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

"The United Church has always been about “ethos, it has not been about belief." Rev. Vosper Webster says Ethos means "the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations." What ensues from our beliefs matters most about what we believe in God. How I believe is a much more private matter, how others experience God in my actions has been primary. (except when we talk about evangelism to increase our numbers often because of the business of church)

it is time that the United Church started to listen to what people are saying like Gretta Vosper

Faith United Church Kingston, Ontario

I thought the inquisition was a medieval device to impose uniformity and justify persecution of free-thinking and alternative ideas. Seems I was wrong. it is a modern device created by reactionaries in the United Church of Canada who stubbornly believe that traditional faith can stifle individuals and congregations from finding their own spiritual roads!

I am a former ordained minister of the United Church, but I left ministry many years ago, partly because of questions and doubts concerning the United Church's Statement of Faith. I share Gretta's doubts about the "certainties" that the church has been proclaiming for decades. I have found a spiritual home in the Unitarian Church, which supports "freedom of the pulpit and of the pew". It is clear to me that Gretta has been courageously speaking truth to her congregants to the best of her ability, and I would find it unfortunate if she were to be cut adrift by the authorities in the United Church who claim to be more certain of the doctrinal premises upon which the church has been built.

As more and more of us wake up and break away from what we were taught to believe as children, and look for life's meaning in the world around us, Gretta Vosper is a beacon of light, comfort, and wisdom. The United Church of Canada must decide if it will follow us into the future, or wither away clinging to beliefs that served our ancestors but are no longer relevant.

there is no religion higher, than truth

I was raised in a United church that believes in uniting people under an umbrella of acceptance and promotion of diversity, uniting people through love and respect for all human life and all human perspectives. This includes challenging traditional views, allowing an evolution of our understanding of who we are and our place in the world for those who seek meaning beyond tradition, while at the same time respecting the values and beliefs of those who find meaning in more traditional interpretations of religion. Respect for others, along with a devotion to promoting love and tolerance, we're all that were ever required. When the congregation I was raised in got a new minister who promoted traditional views to the exclusion of more unconventional interpretations of Christianity, the congregation dispersed and those who remained were too few too sustain it; the congregation completely collapsed and the church is now closed permanently. A United church is a church where a minister, with the support of his or her congregation, can either preach conventional beliefs of The love of God and Christ for all humans, or challenge tradition and explore the variety of interpretations of the Christian faith. A church that condemns promoters of novel ideas as unsuitable for ministry is a not a church based on unity, and not a church that deserves the name United. But I have faith that the United church of Canada will act correctly to help realize its potential to unite all people through love and the respect for diversity.

If I lived closer, I would attend Gretta's church.

The decision of the Toronto Interview Committee is disturbing to me. I became a member of the United Church of Canada because it embrased a wide variety of theological thinking. If the Sub-Executive accepts this decision, many of us will have to reconsider how we can continue to be members of the United Church of Canada, a highly respected denomination for its diversity, openness, compassion and honesty.

If the Church removes Gretta, I will have a hard time continuing to be involved. She is a breath of fresh air in a church that is dying. We need more ministers like her.

The real UC respects everyone's search for spiritual enlightenment.

"Belief" has always appalled me: it's given Christianity it's worst moments. It is the substance of fundamentalism, judgmentalism and schism. Faith is something altogether different. Faith is most usually seen as loving action. It is an outpouring; while belief too often expresses itself as conservatism and fear. Please be sure you know the difference, and choose faith over belief.

Honest dialogue is needed to infuse new life into this outdated, dying church.

ONE OF THE UNITED CHURCH'S GREATEST ASSETS IS ITS DIVERSITY. lET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY1

The tent of The United Church of Canada appeara to be shrinking. How long before there's no room for some of the rest of us?

Diversity and inclusiveness are valuable and important.

I joined the United Church because of the opportunity to interpret scripture and Christian teachings within a context of open minded discussion. People like Gretta keep faith and love alive, and encourage us to develop our understanding of the lessons of Christ.

I have friends here in US that are originally from Canada and have had Rev. Gretta Vosper as their pastor. I agree that she should continue to be a minister of the United Church of Canada

Believing that God is Love and that those who live in love to the best of their abilities are the kind of people who will make our world a better place. Therefore , since Gretta Vosper endeavours to teach us to love one another , I feel that she should be considered a suitable minister of the United Church of Canada. Thanks.