The Assembly Council Working Group on Narratives of Hope and Possibility, with the approval of the General Assembly, continues its work, focusing on, among other tasks, identifying a narrative that will amplify the hope and possibility the PCC believes God intends for the denomination. In an update to the most recent Assembly Council meeting held November 25 and 26 at Crieff Hills in southern Ontario, the working group reported that the gospel story in John 20 and 21 had been chosen as a foundational narrative needed for the PCC now and in the future. These two post-resurrection narratives encapsulated in two Easter watchwords — “Jesus shows up” and “Jesus sends us”— have emerged as clear ways to imagine God’s desire and direction for the church.

The working group plans to present a final report containing recommendations for consideration by the Assembly Council when it meets again in March 2025. The recommendations will focus on changes at the local, regional, and national levels of the church in areas of leadership, structure, and the allocation of resources.

Endorsing the work of the group through a vote of confidence, the Assembly Council tasked the working group with exploring and recommending pathways that position the PCC as open to possibility regarding its future. The terms of reference note that the working group is responsible for reflecting on, reviewing, publicizing, and reinforcing faithful, Christ-centered narratives for the denomination to clarify and encourage the PCC to imagine, learn, and act upon narratives that can lead to renewal, transformation, and vitality for congregations, courts, and church agencies. Other responsibilities include providing a theological rationale that underpins any narrative and invitation to transformational change and presenting to the denomination faithful stories of hope and possibility that can lead to a renewal in the structures of the denomination. In addition, the working group has written an ecclesiology that will inform the proposed changes to the structure, leadership and use of resources while also exploring exemplary practices and experiences of other Christian denominations, both in Canada and beyond. It was further agreed that Indigenous members would be formally added to the working group.

The working group’s report, which will be presented to the 2025 General Assembly through the Assembly Council, is meant to inspire direction and vision for the future of the PCC as guided by Christ. The convenor of the working group is the Rev. Dr. Jean Morris.

Read a full update in the Spring Edition of Connection, due in March 2025.