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Renewal News Summer 2023

Registration is now open for the Pastor Retreat on Eventbrite.

Download the entire Summer issue of Renewal News in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles as follows:

Living Water Forest Church

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By Ian and Hannah Marnoch.

Let me begin with a word about what Forest Church is not. It is not a transplantation of Sunday morning’s sanctuary worship to the outside. That’s what we do in the summer when we worship on the church lawn!

Forest church is an experiment in participatory worship of the Triune God in nature. By “nature” I mean all of the things, processes and events in the world that are not human nor made by humans. It includes the plants, animals, rocks, water, the seasons, volcanic eruptions, fire, flood, rain, snow, etc. By “participatory” I mean engaging all of the senses together with the intellect, the emotions, and physical actions.

This involves study (learning both the Bible and the natural world), allowing for moments of awe (those moments when you cry out: “Hey, c’mere and look at this!” or, “Isn’t that neat.”) and ultimately it involves discerning theological meaning.

Living Water Forest Church began in March, 2022. Typically, 4-12 people gather in the afternoon of the third Sunday of each month. We chose to meet on the third Sunday of the month because it is the Sunday closest to the season changes: the equinoxes and the solstices. With the exception of the summer months, when the abundance of ticks inland drives us to the shores of the St. Clair River, we gather at the same spot: a local wetland. By gathering at the same spot each month, we can experience how this one spot of God’s creation changes with the changing seasons.

Each gathering opens with a prayer through which we affirm God’s steadfast love surrounding us in every hour of each day and season of life. We read and reflect on Scripture and we engage in some form of prayerful participation with our natural surroundings. This usually involves a time of Wandering and Wondering: walking the trails and engaging our senses in observing. Although, sometimes a campfire is involved or planting seeds or a Bannock-cook. When we return to the circle, participants share insights from their wanderings and wonderings. Then we close with what we call a Water Ceremony. Our water ceremony involves a common pitcher of water drawn from the nearest natural water source. Worshippers take turns pouring into a common bowl while offering a prayer of thanksgiving or a few words to God about their worship.

The theological foundation of the forest church model is grounded in the teaching that the living and triune God has created all that we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell – along with the non-tangible elements (emotional, cognitive, super-natural).

We can therefore know, worship, and even relate with God through participation with the natural surroundings.

Bruce Stanley, the author of Forest Church: A Field Guide to a Spiritual Connection with Nature, refers to Scripture as God’s first book of revelation and the natural world as God’s second book. These titles refer to authority, not sequence. Obviously, nature pre-dates scripture, but to know God through nature we must interpret what we observe through the lens of scripture. As we experiment with participatory worship of God in nature, one of our foci is to learn to read the Second Book with insights from the First Book.

For example, if you were to observe that a tree produces shade, food, and oxygen — that it provides for life and enhances the beauty of the surroundings — one might suppose that these god-like qualities suggest the tree belongs to the realm of the divine: that it is a god. This, of course, neither tells the truth of the Triune Creator, nor of the tree! However, if through the lens of scripture, you were to consider the life-giving and aesthetic qualities of the tree and discern that the God who created such a thing is the God who desires life and beauty and provides for such, this interpretation both glorifies God and tells the truth of His creation!

Our central focus of Living Water Forest Church is to practise faithfully reading the second book of revelation. This involves observing the natural world, learning, allowing one’s self moments of awe, and discerning theological meaning with the help of Scripture.

We welcome all people who want to experience participatory worship of God in nature to join us.  Please contact Rev. Ian for more information (519-813-9646) or ian.moorepastoralcharge@gmail.com

“When the heavens declare the glory of God, what do  you hear?  Trees rustling in a breeze?  The call of a  red-winged blackbird!  The trickle of a stream?” — Hannah Marnoch

Renewal Fellowship raises its flag

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“Voluntary associations” already exist in the PCC, committee told.

Among the tasks given by General Assembly to a special committee in response to racism last year was to look into the idea of establishing voluntary associations to provide places of community. Renewal Fellowship’s response was sent in late January.

To the Special Committee on Listening, Confession and Associations:

Thank you for the work you are doing to raise awareness of the vital need to address marginalization. Along with you, we recognize that courts, congregations and ministries within the PCC are not always welcoming to those who do not belong to the majority, whether cultural or theological.

Since 1983, The Renewal Fellowship within The Presbyterian Church in Canada (RF) has existed as a voice for those who are concerned about the theological drift in the denomination from orthodoxy to liberalism. Those who adhere to a traditional understanding of scripture and practice continue to be marginalized. This is especially true following the approval of parallel definitions of marriage in 2021, which marked a formal shift in theology.

We agree with the suggestion in your November 2022 discussion document that “relational connections” are needed. We specifically point to your example of “places of theological and missional companionship” where “voluntary associations could be places where theologically diverse Presbyterians find belonging.” Such a body already exists. The Renewal Fellowship is a national, self-supporting grassroots organization. We have a part-time paid executive director, an administrative assistant, webmaster, prayer coordinator, a board of directors and members and supporters from coast to coast. Our message to those in orthodoxy is that “you are not alone.”

