)

 

● Report to Senate Committee on Rural Poverty in Canada

● IRCA "Conference Scattered"

● Stories of Hope Shared Through Field Trips

● The Dialogue Has Only Begun ----

● Conference Statement of Concern

● New IRCA Executive

 

Editor's Reflections

 

            As I prepared this 2^nd part of the report on the International Rural Church Association's quadrennial gathering in Brandon, a copy of Christine O'Reilly's presentation to the Senate Committee on Rural Poverty in Canada arrived and is included for obvious reasons.  O'Reilly has been an active participant in the IRCA since its inception.  The story she brings from her own parish situation is insightful and passionate.  The comments from the Senators indicate that they had not, until this time, heard about nor given consideration to how the work of the local church supports the community, nor how they might be able to recommend ways these churches could be supported in their endeavours.

            O'Reilly's report brings the work of the Brandon Conference into sharp focus.

 

NOTE:  "Mandate Magazine", the mission magazine of the United Church of Canada, will feature a

            number of in-depth interviews of IRCA Conference delegates in its fall issue.  For details

            see www.united-church.ca/sales/magazine/mandate .

 

 

 

Report to Senate Committee on Rural Poverty in Canada

by Christine O'Reilly, June 7 / 07

 

            "My purpose in this presentation", Christine O'Reilly told the Senate Committee on Rural Poverty, "is to speak from my experience and knowledge of the role rural churches have in identifying and addressing poverty among the people and communities they serve."  (O'Reilly serves 2 Presbyterian village churches in south-western Ontario.)

 

            "The role played by rural congregations is part of the fabric of community life.  Church buildings offer space for meetings, shelter in crisis, and places to mark the transitions of life.  Church members live out their beliefs by providing much needed assistance to rural communities.  In a CBC Radio interview conducted by Shelagh Rogers, the topic of 'volunteerism' in Canada was under discussion.  I noted with interest a comment that 'approximately 75% of volunteers come through churches and faith groups'. 

 

            "The values that inspire and motivate volunteers to better their communities and care for others are proclaimed in and through faith.  When I consider the members of my congregations, I know individuals who give of themselves and their time in many ways.  Some take on  many causes, others one or two.  In each of the congregations, members live out their faith as volunteer cancer patient drivers, shut-in and retirement home visitors.  Meals on Wheels drivers, caring quilters groups, after school children's program leaders, school council representatives, leaders of cancer fund raising events, coaches for hockey and soccer teams, volunteer firefighters, leaders of events that assist children with autism, friendship visits with lonely seniors still in their own homes, are volunteer workers with Victims Services, Communities in Bloom, and take on keeping a stretch of public roadways clean and litter-free.

 

            "Churches often band together to offer a vacation program for children in communities where recreational programs are often few and far between, or purely sports oriented, which involves both expense and athletic interest/aptitude.

 

            "Certainly I agree with the Senate Committee's assertion that rural communities must be in the forefront of devising ways to address rural poverty, but would ask that Senators (and other agencies) take careful note that many rural people are already carrying a heavy load of responsibility in a host of volunteer organizations.

 

            "Rural clergy, too, are often heavily involved with the needs of their communities and congregations.  As social services, centralized in cities or larger towns, face cutbacks in staff and budget, clergy are often sought out as first responders or long term supports.  Most ministers and priests do not receive adequate education in counseling and social service work, yet are often placed in positions where serious help is required and no one else is readily available.  Rural clergy often face long drives to offer spiritual care for parishioners and others in hospital, long term care, and correction facilities.  Distance from centres of education and reduced finances make ongoing learning challenging at times.  Rural clergy usually do not have a 'ministry staff' to assist with the work, and thus carry heavy loads themselves.  In addition, rural churches are usually seen as 'first call' places, with lower stipends and little prestige.  Many rural churches thus tend to have a series of newly ordained, short term ministers who face situations they are professionally, personally and spiritually unprepared for.

 

            "Any plan to address rural poverty in practical ways needs to both acknowledge the extraordinary contribution these people (lay and ordained) make, and ensure that the implementation of additional programs does not further increase their load of responsibility.  Hometown leaders need support, encouragement, and assistance to be part of the answer to rural poverty.  They need to be included in decisions, programs and implementation strategies, since they have both intimate knowledge of local concerns and the trust of local residents."...

