Call for Dialogue

Please accept the following cheque for my "subscription" to Fellowship Magazine. As a typical "left wing, radical" supporter of the United Church of Canada, I appreciate the opportunity to hear the concerns of those church members of the United Church who are more "conservative, right wing."

Please accept this as a subscription cheque. Do not send me letters requesting donations assuming that I am a "supporter of the historic Christian faith and traditional Christian morality" or list my "subscription" as that of a percentage of UCC ministers who uphold such beliefs as defined by your readership. I might suggest that there are others like myself who receive your magazine with the hope of remaining in dialogue with a variety of viewpoints within the United Church. You might consider a "subscription" category as well as your current "donor" base.

Thank you for helping to keep us in touch. It is highly unlikely that I would ever be called to a congregation associated with the National Alliance of Covenanting Congregations. I would suggest you might look at some ways that we can work together despite our differing theologies. We all share a love for Jesus Christ and a commitment to the United Church of Canada and to the people in this great denomination.

Rev. Shelley Roberts,
Palgrave, ON.

Full Marks for Humour

The last issue of Fellowship Magazine has an interesting and diverse collection of items, as always.

Regarding the Rev. Christopher Beaumont's item, "Just Another Day at Bikini Bottom," though, I have a small quibble. Before that, though, to his credit, he gets full marks for humour with the conflation of John Spong and Marcus Borg's names into Spongborg, riffing on Spongebob Squarepants of animated fame. Genius! I agree it is good to poke fun at those with whom we differ in a gentle way, and I appreciated Beaumont's piece for that. It keeps both the writer and his subjects human, and to my mind reduces the risk of extreme polarization in the ongoing theological debates of our day.

I wish Mr. Beaumont had read some of the other pieces in the magazine before he laid down his blue pencil for the day, namely those by Bob Giuliano, Paul Miller and Christine Jerrett. Spong and Borg can be ridiculed, of course. They're fair game. But one is a serious scholar and the other a senior pastor. I am guessing that they would fully agree with Bob Giuliano's advice to pastors to study, to listen hard and to know Jesus, and each claim to be doing those things. Where they have come out in that process may be different from Beaumont's faith and theology at present.

It would seem fitting, though, too to engage their program the way Miller has (directly in his piece on Progressive Christianity and indirectly in the longer piece in Theological Digest and Outlook.). Calling my debating opponent an immature sponge in a nice way establishes that I don't agree with him or her, but it's not the same as an examination of their ideas or the presentation of my own ideas as a contrast.

Finally, Jerrett quotes advice from Stanley Hauerwas to worship leaders trying to be faithful in trying times: "Don't lie." Beaumont may not agree with Borg or Spong, and there are deficiencies in their arguments, no doubt, but I strongly suspect that they would both claim to be telling the truth as they experience it. That's always serious, even if Time Magazine doesn't think so, and needs to be recognized as such.

Liberal Christians, myself included, are frequently guilty of not taking seriously the ideas of our more conservative sisters and brothers but that doesn't make it right or worthy of emulation. May I encourage Mr. Beaumont to keep the gentle humour and the pokes going, but add a nod in the direction of those he critiques, acknowledging their integrity, their commitment and their faith however mistaken he believes them to be?

Rev. Robin Wardlaw,
Newmarket, ON

Sharing Fellowship

Thank you for a copy of your September publication. I will be sharing it with members in my church who are seeking support in their journey with the United Church's current directions. I will encourage them to subscribe (with financial help if needed as we do with The Observer) to this publication if they wish. I will not request a copy to come to me any longer though. Thank you.

Rev. Leigh Sinclair,
Spiritwood, SK.

Fills a Void

Thanks for all your good work! I joined the United Church (from a Baptist beginning) when I was introduced to the Renewal Fellowship Group in the United Church. How wonderful were the aims (and goals) of that organization. I was devastated when it was disbanded. Your magazine helps to fill the void. God bless you

Marie Vaughan,
Dartmouth, NS.

