Is Donald Trump Welcome at St. Paul’s

Hi folks,

I know many people asked for a copy of my sermon, so here is the text. What I  realized as I compared my manuscript to the audio version is that because I usually work from notes rather than a full script there are some significant variances. Because of this, I have made a few edits. Also, it is really hard to figure out where there is humour involved. This is exacerbated even more because it is not on video. (An audio version will be going online shortly. There were technical problems with the video.)

Also, as clergy realize, usually the prayers and the music are meant to support the message. So the sermon is embedded in the service outline. Please note, the Call to Worship and Opening Prayer are modified slightly from a service developed by Saskatchewan Conference 2017 Affirming Ministries Service.

Now, I must send a note to Donald to let him know he is welcome and invite him out for a hamberder.

Steve

Call to Worship
All are equal before the Divine spirit of God.
We each have a spark of the Divine within us.

May we seek and find the spark of the Divine within us.
May we feel the presence of the Divine in others as we gather here and as we enjoy the gathering of our community this week.

May we seek and find the best in others with the help of the Divine.
May we seek and find our best selves with the help of the Divine.

*Hymn Draw the Circle Wide MV 145

Opening Prayer
God of Love, we come together as one yet we aren’t alike.
We don’t look, think or act alike.
We don’t all like the same things or the same people.
Despite our diversity we are all made in your image.
May we never forget it is your image that we reflect.
We pray for a welcoming & just church here and around the world.
Yet we don’t always like each other or the views others hold.
Open us to see that other good people can hold divergent views and
travel different paths.
Enable us to journey with dignity and value otherness.
Help us to seek good in everyone and strive for justice for all.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother, who taught us to pray and sing :
Our Father, in Heaven – Hallowed be thy name –
Your kingdom come, ¬– your will be done,
On Earth as in Heaven.
Give us today – Our daily bread. –
Forgive us our sins – As we forgive those – Who sin against us. ¬–
Lead us not – Into temptation – But deliver us – From evil –
For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours –
Now and forever. – Amen. – Amen. –
*Sign of Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

Refrain There Is Room For All MV #62
There is room for all, in the shadow of God’s wing;
There is room for all, sheltered in God’s love.
And I rejoice and sing, “My refuge and my rock, in whom I trust.”
There is room for all, there is room for all. (x2)

Time with Our Children

Centering Music Words and music by Bruce Harding (1999)
Shine upon us, like the morning sun rising in the eastern sky.
Shine upon us, may the radiance of your love and comfort fill our lives.
God, we wait for your light; guide us to your way of peace.
May our darkness disappear! From all sorrow may we find release. 2x
Shine upon us. Shine upon us. Shine upon us.

Listening for God’s Word

Gospel Luke 19: 1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Matthew 23: 23-28, 33
‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!
‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.
‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon:  The All Inclusive’s Hidden Costs!
(Embracing Your Inner Trump on Your Birthday!)

I want to begin by thanking Art and his unindicted co-conspirators.

 

The title I was given by Art was, The All Inclusive’s Hidden Costs! (Embracing Your Inner Trump on Your Birthday!)

It has morphed into: Is there a place for Donald Trump at St. Paul’s.

Lots of emails, messages on Facebook, texts, calls – even late last night while I was at the hockey game with my father-in-law.
Some were helpful.

One of the suggestions said it was easy,
Ask the congregation if there is anyone without sin to please raise their hand; when no one puts up their hand drop the mic and walk away. Not a bad idea in some ways.

There are a couple of problems with that. Getting the headset off is never easy and it would muss up my hair.

The other problem is that Jesus tells woman to go away and sin no more. The sin no more thing is the problem.

I know what would be said in response, “But Steve, doesn’t Jesus say that we are supposed to be limitless in our forgiveness?

Jesus does say to Peter that we are to forgive not 7 times but 7 times 70.
Well there are a couple of problems with this too:
– In Luke’s version of this story, Jesus also talks about repentance – change – transformation.
Second thing – math was never my strong suit.
According to the Washington Post, five days ago, Trump has uttered 8,158 false or misleading statements in his first two years in office – a little better than 11 a day.

Friends, I’ve never been great at math but that is even more than 70x7x7.

So this all leads up to that reading by Art; it is one of the harshest condemnations in the scriptures. He is in a confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees, the leading religious authorities of the day, a group he has spoken with on many occasions, a group who refuses to change their perspective – their narrow understanding of God, a group that exercises power and control over the people and Jesus condemns them,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tax mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?”

Not exactly meek and mild. He actually calls them a bunch of snakes and a brood of vipers. You don’t have to be from the Middle East to realize this is a pretty serious insult. He knew them, he named their sins and why they were serious.
– All too often we have sort of sanitized Jesus. This is the side of Jesus who is willing to speak truth to power – even at the risk of his own life.

