The Presbytery of East Toronto is sending an overture to General Assembly, asking it to establish a committee that will study same-sex marriage. The presbytery hopes the committee will report back to assembly within two years, providing clear direction to congregations and clergy that are asked to participate in the marriages of same-sex couples. The motion was passed with little discussion.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada has lost a number of faithful servants in the last few months. Below is a brief look at a handful of those no longer with us.
Over the course of one month, as the missing were declared dead, the estimates of deaths due to the Asian tsunami rose to above 300,000. But, that wasn't the only horrendous death toll. Here is a listing of on-going death rates around the globe, each month.
Rev. Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral, best known for its weekly Hour of Power broadcasts, was home to a suicide by one of its own leaders.
Restrictions on government subsidies given to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) may limit the help given to survivors of the tsunami. Donations are still being put to good use and CFGB is providing victims — particularly in India — with much-needed grain, rice and lentils. "We are responding," said CFGB executive director Jim Cornelius. "We just aren't able to use all of the funds from the government."
Presbyterians have responded by raising $92,000 for the Towards A World Without AIDS campaign. Already $80,000 has been allocated to support new work of our overseas church partners struggling to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in their countries.
Although historically Scottish in origin, The Presbyterian Church in Canada has several vibrant congregations with predominantly black and multicultural members. University Presbyterian, Toronto, Malvern and St. David's, Scarborough, Eglise St. Luc, Montreal, and the Ghanaian Churches in Montreal and Toronto all have a large black contingent.
Do Christians make good employers?
Moderator Rick Fee received a reply to his message of sympathy sent to the South Africa Council of Churches and to Ilse Naude, wife of the late Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naude who passed away in September. The hand written note said:
The Mennonite church has made an official application to join the Canadian Council of Churches. In a ceremony described by Principal Clerk Stephen Kendall as "a moving ecumenical moment for the Council," the application was welcomed. The Mennonites have a commitment to peace and justice. They will be named full members of the Council later this year. Seen here are Mr. Kendall (far left), Rev. Will Ingram, Sandra Demson (all from the PCC), Rev. Dr. Dan Nighswander, Rev. Peter Krause (the Mennonite Church) and Rev. Karen Hamilton, general secretary of the CCC.
It's been a terrible week. Our elderly cat was diagnosed with kidney failure, our newly built basement flooded with water from the winter rains, and Yelena was stabbed to death right over our heads.
Churches in India have taken the lead in initiating an interfaith response to the scourge of HIV/AIDS, which in India is reaching massive proportions.
Twenty-seven Zimbabwean pastors from various Christian denominations have undergone a voluntary HIV test in a move aimed at removing stigma in the church against people living with HIV/AIDS.
A Vatican-based cardinal has urged Roman Catholics in Myanmar, a country ruled by a military junta that does not allow democratic elections, that their faith will help them overcome difficulties they face on a daily basis.
Presbyterians across Canada donated more than $345,000 to Presbyterian World Service and Development as of mid-January to help the victims left in the wake of the tsunami that hit southeast Asia. More donations arrive daily from individuals and congregations moved by the plight of millions.
Some former, retired and current PCC missionaries to Taiwan met at a cottage in Bracebridge, Ont., last summer for fellowship. Back row, from left to right, Terry Samuel, Paul McLean, Murray Garvin. Center row, Marilyn Ellis, Mary Beth McLean, Joy Randall, Wilma Welsh, Diane (Petrie) Osborn, Mary Helen Garvin. Front row, Louise Gamble, Betty Geddes, Jack Geddes, Grace McGill, Marie Wilson.”;
An evangelical Nigerian preacher believes he has the ultimate counter-terrorism tool and wants the United Nations to take heed. "The secret of a successful battle against terrorism lies in sending Christian missionaries into the Middle East. It is only the Christian Gospel that can bring down hatred," Dr. Panya Baba stressed at a meeting organized by the Evangelical Church of West Africa. "The United Nations should ask member nations to contribute to mission work. Missionaries are doing better in bringing peace into the world.
Ormsby Presbyterian Church, known affectionately as "the little church on the rock," celebrated its 100th anniversary on August 15 in Ormsby, Ont. Former Presbyterian Church in Canada moderator Rev. Arthur Currie was the special guest. Kevin Martin, whose great, great grandfather donated the land for the church building, preached the sermon.
The construction of an eye-popping new building for the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Toronto has begun.
Like any other church, Knox, St. Thomas, Ont., values all its members and adherents. Age or tenure matter not – we simply enjoy having everyone with us each week. However, at the beginning of last summer, it came to our attention in rather short order that we had two very remarkable women in our midst.