Yes - interesting to see that there is assumption (Dave Pollard's post) that gretta herself initiated the current media blitz. I don't know that there is evidence of that. Sometimes media works that way, but often it's others that put them onto a story ... just saying.
Perhaps Gretta or her supporters did call the media. Or maybe they didn't. She is, after all, the most well known UCCan minister (and has way more name recognition in Canada than whoever your Moderator is), with the possible exceptions of those who transitioned into politics. The media follow her, and the media loves controversy.
But it was Toronto conference that started this process. Gretta did not start it, and can in no way be held accountable for the timing. And even if she didn't initiate the media attention,
the media would have found this story.
This is entirely the fault of the UCCan, who have such a terrible knack for public relations, it's breathtaking. That I understand, you are faced with layoffs and a complete overhaul of your structure, plus ongoing church closings or "amalgamations", which is a fancy word for "closings", in the largest denomination in Canada, and more media attention is on Gretta than any of that. And that's on the UCCan and how they kicked the can down the road until this year, and then just this spring, months before the long scheduled GC, they choose precisely the worst moment to initiate this review.
Is the sudden rush a product of trying to fit this review in before more power is given to the congregations as a result of the GC? That's a possibility, isn't it? Under a new governance model, would it be more difficult to get rid of her, so that's why they had to try to rush it through this year? Out of fear they couldn't later?
This is not just a review of Gretta. It is a giant middle finger extended toward the people of West Hill United, a shot across the bow for any minister who believes similarly and would consider saying so out loud, and an awkward attempt to strike a blow for belief in the incredibly improbable. Now, beliefs are going to be examined in the public sphere, and tell me when that last went well for the church.