 

Affects of rural depopulation - "Rural depopulation takes its toll on membership, forcing churches to close or amalgamate.  This weakens the ability of the church to serve the community, creates gaps where social services do not and cannot fill in.  The values of faith that shape both individuals and communities erode, leaving a culture impoverished by visible and personal expressions of the virtues upon which our country was built.

 

Working with schools - O'Reilly lists the many ways she and congregational members work with local schools (mentorship, snack programs, student and staff support, etc.)  When one community's high school was closed and 2 elementary schools were amalgamated, despite strong protests from the community, residents felt betrayed.  "Clergy met with school principals regularly to offer support and assistance and were present at community meetings.  In the aftermath of the decision, churches and clergy worked hard to foster healing and hope in the transition."

 

Area to become 'Garbage Dump' - Now the government has approved "what will be the largest landfill in the province ... to be located on the very  edge of the village ... Over 600 acres of farmland (will be used).  Every six minutes, day and night, a fifty foot garbage truck will travel to that site and unload." ... "The atmosphere of weariness at fighting a major corporation and the provincial government, the loss of community control, a deep sense of not being heard or respected, and anger that land once valued for food production is now being used to store waste prevail.  Concerns about financial poverty are growing, but there is another kind of poverty abounding:  a poverty of hope, of respect, of pride in one's home town, the value of the land, and the task of stewardship of creation.  There is anger at the process.  There is disgust" that the 'Greater Toronto Area' refuses to implement "even a modest garbage reduction program"....

 

Conclusion - "There are great problems faced by rural congregations and rural clergy.  There are also great opportunities to be seized, in order to make a difference for good, and in the name of a loving God, for rural people and rural communities.  The strength of spirit that characterizes rural congregations humbles and inspires me.  They also make me bold to say that we must not, as institutions of church and state, abandon, dismiss, or diminish the rural people and communities that are part of this country.  They have much to offer Canada; they also offer Canada an opportunity to learn, respect, and support rural people and rural places.  Without our rural churches, without the values they express and the beliefs they live out, Canada will be an impoverished place."

 

 

Notes on Question-and-Answer Exchange Between Senators and O'Reilly

 

Chairperson:  "This is the first time we have heard this kind of presentation.  It is very brave and moving.."

 

Increased need for food banks - numerous single parent homes, drastic drop in farm income.  Box stores take away from small businesses, seasonal employees get minimum wage.  "I see poverty the most through our work at school ..."

 

Can anything be done?

●  "If rural people can feel their voice is actually being heard and that it does make a difference, it would go a long way in fostering a sense of energy, respect and encouragement.  Rural people are incredibly resourceful ... survivors."

●  When things are initiated because they "seem to be politically or financially expedient" this is very painful.

●  Examples of what could be helpful include "funds to help fund a youth Centre" ... without a lot of paperwork, offering solid work opportunities, money for school and sports programs (instead of cutbacks); travel subsidies for healthcare and counseling appointments and for children in sports activities...

 

Have people moved away? - There are no opportunities for children and grandchildren of established families, even when they want to stay in the community.

 

What about volunteers?

●  Two thirds of congregation are involved in some volunteer work", aged 50-plus.  Younger retirees are attracted to community for variety of reasons, and are ready to volunteer.

●  "Volunteer appreciation" is essential, and recognition that many give up on one job to move on to "something that suits their energy level" as they age.

●  Donor fatigue is prevalent - if there was "financial support for organizations so that their work is able to continue without doing so much fundraising ..."

●  Access to money is needed without doing miles of paper-work.

●  It's about compassion and concern for your neighbour.  In rural areas people know each other.

 

Are other churches involved?

●  Some face their own financial viability issues, or have problems with leadership

●  Rural clergy need to commit themselves to a community for 5 to 7 years to gain trust and respect

 

Re job creation, what can Government do?

●  "Seed money for people who want to try their own small businesses ..."  Competition with larger centres is enormous.

 

On the separation of Church and State?

●  "It doesn't mean the two cannot work in partnership together.  It is quite possible for faith groups, Christian and otherwise, to work with the state when it comes to the well-being of people in the community."

●  The example of the wonderful work of the Canadian Food Grain Bank was noted by a Senator.

 

What percentage of the needs do you think you are meeting? - "Less than half."

 

How do we deal with a secularized society where people have lost respect for each-other?

●  rural clergy need to have support and encouragement to stay and continue to learn how to serve the community

●  We can model positive values by the way we live.

●  "Churches need to be bold to address these issues, talk about them out loud, and encourage people to live out what they believe ... It is critical for the church not to sequester itself away in its own bubble where we just talk about these things in a holy huddle."

