http://www.communityofconcern.org within the United Church of Canada Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:11:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en By Rev. Dr. William McDowell This is the third special article which was distributed to General Council last August. The prophet Jeremiah went down to the potter’s house and took notice of how the potter was working at his wheel. There he received a revelation to be addressed to the people of Israel. That the United Church’s 40th ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=153 What makes a meeting good? What makes it memorable? What makes people want to come back? Whatever it takes, it had it in this one. It reminded us of some of our class reunions! David Dawson, First Vice-President, conducted an upbeat morning session, and Treasurer Peter Cade presented the Financial Report. Expenditures for 2010 total $70,807. (A ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=151 We recently received an invitation to attend a special event which took place Saturday. Our neighbours’ 13-year-old boy was to have his Bar Mitzvah at the temple nearby, and we went somewhat timidly. Did we need hats? Will there be a collection? Should we take a gift with our card for Benjamin? Yes, a very special one. What ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=146 By Rev. Morley G. Clarke I am appalled and deeply grieved to learn from Christian Week that the United Church’s Emmanuel College is now planning to offer a course to train Muslim leaders. What a preposterous offer! And what faithful Muslim would deign to accept such a presumptuous proposal? Would they in ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=144 By Rev. Dr. J. Ralph Watson This is the second special article which was distributed to General Council last August. The third will be printed in our June Concern. Who speaks for the Church? The individual member of the congregation? The Presbytery or Conference? Or is it the General Council? "Who speaks for the Church?” is a question ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=137 The United Church will be celebrating its 85th anniversary on June 10th, and plans are afoot for this historic event. What should we do about it? Should we pray for a leadership committed to our denomination’s founding document: The Basis of Union of 1925? Or should we emphasize our denomination’s rapid decline after 1988 under the leadership ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=135 The figures below show what has happened to our United Church since 1988. In 20 years (and under only eight moderators) the Church has lost 338,829 members! Why this immense loss took place and how nothing has so far been able to stop it will probably be the subject of more than one doctoral thesis ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=130 Don’t miss this one! Come one, come all to Our 22nd Annual Meeting Saturday, April 24, 2010 10 am to 3 pm at Ryerson United Church 842 Main St. East, Hamilton (plenty of free parking in the adjacent schoolyard) SPECIAL SPEAKER: Rev. Dr. Gervis Black Morning Session 1) Worship Service 2) Business Meeting LUNCH Please phone 1-800-465-7186 to let our office plan for this. Afternoon ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=128 At last we can walk on our streets here without boots, and our spirits rise as the days lengthen. We were also lifted up by this note from a loyal member: “I want to say how grateful I am for each of you who by your faithful, constant dedication, work, and commitment have managed to keep ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=126 It is now over 2000 years since our Lord and Saviour was born, born in one of the tiniest countries in the world, Israel. The whole country is only 461 miles long. Nazareth is about 60 miles from Jerusalem, near a small lake called the Sea of Galilee where one ... http://www.communityofconcern.org/?p=122