Page 11 - Presbyterian Connection Fall 2025

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ConnectionP R E S B Y T E R I A N
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Corey Balsam, National Coordinator for Independent Jewish Voices Canada,
speaks to the Assembly.
Dakota. The emotional and spiritu-
al challenges the translation work
entailed were acknowledged, and
the importance of preserving and
promoting Indigenous languages
as a way of respecting Indigenous
nations was underscored.
Former Moderator the Rev.
Mary Fontaine reminded people
of the five fundamental commit-
ments enshrined in the Apology,
that as the PCC, we will: continue
to listen and learn from Indig-
enous people, leaders, Elders and
Knowledge Keepers, welcoming
and engaging voices from both
within and beyond the PCC; re-
spect traditional Indigenous spir-
itual practices; continue the work
of reconciliation, responding
to the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission’s 94 Calls to Action
and the work of reparation that
we have begun; listen to and tell
the truth about the past; work to
support Indigenous-led healing
and wellness initiatives and be in
solidarity with Indigenous people
and communities.
The Assembly set aside time
to mark 150 years of faith and
service as The Presbyterian
Church in Canada with a musi-
cal celebration and the launch
of Recollections + Reflections,
a new book that is a collection
of memories from Presbyterians,
both living and deceased. The
editor, Ian McKechnie, noted that
“authorship belongs to you as a
denomination.”
Threaded throughout the As-
sembly’s discussions and dis-
cernment were the voices of
the Young Adult Representatives
(YARs). When their turn came
to address the Assembly, the
YARs spoke about their experi-
ences of the hope and spirit they
found in “debate that was lively,
thoughtful and safe”; the hope
of walking alongside and re-
specting other communities; the
hope that comes with our work
with refugees as a “beacon of
passion and courage in a world
where walls are going up” and
in the recommendations related
to Indigenous people as the PCC
works toward reconciliation and
healing.
Updates from the 2025 Gen-
eral Assembly can be found at
presbyterian.ca/ga2025, includ-
ing an image gallery and video
clips.
The London Korean Christian Church Choir performing as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations.
The Cutting Edge of Mission Award:
Friends of Prison Ministry, Malawi
The Cutting Edge of Mission Award
recognizes individuals and organi-
zations that think and act outside
the box. These are the prophetic
voices that call for justice and ac-
tion—people who have a vision
and passion for what is possible
when others see only impossibil-
ity. In some cases, they are lone
voices, speaking at significant per-
sonal risk and sacrifice.
This year, the annual award
recognized the work of Friends
of Prison ministry, which strives
to plant seeds of hope in pris-
ons in Malawi. Prisoners lack
basic necessities and struggle
with sickness and disease, poor
hygiene and limited clean water
and food. They live with the fear
that they have been forgotten by
their country, their families and
even God. This ministry brings
the hope and the love of God, as
found in Jesus, into these often-
desperate places in which some
6,000 people, including children,
are incarcerated.
Unable to attend the Assembly
in person to accept the award, the
Rev. Hastings Phale, a member
of the ministry team, sent a mes-
sage of gratitude via video, saying
that: “In Malawi, many people live
The Rev. Hastings Phale with Friends
of Prison ministry in Malawi.
below the poverty line,” so when
they are incarcerated, “they come
from a difficult life into another dif-
ficult life” and are “dehumanized.”
Special Guests
Rev. Tsung-Jen Wang During his presentation, the
Rev. Tsung-Jen Wang, vice-
Moderator of the 70th General
Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in Taiwan, thanked the
Rev. Dr. Paul McLean for his
decades of work on Bible trans-
lation with Indigenous ministry
teams in Taiwan.
The Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated
Clerk of the General Assembly
and Executive Director of the
The Rev. Jihyun Oh Interim United Agency of the
Presbyterian Church (USA),
noted with interest how the PCC
is answering the call to be the
church today, as PC(USA) is
trying to answer the same ques-
tion within its own context.
The Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, Gen-
eral Secretary (Interim) of the
World Communion of Reformed
Churches, addressed the As-
sembly in a video. He stated that,
The Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi
as the PCC celebrates this year,
“The work on narratives of hope
and possibility will be an inspi-
rational tool that propels The
Presbyterian Church in Canada
into new heights of leadership
in an era in which the larger
society is experiencing despair
and sensing walls and closed
doors that deny people and
creation the fullness of life for
which our Lord Jesus Christ
came.” PHOTO CREDIT: EPUC.EDU.GH
Opening worship.