Christians must find joy in the cross, an animated and passionate Rick Fee declared in his final sermon as the church's leader. He said Jesus himself came and endured for the joy that lay beyond his suffering. It is at the empty cross where joy can be found. "It is not the emptiness of despair or the loss of meaning," he told the more than 400 parishioners who packed the stifling hot First, Edmonton, for the opening of the 131st General Assembly. "It is the emptiness that holds open the possibility for something amazing, something God-given to emerge."
Fee reminded the commissioners it was their duty to find something amazing. "The joy of this assembly will be in the diversity, the debate, the discussion, the discourse and the dynamic interplay of minds and spirit," he said. "Joy will not be claimed by thinking we must find all the answers nor in thinking we will have all the answers. By being faithful, by wrestling with what God has presented, we will claim the joy of our faith."
Lively hymns and heartfelt prayer echoed inside the red brick walls of First Church as the assembly sang together. They received a taste of the native spirit that would permeate the week when Mary Fontaine, director of Hummingbird Ministries in Vancouver, sang Amazing Grace in Cree accompanied by her drum. Fontaine said she was "proud of the Presbyterian Church" and the grace with which she received the invitation to sing.
Following worship, Fee helped the assembly install its new moderator, Rev. Jean Morris. She thanked her family, friends, co-workers and "the many long-term care residents who are my flock and can't be here." As Director of Spirituality and Pastoral Care at the Bethany Care Society in Calgary, Morris works with seniors and vulnerable adults. It is from this focus that she draws her three themes for the year: ministry with seniors, non-parish ministries and ecumenism. "We believe the work of the church is done through community," she told the assembly. "I will do my best to lead that community as moderator."
Morris' father Harrold was moderator in 1989.
Church reaffirms traditional marriage
Marriage is a union of one man and one woman, General Assembly declared in reaffirming its position. The definition is based on the church’s subordinate standards. Moderator Jean Morris will inform the federal government of the assembly’s decision…
Enjoy it, Fee advises
Present and past moderators share thoughts on being church’s most prominent figure
“The church likes the moderator. They really do,” Rick Fee told Jean Morris. “They see the moderator as somebody through whom they can show appreciation to the church.” Fee’s words already ring true for this year’s moderator, Rev. Jean Morris. Although her new title was less than a week old at the time of this interview…
Aboriginal ministries declared priority
Increased funding for new efforts not without its critics
Each department at church offices must find ways for aboriginal ministries’ healing and reconciliation to become a permanent part of their mandate, according to assembly. An additional motion was adopted that affirmed funding for ongoing native ministry as a high priority…
Modelling our message
The first non-European general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches was honoured at General Assembly with the E. H. Johnson award. Ghanaian Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi made it clear why he is on the cutting edge of mission. “We must respond to others in the midst of suffering and engage with them in mission and cooperation,” he said. “Never again should the church be silent or inactive when things around us lead to suffering and death…
Housing is not salary
A request to include housing allowance in maternity/paternity leave benefits was denied by General Assembly, which argued the current policy is sufficient. Difficulties revolve around the definition of salary, which, as the Pension and Benefits Board contends, is defined by stipend alone. The federal government provides unemployment benefits based on salary…
Stipend increases approved
A controversial move to raise the stipend for executive staff, including those at church offices and the theological colleges, was passed as an interim policy. Assembly Council was ensured responsibility to set policy and base stipend figures. However, their decisions must be recommended to General Assembly, which has the right to approve or disapprove such suggestions. Any proposed changes would, in turn, be subject to review by the council before assembly makes a final decision…
Heard but not counted
During their presentation to assembly, the young adult representatives lamented their limited roles. “I’d like to make an additional motion,” said Barry Wade, Presbytery of Seaway-Glengarry. “To give full voting rights to the YARs in conjunction with their speaking privileges.” The moderator was asked for permission to speak to the motion, which she granted. “I believe this will give new vitality to the discussions,” Wade continued at the microphone. “Our young people are very knowledgeable.”
Morrison heralded
The gentle manner and quiet spirit of Rev. Ian Morrison was heralded in Edmonton, as the General Assembly saluted one of its most-loved members. Morrison will retire as the Life and Mission Agency’s General Secretary in September. “Thank God for the privilege that has been mine to serve in this church that has adopted me as one of its own,” he said, addressing the assembly…
Leading with care adopted
The Assembly overwhelmingly voted to adopt Leading with Care: A Policy for Ensuring a Climate of Safety for Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults. Congregations are expected to implement the policy by July 1, 2006, and presbyteries will oversee this implementation. All congregations will be mailed a copy of the policy, which has been in the works since 2000…
IN BRIEF…
As coordinator of the Church of North India’s HIV/AIDS program, which focuses on women, youth, refugees, drug addicts and prison inmates, Karuna Roy, an ecumenical visitor to assembly, works with those infected and affected by the virus and designs prevention programs. Of India’s one billion people, there are 5.1 million cases of HIV/AIDS, although Roy said the government figures are on the low side, and that tripling the number gives a more accurate picture…
