The B.C. Conference of the United Church, in its proposal to sell off the northern portion of Moorecroft Camp is jeopardizing two irreplaceable possessions.

If the sale is approved on October 18, Presbytery voters will not only have contributed to the destruction of this well-loved natural treasure with its pristine ecosystem, they will also have gone a fair way to dismantling the reputation of the United Church in this region and the goodwill of the local community.

The United Church, in its vision statements, seeks to promote integrity, stewardship and right relations with the community. If this proposal is approved there will be little evidence of the integrity that Miss Moore, the original owner of the property, was counting on when, trusting that camping would be carried on there in perpetuity, she sold the land for a modest fee.

Where is the integrity in using the proceeds from the sale of land that has been a sacred trust and adding them to the $20 million already raised from the recent sale of another church camp in Surrey?

Is the United Church fulfilling its part of what was a gentleman’s agreement when it uses this additional income for refurbishing camps in other areas or for other purposes altogether?

And stewardship? Recently a Nanaimo and area land trust study declared unequivocally that selling part of Moorecroft would seriously harm a very special and irreplaceable ecosystem.

Does the United Church not see that this destruction of habitat violates its stated policy of cherishing and respecting the rich diversity of life so that “all may benefit now and in the future” “

I urge church members, who will be voting to accept or reject the proposed sale, to read their own church’s statements on being stewards of the environment. There you will find reference to the irreversible effects of what the document calls “exploitation (often called development).

These fine words about stewardship will be empty and meaningless if Moorecroft is sold.

Finally, there is the question of community. The United Church’s standards document speaks of creating “a stronger sense of community” and an operating framework within the church that provides for transparency.

What are Moorecroft’s neighbours in the Nanoose and Beachcomber areas to think of an institution that claims to esteem transparency but fails to disclose or consult effectively on an issue that will compromise their limited water supply and modest roads?

What about the hundreds of Moorecroft supporters who have fundraised and volunteered countless hours, co-operating to extend the benefits of camp values to children and youth over the years?

Each one can describe life changing, community building experiences there as evidence of the enduring value that Moorecroft has had and can continue to have in the lives of families and individuals.

On October 18, Presbytery voters will have an important opportunity to show that the United Church does keep its word, does live by its stated principles and is committed to being a good neighbour.