But again, this isn’t the simple answer. We need to remember who we are and whose we are.

I know there are some of you who don’t like ministers to touch on subjects that involve politics – idea of separation of church and state.

The separation of church and state does not mean that the church should not talk about justice. In fact, it allows the church or the mosque or synagogue to speak clearly about society and how we are governed since the earliest recordings in the Bible.

Walter Brueggermann, one of the most and maybe the most influential Biblical scholars of the last several decades has said, “the public agenda is not an add-on for gospel faith, but it really is the core business of the Gospel. Most of us are hung up on private matters. So we put all of our energy into questions about sexuality and abortion and gays and all that kind of stuff — which is not unimportant, but those are not the core issues of scripture. The core issues of scripture are public, political and economic justice. Justice is central to Jesus’ ministry; it is central to the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament; and it is central to the Torah tradition that lies behind the prophetic tradition.“

Because I take the Bible seriously, I will stand with Brueggermann and with a couple of other preachers who I respect and admire, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu. Justice is at the heart of the Gospel and we need to cry out for justice.

That is what has driven the United Church since our inception:
Not only do we believe in justice, in peace and in inclusion we have lived it out faithfully.

– We ordained Lydia Grunchy, a woman, in 1936. (Some denominations still don’t.) Some left the denomination because of this.
– We decided that sexual orientation was not a barrier to ministry for gays and lesbians in 1988. We lost about 1/3rd of our members because of this.
– This congregation was one of the first in this region to agree to marry gays and lesbians.
– Now, as we move toward being formally recognized as an Affirming Church we are about to start a study centered around an Unfinished Dollhouse, the story of a families transition with a transgender child.

– In 1986, our denomination apologized to First Nations people for the way we imposed our beliefs on them and their ancestors and how we failed to recognize their beliefs in the sacred could help us more fully understand our Creator in a good way. – – – There were many who believed using the word apology would cause a financial catastrophe for us.
– We continue to walk with them and work with them so they receive justice and so we all learn and grow.
– We believe in human rights so much so that we are willing to partner with Palestinians in their struggle for recognition of their rights with the Israelis.

– We believe in science and we believe that as the scriptures tell us we are stewards of the world and we need to act to end global warming.

– We believe that there is no reason why poverty should exist in Canada.

Much of what I believe and what the UCC stands for can be summed up in Cornel West’s comment, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”

So, now let me get around to the subject at hand Donald Trump
Trump is a liar, greedy, hedonistic, he is a misogynist, narcissist, megalomaniac and is xenophobic.

He doesn’t believe in science or climate change.
He doesn’t understand that “trickle down” economics doesn’t work. And – he doesn’t get diplomacy.

He likes some of the most dangerous “strongmen” in the world:
Putin, Duterte, Kim Jong Un, Mohammed Bin Salman, Netanyahu.

Breath, Steve, breath. Steve, maybe, you should go a little easier. That is what many said to Tutu, to King, to the suffragettes, to Nellie McClung, to Jesus and to the prophets before him.

What he is doing is harming people.

I was having a serious conversation with one of my American friends about health care. He is probably a Republican. He looked at me and said, “He is trying to kill my child.” It became very real and personal for me.

I’ve also seen the havoc he has caused in Palestine and I know that the funding cuts he has put in place, according to doctors there, is killing people.

That is why I want to cling to that reading from Matthew and Jesus encounter with the scribes and Pharisees.

But then there is that other story that Michelle read for us about Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was not a nice person. He was someone who would have been hated by his fellow Jews. He betrayed them, he was in league with the Romans who as occupiers were in the business of sucking as much money as they could out of the people. As a result, he became rich.

Some of you remember the old song about him. (I won’t be singing for you.)
Zacchaeus was a wee little man,
A wee little man was he.
He climbed up in the sycamore tree,
The Savior for to see.

I don’t know why he wanted to see Jesus so desperately.
Jesus knew who he was when he saw him up the tree and he called up to him. “Zacchaeus get down out of there! Tonight, I will be hanging with you!” In that moment, he was transformed. Forever changed.

I’ve seen many people who have been transformed;
– those who believed that gays and lesbians were different and should be excluded,
– those who believed immigrants and refugees were a burden,
– those who believed that might makes right,
– those who believed there is no hope for reconciliation with family or friends,
– those who believed that human rights didn’t matter in other parts of the world,

I’ve seen many;
– who have been touched by God’s grace and God’s love and who have found a new way.
– who have had the scales drop from their eyes,
– who have seen the light of God’s love.

President Obama was fond of speaking about, “finding our better angels.” Today, it seems today as if there is someone who is appealing not to our better angels but to our darker ones has made so many things that were once unacceptable – normal.

