Mr. Moderator, let me begin by saying thank you for the opportunity to come and observe the court this week, and for the chance to share my reflections with the venerable assembly.
Considering we're Reformed, I thought confession might be an appropriate place to start. I have two: First, I'm not a lifer – I'm not a life long Presbyterian. I'm relatively new to the tradition and our government was one of the things that attracted me. Many of my mentors were also Presbyterian, but the government was very attractive to me – so I was pleased to have this opportunity to share a week with you, observing the workings of our highest court.
Second, I have to admit that a scene flashed into my mind on Tuesday morning – it was from Star Wars [The Phantom Menace – ed.] – maybe you remember. The planet is being blockaded and is under attack. A contingent manages to escape to bring their plea for help before the Galactic Assembly. They do so, describing the urgency of the situation, and begging for intervention! And the assembly … refers it to a committee.
I wondered, could this Assembly respond to the urgent needs within our church. My observation is 'yes.'
I have found that through our system, we are able to share honestly with each other the variety of viewpoints represented, and so discern the will of Christ for this branch of his church. We heard from many this week – many strong feelings, representing strong opinions within our various churches. These were evident from the conversations this week.
I say “great!” It's as it should be. No real community agrees all the time – no family is always completely uniform in their understanding. In fact, its diversity that makes us stronger. The rules we have observed allow us to remain united in our love for Christ and the Church, while accepting we aren't all the same; to emphasize unity, not uniformity.
Our government allows us to listen to each other, much like we did and are trying to do with our aboriginal brothers and sisters. This week we've heard the experiences and opinions of other Christians from different geographic regions, generations and ethnicities. This openness to different understandings as “expressions-in-part” of the fullness of Christ is another one of the things that attracted me to the PCC. Through our government, we say that the various parts are important, valuable – wanted. Much like what we've said through the new policy on racial discrimination.
The various parts are like the colours of a rainbow – I remember, I think it was physics class, where pure white light was divided using prisms. Then, when it was re-layered, each colour adding to the others, the result was white light. The pure white light of Christ shines through the prism of the church. By listening to each other, these are layered, until we approach that pure, white light again. The Apostle Paul said it was like the many members of the human body – each one contributing their part until Christ is seen in the world. I've seen that at work this week – each part being valuable for what they bring to the whole.
When my fellow students and I met with Susan Shaeffer and Dorothy Henderson, we were asking what was supposed to be included in this reflection. They said, reflections on what we've seen, but that there might even be a place for encouragement to the Assembly. Two things came to mind – so I'll ask your indulgence as I share them now:
First, that we keep the conversations going. What we've been enjoying this week needs to continue, not only in the courts of the church, but also in church foyers, and study groups, and Tim Horton's. We can learn from each other – letting our diversity bring our church strength; then together, Christ is seen.
Second, that we embrace greater diversity. I'm thinking particularly of the observations former moderator Kouwenberg observed at the Scottish General Assembly: I'd like to encourage the clerks to find a way for the YARs and ecumenical guests to contribute more to the deliberations and decisions being made – again, expressing Christ through the diversity we enjoy; discovering aspects and opportunities that can too often be obscured by familiarity.
Because I believe that by embracing the strength diversity brings, we move forward in heeding Christ's call to live as his witnesses in the world, and we've been assured that the Holy Spirit will empower us to make it a reality.
