HF Online Clergy Gathering
2024-04-17 15:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-15 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

ARW - Are you vulnerable?
2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
There will be signs (Luke 21:25)
Before the pandemic, many of our communities of faith were beginning to see signs that their finances and volunteer resources were declining. Now with the impact of the pandemic the signs are everywhere. Discussions and decisions that were put off as we waited out Covid 19, are now urgently needed. These are signs that the way we have always done things is no longer working, and change is happening, but there are also signs of hope as we face these challenges together. What isn’t helpful is simply letting time rob you of the opportunity to explore options and make choices about the future of your congregation and ministry.
Recognizing the Signs
If your community of faith is:
Anxious about the future of your community of faith?
It’s time to explore options
Struggling to recruit enough volunteers?
It’s time to talk about the future.
Experiencing increasing deficits and declining investments?
It’s time to make a plan
Recognizing signs and making decisions is something we do every day. Overcast sky; we take an umbrella. Gas gauge on empty; we head to the gas station. Toothache; we call the dentist. We have learned that ignoring the signs can lead to bigger problems later. And simply hoping we won’t run out of gas, or the cavity will fix itself is not realistic. The same is true when congregations see signs that their community of faith has become vulnerable due to a lack of money, volunteers or both. While it may be tempting to simply keep going hoping next year will be better, the reality is that with each passing month there is less time to explore options, talk about the future and make plans. And while these may be uncomfortable discussions, it is even more difficult when a decision is forced upon a community of faith because they have run out of resources and time.
There is no denying that acknowledging and responding to the signs is challenging work that takes courage and trust and often leads to change. But it can be the change you choose rather than the change that will happen if nothing is done.
Here are some things you need to know and remember:
1) You are not alone! God is with us. We are with one another.
2) This is not your fault. This change is the result of social, demographic, cultural and other forces beyond the control of any one congregation.
3) Things will not go back to the way they were.
4) The problems will not solve themselves.
5) All of the possible options such as collaboration, property redevelopment, amalgamation and disbanding take time to do well. Waiting until the last moment to make a decision will limit your options.
6) We are a resurrection people. We believe that new life will come, even in the midst of loss.
Your Congregational Support Commission invites you to make 2024 the year all of our communities of faith ask courageous questions about their situation, talk to one another, begin to make plans and choices rather than wait and see, and ask how together we continue our shared ministries as the United Church of Canada.
This year,

If your community of faith has an abundance of resources, ask, how might we partner with our neighbours so that their ministry continues?
If your neighbouring church is closing, ask how you might pick up some of their ministries so that the good work continues?
Complete or update your community of faith profile, and look for signs that it is time to take control and start making plans.

Finances – Signs to Watch For
Halo Canada conducted a study of approximately 4300 churches in Canada that closed between 2009 and 2018. Their findings identified several key characteristics of congregations at risk of closing.
Warning Signs

An annual deficit for three or more years consecutively
Annual expenses running 30% higher than revenue
Cash and long-term investments less than three times the annual deficit
Property expenses 30% or more of annual expenses
Staffing costs greater than 60% of the total expenses.
Trend of declining income and/or increasing deficit

If a congregation is experiencing 3 or more of these risk factors, they are at high risk of closure in the next 3-5 years.
Use the Financial Viability Worksheet to identify whether these risk factors apply to your community of faith.
Volunteers – Signs to Watch For
Communities of Faith need capable, willing and available volunteers to carry out the work of being a church. Members are needed for the governing body, Board of Trustees and M&P committee and to help organize events, fundraisers, and worship. While it can be useful to have people with experience offer leadership, it becomes a problem when people feel they cannot “retire” from a position because there is no one available to take over the responsibility. In some congregations, a few people are stretched thin trying to ensure everything gets done.
Warning Signs

Volunteers are being asked to fill more than one position
Volunteers have held the same position for more than 5 years because there was no one else available
The Board of Trustees or M&P Committee do not have the required 3 members
Volunteers are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or resentful
Very few people are gathering for worship in person or virtually

