Report 2006

President’s Report

Presented at the Annual Meeting, March 29, 2007.

‘Lord Jesus Christ, you call us together in faith and love. Breathe again the new life of your Holy Spirit among us that we may hear your holy word, pray in your name, seek unity among Christians, and live more fully the faith we profess.’ (The Liturgy of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 2006)

As current President, I report with great thanksgiving to God for the witness and work of the Christian Council of the Capital Area in this year past, its thirty-seventh in the name of Jesus Christ and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

1) Representation and Stated Meetings

The CCCA gathered for its regular monthly meetings the first Thursday morning of each month from January through December, excluding July and August.

We are grateful for the hospitality offered by the Archdiocese of Ottawa in their facilities of Kilborn Place.

Our meetings included duly appointed representatives of the Anglican, Baptist, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Mennonite, Orthodox Church in America, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gatineau-Hull, Society of Friends, and United communities, as well as a representative from the Women’s Inter-Church Council. This is a wonderfully diverse Council.

It was with pleasure that we welcomed a new representative, Symeon Rodger (Orthodox Church in America), and welcomed back Suzanne Savoie (during the absence of Yvon Vanasse, Archdiocese of Gatineau-Hull).

The Christian Council of the Capital Area arose from the Ottawa Council of Churches established in 1948, and was constituted in 1971 with the main purpose ‘To give visible expression to the unity of all Christian believers and congregations, of whatever tradition and denomination, who confess that Jesus Christ is the Saviour and Lord according to the Scriptures.’ The Council continues to provide a local witness towards the unity of the Church of Christ.

We note with gratitude that our meetings in 2006 were enriched by the presentations of two guests. Kristina Elizabeth Inrig introduced in March the national interfaith initiative known as Faith And The Common Good, with a particular emphasis upon the practical programme ‘Greening Sacred Spaces’, assisting faith communities to connect with environmental responsibilities. In June, Roman Mukargee, Ottawa Co-Chair of World Conference of Religions and Peace, addressed the Council with his personal story of Hindu and Christian origins and his determination to respect and participate in both religions along his faith journey.

In addition, the Council dedicated time to special presentations by its own members. The worship and witness of the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (February 2006, Porto Allegre, Brazil) and its theme ‘God, in your grace, transform the world’ was brought forward by Andrew Johnston. And Lillian Roberts led a study of ‘The Song of Faith’, a recently adopted statement of faith of the United Church of Canada, that is ‘more descriptive than prescriptive … more evocative than definitive’.

Major Emphases:

Once again, a major focus of the Council was the planning and offering of a Service of Worship to mark the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in our nation’s capital. This year, for the second time, the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church collaborated in its preparation.

The liturgy was composed by the churches of Ireland, around the theme of ‘Gathered in My Name’ (Matthew 18:19-20).

‘As in many countries, a strong spiritual and missionary culture developed in Ireland, but the country also has a long and painful history. Political and religious aims and ambitions have torn communities apart and caused hurt on all sides. God has been present in the midst of the pain and has brought healing to many of the physical, psychological and spiritual wounds inflicted.’

This service was held on Sunday, January 22, 2006, and was hosted by St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church during their 50th anniversary year, in partnership with St. Michael and All Angels Anglican and Trinity United Churches. The Rev. Dr. John Gibaut of Saint Paul University preached.

The Council notes and celebrates that several other services were held throughout the region during the Week, hosted by various community ecumenical groupings. We believe that these Services remain an important Christian witness to the larger community.

The Council extended the themes of this service with a forum discussion led by Dr. Gibaut around the theme of ‘From Winter to Spring? Reflections and Discussion on the Experience of Christian Unity Today’ on April 6, 2006 at Saint Paul University. A good number of guests joined the discussion, as Dr. Gibaut acknowledged the current winter of ecumenism in Canada but inquired whether this might not be a time of ‘not yets’ where hope and faith are still possible, like the desert for the people of God of old, after the Exodus and before the Promised Land.

Other Matters Considered:

Regular meetings included reports from the Advisory Committees and Liasons with whom the Council is in relationship. Each month, this was a time for celebration and support. From the Women’s Inter Church Council, we heard with thanksgiving about the 26 services held in this region on the 2006 World Day of Prayer March 4, 2006 but with concern that no services were available in either Kanata or Orleans.

We celebrated with the Ottawa Lay School of Theology in its 42nd year of learning and witness, an ecumenical initiative unique in Canada.

Many prayers were answered September 29 2006 when the Rev. Lee McNaughton was installed as ecumenical chaplain by the Algonquin College Chaplaincy Committee.

We shared great joy with the Multi-Faith Housing Initiative as ground was broken on its first building project for the provision of affordable housing, June 16 2006.

The Pastoral Care Team Training Programme continued its excellent work of equipping Christians in an ecumenical context to extend the care of Christ, through foundational and special courses.

The Council continued its support of Interfaith Ottawa, particularly with the loss of interest and support received from the new Mayor of Ottawa.

Throughout the year 2006, the Council monitored several events and issues. A new development was Nidus 2006, a three day festival of music, art, addresses, drama and worship held in Kitchener Ontario that energised 1,200 young Canadian adults in Christian faith and service, with the involvement of the Canadian Council of Churches. Another special gathering was the Ecumenical Pre-Conference that brought 450 Christians from 30 countries together in advance of the 18th International AIDS Conference held in Toronto in early August.

We received news that the Capital Region Interfaith Council held its first meeting as an incorporated body, with the Council’s representative present in association.

Concluding Remarks:

I conclude with words of gratitude. New members of the Council have already been noted and welcomed. The dedication of the continuing members of the Council has been much appreciated, helping bring the wisdom of experience to bear upon the new context for Christian unity and service.

We must also note our gratitude for the Executive called to serve in the year 2006, including Lillian Roberts (Vice President), Don Friesen (Secretary), Peter Harkness (Treasurer), and Barbara Faught (Past President).

Most of all, we are grateful to God, who has brought us together in the name of Jesus Christ, and given us a wonderful opportunity to grow in Christian understanding and witness through the Christian Council of the Capital Area.

[Signed]
The Rev. Andrew Johnston, President

‘As we go forth from this place, we pray to God to bless our journey together: Open our eyes to your presence. Open our ears to your call. Open our hearts to your love. And may we open our arms to others. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forever. Amen.’ (The Liturgy of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 2006)