Justice Harry LaForme stepped down as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on October 19, citing irresolvable conflict between himself and fellow commissioners Claudette Dumont-Smith and Jane Brewin Morley.

The two commissioners disputed his authority, LaForme alleged, and weighted the 'truth' side of the commission too heavily when he sought 'reconciliation.'

Church leaders seeking to start peer support groups can take advantage of a new fund available through national offices. Intended to cover start-up costs and minor expenses like books and transportation, the funds can facilitate the creation of a meeting group with a focus on a particular form of ministry, prayer or study.

After more than six years of detainment in Guantanamo Bay, 41-year-old Djamel Ameziane is “in urgent need of protection” according to a coalition of human rights organizations. The stigma of the former Montreal resident's suspected links to terrorism put him at risk of imprisonment and torture if he returns to his native Algeria, they allege.

Stewardship and Education for Mission has produced an opportunity to Experience Mission in Malawi via DVD. When this issue went to print, it was slated for release in early November and featured two 10-minute segments exploring the role of Presbyterian Sharing and Presbyterian World Service and Development in ongoing Malawian missions.

R. G. Mitchell Family Books, Canada's largest Christian book wholesaler and retailer, declared bankruptcy in early September leaving over 150 unsecured creditors and $9 million in liabilities. The 74-year-old company has remained tight-lipped about reasons for the closure, and its sudden shutdown left many booksellers scrambling to find alternative distributors.

Web guru Colin Carmichael joined the Life and Mission Agency this October as Associate Secretary, Communication and Resource Production, a position which has been vacant for almost a year.

This summer, Rosedale and Bonar-Parkdale, both in Toronto, conducted widely publicized funerals for murdered youth. Oliver Martin, 25, one of two young men who were shot outside a friend's condominium, was buried from Rosedale while Katelynn Sampson, 7, was found in the home of her caregivers, just a few blocks from Bonar-Parkdale, where she was remembered.

BURNABY – The Presbytery of Westminster recognized Burnaby Taiwanese, which began as a mission and preaching point of Vancouver Taiwanese, as a stand-alone congregation in January.

"It has always been less about politics and more about service," said Jane Pitfield. "For me, it was about the message. I'm speaking up for people who have concerns that need to be heard." Pitfield ran for mayor of Toronto in 2006, and served for eight years previously as a city counsellor. She attends Leaside, Toronto.

Congregations and individuals can help to reach the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by participating in the Week to End Poverty (Oct. 12-19) through prayer, education and communication with members of parliament. Events can be registered at standupagainstpoverty.org.

Margaret Henderson, administrator, teacher and preacher's kid, has spent her life serving the Presbyterian Church, and retired last month from her position as senior administrator of Ministry and Church Vocations. She had worked at national offices for 33 years.