Laity and Communion
A discussion about allowing lay people to administer communion continued Wednesday morning, but a decision is yet to be made. An amendment to send the information to presbyteries under the Barrier Act—which could have effectively sped up the process by one year if presbyteries had voted to adopt the proposed legislation—was defeated. A commissioner noted passionately, “Who are we to deny people this grace because of geographical location? Communion is a gift, not something to delegate or to hoard but to share with a world that needs it.”
Several commissioners noted that many congregations are in remote geographical locations, and without a minister, they are unable to receive communion.
The original motion, that the report be referred to sessions, presbyteries, and the committee on theological education and report to clerks by Jan. 31, 2011, is still on the agenda and was to be re-visited on Thursday. If the motion is passed in its original form, proposed legislation will be sent to sessions, presbyteries and the committee on theological education for study and report to the clerks of assembly, and will be addressed at the next assembly. An additional amendment was about to come to the floor, but time was called on the matter.
Atlantic Mission Society
AMS president, Ann Taylor is finished her three-year term, and was thanked by Moderator Herb Gale, who also welcomed the incoming president, Jennifer Whitfield. Whitfield told the assembly about the AMS’s Cushion Project, where AMS members made and donated 148 cushions for commissioners attending the Elders’ Institute Pre-Assembly Workshop. She then presented a cushion to the Moderator.
Women’s Missionary Society
The WMS is also changing presidents as Druse Bryan steps down and Joan Smith, who was first elected as president of her congregation’s WMS group 46 years ago, takes her place.
“It has been an honour and privilege to work with these feisty women who are involved on the cutting edge of mission within the Presbyterian Church in Canada,” Bryan said. She thanked the women for “agreeing with me sometimes, disagreeing many times, but always giving me the opportunity to voice my opinions.” She ended with the words she said when she began her presidency: “The challenges ahead of us are nothing compared to the power behind us.”
It was noted that the WMS’s projects for the past year—building a hostel for students attending the Jobat Christian School in India, and supplies for schools in Ukraine—raised $155,000 and $45,000 respectively. Bryan thanked the assembly and the church at large for responding to the call for donations. She also mentioned a new focus for the WMS: human trafficking, which happens not only in distant countries, but in Canada too.
They ended their report with a lively presentation on the upcoming Presbyterian Women’s Gathering, hosted by both the WMS and AMS, in May 2011.
Moderator Herb Gale thanked both the WMS and the AMS and said indeed, these women “are feisty, fun and fabulous.”
Ecumenical visitor – Mary Corkery, executive director, Kairos Canada
Kairos is a social justice organization supported by the PCC, and Mary Corkery spoke of the “crisis” experienced at Kairos during the several months since CIDA cut its funding last November. While reasons for the cut were not publicized, Corkery said government representatives have since told Kairos that it was their advocacy work that was the problem, particularly their stance on Israel-Palestine, human rights issues in Colombia, and health issues related to Alberta’s Athabasca tar sands.
Corkery thanked the assembly and the church for its support during this time of trial, noting that 25 presbyteries have written and/or met with their MPs to discuss the issue and urge a reversal of the decision.
“There is a crack in everything, that’s where the light gets in. Our job is to find that light and work with it,” said Corkery.
Living Faith in Korean
The Korean translation of Living Faith was accepted and commended for use within the Presbyterian Church in Canada, three years after the original overture came to General Assembly. Thanks was given to the church in both English and Korean from representatives from East and West Han-Ca presbyteries, and the assembly was then led in an affirmation of faith from Living Faith, and a hymn, in both languages.
“You are seeing the changing face of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and we rejoice in that diversity,” said Moderator Herb Gale.
Presbyterian World Service and Development
PWS&D thanked the church and encouraged support in four recommendations that were all adopted:
• Individuals, congregations and presbyteries were commended for giving more than $1.4 million for the Haiti earthquake appeal, as well as $1.5 million given to make up for a budget shortfall in the last quarter of 2009.
• The church was also encouraged to forward their contributions throughout the year so that PWS&D programs will not be jeopardized by the uncertainty of whether or not the required budget will be met.
• Congregations were encouraged to appoint PWS&D advocates who will be a part of a national network to receive updates and resources to educate Presbyterians on the work of PWS&D.
• Congregations and mission groups were also encouraged to use the resource, Making Connections: Staying Rooted in an Uprooted World – A Refugee Mission Study.
Committee on History
Six recommendations were carried:
• The church will recognize and celebrate the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation.
• Congregations should designate the third Sunday in February as Heritage Sunday.
• Rev. Peter Bush was thanked for 20 years of editing Presbyterian History, and the church was asked to suggest ways to communicate excitement for the PCC’s history.
• Congregations were encouraged to visit the National Presbyterian Museum, to give generously to the Rev. Dr. John A. Johnston Memorial Fund and to make it known that the museum accepts donations of historical artifacts.
• Congregations were encouraged to collect the oral history of their congregations on video.
• Finally, church archivist Kim Arnold was recognized and thanked for her 30 years of service to the church. Bob Anger, assistant archivist, was also thanked. Arnold received a standing ovation and was given a painting in thanks. “It has been a joy to work in this great denomination. It’s the best job in the world, as far as I’m concerned. I love speaking with all of you, and love telling our national and international story,” she said.
