Author
Marion Barclay MacKay

Responding to Katrina's devastation

communications

Canadian Presbyterians immediately responded to cries for help from the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, donating more than $77,000 as of September. The money will help Church World Service and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the relief wing of the Presbyterian Church (USA), clean up the devastated areas, meet the immediate needs of survivors and assist in the rebuilding process.

An Oprah moment

Michael Coren

The first question is why Celine Dion was on the Larry King show at all. Presumably Larry's team of producers did not sit around all day discussing who would be the most astute commentator on the New Orleans disaster, settling not on a state governor or a Nobel laureate engineer but on a singer from Quebec.

Making room for places of worship

communications

When secular society doesn't give churches their due, it is churches that tend to fight for recognition. This is exactly what the Toronto diocese of the Anglican Church did when it appealed Toronto's official plan for failing to specifically mention places of worship. The appeal (along with 162 others from various organizations) was heard by the Ontario Municipal Board which accepted the diocese's modifications. Because other appeals have yet to be heard, a final decision approving the church settlement could take a year or more, but the contingent order is still a victory for churches.

New position for Rick Fee

communications

Rev. Richard Fee was formally inducted into his new position as General Secretary of the Life and Mission Agency on Sept. 28. He succeeds Rev. Ian Morrison, who has retired. Fee was previously executive director of Presbyterian World Service & Development.

Kitchener recovers after loss

communications

Losing a minister is never easy. Losing three is even worse. That's exactly what happened at St. Andrew's, Kitchener, Ont. Despite the setback, the congregation is regaining its footing and looking to the future. "The dust has settled, people got to speak their minds and got questions out of their hearts," said Rev. Aubrey Botha, interim moderator. "They're ready to move on; to start being new and doing new things. They're very excited."

Experiencing the church

Nancy Devine

In the multicultural post-Christian era, theological schools across the country are taking a long look at how they prepare students for active ministry — changing not only the curriculum, but also how it is delivered to a widely diverse group of students.

Starting churches is tough, says Canada Ministries

communications

Growth in the Presbyterian Church is largely handled by Canada Ministries, which oversees and approves new church developments, discusses growth ideas with presbyteries and hands out grants to get new congregations started. It's not an easy endeavour, and can sometimes be a bit of a game of hit-and-miss. Still, success somehow manages to eventually triumph. "It doesn't always happen, but of course we hope all new developments will become flourishing congregations," said Mathew Goslinski, administrator at Canada Ministries.

Unclaimed cemetery vandalized

communications

Mysteries abound in a sad story concerning vandalism in a once-Presbyterian cemetery in southern Ontario. In mid-summer, vandals toppled 31 headstones in Primrose Presbyterian Cemetery and two other closed cemeteries. No one knows who the perpetrators are, but neither does anyone seem to know who even holds the deed to the property – and therefore, the repair bill.