Dr. King, once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Is there room for all? Of course there is.
But in that, I also know that I must continue to be transformed. I must continue to be transformed by the power of God’s light and love that comes from God that flows through you. I know that our church and our denomination has been transformed by the power of God’s light and love that flows through you also. I know that there is room under God’s sheltering wings, God’s healing wings, where light can come in, where the love that is needed can change each of us and can change the world.

I know I need to continue to be transformed – as we all do to become more fully human, to become more fully the people God created us to be. I need to become more open to the light that comes from God and so does the church. We need to remember who Jesus was in all aspects of his ministry and teaching. We as individuals, as people of faith need to be transformed through love.

We must move beyond our own blind acceptance of our own beliefs and perspectives. We need to be transformed in terms of our own accountability.

I believe our church is transformed by each of you and your light. Your light that reflects God’s love

Thanks be to God – for the light and the love that we know.
Thanks be to God for the transformative power that helps all to find healing.
Thanks be to God for the light and the love that gives us the strength to reach out as God’s people to proclaim God’s justice and God’s love and God’s mercy. Amen.

Hymn Deep in our Hearts MV#154

Responding in Gratitude and Faith
Community at Prayer

Offering

*Offering Dedication What Can I Do? Paul Rumbolt
What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

Going Out to Love and Serve

*Hymn Go, Make a Diff’rence MV 209

*Commissioning and Benediction

Postlude

The Call to Worship and Opening Prayer are adapted from the Saskatchewan Conference 2017 Affirming Ministries Service.

Ralph Goodale: Canadian Minister of Public Security Offers a Slap in the Face to Palestinians and a Pat on the Back to Netanyahu

Dear Minister Goodale,

I am writing to you on behalf of the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel. We are a network composed of members and friends of the United Church of Canada.

The installation of Gov. General Julie Payette reminded us of the importance of signs and symbols. Remembrance Day reminds us of Canada’s history of support for peace and justice internationally.

Recently you attended a meeting in occupied East Jerusalem. This was a symbolic pat on the back for the Netanyahu government and a slap in the face to the Palestinian people.

As you are aware, in December, the UN Security Council passed SC 2334 that chastised Israel for its ongoing violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention in relation to the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and further incursions of the wall beyond the Green Line.

Your meeting occurred shortly after the Israelis demolished four elementary schools in Palestine. In response, the Belgian deputy Prime Minister condemned this action, “By undermining such humanitarian projects, Israel contravenes its international obligations as an occupying power.”

These actions by the Israelis are tantamount to collective punishment targeting vulnerable Palestinian children and will inflame tensions for generations to come and represent a further violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

As a former human rights observer in the West Bank, I witnessed on a daily basis Israeli violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. It was especially disturbing to witness the intimidation tactics of the Israeli military against Palestinian children including arresting and putting on trial children as young as 12 in Military Courts.

 

– Would you please explain why you breeched diplomatic protocol by meeting in East Jerusalem? After all, would you have met with Russian officials in the Russian occupied sections of Georgia?

– Alternatively, does your government reject the concerns of the Security Council outlined in SC 2334?

– Further, do you as Minister of Public Safety, believe we actually have anything to learn with respect to public security from the only nation in the world that prosecutes 12 year old children before Military Courts?

This Canadian government needs to stand up for human rights around the world – especially for the rights of children.

Peace, Paix, Salaam, Shalom,

Rev. Steve Berube

Chair: United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel

 

 

Letter to Chrystia Freeland Re Khan Al Ahmar and Susiya

Sept. 23, 2017

The Hon. Chrystia Freeland,

Minister: Foreign Affairs – Canada

Dear Minister Freeland,

I am writing to you as chair of the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI), a network of members and friends of the United Church of Canada, to ask you to urgently apply diplomatic and public pressure to stop the imminent demolition of the Palestinian villages of Khan Al Ahmar and Susiya in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that all 42 homes and businesses in Khan Al Ahmar received demolition orders on February 19, 2017. The village has taken their case before Israeli courts. Final court hearings for the communities are due on September 25 (for Khan Al Ahmar) and October 1 (for Susiya) during which the judges are expected to authorise the demolitions, which could take place as soon as the next day.

In 2013, I served as a human rights observer in Palestine and Israel on behalf of the World Council of Churches. On one of my visits to Khan Al Ahmar in 2013, I was privileged to take the First Secretary at our embassy in Tel Aviv, to meet some of the people in the village.

Khan Al Ahmar survives without water, electricity and other basic infrastructure in “third world” conditions. Meanwhile water, gas and electrical lines for a nearby illegal Israeli settlement living in “first world” conditions are immediately adjacent to the village as shown in my photo below.

Demolitions and forcible displacement of Khan Al Ahmar, Susiya and similar communities are a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention:

– This forced relocation is a form of collective punishment in violation of Article 33.

