Rev. Jean Morris, Vice President, Spirituality and Pastoral Care, at the Bethany Care Society in Calgary, and also minister in association at Grace, Calgary, is presented with a hand painted plaque recognizing the conferring of an honorary doctorate degree from the Vancouver School of Theology. Presenting the plaque is the artist Shirley Burrill, complete with the Presbyterian Burning Bush Emblem. Also present is Victor Kim, Lead Minister of Grace. The Session of Grace also made a donation to the Bethany Care Foundation in honour of Morris’s work at Bethany and her wider contributions to the church. Rev. Dr. Jean Morris was also Moderator of the 131 General Assembly.
Below is Burrill’s dedication to Morris:
Dr. Morris; Jean, as I call you –
When I read in the church bulletin about the honour being bestowed upon you, I was so happy for you. You are the most worthy person to have this honour bestowed. I immediately ordered this plaque from Maryland China Co.
I want to thank my teacher, Glenda Lenz, for her artistic help and guidance; Joanne, the church secretary, for doing some typing for me; Bill Clelland for a picture of the crest taken from Dr. Morley’s book; and Jean Clelland for scripture references.
So I set to work painting.
The crest, which no one seemed to know anything about, was a challenge as china painters usually find out all the history and do an in depth study of what we are painting. After several inquiries, I called the Archives. Mr. Rob Anger, Assistant Archivist, sent me the following information which I found interesting and educational and I would like to pass it on to everyone.
I quote, “In 2002 the General Assembly vetoed making the burning bush and nec tamen consumebatur an official symbol and slogan of the Presbyterian Church because, first, the burning bush and motto have a long history in the Reformed tradition which goes back to the 16th Century and the years immediately after the Reformation. Settlers from Scotland and Europe to Canada brought with them this great spiritual heritage. Also the missionaries took it to Africa, Asia, and Islands of the South Pacific.
No reformed denomination has made the burning bush and motto their official symbol; rather it’s shared as part of our common heritage.
Second, because of its widespread usage, the committee felt hard pressed to understand what advantage is to be gained by making them officially part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.” End of quote.
The crest which has a belt and buckle around the outside made me curious as to what that was about. In Ephesians 6:14, we read “the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” And in Isaiah 11:5, “Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around the waist.” This is referring to the Messiah.
The flaming bush found in Exodus 3; Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it was not consumed. Both of these symbols are scriptural and Ephesians is a command to live by. You, Dr. Morris, are truly an example of putting on God’s armour. On this plaque, I have painted the crest and the following:
Rev. Jean Morris, M. Div., Th. M., D.D., Moderator of the 131st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, at the Vancouver School of Theology’s 39th Convocation, May 10, 2010
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Congratulations, and I know God will continue to bless and use you. With my love and highest esteem, I present this to you, Dr. Morris.
