Where is the faith community today? It's in a crisis; that's where it is today. That is the essential problem, both in the church and in the community. If 94 per cent of ministers surveyed said that they rarely received anything personally from reading scripture, then does that not tell us volumes? We are on the wrong track, we have lost our way.

As we all know, we are in turbulent economic times and it is not clear what we, as a society, should do. Guidance is needed on what is the Christian course of action. However, I am not seeing that from the Presbyterian Church beyond helping with food banks and out-of-the-cold programs. This economic meltdown requires government help, not temporary help such as a food bank.

Congratulations on publishing Wendy Lampman's letter Remembering Zimbabwe. I would like to endorse everything she wrote and include the excellent health service for all that existed as I grew up in a medical family in South Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

Re The Malthusian Dilemma and the Judgement of God, News, February

Re Long-term Planning, News, February

The Record is to be congratulated for tackling this controversial acutely relevant subject. After many decades of exposure to the mental health system, both as a client and as a mental health counsellor, I offer these comments.

I am usually a very passive person, but your article about depression and problems in the clergy upset me very much.

Your lead February story Breaking The Silence – The Mental Health Of Our Clergy by Sandra Moll and Kristine O'Brien certainly hit the nail. I call it the Saul Syndrome.

Good to see that the Record will be looking at the decline in mainline denominations. Since our denomination has failed to communicate and connect with baby boomers, their children and grandchildren, a thorough examination of the issue is overdue.

I enjoyed reading January's Surfing Into The 21st Century. St. Paul's, Simcoe, Ont., has had a website since 2000 – www.stpaulssimcoe.com. It was started and is maintained by our webmaster Judy-Ann Macaulay. In setting up a local Church website it is not necessary to strike a large budget and seek requests for proposals. All you need is some enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to learn and pick the brains of those with the necessary experience. Judy-Ann's recipe for success is to keep it simple. Without a lot of computer experience she started with little more than a website development course from a local college. She says that it is not necessary to have a lot of fancy graphics and other features found in modern commercially designed sites. She finds that she can maintain the website with about one hour per week. From all the feedback received, it is clear that our website is an excellent and cost effective way for the congregation and other interested people to obtain information on what is happening in our local church.

It was exciting reading your special feature on church curriculum in January and hearing other voices sharing concerns that have been much on my heart and mind. As one who contributed to the Christian Faith and Life Curriculum, promoted its use, helped in workshops to assist in its use I share Bill Klempa's appreciation of its great value and contribution in its day. But as James Russell Lowell said in his day

In our home in The Netherlands, during the Second World War, when I was not yet 10-years-old, our living room was often filled with smoke and fiery debates about the Reformed Church, about sermons, about Christian schools and about Article 31 of the Canons of Dordt. On the bookshelves were several very big, almost threatening, dark leather bound books with the name Calvin printed in gold on the spine, clearly for serious grownups only. I did not like those books and the name Calvin because they seemed to cause these animated discussions, with fighting words, about a split in the Church causing a division between my mother's family, where we loved to go on holidays, and my father's side. At that young age in that living room, I had heard about eternal damnation, isolation, excommunication, predestination, wretchedness, and much more. The big leather books were often consulted. Outside that room was the war and German soldiers were a loud part of the streetscape. My dad had a hiding place in our house, he was active in the resistance. His youngest brother, my uncle of 19, was caught and executed. For light we often used lanterns and candles. Thick curtains were drawn very closed. These were dark, somber, dangerous days and I blamed the gold printed name of Calvin, reflected by flickering candlelight on dark brown leather spines for all of it.

Re. Letters, January

Thank you for your January article on chaplains. It is long overdue.

Just a note to say I really enjoyed reading the Christmas stories from around the world, and the children's drawings were delightful. I think that should be a December tradition, as it would encourage children to be interested in the magazine. Also what a good idea to have the Advent calendar!

Re Jesus is here! December

Re Poverty Focus, October

Your October issue has a wonderful article by Erin Woods – and every time she is published (she has been on the cover, written an editorial and many other articles) I believe, not once have you mentioned – and she is proud of the fact – that she is a member of Calvin, North Bay, Ont. So, the next time Erin Woods has the occasion to submit an article, please let everyone know that this wonderful young woman comes from an amazing congregation: Calvin in beautiful North Bay.

Re A Colonial Life, by Margaret (Rudo) Zondo, November

I was delighted to read about the series on religion and theology by two outstanding theologians, Joseph McLelland and John Visser.