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

I whole heartedly support this petition, AND Greta Vosper

Eleanor & Richard Cammidge are 100% in favour of Gretta's ministry at West Hill United Church.

Gretta is a fine minister who has brought sense back into Christianity. The UC is making a grave mistake, if she is fired.

Has this process been fair? Is Gretta Vosper administrating To the spiritual needs of her congregation? There should be Debate & consultation on this. Is God just a word for cosmic energy? Lots to b discussed!

Without hesitation, I sign this petition in support of Gretta Vosper, whose writings have had such a positive and profound impact on my life.

When a bureaucracy pays more attention to its survival than to the awakening of its constituents, it can only hasten the end!

The church shouldn't silence voices like Gretta's.

Please let us not put a wall around the United Church of Canada.

As someone who was baptized as an infant into the UC 65 years ago by my grandfather who was a UC minister, I am very aware of the evolving nature of our church through deep conversation. I do not understand why the brakes are being put on conversation.

When ordained in the United Church a minister accepts the privilege and responsibility to offer a ministry of Word, Sacrament, and pastoral care. Rev Vosper has decided she cannot offer the sacraments of Communion and Baptism. If her conscience does not allow her to function in the role, it may well be it is time her name be placed on the Discontinued Service List.

Even though I live on the other side of the world, I recognise injustice when I see it. What is happening to Gretta Vosper is not just. Over the years I have read Gretta's work, both in her books and on the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity website. From afar she has influenced, challenged, and supported me. I urge the Sub-Executive of United Church, Toronto Conference to reject the recommendations before them in regards to Gretta Vosper.

i prefer a United a Church that is open and inclusive and non-judgemental

I am fully supportive of Gretta!

Greta Vosper has the courage to talk about the doubts that many Christians have about their faith. As an ex alumni of the Anglican Church of Canada, I have always admired the United Church for its openness to progressive views of what it means to be a Christian. At least that's what I thought. Very disappointed that that is not the case.

I suspected that this was going to happen and it's a shame. This all reminds me of the Scopes trial in Tennessee. Someone helpful & creative like Gretta gets clobbered by entrenched immutable Christian orthodoxy.

I've been a serving member of the UCC for over 60 yers. Our world is changing & the UC involvement to change its policies to embrace clergy who are black, different in sexual orientation, etc. makes me wonder what the UCC problem is with a lady who expresses faith a little differently than rules made over 50 years ago. If she is leading a congregation of 200 people in outreach & ministry; that is to her credit. She makes folk think about their faith, and isn't that what we should be doing as we worship & live? Disqualifying her will just pound another nail in the downturn coffin of the UCC. Sad!!

Member Knox (Paisley Pastoral Charge) United Church, Paisley, Ontario

I’ve been a secular humanist for some years now. I am a hypocrite. I sing songs of praise to a god, although I reject the concept. I join in singing the lord’s prayer, even though prayer is, to me, an act of futility, which does little except make (some of) the people praying feel better. I sit through sermons talking about faith and god and Jesus. We have, for years, given generously financially to the church. I participate actively in our local congregation. I am the congregation’s computer and sound person. I owe finding my wife ( a former Naramata Centre employee) to the United Church. I recommend the article, “I Am a Presbyterian Minister Who Does Not Believe in God”, which floats around the web. It describes many things which I experience. Oasis UC, a community of people who try to treat each other respectfully, is dear to me. They have known me for years while I struggled to figure out what “god” is, to know god, to love god, to believe in god, to feel god, to live a “faithful” life. After a year-long bible study (the Disciples program), I finally gave myself permission to quit trying to be something I am not. And I still support them in their journeys, and they support me in mine. To me, the actions of people involved in a church are more important than what they affirm as “beliefs”. As far as I can see, if Gretta Vosper is not fit to be a minister in the United Church of Canada, then I am not fit to be a member. Standing with other "non-believing" members of the Untied Church of Canada...

We need the voice of Gretta and similar thought leaders. The evolution of religion and civil society depend on it.

Since Vosper's practice is based on love, the main thrust of Jesus' teaching. it looks like the United Church is now in the position of having to choose between - promoting and practising Jthe main element in Jesus' teachings, or church doctrine.