Category: Racial Justice

Janet’s Bytes – Nov 2021

Posted on by Janet Fedders

Let’s open things up even more and in so doing close up the gap between what Chapter is doing on your behalf and what you want to know.

I suppose by now most of you have seen The Video. It’s a visual representation of the Global Third Order statement about Standing with the Indigenous. If you’ve missed it, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmxnP-kL7cs&authuser=0

How to describe how that initiative got going!? It grew out of Sacred Ecology meetings between Mark MacDonald and Jeff Golliher. You all know that our brother Mark is the Archbishop to the Indigenous for the Church of Canada, right? And an Ojibwe himself. Those conversations were passed on to all the Ministers Provincial and our Minister General, and soon that statement became something for every one of our Provinces. It started on the grassroots level and just took off! And the Holy Spirit is still taking it places. In my next Bytes, I will talk more about that.

I want to share a couple of other things with you. Because of its growing importance, Lifelong Formation has now been split off from the Fellowship Guardian role. And Susan Pitchford is the new Director of that. I think you’ll agree that she is wonderfully suited to that mission. All our Provinces will now have such a Director, so conversations about Lifelong Formation can embrace all of us, around the world.

We have also gotten approval in Chapter for our Safeguarding Our Loving Community Policy (found on our website under Resources/Governance). In the next Franciscan Times you can read more about how we got there. One of the hallmarks of this policy is its emphasis on prevention, training and awareness. We have a Guardian of our Loving Community in place (welcome Cleveland Beach) and he will be talking to each of us about signing an agreement that we have read and accept the policy.

Peace and All Good to each of you! Janet Fedders

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Knee on My Neck

Posted on by Janet Fedders

Being offered again. Details soon.

“We are pledged to fight against the ignorance, pride, and prejudice that breed injustice or partiality of any kind.”

From the Second Aim, Third Order Principles  

Since the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Abery, protests have sprung up across the United States and throughout the world demanding real change.  Is this the time for that change?  Is this the moment to make a lasting difference?  It CAN be.  Let’s not let it slip by.

Embedded in the institution of slavery are principles that are the foundation of successive oppressive institutions in American culture today. Join us in this five-part webinar series to explore, understand, and strategize ways of transforming those corrupt principles intended to benefit a few, into life-affirming policies for the good of all.

“As Tertiaries, we are prepared not only to speak out for social justice and international peace, but to put these principles into practice in our own lives, cheerfully facing any scorn or persecution to which this may lead.”

From the Second Aim, Third Order Principles

Created by the Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah TSSF, Founder and Director of Roots & Branches, and assisted by the Rev. Chuck Kramer, member of the Reparations Committee of the Diocese of New York, and Mr. Dorian Lake, Dramatist, Knee on Neck: Slavery’s Ghost uses lectures, videos, drama, and other supportive resource materials. It aims to help participants generate plans and strategies for actions that embody and bear witness to policies and actions that affirm, support, and celebrate all.