Clarington Digital Newspaper Collections

Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville, ON), 17 Oct 1984, p. 34

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Page 4 St. Paul's Church Anniversary Supplement of The Canadian Statesman, Oct. 17,1984 The Life of Rev. Clarke MacDonald Clarke MacDonald believes in commitment, commitment, evangelism and social action. He has what he calls "a Christo - centric faith." The Christian life, he maintains, puts Christ at the centre and all life revolves around obedience to Him. Impatient with theological jargon and hair-splitting, he, nevertheless, believes that the coming of God in Christ is The Event in human history and the pivot of all genuine Christian action. This is what motivates him, whether he is preaching preaching on grace or walking on a picket line for human rights. Clarke MacDonald was a pastor for a quarter quarter of a century before taking responsibility as a Deputy Secretary in the Division of Mission in Canada and as Secretary Secretary of the Office of Church in Society. He believes that people are ready to respond to a rugged Gospel that lets Jesus break out of stained glass and dogma-ridden creeds to appear, as he did in Galilee - a man among men and women. He sees Jesus as One who knew what it was to be tired, to be tempted, to have doubts and fears - but whose steadfast commitment to God saw him through to victory. Not only that but "the God revealed in this Jesus is alive today" says the Secretary responsible responsible for co-ordinating co-ordinating the work of so- "Happy Birthday!" to St. Paul's UnitedChurch From the staff at LANGE'S PHOTO LAB INC. 50 King St. E. Bowmanville Telephone 623-2568 cial, political and moral issues - as well as prophetic evangelism and giving leadership in the Church coalition for peace - Project Ploughshares. He declares declares his conviction that God is alive in a world where men and women are working and playing, birthing and dying; and the Church as the Body of Christ must demonstrate His presence. Dr. MacDonald believes believes the Church must use the techniques of the '80's to communicate communicate the Gospel as well as revive time honored practices. When he was minister at Saint Luke's in downtown Toronto for eight years, he could be seen on his 'soap box' in Allan Gardens Park defending his con- -viction against the attacks attacks of communists, Fascists, Atheists, racists, racists, and all kinds of right-wing "Bible Thumpers." Dr. MacDonald is involved involved in world concerns. concerns. He is in frequent touch with government leaders about immigration, immigration, rights of native peoples, refugees, multi-national corporations corporations and poverty. He has attended international international conferences, travelled to the Middle East, to Eastern Europe, including the U.S.S.R., and taken a leading role in upholding upholding human rights in Southern Africa and South America, as well as Eastern Europe. He will be a United Church delegate to the Kir- chentag in Germany and fraternal delegate to the East German Church this year. Dr. MacDonald is convinced that there must be more sharing of the earth's resources - "unless something radical radical is done to close the gap between the rich and the poor, we are going to have a confrontation confrontation which will have disastrous results," he maintains. Dr. MacDonald is committed to work for peace. "Our military expenditures expenditures on this planet are an affront to God and could be the prelude to the death march for this part of the Universe." He is also a total abstainer and a non-smoker, but he is tolerant of those whose views and habits are at variance with his. He has often visited taverns, in fact, and describes describes some of them as "crummy joints". He thinks the government should not license them unless they measure up to high standards and are less depressing to the lower income people who frequent them. Clarke MacDonald was born July 6,1920 in the farming community of Green Hill, N.S. He says he owes an unpayable unpayable debt to the United Church congregation of twenty-five families where he was brought up. "My parents were The Very Rev. Clarke MacDonald, past moderator moderator of the United Church of Canada, will be speaking this Sunday, October 21, at 150th anniversary anniversary services held at St. Paul's United Church. my first, and among my best teachers in applied Christianity." He attended public school and high school in Pictou County. He went to Dalhousie University University and then to Pine Hill Divinity Hall in Halifax where he was ordained in 1943. Pine Hill granted him an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1969. For 15 years he held pastorates in Cape Breton, Breton, then moved to downtown Toronto Saint Luke's where he stayed for eight years. On January 1,1971 he was appointed Secretary Secretary of the former Board of Evangelism and Social Social Service which a year later was integrated integrated into the Division of Mission in Canada in which he is now a Deputy Deputy Secretary. He is Secretary of the Office of Church in Society and Chairman of Project Project Ploughshares, as well as serving on other Inter-Church Coalitions Coalitions and the Canadian Council of Churches. We're pleased to offer our Congratulations to St. Paul's United Church from Management and Staff "FREDA" and "JOE" and "ALL THE CHICKS!" at Bev's Floral Creations 162 King St E. AFTER HOURS Telephone 623-3377 CALL 623-5803 Congratulations on your St. Paul's United A proud 150 years of service to our community. WE OFFER YOU OUR SINCERE BEST WISHES. From the Management and Staff of mcgregor HARDWARE 95 King St. W. 623-2542 Bowmanville

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