Urge the Sub-Executive of United Church, Toronto Conference to reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee Re: Gretta Vosper

I believe in love and that is all that Gretta preaches!

Gretta Vosper brings to the UCC an approach based on love, inclusion, social action and deep spiritual reflection. Surely this is the hallmark of an excellent leader and carries more value than adherence to a rigid doctrine.

I add my name and support to those who value Gretta Vosper's ministry within The United Church of Canada. For the well--being of Gretta Vosper, West Hill United, all ministry personnel, all congregations, and the entire United Church; I ask the Toronto Conference Sub-Executive when you gather again on Sept. 19 to reject the recommendations of the Interview Committee.

If this is what the United Church of Canada does to progressive voices, then there is no place in it for me. After 12 years of participating in my Edmonton Congregation, I will be seeking a new spiritual community; one that does not bully, and does not conduct inquisitions against progressive voices.

There has definitely been a mood surrounding this whole issue encouraging Gretta and anyone who connects to what she says, to find where they belong beyond the United Church, instead of finding space for them within. Words from the 1940, Statement of Faith.. "But Christians of each new generation are called to state it afresh in terms of the thought of their own age and with the emphasis their age need". Is this not a time to look at the bigger picture of what Church means for this age, to look at the words we use, what they mean for us now in this age...is this not what Gretta has been doing....stating it afresh or in different words? I understand that the church felt it had to uphold its guidelines for ministers but the biggest regret in all this, is that the church only centred on a minister's suitability, and did not take advantage of a great opportunity to explore what church does mean in this century... for everyone.

Is Arius another name for Vosper?

I am a supporter of the United Church in Ponoka, AB.

The attached petition echoes my concerns re the recommendations of the report of the Conference Interview Committee re Gretta Vosper!

This needs to be rejected - it is a punishment for honesty, a quality we should value and encourage.

Atheists should be welcome in the United Church of Canada. Also as spiritual leaders. Our mandate should not be to convert others to a specific set of beliefs and doctrines. A self proclaimed atheist or someone who understands God differently than as a triune God can follow the way of Christ and lead others to do so (care for one another, feed the hungry, satisfy those seeking spiritual nourishment, shelter the homeless, and care for the sick just to name a few things) just as well as any Christian. The doctrine of the Trinity has been a divisive issue throughout the entire history of the Christian church. It's time to drop it. The United Church of Canada should view the religious practices of all people of goodwill, including those religious practices of atheists, with respect and gratitude. The the Spirit of God is at work in many different faith communities including atheist spiritual communities where this Spirit is not named God. I urge the sub-Executive of Toronto Conference to reject the recommendations of the report of the Conference Interview Committee Re: Gretta Vosper.

Why silence voices that ask people to find and share their inner good? Why remove a minister whose congregation is satisfied and inspired by her ministry?

We need open discussion of our faith from the pulpit. Such discussion will welcome all generations to freely share their beliefs and spirituality. These discussions should not just be be on god based beliefs. Let us be inclusive and not build and maintain archaic walls of belief which have little relevance today. What matters is how we live not what we believe.

We need to be progressive in our beliefs and actions.

Don't silence this conversation. Gretta Vosper is a bright light in a sea of darkness. I share her beliefs.

Thank you, Conference Interview Committee, for offering this most challenging opportunity for us to continue to evaluate the holistic meaning of our faith journey and to participate in its spiritual evolution; without which atrophy and death of the United Church is inevitable. The delicate and ever-changing dance of fostering inclusivity against exclusivity once again moves us on the path towards being closer examples of the teachings of a Jewish rabbi named Jesus, whose recorded example, flawed as it must be after 2000 years of human interpretation and obvious manipulation, is in concert with so many others, mostly unknown to us and of so many different "belief systems", which have shown and continue to show us the path to inclusivity. Ours is the journey beyond the last 2 millennia of improving our "Creed"- so obviously a doctrinal work in progress; modified often within the context of the immediate pressures for conformance on the prevailing leadership's belief in what they understand is their duty. My 12 formative years at a High Anglican boarding school was strong in teaching me all I need know about ritual and nothing I needed to know about Jesus teachings with its basic tenant of inclusivity. My United Church is strong and clear in Jesus' teachings and it's belief in inclusivity, We believe it is not a threat to our existence but is also the way to its future survival. We no longer burn "heretics" do we? Now, if we only just do away with those Crusades! Small steps, however large they might appear in their time of happening, continue to be the touchstones of belief on our ever-evolving faith Journey . Shalom

Attwnding Gretta's church made me feel, for the first time, like there was a place full of people who see things like I do. It was the first time I remember feeling a sense of belonging in Toronto. To take this away would be a sin. Please show your openness and tolerance to new ideas by leaving good alone.

If the church does not evolve and speak the truth, then it will die.

The acts in which Toronto Conference has engaged in over Gretta Vosper's work reflect for me the very reason that mainstream religion has become #unsuitable in my life. I want us to have honest conversations about the characteristics we as Christian individuals want to uphold and ask ourselves whether we truly have been our best. (As an educator, I'm continually asking: How can we teach self-reflection to others. It's hard to do and I challenge all of us to never believe we have arrived at being completely self-reflective in our daily lives.) Like many, I was born into the United Church and have been an active member for years. About 10+ years ago, I became disenchanted by the cat fighting that happened in my church. It was all about power and nothing about holding each other up to be our best. I left - thinking I'd never come back. When I entered West Hill I was astonished at how this church truly upheld the characteristics of a Christian way-of-life. (I am saddened that the TC never came to see for themselves) We are always asking how can we make a difference in our community? And -- Let's take a deep look at our own attitudes and actions -- and explore how we can make ourselves better people. I have never attended a service at West Hill that didn't challenge my thinking about life and my role in others' lives. When all of this started with Gretta, West Hill asked (begged?) to be heard and Toronto Conference was not interested. While the committee may believe thay have just "reviewed" Gretta (based on a measuring stick that the UCC as a whole has not established) they in fact reviewed all of us who are members, adherents and friends -- and found us as #unsuitable. In my mind, one cannot happen without the other. At a time when the world is large yet small and we see so many unjust events happen in the name of religion, I am saddened to discover that we Canadians, members of UCC, are no different - persecution all in the name of maintaining po

I sign because I am part of the evolutionary consciousness thinking and hope to continue to find it in the United Church of Canada.

How does one define an effective ministry? Surely it would include one who leads by example with a life of love, justice and compassion while at same time is being forthright and honest in sharing one's beliefs. This is what my minister, Gretta Vosper, does. Something is wrong when just a few in the church's hierarchy are being allowed to muzzle one of its ministers and to do so in a cruel and unthinking fashion. Should this path that has been so lacking in dialogue be allowed to continue, the United Church of Canada ((UCC) will surely find itself on a path of self-destruction as Gretta is not alone. Instead, by acknowledging her as the effective minister that she is, the UCC will be taking a step in a direction that will allow for growth.