As Anglicans, we understand that in building up our society we are also helping to prepare the way of God’s kingdom. Our prophetic command has always been to seek the well-being of the communities where God has placed us (Jeremiah 29.7), and in baptism, we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons”, and to “respect the dignity of every human being.”
In recent years, Anglicans across Ontario have been living out this covenant through advocacy on issues of poverty and housing. The provincial election campaign provides us with another opportunity to raise public awareness of the needs and burdens endured by so many in this province – hunger, inadequate housing, and poverty – and to help move policy decisions toward sharing abundant life which is God’s desire for all of us.
The Provincial Synod has prepared social media and bulletin resources to assist our people and parishes to live into God’s call for a just world where all have enough to flourish. The Provincial Synod twitter account (@ontanglicans) will also be engaging during the election campaign through daily tweets.
“It is important that our elected representatives hear from us. We all have a role to play in building a society in which all live with dignity. This is part of our baptismal vows and a response to the Gospel,” says the Most Reverend Colin Johnson, Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Ontario.
“Let’s Vote for a Poverty-Free Ontario” elections signs are also available. Bishop Michael will be putting a sign up on his front lawn and encourages all parishes along with the people of our diocese to do the same. Please email Jane Wyse indicating how many signs you would like along with your contact information and we’ll endeavour to get them to a location near you as soon as possible.