– Article 49 prohibits all forcible transfers of civilian populations by an occupying power.

– Article 50 obligates the occupying power to ensure the proper working of all institutions devoted to the care and education of children. The demolition orders also target schools in these villages. For your information, beyond these villages, Israel has recently demolished three other schools in the occupied Palestinian territory.

– Article 53 prohibits the destruction of personal property by an occupying power unless it is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.

Further, this action can be construed as an act of systematic oppression by the Israeli government committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one ethnic group over a different ethnic group. This is prohibited under the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid: Article II (d).

Beyond the legalities, demolitions of entire villages leave hundreds of children, like the ones in the pictures from Khan Al Ahmar, and their families homeless.

 

According to Haaretz, Israeli authorities have confirmed that this widespread issuance of demolition orders is unprecedented, and is a declaration of intention in advance of an attempt to evacuate the entire village.

 

Morally and ethically, this action by the state of Israel is reprehensible, repulsive and repugnant. Our government, as a High Contracting party to the Fourth Geneva Convention is obligated to do all in its power to prevent this violation of international law. Further, this action flies in the face of SC 2334 by the Israeli government. This represents yet another major obstacle to the peace process .

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, you speak eloquently and frequently about the need to protect and defend human rights. Based on our treaty obligations and as a nation that supports international peace, I believe you are duty bound to publicly support the human rights of Palestinians in this instance.

 

I urge you to send representatives of the Canadian diplomatic missions in Palestine and Israel to visit Khan Al Ahmar and Susiya immediately. It is worth noting that in 2015, European Union representatives visited the Palestinian village of Susiya, which was threatened with demolition. International publicity and diplomatic pressure from this visit was vital in halting the planned demolitions at that time.

Please take urgent action to stop this imminent violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and to uphold Canada’s tradition of supporting human rights. On behalf of especially the children who welcomed me in Khan Al Ahmar and members of UNJPPI, I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

 

Rev. Steve Berube: UNJPPI Chair

404 Cleveland Ave.

Riverview, NB

E1B 1Y2

 

 

Wondering About Justin Trudeau’s Positions: Canada and Israel’s Shared Democratic Values, Security Council Resolution 2334 and Anti-Zionism

Below is an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who issued a statement on Israel’s Independence Day in which he made three statements that left me and many others, somewhat befuddled. On behalf of the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel I have asked him to clarify the following points:
1. He said Canada and Israel share “common democratic values”. Does this mean Canada embraces the concept of a 50 year-long occupation that violates international treaties and denies human rights and democracy to 4 million Palestinians as a shared democratic value?
2. He talks about our mutual desire to promote peace in the Middle East. I am curious how he views the latest UN Security Council Resolution that calls Israel’s illegal settlements, “a flagrant violation” of international law”, and that the settlements have, “no legal validity”. It would seem the Security Council might not share Mr. Trudeau’s understanding of what working for peace means. Since he has committed Canada to pursuing a seat on the SC it would be helpful if he clarified his position on this resolution.
3. Finally and most significantly, he states Canada is committed to fight anti-Zionism. I am unsure if he even understands what that means in the eyes of the international community. No Canadian PM, even Harper, ever mentioned anti-Zionism! So, it might be a good idea to clarify some of these points that he made.

Below, is the text of my letter, we await his response.

The Honourable Justin Trudeau P.C.,
Prime Minister,
House of Commons,
Ottawa K1A 0A6

May 11, 2017

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

I am writing as co-chair of the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI) seeking clarification of your remarks made in recognition of the establishment of the state of Israel.

The Biblical warrant is clear that people of faith are called to stand in solidarity with all who suffer but our priority must be with those who are suffering the most currently. As I write, the words of the prophet Ezekiel are at the forefront on my concern. Ezekiel 13:10 reads, “Because, in truth, because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace;”

You stated that Canada and Israel share democratic values. I am somewhat confused by this statement. Certainly, as Prime Minister you are aware Israel has illegally occupied Palestine for 50 years hence depriving more than 4 million Palestinians of their inalienable rights to peace and personal security as guaranteed under the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Canada is a High Contracting Party.

Further, it is clear that not all citizens of Israel are treated as equals under Israeli law in that Jewish citizens have more rights than their non-Jewish, specifically Palestinian neighbours.

Additionally, Israelis are governed under civil authority while Palestinians are governed under military law. Over 1,600 Palestinian prisoners have been on a hunger strike since April 17 demanding the Israeli government respect their human rights.

Based on these few examples, are Canadians to assume that Canadian democratic values include support for the 50-year long illegal occupation and the denial of rights guaranteed under the Fourth Geneva Convention to over 4 million innocent Palestinians?

