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The Mission Moderator

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“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Sharing Cultures at Knox

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The Centre for Asian-Canadian Theology and Ministry at Knox College is hosting a seminar on May 28 on cross-cultural issues. The third and last in an annual series, the seminar aims to explore the histories of the Presbyterian Church in Canada along with those of the Korean, Ghanaian, Chinese and Taiwanese churches, and explore how these communities can share mission and ministry in the future.

How are Presbyterians Giving?

Peter Bush

Presbyterian congregations in Canada have almost doubled their givings to missions over the last 20 years. In 1985, according to data reported in the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assembly, Presbyterian congregations gave $9.5 million to missions (General Assembly budget, as Presbyterians Sharing was called at the time, Other Benevolences, and Women's Missionary Society/Atlantic Mission Society). In 2005, Presbyterian congregations reported giving $18.5 million to missions. What is striking about this $9-million increase is that $6 million went to Other Benevolences, to mission projects and initiatives outside the national church budget. Other Benevolences includes local food banks, Presbyterian World Service and Development, interdenominational mission efforts, congregational short-term mission projects, and so on.

A Time of Respite

Lisa M. Petsche

For many of us, summer, that much-anticipated season of warmth and light we're entering, is all too brief. Naturally, we'd like to savour it as much as possible. In order to really do so, though, we need to depart from our usual habits and routines.

Imitating Prey

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Today is my day off and it snowed this morning, almost a foot in some places. Disgusted, I went to work. After lunch the snow stopped and I decided to leave the office and see if I could salvage the remains of the day. I went home, grabbed my fi eld glasses, my rambling rifle and the rest of my field kit.

Religious groups go green

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ENI — Religious groups have joined civic groups and international companies that include Volvo and General Electric in backing The Path to Climate Sustainability by the Global Roundtable on Climate Change. The coalition of more than 150 groups is calling for governments to set “scientifically informed targets” for reducing greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide emissions.

Church Signs Deal with Corrections Canada

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The Presbyterian Church recently signed a revised agreement between the federal government and the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy for Corrections Services Canada, an advisory group on the provision of religious and spiritual care to inmates and the oversight of federal prison chaplains. Rev. Will Ingram, a minister at Morningside High Park, Toronto, signed on behalf of the committee, along with Correctional Services Commissioner Keith Coulter. The document describes the relationship between the two organizations and outlines how chaplaincy services are provided in correctional institutions.

Moderator-Elect is Named

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Rev. Dr. J. H. (Hans) Kouwenberg of Calvin Church, Abbotsford, B.C., has been named moderator-elect for the 2007 General Assembly this June in Waterloo, Ont. Kouwenberg came to his current charge after 20 years at St. Giles', Prince George, and has served on a number of the church's national committees. He has been clerk and moderator of synod and presbytery, is currently convener of the board of St. Andrew's Hall and a member of the Committee on Theological Education, and has been on the governing bodies of all three theological colleges. In 2005, Presbyterian College awarded him an honorary doctorate. He has also acted as chaplain for the Royal Canadian Legion and for correctional services. He currently teaches literature at a Bible college in Abbotsford. Kouwenberg will be officially installed as moderator at the assembly.

We Care and Share!

Wilma Welsh

When you receive this issue of The Presbyterian Record, I will be representing The Presbyterian Church in Canada at the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. How exciting it will be for me to visit the church that I served for six years in the early 1970's. I served in Taiwan during a very difficult time; a time when the church was facing political and social persecution. Suffering continues because of Taiwan's position in the world today. I will share news of this visit in my final message in the June issue.