Letters

The article suggests that the honorific title “reverend” is reserved for the ordained. Not using the title is a choice, one that most but not all diaconal ministers make. A 2001 ruling from the General Council states, “There is nothing in United Church polity that would prevent Diaconal Ministers from using the title.”

The position of the Diakonia is this: we will not encourage the use of the term; we will not prevent the use of the term; we may use the term if appropriate, helpful or necessary.



Sally Meyer, diaconal minister, and five others
Hemmingford, Que.

My View (April) deals with the atheist ad, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” The atheist group that sponsored these ads did so in reply to a series of London posters put up by religious groups that allegedly threatened non-believers with eternal damnation.

The probable reference is to the male, white, bipolar, bad/good God of the Old and New Testaments. Worrying of course has to do with concerns of non-believers about spending eternity in damnation, having thereby no enjoyment.

My personal belief is that there is a force with an intelligent mind behind it, and it is responsible for order and disorder. I don’t know its shape or form, and only “God” knows who created it.



Paul L. Strigner
Ottawa

I am an Observer subscriber and also a senior who is lucky enough to be able to go to warmer climes each winter. Now back home in April, I find in my mail the March Observer with a reader survey to be completed by March 31.

You have planned this in such a way that thousands like me, who perhaps make up the largest percentage of your subscribers, are completely cut out. Are we seniors to assume there is no place for us in the church that the survey’s results will help to plan?

I always read the magazine from cover to cover; it’s worth it. In this case, though, I have found you wanting.

Donna Roos
Waterloo, Ont.

Unlike Larry Krotz (Generations, April), I do know why I keep a journal. Writing out what happened during the day, how I felt, analyzing all the emotions and jotting future plans clears my mind.

There is history, and then there is history. Public history is major events, wars and politics, but the other side is domestic history. The day-to-day activities of each of us will reveal to our grandchildren how we fit into our society and perhaps teach them that Granny wasn’t so dull after all.



Barb Ryan
Lake Echo, N.S.

The story about radio broadcasting from Wesley United in St. John’s, Nfld., (Looking back, April) spurred me on to provide more details.

The VO call letters were assigned by international convention to all radio stations in the Dominion of Newfoundland in the 1930s, years before Confederation. Readers can listen to VOWR on the Internet at www.vowr.org. We are also heard on local and regional cable channels.

Now in its 85th year, VOWR remains, as it always has been, an ecumenical-based station operated by a staff of 70 or 80 volunteers.



Marvin Barnes, Chair, VOWR Board
St. John’s, Nfld.

Emerging spirit (This United Church, April)? Jesus already emerged. How could we forget?

 The first thing he said was “Repent!” — that is, return to the realm of God. He emphasized the love of that realm, love of God, love of neighbour, love of enemies. In his first sermon at home, he reminded us that God cares for people of other faiths, like the widow in Sidon.

The next thing he said was “Follow me.” That was the plan — collaborating with him and God to realize the dream for the world. The last thing he said was “Remember me.”

Next time we have $10 million or so to spare, let’s not forget Jesus. A welcome wagon or a bobblehead won’t do it. Many of us need to be reminded. If we remembered, we might follow him better.



Rev. Paul Newman
Sooke, B.C.

The cover story (March) on the footsteps of Paul reminded me of a somewhat similar, although less dramatic experience of my own. I had been asked to deliver a Lenten message, and puzzling over what I should say, I decided to go for a walk.

I was startled when on the chosen path I stepped aside to avoid what seemed to be a black object at my feet. Of course, it was my shadow. I had tried to avoid it, and I could not. It took me a while to realize I had inspiration for my sermon.

St. Paul had a dark shadow. It was Saul of Tarsus. Any of us may have a shadow to live with, although hardly like Paul’s. We are called to follow the light that illuminates the path ahead. It is called Grace.

Rev. D. H. Barwise
Wakefield, R.I.

Thanks for the article (World, March) on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s Zimbabwe project. The United Church has been part of CFGB for over 25 years. Its structure and projects encourage ecumenical actions at the local, national and international levels. For 2,000 years, Christians have tended to divide and subdivide. Working together in CFGB is at least a small step toward a real Christian community.



Gordon Garlough
Williamsburg, Ont.

The argument about ethical organ donation (Ethics, April) can be distilled even further: when will the families of would-be organ donors honour the wishes of their loved ones?

If we truly honour and respect our loved ones, we will embrace their informed wishes, not overrule them.

Informed donor consent should be binding and should bind the family most of all. It can be one of the most significant and loving pacts family members can ever share — truly a gift of immortality.



Pete Blanding
Long River, P.E.I.

Your reviews (March) of the new CBC Radio 2 read like infomercials. This morning, instead of waking up to Haydn and Schubert, I woke up to “Baby make love to me” repeated over and over again. Except for shows like Tempo and Tonic, CBC 2 is a wasteland. When I complain to the CBC types in Toronto, I am told that I can get all the classical music I want by downloading. Ever try to download with dial-up? I have a feeling that you made sure what each person would write before you assigned the reviews. The general reaction to CBC 2 has been negative. How else could you come up with six positive reviews?



Graham Wright
Victoria Beach, N.S.

Radio 2’s new format (Reviews, March) is supposedly responding to a younger generation and giving exposure to today’s composers and performers. It is definitely not for me. After my initial upset, I decided I’m out of the loop. I will learn to have a quiet home or play my CDs.

To my amazement, many younger friends are also upset with the changes. So many radio stations in our part of the country provide this type of entertainment. It seems CBC could have considered leaving more classical music in the programming. Twenty-four-hour concerts on the Internet are not a consideration, especially in rural areas where high-speed Internet is not available.



Margie Jones
Ponoka, Alta.

I was happy to read the coverage of the new CBC 2. I always have that station playing, with so many wonderful Canadian artists. Well done!



Catherine Lapere
Penetanguishene, Ont.