Mr. Prime Minister, you speak of Canada working with Israel to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. Again, you are well aware of UN Security Council Motion: SC 2334 adopted on 23/12/2016. It states Israel’s settlement activity constitutes a “flagrant violation” of international law and has “no legal validity”. It demands that Israel stop such activity and fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Based on this international criticism, how do believe that Israel is working toward, peace and stability in the Middle East? Additionally, and a more important question, do you support SC 2334 or not?

This leads to the most serious question regarding your remarks, you speak of Canada’s commitment to fight, “anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.” Certainly, Canadians support working toward the elimination of hatred of any kind including anti-Semitism based on our values enshrined within the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Further, Canadians support Israel’s right to exist. Yet, you mention “anti-Zionism”. What do you mean by this term? As Prime Minister, do you support the right of Palestinians to a homeland based on the 1967 borders or do you support the pro-Zionist movement in Canada and Israel who believe the West Bank and East Jerusalem should be annexed by Israel and that Gaza should remain the largest “open air prison” in the world in perpetuity?

Do you somehow mean that your government will use your powers against Canadians exercising their freedom of speech, as guaranteed under the Charter, to criticize the state of Israel for its illegal occupation and denial of Palestinian human rights? Does your government oppose Canadians who stand in solidarity against pro-Zionist groups who want Israel to annex the West Bank and East Jerusalem?

These comments by you as Prime Minister of all Canadians cause Palestinian Canadians, human rights activists including members of UNJPPI and others serious concerns that demand clarification.

On a personal note, I served as a human rights observer in the West Bank and witnessed on a daily basis, Israel’s violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention as well as breeches of International Human Rights laws and Humanitarian laws. These laws are rooted in the international community’s response to the horrors of WWII where Canadians fought and died in the service of freedom, democracy and human rights for all people. I do not need to remind you of Canada’s history of support for human rights and the rule of international law. Yet, your statement, made on behalf of all Canadians, seem to turn a blind eye toward Israel’s denial or basic rights and freedoms to Palestinians guaranteed under international treaty. You must clarify your comments so all Canadians clearly understand your position!

These clarifications are especially important as you seek a seat for Canada on the Security Council against countries like Ireland and Norway who clearly stand on the side of human rights for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Mr. Prime Minister, the members of UNJPPI, Palestinian Canadians and other citizens concerned with human rights and the rule of international law look forward to the clarification of your remarks.

Peace, Paix, Salaam, Shalom,

Rev. Steve Berube
Co-chair: United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel

Cc The Honourable Chrystia Freeland P.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Peter Kent, Foreign Affairs Critic, Conservative Party of Canada
Hélène Laverdière, Foreign Affairs Critic, New Democratic Party
Elizabeth May, Leader, Green Party of Canada
Rhéal Fortin, Leader, Bloc Québécois
Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, Moderator: United Church of Canada
Nabil Maarouf, Chief Representative of the Palestinian General Delegation in Canada
Deborah Lyons, Canadian Ambassador to Israel

Religion, Divestment, Shareholder Engagement, the United Church and the Way of Jesus

Religion, Divestment, Shareholder Engagement, the United Church and the Way of Jesus

Religion is not rational. It is about relationships and symbols that speak to our lives and to our connections with what is within us and beyond us. It helps us connect to other people and to the creation as a whole. Religious beliefs ground our ethics. Theology helps us to see and hear the sacred in a disordered and flawed world.

Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple as a sign of God’s outrage with those who were taking advantage of the poor and powerless. After the incident, the moneychangers cleaned up the mess, complained to the authorities and went back to business as usual. Meanwhile, because Jesus had the audacity to react to immorality – he was arrested, beaten and executed.

Divestment from companies that support or profit from the occupation of Palestine may not be the same as overturning the moneychangers’ tables but it is a theological choice.  Primarily, it says to our partners, “We will stand in solidarity with you in your hour of need.” It is a way for us to be “salt and light” in the world.

Human suffering may not trigger a change in corporations but it should elicit a response from Christians. Divestment clearly says we refuse to support corporations that make people suffer. It puts our relationship with our brothers and sisters who “cry out in anguish” ahead of any commercial enterprise.

In some cases, shareholder engagement is an effective tool to bring about change. Unfortunately, in Palestine and Israel it has failed. Larger churches in the US have worked with Hewlett Packard, Caterpillar and others for years with no success. Dr. Richard Falk, former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine and Harvard Law Professor, has clearly stated that attempts by the UN failed with most corporations.

A year ago, the General Council (GC) of the United Church of Canada, the highest decision making body of the denomination, a group we believe is guided by God’s Spirit, requested the United Church, our foundation and pension fund divest from companies supporting or profiting from the occupation. Four years ago, GC directed, “the Executive of the General Council to explore the wisdom of divesting in companies that are profiting from or supporting the occupation.”

