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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2018
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Connection
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I’m concerned. An elder in our church recently divorced her hus- band. Can she still be a church elder? I suppose some might won- der if a divorcee is eligible to serve in this vitally important office. Jesus said there are situations in which divorce can be a preferred alterna- tive (Matthew 19:8–9). Living Faith echoes this thought. “When a mar- riage is shattered beyond repair, it is sometimes better that it be dissolved than that the family continue to live in bitterness” (8.2.5). Divorce happens and should not be cause to dismiss a person automatically from elder con- sideration. A divorced person can be a committed Christian, a professing member of the congregation, a regu- lar at worship, an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, a
person of sound judgement, upright character and knowledgeable about the government of the church (1 Tim- othy 4:12, Book of Forms 106.1 and 132). We give thanks for grace and pardon when any of us fail to meet this high standard. Ultimately, it is up to the session of each congregation to determine who among its mem- bers have the gifts to help with the leadership, pastoral care and over- sight of the congregation.
Recently we had a guest speaker at our church. He wasn’t an ordained minister but he delivered the ser- mon. I was told that because he’s not ordained, he can’t celebrate communion. I don’t understand— why can he preach but not celebrate the sacraments? There was a time when only ministers of Word and Sac- raments preached the word and cel- ebrated the sacraments. “Ministers of Word and Sacraments are set apart to
preach the Gospel, celebrate Baptism and Holy Communion and exercise pastoral care in Christ’s name. Their ministry is an order which continues the work of the apostles. Christ pre- serves this order today by calling to it both men and women. The church recognizes this calling in the act of ordination” (Living Faith, 7.2.3). While some men and women are set apart for this unique ministry, it does not mean others are unable to preach the Word of God effectively. Every Sunday, lay people preach to Presby- terian congregations. We give thanks for their gifts and the good resources available to them to do this well. We trust the Holy Spirit to enable God’s Word to be heard in the preaching. In 2009, the General Assembly agreed that lay missionaries could be trained and commissioned by presbyteries to administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in settings where min- isters are not available. This allows congregations in remote settings to celebrate communion more often. The sacrament of baptism, a once- in-a-lifetime sacrament, remains the responsibility of ordained clergy. Presbyteries, usually through interim moderators, remain responsible to ensure that the Word of God is purely preached and the sacraments rightly administered (Book of Forms 198).
I have been a Sunday School teach- er in my congregation for almost 10 years. Every year they sign me up to be a Sunday School teacher with- out checking to make sure I want to do it for another year. I have really enjoyed my time working with the children but I feel like I would like to have a break. I feel guilty if I say that I don’t want to do it anymore. What should I do? I’m reminded of Psalm 78 that speaks of teaching the next generation so that they might place their hope in God. No doubt you are a valued teacher and have enjoyed telling the stories of our faith to children. If you are growing weary of the task, however, it might be time to have a conversation with whoever signed you up. If you don’t, the organ- izers will not know that your interest is fading. If your interest is fading, the Christian education program will suf- fer. This sounds like an opportunity for you to explain that you believe you are being called away from this ministry for now. By stepping aside, you may create an opportunity for someone else to use their gifts for Christian ed- ucation and you may discover within yourself a fresh passion for some other service within the congregation.
The Rev. Marshall Stephen Jess
Retired minister, having served congregations in Saskatchewan and Ontario, most recently at Knox Presbyterian Church in Oshawa, Ont. Deceased March 13.
Dorothy Crocker
Wife of the late Rev. Douglas L. Crocker. Deceased March 16.
Elaine Heath
Former member of Paterson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sarnia, Ont., and long-time clerk of the presbytery. Deceased March 21.
The Rev. Dr. Grant MacDonald
Retired after serving in Kenora and, from 1975–1999, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kitchener, Ont. Deceased March 24.
Dr. Ina Ethel Cummings
Long-time elder at St. Columba by-the-Lake Presbyterian Church in Pointe-Claire, Que. Deceased March 20.
Margaret Ann Putnam
Wife of the late Rev. Max Putnam. Deceased April 30.
The Rev. Gordon Firth
Retired minister, having served congregations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, most recently at Knox Presbyterian Church, Calgary, Alta. Deceased May 2.
The Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Johnston
Former missionary in Nigeria and Jamaica, and former professor at Presbyterian College in Montreal. Deceased May 14.
JUST WONDERING...
OBITUARIES
Read all obituaries online at presbyterian.ca
PULPIT VACANCIES
To see all pulpit vacancies, visit presbyterian.ca/vacancies
Alliston, WellSpring (full-time minister) – Atlantic Provinces Fredericton, Saint Andrew’s (full- time minister) – Atlantic Provinces Scotsburn, Bethel – West Branch, Burns Memorial (full-time minister) – Atlantic Provinces
Avonmore, St. Andrew’s – Finch, St. Luke’s-Knox – Gravel Hill, St. James-St. Andrew’s (part-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario
Howick, Georgtown (part-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario
Ottawa, St. Timothy’s (part-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario
Renfrew (full-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario Malton, St. Mark’s (full-time minister) – CNEOB (Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda)
New Market, St. Andrew’s (full-time minister) – CNEOB
Orangeville, Tweedsmuir Memorial (full-time minister) – CNEOB
Sault Ste. Marie, Victoria and St. Paul’s (full-time minister) – CNEOB Hagersville, St. Andrew’s (part-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario Leamington, Knox (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario North Pelham, First – Rockway (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario
London, New St. James (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario Saskatoon, St. Andrew’s (full-time minister) – Saskatchewan Calgary, Grace (full-time and part- time ministers) – Alberta and the Nor thWest
Vancouver, Kerrisdale (full-time minister) – British Columbia
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