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

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As a Christian atheist I support those who would discover rather than merely acquiesce in their faith. Gretta has and is doing so, and is encouraging others to pursue 'faith' in the 21st century. While some 30% of people around the world, including all faith traditions, have had a "religious exeperience", most of us have not, which is not our fault. Leave the petty nature of tradition behind if it only leads to leaving out the majority of persons.

We support the ministry of Gretta Vosper and WHUC as the future direction of the UCC and other protestant denominations. She should be celebrated, not dismissed.

I strongly encourage the interview Committee to reject these recommendations. It is not Gretta who should be 'on trial' here... but rather the actual wording of the ordination vows. In all our work and commitments to inclusive language over the years how could something so foundational be ignored...The vows are the 'elephant in the living room' -- God as male....I have never believed that ...and I am certainly not a theist..... which begs the question...... who will be next ... is it me ? Should I invite them to tea... or wait for them to contact me.... The UC has always been a big tent..... Do not take this giant step backwards.....

I encourage others to read the literature and sign the petition.

I urge the Toronto Conference to reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Board. Surely we can find a more creative and compassionate way to recognize the mission of West Hill United and their minister than this.

The treatment of Gretta Vosper will determine the future of the United Church of Canada ... rejecting the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee is the only open-minded course of action ... DaP

Like Gretta, I no longer accept the Christian concept of God, from the Bible. However I have Faith in whatever, whichever or whoever created Earth and Life, to which Entity or Force I apply the term "God". However, I do not believe that I am an Atheist.

We need more clergy like Gretta! What a sad day it will be if she is forced out of the UCC.

To try and stifle intelligent theology is futile. In this day and age many of those within the UCC no longer can believe in a theistic god but do believe in the great message of Jesus as well as other great thinkers through the ages including ours.

The United Church that has been my lifelong home, wherever I have lived in Canada is inclusive and enriched by the ministry of Gretta and others like her. Excluding her will exclude many others.

Gretta Vosper's work and writings provoke and encourage me. She enables me (among so many others) to cut through deadwood and overgrowth in the words, life and work of the church. In so doing, she helps us reclaim challenging and creative paths towards healing creation, finding commonality as we celebrate diversity, and working to restore right relations. In short, she has helped me to renew and strengthen commitments I made when I was ordained. I lament the decision of the Conference Interview Committee. I hope for the wisdom of Toronto Conference.

I support Gretta! Gretta, who I have met several times, is a wonderful, brave, pastoral minister who puts her beliefs into words and actions, in a world that no longer “buys” the archaic trappings of an outdated way of thinking.

Let her stay!!. Total injustice!

One of the reasons I became a minister in The United Church of Canada is because I resonated with its policy of inclusivity and non-judgement. If this action against Gretta Vosper is carried through the church becomes one of judgement based on proper 'belief'. This is an ethos that I, for one, feel is unacceptable for a church that purports to be proud of its diversity and preaches inclusivity.

There is a need in the church for men and women like Gretta Vosper to make the religion of the past more revelant for today as mankind keeps learning more about all aspects of this world. Many younger folks don't find church has any meaning in their current thinking and partially it is because the church won't think outside of the box. Gretta Vosper is a thinker outside of the box.

I was raised and educated in RC theology, where every word had to be precise and it was presumed that certain words contained the whole, immutable truth. I have let go a lot of words and concepts in my search for deeply personal spirituality.

Should this recommendation be accepted , I will terminate my membership in the UCC and provide financial support to my home church only!

What about those who continue to preach hatred (e.g. concerning gays and lesbians) from United Church pulpits? Is it because they say they "love Jesus" that these ordained ministers are allowed without question to preach a toxic theology far from what I understand the United Church of Canada assumes to hold.

I believe this is the wrong action for our denomination to take in light of our stance on justice, right relationships, diversity and inclusiveness.