New Payment Policy for Pastoral Charge Supervisors Effective: January 1, 2024
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Prepare to Vote: Remit Q & A Session (Online)
Prepare to Vote:
Remit Q&A Session (Online)
with Thérèse Samuel and John Egger
Wednesday January 17, 2024 7:00-8:30 PM
For Pastoral Charges
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Click here to register.
Please prepare and submit your questions in advance:
PREPARE for the Q&A Session:
We ask that all participants have previously participated in an education workshop or have listened to/watched the half-hour Remit Foundations video.
Please click this link to look at this information sheet
An additional information sheet will be available before the workshop.
The facilitators will present responses to questions received by 9:00 AM January 16th using the form.
There will also be time for discussion and additional questions.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS: Please click here to send your questions in advance.
Please DO NOT send questions by email.
For information contact
Thérèse Samuel TSamuel@united-church.ca or
John Egger JEgger@united-church.ca
Presented by Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils
Save the Date:
For more details click HERE
Tri-Regional Pastoral Charge Supervisor Gathering
A Special Message from ARW President Cheryl Ann Bolton
For more information about the ARW Regional Council Fall Gathering click here 
https://arwrcucc.ca/events/regional-council-meeting/
Job Posting: Executive Minister
Photo by Jason Leung via Unsplash
Come and join our team!
We are hiring an Executive Minister : Antler River Watershed/Horseshoe Falls/Western Ontario Regional Councils
Click here for more details
Update from The Presidents of Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils
From the Desk of the Regional Council Presidents
September, 2023
Dear ARW, HF and WOW Regional Councils,
We hope this message finds you well and having enjoyed a relaxing and restorative summer.
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of our Executive Minister, Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa.
Cheryl-Ann is currently on a three- month sabbatical, but she will be leaving us in January to begin a two-year contract offered to her by General Secretary Michael Blair. There she will become one of the staff resourcing General Council 45 and her wealth of experience and knowledge will be drawn upon in helping the wider church in its review of the new structure. We will miss her wisdom and unwavering support and care, but we know just what a valuable resource she will be in her new position at the General Council Office.
The Executive Minister position is being held by the very capable Mark Laird (Past President of WOWRC) during her sabbatical. The position will be posted by the General Council Office shortly and we ask that you hold the Search Team in your prayers.
The Regional Councils will plan an appropriate way to recognize, celebrate, and honour the contribution of Cheryl-Ann and to wish her well in her future endeavours.
Blessings,
ARWRC President Cheryl Bolton
HFRC President Lennox Scarlett
WOWRC President Jennifer Irving
Collaborative Ministry Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/89103473757
Meeting ID: 891 0347 3757
Join by phone: 1- 855-703-8985 Canada Toll-free
Save the Date
Antler River Watershed Fall Regional Council Meeting:
Annual Community of Faith Profile
It is Time!
As it says in Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” As we begin to move from summer into fall, congregations often begin to review finances, look at recruiting volunteers for various tasks and scheduling events and fundraisers. This is a busy and exciting time, but it may also raise questions such as “Is it still possible to do things the way we have always done it?”
Across our regional council we are hearing concerns about declining membership and finances. We are also hearing about congregations who have weathered the pandemic, but are now wondering how on-line worship, inflation and aging buildings costs will impact their future. Others ask “What will happen if the other point in our pastoral charge decides to close? What will happen to the UCC presence in this area if several communities of faith disband?” Where will our community of faith be in the next 5 years? And just as coloured leaves mark the beginning of autumn, these questions tell us that we are in a season of discernment.
The Community of Faith profile is one of the tools available to help congregations ask good questions. All communities of faith are now expected to complete their profile and update it annually. (The worksheets can be found on the regional council website in the congregational support toolkit 2.) But it is not enough to just collect information and talk about it. The real purpose is to help you plan the next steps, and start to make changes. Waiting until there is a crisis because the boiler has broken and there are no funds to repair it, or the operating deficit means bills can’t be paid, or a few people are burning themselves out trying to manage all the tasks is not helpful. Deciding to just wait and see what happens, takes away the opportunity to explore options and make choices. The reality is that any change, such as collaborative ministry, amalgamation, redevelopment or disbanding, takes time if you want to do it well. Waiting until next year only means you will have less energy and fewer resources to make those changes.
