Pastoral Relations Toolkits
Quick Links:
Pastoral Relations Liaisons, Resources for Ministry & Personnel Committees, ChurchHUB, United Fresh Start, Retirement Resource, Availability for Pulpit Supply, Voluntary Associate Minister, Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Resource Team, License to Administer Sacraments, Appointments Policy
Toolkit #1 – Pastoral Relations Liaisons
Regional Pastoral Relations Liaisons offer leadership as a community of faith seeks out a new pastoral relationship through a new call or appointment.
Here are some resources for liaisons:
- Pastoral Relations: Regional Council Liaisons
- Pastoral Relations: Congregational Designated Ministers
- Position Description – Template
- Position Description – Worksheet
- Position Description – Terms to Consider
- Pastoral Relations: Guidelines for Search and Selection
- Pastoral Relations: Regional Council Liaisons
- Preparing to Search Process
- Search Team Training Registration
Toolkit #2 – Resources for Ministry & Personnel Committees
These resources are basic tools for the Ministry and Personnel Committee:
Toolkit #3 – ChurchHub.ca
Ministry Profiles and Searches – using the online tool of ChurchHub.ca
ChurchHub.ca is established and regularized by General Council as the required process for ministry personnel and communities of faith to search for calls and appointments.
What is ChurchHub.ca?
ChurchHub.ca is part of a significant shift in the life of our church and how we live out our call to ministry and discipleship. It is both a policy that was passed by General Council to be “regularized as the required process for ministry personnel and communities of faith to search for calls and appointments”, and the support structure (tool) for communication between the denomination, ministry personnel, communities of faith and members who participate in regional and denominational ministry.
For more information about ChurchHub, a tutorial on your first log-in and how to complete ChurchHub forms, see the national United Church ChurchHub Information webpage.
How do we use ChurchHub.ca?
All Ministry Personnel and Pastoral Charge Communities of Faith have received an invitation to join ChurchHub. If you or your community haven’t received your invitation, we may have an outdated email. Please email ministry@united-church.ca with your updated information.
After you have logged into ChurchHub, you may find this ChurchHub Cheat Sheet helpful as you become familiar with how to add or access Ministry Profile and Search information.
Toolkit #4 – United Fresh Start
United Fresh Start is a curriculum with over 20 modules that teach ministers and congregational leaders critical strategies for working effectively together. It contains proven methods based on the work of organizational leadership experts and is based on a program developed by the Episcopal Church over the past 20 years.
The program covers key topics, such as entering new systems, conflict management, family systems theory, polarity management, church size theory and adaptive leadership. Together, ministers and congregational leaders gain a mutual understanding of leadership expectations, role clarity and the use of power and authority.
The program will help create a fresh start for the pastoral relationship and prepare you for effective mission and ministry together. Although the program is ideally suited for new pastoral relationships, several of the modules can be used to equip congregations to be effective in the face of any adaptive challenge.
https://www.unitedfreshstart.ca/
For a list of facilitators, please contact Micol Cottrell
Toolkit #5 – Retirement Resource
Retirement and Pastoral Relations
Marriage Licence Registration Policy and Guidelines Handbook
The Governing Official for Antler River Watershed Regional Council is Sue Duliban at sduliban@united-church.ca.
Toolkit #6 – Availability for Pulpit Supply
If you would like to be added to the list for pulpit supply, please fill out this form.
Toolkit #7 – Voluntary Associate Minister
A Voluntary Associate Minister (VAM) is a recognized, ordered minister in The United Church of Canada who is retired or between appointments. At times, a Voluntary Associate Minister may be looking for involvement in a community of faith and at other times they may seek designation as a VAM in order to fulfill the Manual requirements of a “formal association” in order to provide the functions of ministry outside of a pastoral relationship (The Manual, section 1.2.5.3).