If a congregation is experiencing these challenges they are at risk of closure in the near future, even if they have ample financial resources.
Use the Demographic Worksheet to identify whether these risk factors apply to your community of faith.
Taking Charge – Exploring Options
Once your community of faith has determined whether they are at risk, you can now begin to make plans for your future. Knowing that your resources may be exhausted in a few years, you can begin to explore options and make choices.
Options and Opportunities

Reach out to your regional council Congregational Support Minister and the Congregational Support Commission.
Collaborative Ministry – share resources and ministry personnel with another congregation to reduce expenses
Purchase complete worship services with recorded sermons to reduce the cost and time required to arrange for pulpit supply each week.
Explore options to redevelop property or increase rental income
Sell your property and rent space in the community or “nest” with another congregation to share worship and building facilities
Begin to discuss amalgamation with a neighbour. (a good amalgamation requires time, at least a year in most cases, to get to know one another, create an agreement, celebrate the past and embrace the future)
Make plans to disband. To do this well takes time. Time to celebrate the ministry you have shared, time to grieve, time to plan your legacy and time to manage your property and records.

Lynne Allin
MINISTER, CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT Horseshoe Falls and Antler River Watershed Regional Councils

You are Invited to:
Vulnerable Congregations Discussion
While this may feel overwhelming, remember you are not alone. The Congregational Support Commission is inviting your Minister, Chair, Treasurer and Lay Representative to a discussion session. Please share this article and the link below. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Lynne Allin (she/her) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Vulnerable Congregations Discussion

Horseshoe Falls Regional Council March 21st, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/87178139356 Meeting ID: 871 7813 9356
Join by Phone: 1-855-703-8985 Canada Toll-free

Antler River Watershed Regional Council April 17th, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/88944207737 Meeting ID: 889 4420 7737
Join by Phone: 1-855-703-8985 Canada Toll-free

Regional Council Staff Meeting
2024-04-18 09:30 - 11:30, 2024-05-02 09:30 - 11:30, 2024-05-16 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom

WOW Online Clergy Gathering
2024-04-18 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

WOW Are You a Vulnerable Community of Faith?
2024-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Before the pandemic, many of our Communities of Faith were beginning to see signs that their finances and volunteer resources were declining. With the impact of the pandemic the signs are everywhere. Discussions and decisions that were put off as we waited out Covid-19 are now urgently needed.
These are signs that the way we have always done things is no longer working, and change is happening, but there are also signs of hope as we face these challenges together. What isn’t helpful is simply letting time rob you of the opportunity to explore options and make choices about the future of your congregation and ministry.
Recognizing the Signs . . . if your community of faith is . . .

Anxious about the future of your community of faith?
It’s time to explore options.
Struggling to recruit enough volunteers?
It’s time to talk about the future.
Experiencing increasing deficits and declining investments?
It’s time to make a plan!

Recognizing signs and making decisions is something we do every day. Overcast sky; we take an umbrella. Gas gauge on empty; we head to the gas station. Toothache; we call the dentist. We have learned that ignoring the signs can lead to bigger problems later. And simply hoping we won’t run out of gas, or the cavity will fix itself is not realistic.
The same is true when congregations see signs that their community of faith has become vulnerable due to a lack of money, volunteers, or both. While it may be tempting to simply keep going, hoping next year will be better, the reality is that with each passing month there is less time to explore options, talk about the future and make plans. And while these may be uncomfortable discussions, it is even more difficult when a decision is forced upon a community of faith because they have run out of resources and time.

It can be the change you choose, rather than the change that will happen, if nothing is done.
There is no denying that acknowledging and responding to the signs is challenging work that takes courage and trust and often leads to change.

Useful things to know and remember:

You are not alone! God is with us. We are with one another.
This is not your fault. This change is the result of social, demographic, cultural and other forces beyond the control of any one congregation.
Things will not go back to the way they were.
The problems will not solve themselves.
All of the possible options such as collaboration, property redevelopment, amalgamation and disbanding take time to do well. Waiting until the last moment to make a decision will limit your options.
We are a resurrection people. We believe that new life will come, even in the midst of loss.

Your Congregational Support Commission invites you to make 2024 the year all of our Communities of Faith ask courageous questions about their situation, talk to one another, begin to make plans and choices rather than wait and see, and ask how together we continue our shared ministries as The United Church of Canada.

