I grew up Presbyterian. My mom made sure my sister and I went to church every week, and participated in Sunday school and the junior choir. As I got older, I continued to attend St. Andrew's, Cobourg, Ont., and am an active churchgoer.
I've always been a little curious about things. As a teenager, I started to have more questions about my faith and the church. I would take books out of the library and ask my minister questions.
Around the same time, I went to triennium with a friend from St. Andrew's. I was 18 and had never experienced such a strong (and young) religious community. In less than a week we had made Presbyterian friends from across North America and looked forward to worship while being challenged and strengthened in our faith.
A short year later I was off to university, living in residence with no friends from home. It was important to meet new people, but the crude language of frosh week cheers shocked me. My Wiccan roommate had some interesting ideas. My Christian values clashed with the new surroundings.
When I saw a sign on the residence door for a frosh Christian barbeque, I decided to go. Within a few minutes I'd met several other frosh who also wanted to meet Christian friends. There were several Christian groups on campus, including Campus Crusade for Christ, the Navigators, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
I started to go to one of the groups, but after a few meetings knew I was far from my comfort zone. My attendance wavered and soon was nonexistent. I went spirituality shopping. i attended a variety of different churches over the four years. From a conservative church with over 1,000 people to a new church plant that embraced modern culture and art, there was something unique at each.
I became involved with the campus IVCF group. They encouraged me to grow in faith. I was even elected president for my final year. Later, I started to attend a Wesleyan church every Sunday. it was just a few blocks from campus with modern music and scripture presented on PowerPoint. But I knew I didn't completely jive with the church's style and doctrine, and missed the Presbyterian services from home.
I found St. Andrew's, Ottawa, a large and vibrant congregation minutes from my downtown apartment. It had a college and careers group and a minister willing to take my friend and I out for coffee. They had me at “good morning.”
In June 2006, I attended the PCC's General Assembly as Lindsay-Peterborough's young adult representative. I was a little nervous; I would be spending a week at Brock University's residence with around 20 other YARs and a lot of ministers.
That week was probably the best experience of my life. Receiving a large green binder with a year's worth of reports and sitting in on conferences all day might not sound enthralling, but it was.
I knew the church had committees, but I certainly didn't realize how hip they could be. I was glued to the presentation by PWS&D about their international work and fight against AIDS. I thought about mission work in a new way when I heard what Moderator Wilma Welsh had to say. I felt like I was witnessing history when the assembly voted on sanctuary for refugees.
And, Presbyterians know how to have a good time. The YARs jammed in our common room and had great conversations. We presented a satirical view of GA during the last sederunt and received roaring laughter and applause from the audience.
After GA I started noticing other things I like about the denomination. I like looking at the Bible in its entirety and sometimes in metaphors. I think it's important a church can open its doors (and minds) to new ideas and culture. And I enjoy the stimulating sermons, research and doctrines Presbyterian ministers present every week.
When people ask me what church I go to, I don't hesitate in my answer. I am a proud Presbyterian. ¦
