July 22-27 (Day 8-13) General Council at Oshawa,

Over the past week, I have attended the national meeting of the United Church called General Council.  Every three years, about 350 commissioners from across Canada meet to discuss the policies and direction of the church.  It can be exhausting, invigorating, frustrating, and intense.  But, all in all, a good experience.

While I was at the meeting meeting, Bob spent time in our room, or wandering around campus (The meeting was held at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.  On Wednesday, we had a free afternoon.  We visited the car museum in Oshawa.  On display were cars dating back over 100 years.  It was very interesting, but we were disappointed that the cars were far too crowded so one could not get a real look at them.  One car we found interesting was from the early 1900's that was an electric car.  It was hardly run because there was no place to charge it.

After the museum, we visited a couple of dealerships to see if they had any electric cars.  We were particularly interested in the Bolt because we couldn't get to see one in Saskatoon.  The dealership did not have one in stock, but directed us to the Employee Vehicle Centre, where they keep their display cars.  There was a Bolt there, and we were quite impressed.  After the dealerships, we visited the Botanical Gardens in Oshawa, and wandered through the park and flowers.  Then back to our room to get ready for the next day.

One of the more intense times was Friday afternoon/evening.  The intercultural observer, Paul Walfall, spoke to the plenary.  He started by telling people how he was isolated and ignored during the meeting, and then shared his experience of racism throughout the meeting, in the wider church, and in general.  His thoughts were so poignant he received a standing ovation.  We went on with our meeting for about 10 or 15 minutes, when two younger commissioners stood on a point of privilege to express distress that there was not apology to Paul.  The put a motion on the floor to provide this apology.  It was noted that the first half dozen speakers were from the dominant culture and the moderator asked that anyone from the dominant culture sit down. Then followed two and a half hours of marginalized or racialized individuals rising to speak to the court about their experience with racism, in the church, in general, and in this meeting, and how that racism had impacted their lives.  They were hard stories to hear.

Distance: 57Km

PHOTOS