If your community of faith has an abundance of resources, ask, “How might we partner with our neighbours so that their ministry also continues?”
If your neighbouring church is closing, ask, “How you might pick up some of their ministries so that the good work continues?”
Complete or update your community of faith profile, and look for signs that it is time to take control and start making plans.

Finances – Signs to Watch For
Halo Canada conducted a study of approximately 4,300 churches in Canada that closed between 2009 and 2018. Their findings identified several key characteristics of congregations at risk of closing.

An annual deficit for three or more years consecutively;
Annual expenses running 30% higher than revenue;
Cash and long-term investments less than three times the annual deficit;
Property expenses 30% or more of annual expenses;
Staffing costs greater than 60% of the total expenses;
Trend of declining income and/or increasing deficit.

If a congregation is experiencing 3 or more of these risk factors, they are at high risk of closure in the next 3-5 years.
Use the Financial Viability Worksheet to identify whether these risk factors apply to your community of faith.
(Halo Effect is a measure of the socio-economic benefit that a religious congregation contributes to its local community. Halo Effect is expressed as a multiplier. Based on the most recent research, for every dollar that a congregation spends, the local community on average receives $3.39 in economic benefit.)
Volunteers – Signs to Watch For
Communities of Faith need capable, willing and available volunteers to carry out the work of being a church. Members are needed for the Governing Body, Board of Trustees, the M&P Committee and to help organize events, fundraisers and worship. While it can be useful to have people with experience offer leadership, it becomes a problem when people feel they cannot “retire” from a position because there is no one available to take over the responsibility. In some congregations, a few people are stretched thin trying to ensure everything gets done.

Volunteers are being asked to fill more than one position
Volunteers have held the same position for more than 5 years because there was no one else available
The Board of Trustees or M&P Committee do not have the required 3 members
Volunteers are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or resentful
Very few people are gathering for worship in person or virtually

If a congregation is experiencing these challenges they are at risk of closure in the near future, even if they have ample financial resources.
Use the Demographic Worksheet to identify whether these risk factors apply to your community of faith.Taking Charge – Exploring Options
Once your community of faith has determined whether they are at risk, you can now begin to make plans for your future. Knowing that your resources may be exhausted in a few years, you can begin to explore options and make choices.

Reach out to your regional council Congregational Support Minister and the Congregational Support Commission.
Collaborative Ministry – share resources and ministry personnel with another congregation to reduce expenses.
Purchase complete worship services with recorded sermons to reduce the cost and time required to arrange for pulpit supply each week.
Explore options to redevelop property or increase rental income.
Sell your property and rent space in the community or “nest” with another congregation to share worship and building facilities.
Begin to discuss amalgamation with a neighbour. (a good amalgamation requires time, at least a year in most cases, to get to know one another, create an agreement, celebrate the past and embrace the future).
Make plans to disband. To do this well takes time. Time to celebrate the ministry you have shared, time to grieve, time to plan your legacy and time to manage your property and records.

While this may feel overwhelming, remember you are not alone. The Congregational Support Commission is inviting you, your Minister, Chair, Treasurer and Lay Representative(s) to a discussion session. Please share this article and the Zoom link. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Thursday April 18, 2024 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Join by link: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 813 0230 9957
Join by phone: 855 703 8985

WOW UCW AGM 2024
2024-04-20 09:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Annual General Meeting of the UCW of Western Ontario Region on Saturday, April 20 in Hanover.
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Where: Grace United Church 310 – 12th Street, Hanover, ON
This will be an in-person and virtual meeting. We are hoping to have representation from every local UCW in our region for this important meeting. We will review the past year, and consider our future. If you attend virtually, please note that you will have to click on one link for the morning session and on. The second one for the afternoon session. Only members attending in-person will be able to vote during the business meeting in the morning.
To ensure that there is sufficient food for all, we ask you to pre-register for lunch at noon either by email to: ucw.wow@gmail.com or by telephone by Tuesday, April 2. You can pay when you register.
We will send out the Annual Report by email within two weeks of the meeting. Please read it carefully before you come to the meeting if you can. We look forward to seeing you all.
Sincerely,
ANNE REUBER
President of UCW of Western Ontario Region

