Introducing Background for 'Our Words of Faith'

Our Words of Faith:
Cherished, Honoured, and Living ?


(i) Introduction


Our national United Church is asking local churches what we believe.
Our council will speak for us, whether to claim any or all of 3 statements of faith as ‘subordinate standards of faith’ in our denomination:


Statement of Faith (1940)
A New Creed (1968/80/94)
A Song of Faith (2006)




A. Older Words of Faith
Sun Nov 20 noon, repeated Tues Nov 22 7:30pm
We’ll start with the older words: Bible, creeds, Basis of Union, Articles of Faith


B. Mid-Century Meanings
Sun Nov 27 noon, repeated Tues Nov 29 7:30pm
We’ll visit some 1940 words, written amid World Wars and Depression: 'Statement of Faith'


C. Modern Poetry
Sun Dec 4 noon, repeated Tues Dec 6 7:30pm
We’ll echo a ‘New Creed’, from ‘hip’ 1968, revised ‘80 and ‘94


D. Post-Modern Lyrics
Sun Dec 11 noon, repeated Tues Dec 13 7:30pm
We’ll sample a ‘Song of Faith’ to see if we can sing along to it


Find this background package posted here at www.hereticslikeus.com in the first week of November, or pick up a paper copy at the church library desk. Come to any one or all 4 sessions (each one repeated Sunday after church and Tuesday eve).  If you miss the sessions, we'll leave this posted online, and welcome your responses!


Bill Bruce takes the risk of going first, online and at church – then you respond:
Which, if any, of these words are ‘cherished, honoured, and living’ for you?


If you just happened on this - you can find us at:
Thornhill United Church
25 Elgin St (at Dudley)
Thornhill ON L3T 1W5
905 889-2131
http://www.thornhillunitedchurch.ca/

Click on 'read more' below, to see a summary of the questions we are being asked, to inform your browsing and participation in this study a bit more. 

(i) Our Words of Faith – Framing the Questions

Our national church is asking local congregations what we believe.

Since 1925, our United Church ‘Basis of Union’ already says that scripture is our main standard, and ‘Articles of Faith’ clarify our interpretation of scripture. Do we believe even that stuff, here and now, us, at Thornhill UC? Are these historic statements “Our Words of Faith”?

Each of 3 statements of faith may be recognized in 2012 as a ‘subordinate standard of faith’ and included in our Basis of Union through this year’s process: 1940 Statement of Faith, A New Creed (1968/80/94), and A Song of Faith (2006). Are these, any more than the others, “Our Words of Faith”?

Do each, or any of these ‘words of faith’ reflect

a) continuity with historic, older expressions you knew?

b) the practice of the United Church as you experience it now (emerging)?

c) the faith of our worshipping community at Thornhill UC?

Here is some background reading, in an accessible format, based on a study guide also available at www.united-church.ca by the same name. On the next two pages are some orienting comments and questions for the 4 sessions. Appended are the texts of 3 historic statements, and the 3 new ones that we’re asked to weigh as possible additional and 'subordinate standards of faith'.  Are they 'Our Words of Faith'?  Are they 'Cherished, Honoured, and Living'?

How would you vote, if you were a council member? Join the conversation, here onsite on 4 Sundays, repeated 4 Tuesdays, or online at www.hereticslikeus.com.

Background reading is posted here, and copied at the church in November. Each week before the session, I’ll post some notes about additional preparation for the Sunday or Tuesday sessions. Each week after the sessions, I’ll post some notes about our discussions during the Sunday and Tuesday sessions.

Questions? Answers?Contact Bill Bruce:
bill@thornhillunitedchurch.ca
905-889-2131
416-275-3547