Author
communications

Letter from a prodigal daughter

Elizabeth Hay

I fled both the church and the small town in which it was located as soon as I graduated from high school. I looked back with disdain upon the rather simple activities of the church, the uncritical acceptance of what I perceived to be church members' idiosyncrasies and the dogged determination to keep the dwindling congregation alive.

The West must erase tsunami of debt

Michael Coren

We've all been supremely generous over the suffering in southern Asia and the tragedy has moved individual and government alike. So let's all go a little further and be just a little more generous. Let's insist that our governments forgive Third World debt.

The Ways We Minister : Musical prepares the way

John McTavish

Godspell, the musical, has a rock-like score which speaks to teens' high energy level. Its humorous rendition of the gospels allows them to have fun while learning more about Jesus. Its high level of improvisation releases their imaginations. Godspell is a great way to capture the imagination and encourage the faith of teenagers.

Brand Power : Searching for the lost Presbyterians

communications

For over three decades Reginald Bibby has been monitoring the religious and spiritual pulse of Canadians as a demographer and statistician. He has always maintained a distance, befitting his profession as a social scientist, from his data. But his latest book, Restless Churches: How Canada's Churches Can Contribute to the Emerging Religious Renaissance is more personal. Bibby speaks directly to churches, arguing they can win back their lost members, if they want to.

The Ways We Minister : Love the story, love God

Ty Ragan

I love to tell stories — all varieties. Always have; I still have a comic book on subscription. I have been a youth leader for many years and over those years I have struggled to find ways to tell Bible stories. With my comic books as inspiration, and a Rabbi for guidance, I've developed a story telling method; one I find works very well, which I call the Rabinnical.

Christian school can grant graduate degree

communications

A private Christian graduate school has received permission to grant masters and doctoral degrees in philosophy. Established in 1967 the Institute for Christian Studies describes itself as, "a school in the Reformed tradition, committed to self-critique and continual change." Pursuing a Christian approach to philosophy, the humanities and social sciences are the school's main endeavours.

Acceptance and love are uphill journeys

Richard (Rick) Fee

A profound sadness visits me each time I hear a reference to the Holocaust, the systematic killing of six million Jewish people during World War II. I wonder what can be said or done to commemorate that event today? We read books and study history. But is there something more that we, as Christians, should be doing?

Follicly blessed

communications

Among these seven follicly blessed students at the Toronto School of Theology in the mid-seventies are a future moderator and two bishops. From left, the dapper Rick Fee, PCC Moderator; Heather McGregor, now a YWCA Toronto executive; Caroline Lockerbee, Presbyterian minister in Burlington, Ont.; Jack Archibald, Ottawa Presbyterian minister; Colin Johnson, Anglican bishop of Toronto; David Danner, Episcopal priest in Massachusetts; and Jim Wingle, Roman Catholic bishop of St. Catharines.

Executive staff, professors receive a raise

communications

Assembly Council has approved a pay-hike for national church executive staff to bring them in line with comparable positions in the Toronto area. As of Jan. 1, 2005, the church's top three general secretary positions — principal clerk, chief financial officer and general secretary of the Life and Mission agency — are receiving a clergy stipend of $82,300, up from $65,249. Non-clergy receive another 15 per cent to compensate for the clergy housing tax deduction.

Toronto minister charged with sexual assault

communications

A prominent Toronto minister has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a teenager for an alleged incident 15 years ago. Rev. Robert Fourney, minister at Glenview, the largest Presbyterian church in Toronto, and former moderator of East Toronto Presbytery appeared in Collingwood court on Feb 1. He is scheduled to appear again March 8, when a date for a preliminary hearing is expected to be set.

The Ways We Minister : The retreat experience

Gerry Hofstra

Each individual's motivation for going on a retreat is very personal. Some are at a crisis point and need to make an important decision, some want to draw closer to God, some to work through issues and to seek God's help, some are curious, some want a place of quiet and rest, some come to unburden and others to seek renewal or more intimate contact with God. The reasons are as varied as the people. Though there is no magical solutions and problems are not always resolved, invariably the person is touched in some healing or encouraging way. Underlying issues often come to the surface as people learn to open themselves more fully to God. As issues are dealt with, the situation may be transformed or the problem may disappear. What also happens is that the presence of God becomes more palpable and life becomes easier to face.