Long ago when the world and I were young, I was an occasional preacher. So of course, I listened to Billy Graham to hear how he did it. I soon realized he had a formula. And the key to that formula was fear. 

     He began with his first part, in which he said: "Here in Beaconsfield (or whatever place he was speaking in) the 20 (or whatever the local road might be) connects to Dorval airport and from there to points all over the world." In other words, the revival that was beginning that night would spread, from that strategic place where YOU were (wherever it was) over the whole world. YOU were important because YOU were the person at the centre, of the centre, of the world. Then, in part two Billy scared you.

     His voice rising, he reeled off a list of terrible things that were happening: "Nuclear bombs," he thundered: "Massacres in Africa; Civil wars in Latin America." Then he paused, saving the most frightening bit for the last, "Labour government elected in Britain." By part three frightened listeners were eager to be saved.

     Billy Graham’s success was built on making his listeners feel scared. It may also have been his greatest failure. I thought of that as I listened to a recent speech by George Bush.

      It was essentially the same speech Billy Graham gave so many times. 1) "Make 'em feel important." 2) "Scare the wits out of ‘em." 3) "Pour on the healing words." Bush started with every American’s divine mission to bring peace and goodness to the world. (YOU are important.) Then came the fear –– anthrax, suitcase bombs, people who look and sound different and who, because they look and sound different might be plotting to kill you. Finally, there were the healing words, that George would save us all. But part two, fear was the key.

     Fear has made it possible for Bush to ignore the charter of rights. He has jailed hundreds, perhaps thousands without charge, simply because they look suspicious. Fear has made it possible for him to ignore international standards that generations of Americans fought to defend. Fear is being used, as it was used in the days of Senator McCarthy, to justify the destruction of people by smear and insinuation. Fear is destroying traditional American values and principles.

     Billy Graham, I’m afraid was doing the same thing because faith, like democracy, really isn’t about fear. It’s not about hiding behind God, so He will protect us from the world. It is dangerous to do that because frightened people flail out and destroy. They destroy what they love, as blindly as they destroy what they fear. Frightened people destroy their own faith just as surely as they destroy their own democracy. 

      Real faith isn’t about fear. Real faith is about confidence. And when we are confident, we do not destroy.

     Sorry Billy, I really think you were wrong on that one.
 

     If making church music is about harmony, then Beaconsfield United Church is very fortunate to have Lynette Wahlstrom as our Music Director. Her musical journey began in the small Southeastern Saskatchewan town of Stockholm, while growing up on her grandfather’s homestead. With a mother who sang, a grandmother who played the church organ and with the many strong musical traditions of the small nearby European communities, Lynette naturally made music her soul mate. Lynette integrated early piano lessons with playing of the oboe in the high school band program and activities with her musical friends. At first, her musical journey led her to Brandon University to study to become a band teacher. Her talent, her love of playing music and her belief in the promise of hard work sent this prairie girl to McGill University for further musical studies. 

     While competing with the high international standards of so many gifted music students, Lynette discovered a universal chord that ran through her many musical experiences. Also, at the same time she discovered her interest and ability to blend the musical experiences of concert and chamber music performance with the organizing of musical projects, to teaching students, to the riches that come from positive relationships with other music makers. Lynette joins B.U.C. after many musical experiences as a church organist and choir director, a choral accompanist, a music teacher, a concert producer and a Master’s of Music in piano performance from Université de Montréal. 

     Lynette sees that this blend of musical talents and skill with people has been nourished by her musical childhood, her studies, her varied musical experiences, the generosity of Montreal’s musical community and her belief in music as a ministry. It is this belief that music can both touch and express the soul, in ways that enrich the harmony of worship, that brought Lynette to Beaconsfield United Church. She and her husband, William enjoy a wide variety of music, from jazz to classical, from Irish to African to Cuban. 

     Once again Lynette hears the harmony and is now helping us hear that spirit, that tone, that beat that connects music and people in meaningful ways. The concerts Lynette organized in the early part of the summer were well attended despite the heat. People left humming and commenting on the excellence of the singing and playing. Not only did B.U.C. benefit from the music swelling in the rafters, the operating fund benefitted from the largesse contributed to it’s coffers, in the amount of $630.00.

Lynette has passed her baton to Kristin Radtke during the latter weeks of September and Paul Webb during October while Lynette & William welcome the arrival of their new baby.
 

     This year, as in the past several years, the Annual General Meeting was held at John Abbott College chaired by Rev. Steve Gillam. The conference theme was "A river runs through it".

     Delegates were asked to reflect on this theme in their table groups, as to how it pertains to the work of the Conference. In the afternoon, we had reports from Faith Formation and Education. We were reminded of the challenges of matching ministers and pastoral charges across the Conference and the country. In the evening, the meeting began with the treasurer reviewing our finances with a theological reflection on the parable of the sower. He used the hymn, "We Plough the Fields" (VU 520). 

     Following this business portion of the meeting, Linnea Good, from Vancouver was our theme presenter. She is a composer of church music some of which can be found in Voices United. She performed a concert with her husband, David Johnson, a percussionist. Linnea shared some of her journey and the songs that came out of her struggles, especially as she and her family hiked up Mount Sinai to see the Easter sunrise. There she discovered a whole crowd of God’s ‘angels’.

     One report on Saturday was from David Iverson of General Council. He spoke of the Residential Schools Steering Committee stating that there are 750 - 800 claims against the United Church of Canada. Over 80 claims have been settled satisfactorily. The Steering Committee is looking at an agreement with the Federal Government that will cap liability at ten million dollars.

     Saturday evening, the Celebration of Ministry service was held for the ordination of Dale Skinner. He is being settled in Knowlton. Maryana, Dale’s wife is presently in discernment for the ministry.

Submitted by Lloyd Coffin
BUC Presbytery Representative.