Talking to congregations, it is clear that some need money while others need volunteers. Some need assistance with administration and bookkeeping, while others could use tech support. Some are located in the heart of their community while others have watched the community move away. And yet, while there has been change and loss, this does not need to be a picture of scarcity. The good news is that we have an abundance of resources distributed across our communities of faith. This is why the Congregational Support Commission is asking communities of faith to consider what would be possible if we work together. For example, how might we share administration, bookkeeping, ministry personnel, governance, outreach and more to make things more efficient? How might we work with our neighbours to ensure that the ministries we care about continue? What can we do now so that this season of opportunity does not pass us by?
Now is the time for every community of faith to ask: What are our strengths and gifts, our challenges and needs, and our ministry priorities? Where is God calling us? And how can our ministry continue in new ways for another season? Then like a great potluck dinner the contributions of many will become a feast for all.
For more information about collaborative ministry, amalgamation, redevelopment or disbanding, please see the toolkits on the website or reach out to your Minister for Congregational Support. Lynne Allin Lallin@united-church.ca for ARW and HF and John Neff JNeff@united-church.ca for WOW.
Did you remember?
- To file your UCC statistics this year?
- Pay your national assessment?
- File your CRA Charity Return?
- Send a copy of your annual report to your Regional Council Congregational Support Minister?
- Update your ChurchHub account contact information?
- Update your ChurchHub account CoF Roles to included your Lay Rep, Board/Council Chair etc with current contact information?
- Complete your annual Self-Assessment? (see Congregational Support Toolkit 7)
- Complete your Community of Faith Profile? (see Congregational Support Toolkit 2)
Pease ensure that these tasks have been completed for your pastoral charge and community of faith.
Climate Grief: Hard and Holy
Photo by Milada Vigerova via Unsplash
Support/Reflection/Prayer Gathering
Make connection with others who are experiencing climate grief
and/or struggling to discern way forward
….while using theological reflection and spiritual practice to ground and support this ‘Hard and Holy work’.
Dates/Times and Locations
Join us, as explore climate grief, acknowledging experiences, making connections with others, and as companions journeying forward.
We will include theological reflection and spiritual practice to ground and support this
‘hard and holy’ work.
Mount Elgin United Church (324105 Mt Elgin Rd, Mount Elgin, ON N0J 1N0)
Wednesday, September 27 @6:30-8:30 POSTPONED
Fairmont United Church, London (29 Tweedsmuir Ave, London, ON N5W 1K6)
Monday, October 23 @6:00-8:00
To register and for details:
Contact – Kathy Douglas, (she/her) Faith Formation Minister
Note: Registration is required as we will be serving food.
519-441-0656
kdouglas@united-church.ca
If your community of faith would like to host such a gathering, please contact Kdouglas@united-church.ca
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Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils
Fishbowl – Cross Generational Discussion
Youth and Non-Youth Fishbowl Gathering
Regional Councils of ARW, HF and WOW in partnership with The Hub and Trinity UC Kitchener-
Tuesday Sept 26, 2023, evening
Background: Post-COVID, Youth leaders struggle to put together groups. A message often heard from youth in the church is that what’s being offered doesn’t work for them. Being an intercultural church includes finding ways to bridge communication between different age groups/generations.
Goal– To offer a forum that brings together youth and non-youth in the church– a forum that allows the two groups to hear one another and be heard by one another, and to consider what might be the Spirit’s invitation to the church for youth ministry at this time.
FISHBOWL PROCESS:
Eight Youth (teens to twenty-somethings) and eight Non-Youth (40s-90+) from WOW, HF and ARW Regional Councils will gather via Zoom.
- Discussion questions will invite each to share and listen to experiences of their own youth faith formation, and hopes and challenges for youth ministry then and now.
- On each question, using the Zoom spotlight feature to focus on one group of eight:
- Youth will invite one another to share, while the Non-Youth listen.
- Places will be switched, and the Non-Youth will invite one another to share while the Youth listen.
- For some questions, the order might be reversed, with Non-Youth sharing first
- After several rounds of sharing in separate groups, Youth and Non-Youth will have an opportunity to reflect together as one group.
