Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson famously—at least in our circle—described Stéphane Dion as a Presbyterian in December 2006, when Dion won the top job for the Liberals. For those who do not have this as a framed poster in their living rooms here’s the quotation: “He’s Presbyterian, politically speaking—unadorned, slightly severe, utterly determined, without pretence, searching for self-improvement, anchored in his convictions.”
The Rayner Prize challenge this year was to think about Simpson’s dour and dogged cliché and update it with a fuller and rounder definition of what it means to be Presbyterian.
The prize is housed at Armour Heights, Toronto, and is named after Rev. Dr. DeCourcey Rayner, the iconic editor of the Presbyterian Record from 1958-1977. Invitations to participate were sent to all students at the church’s three theological colleges. The purpose of the prize is to encourage theological students to write in a more accessible style for a general interest audience. Record staff judge the entrants; and Armour Heights pays out a kind gift in Rayner’s name to the winner(s). Since there were only two entrants this year, and both more than worthy, Armour Heights is generously doubling its usual contribution, with a prize to each.
It was an honour for me to participate—thank you Armour Heights. And to the two participants: you made me smile.
Andrew Faiz
Managing Editor
Presbyterian Record
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Take It To The Heart
Embrace the clichés, for they are true.
by Katherine Burgess
Truly Presbyterian
Putting words in our mouths.
Heather Anderson
re: the Rayner Prize, 2009
Another quote – this one from Nino Ricci’s recent book on Trudeau – which reflects something of the residual Presbyterian influence in English Canada in the 1970′s.
“The few short years that his marriage encompassed were in some ways a defining period both for Trudeau and for the country. Many people who couldn’t name a single policy initiative from the 1970′s can still remember what Maggie wore when she met the Queen, or what head of state’s wife she composed a poem for, or what infant child she had with her on the visit to Fidel Castro. By the time of her infamous weekend with the Rolling Stones a mere six years after her marriage, she had left he country with a sense of having forever shed its image of a bad mix of staid Presbyterianism and priest-ridden Catholicism.
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