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

This is most unfair, please reject. She is a minister telling the truth, something long neglected from our pulpits.

I have written this in regards to the petition about Gretta Vosper. I am very new at this & would appreciate it if you looked it over. And since I am new to Facebook, could you tell me how to send it? I urge the Sub-Executive of the United Church of Canada to review it's actions against Gretta Vosper and to seriously review it's decision on how "suitably" and "effectivenes" are determinedm. I have always been proud of the UCC and it's decision at formation to follow the Congregational lead in requiring "essential agreement" to the Basis of Union.Now, in the case of Gretta Vosper that core understanding has been lost and we are now asked to be a confessing church with less room for the variety of people within it. Is there a place for Gretta in the UCC? I don't think the process followed so far can answer that question. And, at this point to finally ask for input from her congregation is ridiculous. You 8have been investigating Gretta for some time now and are only prepared to hear from those who know her best Yes, struggle is real and continues everyday. But, at least my son and I don't have the weight of whatever a with a hammer did on our shoulders. this late date leaves one to wonder if this whole event has been nothing but a thinly disguised witch hunt. Please reconsider your decision.

I am most distressed at the process used to review Gretta Vosper's ministry. Reviews used to be about maintaining the peace and well being of a congregation, not literal adherence to ancient, outdated doctrine. No ordinand is subject to such scrutiny. The terms of the review were set up to convict her even before it started.

Any and all of the reasons cited in the petition are sound reasons for the Church to abandon this action. Atheism and theism are both matters of faith and speculation debated for centuries. The United Church has historically fostered exploration, encouraged debate , embracing chaos and diversity. In a Quantum world of ever increasing mystery, complexity and emerging insight into the fundamental questions of life, atheism per se is not among the critical issues requiring a major discussion and debate.

Please reinstate Gretta and begin this very important discussion of her work.

More dialogue across the church politic needed.

PLEASE do a Christian thing, and reinstate Greta. Otherwise, there are many other ordained who will need to find a church that is open to the leading of Spirit elsewhere.

Gretta Vosper offers the UCC the opportunity to enter into a denominational wide conversation about important issues, let's not close that door.

strongly supportive !

Gretta has spoken (and written) more honestly, intelligently and boldly about faith than anyone else I can think of. We are living under the shadow of extinction (and I don't mean this metaphorically); we need communities of inclusion and mutual support--the kind that Gretta has been fostering successfully for many years--if we're to have any hope of surviving the oncoming disasters with any shred of our humanity intact. This is no time to be demanding statements of "belief" about a supernatural being, and whether that being will answer our prayers for deliverance. Guess what? The only answer is--and always has been--that our choices and values will determine both our present and our future as a species. Let's get down to work, and get out of Gretta's way while she does hers.

Keep Gretta in the United church family

Have respect for all religious beliefs, however they fall on the spectrum. After all, honesty, kindness and taking responsibility for one's behaviour is all one needs.

I agree with the nature of this petition

Totally in support of the petition.

45 years ago I went to Japan as a missionary, met and married an atheist Japanese in a Buddhist family. That was the beginning of a journey of new discovery of ways of expressing faith, and realizing that how we live is far more important than what we say we believe. At ordination I was not reticent to say I was in 'essential agreement', recognizing that the phrase covered a huge swath of expression. Gretta is a colleague and friend, and has walked with many on this widening journey of discovery and expression. I am a post-theist, non-theist. Gretta's leadership and expression is vital to the faith conversations we need to have. This process, which is a lukewarm guess at cobbling something together, is not even approved UC policy or polity, but specific only to this Conference. I believe it is a travesty. If we lose Gretta, we lose much more. Correction. The United Church loses its claim to bring toad and inclusive.

How can the United Church call itself inclusive? Is quieting any voice that doesn't agree with yours being open minded and inclusive. Am very disappointed in the panels decision.

Dialogue not censure. Gretta is a very brave woman.

Let's remember we are an inclusive, exploring denomination!

I wondered how we can say we are inclusive if we silence the voice of one who teaches a different way???

Although no longer with the United Church, I continue to hold it dearly in my heart, especially for its values of diversity and inclusivity. May the deep spirituality and courageous, vibrant ministry of Gretta Vosper, be embraced, rather than rejected.