Behold, I make all things new.
Rev 21:4
General
Council 42 met in Corner Brook, NFLD from August 8 to 15 with the overlying
theme from Revelation 21. This Council gathering would prove to
With
many different topics, concerns and the need to ground all our work in
worshiping our God, priorities were set for the work which must be completed.
Priority one was to receive the report of the Comprehensive Review Task Group
and to learn of the 190 proposals which were generated in response to the
recommendations. A Sessional Committee was set up for this purpose and this
group began meeting prior to everyone’s arrival in Corner Brook. Their task was
to come up with a working document based upon the recommendations of CRTG and
all the proposals. This working document then served as the basis for the GC
business priority of the framework for a new governance structure for the
United Church. This structure based upon all the information gathered and the
recommendations will include Communities of faith, regional councils and a
denominational council. The task before
GC was then to define these in terms of general practise. For it was also
agreed that another task group would be established to refine and define each
of these statements. The concern for many leaving the meeting was how many
regional councils and where they would be established. As there is no
definitive answer at present this could be 6-60 and more reasonably around
15-20.
Other
business priorities were what would occur in the meantime for transitions to
take place. Financial considerations were discussed well before GC42 met and
there will most likely be layoffs in the spring if not before of GC staff. It
is hoped that these individuals might be rehired into the regional councils but
this is not certain at this time.
The
recommendations of the CRTG were received but not all were approved as
presented. Instead of establishing a College of Ministers, there will be
denominational office of vocations which would oversee ministry personnel as a
whole. A working group will also be established to consider the Association of
Ministers which would be a support network.
There were
several other topics under that sessional committee review of the CRTG report,
but what is apparent is that people from the churches were heard and responses
made. It is time for change and transition in the church and it begins not at
General council but in the church. We need to have the hope of Christ’s
resurrection if we are to continue to be his faithful followers serving today.
We need to look at our local communities of faith and ask serious questions
regarding stewardship of time, energy and money and the best use for God’s
ministry and mission with what we have received. The question is are we willing
to be changed and transformed by God’s spirit as we encounter something new?
A
new song sung at the GC 42 became a favourite very quickly because it not only
asks us about our faith, but to put this faith into action. Thank you to Wanda
Stride for this song:
Do
we dare? Eat the produce of the hills do we dare? Touch the gifts of the earth?
Do we dare? Dip our feet in the oil? Do we dare try God’s new thing? Do we
dare?
As
for me and my house we serve the Lord! Let the soles of our feet touch the
rivers we ford
Baptism
blessings for our new beginnings yes me and my house we dare to serve the Lord!
PRAYER:
Holy
One we thank you for challenges and the opportunity to change who we are
because your Spirit is moving in and around us. Help us to realize that we are
not alone when changes occur- you are with us as we strive to serve you in
faith and with hope. Guide and protect us as we share with one another in
Christ’s name. Amen.