Page 44 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
WINTER 2021
presbyterian.ca
Connection
JUST WONDERING...
What is the PCC’s vaccination policy for ministers?
Following the decisions from General Assembly this year, my congregation is considering ways we can be more inclusive. Can you tell me what kinds of policies we should review and update?
Answered by the Rev. Don Muir, Deputy Clerk, General Assembly Office
One of the great joys and important pastoral functions of a minister is, as an older version of the ordination vows put it, “to go in and out among the people.”
As concerns over the transmission of COV- ID-19 continue, it is essential that ministers and other staff who wish to fulfill pastoral responsi- bilities in hospitals, long-term care homes and even the homes of parishioners, do all they can to ensure their ministry is carried out as safely as possible.
Being fully vaccinated is perhaps the best way that ministers and others who wish to return to visiting and offer closer physical presence with members and adherents of the church can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for themselves and others.
The polity of the church holds that Sessions are responsible for what takes place within the church building, and presbyteries are responsi- ble for the care and overseeing of both minis- ters and congregations.
Book of Forms, section 109.2
The Session is responsible for all policy and procedures with respect to the use of the
church buildings and property subject to the provisions in sections 114.6 and 163.
Book of Forms, section 200
To the presbytery belongs the care and good order of the churches within the bounds.
Vaccination policies for congregational min- istries and for ministers are the responsibility of Sessions and presbyteries to decide and are not national in scope. If a Session determines that vaccination is required for Session mem- bers or for all who enter the church building, the minister will fall under that policy. Likewise, a presbytery could develop a policy that re- quires ministers on their roll be vaccinated.
The development of a vaccination policy needs to be guided by local public health guidelines and requirements and will always include exemptions for grounds protected by human rights law (e.g., medical accommoda- tion). Sample vaccination policies are widely available, including through national office.
Our common faith calls us to act in ways that demonstrate love for our neighbour and care for all people, especially the most vul- nerable. Being vaccinated in accordance with public health recommendations helps us to live this faith.
Answered by Carragh Erhardt,
Sexuality & Inclusion Program Coordinator
After decades of prayerful study and debate, the 2021 General Assembly adopted changes to The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s the- ology and practice, regarding marriage and the ordination of LGBTQI2+ people. Through adopting the final report and recommendations of the Rainbow Communion, the church also recognized that there is still more to be done to address the harm the church has caused to LGBTQI2+ people and their loved ones. Congregations are encouraged to review and update their policies, procedures and practices to ensure that they reflect the full inclusion of all people so that this harm will not continue (Rainbow Communion recommendation No. 11, A&P 2021 p. 661). This article offers some questions to help ministers, Sessions and other congregational leaders get started in this process.
Does your congregation clearly commu- nicate its wedding policy? It is important for Sessions to review their wedding policies and ensure that they are clear and easily accessible on their congregation’s website. Whether your church will host weddings for same-sex cou- ples or not, having a clear policy helps couples make informed decisions to see if your con- gregation is a good fit for them. It is reason- able that Sessions may need time to review and update their wedding policies in response to the changes to The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s understanding of marriage. In such cases, think about how Session will respond to requests from LGBTQI2+ couples while you are still discerning. You might also consider making a note on your website to indicate that you are taking the time to review your policy in light of the recent change in denominational practices and will provide an update as soon as possible.
Ensuring that your congregation is a wel- coming and inclusive place for LGBTQI2+ people goes deeper than whether you will host or officiate weddings for same-sex couples in your sanctuary. Beyond reviewing wedding policies, here are a few other questions to help get congregations started as they work to
include LGBTQI2+ people more fully in their ministry:
Is your pastoral care team prepared to of- fer appropriate support to LGBTQI2+ people and their families? While there are elements of pastoral care that are relevant to all people, there are also experiences that are specific to—or more common among—LGBTQI2+ people. Reading the Rainbow Communion’s final report can help you start to understand some of these experiences. I also recommend Ministry Among God’s Queer Folk by Bernard Schlager and David Kundtz as an introductory book about LGBTQI2+ pastoral care.
Does your mission or welcome statement include LGBTQI2+ people? The phrase “all are welcome” is common on church signs, websites and welcome statements; however, the church’s treatment of LGBTQI2+ people has rarely demonstrated that this is true. Many storytellers spoke to the Rainbow Commun- ion about feeling isolated because they feared what would happen if they disclosed informa- tion about their personal lives with their faith community. If your church is committed to welcoming and supporting people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, you need to be clear about that commitment and the steps you are taking toward it.
Are your worship services relevant to LGBTQI2+ people? The language we use and the stories we lift up in worship all com- municate who we see as beloved members of our communities and the body of Christ. Using gender-exclusive language (i.e., broth- ers and sisters, instead of siblings; husbands and wives, instead of spouses or partners) reinforces the message that all people are or should be straight and cisgender. When we include LGBTQI2+ stories, celebrations and concerns in sermons, prayers and wor- ship music, we communicate that LGBTQI2+ people are present and valued in the church.
I hope these questions will help open con- versations within congregations about how you can take more intentional and clear steps toward including LGBTQI2+ people.
For more resources and support, you can visit presbyterian.ca/sexuality or contact cerhardt@presbyterian.ca.
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My local Presbyterian church recently reopened after being closed due to COVID-19. Sunday services now start 30 minutes earlier. But they only informed members of this change by email, so the first Sunday back I was late. My question is this: Does a local Presbyterian church have an obligation to communicate with church members who cannot afford email or Internet?
Answered by the Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary, Life and Mission Agency
According to the polity of the church out- lined in section 111 of the Book of Forms (presbyterian.ca/book-of-forms), the Session of each congregation is responsible for regu- lating the hours and forms of public worship, arranging special services and determining when the sacraments will be celebrated. All Sessions would want to ensure that any an- nouncements about worship and impor tant congregational events are communicated ap- propriately.
Churches use a variety and increasing number of communication pathways to reach members, adherents and the general public. These communication pathways include phone trees, letters and newsletters, as well as regu- larly updating information on signs, web pages and other social media. It’s unfortunate that the news about the changed hour for worship did not reach you before you arrived after the service had started. Your question is a good reminder that not everyone has email and how important it is to communicate accurate infor- mation broadly and in multiple ways, especially when significant changes have been made.