AIDS awareness needed
The Canadian Council of Churches passed its Invitation Regarding HIV/AIDS in May, asking member churches to:
Magazine
Gifts according to grace
My first months as moderator have given me some time to reflect on the honour bestowed on me and the importance of this role. I am thankful to friends, both old and new, who have sent their best wishes and their kind words of wisdom and encouragement. I have received invitations to visit synods, presbyteries and congregations. It is my desire to honour most of these if at all possible. However, I cannot be in more than one place at a time so in some cases will try to suggest an alternate date. I want to have the opportunity to visit congregations in our church and to learn what is happening in your area.
Training programs rejected
The Christian Education Advisory Committee regularly reviews educational material for use in the Presbyterian Church, based on whether or not the material is considered to be Presbyterian. Recently, the committee found several materials to be unacceptable, with the great distinction being whether or not it reflects a Reformed theology or an evangelical/dispensationalist view.
The future is now
Debbie Travis is a television host of design and renovation shows, which she produces through her own company. She got herself in a frenzy earlier this year when she realized that youth today just ’aint got no gumption. So, she decided to teach them a lesson: “This new show has the backdrop of a renovation but is focused on these 20-somethings, the ‘entitled’ generation who have it all … except a future.”
Christ is the hottest show around
Since Jan. 2004, Gigmasters.com, an American entertainment booking website, recorded a near-200 per cent increase in the number of people booking Christian rock and other religious-based entertainment for everything from weddings, to corporate parties, to religious festivals. The site receives a monthly average of more than 400 requests for Christian rock entertainment alone.
GA Moderators
Moderators of General Assembly met for a social gathering at church offices a few weeks before assembly this year. Seated from left: Jean Morris (2005), Wilma Welsh (2006), Earle Roberts (1993), John Congram (1997). Standing, from left: Art Van Seters (1999), Ken McMillan (1979), Harrold Morris (1989), Bill Klempa (1998), Rick Fee (2004) and Linda Bell (1992).
Witnessing at worship
With more than 600 cheering fans singing, clapping and dancing along to their music, this newbie Christian band is on a natural high. “It’s a better response than we thought we’d get. It’s more than we could have imagined,” said Hillary Hulzinga. “We were told they’d go crazy, but we didn’t expect this. It’s such a thrill.”
Making their mark today
“Youth are the future of the church!” How many times have we as youth leaders heard this statement? During the first week of July, I had the opportunity to attend Canada Youth 2006 as a youth ministry training track participant. If there was one message that played over and over in my mind, it was that “youth are the future of the church.” But what we kept discussing at CY was not so much the future of our youth, but how those youth can have an impact now. Watching the young people over the week allowed me to see how well they interacted in a Christian community with their peers, with adults and with God.
Simple words can encourage or discourage
‘Reckless words pierce like a sword’ – Proverbs 12:18
Moltmann scooooooores
ENI – German Protestant Juergen Moltmann was declared the greatest theologian of the 20th century in the Systematic Theology World Cup that took place on the Internet during the world's top soccer tournament in Germany.
Seeking identity and voice
A man had seven sons and one day when he was very old and felt his time was at an end, he called his seven sons to him. He handed a stick to his eldest son and asked him to break it, which his son did with ease. He then handed two sticks to the youngest son. This son was asked to do the same and he broke the sticks in half with some effort. He then brought out a bundle of seven sticks tied together with twine and he asked if any of them could break the bundle. Each son took a turn but none of them could muster the strength to perform the task. Their father smiled and asked them to sit at his feet. The old man then said, “and so it is to be with you. On your own you can be easily broken but together you will be able to withstand anything.”
It’s called ‘theism’
The Bible can be read in the spirit of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, says a pastor who teaches the ritual renowned for its tranquility and attention to detail that has been influenced by Zen Buddhism.
New staff and new programs at LMA
The Office of the Life and Mission Agency is undergoing some restructuring thanks to new programs, a new focus on communications and the increased workload at Presbyterian World Service & Development resulting from the tsunami appeal, Hurricane Katrina and the Pakistan earthquake. To accommodate three new staff persons, the national offices are being revamped and reconfigured.
Make disciples not just good Presbyterians
Rodger Nishioka has a passion for young people. His call to work with youth is one where his deepest joy meets a hunger in the world. “Selfishly, I gain so much more than I give. But that’s the nature of the kingdom and the gospel. It’s humbling. This gives me an opportunity to share what has been given to me.”
Peace Bridge picnic
In June, Canadians and Americans met for a picnic across the Peace Bridge in Ft. Erie, Ont., to protest the war in Iraq. Presbyterian minister Marion Schaffer (left) was amongst the gathered. “I feel strongly motivated,” she says, “to continue making myself available to work on justice issues; I don’t think I could sleep at night if I did not.” Seen with Schaffer are singer Sara Marlowe and Rev. George Addison, chaplain of Brock University. Right: soldiers who resist the Iraqi war declare themselves. However, as Schaffer points out, some soldiers were there incognito, fearing for their livelihood if found out.
Being young is tough
The Toronto Star recently reported on World Population Day (July 11), begun in 1987 to draw attention to the day that the earth’s population hit 5 billion. This year’s theme was “Being Young is Tough.” The day highlighted the difficulties many of the world’s young people face in their daily lives. Below are some of the facts that were reported:
Top Anglican a woman
ENI – The US Episcopal (Anglican) Church has elected Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as its first female leader, a move seen as creating further strain in a denomination already divided over the consecration of an openly gay bishop.
Biking for Bibles
As part of the centennial celebrations of the Canadian Bible Society, I led a team of more than 80 cyclists for nine weeks on a cross-Canada journey. It took us 64 days to cover more than 7,500 kilometres. The team gathered at Mile Zero in Victoria on July 2nd and ended with a climb up Signal Hill in Saint John’s on September 3rd. The ride passed through every province in Canada. We had participants from all parts of Canada and even some from Australia and Ireland.
Quebec minister leaves
Marc-Henri Vidal, who has been pastoring Saint-Luc, Quebec's largest French Presbyterian church, as well as leading several other key ministries in the province, will be assuming a new pastorate in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of July.
New youth resource
The Presbyterian Church has a new resource for kids. Pathways to Leadership teaches nine basic leadership skills including teaching a song, building a group, telling a story, negotiating with people in authority and reading scripture in worship. The intended age group is nine to 12, but can be adapted for use with teens or even adults. Written by Dorothy Henderson, associate secretary for children and youth, and June Holohan, an elder at Unionville Presbyterian Church, Pathways is designed for use at a weekend camp setting, where each child comes with an adult who made a commitment to help them with leadership tasks when they return home. Read more about it in the August PCPak, or it can be purchased through the Book Room for $12.95. Call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 239 to order. – AM