 

Concluding remarks from Chairperson

"Thank you ... This has been a very important presentation ... We are looking very vigorously at rural poverty out on the land ... We have been focusing on one thing and all of a sudden this large picture comes before us.  If we are faltering on the land, in the agriculture, the farm community ... then the questions we are asking and we are hearing is:  What happens to the small communities that are very much the roots of our rural Canada...?

 

"The things you have been talking about today are interesting.  The degree to which a variety of different religious organizations have been enormously helpful and very much at the heart of keeping many of our small rural structures together is extremely important ...

 

"The kind of work you do, and it must be extremely frustrating because of the lack of outside contribution, is incredibly important and I want to thank you for coming here and being so open and forthright about your own frustrations and how you respond when you see difficulties and sadness in the community ...  We wish you well and all of those who work with you and those you help."

 

(Summary notes of a much longer document have been written by Joyce Sasse.  August 2007)

 

 

IRCA "Conference Scattered"

 

            Clusters of folks in 14 communities across Canada (and from South Dakota) hosted delegates who were enroute to the IRCA gathering in Brandon.  They welcomed visitors into their homes, their parishes and their communities.  The gave the guests opportunity to visit local health care facilities, dairies, piggeries, grain elevators, fisheries and Hutterite Colonies.

 

            Many shared the sadness of hearing about elevator closures, the abandonment of rail lines, and the changes in farm ownership.

 

            Canadian Catholics hosted a New Zealand Methodist and an Australian Uniting Church minister; and the Baptist rectory become "home-for-a-week" to the Conference Chairperson from New Zealand.

 

            "For those who came from different natural, environmental, cultural/historical, and social/political backgrounds", our Korean delegates notes, "Conference Scattered provided much information and understanding about rural life style and diverse agricultural practises.  It played an important role in bridging the gap between the people from the east and those from the west through intimate daily contacts and growing affection."

 

            "Most of all I remember (my hosts') generosity," one person wrote.  "We talked about life and rural issues and church issues.  And we laughed a lot together as we formed bonds of friendship that will be my lasting memory of my time (here)."

 

            Undoubtedly, the "Conference Scattered" tradition will be on the "Want List" of coming gatherings.

(Summary notes by Joyce Sasse, August / 07)

 

 

 

Stories of Hope Shared Through Field Trips

 

 Faced with identity crisis, economic struggles, and life-style challenges, leaders of the three field trips helped IRCA delegates see the directions they were taking to build more positive futures.

 

First Nations

            Over the course of 10 hours, Aboriginal leader Bernice Saulteaux helped visitors hear stories from the past, see what life on one Reserve was like in the present, and learn how anxious her people are to define their place in modern society.

            By re-learning their traditions, the hope of many native leaders is that their people will find their identity and be able to make meaningful contributions to the broader Canadian culture.

 

Support for Families

            Through Community Gardens, a Local Soup Kitchen, the Food Bank, a Health Care Access Centre, and a Farm Stress Line, agencies in the City of Brandon have coordinated their efforts in offering support and assistance to individuals and families who require assistance.

            It was affirmed that there is strength in the inter-connectedness and communication between all these Service Agencies.

            "When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless.

             But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment

             that comes from knowing you are working to make things better."  (Pauline R. Kezer)

 

Food Production

            Beef and grain production, marketing and sharing was the focus of the field trip organized by supporters of the Canadian Food Grain Bank.

            The beef and grain producer hosts were family centred, were committed to sustainable methods of production, and were keen supporters of the Food Grain Bank (with its efforts to support food projects throughout the world).

            In response to the question of how farming was an expression of their faith, one family responded "it offers solid family values; give and take.  The strength and perseverance have all been strong aspects of enriching our lives.  The farming life style promotes courage and strength."... Seeking God's will was crucial to their decision making in all aspects of their life.

            The second family noted that it was important to look for ways to help others, to not bid against neighbours, and to employ youth.

            "Both farmers spoke sincerely of God's blessings upon them and their families."  Community and church relationships were an essential part of their lives.

            In the discussion that following, it was agreed that the problems and concerns of rural communities are universal.

(Summary notes by Joyce Sasse, August / 07)

 

 

 

 

The Dialogue Has Only Begun ---

Issues to be addressed across international network

 

The "Conference Gathered" has been only a starting point as the Rural Church Movement continues to extend itself into more rural communities around the world.  Through e-mail and web exchanges, Brandon delegates want to invite others to join them in continuing discussions on four primary issues of concern.

