Peace and Justice

We at Canterbury House are politically active, devoted to peace, and passionate about inclusiveness. We believe in the values that Jesus upheld: Love for God and our neighbors and concern for the poor. We value the dignity of every human being, including transgender, bisexual, lesbian, gay, and heterosexual people, and people of all genders, races, cultures, faiths, and nationalities.

If you would like to participate in serving breakfast to economically marginalized people in Ann Arbor, organizing for political rights for TBLG people in the State of Michigan, or in advocacy and education for coffee workers in Nicaragua, then we have opportunities for you!

In addition, Canterbury House offers counseling and referral services for veterans and counseling for those who are or may become subject to the draft.

Here are just some of Canterbury House’s Outreach Ministries:

The Casa Materna, located in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, was founded in October, 1991. Pregnant mothers from the rural areas in the Matagalpa region walk to the Casa Materna in the few days prior to their delivery in order to be close to the hospital when labor begins, and stay with their newborns at the Casa Materna to recover. The Casa Materna also provides pre-natal and neo-natal care and education. Since its founding, over 10,000 mothers have been served in the Casa and hundreds of others helped through education and outreach in their home communities. Service is provided round the clock seven days a week. The Casa now serves close to 950 mothers per year and houses from 20-35 mothers at a time.

The Blandon Family, Rosibel Blandon and her children, Joel, age 16, and Jordan, age 9, are residents of Matagalpa whom we got to know through contact with the Casa Materna. Joel and Jordan receive tuition, books, and supplies to attend school in Matagalpa by means of scholarship funds provided by the students of Canterbury House.

Episcopal Relief and Development’s mandate comes from Matthew 25:37-40, a familiar passage of scripture that culminates with the saying of Jesus: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the Least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Episcopal Relief and Development responds to human suffering around the world, providing emergency assistance after disasters, rebuilding communities, and helping children and families climb out of poverty. In the Winter Semester of 2005 Canterbury House raised money for ERD for relief of Tsunami victims South Asia. In the Fall of 2005 Canterbury House provided $1,000 for ERD’s relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Brewing Hope is a group of Ann Arbor community members, University of Michigan students and faculty, and small businesses working to create a new dynamic of coffee trade that empowers farmers and consumers to collaborate rather than to compete.  By creating a community partnership where coffee farmers from the Yachil Co-op in Santa Catarina, Chiapas, receive fair prices for their coffee beans, and educating consumers in Ann Arbor, Michigan about sustainable production processes, Brewing Hope serves as a viable alternative to the ever oppressive conventional coffee market.
Through this partnership, Ann Arbor residents can take a step beyond simply promoting international understanding by creating greater equality and opportunities for the farmers whose products contribute to the quality of our lives.

There are others – and you can be involved! Do you have a passion for peace and justice? So do we! If you have a “pet project,” invite us in! If you are looking for opportunities to serve, we have them for you. Talk to our Chaplain, Reid Hamilton, or any of our Student Vestry members.