Each group will be invited to reflect on what they have heard and consider possible next steps.
Participants will be given questions for reflection and feedback, to be submitted in writing following the session.
This is a cross-cultural listening event, and a pilot project. This session will not focus on problem solving or planning. The focus of this event is to listen and learn about one another as a first step of re-visioning youth ministry in ARW, HF and WOW in this post-pandemic time.
An HONORARIUM of $105 is available for participants who are not otherwise paid for their time in this discussion.
To apply, complete the Application Form :
https://forms.office.com/r/3qf3JJtxt6
Application deadline Sept 12, 2023
For more information contact:
Thérèse Samuel tsamuel@united-church.ca
Kathy Douglas kdouglas@united-church.ca
Adam Cresswell – hubleadership@gmail.com
Bethany Herlihey- bethanyherlihey@gmail.com
ARW Networks & Clusters
Photo: Alina Grubnyak via UnSplash
Thanks to the clusters and networks that shared contact information at the Antler River Watershed spring meeting. If you’re part of a cluster and network that is open to others, please let us know details!
Refugee Advisory Network
Refugee Advisory Network (Tri Regional RAN) Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils are offering support and resources to Communities of Faith in their ministry of refugee sponsorship. We want to celebrate and encourage the immense contributions and dedication our church communities have provided as safe havens for vulnerable refugees around the world. We want to help support this ministry by offering connection and resources. As rewarding as this work can be, we are also aware that it requires great energy and long hours of work. There is a steep learning curve and lots of struggles to overcome but a concrete opportunity to be Christ in the world.
Helpful Links
- Private Refugee Sponsorship Network ( PRSN ) https://refugeesponsornet.ca/
- South London Community Centre https://london.ca/living-london/parks-facilities/community-centres/south-london-community-centre
- Wesley Urban Ministries, Hamilton https://wesley.ca/
- SECC, South Essex community Council. https://www.secc.on.ca/
- Citizens for Public Justice https://cpj.ca/
- Canadian Council for Refugees https://ccrweb.ca/en
- Refugee Sponsorship Network https://refugeesponsornet.ca/
- Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (helpful for getting started but not so much help in problem solving once refugees are here) https://www.rstp.ca/en/
If you have questions, stories and/or needs the Refugee Advisory Network can address, please reach out to the staff support persons. Kdouglas@united-church.ca or JEgger@united-church.ca
Refugee Advisory Network ( RAN )
Introduction
The Tri Regional Refugee Advisory Network (RAN) met on June 13, 2023 for the first time. Would anyone wish to be part of a steering team for the ongoing work of Tri Regional RAN to help with continued connecting, supporting and providing resources? Contact staff Jegger@united-church.ca and/or Kdouglas@united-church.ca with interest.
Ongoing meetings of Tri Regional RAN would include check in and updates, resource sharing and mutual support. We hope to create a data base of Communities of Faith who are involved in refugee sponsorships as well.
Let us, “Talk to each other/learn from each other” (B Sheffield)
Hopes and Goals
Specific hopes that a Tri Regional Refugee Advisory Network could address:
Burn out for those doing the work of refugee sponsorship. Help with being asked ‘all the time’ to take more sponsorships. Very difficult to say ‘no’ and/or to say ‘yes’. How can we bring the needs of Refugee Sponsorship and a broader understanding and more equitable treatment of all those needing settlement to our church more effectively? The church needs to articulate and speak for better consideration to all parts of the refugee experience. Support and advocacy could be the key goals of this group.
John Egger
Minister, Social Justice
Phone: 226-407-4309
Email: JEgger@United-Church.ca
John was raised in Calgary. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto. His dissertation was on Paul’s use of the Hagar/Sarah motif in his letter to the Galatians and how it has been spun in the history of interpretation. This was a kind of case study into how biblical texts have been (i.e., can be) misread in the history of the church and the dangers thereof.
Serves in: Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils
Location: Teleworks from home and spends time in the regional council.
Role: John encourages and connects communities of faith in their work and promotes social justice ministries.
Contact John about: Social Justice Ministries and resource to the Discipleship & Justice Commission.