Duty of Care 101
2024-04-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

WOW Discipleship and Justice Meeting
2024-04-23 19:00, 2024-05-21 19:00 (America/New_York)

HF Human Resources Commission Meeting
2024-04-24 13:00 (America/Toronto)

HF Regional Council Executive Meeting
2024-04-24 16:00 (America/New_York)

HF Discipleship and Justice Meeting
2024-04-25 14:00, 2024-05-15 18:30 (America/New_York)

ARW UCW Annual Gathering 2024
2024-04-27 08:45 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
United Church Women Annual Gathering
Saturday, April 27, 8:45 am to 2:00 pm

WHERE THERE IS FAITH, THERE’S HOPE
Come for the singing, the devotion, guest speakers and entertainment.Guest Speaker: Rev. Jen PrinceChaplain: Rev. Larry SchneiderDunwich United Church, 179 Nancy Street, DuttonLinks & Contacts: Download the Registration Form or the Poster.

HF UCW Annual General Meeting
2024-04-27 09:30 (America/New_York) | Grace United Church, 2111 Walkers Line, Burlington, L7M 0Z2, Canada
HORSESHOE FALLS UCW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
2111 Walkers Line, Burlington
“Out of the Kitchen” and into….
Worship: – Led by the Rev. Richard Bott
Guest Presenter: – the Rev. Brenna Baker
Community of Faith Support Staff for Horseshoe Falls, Western
Ontario Waterways and Antler River Watershed “TELLING THE STORY IN A NEW WAY”

Send cheques made out to Hamilton Conference UCW for payment to: Amy Hill
12 Neuchatel Place, Mississauga, ON L5N 6A7 DEADLINE: April 17, 2024
NAME(s):______________________________________ # of Tickets_______
CHURCH:_______________________________________________________
9:30 – registration 10:00 – Welcome
Cost – $20 Please bring your own brown bag lunch and a small contribution for
The Loaves and Fishes table to share at breaktime – eg. apple, cookie

ARW Congregational Support Commission
2024-05-01 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)

ARW Discipleship & Justice Meeting
2024-05-07 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom

ARW Regional Council Executive Meeting
2024-05-08 10:00 (America/New_York)

'The Basics': Ministry & Personnel Committee Workshops
2024-05-08 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
‘The Basics’: Ministry & Personnel Committee Workshops
Online by Zoom, Spring 2024 dates:
February 15th 2-4pm, March 19th 7-9pm, May 8th 2-4pm and June 25th 7-9pm
with Micol Cottrell, Minister, Pastoral Relations

Ordered ministers and designated lay ministers while in paid accountable ministry positions are office holders within The United Church of Canada.
While there may be elements similar to employment,
the essential nature of the relationship is a covenant.
~ Statement on Ministry in The United Church of Canada (2012)
New members are often elected to the vital Ministry & Personnel Committee near the start of the year, although M&P Committee membership can change for many other reasons throughout the year.
The Basics will help a new member learn the essentials of this crucial role. More experienced members of M&P Committees are invited to take this workshop as a refresher with their team, and keep up with changing United Church practices and policies. This workshop is open to members from Western Ontario Waterways, Antler River Watershed and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils!
Please Note: each member of your M&P Committee attending this workshop is required to register.
In your Confirmation Email, you will receive the Zoom link and material in preparation for the meeting to make the most of our time together. If you have questions about the content, please email Micol Cottrell, Minister, Pastoral Relations, at MCottrell@united-church.ca, or better yet, write down the questions to bring with you.

WOW Congregational Support Commission
2024-05-09 13:00 (America/New_York)

ARW Human Resources Commission Meeting
2024-05-14 09:00 (America/Toronto)

HF Congregational Support Commission
2024-05-14 10:00 (America/New_York)

ARW Online Clergy Gathering
2024-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

WOW Regional Council Executive Meeting
2024-05-15 09:30 (America/New_York)

WOW Human Resources Commission Meeting
2024-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto)
