Re. Evaluating curriculum as reported in September. The article says, “Gather Round by the Brethren Press (was) also deemed unacceptable.” Was a careful examination of the materials made? The article gave no reasons for the conclusion. I could only speculate that it might have to do with the view on infant baptism and the emphasis on peace.

I am an 81-year-old retired elder (“emeritus”) from a Presbyterian congregation in Scarborough, Ont., whose dedicated passion is to be part of an ongoing reformation within our Canadian Presbyterian Church.

I'm a single female, 83, with degrees, have worked in an office, been involved in the education system (whether I taught anyone is for them to say) at various levels, was a member of the Social Assistance Review Board; Presbyterian born and raised, stayed away from church and do not attend regularly now.

One aspect of the anniversary of the ordination of women that grieves me is the loss of the Ordained Missionary appointments, and the fact that several rural and remote churches have gone without ministers for years. Because an OM appointment was necessary for ordination, because half-time appointments didn't qualify, and because qualifying vacant churches near each other were in short supply, those who were settling clergy couples in OM appointments decided that it was more important for both partners to be ordained than for rural and remote churches to have ministers, so the OM appointments were done away with. Now that half-time appointments qualify for ordination, it's time for OM appointments to be reinstated, for the good of our rural and remote ministries.

This is a year for rejoicing that our church has moved forward in recognizing women's gifts for ministry. However, let's remember that our denomination's gradual acceptance of the leadership of ordained women was preceded and prepared for by the work of capable and dedicated women who are now called members of the order of diaconal ministries.

Vivian Ketchum's letters in the July/August issue seem an unfair criticism when the overall situation is considered. Political correctness currently rules out witnessing for the faith of our fathers, so the sacrificial effort on the part of residential schools staff doing the best they were able under the circumstances is recklessly denigrated as faulty. In actuality, the churches of the day were requested and/or required to care for the native children, many of whom were rescued from privation and potential starvation. It is incongruous to thus blot the record after the fact for faithful servants years after they have passed on.

I was at the last two General Assemblies, one as a commissioner and one as a visitor. Warren Whittaker and I are the directors of Winnipeg Inner City Missions, one of the church's seven ministries with aboriginal peoples in Canada. I do not think the people in the church understand that even with the motions passed at assembly in both years, the aboriginal ministries are not being given access to the use of the funds designated for healing and reconciliation to support and augment our work.