Winnipeg Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) 60 Maryland St. Winnipeg R3G 1K7   14 February 2016   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2   Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,   As the Winnipeg Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), we are writing to express our concern about changes recently announced in Canada’s war against ISIS.   We welcome the withdrawal of the six CF-18s that have been bombing targets in Iraq and Syria, but are dismayed by the retention of refuelling and surveillance aircraft together with aircrew and ground personnel. These will be working in support of coalition bombing, and will continue to be aided by   Canadian troops marking targets. The present plan provides that the withdrawal of Canadian fighter jets will not bring the expected end to Canadian bombing in Iraq and Syria, and instead will ensure that Canada’s role in bombing will continue. The loss of human life and the destruction of infrastructure required for the eventual rebuilding of peace and wellbeing in this devastated region will be unabated.   We are deeply concerned by the tripling of the contingent of […]

This week’s Advice and Query: 19: Rejoice in the presence of children and young people in your meeting and recognise the gifts they bring.  Remember that the meeting as a whole shares a responsibility for every child in its care.  Seek for them as for yourself a full development of God’s gifts and the abundant life Jesus tells us can be ours.  How do you share your deepest beliefs with them, while leaving them free to develop as the spirit of God may lead them?  Do you invite them to share their insights with you?  Are you ready both to learn from them and and to accept your responsibilities towards them?