Sanctuary Off Limits

When the Presbytery of Ottawa locked the doors to the sanctuary at St. Giles, Ottawa, to “discipline” the warring congregation, the secular press jumped on the unique measure, saying the congregation had been “sent to its room,” forcing the faithful to worship in the church basement.
But they missed out on the main story: That those worship services now held in the church hall—or, yes, the basement—are filled with laughter, fellowship, and honest discussion about what lies ahead. St. Giles members aren’t mourning their temporary loss; rather, they are discovering and welcoming new voices to the table, and talking about how great things might be.
“There is a genuine excitement, a real lightness of being right now, and it’s catching,” said interim moderator, Rev. Wayne Menard. “We have a Sunday school for the first time in years. We have university students who come on a regular basis. Leadership has popped up. The elders who remained on session who had been silenced are now speaking, and what a wonderful sound!”
The root of the divisions is not unique in congregations across the church: that of tradition vs. change.
The most recent arguments were seemingly buoyed by the arrival of Rev. Ruth Houtby in 2006, who had a community – building leadership style that was, according to Menard, “very different” from the male ministers the congregation had called in the past.
A group of four long – serving elders complained loudly to presbytery, even managing to get other members on their side. Presbytery ruled their complaints unfounded.
Houtby eventually left St. Giles, and following other interim solutions and various committee reports, Menard arrived on May 1, 2011. It wasn’t long before the same group of elders complained about him.
Presbytery stood fast in their decision to station Menard at St. Giles. He is also a chaplain at nearby Carleton University.
“There was a group within the congregation who had lost their voice,” said Menard. “And there was a small contingent of session who held all the power. The fuss came when they were told they could no longer hold that power.
“Some of the eldership had ceased to be the church for others. They were the church for themselves, and it just wasn’t working.”
When the congregation still couldn’t get along, presbytery decided “with profound regret” to make the sanctuary off limits—a powerful symbol showing the congregation that the church is not its building. A closing worship service was held Nov. 20, and presbytery hopes to hold a celebratory re – opening worship once members prove they’re ready to move back in.
“One of the deepest divisions has been over the sanctuary, and what it should be like,” said Rev. James T. Hurd, presbytery clerk. “[T]he sanctuary was not a place of refuge and worship, but a place of argument … So presbytery decided they need a period of time during which we pray fervently that healing and reconciliation will take place.”
One of the elders was removed by presbytery, and others have stepped back. Assessor elders and a support committee have been appointed.
About 50 people attend the breakfast and cosy worship now being held in the church hall—the first of which was on the first Sunday of Advent.
“The irony is, that the very things Ruth was criticized and chastised for are now being realized in worship,” said Menard. “Ruth is still a beloved minister of the church and of this congregation, and we’re honouring her by doing exactly what she wanted us to do.
“The future looks brighter and brighter with each Advent candle lit and each face that returns,” said Sharon Stewart, an elder for 10 years. “I believe that those who wish to worship together will be there and those who cannot will hopefully and prayerfully find a place where they will be comforted.”
“I think there is a message here and it is this: When the liberating Spirit of Christ in his church is allowed some freedom, anything can happen,” said Menard.