In response, a committee was formed to develop a policy regarding what euphemistically has been called responsible investment. No actions and/or recommendations on divestment in support of our partners in Palestine and Israel and our other partners in Guatemala who have ongoing concerns with Canadian mining interests have been forthcoming from this group. This leads to the question, what is our priority, developing a policy or supporting those who have been and who are suffering?

The will of the General Council is clear – divest. So why not divest, as requested and then develop a policy for future guidance? After all, there is no legislation that prevents the United Church or any other body from investing in or divesting from any one corporation. The wisdom of the General Council is clear. The stories from our partners are compelling. The groundwork done by other churches is faithful.  Finally, the overwhelming evidence from independent NGO’s, sister churches, the UN and other agencies in Palestine and Israel calls us to act!

The evidence in relation to the brutality of the occupation is abundantly clear. The firsthand accounts of our partners and the 20+ Ecumenical Accompaniers appointed by the denomination attest to daily violations of International Human Rights and Humanitarian laws. Credible international groups such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Defence for Children International, the World Council of Churches, B’Tselem, Rabbis for Human Rights and Addameer have clearly documented the reality of the occupation. Additionally, the last report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian territories is tantamount to an indictment for apartheid. So why not do the right thing, the just thing and act!

Religion and theology help to guide us in a disordered and tragic world. The prophet Micah wrote, “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The General Council has decided for justice and support for human rights and the rule of international law. It would serve us well as a denomination to listening to the cries of our partners and humbly respond by divesting from corporations that benefit from the occupation and then create a guide to responsible investing. After all, we do have a theological obligation to stand in solidarity with those who have suffered for 49 long years.

When we divest there will be criticism. There always is when we decide to stand for justice. I remember entering theological college in 1988 just after the GC decided that sexual orientation was not a barrier to ordination. There was a lot of criticism. Still, we trusted in the Holy Spirit guidance then and we did not delay implementation. Our church is richer for that decision.

Divestment is a sign and symbol of solidarity with those who are suffering. It is not a reasonable shareholder reaction – it is saying, “Here I stand I can do no other”. It may not be as dramatic as overturning the tables of the moneychangers but it is faithful to the one who calls us to be salt and light in the world.

 

In Response to the Green Party Support for BDS.

Dear David,

I wish to convey to you and the Green Party my sincere thanks and appreciation for all those who supported human rights, the rule of international law and the desire for a just peace that is at the heart of the non-violent BDS movement. Truly, the Green Party took a courageous stand in offering support to Palestinians and Israelis alike who long for an end to the military occupation in the Holy Land.

I know you will face criticism from some but BDS appears to be the best way to raise awareness and ultimate force the hand of the Israelis to enter into serious negotiations to end their 49 year long illegal occupation.

I will be happy to meet with you and any other Greens to discuss how we can co-operate with regard to furthering this issue.

This summer the lectionary readings from the Hebrew Scriptures in July were taken from Amos and Hosea. Each week they were scathing criticism of Israel for breaking the covenant by not caring for the least, the last and the lost. God’s anger was robust and harsh toward Israel.

As I have reflected on those readings over the past month it strikes me that in our day, criticism of any nation should be based on its care of people (especially the most vulnerable) and the environment. We need to move past notions of privilege and fear so we can focus on what is truly important – to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly as we work to offer hope and peace for this generation and those that follow.

I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Paix,

Steve

An Open Letter to the Green Party of Canada

To: David Coon, NB Member of the Legislative Assembly

Cc: Elizabeth May, MP

Dear David,

I write to you as a fellow New Brunswicker as the Green Party convention begins in Ottawa.

As you know, I served as a human rights observer in Bethlehem three years ago and I am I am still in touch daily with the situation on the ground in Palestine. I regret to inform you and other Green Party members that the situation for Palestinians continues to deteriorate. A few examples follow:

• Human Rights Watch reported on April 11, “Israeli security forces are abusing Palestinian children detained in the West Bank. The number of Palestinian children arrested by Israeli forces has more than doubled since October 2015.”
• This summer Israel has cut water supplies to the West Bank and did not impose similar restrictions on Israeli settlements. What is ironic is the Israeli company that controls the water supply draws water primarily from an aquifer under the occupied Palestinian territory.
• According to Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, the number of demolitions of Palestinian homes and farm structures in the first six months of 2016 exceeded the total for all of 2015
• There have been a number of extrajudicial killings of Palestinians by Israeli forces this year.
• Israel continues to expand settlements and move the wall deeper into Palestinian territory.

Unfortunately, these are just a few of the many instances of increasing pressure placed on Palestinians by Israel in the West Bank.

In Gaza, the situation is bleaker. Rebuilding efforts are still being restricted by Israel following the war two years ago when Israeli forces killed over 500 Palestinian children including 180 under the age of 6.