Here are some resources for Voluntary Associate Ministers:
Toolkit #8 – Licenced Lay Worship Leaders Resource Team
The Licensed Lay Worship Leaders (LLWL) Resource Team will implement the Licensed Lay Worship Policy. The Human Resources Commission is responsible for licensing LLWLs for Antler River Watershed Regional Council. The Resource Team will provide support and oversight to LLWLs within the regional and be a recommending and reporting body to the Human Resources Commission:
- LLWL Policy and Guidelines Handbook
- LLWL Resource Team Policy
- LLWL Application for Initial License in MS Word
- LLWL Application for Initial License Online
- LLWL Yearly Report Form in MS Word
- LLWL Yearly Report Form Online
Request the list of current LLWLs for pulpit supply from Micol Cottrell
Toolkit #9 – Licence to Administer Sacraments
There will be instances where the governing body of a community of faith is responsible for requesting a licence to administer the sacraments. This request must come from an official meeting of the governing body and sometimes the Human Resources Commission may initiate the conversation.
Here is a resource to assist with this request:
Toolkit #10 – Appointments Policy
In the new guide for pastoral relations, Pastoral Relations: Community of Faith, a distinction is made between supply appointments and appointments (page 19). Supply appointments are requested when the community of faith requires ministry support while they work on their profile and search. Appointments, on the other hand, are longer‐term pastoral relationship as a result of a search. This policy will help communities of faith differentiate between the two types of appointments.
Congregational Support Toolkits
Quick Links:
Covenant between Region and Communities of Faith, Community of Faith Profile, ChurchHUB, Property Matters, Amalgamating and Disbanding, Pastoral Charge Supervisors, Self-Assessment, Maintaining the Historic Roll, Collaborative Covenants / Shared Ministry Agreements, Compliance, Annual Meetings, Community of Faith Finances, Deficit Dilemma Video, Deficit Dilemma Presentation
Toolkit #1 – Covenant between Region and Communities of Faith
At the heart of the relationship with the regional council there will be a personalized covenant for each community of faith. This covenant expresses our commitment to work together, care for one another and respect the roles and responsibilities we have been given as part of The United Church of Canada. It is this covenant that will help to define our relationship and commitment to the ministry we share.
Each community of faith and congregation will create their own covenant with Antler River Watershed Regional Council by completing the appropriate sections, including choosing and explaining the symbols that reflect their commitment to this relationship.
Covenant Instructions
A Covenant of Mutual Commitment
This liturgy will be used as part of a service to celebrate the covenant between Antler River Watershed Regional Council and community of faith. A representative from the regional council will participate in this service with the community of faith. This may be done as part of a service to covenant with new ministry personnel or at a regular worship service.
Liturgy for Regional Covenanting Service
Toolkit #2 – Community of Faith Profile
A set of worksheets to assist communities of faith with information gathering, review and discernment of their current strengths, challenges, ministry initiatives and goals.
Preparing to Search.
Preparing to Search Process
Step by step instructions for completing the profile worksheets and living faith story.
Profile Preparation Handbook
A tool to assess current and future financial well-being for planning purposes.
Financial Viability Worksheet
Asks the questions, “Who are we” and “Who are our neighbours”.
Demographics Worksheet
A record of property, such as cemeteries, if applicable. Does not refer to the church building or manse.
Real Property Worksheet
A more detailed description of your ministry using headings that will assist with writing a position description and reviewing applications.
Living Faith Story Worksheet
Toolkit #3 – ChurchHub
ChurchHub is the new national database for information for every community of faith and all ministry personnel in The United Church of Canada.
Current instructions for updating information on ChurchHub
ChurchHub – How to Enter Your Information
ChurchHub – How to Upload Your Files
United Church of Canada ChurchHub description
ChurchHub.ca (the national database)
Toolkit #4 – Property Matters
Information for communities of faith, trustees and governing bodies regarding property matters and transactions.
Details regarding the disbursement of funds following amalgamation and disbanding.
Property Policy
A template for requesting approval from the Covenant Commission to list, sell, purchase, mortgage or lease property.
Property Resolution – Trustees PDF
Property Resolution – Trustees .docx
A guide to property transactions for communities of faith.
