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Letterhead

February 1, 2025

Dear Friends,

These are anxious times for so many.

The isolationist policies of our neighbouring nation and largest trading partner have already had a chilling effect on economic development here in Canada. Our region is the heartland for automotive manufacturing and agriculture and food. These US tariffs are forecast to cause the loss of 500,000 jobs in our region alone.

This week, in London alone, Maple Armor Group and Anova Pharma announced that they are scrapping their plans to build manufacturing facilities in our city. People are anxious - understandably so.

It would be easy to give in to despair. At this moment in history, we are bearing witness to the non stop clamour of those with disproportionate power and wealth in our society delusively imploring us to hand them more. To suggest these are uncertain times is an understatement. But we are a people who follow in the Way of Jesus. This demands of us to hope against hope.  Now is our time to get to work. As followers on the Way, we have much to do;

Now, more than ever, we are called to be a light in times of darkness -

Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone. Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. Avoid every kind of evil. Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. The one who is calling you is faithful and will do this.  (1 Thessalonians 5:14-24)

We now, more than ever, must be a voice for those without a voice.

“Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Now, more than ever, is the time for us to welcome those rejected and excluded by the absolutists of our modern empires.

Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:34)

Now, more than ever, is the time for us to resist, showing our commitment to peace and the way of nonviolence.

When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

when slandered, we speak kindly. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.” (Luke 6:27-29)

Now, more than ever, is our time to double down on our efforts to live the fullness of our baptismal covenant:

“To strive for peace and unity among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.”

Now, more than ever, we commit to gathering around the table, breaking bread together, and to pray without ceasing.

“Your kingdom come! Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven,” we pray at every gathering. It can happen. It really can — but, my fellow sojourners, we have work to do.

Yours in Hope,

Kevin

The Very Rev’d Dr. Kevin George
Dean of Huron
Rector of St Paul’s Cathedral

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