What if we spent less time reading reports, more time getting to know one another? Ministry can often feel like a lonely task. Pastors with large undefined workloads feel lonely and stressed. Congregations discouraged by small attendance feel isolated and adrift. Does anyone understand the challenges we face out here? Strong relationships help with these … Read more
Category Archives: Renewal News
Download the entire Fall 2023 issue of Renewal News in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles as follows:
- A new front emerges – Opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide/MAID by Rev. Andy Cornell
- Bread in the wilderness by Rev. Sandy Copland-Dufour
- Physician Assisted Suicide: Readers respond
- Retreat needs financial support by Rev. Andy Cornell
- Go to the desert road by Rev. Dr. Joon-ki Kim
- Good news, but challenge remains
- Thanks to our Supporting Congregations!
- Become a Supporting Congregation
- Christianity and Liberalism by Rev. Andy Cornell
Bread in the wilderness
Dear Fellow Followers of Jesus, I recently came across a prayer/poem of Walter Brueggemann. It begins: “On our own, we conclude: there is not enough to go around, we are going to run short of money, of love, of grades, of publications…” (1) We are living in a time of “shrinkflation.” We see packaging change to accommodate … Read more
Good news, but challenge remains
Decline slowed after increased financial support from congregations. Thanks to our faithful supporters, the decline in our finances for the first half of 2023 was not as bad as we had expected. Renewal Fellowship lost $17,288 from January to June compared to a budgeted loss of $26,552. Part of the reason for this is the … Read more
General Assembly 2023
General Assembly 2023 may not have included fireworks and momentous decisions, but it was still an eye opening experience. I was there to convene the Renewal Fellowship Prayer Room and act as an observer. July’s Renewal Café will be devoted to a debriefing of GA. Details and invitation below. Here’s my take on GA. DEFINITION … Read more
Report on the Special Committee on Racism
One overlooked General Assembly key moment this year was the final report of the Special Committee Re: Listening, Confession and Associations, which was commissioned in 2021 in response to formal petitions by the Han-Ca (Korean speaking) presbyteries which alleged racism in the PCC. It was a rich report, prompting lively discussion which extended for more … Read more
We confess our racial bias
A Confession From the majority or dominant group within The Presbyterian Church in Canada to its minority and marginalized communities, adopted by General Assembly on June 7, 2023. Preamble Reading and responding to this confession cannot be done with an unredeemed heart, still filled with prejudice, judgment, and self-righteousness. To read and understand this document … Read more
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:
- A Pastoral Presence – RF brings encouragement to GA commissioners
- Let's get on with it! – by Sandy Copland Dufour, RF Board Chairperson
- General Assembly Highlights – Struggle over freedom of conscience
- Renewal Day 2023 – The domesticated church
- Pastor Retreat to Return – "Believing is seeing: Holy imagination"
- Young Adults, the Gospel, and Creativity – by Philip MacFie
- Renewal's Financial Situation – Board may be faced with difficult decisions in November
- You are Peter – by Andy Cornell
A Pastoral Presence
RF brings encouragement to GA commissioners. Renewal’s board of directors made a strategic decision this year to concentrate the Executive Director’s (ED) travel budget on our presence at General Assembly. It’s about getting the best bang for the buck – where we can reach the greatest number of people in the PCC. GA is a … Read more
Let’s get on with it!
Hello friends and fellow Jesus followers. In Matthew’s gospel the Eleven have returned to Galilee as Jesus had told them previously. On meeting up with Jesus there is a dual response – worship and doubt. In spite of the uncertainty of some, Jesus gives them, and us, His “Great Commission.” He prefaces the command itself with the statement of His authority … Read more