Thanks for your spring newsletter. I am happy hear that things are going better now, and thanks to all of you for "hanging in there." I look forward to each new Fellowship and particularly enjoy Victor Shepherd's articles.

You expressed the hope (in the newsletter) that... "this Easter season be a profound spiritual blessing … that the reality of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ give you new hope and new power ....." Would that it had been so in our church! Many in our congregation came away from the service on Easter Sunday disappointed, discouraged, depressed and almost desolate. We had come eager and expectant, filled with hope and joy, the strains of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" already singing in our hearts. But something happened.

We have an excellent pipe organ, but it wasn't played in the service. We were denied the joy of expressing our praise in the great Resurrection hymns to the accompaniment of swelling organ notes which always "lift us halfway to heaven." Instead we suffered through the noise of amplified strumming guitars and a person shouting into a microphone while we were expected to "sing" little ditties of three words or so, repeated 17 times over.

The organ was played, very quietly, before the service began, while people were gathering and chatting and laughing, and getting coffee - for about eight minutes. If I sound a bit bitter, perhaps I am. I also feel hurt and betrayed. We know our present leadership has had "a vision" which deems our traditions outdated, but this was Easter Sunday!

I feel a deep sadness in that the United Church which I love, and which has richly nurtured me through all the stages of my life, and to which I have always given glad service, has in my latter years, deserted me.

Fortunately I have discovered there are some other denominations who broadcast a good Christian message and sing many great hymns of the faith.

I miss getting your magazine more often but am glad the new arrangement is working out. Please pray for our town, Caledonia, and the residents here. It is not well known outside the area, but natives setting fires, threatening people and generally harassing those living next to a disputed land claim has taken its toll on the residents. Children are now frightened and for several weeks parents got little sleep. Things are quieter at the moment but pray for us.

I particularly enjoyed Rikk Watt's article on The Gospel of Judas. This was my first issue of (Fellowship) "Connections." I like the newsletter.

I have completely given up hope that the UCC is fulfilling Christ's Great Commission. I appreciate what Fellowship has been trying to accomplish within the UCC but I am convinced that it will not happen in my lifetime. I am grateful and each day give thanks that God loves me. I am going to try to fulfill his direction within another church fellowship. May the Lord bless you in your work for him!

I will continue to pray for deeper spirituality in our United Churches as was exemplified by the founding fathers of our church.

I am always pleased to receive Fellowship. After 70 years a member of the United Church, I have made a decision to leave. I have accepted the fact head office decisions are not about to change. We have recently had a "Presbytery Experience" and have lost our minister. Another case of the enemy getting a hold (very underhandedly) and splitting our congregation in half. However, as devastating this has been, we know God is faithful and will bless our minister in a fruitful way. (Rom 8:28.) As a member of the Fellowship and COC for years I will continue to pray and help out financially as I can. I honestly believe many of our congregation don't understand the "new age movement" or Progressive Christianity.

I can't believe another $6-8 million program will fill our church. We just need Jesus' teaching along with love. May God bless you as you serve.