West Hill's Voice in the review of Reverend Gretta Vosper

I fully support the view Gretta proffers. To believe in a living God with all the evidence against such a belief is irresponsible in this day and age.

My hope is that justice will be reached through a complete clearing of the charges against Gretta. There are pockets of progressive United Church congregations across Canada. When Clergy are expected to be less than who they really are, you are putting them in a closet, I thought the day for this was long over. Gretta's forthrightness and daring is a breath of fresh air for many progressive minded folks. West Hill has supported and grown with Gretta, over time and they deserve to be at the table for this review. Lorraine Harkness, Canada

An open and fair hearing s required a must be provided.

I fully support Greta Vosper's right to exercise ministry within the UC congregation and presbytery in which she is presently serving.

Surely the congregation of West Hill United should be consulted, as per United Church review procedures, regarding any review of Rev. Gretta Vosper, esp. if the review is about the "effectiveness" of her ministry. It seems to me that Rev. Vosper is extremely "effective" in her ministry by challenging all of us in the United Church and beyond to take a hard look at what we truly believe and to be committed to express our beliefs with words that are clear and unambiguous for people living in the 21st century.

Our United Church includes Gretta

I have listened to Greta several times and she is dynamic.....centred on humanities and a huge asset to the church.....do not let her go.

For a number of years we have been internet participants and pledged supporters of West Hill United. We have friends in the congregation and have received direct pastoral care from Gretta Vosper. Effectiveness of ministry cannot be assessed in the absence of a voice from the congregation nor can natural justice be served. Rev. R. J. (Bob) & Winn Thompson, Saskatchewan

I believe that Rev. Greta Vosper speaks for many in the United Church of Canada who are searching for their spiritual meaning. This process does not reflect the openness that I have discovered on my journey as a United Church member

The only hope for the very existence of the United Church of Canada in the future is dependent on encouraging new insights in light of the knowledge we have in our time. This punitive kind of action seems very small minded.

West hill needs a rep. @ our U. C. Needs people like Gretta Vosper.

I was raised in the UCC and had been a regular attendee and then supporter, with my husband and our family. We began our progressive journey in the 70's with Cliff Elliott, ironically at Metropolitan Church, where this call for a review originated. Attending church was our family tradition, however our children, when given the choice, no longer attended after confirmation. Despite continued exposure to moderately progressive theology, we became discouraged by the bickering over affirm and other changes that were developing. We questioned the relevancy of being church goers and found it lacking. We stopped attending church after connecting with the perspective of Gretta Vosper in her book, With or Without God, and began attending her 'virtual' church through tapings of West Hill services. But the community aspect was missing and we made the trek from Cambridge to Scarborough. Finally we found a spiritual home that made sense, was inclusive and inspiring. In April 2014 we joined West Hill United and continue to go there. Without Gretta and West Hill, we would not be attending any church. Yes, we would miss the community, but we would continue to focus on how we and others live their lives, and not what we or they believe. The UCC can choose to widen its umbrella of inclusivity; it will be much richer and relevant for it.

As compiler of the St. Stephen's College Non-Theistic Liturgy Resources Collection of resources, I am indebted to Rev Gretta Vosper for several contributions and continuing support. I have read her books and thoroughly endorse her approach to scripture and prayer and wish that your hearing/review would be open enough to include representative from the congregation she serves. Rev. Charles Bidwell, PhD

The Toronto Conference decision re Gretta Vosper's fitness for ministry affects the status of clergy across Canada.

It seems only right and logical that the community with whom Gretta entered into a covenant relationship, namely West Hill United, be asked to speak as to her "fitness" for ministry. They are best suited, having had the most direct experience of her ministry.

I totally support Greta Vosper. This witch hunt process makes me question if I will continue to attend and support my United Church congregation because if there is no place for Greta, then there is no place for me or the thousands of other progressive thinkers who believe that "how you live is more important that what you believe".

It is imperative that the review of ministry personnel include the views of Gretta's congregation and their right to hear the concerns. You can not railroad this review to only hear the views you want expressed! The United Church of Canada has always been a front runner in policies. This is NOT the time to stop.

As stated in a previous letter, I have been very concerned with the process that has been engaged in the Greta Vosper review from the very start. It has not been done with an openess that I thought was characteristic of our church policy making decisions, nor has it honored the diversity of faith exploration that is so valued in our denomination. Further it does not seem to recognize the damage I feel will be inflicted on congregations and ministry leadership in the future if we do not call a halt to the current process..

The UCC would do well to attract more young adherents if a more expansive approach were taken, such as that of Rev. Gretta Vosper. This leaning is what drew me to the UCC a few years ago. It is ludicrous that this has gotten to where it is but imperative that it be more equitable at this stage. I support that Randy Bowes be given the opportunity to speak.

I highly support that Randy Bowes, Board Chair of West Hill United Church, be present at this Review and be given opportunities to speak.