In addition, Israel has restricted the movement of many leaders in Palestinian civil society including Omar Barghouti, the head of the BDS movement. Palestinian members of the Knesset are also under attack.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s government and his supporters in Canada continue to conduct a relentless, well funded campaign to suppress the fundamental right of free speech for Canadians who support the non-violent BDS movement. Canadians who support BDS believe in the rule of international human rights and humanitarian law as well as the protections offered under the Fourth Geneva Conventions for all people including Palestinians. We call upon Israel to live up to its obligations under international law.

The claims that BDS supporters are anti-Semetic are spurious and unfounded.  Many Jews support BDS as is evidenced by the membership of Independent Jewish Voices in Canada and Jewish Voices for Peace in the US. Internationally respected human rights advocates such as Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Stephen Hawking and Alice Walker all support BDS. They too believe that legitimate debate is a hallmark of liberal democracies.

Canadians believe in human rights, the rule of law and free and fair debate. Therein, I trust the Green Party will stand in favour of supporting the rights of Canadians who advocate for human rights and the rule of law for Palestinians this weekend.

Rev. Steve Berube

Co-chair: United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel.

Parliamentarians: Do They Really Know?

Like most Canadians, I was shocked by the stories of residential school survivors. Many asked, “How could such a thing have occurred without people knowing?”

While serving as a human rights observer in Palestine and Israel I had an interesting conversation with a restaurant owner on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. As I was leaving, he asked if Palestinians ever had problems at checkpoints. My immediate thought was, “He really doesn’t know!”

At a reception at the Canadian Ambassador’s house an influential Israeli said to me that he use to have friends in Bethlehem. He paused and then filled with lament said, “It is as if somebody built a wall.” I wanted to say, “Yes. It is 26 feet tall, ugly and the International Court of Justice has ruled it illegal.” But, I realized he too, didn’t know.

I believe most Israelis do not really know what is going on in their name in Palestine. Just as most Canadians did not know what was going on in inside of residential schools. Just as many South African’s had no idea of what was going on in the townships.

The Conservatives have introduced a motion condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction movement. I doubt if many Parliamentarians debating the bill have spent any time in Palestine observing the reality of daily life for Palestinians. I suspect, they really don’t know.

Meanwhile, 25 plus Canadians, including myself, who have served the World Council of Churches in Palestine and Israel, along with trusted international human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as pro-peace Israeli groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights and B’Tselem have provided direct evidence of the state of Israel’s ongoing violations of the 4th Geneva Convention and its daily breeches of international human rights and humanitarian law. Additionally, these groups have documented the intimidation and provocation faced by Palestinians on a daily basis by the Israeli forces as well as by illegal Israeli settlers.

Canadians who support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement typically do so for the same reason as why they supported similar actions against South Africa – they believe in the rule of international human rights and humanitarian law.

After 49 years of occupation, perhaps it is time for Canadian Parliamentarians and citizens to bravely say to those with firsthand experience in Palestine, “Please tell me, what is really like!”

A Golden Jubilee

The news has been depressing so I haven’t posted in awhile. Things have been spiralling downward in Palestine and Israel. The level of provocation from the Israeli government has just continued to escalate since the summer. There have been parallel increases in military and settler violence directed toward Palestinians and in response there has been an increase in the number of individual Palestinians striking out against Israelis. It is very depressing.

On a personal level, I felt great after the United Church General Council meetings when we voted in favour of significant changes to our policy on Palestine and Israel. But since then, the inertia within the bureaucracy of the denomination has curbed my enthusiasm. (Any notion that I see any parallels between the dysfunctionality of church bureaucracy and that portrayed in the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm is purely coincidental and unintended ;-).

Then, I along with many Canadians felt relief when Harper’s Likud (a.k.a. Conservative) government was defeated. But, to date the new Trudeau government has not shifted the Canadian position at the UN with respect to Palestine and Israel. Of course, the new government has a few other things on its plate. The Climate Summit, the G 20 meetings and Davos for the Economic Summit to reintroduce Canada to the world, dealing with the situation in Syria with respect to refugees and finding a graceful way out of bombing that same country, plus dealing with an economy that has been collapsing because we became a petro-currency under Harper makes my frustration with the slow pace of my home renos seem like whining on my part.

So, I have been left feeling depressed and frustrated.

The other day I decide to have a nap, a good thing to do on a cold winter day. I was thinking about Jesus going to Nazareth and reading from the scroll of Isaiah. Then it came to me in a flash. I had an insight about why Netanyahu has been cranking up the pressure on Palestine.

I suspect Bibi has been reading the Bible and Shakespeare. He longs to be remembered by history as the archetype hero found in Shakespeare and the Bible.                                         – He realizes next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.   – He also recognizes the Shakespearean genius surrounding twists and turns in plots.