Kathy Douglas
FAITH FORMATION
Phone: 226-407-4308
Cell: 519-441-0656
Email: KDouglas@united-church.ca
Kathy works with children, youth and young adults, supporting them in various programs and faith-forming events. Many youth are nurtured into leadership roles. Kathy also works with camps and United Church Women groups.
Serves in: Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils
Location: Teleworks from home and spends time in the regional council.
Role: Kathy encourages and connects communities of faith with matters of faith and justice and the regional council in youth and young adult ministry and matters of faith formation..
Contact Kathy about: Camping & Campus Chaplaincy Ministries; Faith Formation- Children, Youth, Young Adult and Adult Christian Education; Social and Eco-Justice Ministries; Mission & Support Grants, Support to Pastoral Care Teams and Music Ministry Leadership: United Church Women (UCW) and resource to the Discipleship & Justice Commission.
Resources
Private Refugee Sponsorship Network (PRSN) https://refugeesponsornet.ca/ is responding to the need to connect and share experiences and resources among private groups doing refugee sponsorships in Ontario. This provincial network of 500 sponsorship groups, operates with no public funding and offers many programs and workshops that help. PRSN offer concrete help for sponsorships in the post settlement period… addressing basic needs (housing and literacy) to skills/social supports for refugees and their sponsors. Perhaps one of the most effective offering PRSN offers is a “Since you Asked” section in their newsletter. Check out their website, ask to receive their newsletter and receive invites to their webinars. https://refugeesponsornet.ca/connections/
Some settlement agencies and organizations that are also helpful:
- South London Community Centre https://london.ca/living-london/parks-facilities/community-centres/south-london-community-centre
- Wesley Urban Ministries, Hamilton https://wesley.ca/
- SECC, South Essex community Council. https://www.secc.on.ca/
- Citizens for Public Justice https://cpj.ca/
- Canadian Council for Refugees https://ccrweb.ca/en
- Refugee Sponsorship Network https://refugeesponsornet.ca/
- Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (helpful for getting started but not so much help in problem solving once refugees are here) https://www.rstp.ca/en/
Mission Support Grants 2024
Photo by Unseen via Unsplash
Now accepting applications:
Welcome John Egger!
Five Oaks Executive Director, Michael Shewburg, approached the regional councils to ask if we might be interested in a joint position combining the half-time role of the Partner Program Director at Five Oaks with the half-time role of Minister, Social Justice in the regional councils. We crafted a Ministry Sharing Agreement and submitted two position descriptions for our joint search. Human Resources raised concerns; these two do not seem to fit together. By this time, Michael was on sabbatical and Acting Executive Director, Pegi Ridout, and Executive Minister, Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, met. We agreed that what each of us wanted was a person who could invite others into a deeper experience of faith that would lead them to live differently in the world. In John Egger, newly appointed to this joint position, we believe we have found someone who can do that!
John was raised in Calgary. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto. His dissertation was on Paul’s use of the Hagar/Sarah motif in his letter to the Galatians and how it has been spun in the history of interpretation. This was a kind of case study into how biblical texts have been (i.e., can be) misread in the history of the church and the dangers thereof.
John has served numerous United Church congregations in Calgary and Toronto in a variety of youth, educational and intergenerational ministries, including intercultural experience with Centennial Japanese United Church (now Bayview) in Toronto and Taiwanese United Church of Toronto, as well as ecumenical experience working with the Anglican Church (Christ Church Calgary) and the Presbyterian Church in Canada (Varsity Acres in Calgary). These experiences gave him an appreciation for the possibilities for intercultural and transformative ministry within congregations, especially through engaged intergenerational education.
John has just concluded his home assignment duties following his return to Canada after serving four years as a Mission Co-Worker with the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea. We look forward to welcoming John among us as together we learn to share a staff person between the regional councils and Five Oaks. John has kindly agreed to start on May 26th so that he can attend the regional council meetings for Western Ontario Waterways, Horseshoe Falls and the tri-Executive meeting to receive the Evaluation Report. He will arrive in time for a meeting of the program committee of Five Oaks along with Five Oaks Annual Meeting! He’ll definitely be caught up in a flurry of events for the first few weeks!
We’re looking forward to working with John!
Queer Conversations
Meet Hopelyn Butler (she/her):
Queer Conversations Questionnaire:
