NACC AGM 2002

NACC representatives from across the country will be meeting May 16-18 in PEI. The host congregation is Central Trinity United, in Breadalbane, a member of the Maritime Regional Association, and the AGM will run in tandem with MACCs Spring Rally. Theme speaker for the Rally is Rev. Robin Jacobson, from North Vancouver, BC.

Besides taking care of normal business, the AGM delegates will be spending some considerable time trying to clarify what God is presently calling the NACC to be. We believe he is asking us to act as yeast in this United Church of ours, but just what does that mean? Figuring it out isnt particularly easy, and so it would be really helpful if you, both as individuals and as congregations, would hold the delegates in your prayers as they wrestle with this question next month.

In conjunction with the AGM, our Chairman, Geoff Wilkins and his wife Joan, will be spending some time visiting NACC congregations in the Maritime provinces.

REMIT SKULDUGGERY?

One of our NACC congregations has decided to make a formal issue of apparent improprieties regarding one of the recent Remits. (A Remit is where the General Council asks the wider churchs permission to alter the Basis of Union, the UCCs constitution.)

Presbyteries across Canada recently voted on a Remit (#2), which, if passed (and if enacted by the next General Council), would somewhat limit a congregations ability to speak directly to the higher church courts. This is just the most recent example of a series of moves to centralize control in the UCC.

In protesting, the congregation in question is pointing out that the decision of the General Council was that the church be asked whether the present petition process should be replaced with a new one. The motions exact wording was:

That the 37 th General council authorize a remit to test the will of the church to replace the system of Petitions and memorials with proposals; and further, that if approval is received from the required number of Presbyteries, the By-Laws be amended to reflect these revisions. Carried
(ROP, p 162)

So, two intents: (1) to seek approval for the new process, and, on approval, (2) to amend the By-laws. However, the Remit asked something quite different:

Do you agree that the terms "petition" and "memorial" in the Basis of Union should be replaced with the term "proposal"?

No approval of the new process was sought, thus denying any opportunity to discuss its impact on congregations. Could this be an instance of administrative convenience overriding proper process? Something else?

It would be good to have wider support in this, so if other Official Boards want to add their voices to the protest, the Editor will happily forward background materials, including a copy of the letter with which the first congregation initiated the formal action.

CHAFF (with thanks to "Walking With Jesus Ministries", http:\\wwj.org.nz)

• To some people, religious freedom means a choice of churches to stay home from.
• If you boast of being a self-made person, youre relieving the Lord of a lot of responsibility.
• Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.
• Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
• I've learned that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

Story: The noted Evangelist arrived in the city to conduct a series of crusades. At his Press Conference the day before the first meeting, he asked the reporters not to report the examples he quoted to them, as he wished to use them in his meetings. The next day, the local paper came out with a fine story about the meetings that were to start that very night. The last line read, "The Evangelist also told a number of stories that cannot be repeated." The house was sold out!

Closing Scripture: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, NAS)
Closing Prayer: Lord, what a comfort it is to know that I can rely on you for my inner peace! True peace is always from you: it can come from nowhere else. So, even when things look overwhelming, I can feel secure, for you are greater than anything I will ever face. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.