Ian Wishart in his series on Calvin writes, “On the whole, Calvin had a gloomy view of human life…” Wow, he's not kidding. Following Calvin's prescriptions to suffer like Christ could lead you to a serious case of the Christian Cramps.

Re Properly Equipped, October

I don't think that we are doing enough to teach our children and grandchildren about the history of our church. If we don't do this I am afraid we will just turn into another protestant religion of which there are many.

Re What About Knox, October Letters

We meet regularly with a group of PCC colleagues to prepare the lectionary passages for preaching throughout the Christian year.

The question was raised, “Is there a place in the PCC for those who are not biblical literalists and who believe that gays and lesbians have an equal place in the church and believe that our church should be reformed and reforming?”

Re Peace and Compassion, September

I was wondering if any of your readers could enlighten me about the significance of the given names Edwin Ruthvin or Edwin Ruthven amongst Presbyterian men. That was my father's name, my great uncle's name and, after googling these combinations of given names, it seems, quite a few other Presbyterian men.

Re The P in PCC, September

There is a wonderful article – A Connection to God by Elena Gritzan – on your September website, about the mission trip to Cape Breton. This highlights an experience for youth and adults enjoying what God can do for others through us and also experience what God gives us through different experiences. It also highlights bridging the age gap as well as cultural. The youth need to be encouraged to take a greater part in congregational life and this article may spark interest in other congregations and Presbyteries to undertake mission work involving youth and adults.

I am one of those ordinands who graduated from Tyndale and then went into ministry in the PCC. I would like to point out that I know of no one who gets an "ordination of convenience" in the PCC. The process I had to go through was akin to starting over from the beginning. Even though I had done my M.Div. at Tyndale, (which incidentally has a large number of influential Presbyterian ministers serving as professors on staff) and had done my undergrad work at Redeemer College (an institution of Reformed thinking par excellence!) I still had to go through all the hoops, guidance conferences, and take 16 courses (two years) at Knox College. (Which incidentally has professors from other denominational backgrounds.) In many of the course I took I had already done the equivalent, or more, at Tyndale. I would hardly call this a convenient course to ordination, but an important one in getting to know the denomination I serve.

I am deeply saddened by Robert Ewing's misguided and hurtful remarks, in the September Record. I am one of those who has been fortunate enough to have taken my MDiv at Tyndale Seminary, and then to have attended Presbyterian College, under the very generous and grace filled leadership of all of the staff there.

Re Repent Repent Repent, September

I was sad to read that Richard Fee's heart was "scrapped;" however, there seems to be hope in that he appears to be doing well without it.

I just wanted to congratulate you and your staff on the July/August issue. It was uplifting. Finally, I am hearing the word "change" spoken out loud. The moderator seems intent on taking this on as a challenge. It pulled at the heartstrings of this disillusioned former Presbyterian elder who now takes up pew space at the local Baptist Church.

Re Calvin at 500, June.

I've always struggled with the idea that there is only one way to serve God, and that is the Christian way. As a Jew, Christ surely followed the Ten Commandments, but he also gave us a new, golden one to live by which tells us to love our neighbour as our self. Well, my neighbours, like his at the time, represent many races and religions. They are different from me, but they are my brothers and my sisters. We are one, because God created us all.

Let me say up front: I am not a member of the Presbyterian Church. My lifetime experiences with various churches have been less than positive, leaving me to seek my own private path to faith. I have to confess, however, that every now and again someone that brings a new light to organized faith surprises me.

A while back, a far while back, I was slightly upset by an article in your magazine on my pastor Rev. Carey Nieuwhof and his decision to leave the presbytery to form my current home church Connexus. Please take the time to join us and hear one of Carey's sermons before you go in too deep; even have a listen at connexuscommunity.com. And please, do not bash Carey, he's amazing.

"What we believe" and our theology seems to be of paramount importance to our ecclesiastics.