The Presbyterian Record does not shy away from critical, often sensitive, questions about the function and future of the church and the God she serves. It shows courageous stewardship, allowing little room for the comforts of complacency and judgmental fundamentalism.
PC(USA)—A General Assembly amendment that would allow presbyteries to ordain openly gay or lesbian clergy in the Presbyterian Church (USA) was defeated in late April.
I especially appreciated Dr. McLelland’s last paragraph where he speaks about “God-centered faith.” The following quote from Margaret Isherwood’s The Root of the Matter has helped me understand that I can agree with Mclelland’s views, and still journey in faith as Presbyterian.
This advertisement has no place in the Presbyterian Record, whether paid for by a Presbyterian or not. Regardless of one’s personal views of abortion, to say, as the cardinal does, that it is “the transcending issue of the day” is simply wrong. War, genocide, poverty, racism, human rights, gender inequality all might well be described as “transcending” issues. While abortion is an issue for many, so too is the right of women to have control of their bodies and their lives.
Re the February 2009 editorial, Suffering Servants
No professional that I know works a 40-hour week, other than hourly paid workers. Everyone else, salaried or contract, works the hours required to complete their job descriptions. Particularly in today’s world, the onus is on the employee to prove their worth everyday.
Click here for this month’s Called to Wonder.
ENI—The global economic crisis has led to a rise in reported incidents of anti-Semitism in Canada, says a prominent Jewish human rights and humanitarian organization.
ENI—The Roman Catholic bishop in Sudan, Antonio Menegazzo, is warning that the humanitarian situation in the country’s western Darfur region is worsening, nearly a month after President Omar al Bashir ejected 13 relief organizations.
Karen Mills says her life has done a complete turn-around since discovering Family Futures, a program that helps single mothers and is run out of St. Paul’s, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
In the fall of 2007, Mills was pregnant and also had four children. The church’s community kitchen has a partnership with Family Futures, a non-government organization that works with mothers who are pregnant or have recently had a child and are at risk due to different socio-economic factors.
Once a month the church hosts a cooking class and provides all the ingredients for a meal. Family Futures provides the transportation and childcare. Families work together to make meals for each family to take home, and also discuss different recipes and budgeting.
Through attending the Family Futures meal nights at St. Paul’s, Mills met several ladies at the church who she describes as friendly, outgoing, understanding and supportive.
ENI—German Bishop Margot Kässmann has criticized the Protestant work ethic ascribed to the 16th century theologian John Calvin, saying it has excesses in the current social and economic climate.
Rev. Dr. Richard Topping has been appointed the first professor of Studies in the Reformed Tradition at St. Andrew’s Hall. He will begin July 1.
There’s a saying in scientific circles: “Just because your shoe can be used to pound in a nail, doesn’t make it the same as a hammer.” Two Kinds of Knowledge was disappointing for the fundamental reason that not only was the line distinguishing the two modes of inquiry—theological and scientific—ostensibly blurred, it was in fact made invisible. Rev. Dr. Joseph McLelland equates theological categorization with scientific inquiry.
Ten graduates (see photos elsewhere in this issue), one candidate in lay leadership and three honorary degrees were handed out early May at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal, for the 142nd convocation of Presbyterian College.
Rev. Glynis Williams, executive director of Action Refugiés Montréal, was awarded an honourary Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa), presented by Professor Robert C. Culley. A former nurse, Williams was ordained in 1989. The organization she leads was founded in 1994 by the Anglican and Presbyterian churches to help refugees realize their right to asylum and rebuild their lives in a new community. It is one of the few organizations in Quebec that facilitate private sponsorship of refugees living in danger overseas. Action Refugiés also “twins” volunteers with newly arrived refugees and provides support and counsel to those detained by Immigration Canada, emphasizing the particular barriers faced by women and children.
Members of Scotsburn’s Black Light Theatre are shown here getting set to rehearse the troupe’s latest production, Noah and the Flood. Among the total of about 30 cast and crew members (not including luminescent props) from the Scotsburn area are, front, from left, Fiona MacKenzie, Matthew Adams, Meg Maxner, back row, Carl Adams and Joyce MacLeod. The theatre is sponsored by Bethel, Scotsburn, Ont. Performances were in April at Scotsburn Elementary School.
Evangel Hall’s new medical and dental clinic is “divine intervention,” according to Greg, one of the first people to use the new free service. The new and unique mission was officially launched in late April though doors had been open for a few months.
Our 2009 graduates of Knox College; The Presbyterian College, Montreal; Vancouver School of Theology.
Hot dogs. Hot chocolate. Hot fun. Hot Hot Hot is St. Andrew’s contribution to Barrie’s Winterfest in February. Over 160 folks from the community came into the church, to warm up, do crafts or hang out with a clown. A simple and successful way of doing community outreach.
Re Faithful Citizenship—Respect for Life advertisement, April
Having read your April issue virtually cover-to-cover, I am left struck by the gross contrast between two items in particular: Joyce Gladwell’s Sharing Rejection and the three-page advertisement, a letter of Cardinal Justin Rigali, inserted by a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Finishing a field placement with past moderator of General Assembly Rev. Dr. Hans Kouwenberg, I found myself on Easter morning with a front row seat for the baptism of seven people from two different families, and all different ages. My job was to help get folks in order and aid in handing out Bibles and certificates of baptism.
ENI—Germany’s top Protestant cleric, Bishop Wolfgang Huber, has castigated the fact that his country has become the top armaments exporting nation of Europe.