Once a month, the Presbyterian Record comes over my desk. Since the column authored by Lloyd Robertson has been discontinued, I have little reason to open the magazine! It contains some articles written by the editor, a few other boring articles, and some pictures of old people, mostly males, or even sometimes a female who has been at the organ console for 50 years.
Usually, I have some preconceived notion as to what I will find in these magazines, whether it will be some luscious doll who is trying to lure me from my chosen work; a word from one of my favourite people, like Dan Needles, Heather Smith Thomas, the Blue Pages, or Ted Meseyton; something other than vacancies in some far away places that I have only heard of. In short, why would anyone publish such a magazine?
E. H. Oldham, Via email
Each reader of any magazine has favourite sections. Mine include David Harris’ editorials, Pop Christianity, Theology 101 and Letters to the Editor. The letters are usually forcefully positive or negative and often stimulate my return to the original articles for another reading!
The January editorial challenged Canadian Christians: (a) to recognize that our religion ought to have greater visibility in public life and (b) to more vigorously speak out about current issues that broadly reflect the moral values of economic disparity, injustice and care of our neighbours. The Bible comments on these matters at length and the editorial suggests that we too ought to comment more in the public forum in the context of our Christian faith. For example, should we Christians speak out with louder voices about current political policies that carry a moral component: mandatory sentences, extra prison construction, military hardware spending, the abandonment of the Kyoto Protocol and the termination of Kairos funding?
The February issue introduced the five nominees for the next moderator and reported their visions for the future of our church. The issue also contained a feature article on Black History Month and suggested that the Presbyterian Church has special reasons to celebrate.
Each issue every month has an abundance of diverse articles that inform, challenge and sometimes inspire.
Ralph Morris, Fonthill, Ont.
The Editor responds: Thank you Mr. Oldham for hanging in with us for the past 22 years since Mr. Robertson last wrote a column. We hope one day to earn that loyalty. And, thank you Mr. Morris for your kind words.
