¡Vamonos! International Justice Camp in Matanzas, Cuba

After years of dreaming and planning, the first-ever international Justice Camp will commence on April 30, 2016 in Matanzas, Cuba. The unique program will bring together a diverse group of 50 Anglicans from both Canada and Cuba to explore the concept of the common good and what that means with respect to furthering God’s justice and loving purposes.

The highlights of the camp will be shared in a variety of ways. “We hope people will follow along to glean insights from this cross-cultural, justice-based ministry program,” says the Reverend Bill Mous. The justice camp website gives a good overview, including blog posts leading up to the camp. Matt Gardner, corporate communicator from the Anglican Church of Canada, hopes to blog from Justice Camp, depending on his ability to be connected to the internet. Anglican Video is also sending a crew in order to capture the essence of the program and share it with the church national and Anglican Communion.

Through a week-long program of directed immersion experiences, biblical reflection, worship, and relationship building, participants form friendships and develop skills to become effective social justice leaders within their own local communities.  Issues related to food security, economic justice and social engagement will be featured throughout the camp.

The idea for the location of the camp resulted from a companion diocese meeting in 2014 when Bishop Michael Bird was the invited guest of Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio at the Diocese of Cuba’s annual synod. “The Camp will be a living expression of their covenant companionship as dioceses and partners in God’s mission, and an opportunity for many more Canadian and Cuban Anglicans to live our baptismal vows in new ways with one another,” writes Dr. Andrea Mann, director of global relations for the Anglican Church of Canada.

This Justice Camp has brought together a number of Anglican partners, each offering their own unique gifts to the planning process. The lead partners are the Diocese of Niagara and the Diocese of Cuba, and they have been supported by The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and the Anglican Church of Canada.

A generous grant from the Anglican Foundation has also enabled this initiative.