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Social Justice

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Solidarity Network

Unarmed Civilian Protection in Palestine (UCPiP)
 

The NUC  Board agreed to support through the Nelson chapter of a Solidarity Network whose purpose is advocacy, prayer, education, financial support, and support of protective personnel living in the West Bank for a six monthperiod, a project with Unarmed Civilian Protection in Palestine.  https://www.ucpip.org/

On July 4, 2025, 300 people were forcibly displaced Muarrajat by Israeli settlers; the community no longer exists. UCPiP has been invited to work with the neighbouring Bedouin community of Ras al-Auja with the blessing of the people of Muarrajat, some of whom relocated to Ras al-Auja.  And so, Nelson United Church will turn its support to the safety and wellbeing of Ras al-Auja, a community of 1000 people deep in the South Jordan Valley.  
Read more about this: The Last Standing Palestinian Shepherding Community in This Area – Not Yet Evicted by Settlers"

United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine/Israel
is a grassroots network of United Church members and adherents, and other friends, established in 2012 in response to the calls from leaders of Palestinian churches in the Kairos Palestine Document (KPD). The Kairos Palestine Document eloquently describes the long-standing and worsening conditions faced by Palestinians living under the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. 

Since 2012 UNJPPI has been advocating with the United Church of Canada to become more active in supporting the call of the Palestinian Church.  Learn more about the history of UNJPPI.  UNJPPI works with General Council staff to strengthen our voice as a church.
The United Church has been sending Ecumenical Accompaniers to Palestine since 2003 through the World Council of Churches with the EAPPI program.  Ecumenical Accommpaniers (EAs) are volunteers who serve 3-month terms in the occupied Palestinian territories, as human rights monitors and accompaniers to vulnerable communities and individuals.   Their role is to witness and support while in Palestine and to return as advocates for justice.
While advocating to the United Church of Canada sometimes feels slow, since 2012 we have seen a shift in the understanding of individual United Church members and the broader church around Palestinian issues.  Learn more about the history of the United Church in relation to Israel & Palestine.
Since the fall of 2023 the United Church of Canada has become more outspoken in its support of justice for Palestinians culminating in August 13 with its letter to the Prime Minister asking Canada to break off diplomatic relations with Israel as a response to the opinion of the International Court of Justice. 
           read more > > > https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/support-just-peace-palestine-and-israel

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45th General Council recalled to deal with unfinished, urgent business on Sept. 13; several proposals dealing with Palestine and Israel receive overwhelming support.
45th General Council makes clear commitments to Just Peace regarding Palestine and Israel...
            read more > > >

Urgent Action Letters
These links will download recent "urgent action" letters to be sent to the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Please prayerfully consider sending them to the minister and others who might send them also.  

UA Letter October 5  — Shut down Canadian charities funding genocide & illegal settlement expansion
UA Letter September 28 — recognizing the State of Palestine 
UA Letter September 21 — Israel is committing Genocide in Gaza: UN & IAGS confirmation
UA Letter September 13 — the ongoing Genocide in Gaza and illegal Occupation of the West Bank by Israel​
UA Letter September 7 — Jews, Palestinians and Allies Call on Canada to Refuse the invasion of Gaza City
UA Letter Aug 31 — Airstrikes on hospitals war crime
UA letter Aug 13   — Arms Embargo Now
UA letter Aug 6   — Awdah Hathaleen – victim of illegal settler violence
UA Letter Aug 1 — UN General Assembly ruling:  Israel unlawful presence in West Bank, Gaza, and member states
UA Letter July 26 —   Canadian statements on Gaza – Act Now
UA Letter July 18 —  Targeting and murder of Gazan aid seekers
UA Letter July 15 — Muarrajat ethnic cleansing – illegal settlers responsible
​UA Letter June 26 — Support Just Peace in Palestine and Israel

Community Social Justice Partners

“In grateful response to God’s abundant love,
we bear in mind our integral connection to the earth
and one another;
we participate in God’s work
of healing and mending creation.”

~ A Song of Faith, The United Church of Canada

​

We believe that we strengthen one another to work, through God's grace, for a better world. To this end, we cooperate with other churches, faith traditions, and people of goodwill to eliminate poverty and injustice, to pledge respect for climate change and social justice. By partnering with others, we support work they see as vital to their well-being. This enables us to go far beyond our normal reach in responding to global initiatives.

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Nelson Interfaith Collaborative

Nelson United Church

602 Silica St, Nelson, BC V1L 4N1

office@nelsonunitedchurch.ca

1.250.352.2822

For millennia, Indigenous Peoples have lived on and cared for this land, their deep connection to it rooted in culture, identity, and spirituality. We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which we gather is located within the intersecting traditional territories of multiple First Nations, and is now home to diverse Indigenous People, including the Métis and Inuit. We recognize the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities. Though we do not fully comprehend the depth of these experiences, we commit ourselves to learning and reflection. We believe that sincere words can open hearts and inspire change. As fellow children of the Creator, we commit to walking the path of reconciliation together.

©2025  Nelson United Church.

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