We speak not only for ourselves but for any volunteer organization which provides community and support to minority voices. We would ask that General Assembly:

  1. encourage the courts and congregations of the denomination to lend support to any volunteer association through generous use of buildings, prayers, co-operative ventures and other relevant means; and
  2. provide visibility to RF (and other similar voluntary associations) on the floor of GA and on the presbyterian.ca website.

A complete description of our doctrinal basis, vision, mission and concerns can be found on our website, renewal-fellowship.ca, along with an overview of our recent activity.

In Christ alone we stand,

Rev. Andy Cornell
Executive Director

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Renewal News

Download the entire issue in PDF format, or read additional information and comment on the individual articles as follows:

Renewal News Fall 2022

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Renewal News

Download the entire issue in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles as follows:

Living the Name

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Renewal Fellowship’s Living the Name prize has been awarded annually since 2010 to Knox College students who show interest and promise in evangelism and mission. Congrats to this year’s recipient, Sonia Brulé. We invited her to share her testimony as she begins her call to ministry.

Sonia BruléSonia Brulé

My name is Sonia Brulé and I am the Children and Family Ministries Coordinator at Oakridge Presbyterian Church (OPC) as well as a Volunteer Prison Chaplain at Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, both in London, Ont., where I live with my husband Chris, and our children Connor (17) and Giuliana (14).

For over 13 years, I have had the privilege of being the Children and Family Ministries coordinator at OPC. Jesus spent His time on earth teaching others to follow God’s way. It was clear through His teachings that spiritual education was important, not only for His disciples but for people of all ages, in order to develop a deep desire for God. I believe when we equip people to encourage one another in the love of Christ, reaching out in service, just as we have been commanded to do, we are doing God’s will.

Prison Ministry has been extremely fulfilling for me as I get to go and share the Gospel to those who cannot enter a church. To see the inmates open their hearts to Christ at the lowest points of their lives is incredible. I truly believe that God can transform lives by touching even the most hardened heart renewing their spirit.

My vision for ministry has really been shaped by Matthew 25:35-40 — “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”

Our Board of Directors

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Sandy Copland DufourSandy Copland Dufour

Sandy Copland Dufour – Sandy started life with missionary parents in Angola. She attended a missionary boarding school before returning to Canada. Her Mom was a faithful Sunday School teacher who taught her own kids and the local children the good news of Jesus. Her own kids got Sunday School in the local language as well as in English, and as a result, Sandy received the gift of new life with Jesus at a young age. The boarding school got all their students started on daily Bile reading and prayer, a habit that has continued throughout her life. Sandy was involved with the Interschool Christian Fellowship in high school and InterVarsity during university years. Following graduation, she travelled Ontario with the InterVarsity student team visiting rural area high school fellowships and as InterVarsity staff in the Toronto area. She spent several years teaching and then was able to work with humanitarian aid agencies in various places as a volunteer and then on a contract basis in east Africa. Meanwhile, Sandy was studying part time at the Toronto School of Theology. She was eventually ordained and has been working in churches in the Niagara Peninsula and more recently in Hamilton, Ontario. She is currently the Associate Minister at Cheyne Church in Stoney Creek, Ontario. She is delighted to support the Renewal Fellowship and to continue praying for God’s work throughout Canada.

Ronda BoschRonda Bosch

Ronda Bosch – By the grace of God, Ronda has had many and varied opportunities to serve her Saviour and Christian communities, almost from coast to coast. Her life and faith began in Sunny Corner, New Brunswick, where in home and church she was instructed, influenced, and molded to know Jesus, to love Him and to want to serve Him. Other significant influences on her faith journey were camps and retreats, and most significantly InterVarsity Christian Fellowship during her university years. The IVCF influence directed her to Regent College in 1979, the same year that Dr. J.I. Packer arrived there to teach theology. She thoroughly enjoyed her Regent and West Coast experiences – both in academics and in opportunities to serve in ministry positions, at one time being a youth leader in three Presbyterian and one United Church congregation all at the same time! She eventually settled into one ministry position at a time – serving on staff with IVCF; youth leader at Grace, West Hill, Ontario; ministry and educational leader for youth and adults at St. Andrew’s Guelph, Ontario; then 10 years of student development work within the Christian universities of Kings (Edmonton, Alberta) and Crandall (then ABU) in Moncton, New Brunswick. The hand of God guided and strengthened her through all the opportunities which brought her back to congregational ministry when she accepted a position in ministry partnership at Westwood in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then was called in 2007 to serve as a Lay Missionary for the congregation of Norman Kennedy Presbyterian in Regina, Saskatchewan. The most exciting and enriching component to the ministry she has been privileged to lead has been the integration of other cultures in forming a loving, caring, and Spirit-filled worshipping community. Ronda longs to see The Presbyterian Church in Canada as a whole to be more intentional in valuing the Christian life, study, and passion of Christian sisters and brothers from other countries. Her prayer is for revival and renewal of the church, locally and nationally. She is married to and supported by her husband of 34 years Arend, and they have two adult sons.

