September 2010

• Cote des Neiges Anniversary


• Assembly 2010 Report


• Letters from Readers


• Northern Southwest Ontario Renewal Day


• Financial Appeal


• Upcoming Renewal Events


• Prayer Meetings

On Saturday, May 29, the Montreal Renewal Fellowship Prayer Group and friends gathered for a time of prayer and fellowship. The Executive Director spoke on recovering the spiritual discipline of Covenanting which has a long and deep history in the church.

The next day Rev. Calvin Brown attended the Anniversary Banquet at one of our historic churches, Cote des Neiges, and preached at the Anniversary Service. The congregation there is vibrant and multi-cultured with services in both English and French.

Sailing into the Future was the theme chosen for the General Assembly held the first week of June at Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia. The local Arrangements Committee convened by a former classmate of mine -- Rev. Lloyd Murdock -- did an amazing job of giving all those in attendance a real sense of the "down east" hospitality, including the participation in opening worship by the Cape Breton Orchestra and mass choir. As well, there was a Monday evening concert and a lobster dinner, where we were entertained by the famous Men of the Deeps (all authentic coal miners) who have done concerts with Rita MacNeil.

The Moderator of the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces who is also Clerk of the host Presbytery of Cape Breton, Rev. Shirley Murdock, led the Sunday evening worship with this prayer that bears repeating, and which I invite you to pray as you read it:

Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth ... On this Sabbath evening your people gather to sing your praise, to hear your word and listen for your voice.

Yours, O God, is the greatness and the might, the glory and the victory, the majesty and power, the mercy and the grace.

All that is -- is of your creating. All that is -- is called to exalt your holy name. We here gathered joyfully offer the worship of this hour to your honour and glory. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and always.

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear and what has become for us the consuming fire of judgement.

Set us free from a past that we cannot change, open to us a future in which we can be changed and grant us grace -- to grow in your likeness and image.

Have mercy upon us; heal, pardon and forgive our sinfulness. Set us free to serve you in the world that you gave, gifted to us.

Startle us with your truth, open our minds to your spirit that we may be one with Christ Jesus our Lord and serve you as faithful, obedient, and loving servants. Amen.

Assurance of pardon: Know this: God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Thanks be to God. Amen and Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Herb Gale, who works out of Church Offices in the area of Stewardship, was elected Moderator and chose as his theme: The Year of Living Generously. Throughout Assembly both themes of Sailing into the Future and The Year of Living Generously were referred to.

Although the Renewal Fellowship is not an "official" denominational organization and so gets no recognition or official space, over the last decade, we are an expected presence, and we were thankful this year that the Assembly Office could provide us with a very suitable space near the cafeteria and Assembly Hall to hold our informal prayer meetings. Many Renewal Fellowship members are commissioners or on reporting committees, and there are numerous side meetings which they must attend, as well as the briefing sessions and sederunts (when Assembly sits as a court of the church and hears reports and votes). In spite of this, we were happy for those able to join us for the informal prayer and share times, and many of those who attended shared how refreshed they were as a result. We also really appreciated the singing at the Renewal Fellowship gatherings which was led by the Rev. Angus Sutherland.

A whole sederunt of Assembly was given over again this year to the issue of Healing and Reconciliation with the Aboriginal People. Many facets of the issue were covered including the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as personal stories by native leaders of the impact of the residential schools on them and others.

There was an attempt to make an amendment to the Life and Mission Agency's report in response to overtures asking that changes be made to lessen the educational requirements for candidates for ministry from other non-Presbyterian theological schools, requirements which were considered unnecessary and burdensome. Although the issue had much debate, in the end the committee's Recommendation 15, which grants them permission to present a substantial response at next year's Assembly, was passed. From their report, it seems, however, that next year's report will only be a study paper to be circulated and only following that would possible changes be considered. Happily, the initiatives of St. Andrew's Hall in creating a joint Presbyterian Studies Program with Regent College allows a student to get an evangelical theological education by getting an M.Div. from Regent and, with additional courses from Presbyterian Faculty at VST and courses in polity and history from St Andrew's Hall, will receive a Certificate of Presbyterian Studies which will allow them, without further studies and in essentially the usual allotted time of study, to apply for certification for ordination as a minister in The Presbyterian CHurch in Canada, having met the educational requirements of the church.

Another encouraging sign was that all three theological college representatives in their addresses to Assembly made God in Christ central to their comments. The Presbyterian College rep said, "We have no better leader than Jesus." The Knox rep said, "I want to take this opportunity to say, 'I love the Lord!' " The VST rep said, "Sailing into the Future means to be directed by God."

