85 years old. That is an achievement to be proud of. On this day in 1925, Methodists, Congregationalists, Union Churches and quite a few Presbyterians joined together to begin something new and controversial - a new denomination – The United Church of Canada. It was an historic moment as this was the first of any such union in the world. It also led to a lot of chaos and confusion as church tried to figure out how to function given their history and now their new form of being. Families were divided as some refused to join this ‘new church’. My mom would tell of her Uncle, a staunch Presbyterian, who drove his horse and buggy past two United Churches to worship at a true Church – the Presbyterian Church!

 

For 85 years the United Church has been a force shaping our Canadian culture. Our history has been marked by ‘firsts’. We were the first denomination in Canada to ordain women. Lydia Gruchy was ordained in 1936. In 1968 we elected a lay person to lead our denomination. Dr. Robert McClure had been a medical missionary for years and his indomitable spirit influenced the church during his two year term as Moderator. In 1988 we were the first denomination to welcome Self-declared Gays and Lesbians in the ministry. Throughout our history as a denomination we have often led the way for The Church to engage with the culture. This is due in part to our roots that grew out of a call both to practicality and a commitment to social justice.

 

It has not always been easy to be in the United Church. Our desire to be forward looking and faithful has often landed us in ‘hot water’ in the media and the popular culture. Many United Church members have, on occasion, squirmed as our church ‘made headlines’ yet again. Sometimes members have even left because of a position taken by the United Church that they could not live with. I believe that our broad umbrella of belief and acceptance has been both our blessing and our curse. Our inclusive nature and desire to ‘draw the circle’ wide has meant that we members often have to wrestle our faith stance. While this might be challenging, I think it is a good thing. Our denomination does not tell us what to think and believe - it makes us do our own thinking and believing. In the United Church both spirit and intellect is prized. Our thinking and our feelings have to be reconciled in our faithful witness. Those very factors are just some of the reasons why I love the United Church.

 

So today I say, “Happy Birthday United Church”. I am so grateful to my forebears who had the insight and courage to give birth to you. May there be many more anniversaries to celebrate in the years and decades ahead.