Letters to the editor

All walks of life

How utterly ignorant to suggest that gay Anglicans should have their own church [A church of their own? June 2010, p. 5]. Why not give the French, Ukrainian, Polish, African-Canadian, Greeks and Chinese their own churches? What about the poverty-stricken, those raising children on their own and the elderly? When are we going to remember that Christ associated with persons from all walks of life, regardless of social status or religious and sexual orientation? Christ was a single man who travelled with, ate with and slept under the same roof with other single men.Lynne Benware
Niagara Falls, Ont.

All are welcome

The homosexuals have indeed established their own church…founded in the U.S. years ago, and now with parishes around the world. It is called the Metropolitan Community Church, and it welcomes all, whether straight or gay. The parish here is a thousand members strong…vibrant, caring and very active in the community at large. I have chosen to stay with my roots and stay active in the Anglican church. However, it saddens me deeply that there is a significant element within my church that doesn’t want me.Brian Marshall
Toronto

Fooled him not

I am astounded to learn that at General Synod [June 2010], “respectful listening [has put] same-sex talks back on track” and that we have reached “a watershed moment” in this intractable problem. Many of these articles are on process rather than on content. I looked in vain for what the Anglican Covenant is about, nor could I get an idea of what the strategic plan, Vision 2019, tries to accomplish. In both cases, I managed to download them only to learn that the Anglican Covenant is a rewrite of the 39 Articles of Religion but with emphasis on conflict resolution ruled by a new level of bureaucracy. Vision 2019 reads like a motherhood and apple pie wish list for the future.
In all this strategizing and maneuvering, Abraham Lincoln might well have commented, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”Willem Hart
Toronto

Respect at last

Finally! Mutual respect, prayer and common sense prevailed at General Synod [Embracing our differences, June 2010, p. 1]. Dialogue is so important with such a huge issue at stake, but listening to each other is equally important. Politicians in this country also need to govern with mutual respect, prayer and common sense.I enjoy the Anglican Journal.Barbara Drewry
Arbor, Man.

Live more boldly

As I listen to General Synod attendees share their experiences from Halifax, I find myself asking, “What watershed?'” I celebrate that Synod was able to put into process the acceptance of Canon 22, which establishes a self-determining indigenous ministry. Such a decision reflects a national church that seems able to embrace full inclusion of distinct and diverse communities.And yet, gay and lesbian Anglicans continue to stand off to the side, relegated to being less than complete human beings within our community of faith. As long as the learning, discerning prayerful debates or indaba-like conversations continue, gay and lesbian Anglicans will be denied what every other Anglican enjoys: the full and blessed recognition of our relationships.Let us keep in mind the human dimension of every church debate that involves the “worthiness” of another to receive the recognition and blessing of “the church.” And recognize the suffering experienced by those who are excluded, year after year, decade after decade.God help us to learn more quickly from our own history of exclusion and to live more boldly Christ’s radical love of inclusion.The Rev. Canon Douglas Graydon
Toronto

Doing God’s work

The Rev. Canon Harold Munn writes “How is God and Christ experienced in a secular society?” in a challenging article [If I’d washed the dishes, my parents wouldn’t be getting divorced, June 2010, p. 7].Having recently taken a job in a social services agency, I am witnessing daily the work of God among those who have experienced an appalling loss of all kinds of supports in life.Frontline social workers meet each person with energy and presence, with loving kindness, educated insight and the skills to establish new supports in place for each person. They are tireless in dedication and determination to walk the walk with each person giving hope, restoring trust, renewing life.Sound familiar?These are Canada’s frontline secular social workers doing God’s work, being God’s presence in the world. They come from all walks of life, all religions or no religion.God’s work in the world continues with or without acknowledgement in naming God or agreement as to how to name God.The work goes on, God calls. A new generation is responding in wonderful ways.Will we support them?Karen Ann McKinna
Ottawa

Thanks, friend

The Rev. Canon Harold Munn’s column [If I’d washed the dishes, my parents wouldn’t be getting divorced, June 2010, p. 7] came to me like a breath of fresh air. If you haven’t yet read it, please do. As one who has strived for 40 plus years to keep the church relevant and alive, it was a moment of grace to be reminded that the decline of the church during my lifetime is not my fault. Dirk Pidcock
Kaslo, B.C.