It was a privilege to be at Assembly to encourage and pray with the commissioners and to meet and hear the stories of what God is doing in and through their congregations. - cbb

Rev. Ian McDonald, from Calvin Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ontario, wrote to correct a statement in our last Renewal News edition that said that the Committee on Theological Education (CTE) sets the standards for students coming from Colleges other than the three in our denomination. He notes that the standards for non-Presbyterian college students wishing to become candidates for ministry in our church are set by the General Assembly through the Life and Mission Agency.

To further clarify the process, the part of the L&M Agency responsible is the Committee on Education and Reception. It has the mandate to set courses for mature students, for diaconal ministers seeking ordination, and for students who attend theological colleges other than those of The Presbyterian CHurch in Canada.

Another reader sent an e-mail that said, "I enjoy reading your articles in The Presbyterian Record. ... I try to read the Record cover to cover, and I never look to see who the writer is, and finally when I do look, your articles never disappoint."

We are excited to be having the third Renewal Day in this area of the province on October 30th. Our host congregation is Durham Presbyterian Church and this will be the first time in memory that we have had a Renewal Fellowship event in that church. Rev. Jim Johnson is the minister. Dr. Livingston has recently taken up a position as Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Tyndale Seminary. Kevin has served congregations in Seattle, Scotland, Vancouver, Cambridge, and most recently, the historic Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ontario. Passionate about the integration of pastoral ministry and theological education, he previously served as adjunct professor at McMaster Divinity College and Tyndale Seminary. He is committed to scholarship in the service of the church. He will be speaking on the topic Where is God when you need Him? -- a reflection of how to understand the meaning of, and benefit from the pain in our life. The cost is $30 if received before Oct. 15, and $40 thereafter. You can register online or by mailing your registration to our office.

The summer has been a very challenging time financially for us and we are in serious arrears. We need your immediate assistance. Please take a minute now and mail in a donation so we can continue the important work of renewal. For convenience, you may donate online using your credit card (see below).

September 5 - Preaching - Harrington and Embro
September 12 and 19 - Preaching at Central Presbyterian Church, Brantford, Ontario
September 24-25 - Renewal Fellowship Board Meeting in Toronto, Ontario
September 26 - Preaching at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Streetsville, Ontario
October 2 - Elders' Retreat, Embro and Ratho
October 23 - Peterborough/Lindsay Renewal Team gathering

Northern Southwest Ontario Renewal Day at Durham Presbyterian Church, Durham, Ontario, Saturday, October 30, 2010, with Kevin Livingston speaking on the theme, "Where is God when you need Him?"

Fourth Evangelical Presbyterian Pastors Consultation at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre, from Monday, November 1, to Wednesday, November 3, 2010, with Joshua Kang and Joel Sherbino speaking on the theme, "Blessed to be a Blessing".

Eleventh Annual Renewal Network Conference at Wellington Square United Church in Burlington, Ontario, on Saturday, November 6, 2010, sponsored by The Renewal Network, a network of renewal movements in the Anglican, United, and Presbyterian Churches, with Bruxy Cavey speaking. Theme: "Christ The Way". You can already register online for this conference.

Okanagan Renewal Event - "Renewing Our Hearts, Our Homes, and Our Churches" - a three-hour micro-conference plus lunch - Saturday morning, November 6, 2010, at St. David's Presbyterian Church, Kelowna BC. Three great workshops to choose from.

Southwest Ontario Men's Fall Conference at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Ancaster, Ontario, on Saturday, November 13, 2010, with speaker Dr. David Sherbino.

For Pastors and Laity

Vancouver - The last Saturday of each month. Contact Bob McBay at 604-936-3889 for location.
Ottawa/Eastern Ontario - Usually on the second Saturday at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 971 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa. Contact James Hurd at Parkwood Presbyterian Church by telephone at 613-225-6648 or e-mail <jthurd@sympatico.ca>.
Montreal -- The third Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at Presbyterian Church of the Town of Mount Royal, 1491 Laird Blvd., Town of Mount Royal. Contact person is Rev. John Vaudry at Cote des Neiges Presbyterian Church at 514-738-6115.

For Pastors

East Toronto - The third Tuesday of the month. Contact Rev. Duncan Cameron at 416-438-4370 or e-mail him at <pastor@standrewsscarborough.ca>.
Cambridge -- Contact Rev. Calvin Brown at <cbbrown@bell.net> or telephone him at 519-651-2232.

For more information on any events contact the Renewal Office:
3819 Bloor Street West, Etobicoke ON, M9B 1K7
Telephone: 416-233-6581 Fax: 416-233-1743
Executive Director: 5 Linda Drive, Cambridge ON N3C 3W5
Telephone and Fax: 519-651-2232.
Note: The Executive Director's e-mail address is now <cbbrown@bell.net>