Urge the Sub-Executive of United Church, Toronto Conference to reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee Re: Gretta Vosper
719 Comments
S
Susan Walker-Davies
9 years ago
If this recommendation goes through I believe the United Church will have taken a HUGE STEP BACKWARDS. this concerns me very much.
G
Gary McGowan
9 years ago
Gretta Vosper is the only minister I can consider competant to handle my spiritual needs
R
Robert Ogilvie
9 years ago
As a former United Church member, I am deeply saddened to see a new Inquisition as the church's response to Gretta's spiritual journey. She is being bound, weighted with stone and tossed into the sea...
H
Helen Dryz
9 years ago
As a former Catholic and a Buddhist meditator looking for a spiritual community, I have found Westhill United to be a welcoming, accepting congregation and Gretta to be a rare, spiritual leader who often brings me to tears. She deserves to be celebrated in the same ways she celebrates others.
As a retired UCC minister, I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the decision(s) of the Conference Interview Committee. Gretta, whom I have met and come to know over the past few years, has been and continues to be a breath of fresh air, of challenge and of invitation,to the church as a whole. I do not agree with every point she makes or every position she takes. But I am profoundly grateful for her courage, her willingness to explore new paths, and her invitation to view our traditions in new ways and our opportunities in a new light. The simple fact of the matter is that we NEED Gretta and others like her to invite the United Church into new ways of living our traditions and helping them grow to meet the demands of today's world. To exclude her from the church would be a mistake of the first order, a shining example of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. To do so would NOT be the United Church which I joined and work within and for, and it is not the United Church that I see moving into the new world around us. I urge you to dig deeply into the wealth of our denominational history, and reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee.
S
Stewart McInnes
9 years ago
This whole process is unbelievable. Theological diversity has been a benchmark in our denomination for decades and one wonders how many folk in the pulpit and pews share the views of Gretta Vosper. To a large extent I certainly do.
This process cam be ;likened to
the Salem witch hunts of the 17th century. It's time to back off.
C
Charles Heroux
9 years ago
So true. This issue is a matter of dialogue, not discipline.
J
Joyce Whiteford Herzog
9 years ago
Gretta, an invaluable mission, with or without the United Church of Canada
J
Joyce Whiteford Herzog
9 years ago
I value Gretta's message and have been comforted by her support.
P
Patricia Jones
9 years ago
Dialogue is the way to go.
The sub-Executive of Toronto Conference members are acting like Trump in the US - excommunicate all dissention!
P
Patricia and William Kay Lycett
9 years ago
Gretta is a wonderful minister!!
D
Dona Harvey and William Klassen
9 years ago
We regularly sing the lovely hymn, Draw the Circle Wide. We need to practice what we sing.
J
Joy ruttan
9 years ago
We need to hear all voices.
G
Gavin Stephenson-Jackman
9 years ago
My United Church is bigger than these actions. We need to be able to question at all times and live the life Jesus exemplified.
J
John Madigan
9 years ago
Fully support the petition.
M
margaret wigle
9 years ago
I believe being judgmental is regressive. We need to rethink our beliefs & be open to other opinions.
Gretta Vosper leads the way & the U C definitely needs her..
P
Pat Seale
9 years ago
Please reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee with regard to Gretta Vosper. The whole process was flawed from the outset and was not approved by the members of the United Church (or even the General Council). May you and the whole United Church find the wisdom needed to initiate a process that involves open dialogue, study and consultation with all who may be affected by a decision on matters such as this, and that is endorsed by all members of the United Church or their representatives.
J
jock mctavish
9 years ago
it is of extreme importance to extend the traditional inclusiveness of the UCC that today includes the transistion away from the old supernatural deism and the behaviors that outrank beliefs
D
daphne pike
9 years ago
Without Greta's voice urging a different approach to theology the church will continue to die. We need to seriously consider what she has to offer us! We must not let her go!This is the 21st century & we must be open to change!
If this recommendation goes through I believe the United Church will have taken a HUGE STEP BACKWARDS. this concerns me very much.
Gretta Vosper is the only minister I can consider competant to handle my spiritual needs
As a former United Church member, I am deeply saddened to see a new Inquisition as the church's response to Gretta's spiritual journey. She is being bound, weighted with stone and tossed into the sea...
As a former Catholic and a Buddhist meditator looking for a spiritual community, I have found Westhill United to be a welcoming, accepting congregation and Gretta to be a rare, spiritual leader who often brings me to tears. She deserves to be celebrated in the same ways she celebrates others.
[email protected]
As a retired UCC minister, I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the decision(s) of the Conference Interview Committee. Gretta, whom I have met and come to know over the past few years, has been and continues to be a breath of fresh air, of challenge and of invitation,to the church as a whole. I do not agree with every point she makes or every position she takes. But I am profoundly grateful for her courage, her willingness to explore new paths, and her invitation to view our traditions in new ways and our opportunities in a new light. The simple fact of the matter is that we NEED Gretta and others like her to invite the United Church into new ways of living our traditions and helping them grow to meet the demands of today's world. To exclude her from the church would be a mistake of the first order, a shining example of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. To do so would NOT be the United Church which I joined and work within and for, and it is not the United Church that I see moving into the new world around us. I urge you to dig deeply into the wealth of our denominational history, and reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee.
This whole process is unbelievable. Theological diversity has been a benchmark in our denomination for decades and one wonders how many folk in the pulpit and pews share the views of Gretta Vosper. To a large extent I certainly do. This process cam be ;likened to the Salem witch hunts of the 17th century. It's time to back off.
So true. This issue is a matter of dialogue, not discipline.
Gretta, an invaluable mission, with or without the United Church of Canada
I value Gretta's message and have been comforted by her support.
Dialogue is the way to go. The sub-Executive of Toronto Conference members are acting like Trump in the US - excommunicate all dissention!
Gretta is a wonderful minister!!
We regularly sing the lovely hymn, Draw the Circle Wide. We need to practice what we sing.
We need to hear all voices.
My United Church is bigger than these actions. We need to be able to question at all times and live the life Jesus exemplified.
Fully support the petition.
I believe being judgmental is regressive. We need to rethink our beliefs & be open to other opinions. Gretta Vosper leads the way & the U C definitely needs her..
Please reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee with regard to Gretta Vosper. The whole process was flawed from the outset and was not approved by the members of the United Church (or even the General Council). May you and the whole United Church find the wisdom needed to initiate a process that involves open dialogue, study and consultation with all who may be affected by a decision on matters such as this, and that is endorsed by all members of the United Church or their representatives.
it is of extreme importance to extend the traditional inclusiveness of the UCC that today includes the transistion away from the old supernatural deism and the behaviors that outrank beliefs
Without Greta's voice urging a different approach to theology the church will continue to die. We need to seriously consider what she has to offer us! We must not let her go!This is the 21st century & we must be open to change!