Page 44 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2021
presbyterian.ca
Connection
JUST WONDERING...
What’s the difference between an “interim moderator” and an “interim minister?”
Answered by the Rev. Tim Purvis, Associate Secretary, Ministry and Church Vocations
An interim moderator is a minister appointed by presbytery to be moderator of Session in a congregation where there is a pulpit vacancy and therefore no called and inducted minister. During a typical pulpit vacancy, the interim moderator would moderate Session meetings, arrange for pulpit supply, pastoral care, and in general oversee the work of the congregation during the vacancy. The interim moderator would also guide the search committee in the process of seeking to call a new minister to fill the pulpit vacancy.
Sometimes a presbytery determines that a vacant congregation (with an interim modera- tor) needs some time before it is in a position to extend a call to a new minister. Perhaps there’s been conflict between the congrega- tion and the former minister leading to presby- tery intervention and a decision to dissolve the pastoral tie. Perhaps the congregation has a history of short-term pastorates that have not
ended well. Perhaps the congregation is griev- ing the departure of a much-loved minister who has served for many years. Whatever
the case, presbytery decides the congrega- tion needs some time before it can call a
new minister. In those instances, presbytery may mandate a period of intentional interim ministry under a qualified interim minister. An interim minister is a minister with particular gifts, skills and training who is appointed by presbytery for a specific term (usually one, but sometimes two years) to work with a vacant congregation in order to assist it in dealing with its issues.
Once presbytery decides the congregation will have an interim minister, the interim mod- erator begins the process of working with Ses- sion to find an interim minister; to develop the interim ministry covenant setting forth the goals and tasks of the interim ministry; and to draw up the terms of the interim ministry agreement for presbytery’s approval. The interim modera- tor also makes progress reports to presbytery on the interim ministry throughout its term.
“I’ve started to notice people writing things like (she/her) or (they/them) in their email signature or after their display name on Zoom calls. What does this mean and why are they doing it?”
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We are having a debate in our Session about who should be allowed to have communion. We are also trying to decide who is allowed to serve the bread and juice at communion. What are the church’s policies?
Answered by Carragh Erhardt,
Sexuality & Inclusion Program Coordinator
What you are noticing is people choosing to share their pronouns. One of the main ways we use pronouns is to refer to people without repeating their names. When talking about one person, the most common pronouns are she/ her, he/him and they/them.
More people share their pronouns when in- troducing themselves, in email signatures or in their display name on platforms like Zoom, to help other people know how to refer to them. While it may seem like you can know what pronouns someone uses based on their name or appearance alone, these assumptions can be inaccurate and harmful, especially for peo- ple whose pronouns are often disrespected whether intentionally or unintentionally.
For many people, pronouns are a way of expressing their gender; however, this isn’t al- ways the case. Some people ask to be referred to by their name instead of pronouns. Remem- ber that while pronouns, like our names, are information that we often share publicly so people can refer to us accurately and respect- fully, our sense of gender may be more private and nuanced than what we choose to share with other people.
Cisgender (see below) people often have their pronouns used consistently and without pushback even when someone initially as- sumes their pronouns incorrectly. For instance, can you remember a time when you guessed someone’s pronouns wrong over email? It may have been embarrassing to be corrected for a moment but then you likely corrected yourself in later conversations.
Transgender (see below) and non-binary people (see below) are more likely to have their pronouns assumed incorrectly or, when they share their pronouns, are often dismissed or subjected to invasive questions or statements
about their gender identity.
Adopting the practice of inviting people to
share their pronouns, and ensuring that pro- nouns are respected, is one way that church groups can work toward being more welcom- ing and loving to transgender and non-binary people. Especially for leaders, it is helpful to think through what to do if you notice someone make a mistake in the pronouns they use for someone else. Learning to offer correction with grace is a good way to model respect in your community.
To learn more about pronouns and how to respond when mistakes are made, I recom- mend the website mypronouns.org.
Definitions:
Gender refers to a set of social, psychologi- cal and/or emotional traits, often influenced by societal expectations, that inform one’s sense of being a woman, a man, a mixture of both or neither. Gender expression is the way individu- als outwardly present those traits, for example through clothes, hair styles, makeup, etc.
Transgender is an umbrella term that refers to people who do not identify either fully or in part with the gender associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.
Cisgender is a term that refers to people whose gender identity aligns with the one typically associated with the sex assigned to them at bir th.
Non-binary is an umbrella term used by some people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as falling outside the categories of man and woman. They may define their gender as falling somewhere in be- tween or a combination of man and woman, or they may define it as wholly different from these terms.
Answered by the Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary, Life and Mission Agency
A Catechism for Today, a document that The Presbyterian Church in Canada published in 2006, says that “All those who love the Lord Jesus and belong to any Christian church may participate [in the Lord’s Supper]. We come to the Lord’s table not because any individual goodness gives us a right to come, but because Christ welcomes us. He loved us, gave himself for us, and invites us to receive his body and blood to our spiritual nourishment and growth
in grace.” All baptized children, if their parents approve and the Session welcomes children at the Table, may be invited to participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion. While it is the tradition in many congregations for the minister and/or elders to serve the commun- ion elements (bread and wine/juice), there are no rules outlining who must or must not serve the communion elements. However, it would be advisable that the servers be among those who are participants in the sacrament and that they be equipped to serve the elements in hos- pitable and thoughtful ways.