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

If the majority opinion of the review committee reflects the current theology of the United Church of Canada, then it is no longer is the church we joined over 50 years ago.

I understand the UC to be an inclusive church community: sexual orientation, intercultural ministry. Why not freedom of the mind?

I appreciate the United Church for its understanding and presentation of various faiths and exploring how all of them can educate and encourage me to be a better human.

MUCH discussion needs to take place before such a punitive process is allowed to proceed.

Throughout my life, I have attended many churches, such as, United, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and always had a problem trying to understand their beliefs! Greta continues to share beliefs that I have had for many years. The greatest Journey I have travelled during my lifetime has been with Greta at West Hill United Church! The community is exceptional and inspirational.

Gretta has provided us with a theology that makes sense and an amazing community at West Hill where we focus on how we live not what we/ or you believe.

Whatever happened to the United Church I thought we were...inclusive..questioning ...progressive..a sad day for the United Church

I believe that the United Church will be making an enormous mistake if it continues along its seeming inexorable path to cast Gretta Vosper out of ministry. For most of its 91 year history the United Church has been a beacon of light in its pursuit of social justice, its diversity and its acceptance of disparate theological views. But let us not throw that all away by slamming our doors on those who have come to us to escape the conservative thinking of so much of the rest of Christianity. I have been a proud member of the United Church of Canada for nearly 90% of its 91 year history. I have been nurtured and stimulated by this church through its Sunday Schools as a child, by its New Curriculum as an adult and through membership and leadership in study groups, and various church councils. I have been so proud to be able to say to my Christian friends everywhere that I feel so lucky to be part of this diverse, justice oriented Church, which many feel is the most Progressive in the world. This past year however has left me sad and disillusioned as the forces of conservatism appear to be dragging it down. Many times in our history we have faced challenges, and always have decided that openness, acceptance, love and justice would take precedence over membership numbers. Unfortunately, heedless of the ramifications, the church has backed itself into a “no-win” corner and chose the confrontational rather than collegial approach in dealing with an irritation called Gretta Vosper. In a church that has traditionally welcomed open theological discussion, Gretta is a prophetic voice that is bringing fresh ideas that challenge our Church to find new ways to cope with a world that is leaving it behind. And not only that, she is bringing in new people who feel accepted into a space where 21st century language and ethics are not out of place. Gretta Vosper has been a major influence in keeping folks like me in the United Church, who find the old language

I still don't understand fully what Gretta means by not believing in God. We need to stay close to her and continue the dialogue. For those of us who believe in God whom Genesis reports is "I am who I am." invites us all to be on the journey to understanding more and more the will and the heart of faith which is just as much a verb as a noun.. Gretta Vosper helps us in that pursuit of discovery.

I am not a member of West Hill but strongly support Gretta Vosper as the voice of reason and the future!

I strongly support the intent of this petition to support the ministry of Greta Vosper and the cause for justice and inclusiveness in the United Church of Canada.

It wouldn't be much of a "united" church if the differences and the diversities within are what lead to it's division.

Church is a place to explore the mystery of who we are and why we are here. Gretta keeps this conversation possible and centred on values.

I am astonished by two things. First, the power the General Secretary of the United Church has acquired and continues to acquire to make decisions and recommendations on matters that should not be limited to her decision, such as this process; second, that John Shelby Spong has managed to remain within the fold of the Episcopal church in the USA and the United Church of Canada, which I have always believed was a much bigger tent theologically, is seriously considering removing Gretta Vosper from the Order of Ministry. I find this almost unbelievable and tragic for the United Church of Canada.

I don't believe the story of the flood and if you do where did the water come from and who pulled the plug where did the water drain to? Do you really believe one loaf fed 5000 people? We know these are stories made by men. Santa Clause isn't real. There is no such thing as a being creating us, making us human and then blaming us when we make a mistake or having a giant calculator counting when "it" already knows the score ahead of time. We get it and want to live by the ideas Jesus is said to have espoused. For this we are ostracized as other fringe groups have been over the years when they were improperly discriminatedbagainst. My UC supported gays, women and abolition of slavery. This is a similar issue. People are leaving traditional churches in drives. They don't believe dogma. This is an opportunity for bravery and diversity in the UC not batton down the hatches and dam the consequences. The UC needs us more than we need an organization that will become fossilized with this action.

I believe that the United Church will be making an enormous mistake if it continues along its seeming inexorable path to cast Gretta Vosper out of ministry. For most of its 91 year history the United Church has been a beacon of light in its pursuit of social justice, its diversity and its acceptance of disparate theological views. But let us not throw that all away by slamming our doors on those who have come to us to escape the conservative thinking of so much of the rest of Christianity. I have been a proud member of the United Church of Canada for nearly 90% of its 91 year history. I have been nurtured and stimulated by this church through its Sunday Schools as a child, by its New Curriculum as an adult and through membership and leadership in study groups, and various church councils. I have been so proud to be able to say to my Christian friends everywhere that I feel so lucky to be part of this diverse, justice oriented Church, which many feel is the most Progressive in the world. This past year however has left me sad and disillusioned as the forces of conservatism appear to be dragging it down. Many times in our history we have faced challenges, and always have decided that openness, acceptance, love and justice would take precedence over membership numbers. Unfortunately, heedless of the ramifications, the church has backed itself into a “no-win” corner and chose the confrontational rather than collegial approach in dealing with an irritation called Gretta Vosper. In a church that has traditionally welcomed open theological discussion, Gretta is a prophetic voice that is bringing fresh ideas that challenge our Church to find new ways to cope with a world that is leaving it behind. And not only that, she is bringing in new people who feel accepted into a space where 21st century language and ethics are not out of place. Gretta Vosper has been a major influence in keeping folks like me in the United Church, who find the old language

I am fully in support of Gretta Vosper and urge the Sub-Executive to emphatically reject the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee regarding Gretta.

Faye Stevens

Gretta has brought us back to a solid caring church community where how you live is much more important than what you believe.

Thank you Nancy for this opportunity to join with others my support for Gretta and the people of West Hill U C.