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

My United Church includes Greta

I find it very sad that those members of the Conference Interview Committee who considered Greta Vosper unsuitable for Ministry are so out of touch with the diversity of thinking that exists within the United Church, its leaders and its members. The Conference will be very busy if it is seeking to 'root out' every divergent thinker or person with a questioning mind.

What the Interview Committee has recommended to the Sub-Executive of the United Church amounts to a recommendation to the Church to turns its back on an ethos of inclusivity and theological openness that many in the Church have struggled long and hard to establish. It is reactionary, reflects surprisingly bad judgment on the review committee's part, and should be dismissed.

At 7:21Pm last Thursday evening (9/8/2016) I received a short email from my colleague Rex Hunt retired clergy from with The Uniting Church of Australia which simply read: News just out of Canada…The majority of the Conference Interview Committee has determined that Ms. Vosper is not suitable to continue as a minister in the United Church. Very sad news indeed. RAEH Nine hours later at 4:41AM on Friday Morning (9/09/2016) I received a second short email from my colleague Rex Hunt which simply read: You can read the report here… http://bit.ly/2c8qprJ RAEH Whilst your very well written petition (thanks for all the work) declares that the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee, if implemented have grave implications… and the reputation of the denomination in the Canadian public it could (and possibly should) say …and the reputation of the denomination around the world – as the news of this decision first came to me in New Brunswick, Canada by email - from two emails originating in Australia - which had gone out to an entire global audience. Again thanks to all of you who took the time to meet and then to put together such a thoughtful and well-worded ‘important petition’. You have my support. Jim MacDonald Canada, Moncton,NB

In the name of justice and the United Church's long standing positions on inclusion, diversity, acceptance and study, it is imperative that the decision of the committee be re-visited. How can an action with such far reaching implications be made with so little consultation? Let us act now on that old slogan of the United Church--" Live Love" -and let us do it together. This is an opportunity for dialogue and growth.

At 7:21Pm last Thursday evening (9/8/2016) I received a short email from my colleague Rex Hunt retired clergy from with The Uniting Church of Australia which simply read: News just out of Canada…The majority of the Conference Interview Committee has determined that Ms. Vosper is not suitable to continue as a minister in the United Church. Very sad news indeed. RAEH Nine hours later at 4:41AM on Friday Morning (9/09/2016) I received a second short email from my colleague Rex Hunt which simply read: You can read the report here… http://bit.ly/2c8qprJ RAEH Whilst your very well written petition (thanks for all the work) declares that the recommendations of the Conference Interview Committee, if implemented have grave implications… and the reputation of the denomination in the Canadian public it could (and possibly should) say …and the reputation of the denomination around the world – as the news of this decision first came to me in New Brunswick, Canada by email - from an two emails that originated in Australia and which went out to a global audience. Again thanks to all of you who took the time to meet and then put together such a thoughtful and well-worded ‘important petition’. You have my support. Jim MacDonald Canada, Moncton,NB

Please consider dialogue rather than discipline

This flawed process has created unnecessary angst for our whole denomination.

My wife and I are saddened and troubled at this turn of events within our United Church of Canada.

We have an opportunity here to revisit our theology in ways that are life giving for today's members. Please reject the review board's decisions.

2000 years ago Jesus spoke in a temple and questioned the powers at that time about all the rules around Judaism and preached inclusivity. Now in 2016 we need to listen to voices such as Gretta's as we move towards new understandings of our Christian faith.

I was not surprised at the result but I am saddened that my church now feels that I shouldn't belong here! It's time to come out of the dark and see the light of love at work in our world!

As a minister in Edmonton who was ordained five years by Toronto Conference, and who stood in front of the Conference Interview Board twice as a non-theist, I am signing this petition partly as an attempt to resist the chill that the review of Vosper might have on me and thousands of others across the church. Gretta is a leader for many of us. I see her post-theistic teaching as square on the Way of the Cross that the stories of Jesus have been asking us to follow for almost 2,000 years now.

Please reject.

Greta's contributions to Christianity, and more specifically to the United Church, have been substantial.

I joined the United church 15 years ago because of its inclusivity and a place where I could let go of my self hatred. If Gretta Vosper is excluded I will feel excluded too. My respect for the church will be diminished.

I too feel that my United Church includes Gretta Vosper and West Hill UC. Many in my rural congregation support my take on this issue.

Please stop the witch hunt

I also claim to be a post-theist and praise Gretta for her integrity and courage to name reality as well as to minister to like-spirited folks. Rev Dr C M Bidwell