REV. GRETTA VOSPER’S WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS Prepared for the Interview Committee in advance of Rev. Vosper’s June 29, 2016 Review June 17, 2016 Litigation with a conscience. June 17, 2016 Falconers LLP Barristers-at-law 10 Alcorn Ave., Suite 204 Toronto, Ontario M4V 3A9 Julian N. Falconer (L.S.U.C No. 29465R) Akosua Matthews (L.S.U.C. No. 65621V) Tel: (416) 964-0495 Fax: (416) 929-8179 Counsel for Rev. Gretta Vosper INDEX INDEX ............................................................................................................................................ 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 5 Part I: Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 6 Part II: Rev. Vosper’s Theological Education ............................................................................ 8 A. Formative Years: 1964-1974 ........................................................................................ 8 B. Formal Theological Education ................................................................................... 12 Part III: Rev. Vosper’s Ordination ............................................................................................ 17 Part IV: Rev. Vosper’s Conception of God .............................................................................. 19 Part V: Rev. Vosper’s Ministry at West Hill United Church ................................................... 27 Part VI: Concluding Remarks ................................................................................................... 37 REV. VOSPER’S WRITTEN SUBMISSION ............................................................................. 38 Part I: Introduction .................................................................................................................... 39 A. Questions of Ordination.............................................................................................. 39 B. Submission Format ..................................................................................................... 41 Part II: Formative Years (1964-1974)....................................................................................... 41 A. God ............................................................................................................................. 41 B. God, the Trinity .......................................................................................................... 43 C. God as Father .............................................................................................................. 45 D. God as Son .................................................................................................................. 49 E. God as Holy Spirit ...................................................................................................... 50 F. Understanding of Call ................................................................................................. 51 G. Understanding of the Word ........................................................................................ 51 Part III: Theological Education and Ordination........................................................................ 53 A. Theology and God ...................................................................................................... 53 B. God ............................................................................................................................. 55 C. God, the Trinity .......................................................................................................... 56 D. God as Father .............................................................................................................. 57 E. God as Son .................................................................................................................. 59 F. God as Holy Spirit ...................................................................................................... 61 G. Understanding of Call ................................................................................................. 63 H. Understanding of the Word ........................................................................................ 65 I. Understanding of the Sacraments ................................................................................... 66 J. Understanding of Pastoral Care ..................................................................................... 68 K. Exercise of Ministry in Continuity with the Faith of the Church ............................... 69 Part IV: Ministry and Continuing Education ............................................................................ 72 A. God ............................................................................................................................. 75 B. The Trinity .................................................................................................................. 99 C. God as Father ............................................................................................................ 103 D. God as Son ................................................................................................................ 105 E. God as Holy Spirit .................................................................................................... 112 F. Commitment to God ................................................................................................. 114 G. Call to Ordained Ministry ......................................................................................... 115 H. Ministry of Word ...................................................................................................... 115 I. Ministry of Sacrament .................................................................................................. 116 J. Ministry of Pastoral Care ............................................................................................. 127 K. Exercise of Ministry ................................................................................................. 128 L. Exercise of Ministry in Accordance with the Scriptures .......................................... 128 M. Exercise of Ministry in Continuity with the Faith of the Church ............................. 130 N. Exercise of Ministry Subject to the Oversight and Discipline of The United Church of Canada................................................................................................................................. 133 APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................. 135 Bay of Quinte Conference Service ......................................................................................... 135 APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................. 139 West Hill Study Session (2003) .............................................................................................. 139 APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................. 143 Faith Talk: Toward A New Statement Of Faith (2004) .......................................................... 143 APPENDIX D ............................................................................................................................. 152 Rev. Vosper’s Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity Speech (2004) ........................ 152 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................................. 157 West Hill Study Session: Conversations On Faith (2005) ...................................................... 157 APPENDIX F.............................................................................................................................. 163 Articles On The Understanding Of God, The Observer, November 2010 ............................. 163 APPENDIX G ............................................................................................................................. 168 Essential Agreement (2013) .................................................................................................... 168 APPENDIX H ............................................................................................................................. 175 Walrus Talks Spirituality: Beyond The Beliefs That Divide .................................................. 175 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 Part I: Introduction 1. In an apparently unprecedented chapter in the history of The United Church of Canada (“UCC”), the UCC is seeking to review the “effectiveness” of Reverend Gretta Vosper by examining her continuing affirmation with the questions of ordination. The questions of ordination focus on one’s belief in a Trinitarian conception of God, which includes the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 2. It is important to note that no question about Rev. Vosper’s “effectiveness” has been raised by members of her congregation at West Hill United Church (“West Hill”). Indeed, the congregation at West Hill remains steadfastly in support of their chosen Minister and has submitted their own separate written submissions to this effect. 3. The reason why Rev. Vosper finds herself on the receiving end of