CPJ urges poverty plan

OTTAWA, ON--Poverty reduction strategies have been successful in other countries, now it's our turn, says Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). The Christian lobby group has been working to get the government's attention about the 3.4 million Canadians living in poverty for years-now they're trying to reach Canadian citizens. Envisioning Canada Without Poverty is the name of a campaign CPJ is launching to help Canadians push the government toward developing a comprehensive poverty strategy and exploring poverty reduction strategies in their own church communities.
(www.cpj.ca)

War won't bring peace: MCC

WINNIPEG, MB--Peace in Afghanistan cannot be achieved through military means, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) says in a letter to Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations. The letter encourages congregations to urge the government to support peacebuilding in Afghanistan through dialogue and diplomacy. “To call for peaceful initiatives in Afghanistan at this present time is not to say that we have all the answers to the ongoing violence,” says the MCC letter. “It is to say war is not the answer. It is to say that Christ calls us to pray for, witness to, and speak out for a better way.” MCC works with organizations in Afghanistan that do development work and provide food, medical care and education.
(www.mcc.org)

New director at World Team Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON--Bill Allen is the new executive director of World Team Canada. Allan, who returned with his family from their work with World Team in Peru last summer, is accepting the position for an initial five year term, beginning in August. World Team is a mission organization that works to plant churches in various countries throughout the world. Allan and his wife Michele have been working with World Team since 1990.
(www.worldteam.org)

Saskatoon Anglicans veto same-sex blessing

SASKATOON, SK--The diocese of Saskatoon voted down a resolution to allow clergy whose consciences allow to bless same-sex marriages by a narrow margin at its April convention. This is the first time the issue has come before the Saskatoon synod. The vote was 41 to 38 against the adoption of the resolution.
(Anglican Journal)

Wycliffe College bestows doctorates

TORONTO, ON--Wycliffe College is honouring four Christian leaders with honourary doctorates at this year's convocation ceremonies. Linda Nichols, suffragan bishop of Trent-Durham in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto; Paul Kwong, primate of the Anglican diocese of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui and Bishop of Hong Kong Island; Andrew Stirling of the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto and songwriter Graham Kendrick of Kent, England will receive doctorates.

(www.wycliffecollege.ca)