Page 6 - Presbyterian Connection

6 FALL 2024
PRESBYTERIAN
Connection
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
presbyterian.ca
Highlights from the 2024 General Assembly
The Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of the 2023 General Assembly, during opening worship.
prayed that they would love, for- give, serve, listen and respect each other as they move through the Assembly together—senti- ments echoed again and again during the proceedings, including by the Young Adult Representa- tives from across Canada, who challenged the Assembly to con- tinue to love one another despite facing differences and changes.
A week of reflection
Worshipful moments of faithful reflection were woven throughout the Assembly’s proceedings. On June 3, the morning liturgy and worship was led by the Rev. Frank Szatmari from Calvin Presbyterian Church in Kitchener, Ont., and the Rev. Paul Kang, the PCC’s New Beginnings program coordinator. Paul noted that working in the church can be both exhilarating and joyful despite hard work. Still, he urged those gathered not to reduce church work to a task or series of functions, as there is the risk of overlooking the one thing essential to faith: listening to and giving one’s full attention to the words of Jesus.
On June 4, the Rev. Jenn Ged- des, minister at Comox Valley Presbyterian Church in Comox, B.C., led morning worship ac- companied by the choir from Joonim Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Jenn preached on the importance of connection—even amidst differences and diversi- ty—pointing out that the church’s future relies on connections with other churches and ecumeni- cal communities, and anyone seeking faith in this secular world. “Connections will get us through,” she concluded. “So let us lean on each other and work together to be the body of Christ in our world.”
Working together and walking with each other was a theme also reflected upon in the moderator’s report to the Assembly by the
Rev. Mary Fontaine, who thanked all the churches that welcomed her over the past year, making her feel loved and cared for. She spoke of her time as moderator as a learning experience that in- cluded much prayer and spiritual growth. She asked that we pray for those who are working to stop generational trauma caused by residential schools, and for healing to happen in Indigenous communities. She also asked that people reach out to Indigenous people in their neighbourhoods, and to be as welcoming to them as they have been to her.
Intense discussion and decision-making
The International Affairs Commit- tee’s report to the Assembly ad- dressed several issues of interna- tional concern, including climate change, food security and the costly solidarity of standing with Palestinian Christians. The As- sembly decided to allocate funds to support olive tree growing projects, the legal defence of chil- dren, and famine relief in Gaza.
The Assembly adopted the re- port by the Committee on Church Doctrine, which dealt with con- cerns related to the Declaration of Faith Concerning the Church and Nation, marking its 70th year, Medical Assistance in Dy- ing (MAID) and whether Living Faith should be a living or histori- cal document, but the Assembly defeated the recommendation that the subordinate standard be considered a living document that can be changed under the Barrier Act.
The National Indigenous Minis- tries Council (NIMC), comprising eight ministries across Canada, reported on the need for a greater presence and voice for Indig- enous people in the life and struc- tures of the church, and a com- mitment on the part of the church to continue to work in promotion
By Callie Long and Heather Chappell, Communications Office
The 2024 General Assembly marked a pivotal moment in the denomination’s ongoing journey of faith, governance, societal en- gagement, and healing and rec- onciliation. Commissioners and guests gathered from June 2 to 6 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., to deliberate on and consider issues crucial to the church’s mission as it grapples with matters reflecting broader societal changes and internal theological debates.
One crucial matter on the agen- da on June 4 was the PCC’s apol- ogy for its complicity in colonial practices and operating residen- tial schools, presented to the As-
sembly by the Special Committee Regarding an Apology for Resi- dential Schools and Colonization. There was a quiet stillness and in- trospection after the Assembly’s adoption of the apology. The pro- foundly moving ceremony was followed by singing and prayers, led by the Rev. Stewart Laugh- ing Bear Folster, a National Indig- enous Ministries Council (NIMC) member, and the Rev. Mary Fon- taine, past moderator and con- vener of the NIMC. Members of the special committee took turns reading the preamble to the apol- ogy, and Moderator of the 2024 General Assembly, the Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls, read the apology in full. The committee then invited the Assembly to par- ticipate in a smudging ceremony.
Read the full apology on page 9.
Installation of the
new moderator
Earlier in the week, commission- ers and guests gathered for open- ing worship at Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Ont. Before celebrating Holy Communion, the Rev. Mary Fontaine, minister at Hummingbird Ministries, Modera- tor of the 2023 General Assembly, and the first Indigenous modera- tor of the PCC, preached a ser- mon titled “Building a New Trail Together.” Mary reflected on how brokenness can be healed, em- phasizing that we must care for one another as we walk this earth together as God’s people. She urged the church and individuals to continue working toward heal- ing and reconciliation.
During the first session, the Rev. Dr. Pat Dutcher-Walls was elected and installed as Modera- tor of the 2024 General Assembly. The new moderator stated that she was humbled and delighted to take on this service to the church and looked forward to a year of greeting old friends and meeting new ones. Pat thanked Mary for the gifts of friendship, care and compassion she had brought to the position of moderator in 2023 and spoke to the commissioners about the talents they have been given to use for God’s glory. She
The Rev. Dr. Pat Dutcher-Walls, Moderator of the 2024 General Assembly.
Guest speaker Rula Odeh, Board Chair of Canadian Friends of Sabeel.