Congregational Property Transactions
A lease agreement with template and information about rentals.
Leases and Rentals of Congregational Property Policy
Lease Agreement Template
Toolkit #5 – Amalgamating and Disbanding
Resources to help communities of faith with the process of amalgamation or disbanding.
Step by step information for communities of faith that are disbanding.
Disbanding Steps for Closing Well
Disbanding – Asset Disbursement Form
Ministries Supported by Disbanding Communities of Faith
Step by step information for communities of faith that are amalgamating.
Amalgamating – Steps for Beginning Well
A sample agreement that can be adapted as needed.
Amalgamation Agreement Template
If there is a change in your pastoral charge (e.g. amalgamation, disbandment, name change, etc.) please fill out this form and send it to the Minister, Congregational Support.
Information Update Pastoral Charge Change
Toolkit #6 – Pastoral Charge Supervisors
Information for communities of faith and Pastoral Charge Supervisors related to the tasks and responsibilities of this position.
A brief overview of the responsibilities of a pastoral charge supervisor.
Pastoral Charge Supervisor Handbook
Pastoral Charge Supervisors Reporting Form
PCS Gathering February 9, 2022 – Summary
If you are a new pastoral charge supervisor, your information has changed, or you have yet to fill out this form please submit your information. It assists the Minister for Congregational Support in finding pastoral charge supervisors when needed.
Toolkit #7 – Self-Assessment
A checklist style guide for carrying out an annual self-assessment and identifying policies and practices which may need to be updated in the coming year.
A tool for assessing the work of the community of faith and identifying best practices.
Annual Self-Assessment Information
Self-Assessment Instructions
Self-Assessment Checklist
Online Self-Assessment Checklist
Toolkit #8 – Maintaining the Historic Roll
Information and best practices related to maintaining the Historic Roll.
Maintaining the Historic Roll – manual
Historic Roll Guidelines
Historic Roll- Frequently Asked Questions
Toolkit #9 – Collaborative Covenants / Shared Ministry Agreements
Resources for communities of faith interested in sharing staff/resources and exploring opportunities for cooperation.
Collaborative Covenants are when two or more pastoral charges choose to work together bound by an agreement. Shared Ministry Agreements are when there is an ecumenical (other denomination) shared relationship.
A Handbook containing information to help create a successful collaborative ministries.
Collaborative Ministry Handbook
Basic template that can be adapted as needed.
Collaborative Covenant – Sample
An overview of ministry sharing with examples, benefits and considerations.
Collaborative Agreement Information (PowerPoint)
A series of questions to assist the collaborative conversation between congregations.
Collaborative Ministry CoF Inventory
An overview of the Collaboration Process
Collaboration – Steps in Process
Toolkit #10 – Compliance
Resources related to policies required by provincial and federal government.
Accessibility Policy
A generic template that can be adapted by communities of faith. Highly recommended.
Accessibility Policy & Training Template
Personal Information Privacy Policy
A guide and generic template that can be used by communities of faith for compliance with government regulations.
Personal Information Privacy Policy Guide
Personal Information Privacy Policy Template
Toolkit # 11- Annual Meetings
Information to help communities of faith prepare for annual meetings and adapt to changes related to Covid-19.
Information Package
A package containing helpful tips to prepare annual reports, plan annual meetings, complete community of faith profile and living faith story, and updates on changes related to Covid-19.
2020 ARW Information Pack
Annual Meeting Best Practices
A guide to help congregations and pastoral charges prepare for the Annual Meeting.
Annual Meetings Best Practices
Annual Reports Best Practices
A tool to help congregations and communities of faith ensure their annual report is complete and easy to read.
Toolkit #12 – Community of Faith Finances
Resources related to community of faith finances.
On January 11th2023 the tri-regions hosted a Deficit Dilemma Workshop, with over 185 people in attendance! If you missed this workshop, or would like to review the content, a link to the recording and the Powerpoint Slides are available below: