Another Sidebar

Here’s a query perhaps in search of an impossible answer. I have college-era friends who I’ve kept in contact over the years, oft-times intermittently. In one particular instance, back in the day, we all served in various key posts in the Students’ Union at the University of Alberta. One lives in Kingston, one lives in […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Three

What did I do after General Assembly? I will get to that shortly but let me first tell you an interesting moment on Thursday evening. I went to TD Place Stadium in Ottawa to Watch the first CFL game of the year there. Mind you it was only an exhibition game, but it was with […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (G)

Is General Assembly really over? An interesting facet of church government in the PCC is that only the Moderator continues in office after the final Sederunt at GA. When the Moderator pronounces the Assembly to be concluded, it actually is dissolved. All Commissioners return to their respectful presbyteries and congregations to resume their regular roles […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (F)

Why do organizations try to make 12+ hr work days work? Day 2 ran well over twelve hours. Whether this is an insane idea or not is up to you to decide; but, it is well-research that such longevity does not produce thoughtful products nor processes. I recommend that GA go back to at least […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (E)

Why do General Assemblies hold evening sederunts? Evenings at conferences are for socializing, getting to know the other delegates, and winding down. GA makes a mistake when it tries to conserve time and runs the business into the evening. Sederunt 4 was no exception. This evening was simply too packed with reports and briefings. Most […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (D)

What happened during the Third Sederunt? This sederunt started off dealing with some interesting issues although not necessarily earth shattering. The History Committee reminded us that we should be setting aside February 18th, 2018 as “Heritage Sunday”. I like this idea as it is becoming increasingly important in this rapid info/multiple facts world that we […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (C)

With constantly shifting agendae, is a Sederunt by Sederunt approach helpful? When I was planning this coverage of the 143rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, I thought I would simply recount each day on a linear basis. By last night I was wondering if that really was possible. Could I do that […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (B)

Why am I late with this column? Well, at the end of Day 2, with the full agenda causing the final Sederunt to go overtime, I was then invited to join a group of ministers in a conversation back at the residence which also included some smoked east coast salmon (which as you know, is […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-Two (A)

How do Presbyterians start their General Assembly? It’s a big moment in the annual life of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) when General Assembly (GA) opens. For one thing, the opening service is held on a Sunday evening in June. For another, the church is full. Now this could quite easily be accomplished by […]

The Epistle of Q — Chapter Forty-One

Why do I teach? Just finished Module II of my Ethics & Environmental Health course at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). It was a good module — these students are bright, inquisitive and not afraid to ask questions (especially those they might feel are a bit stupid — which, of course, they are not). They […]