Category: Overtures

Editor's Note: These Han-Ca petitions have been supported by a letter from the Chinese Consultation, composed of six congregations – Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, and Celebration Chinese Presbyterian Churches, and by a letter from Chapel Place, an Arabic-speaking congregation. To the Venerable 146th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The Presbytery of … Continue reading Eastern and Western Han-Ca Petitions re: Racism and Marginalization

To the Venerable 146th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada: WHEREAS, Korean congregations from 1967 onwards entered into a mutual covenant with the Presbyterian Church in Canada for the reason that our theological and doctrinal beliefs, expression of faith and worship, and governance were in consonance with those of the Presbyterian Church in … Continue reading Western Han-Ca Presbytery Overture re: Sister Denomination

Ten overtures transmitted by the Presbytery of Montreal:Overture from the Presbytery of Montreal requesting consideration of the report of the Gracious Dismissal Committee before proceeding to discussions about Remits "B" and "C" from the 145th General Assembly (2019).Overture from the Presbytery of Montreal requesting the charting of a clear and non-punitive way forward for congregations … Continue reading Presbytery of Montreal Overtures

WHEREAS The Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed in 1875 as a union of several branches of the reformed and presbyterian Church, all of which held the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only rule of faith and life and subscribed to the Westminster Confession of Faith as the principal subordinate standard; … Continue reading Parkwood Ottawa Overture re: Separate Synods

WHEREAS the Presbyterian Church in Canada has accepted the reality that it is deeply divided on the issues surrounding human sexuality; and WHEREAS protracted study and conversation on the issue have not revolved the differences and are unlikely to at any point in the future; and WHEREAS some within the church see the push to … Continue reading Cote des Neiges Overture re: Non-Geographic Presbyteries

WHEREAS the Presbyterian Church in Canada has long devoted time and resources to studying and debating the matter of LGBTQI sexuality diverting energy away from other important issues; and WHEREAS the debate on this one issue has revealed a larger theological division within the P.C.C., as is evident in the report from the 2019 General … Continue reading St. Edward’s Beauharnois Overture re: Theologically Based Presbyteries And Synods

WHEREAS the remits under the Barrier Act of 2019 seek to change the doctrine and practices of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in foundational ways, and WHEREAS through no fault of its own, and in order to respect public health regulations and intentions due to COVID-19 issues, the Presbyterian Church in Canada was unable to … Continue reading Grace Orleans Overture re: Limiting the Agenda

To the Venerable the General Assembly: WHEREAS the Book of Forms has constituted the guide by which the business of the General Assembly has been conducted within the Presbyterian Church in Canada since its inception; and WHEREAS it has not been our practice, and should not be our practice, to intentionally delay items of business … Continue reading Grace West Hill Overture re: Gracious Dismissal

WHEREAS The Presbyterian Church in Canada has debated human sexuality for several decades, and WHEREAS the debate is a distraction to our mission, undermining our effectiveness, and WHEREAS the issues pertaining to human sexuality are symptomatic of deeper theological issues, and WHEREAS the theological divide is evidenced in the report from the 2019 General Assembly’s … Continue reading St. Andrew’s Moncton Overture re: Restructuring Along Theological Lines

WHEREAS the Barrier Act of 2019 seeks to change the doctrine and practices of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in foundational ways, and WHEREAS The Presbyterian Church in Canada prides itself in doing things ‘decently and in good order,’ and WHEREAS, through no fault of its own, The Presbyterian Church in Canada has been unable … Continue reading St. Andrew’s Moncton Overture re: a Limited 2021 Online General Assembly

WHEREAS issues surrounding human sexuality have been contentious for decades within The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and WHEREAS our ordination vows stipulate that we will not take divisive courses of action, and WHEREAS the actions of the General Assembly of 2019, in sending changes of doctrine and practice through the Barrier Act of the church … Continue reading St. Andrew’s Moncton Overture re: 2019 Barrier Act Be Set Aside

To the Venerable the General Assembly: WHEREAS the concepts of mutual accountability, empathetic collegiality, and partnership in ministry are at the heart of Presbyterianism, and these concepts demand integrity – integrity that is lacking unless the elders participating in a presbytery undertake ministry with a common understanding of the gospel for ordination, teaching, gospel witness, … Continue reading Grace West Hill Overture re: Two Semi-Autonomous National Synods

To the Venerable, the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada: WHEREAS, the 144th General Assembly referred the matter of Gracious Dismissal to the Assembly Council (p. 36, 2018 AP); and WHEREAS, the Assembly Council’s terms of reference include the obligation to “assist the General Assembly in making responsible decisions by ensuring that both … Continue reading Essex-Kent Overture re: Gracious Dismissal

Background The following was written by Rev. Andy Cornell. Although the intent of the overture is to restructure the denomination along theological lies, it’s presented theologically neutral. In other words, it’s worded so as to appeal to those who might identify as evangelical/conservative/orthodox/traditional as well as those who identify as inclusive/liberal/progressive/affirming. It does give primacy … Continue reading Essex-Kent Overture re: Restructuring the PCC

WHEREAS, between 2015-2020 24 Overtures and Petitions have been made to General Assembly requesting, in general, that The Presbyterian Church in Canada permit congregations to leave the denomination with their property at nominal cost to the congregation if the denomination approves either a redefinition of marriage to include same sex couples or the ordination of … Continue reading St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s North Vancouver Overture re: Gracious Dismissal

Whereas the congregations and courts of the Presbyterian Church in Canada have been adapting to different forms of meeting since March 2020; and Whereas these forms have challenged our longstanding principle and practice of full participation by each member in the business of the courts (Book of Forms 4.4,4.3); and Whereas the Assembly Council has … Continue reading St. Paul’s Simcoe Overture re: Virtual Assembly

WHEREAS the divisions within the Presbyterian Church in Canada have become more pronounced, and have both widened and deepened over the last decade; and WHEREAS the matters of disagreement include many aspects of faith and life, belief and practice; and WHEREAS by its own admission in a report received by General Assembly in 2019, there … Continue reading Knox Thedford Overture re: Separate Synods

Recent years in our denomination have been turbulent. Some fear that our denomination may not, in its entirety, find its way back to authentic Biblical thinking, powerful Spirit-led prayer, and effective Gospel witness. Several of our members have been working on a way forward that was proposed by the Special Committee ... Read more