John Lawson – Green Party
Posted Apr 13, 2011 08:12:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
John has a lifelong passion for and deep spiritual connection to the environment and the natural world. This passion and commitment to care for creation has been part of John since he was a boy exploring the seashore in the Maritime provinces where he grew up and planted his first garden at the age of nine (he is still a passionate gardener). His wonder for the environment has led to deeper concern as he sees the very life support systems of the planet more and more threatened and assaulted. John’s commitment to sustainable environment and community led him to the Green Party.
After studies in history at the University of Western Ontario and international history at the London School of Economics, John studied theology at Princeton, New Jersey. During and in-between those times of study he travelled and worked across Canada and internationally. His diverse experience includes working for Frontier College on a rail gang in Newfoundland and a mine in Haida Gwaii on the Queen Charlotte Islands in B.C. John feels privileged to have known and worked alongside people from many different backgrounds and socio-economic situations.
John’s primary vocation has been to serve as a pastor in The United Church of Canada. For the past 25 years he has served a number of congregations in Southern Ontario, and is currently in Guelph where he and his family have lived for the last nine years. John devotes much of his time to working with small groups and individuals leading and organizing educational and dialogue opportunities on many subjects – poverty issues, GMOs, food issues, water issues. He’s worked in the community on affordable housing initiatives – especially supportive housing for those living with mental illness, the homeless and at-risk youth. He also feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with refugees and new immigrants.
As a pastor John has the privilege of walking with individuals and families in times of crisis, and he has noticed trends that deeply trouble him. People losing secure jobs and falling below the poverty line. People working harder and harder and families and community still suffering. And most of all, a growing sense of despair about the future – especially among young people. A disenchantment with the government’s ability to meet and address the real issues of society. A growing sense of unease that we are going in the wrong direction.
John believes that the Green Party is the only political party seeking to address these fundamental issues. The only party willing to translate environmental concern into practical policies that can build a healthy and sustainable environment as the basis for a healthy and sustainable community and society.
John is honoured and proud to represent the Green Party in Guelph.
