Magazine

Ratzinger not so ecumenical

Lee McKenna duCharme

I was intrigued by the laudatory words for the ecumenical pope in the May and June issues. As an activist and international trainer in conflict transformation and economic literacy, I have a snapshot or two that suggest a less praiseworthy impact of John Paul II's pontificate on ecumenical relations. The anti-communist passions that supported the rise of Solidarnosc and the fall of totalitarian communism in Poland and elsewhere were manifest in Latin America in a hard-edged suppression of liberation-theology-inspired dissent; Leonardo Boff and Archbishop Romero of El Salvador come to mind. Under John Paul II, progressive Catholics lamented his intransigence, even retreat, on several issues, one of them being ecumenical relations.

Healing the church’s relationship with God

communications

Remembering the Pentecostal belief that God can and does heal today could be healthy and worthwhile for the Christian church, according to Ron Wallace, associate secretary of International Ministries for the Presbyterian Church. Wallace attended the World Council of Churches' Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in May. Held in Athens, Greece, the idea of God's healing ran throughout the international event. "Healing on a horizontal level, between denominations, also implies healing the church's relationship with God," he said.

Zimbabweans share in helping twins

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The Toronto Zimbabwean community gathered on May 21 for a dinner and dance to raise money for Tinashe and Tinotenda — the conjoined twins flown from Zimbabwe and separated at the Hospital for Sick Children in March. The event's theme was Any Child is My Child, reminiscent of the traditional Zimbabwean practice of all parents caring for all children. "It takes an entire village to raise a child," said Margaret Zondo, administrator of the Presbyterian Church's International Ministries and one of the event's creators."These kids are really not their mother's kids. They belong to everyone in Zimbabwe."

Sharing and learning

Jean Morris

It was my privilege to serve as moderator during the 131st General Assembly whose theme was Claiming the Joy of Our Faith. With the Assembly ended, I continue in office and have the unique opportunity to meet with people across Canada and beyond, learning and sharing about the Presbyterian Church in Canada. It is my hope that the theme of this year's assembly will continue throughout the year.

Iacobucci to oversee residential schools claims

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The Presbyterian Church hopes to meet with a new federal government representative working on resolving claims of former residential schools students. Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci is mandated by the government to help resolve claims in a fair and equitable way so that the claimants can move towards healing. He will work with former students, as well as legal counsel for those students, legal counsel for churches and the Assembly of First Nations. "We're looking forward to meeting with Justice Iacobucci to see where we can be helpful in bringing resolution, healing and closure for the claimants, who have waited so long," said Rev. Stephen Kendall, the church's principal clerk.

Sunday morning dysfunctions

afaiz

I have probably witnessed in excess of 1,500 sermons over the past 35 years. Of those, I remember about a dozen vividly. There's another two dozen, maybe, of which I have some residual memory. The older I get, the more sermons I hear, the more I want to be challenged. I grow weary of safe, predictable interpretations; I am tired of brow-beating mean-spiritedness; bored with clichéd punch lines; I yawn at sickly sincere limousine lefties. Are we too polite as Christians, or specifically as Presbyterians, or perhaps as Canadians, to question the value of Sunday service? Perhaps we have a life long training in genuflecting to the clergy — regardless of what they say must be so?

A Kanata Presbyterian buzzes in U.S. spelling bee

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Called the world's toughest spelling competition, the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in Washington, D.C., saw one Canadian Presbyterian compete. Twelve-year-old Jennifer Hurd, daughter of Rev. James Hurd of Parkwood, Ottawa, Ont., put in a good showing but did not advance to the third round. She tied for 98th place when her written and oral scores from the first two rounds were just short of what was needed to advance. The winner, Anurag Kashyap from San Diego, California, spelled appoggiatura correctly to win the championship after 19 rounds.

Church staff raises moneyfor girls with rare disorder

amymaclachlan

Presbyterians ran for Rett on May 15, helping to raise money for a disorder many parents and doctors don't even know about. Rett Syndrome is a degenerative neurodevelopmental disorder that first appears in girls between six and 18 months of age. It affects about one in every 10,000 to 15,000 girls, with life expectancy believed to be about 40 years. There is no cure. "This run was a concerted effort to raise awareness," said Rob Congram, whose daughter Abby is afflicted with the disorder. "The money was great but the real goal was to let people know this is out there."

Sun sets on Flames

Caroline Lockerbie

It was Sunday morning, the setting a serious Church of Scotland Service in a formidable stone building several hundred years old. As the minister, I stood to read the announcement which the elder handed me. "Yesterday's kirk fayre was a huge success. Great crack was enjoyed around the tables." His face drained of all of its colour as he realized that my Canadian accent brought a somewhat North American interpretation to the Gaelic word craik. My Highland vocabulary was expanding, but not without a lot of concern on my part over what I had just read and gales of laughter from the congregation. Craik means a good chat, a conversation to catch up on all that has been happening.

Superglue and wayward youths

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I was a crazy kid. Teachers didn't appreciate me and my parents wondered if there was hope for me. The trouble with being a crazy kid is that God has a sense of humour and one day He may give you some children of your own. The other night after scolding my sons and sending them to bed snackless, I sat in the living room, wondering if there's any hope at all for my descendants. "Do you ever wonder," I asked my wife, "what will happen to a generation that doesn't even know which way to wear their hats? Or how high to pull their pants? A generation raised on Nintendo and Eminem?"

Aiming to end child poverty

amymaclachlan

Canada's relief and aid community is joining with 50 other countries to help Make Poverty History. The international campaign is supported by the Presbyterian Church through Presbyterian World Service & Development. The campaign has three themes: More and Better Aid, Make Trade Fair and Cancel the Debt. Canada has added the theme of End Child Poverty.

Taiwan celebrates 140 years of Protestant ministry

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Taiwan is celebrating the 140th anniversary of the arrival of Protestant missionaries. Canadian Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was one of the pioneers, arriving in 1872. "When the early evangelists arrived on Taiwan to proclaim the gospel of Christ, local people greeted them with thrown stones, spittle, knives and rejection," said Rev. Dr. C. M. Kao, former General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. "But the gospel was fearlessly proclaimed and the spirit of these brave forerunners remains a pattern worthy of emulation by contemporary Christians."

Grow or die

W. Owen Thornton

The number of Presbyterian churches in London, Ont., has not changed in at least a decade and the collective roll from 1999 to today shows a downwards trend, but the city's population is larger. We're not only losing ground numerically, we're serving a significantly smaller percentage of the population. In the lingo of business, we're dying!

Fellowship Centre says it faces funding crisis

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The Kenora Fellowship Centre (Anamiewigummig) is facing a funding crisis, says a representative from the centre, which could threaten its 40-year existence. Grants from the federal government totaling $125,000 have been cut, meaning the winter hostel would likely have to close, and the 80 to 90 homeless who seek the centre's warmth would be left in the cold.

Mennonites join council

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The Mennonite Church Canada is an official member of the Canadian Council of Churches. This brings the council's membership up to 20 traditions, including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. The Presbyterian Church is an active member.

Women combine resources for peace

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Four Christian publications for women are combining their resources to publish a special issue devoted to women and peace, in preparation for the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. Glad Tidings magazine, published by the Presbyterian church's Women's Missionary Society, is the only Canadian church publication chosen. Horizons (published by PC(USA)'s Presbyterian Women), Lutheran Woman Today (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and Response (United Methodist Women) are also involved.