OCCUPY and MY PARISH CHURCH

It was my intention to go to Toronto today to visit OCCUPY in St. James Park and the Cathedral, but my plans changed and I attended the regular worship service here at All Saints' Anglican Church, Peterborough, instead.

And I'm glad I did, for a couple of reasons. There was no heat in the church, so we worshipped in the parish hall next door (which was the original church building,) so it was easily converted, but also provided a different feel to the regular Sunday morning worship time – cosier, somehow, and people seemed friendlier. In fact, there was an air of “messy church”, which was fun, but everything went off without a hitch, including a newborn being baptized.

The other reason was Fr. Bill Gray's homily, based on the scripture readings for the day from Ephesians and Matthew, with a strong link made between the words of Matthew 25:31-46 and the OCCUPY Toronto movement.

Nodding of heads around me indicated I have not been alone in following news reports of Dean Douglas Stoute's words quoted last week when asked about the OCCUPY folk camped outside in the Cathedral park. “While some church neighbours are unhappy with the occupation, members of the general public have been 'overwhelmingly' supportive of the Occupy Toronto message, Stoute said. This is not about a tidy park: It's about social and economic dysfunction and injustice."

There are many issues, Fr. Bill said, and the message may be unfocussed, “but someone, somewhere, needs to make a statement that forces (causing the issues) need to be reined in.” We need to understand that we are vulnerable in the face of those forces”.

Today's Gospel tells of Jesus' parable about those who will inherit the kingdom. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” And when did we do those things? “And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Today we celebrate the Reign of Christ, so we are reminded that this charge is not only to us as individuals, but also to us as community, and not only the church but all nations, for this is “a universal problem”. Fr. Bill added: “I don't know what to wish for tomorrow. I know that we here at All Saints' want to support all efforts to support other people. We want to assure that Chloe, as she is baptized here today,” will grow up in a world where love and justice are possible for all people.

Fr. Bill also told the congregation that Archbishop Colin Johnson has now given permission for All Saints', Peterborough, to bless same-sex unions. This will be the only Anglican church in the Trent-Durham region authorized to offer such blessing, so we will reach out to all people in our area.

Now we await the judge's announcement tomorrow to know what will happen with OCCUPY Toronto. It is somewhat reassuring to know that some of the Toronto City councillors also support the OCCUPY movement.

And as I write, I have received the following message:

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: MICHAEL POLANYI <michaelpolanyi@rogers.com>
Date: Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 7:10 AM
Subject: Upcoming Faith-related Occupy Toronto Actions - please SHARE
To: "michaelpolanyi@rogers.com" <michaelpolanyi@rogers.com>
[Please note the date so # 1 and 2 are already out of date.]

Dear Friends:

Thirty people from various faith communities met last night at the Church of Holy Trinity with members of Occupy Toronto.

We discussed ways to support Occupy Toronto and its call for justice on the eve of a possible forceful eviction.

Here are five ways we are calling on people of faith to show solidarity in the coming days:

1. Prepare to provide a peaceful witness should the eviction occur by signing up for a 2-hour training in faith-based non-violent action training TOMORROW (Friday) at 4-6 pm at St. James Park

2. Publicly demonstrate our solidarity with Occupy Toronto and opposition to a forced eviction by joining the mass rally and march to City Hall on Saturday at 2 pm. Meet at St. James Park. If you can't make it in person call or email Mayor Rob Ford and your City Councillor urging them not to forcibly evict the protestors but to work towards a peaceful, mutually agreeable way forward.

3. Monitor the news and social media and join our urgent-response phone tree in order to be ready to go to St. James Park should an eviction begin (most like to happen during the night). Send your cell-phone number to Alexa at minister@windermerechurch.ca to receive a call/text should eviction begin.

4. Show solidarity by attending the Faith Outreach Day at St. James Park on Sunday, November 27. Email Bob at bobmce2002@yahoo.com for more information.

5. Donate or volunteer time or money to Occupy Toronto. They now accept donations through Alterna Savings (Danforth Branch, Account # 5025569). They also need donations on-site of hot or non-perishable food, sleeping bags, warm clothing and more (see www.occuptyto.org). They always need volunteers to help cook and serve meals and help in other ways. They appreciate the presence and listening ear of clergy and members of faith communities.

Finally, please join us at the next Faith and Occupy Toronto meeting on Wednesday, December 7 at 7 pm (location TBA).

Peace, and hope to see you soon,

Michael Polanyi

Lyn Adamson

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So I'm thinking that my parish church is not going to be standing alone in the call for support for OCCUPY Toronto. And I'm very happy about that.

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