Continue to Pray

Dear Partners in the Lord, I praise and thank God that your faithfulness is having influence at General Council. Though for some years now my church home has not been in the United Church, I continue to pray for it and especially for those of you who are standing firm in witness to Jesus our Lord. May he continue not only to bless your ministry but to increase it. Keep laying hold of His promise in Eph 3:20-21. He is able!

Blessings

Lillias Brown,
Toronto, ON

Enjoyed book

I enjoy your magazine. Some time ago Fellowship Magazine recommended the book The Rebirth of Orthodoxy by Thomas Oden. I bought and read the book and appreciated what he had to say very much. In particular I liked his quote of Vincent of Lerin's from the 5th century who defined classic Christianity as that which "has been believed everywhere, always and by all" which I would understand from the 11th chapter Professor Oden feels is a good definition of orthodoxy. I liked his history of how orthodoxy developed and I liked his personal story very much. I found his book as a whole to be very refreshing and heartening. I also loaned my copy of it and that gentleman also appreciated it very much. Thanks for the recommendation.

Alfred Woodworth,
Enfield, NS.

Will Come back

Your latest edition is excellent! Our local UCC church (Beacon, Yarmouth) seems to be adrift in the doldrums and we now attend a Baptist church in the country along with other ex-UCC people. Nevertheless we continue to support the UCC which was a good idea in 1925 and will come back again!

Paul & Thelma Dobson,
South Ohio, NS.

Offers Hope

Your publication offers hope to members of a church that died to its sins in 1990 and still waits to be resurrected. Thank God His Holy Spirit has not forsaken it or us. He lives on and forever will in the universal church to come, Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mrs. Georgina Blancher,
Mallorytown, ON

Healing Article Concerns

We really appreciate the magazine and the way it upholds the orthodox Christian faith within the UC. It has to be an influence for our Lord in this denomination, especially as an influence on the clergy, our leaders. However, we were disappointed in the article on healing because it promoted occult methods of healing. We believe strongly in Christian healing in the name of Jesus: the laying on of hands, anointing with oil (in Jesus' name), and prayer chains, prayer groups, etc.

But Reiki and Healing Touch and Therapeutic Healing-capitalized-as methods of healing, teach the manipulation of energy fields emanating from the body, and which many believe draw on dark/occult powers to do this. It is very disappointing to see these things promoted in our renewal magazine. Also, walking the labyrinth is questionable: it may be possible to use it in a truly Christian way, honouring the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but as it is being practiced in many places today, it is occult in nature. Not all that is "spiritual" is truly of God, as you know.

Carole Burton,
Clarke's Beach, NL

Spending criticized

I'm ashamed to be a member of the United Church of Canada today. Imagine how many hungry children in Canada could be fed with the millions of dollars being spent on this new ad program.

Jean Brodhaecker,
Drayton, ON

The Last Straw

I have just left my job with the United Church-12 years as church secretary (Faith picked our magazine out of the garbage where her minister, had thrown it). It is so sad that in all those years, despite prayer and supplications, things have only gone downhill. The last straw, for me anyway, was the whole series of events concerning Israel and possible boycotts, etc.

You may feel that you are a catalyst for good within the UC but the only way to change things would be to separate yourselves from the heretical church it has become. I am sorry, but that is how I've seen it for myself anyway. You are flogging a dead horse, and if your new Moderator is no different from the last few, then I certainly have no wish to read the interview. If that is not the case-I pray it is not-then send me the magazine. Otherwise, please take me off your mailing list. May God lead you into doing the "right thing" for your UC. Perhaps the best thing would be to form a new and vibrant church.

Allan & Faith Lang,
Marionville, ON.

Wants More Editions

We will continue our support because we think the magazine is very helpful in encouraging United Church people and others in their walk of faith. We also continue because we feel that we need to support Ed and Ralph and Gwen and others who have put so much of their personal time and effort into this magazine.

If it were not for this we would cut our donation. We continue to be disappointed that there are not four publications a year, and we encourage you to strive toward this objective again. We are not wanting to be critical of you, our friends, but with only two magazines a year we do question occasionally if this is the best use of our support each year. We really hope more people will come on board with a monthly donation and that we can get more frequent publications. Sincerely

Dennis & Gerri Seeley,
Stouffville, ON.