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communications

CIDA supports

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A cheque in the amount of $2,200,000 from the Canadian International Development Agency and made payable to Presbyterian World Service and Development was received in early July. PWS&D is administering the tsunami relief program in India which has brought together a joint effort of the Presbyterian, United, Mennonite and Anglican Churches. The happy PWS&D members are Alex Macdonald, Rev. Rick Fee, Karen Plater, John Popiel, Guy Smagghe and Colleen McCue.

A global view of HIV infection

communications

Sixty-five million people have been infected with HIV/AIDS since it was first diagnosed in 1981. Over 25 million have died. In 2005, some 2.8 million died from AIDS-related diseases and over four million were newly infected. Two-thirds of all those living with HIV are in sub-Sahara Africa, where 24.5 million are infected. The majority of those of who have the virus (HIV) are unaware of their positive status. UNAIDS, a coalition of United Nations programs addressing HIV/AIDS, calls it “one of the greatest security and development issues facing the world today.”

Courageous, Critical, Compassionate

Chuck Congram<br />Senior Minister, <br />Lakeshore St. Andrew's Church

I know there will be great diversity of opinion regarding the reporting on the presbytery decision regarding Dr. Robert Fourney. Perhaps that will evidence itself nowhere more dramatically than in the responses to your editorial for the July/August edition. I would personally like to express a series of words that I feel characterize the nature of your editorial. Courageous — as difficult as it is to make commentary in these situations I believe you spoke forthrightly and courageously. Critical — in a day and age when these types of issues are frequently swept under the proverbial carpet it was essential that someone speak clearly concerning the decision. Compassionate — appropriate recognition was given to the needs which Dr. Fourney as well as the congregations he has served will have going forward from here while at the same time acknowledging that the circle of those impacted adversely by all of this is much bigger than the victims themselves. Conscientious — for I can only imagine how much consideration must have gone into the decision not only about what would be reported but how best to do that. Heartfelt thanks to you for doing the right thing.

Emerging lands

Andrew Mitchell, North Saanich, B.C.

Stuart MacDonald is correct that the institutional church is facing a monumental change owing to the fact that our close bonds with the central establishments of Western society have been cut after a period of 1,700 years. By all means pray, but when we look at our church and the reality that we have failed to connect with generations born in the past 65 years, we should realize that we have been getting deeper in the wilderness for some time. If insight and direction do not come soon we will die in the wilderness.