Urge the Sub-Executive of United Church, Toronto Conference to reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee Re: Gretta Vosper
719 Comments
T
Truman Layton
9 years ago
I completely agree with Rev Vosper's definitions as quoted.
A
Alfred Ruttan
9 years ago
,It seems to me this minister is teaching what we are told Jesus taught. Any minister who teaches love, kindness,tolerance should be encouraged. Good for her
R
Rev Marcie Gibson BSW MSDMP
9 years ago
Because our church needs engaged and open conversations, and actions of right relations not more divisions.
V
Vic Burton
9 years ago
Coming to the UCC from the Jewish tradition once felt seamless. That is, until the church ripped at a garment that was comforting, warming and clothing folks, seemingly to pull apart seams to find out if the fabric was indeed good.
D
David Griffiths
9 years ago
It is unworthy of the United Church to revert to the medieval practice of Inquisition. If the Church is the family it claims to be, then its elder members may roll their collective eyes at an unorthodox "black sheep" but cannot sever the ties of blood. While there may be an argument for Gretta Vosper considering voluntary resignation from an organization whose creed she cannot affirm in good conscience as literal fact, the organization would be much diminished by the loss of her and her congregation. As long as she is serving them well, and they feel well served, then her suitability should not be judged by those outside it. After all, the Jesus who the United Church hierarchy claims to follow did not demand conformity of belief: he defined how people should act with love. Sadly, there is more Pharisee than Gospel of Love in this unfortunate saga.
P
Pam and Bill Wilson
9 years ago
Our heartfelt gratitude to Gretta, someone we have never met, but one who echoes the thoughts and feelings we have had for several years. Thank you for having the courage to speak for so many of us who are no longer interested in the dogma that has stifled us. You are an inspiration, a breath of fresh air, and a forward thinker, someone the UCC needs to take seriously.
K
Karen Kellerman
9 years ago
This is move is not typical of the United Church I love, one which studies, reflects and looks at "issues" with open hearts.
K
Keith Nunn
9 years ago
We need to grow and learn. Shutting down truly open discussion is all that would be accomplished by firing Greta Vosper.
T
Tara Smith
9 years ago
This is an outrage, you can not ask a minister after practice there craft for so many years to go backwards, unlearn all of there good work threw the years and ask them to swear that they are the same as when they began. I'm a nurse, and if you want me to undo all the knowledge I have gained in my 10 years of practice and start again from when I graduated from nursing school, I would not be the nurse I am today. That's why this is such an injustice.
J
Judith Shand
9 years ago
The door had to be opened to let in the light, let souls size and justice roll with the power of love and grace. Courageous, all. Thank you.
P
Patrick McDonough
9 years ago
Day to day, I have questions and doubts about my faith...including what forms the Divine might take. Day to day, I also have supreme confidence in there being something in Creation that is bigger than me. I hope our ministers are allowed to have the same doubts, questions and confidence that I have. I'm with the Westhill United Church congregation on this one.
M
Marion
9 years ago
Gretta's awesome!!!!
A
Alex and Adrienne Sim
9 years ago
Its ridiculous to see this process even occur. We're in full support of Gretta
J
John and Martha Trimble
9 years ago
We've been members of Westhill for 19 years and have known Gretta for 19 years.
D
Donna Hall
9 years ago
West Hill United Church has been a home for me for almost 17 years. This has been a community that has supported me on my journey through and out of an abusive marriage, through many significant medical anomalies and ongoing periods of depression. Through every challenge i have faced, i remember thinking that i didn't want anyone to know, fearing that i would wear out my welcome but that never happened. The support and love i have always felt from Gretta and EVERYONE else is renewed with each hug and handshake. This community at West Hill do not follow one person blindly, rather each hold themselves to the same values of LOVE and ACCEPTANCE. This is important to acknowledge through this process, sharing with that that this judgement of Gretta is not simply of her, but of every person that calls West Hill home.
L
Louise Mahood
9 years ago
My hope is the Executive sets the report aside and get on with the mission.
R
Rev John Romeril
9 years ago
I support Grettas right to hold different understanding of God and suggest that the members of the Toronto conference exec define what they mean by the word God.
K
Ken Hollingshead
9 years ago
I hope that the United Church will reconsider its position and adopt one that is more progressive and inclusive.
I completely agree with Rev Vosper's definitions as quoted.
,It seems to me this minister is teaching what we are told Jesus taught. Any minister who teaches love, kindness,tolerance should be encouraged. Good for her
Because our church needs engaged and open conversations, and actions of right relations not more divisions.
Coming to the UCC from the Jewish tradition once felt seamless. That is, until the church ripped at a garment that was comforting, warming and clothing folks, seemingly to pull apart seams to find out if the fabric was indeed good.
It is unworthy of the United Church to revert to the medieval practice of Inquisition. If the Church is the family it claims to be, then its elder members may roll their collective eyes at an unorthodox "black sheep" but cannot sever the ties of blood. While there may be an argument for Gretta Vosper considering voluntary resignation from an organization whose creed she cannot affirm in good conscience as literal fact, the organization would be much diminished by the loss of her and her congregation. As long as she is serving them well, and they feel well served, then her suitability should not be judged by those outside it. After all, the Jesus who the United Church hierarchy claims to follow did not demand conformity of belief: he defined how people should act with love. Sadly, there is more Pharisee than Gospel of Love in this unfortunate saga.
Our heartfelt gratitude to Gretta, someone we have never met, but one who echoes the thoughts and feelings we have had for several years. Thank you for having the courage to speak for so many of us who are no longer interested in the dogma that has stifled us. You are an inspiration, a breath of fresh air, and a forward thinker, someone the UCC needs to take seriously.
This is move is not typical of the United Church I love, one which studies, reflects and looks at "issues" with open hearts.
We need to grow and learn. Shutting down truly open discussion is all that would be accomplished by firing Greta Vosper.
This is an outrage, you can not ask a minister after practice there craft for so many years to go backwards, unlearn all of there good work threw the years and ask them to swear that they are the same as when they began. I'm a nurse, and if you want me to undo all the knowledge I have gained in my 10 years of practice and start again from when I graduated from nursing school, I would not be the nurse I am today. That's why this is such an injustice.
The door had to be opened to let in the light, let souls size and justice roll with the power of love and grace. Courageous, all. Thank you.
Day to day, I have questions and doubts about my faith...including what forms the Divine might take. Day to day, I also have supreme confidence in there being something in Creation that is bigger than me. I hope our ministers are allowed to have the same doubts, questions and confidence that I have. I'm with the Westhill United Church congregation on this one.
Gretta's awesome!!!!
Its ridiculous to see this process even occur. We're in full support of Gretta
We've been members of Westhill for 19 years and have known Gretta for 19 years.
West Hill United Church has been a home for me for almost 17 years. This has been a community that has supported me on my journey through and out of an abusive marriage, through many significant medical anomalies and ongoing periods of depression. Through every challenge i have faced, i remember thinking that i didn't want anyone to know, fearing that i would wear out my welcome but that never happened. The support and love i have always felt from Gretta and EVERYONE else is renewed with each hug and handshake. This community at West Hill do not follow one person blindly, rather each hold themselves to the same values of LOVE and ACCEPTANCE. This is important to acknowledge through this process, sharing with that that this judgement of Gretta is not simply of her, but of every person that calls West Hill home.
My hope is the Executive sets the report aside and get on with the mission.
I support Grettas right to hold different understanding of God and suggest that the members of the Toronto conference exec define what they mean by the word God.
I hope that the United Church will reconsider its position and adopt one that is more progressive and inclusive.
She is a breath of fresh air in the Church
beautiful community