 

The Devaluation of Rural Communities needs to be addressed -

●  Affirm community norms that underpin healthy communities.

●  Show how words and ideas are being manipulated to distort meaning and influence decisions.

●  Remember "Big" doesn't necessarily equate with "Good".

●  Find ways to affirm rural people's cultural and spiritual values.  Rural communities and churches are rich in expertise and resources.

--- We believe rural communities can model an alternate vision: to work cooperatively for peace, to seek justice for all, to demonstrate sustainable and healthy community.

 

Water and Land Issues

●  The cry of our hearts is that the God given gift of water should not be the property of multinational companies / governments.  We encourage individual and collective storage systems from times when water is in abundance for use when there is drought.

●  We decry "progressive attitudes" that waste and over-use volumes of water, and the way urban sprawl destroys fertile land.

 

Recommendations from this committee:

●  That we use the IRCA network to inform people when there are problems.

●  That we share info about successful projects so others can build on this experience.

●  That we promote the "Water for Life" program of the WCC.

●  Protect natural water sources and systems for habitat.

●  Find creative ways to get the message of "Equitable" use of water to Governments and Corporations.

 

Leadership Issues

●  We believe in shared leadership and cooperative decision-making (everyone is a leader and everyone is led).  The wish is to help everyone discover their leadership gifts.

●  Many who do not understand or believe in shared leadership, hold on to power in destructive ways.

●  National denominations are slow to listen to rural initiatives and respond to rural training needs.

●  Through network exchanges, IRCA participants can share leadership stories and resources.

 

Empowering the Church in its Healing and Community Building Roles

In the face of racial and ethnic prejudice and rural decline, we need to find ways to think creatively about how the church can best serve the community.

Sometimes it is easy to slip into survival mode, or to use our size as an excuse for not growing in our faith.

But by building strong community relationships, keeping lines of communication open, sharing our stories, recognizing it take time to build trust and make changes, the Church can be a source of healing and hope in the community.

(Summary notes by Joyce Sasse, August / 07)

 

 

 

Conference Statement of Concern

 

from the IRCA 2007 Conference, Bandon, Manitoba,  July 10, 2007

to National and Regional Church Councils and Congregations

(both rural and urban)

 

We, the participants in this the 4th International Rural Church Association conference, meeting in Brandon, Canada, affirm our faith in the God revealed in Jesus Christ and made present to us through the Holy Spirit.   We worship God as Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

 

● We are concerned by the degradation of creation and disregard for the Creator.  We call on all people to live carefully and respectfully on the earth, reducing waste and pollution.  We seek an equitable and sustainable use of the world's resources by all who draw on them.

 

● We affirm the worth of all people.  We agonize over the injustices perpetrated on the people of First Nations, migrants and seasonal workers.  We long for an integrated society where all will be treated with fairness.  We believe that the voice of the voiceless must be heard and heeded.

 

● We view with concern the numbers of people who lack adequate food and we demand a fair distribution, without paternalism, of the world's resources.  We seek encouragement towards self-sufficiency and a fair price for all producers of goods.

 

● We affirm the importance to society of people with farming skills.  We ask that those skills be valued and enhanced.  We ask that everything possible be done to create and sustain vibrant rural communities.

 

● We are concerned by the way economic colonization is engineering society for the benefit of corporations and impinging on individual choice for the sake of monetary gain.

 

● We seek solidarity between rural producers and urban consumers to ensure the co-operative production of food and the shortening of the supply chain between producer and consumer.

 

● We believe in the priesthood of all believers and urge that ordained and lay people be trained to share in this ministry. We continue to urge denominations, theological colleges and institutions to provide training appropriate to rural and small congregations.

 

● It is a cry from our hearts that all people live in faith, hope and love. We urge Christians to live out these values in a Christ like way, to testify courageously to God's continuing work, and to live with a spirit of expectancy.

 

We commend this Statement to judicatory bodies, national and regional church councils, congregations, both rural and urban, for prayerful consideration, discussion and action.

 

 

New IRCA Executive

 

Chairperson - Lothar Schullarus - a parish minister in Switzerland and Romania

 

Secretary - Gary Hardingham - a parish minister who travels by plane to serve congregations in

                                                 Australia's Outback

 

Next meeting of IRCA - to be held within 3 1/2 years at a site to be chosen by the Executive.

 

IRCA website - www.irca.is