Remit 6 Study Session #1 Introduction United Church of Canada Union History Counciliar System Doctrine Remits
How to Form the United Church of Canada 1.Travel back in time to the early twentieth century. 2.Gather like-minded denominations. 3.Do a trial run in the west. 4.Sell the idea. 5.Make it official. 6.Sing, pray, and thank God. The Unofficial United Church Handbook Editors: Scott Douglas & Nanette McKay
United Church of Canada Union History Date of Union: 1925 Churches that joined together: Congregationalists Methodists Presbyterians (2/3 voted to join) Union Churches (Western Canada)
Congregationalists (General Council) Congregationalist church governance oeach congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs Nonconformist religious movement during Puritan reformation of Church of England British government offered free land to move to NS (1759) Power of people without priests to intercede between them and God Congregational governance fulfills description of early church and allows most direct relationship with God Churches established in Massachusetts Bay Colony (New England) In Canada (first foreign field) all 31 churches joined Union (some left in 1988 when members felt UCC was moving away theologically & in practice from Biblical Christianity)
Who Would True Valour See Congregationalist Lyrics John Bunyan, Music English Traditional Who would true valour see Let him come hither One here will constant be Come wind, come weather There's no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim Verse 1 of 3
Who Would True Valour See Congregationalist Lyrics John Bunyan, Music English Traditional Whoso beset him 'round With dismal stories Who but themselves confound His strength the more is No lion can him fright He'll with a giant fight But he will have a right to be a pilgrim Verse 2 of 3
Who Would True Valour See Congregationalist Lyrics John Bunyan, Music English Traditional Hobgoblin nor foul fiend Can daunt his spirit He knows he at the end Shall life inherit Then fancies flee away He'll fear not what men say He'll labour night and day to be a pilgrim Verse 3 of 3
Who Would True Valour See Congregationalist Lyrics John Bunyan, Music English Traditional Who would true valour see Let him come hither One here will constant be Come wind, come weather There's no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim Verse 1 of 3
Methodists (Conference) John and Charles Wesley & George Whitefield systematically set about living a holy life Attempted reform within the Church of England by way of a return to the gospel Separate denomination created in 1791 First Great Awakening in colonial America omade Christianity intensely personal, encouraged introspection & a commitment to a new standard of personal morality Father of Canadian Methodism: William Black, began preaching in NB in 1781 Known for its missionary work
And CanIt Be Methodist Lyrics & Music Charles Wesley And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldstdie for me? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldstdie for me? Verse 1 of 6
And CanIt Be Methodist Lyrics & Music Charles Wesley Tis mystery all: th Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more. Verse 2 of 6
And CanIt Be Methodist Lyrics & Music Charles Wesley He left His Father s throne above So free, so infinite His grace Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam s helpless race: Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! Verse 3 of 6
And CanIt Be Methodist Lyrics & Music Charles Wesley Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. Verse 4 of 6
And CanIt Be Methodist Lyrics & Music Charles Wesley Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven; Still the atoning blood is near, That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Saviorin my heart. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Saviorin my heart. Verse 5 of 6
And CanIt Be Methodist Lyrics & Music Charles Wesley No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. Bold I approach th eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. Verse 6 of 6
Presbyterians (Presbyteries) Reformed theology and polity church governance: rule of assemblies of presbyters each local church governed by session (board), groups of local churches are known as presbyteries Authority flows top down & bottom up Decently and in good order Scottish settlers & French Huguenots late 16 th and early 17 th centuries ~70% voted to join UCC union 1939 Presbyterian Church of Canada regained name by those non-concurring Presbyterians
AllPeople Who On Earth Do Dwell Presbyterian Lyrics Psalm 100, Music Old 100 th Voices United 822 All people that on earth do dwell, sing out your faith with cheerful voice; delight in God whose praise you tell, whose presence calls you to rejoice. Verse 1 of 4
AllPeople Who On Earth Do Dwell Presbyterian Lyrics Psalm 100, Music Old 100 th Voices United 822 Know that there is one God, indeed, who fashions us without our aid, who claims us, gives us all we need, whose tender care will never fade. Verse 2 of 4
AllPeople Who On Earth Do Dwell Presbyterian Lyrics Psalm 100, Music Old 100 th Voices United 822 Enter the sacred gates with praise; with joy approach the temple walls. Extol and bless our God always as people whom the Spirit calls. Verse 3 of 4
AllPeople Who On Earth Do Dwell Presbyterian Lyrics Psalm 100, Music Old 100 th Voices United 822 Proclaim again that God is good, whose mercy is forever sure, whose truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure. Verse 4 of 4
The United Church Crest 1944 Rev. Dr. Victor Mooney Fish X Open Bible Open Bible Dove Burning Bush Alpha & Omega That all may be one 1980 French translation
What is the Reformed Tradition? One of the strands of the Protestant Reformation of the 16 th century Presbyterian & Congregationalist formally identified as Reformed Methodist tradition espoused Reformed principles Once reformed, always reforming Reformed Churches World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 denominations in 107 countries Member churches: Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed and United Churches June 2010 WARC merged with Reformed Ecumenical Council to form World Communion of Reformed Churches
Congregation / Pastoral Charge Presbytery Conference General Council Write on slips of paper: Duties and Powers Structure Membership
Doctrine: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group. What does the word doctrine mean to you in regards to What does the word doctrine mean to you in regards to your faith, your sense of organized religion. How about in terms of the United Church of Canada? Symons Valley United Church?
The Nicene Creed 325 CE We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Apostle s Creed late 5 th century CE I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he arose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen
United Church Doctrine Basis of Union Joint Union Committee 1915 in the tradition of Reformed communities throughout the world the church s formal beliefs can be expressed anew in each generation in ways that are both faithful to scripture and reflect the language and meaning of the time. subordinate standards to a subordinate standard (major statement of faith) one that is in substance agreeable to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures subordinate to scripture, broadly consistent with other faith statements acknowledged by the Reformed tradition reflecting the Reformed commitment to engaging the present time and age. 1940 Statement of Faith, The New Creed, A Song of Faith Have these statements touched our hearts? Have they taken on meaning in our daily lives? Have any or all become cherished, honoured, and living?
Implications of the Remit? Primacy of scripture: We affirm our belief in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the primary source and ultimate standard of Christian faith and life (Basis 2.0) test the will of the church to add additional subordinate standards to the existing Doctrine section of the Basis of Union One implication of acknowledging more than one subordinate standard is that the standards would be seen to be in dialogue with one another. Another implication of acknowledging more than one subordinate standard is that the United Church would be declaring its openness to affirming other subordinate standards in the future. They reflect the limits of human concepts and words for expressing profound truths about God. They invite a dialogue of faith between the present and the past and between expressions of faith that are different in their language and concept, but they always point beyond themselves to deeper truths.
What s a Remit? Basis of Union=UCC constitution By-Laws General Council can change For Constitution to change, majority of all sessions must vote in favour Category 1 Remit: wording or editorial changes Category 2 Remit: significant changes but not denominational-shaping Category 3 Remit -changes that affect the Articles of Faith, alter significantly the structures of the United Church, redefine our understanding of ministry, or alter our understanding of who is a member of the church. Therefore longest period of study and pastoral charges & presbyteries vote.
Looking forward: March 7 th : Basis of Union March 14 th : 1940 Statement of Faith March 21 st : 1968/1980/1992 The New Creed March 28 th : 2006 A Song of Faith Thank you for coming See you next week!