by Michele | Feb 5, 2024 | Community, News, Regional Council, Staff, The United Church of Canada
Epiphany Greetings!
We believe that God is calling the United Church to Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship and Daring Justice. Hearing this, our vision for the next 5-10 years is: Called by God, as disciples of Jesus, The United Church of Canada seeks to be a bold, connected, evolving church of diverse, courageous, hope-filled communities united in deep spirituality, inspiring worship, and daring justice.
One way the United Church is putting this into action is by working to Strengthen Invitation. This is about seeing existing ministries grow, and supporting new communities of faith. To support this, a new Growth Team was formed. We have 3 streams of work.
- Renew: We are coming alongside existing communities of faith. We want to help you attract and welcome neighbours, knit them into your congregation’s life, share in the Spirit’s transforming work in their lives, and send them to share in God’s work in the world.
- Create: We are seeding and strengthening new communities of faith. Often these will look and feel quite different from what many of us are used to. Imagine what possibilities there are for migrant communities, youth and young adults, Indigenous people, French-speakers, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and people with disabilities? What about new forms of rural faith communities? How about online ones? God is calling people together in new ways. How can we join in?
- Invite: We are helping United Church people to talk with others about our faith, and invite them to explore the Christian life together with us. How do we share the story of Jesus today? What does a post-Christian, post-colonial, humble and joyful evangelism look like?
An animator brings things to life. God is the Life-giver! I am, at best, a sub-animator. I’ll be looking and listening for glowing embers, sparks of heat and energy, signposts that God is working away. I’ll be seeing how I might blow some helpful air to help them burn a bit brighter: having supportive conversations, sharing in prayer, giving encouragement, exploring questions, making connections, offering resources.
Six Growth Animators are serving across the country. I am focusing on our 3 regional councils in southwest Ontario (Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways). I will be working closely with your regional ministers and commissions. And maybe I’ll get to work with you and your congregation!
I was with Hope Springs United Church until the end of December. It’s a recent amalgamation of Alma, Bethany and Elora United Churches. I continue to be based in Elora, while connecting online and in-person with people throughout our area.
Do you have ideas? Questions? Want to talk with me about your congregation? I have so much to figure out. Still, I’m already glad to listen and learn with you. What might we hear together?
Together in Christ,
Greg Smith-Young (he/him)
Growth Animator | Southwest Ontario
gsmith-young@united-church.ca
by Michele | Jan 30, 2024 | Community, Events, Funds & Grants, Learning Opportunity, Mission & Service, News, Regional Council, Resources, Social Justice, Stewardship
STEWARDSHIP ONLINE EVENT:
Good News: How to Share the Impact of your Ministry
- Learn how to inspire current and potential donors with the story of your ministry, project or outreach initiative
- Hear how to tell your story when reporting to grant organizations or applying for a grant
- Inspire other communities of faith as we share the good news of God at work in our regions
Session will include examples of inspiring stories from right here in our regions as well as time for discussion and Q&A.
Register here: https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpfuyhqTgsEtJu7zpRbldzViJPzpRPXqvz#/registration
The session will be recorded and posted to region websites.
by Michele | Jan 18, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Climate Change, Community, Events, Funds & Grants, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, Mission & Service, News, Pastoral Relations, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada, UCW
Details we know so far:
Time will be designated for each individual Regional Council to meet separately. Each Regional Council will be electing their GC45 Commissioners, President Elect and slate of Executive/Commission members.
Friday May 24: 2 PM start & Friday evening The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne will speak
Saturday, May 25: All day. Includes Celebration of Ministries Service in the afternoon
Sunday, May 26: 9 AM to Noon: Includes Honouring of Retirees, Jubilands, In Memoriam, Community of Faith Life Cycle Changes
by Michele | Dec 21, 2023 | Affirming, Community, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, Staff, The United Church of Canada
Greetings,
It has come to our attention that material considered a hate crime in Canada is reaching some of our congregations this week. We are saddened to note that this is coming during a time when we are preparing to celebrate the arrival of the Christ in our midst.
The hate mail received this week has included a letter with disturbing messages and a USB key. It has come from the United States and may have a Customs declaration that it is a “gift.” If you receive mail that you suspect to be this or other hate correspondence, here is what we recommend you do:
- Do not insert the USB key into any of your devices. Curiosity could put your computer and your security at risk.
- Be aware that the letters that we are aware of contained disturbing messages targeting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. You may choose not to open it.
- Report it
If the mail meets the description provided above, you can report it as suspicious without opening it and include this newsletter to back up your concerns.
For security reasons, never put any USB key from an unknown or hostile source in your computer, as it could contain viruses or other malicious software that could steal your personal information, could cause harm to your computer and could also spread malware to your contacts. If you received a USB key, please report it to the police and surrender it to them. If you have already put such a USB key into your computer, please remove it immediately and take steps to check for malware before using your computer further.
Also, please be mindful of how distressing opening this mail may have been for the staff member or volunteer who did so. It will distress many and be experienced as a personal attack by any who identify with or are family and friends of the targeted population.
If you receive the above noted package or any other hate mail, please reach out to your Regional Council Social Justice staff- Thérèse Samuel tsamuel@united-church.ca and John Egger jegger@united-church.ca, even if only to notify us. Knowing what is happening helps us know how to best support you and the other congregations in our regional councils. And if you would also like any particular information or assistance, please let us know.
