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

Gretta is nothing else than completely honest and transparent in her convictions- just as Jesus was. In a Christian denomination that values, above all else, diversity, I am completely surprised by this process.

As a long standing member of the United Church I am so very disappointed in the recent decision regarding Greta Vosper. I used to be proud of the church and its progressive thinking and am no longer proud to be a member and will withdraw my association if she is not allowed to continue .

As a visitor, I found Gretta Vosper and her Services at West Hill to be very inspirational. If I lived closer, I would attend regularly.

The work and insight that Gretta and West Hill are sharing is very uplifting and leading people into the future with inspiration and with a logical goal The Uniited Church of Canada must accept this great leadership to continue. The United Church has missed the boat with many other progressive clergy who have already moved on because of such backward thinking

I was born and brought up by my parents, Rev. Arthur and Una Dobson in India, the child of a minister ordained in the United Church of Canada and a soc

As an active United Church member when I lived in Toronto, I cannot accept that a church leader is being disciplined for exploring diversity within an inclusive denomination.

my United church allows disruptors like its founder was

Gretta is what the church needs because her views seem to be the direction that many in the church are heading. Not only members but also ministers are changing their thinking about God. Articles in The Observer in 2013 told the story about this, and about how many are still not "out" to their family, membership or their congregation. I believe that we need Gretta to stay until more people can come forward,and congregations should be part of this conversation. The traditional God that were taught about is not the same as it was. Generally we have not mored forward in our thinking and have not been openminded. I believe in a non theistic god. The U.C. needs to be more progressive, and perhaps our younger generations would be more likely to be active in a new direction.

I am now reconsidering my membership.

we have heard amazing reports on Gretta Vosper from our neighbors that follow her every step of the way

I don't want to express an opinion, either positive or negative, of the disciplinary process. But I have wholehearted admiration for Gretta Vosper. I think she should stay in the UCC.

What I have always appreciated about the United Church is its ability to be forward thinking. This treatment of Gretta feels like a step backward. Shame on the United Church of Canada if the decision is to defrock her.

Collectively and individually we are good and we do good. Gretta has set the bar high.

Coming to West Hill as an adult shaped my life in such a positive way. It was there that I learned the importance of living in right relationship with ourselves and then, when Gretta was called to West Hill, what that ACTUALLY could look like in my life. Being involved in the church, touched by her ministry, allowed me the courage to pursue dreams that I could have never done, to switch to a career in which I feel like I am truly making a difference in individual lives, living in RR with myself, others, the planet. I credit this to Gretta's ministry. I have been a member of the UCC since my confirmation over 30 years ago. As a young girl, I recall trying to explain to a friend who went to a very doctrinal-based church, that the UCC was not doctrinal based but focused on stories that were metaphors for the human condition. Even then, I suggested that God wasn't a being, I explained to her that to me, God was LOVE. That is what I was taught in Sunday School and what I taught in Sunday School. In my opinion, Toronto Conference's current focus on doctrine is completely outside of what the UCC should be. I was so proud of my church for taking stands for justice in the past - S.A. apartheid, ordaining women, ordaining LGBTQ folk, welcoming and affirming queer folk. This process seems like a massive backward step when this whole thing could have been resolved through dialogue, which is much more in keeping with the historical UCC. If Gretta is ultimately placed on the DSL, I will be resigning my membership with the UCC after over 30 years.

Rev. Vesper is simply expressing what may of us and her fellow clergy want to examine and explore. The freedom of theological exploration is exactly why I am a member of the UCC

This is unacceptable. Many of us like Rev. Vesper explore our faith in terms that change over time. That is precisely why I am a member of the UCC.

Inclusiveness, acceptance, love and spiritual guidance is what drew me to this church. We are all Gods children .

The UC needs to move into the 21st century and accept Grettas ideas as part of moving forward. I support Gretta 100 percent.

When asked if God existed or not: . His Holiness laughed, grabbed the hands of the two spiritual leaders on each side of him, lifted them in the air, fixed his gaze upon the audience, and said emphatically, "God exists or God does not exist. Leave it for us. Your task is to learn how to live peacefully." To me this is the important message..what matters is what we do on Earth!

The theological conversation Gretta Vosper has provoked is a matter for DIALOGUE and not a matter for discipline;