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Grand Hall

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The Grand Hall of the Museum of Civilization, in Ottawa, is in the shape of a canoe passing by native villages along the coast line. The location was not only stunningly beautiful but also proved prophetic for the commissioners' dinner on Monday, June 2.

Calvin at 500

Don MacLeod

Next year is the cinquo-centennial of our theological parent, John Calvin, the originator of our Reformed identity. To mark the event the Committee on History will publish a popular series of 10 monthly articles from September to June in the Presbyterian Record on the significance of John Calvin in today's world.

Morrison steps in for Fee

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Rev. Ian Morrison has stepped in as the acting General Secretary of the Life and Mission Agency for an unspecified period of time. Morrison, who served in this position for nine years until retiring in 2005, is filling in for Rev. Rick Fee who is recovering from time spent in hospital.

Children Matter

Peter Bush

My interest was piqued by the Education for Discipleship report to General Assembly. The report noted that nearly 20 per cent of congregations in the Presbyterian Church had no Sunday school in 2005. In 2006, 164 out of 932 congregations (reporting statistics) were in that situation. This suggests that Presbyterians are not reaching the next generation of Canadians.

Sudan church growing

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ENI – Despite the daily challenges in Sudan, the church – as it is in many parts of Africa – is growing. But they must contend not only with a nation that is rebuilding after two decades of civil war, but also with the presence (and growth) of Islam. Churches complain of rumoured conversions to Islam based on inducements of scholarships, money and material goods.

Summer Book Club : Prophets in the Pulpit

William Klempa

This is a superb collection of 18 essays by Dr. Joseph C. McLelland. They span a half-century and cover a variety of topics grouped under three main headings: Theology and Ministry, Theology and the Reformed Tradition and Theology and Canadian Society. Most of the essays were written during McLelland's 50-year association with The Presbyterian College, Montreal, and his almost equally long association with McGill University where he occupied the J. W. McConnell Chair in Philosophy of Religion. A witty, lighter take on the history of The Presbyterian College entitled Adventures in P-C Land: A Saurian Testament has happily been included as an appendix. The essays are written in McLelland's lively, engaging style and are a delight to read.

Stevenson up for writing award

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Former Glad Tidings editor, L. June Stevenson has been nominated for the 2008 Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her memoir Tracing Rainbows: Lessons Along the Way. Stevenson, of Ajax, Ont., is up against five other authors for her manuscript which, if it wins, could be published by Castle Quay Books Canada.