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

Gretta inspires me to want to go to church. Every time I attend, I am spiritually enriched, my faith-cup re-filled, my confidence to intentionally make our world a better place, is boosted. In short, Gretta and West Hill achieve what every Christian church aspires to. And as long as Gretta remains the minister at West Hill, our family will continue to be strong supporters of the United Church of Canada.

I wholeheartedly support this petition and consider the recommendations of the Committee, based on 1925 thinking, totally unacceptable today. We need Gretta Vosper and we need dialogue in our Church.

I hope the United Church will find a way to keep Gretta Vosper and West Hill under its umbrella. The world needs more of the values emphasised at West Hill.

Is the " moderator " going to be there ? Ask her ,or anyone else to produce God,Jesus or the Holy Spirit . Or at least setup a " meeting " with any of the above . All of this gigery-pokery hinges on that reality ,does it not .If possible , challenge these silly buggers in any way . As in , What doe you mean , how do you know ?

" Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still ."

Universal love and human kindness are something to believe in.

Bravo to Gretta for putting the emphasis on how we live instead of what we believe

In my opinion, the process is flawed. Suitability for ministry is about pastoral abilities, character, etc not about what we believe. She is asking hard and important questions. What are we afraid of ??

Gretta Vosper is one of the most important voices in your church. Disagree with her, argue with her, but if you silence her, you make a mockery of your religion.

Surely there is room for all.

This is an issue of justice, fairness, and just doing the right thing.

Leave the decision up to the congregation

I welcome theological conversation, and the development of new language and helpful and hopeful expressions of faith. That is a separate question from whether or not a person who rejects more than they affirm when it comes to United Church of Canada theology, polity and practice should serve in the role of ordained minister. When I was ordained I accepted the responsibilities of word, sacrament and pastoral care. If I come to a place in my theological and spiritual evolution at which I can no longer fulfill all three with integrity, it will not be necessary to remove me from the order of ministry. I will voluntarily seek to be "DSL"ed.

Gretta Vosper is a passionate, thoughtful, dedicated United Church minister whose ministry is vital to many of us. The inclusion of her and her community strengthens the United Church. Through ministers like Gretta the church is able to reach out to a much wider and increasingly isolated faith community. Further, the process by which she has been deemed "unsuitable" seems to have been patched together without the formal process or authority which should be respected. Please continue to support her ministry within the church.

From Sally Boyle: This summer my 6 yr old granddaughter and I had a brief conversation about God. I asked how she knew about God and she said she had just always known. I asked who or what God is to her and after stumbling around with things like "Well God is me and you and everybody" she finally threw up her hands and said "Nana, God is everything, the earth, the trees, the sky , me you, EVERYTHING" I heard once that I should never argue with a 6 yr old. I suggest it may be because they are often right! From Lynn Elliott: maybe its good that our Grandchildren don't even go to church especially if that freedom to express is taken away. This is why my UCC includes Gretta Vosper and Westhill UC.

Dialogue not discipline. We loose so much by not following our own procedures I considering more widely a precident making decision and procedure like this.

This process seems to put a chill on further discussion of any evolving theology within the United Church. We have changed our position on social issues, why are theological debate and discussion different? I am sadly disappointed with what appears to be such a closed-minded approach.

Accepting the recommendations retrenches the church into dogmatic statements of belief that many feel are not relevant to the challenges of the present age rather than stimulating important conversations about our faith.

This process seems flawed considering our United Church history of evolving theological understanding and critical Biblical study. Surely these matters deserve a much broader discussion forum than consideration by a revised interview process assuming a role given to Presbytery in the Manual and not yet approved by our denomination through its established procedures for change. Many of us who find ourselves in solidarity with Ms. Vosper, are like her, life-long products of our United Church of Canada lay and ministerial education.

If the UC indeed considers ONLY whether its members accept "the Beliefs" shown in this Report, the UC might be surprised to find that there are a "FEW" other UC members who consider that theology seriously flawed and unacceptable in the 21st century. It is clear that the UC is out of touch with its Progressive Christianity members.