The COC and the CONCERN newsletter have not reported on the Cruxifusion Conference held last May of 2011. Where almost 40 young, new ministers of the United Church of Canada came to together at Wellington Square United Church in Burlington to share calling, their desire for fellowship, and a discerning of the future of the Ministry and the United Church of Canada. This Conference was organized by
Fellowship Magazine and sponsored by Fellowship Magazine, NAACP, and the Community of Concern. As with all firsts, neither the organizers or the participants were really sure what they had gotten themselves in for as the three day conference began. Participants came from one end of Canada to the other. Speakers had been arranged not so much to give information but simply to put into context and background the questions these young ministers may have and therefore to stimulate discussion, conversation, and discern in smaller groups after each session. Speakers included the General Secretary of the United Church Nora Sanders.
There was no were no anticipated end results. The Conference was to take place and the future would unfold as to the needs the desires of the participants. The really good news is that things “new things are taking place as a result of the Conference.” Starting with a second conference in the future.
Fellowship Magazine has provided a number of those ministers and opportunity to express their views and their concerns and hopes and dreams of the future of the United Church. The hope is that this will be supported by a website and greater use fo the social media.
Also during Lent this year a online web based program of lenten reflection has been initiated with both these ministers and others within the United Church. The Community of Concern looks forward to future discussions and the possibility of working together.