Sadly, this kind of hate correspondence profiles why our regional councils have chosen to become Affirming, and it is a reminder of why our Christian presence is so very vital in our communities, our nation and the world. If your congregation is not Affirming and you are interested in exploring the process, here is a link to information: https://affirmunited.ause.ca/affirming-ministry-requirements/, and contact Thérèse tsamuel@united-church.ca or John E jegger@united-church.ca if you have any questions.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your regional council staff who are here to support you.
The Regional Council offices will be closed during the Christmas break. Emails will be answered after our return in the New Year. If you have opened the USB, we recommend contacting your computer care/service provider immediately to seek their advice.
May God bless you and your congregations as you celebrate the arrival of the Christ child, who comes to overturn injustice and to bring true and lasting peace. May the miracle of Christ’s presence fill you with comfort and warmth as you face all the joys and challenges that this season may bring your way.
Yours in Christ,
Thérèse Samuel,
Minister, Right Relations and Social Justice
by Michele | Dec 7, 2023 | Community, News, Regional Council, Staff
The General Council Executive approved the appointment of the Rev. Mark Laird as Regional Council Executive Minister, Western Ontario Waterways, Horseshoe Falls, and Antler River regional councils, at its meeting November 17‒18, 2023.
Mark will begin his new appointment March 1, 2024.
The approval followed the recommendation of the General Secretary and the search team. The selection panel to recruit the new Executive Minister included the presidents of the three regional councils, a member from one of the regional councils, and a senior staff member from the General Council Office.
Mark is a Diaconal Minister and has been serving Drayton United Pastoral Charge since 2015. He has served as President for the Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council, was a member of the General Council Boundaries Commission, and also served as interim Executive Minister for the three regions. Mark brings his love for and experience of the church into his commitment to helping communities of faith engage their ministry.
We welcome Mark and pray for God’s blessings on this new chapter.
by Michele | Nov 30, 2023 | Community, News, Regional Council
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Important Changes Regarding Payment of Pastoral Charge Supervisors
In The United Church of Canada, Pastoral Charge Supervisors (PCS) play a vital role in ensuring that communities of faith without a called/appointed minister can continue to make decisions and pass the motions needed to carry out their ministry. Pastoral Charge Supervisors are also required when the minister is a Candidate or an Applicant for Admission to The United Church of Canada.
Not only do the PCS attend meetings of the governing body (board/council) and congregation, they also serve as a Trustee. In recognition of the time commitment and required knowledge, gifts and skills needed to serve as a PCS, the Regional Councils of Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls are introducing a new policy to ensure proper compensation and training for this work.
All Pastoral Charge Supervisors and communities of faith
need to be aware of this change.
Please ensure that your board/council receives a copy of this policy. If you have questions, please contact your Congregational Support Minister, Karlene Kimber at KKimber@united-church.ca. |
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Cost of Pastoral Charge Supervision to the Community of Faith
A Community of Faith receiving supervision is responsible to provide a payment based on $35 per hour to the Pastoral Charge Supervisor. This includes meetings of the Governing Body, Trustees, Congregation and Pastoral Charge. In a multi-point pastoral charge the communities of faith will have to determine how the pastoral charge supervisor is paid.
Travel time to and from a community of faith is not covered by the hourly rate.
Pastoral Charge Supervisors are to submit their hours to the community of faith on an agreed-upon frequency and not less than 2 times per year.
Given that in most cases, the pastoral charge is without clergy or receiving reimbursement for restorative care, these expenses should not be burdensome. If it is anticipated to result in financial difficulties in the community of faith, a request may be made in writing from the governing body of the community of faith to the regional council Congregational Support Commission for further conversation (re assistance from the regional council for payment to the PCS or about the viability of the community of faith).
It is both expected and encouraged that supervision will take place by electronic means or by phone as much as possible.
- community of faith will be responsible for preparing a T4A according to Canada Revenue requirements.
Note: Pastoral Charge Supervisors’ mileage is covered by the regional council.
In the rare case where regional council staff are the PCS, the congregation is expected to donate to Mission and Service in the equivalent amount of the hours supervised. Please note that this is only when a staff member is the assigned Pastoral Charge Supervisor.
The Congregational Support Commission will pick up the cost for an Applicant for Admission as part of its commitment to diversity.
Remuneration: Even if a PCS does not wish to receive the remuneration, they should still be paid by the community of faith. They then have the option of donating some or all of the payment to UCC Mission and Service or another charity of their choice.
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Qualifications
A pastoral charge supervisor may be a lay person who is a member of Regional Council, ministry personnel (ordered or diaconal) or a Designated Lay Minister. They will be approved for service by the Congregational Support Commission.
All are required to have an up to date::
- Police Records check (vulnerable sector)
- Racial justice training
- Boundaries training
- Pastoral Charge Supervisor CHURCHx Course
If the supervisor is not currently serving in active ministry or is a lay person, the cost of these requirements will be paid by the Regional Council. |
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Still Have Questions?
If you have questions, please contact your Congregational Support Minister, Lynne Allin at LAllin@united-church.ca. |
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