In 2013 we celebrated CPJ’s 50th anniversary: a time to share and honour all the ways CPJ inspired and transformed public policy in Canada, to learn more about people whose courage and insight have led to lasting change, and to lift up visions for the future. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this celebration!
Our anniversary year included:
- special articles in the Catalyst on how faith and justice intersect
- online reflections from members across the country with different experiences and perspectives on CPJ’s work for transformation
- events that brought people together for learning, sharing, celebrating, and visioning
- our anniversary logo, which highlights the fire of passion and transformation we all bring to our work for justice
- the release of Living Ecological Justice, a worship, reflection, and study resource
Special Events
We held events in six communities throughout 2013:
Vancouver
Our kickoff event was held March 5, featuring CPJ policy analyst Simon Lewchuk and former intern Trixie Ling speaking about federal and local responses to the housing crisis. Thanks to board member Lee Hollaar for organizing and Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church for hosting!
Edmonton and Calgary
John Olthuis and Lorraine Land, former CPJ staff with a long and diverse history of advocacy for Aboriginal and ecological justice, spoke on “Reaching for Right Relationships: CPJ at 50” in Edmonton on May 30. Justine Vandergrift, a local musician, performed, all as part of our AGM with 120 people present. John spoke again with Mishka Lysack from the University of Calgary, in Calgary on Monday, June 3 to a group of over 40. Both events were pulled together by a dedicated team of volunteers–thanks to everyone!
Winnipeg
Our Winnipeg celebration on September 26 included the launch of Living Ecological Justice with speakers and readers Joe Gunn, Carol Thiessen, and Shaun Loney, and local musician Jaylene Johnson.
Toronto
We celebrated in Toronto on October 3 at the Church of the Holy Trinity with dinner, speaker Armine Yalnizyan, and live music from the Wine before Breakfast Band.
Ottawa
In Ottawa, CPJ supporters were joined by the Board of Directors at the Parliament Pub on November 1. The event featured author readings from our new book, Living Ecological Justice: A Biblical Response to the Environmental Crisis and the launch of our new website.
Anniversary Reflections
- January: Harry Kits, former Executive Director
- February: Kathy Vandergrift, former member of the CPJ Board of Directors
- March: Murray MacAdam, former editor of Catalyst
- April: Janet Wesselius, former chair of CPJ’s Board of Directors
- May: Brad Wassink, Public Justice Intern
- June: Karri Munn-Venn, Policy Analyst
- September: Trixie Ling, our first Public Justice Intern
- October: JoAnne Lam, Theology Intern
- November: Lee Hollaar, member of the CPJ Board of Directors
- December: Will Postma, member of the CPJ Board of Directors