Jinsil ParkJinsil Park

Jinsil Park was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church in South Korea. Thanks to his father, Rev. Jangkyu
Park, Jinsil had many opportunities to learn about God and His Word. However, he always tried to run away from the love of God when he lived in South Korea. Before starting graduate school, Jinsil planned to go to Canada for about eight months. When he came to Canada in 2008, he only had three things in mind: travelling, learning about Canadian culture (including language) and making new friends. About a month later, his plan fell through due to the first car accident in his life. It was not a major injury, but he still needed some medical care. During the time, ironically, he was offered a ride to one of the Korean Presbyterian Churches in Toronto every Sunday, thanks to volunteers. At the church, Jinsil found peace and he could learn Kingdom culture and His Word. Later, Jinsil accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He once was an enemy of God, but he became a friend of God. After his heart and eyes were open, he could see dramatic changes in his life. He decided to devote his life to studying God’s Word, to witness the life-changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Canada. In 2021, God brought Jinsil to Winnipeg to continue to fulfill his vow at Westwood Presbyterian Church, where he is minister of word and sacrament. Jinsil joined the board of directors in May, 2022.

Meridyth RobertsonMeridyth Robertson

Meridyth Robertson – Meridyth was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church. At 12 years of age while attending summer camp Meridyth gave her life to Jesus. In grade nine, she felt God calling her into ministry. Before heading to seminary, she attended Ewart College to obtain her diploma in Christian Education. Meridyth is in team ministry with her husband Gavin and they have recently celebrated 25 years at First Presbyterian in Trail, British Columbia, where they began their ministry. She has a passion for singing, especially contemporary Christian music. She feels blessed to be able to lead the congregation each Sunday as they lift their voices together in singing praise to God. Meridyth’s prayer for her congregation and for The Presbyterian Church in Canada is that we open ourselves to the moving of the Holy Spirit; it is her firm conviction that God has great things planned for both if we seek His leading in our lives. Meridyth has made two trips to the Holy Land, which have been life-changing for her. Having made these trips makes reading the Scriptures truly come alive for her. Meridyth plays several roles in her community: padre to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11, a volunteer hospital chaplain, and also often called upon to pray at various community events (Council inaugurations, senior teas, and the high school graduation). She very much enjoys game nights with her family. She is not ashamed to say she is hooked on Wordle! She is the mother of two adult children and a black lab Toby.

Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada

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While the Renewal Fellowship’s mandate and current mission is to provide Prayer and Care for those who adhere to orthodoxy within the PCC, we recognize that some brothers and sisters are being called to depart. The following announcement was prepared by Living Stones and may not necessarily represent the views of the Renewal Fellowship’s leadership. It’s shared for your information and for prayer.

Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The past years in the PCC have been challenging and heart-wrenching at times. As we see the shift in theological convictions more and more rapidly taking a path that is further and further from the foundations of scripture and our Reformed faith and as we experience less and less favour as evangelicals in the church, we hold onto the truth that God is sovereign and on the throne of the kingdom. We know that God shows us great grace as we are called to show for others who we disagree with. For some of us, the changes in the PCC in the past years have led us to the point of recognizing that there is no longer a place for us in the denomination we have called home. We feel bound from doing the ministry we have been given and we are tired and weary of spending energy to walk against the flow of the PCC. We recognize that many will not discern that God is leading them away from the PCC, but for those that do, Living Stones will become a new home. This email is to introduce you to Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada – a new church affiliation that is rooted in our Reformed traditions but focuses on empowering the grassroots ministries of local congregations and missions. We have been working towards this on some levels for several years and it has come to fruition since the 2022 General Assembly. We will soon be federally incorporated and seeking charitable status. The first congregations will begin to be recognized sometime in the fall of this year and some pastors will join even sooner.

Whether or not you feel called to remain as a faithful witness in the PCC, we want to invite you to learn about us and be in relationship with us in some way. Perhaps some of you have already had people leave your congregation. Rather than have them wander into the dusk, consider referring them to Living Stones so that we might be able to offer some form of ministry to them. If you are considering a withdrawal yourself, we would welcome hearing from you. We have monthly town hall meetings that are confidential to share information and pray together.

To learn more about Living Stones, just check out our new web site. It is a work in process as are our documents on Vision, Doctrine and Polity but they are our starting point. Please use the Contact Us form on the site if you have further questions.

Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada

Blessings from your brothers and sisters in Living Stones.

Renewal News

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Renewal News Summer 2022

Download the entire issue in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles. A longer report on “GA Takeaways” appears online than in the PDF version.

In this issue: