Restorative Justice Week 2009

Christian Leaflet 2009
Theme: Communities responding to human needs

Who is responding and whose needs are we talking about?

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Within a large community we find smaller groups and organizations that come together to address important causes and social issues. They want to respond to specific needs that are not being met. To be able to accomplish such a task, we need to ask ourselves who should respond to these needs and whose needs are we talking about? To what kind of needs are we seeking to respond?

As Christians, we believe that we all form the body of Christ; that what happens to, or affects one part, affects the rest. We come together in order to be whole. Together we make changes happen. We can all provide a helping hand to those in need and not be afraid to do so.

"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? {..} he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit." - I Corinthians 6:15 (The New International Version)

A community is defined as "the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, background, or nationality." ( Cambridge dictionary)

This definition allows us to question ourselves on the common interests that unite us as a community . We all want to feel safe, loved; we need to be listened to, guided, helped, and not feel alone in the process. These are all basic human needs. We, as people, need to believe that there is such a thing as justice, and that we can experience it. Justice is not something only authorities formulate. We, as a society, can ensure that it is accessible to everyone and that it is constructed in a way that everyone can relate to it.

To what community are we referring?

Our Christian communities have the potential to make a significant difference when it comes to showing how to respond to the various human needs around us. It is our job to get informed about what is happening in our faith communities and in the greater community. The key to having a healthy relationship between the Christian communities and the rest of the world is to share the knowledge and to offer the tools necessary to heal and to care for each other.

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." - I Timothy 6:18 (The New International Version)

How to Respond?

"What can I do to change things? Will it really have an impact? Where do I start? Why should I? Who might I call on to act on this with me?" are all typical questions we might ask ourselves when faced with issues dealing with the justice system. We tend to feel powerless because it seems too big a battle. By taking that leap of faith and going beyond our comfort zone, we can break through the greatest barriers and find the support we need in the faith community around us.

Responding in a Christian way ...

Many people within the community are forgotten and their needs are not being met, sometimes even ignored. What we do to others, we do to Christ. Throughout the Gospels we find hundreds of passages where Jesus stops and helps those in need. He would never let us down or forget us. Is it not time for us to stop and do our best not to forget others? It even becomes our responsibility to look around and choose to act in a restorative way, a Christian way, a just way.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." - Proverbs 31:8 (The New International Version)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (The New International Version)

(Please note: The text and questions is this leaflet are meant to serve as material for individual reflection and/or group discussion about the place of restorative justice within a Christian faith perspective. For a definition, you may also refer to "Restorative Justice – What is it?" available at http://www.ccjc.ca/restorative_justice.html )

This material may also be adapted to suit your own denomination.

This leaflet was prepared by the Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC) and representatives from supporting denominations in collaboration with the Correctional Service of Canada.

Please take a moment to provide us feedback on materials we prepared for RJ Week 2009 by completing a quick survey available on our website: www.ccjc.ca/restorative_justice.html