So to leave his mark on history, he will continue to put pressure on the Palestinians until the 50^th anniversary of the war and then declare the Year of the Jubilee! The land taken from the Palestinians will be restored! Reparations to those whose property has been destroyed and those who have been kept in prisons will be made! He will place flowers in the barrels of every rifle carried by the Israeli military. There will be great feasts and a huge truth and reconciliation project will be initiated! The Palestinian leaders will make similar efforts toward innocent Israelis who have been harmed.

These brave and bold actions will lead to world peace.

In reaction to Bibi’s conversion:

• Vladimir Putin will ride a horse from Moscow to London and then turn himself into British authorities.
• ISIS leaders will realize that Islam is a religion of peace and stand down.
• GM and Toyota will introduce vehicles that run on salt water.
• The money saved from military spending will be used to provide clean water, food, education and health care to all in need around the world.
• President Donald Trump will be especially touched. He will enhance and expand Obamacare, bring in significant gun control, welcome all immigrants to American shores, introduce a new tax on the wealthiest 2% and get a great looking new hair cut.

Then I woke up.

 

A Pentecost Gift from Naim Ateek on the birthday of Christ’s Church

 

Dear Friends,                                                                                                      It strikes me that Pentecost is a time for the church to focus on being the church. It is a time to look back celebrating all with which God has blessed us and to gaze forward to more clearly see the path God lays before us.

Below is a letter from Fr. Dr. Naim Ateek, the founder of Palestinian liberation theology and the Sabeel, Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, challenging the United Church of Canada us to continue to move faithfully along the path of our last General Council.

On this day, I remember back to 1988 when I entered the Atlantic School of Theology. A tremendous fear existed because of our decision that sexual orientation was not a barrier to ordination. Some complained that other churches and family members were calling the United Church a tool of Satan. Others were asked if the controversy was worth it. Meanwhile, a few and then many struggled to come to a deeper understanding.

Today, we celebrate with the Irish their decision that marriage should be open to gays and lesbians. We know the struggle continues for us and for the Irish to build a community where justice reigns and all feel welcome and safe.

Today, we look forward to the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I remember as chairperson of an Official Board those who were outraged by the legal risks taken by the denomination when we apologized to our First Nations brothers and sisters for the harm we had inflicted upon them. Meanwhile, others asked what can we do? We know the struggle for justice continues and there is a long way to go before it is achieved.

Today, I invite all of us to seriously reflect upon Naim’s letter and especially his invitation to us:
“As you have courageously done before, may you once again witness to the cause of Christ’s justice to free the oppressed and by so doing to liberate the oppressor so that these two peoples can finally be reconciled and live together in dignity, security and peace.”

It is important for us to deal with how we govern ourselves as a denomination. – But, it is far more important to follow along the path toward justice that God lays before us. We have begun the journey with other churches in the work for liberation and justice for our brothers and sisters in Palestine and Israel. Now we are being invited to deepen our commitment.

Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Paix,

Steve

My dear sisters and brothers in the United Church of Canada:

I thank you again for the decision of your last General Council to take action to support the end of the occupation of Palestine. Your Unsettling Goods campaign has helped to build awareness of the injustice of the occupation among Canadian Christians. The boycott of goods produced in illegal settlements by the United Church and other churches around the world has begun to bear fruit by bringing economic pressure on the Israeli government. Your commitment to a just peace has given us strength in the face of great adversity.

Since your last General Council the situation for Palestinians has deteriorated significantly. Settlements continue to expand as does settler violence and the theft of water and other natural resources. The destruction of olive trees and other crops by settlers and Israeli forces continues. There are increasing levels of abuses of power by the Israeli military including property confiscations, demolitions of homes and other structures, illegal arrests of under-aged children, illegal detentions, torturing prisoners, the use of excessive force up to and including deadly force against the Palestinian population. This is all backed by Israeli military courts with a conviction rate in excess of 99% against Palestinians. The injustice against Palestinians continues to deepen.

Beyond all of this was the horror of the war against Gaza last summer. Over 2,200 Palestinians were killed including over 500 children by Israeli forces. Current reports are stating that at the current pace it will take over 100 years to rebuild.

I therefore commend you to carry on with and expand your Unsettling Goods campaign. I urge the United Church of Canada to join with other denominations around the globe who have decided to boycott and divest from companies that benefit from the occupation. Also I urge you to recognize your own country’s complicity in Palestinian suffering under occupation. Please read and study the proposals before you that advocating furthering boycotts and divestment.

As you have courageously done before, may you once again witness to the cause of Christ’s justice to free the oppressed and by so doing to liberate the oppressor so that these two peoples can finally be reconciled and live together in dignity, security and peace.

God bless you all, as you as a Church wrestle to discern what God requires of you in this hour.

Yours faithfully,
Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek