October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-1 Northern Waters Presbytery Toronto Conference of The United Church of Canada

Transcription

1 October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-1 Present: Rev. Dennis Posno, Judy Chalmers, Janet Iles, Rev. Kent Ward Regrets: Rev. Jeff Werner, Ann Harbridge, DLM, Patti Rodgers, DLM, Linda Thompson Staff Support: Rev. John Neff 10:00 a.m. St. John s United Church, Alliston Welcome Constitution of the Court In the name of Jesus the Christ, the only head of our church, I constitute this meeting of the executive of in Toronto Conference for any business that may properly come before it. Devotions Rev. Dennis Posno began with a reflection and prayer. Opening Motions: 1) Approval of Agenda: by Rev. Kent Ward / Judy Chalmers that the agenda for the October 4, 2016 meeting of the Executive of be accepted as circulated with permission to adjust as needed. 2) Approval of the minutes from the Executive Meeting by Janet Iles / Patti Rodgers, DLM that the Executive of approve the minutes of the meeting held September 6, 2016 as circulated. 3) Correspondence from Susan Walker re stewardship toolkit (letter in dropbox) to the agenda planning meeting this afternoon. Business Arising from the Meeting Minutes 1) New Ministries and Development Fund from Linda Grey On June 20 I sent an alerting you that your presbytery and Conference will need to spend some time in September dealing with two documents: the terms of reference for the New Ministries Development and Leadership Fund, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the fund s partners and PTCC. Here is the motion that will need to be passed by each of the partners: by / that 1. Approves the terms of reference for the New Ministries Development and Leadership Fund ; 2. Approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the New Ministries Development and Leadership Fund partners and the

2 October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-2 Presbyteries of Toronto Conference Corporation (Appendix ); and 3. Agrees to name and as members of the grants review committee by Rev. Kent Ward / Judy Chalmers that Northern Waters Presbytery a) Approves the terms of reference for the New Ministries Development and Leadership Fund ; and b) Approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the New Ministries Development and Leadership Fund partners and the Presbyteries of Toronto Conference Corporation (Appendix) Members for the grants review committee need to be sent to the Nominations Committee and two are needed. by Patti Rodgers, DLM / Janet Iles that the terms of the memorandum of understanding of the New Ministries Development and Leadership Fund be reviewed by December 31, 2017 with particular attention to article # 3.7. and the need for PTCC final approval. Toronto Conference will also need to name a chair as per the terms of reference. Reports and Motions 1) Commission reports a) Education & Students (Rev. Jeff Werner), via Rev. Dennis Posno Patti Rodgers, DLM, mentioned at a Toronto Conference event last week on Part-Time Ministry Consultation that the new on-line Licensed Lay Worship Leader program (a new option available with the closing of Five Oaks) isn't going to benefit people in rural areas with slow internet access. Discussion The national level has guidelines for Licenced Lay Worship Leaders. Presbytery should look at the guidelines now that Five Oaks will no longer be offering the courses. Patti Rodgers, DLM has information that was developed in Living Waters and she will pass on this information to Congregational Life Commission and Rev. John Neff. Education and Students Commission keeps track of those available as Licenced Lay Worship Leaders and also retired ministers available for supply. Pastoral care training is also needed. b) Program (Patti Rodgers, DLM) from information provided by Janet Jones -Janet Jones and Louise Hewson have been covering while Rev. Kerrie Perry is off on medical leave. It has been challenging. Deadlines have changed slightly. -Three-Tiered Registration Fee: Faith Formation is going to try out a three-tiered registration fee system in the new year. Basically, tier-one is what we currently budget for and request in fees from participants. Tier-two would be a higher registration fee to help our budget and/or support other participants who might not be able to attend. Tier-three would reflect the full costs of participation if we didn't have any funding available. The system works well in Vancouver. We have nothing to lose by trying it out (aside from

3 October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-3 some time to ensure the wording is clear, avoiding confusion). *Question about our Faith Formation budget - any idea if we're going to get the whole amount? We need to know soon so we can plan accordingly. Registration for 2017 events will begin to be published online soon. *We encourage registration for upcoming events which are posted online (Niagara Youth Event at the end of October, Godly Play training in November, Regional Youth gatherings and more). We have some churches starting to participate that we haven't seen in quite some time. We're excited about that. Presbyterial in Annan was fabulous! We learned about the chaplaincy program in Grey-Bruce and we visited the cemetery and church in Leith that is home to Tom Thomson s tombstone. c) Governance (Rev. Kent Ward) -will meet Thursday The budget is the big item and there are some grant requests. Treasurer, Mary McKeen will be invited to attend the next Executive meeting. d) Congregational Life Commission (Ann Harbridge, DLM) - report by Rev. John Neff The innovative ministry report has been completed and has been sent out. There is a growing need to look at alternative ways of doing ministry. They are open to discussions. They are requesting one hub church and a group of churches to be a pilot project. They continue to supporting many pastoral charges that are in transition. Some congregations haven t done their ministry articulation. Some congregations are having trouble filling appointments and calls. e) Toronto Conference Executive We still need representatives as we only have one who has a heavy load. Two more are needed. f) Nominations Rev. Neil Parker spoke at the last plenary and has something for the newsletter. g) Affirming Task Group The group is doing worship at the November plenary and will incorporate some of their learnings in the worship. h) Agenda Planning We heard at the Part Time Ministry Consultation that some Presbyteries include committee meetings on the day of the plenary. New Business: 1) Election of GC43 Commissioners Janet Iles will send an to Rev. Neil Parker concerning the need of nominations for the 2018 General Council. The names will come first before and then voted upon at Toronto Conference in May ) Proposal for new Social Justice Program From Program Commission Meeting of June 1, 2016 a) Social Justice Staff Position (Appendix A) An idea about hiring someone across Presbytery boundaries. Each presbytery would contribute $25,000 (total cost of about $100,000) a full-time staff person accountable to Rev. David Allen.

4 October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-4 Action: Commission will correspond with Anne Shirley Sutherland to say Northern Waters will not be participating. We take no action. The proposal seems to be GTA concentric. There are groups working in our area on social justice issues. by Rev. Kent Ward / Judy Chalmers that the Executive Northern Waters affirms the decision of the Program Commission on June 1, 2016 to take no action on the social justice staff position and that we affirm the local expressions of social justice in our Presbytery. 3) Budget for Executive Proposed 2017 Meeting Meals 500 Conference Calls 100 Misc Speakers 2000 Local Meeting staff costs 600 Presbytery Meals (guests) 400 Book Room 400 $5,000 Discussion about the part time consultation held last week weekend supply 12 hours minimum; hours related to pension what is required as minimum. Next meeting: November 1, 2016, 10:00 am, Office Benediction: Rev. Dennis Posno sent us off with blessings for our journey. Rev. Dennis Posno, Chair Janet Iles, Secretary

5 October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-5 Appendices Appendix A A Proposal to Presbyteries and Toronto Conference PREAMBLE The United Church is founded on its commitment to social justice. While we recognize that methods to achieve social justice have changed over the years, we fear the power of our voice for naming injustice and working towards our commitment has lessened. We must invest now to make changes to strengthen congregational capacity and the effectiveness of our social justice mission. This proposal for the Toronto Conference is designed to be multi-faceted in its approach. There is a component of ongoing advocacy and action and public witness which has been key to the United Church identity. There will be a new component that is based on the discipline of community development work that strives to foster social inclusion and equality by channelling community knowledge and experience into collective action. This work is to be grounded in faith and in an ongoing analysis of the new and emerging church that is not yet evident. This is a plan that will stretch our current skills, approaches and comfort levels by encouraging and empowering members and congregations to engage with their communities. Objectives for a Toronto Conference Social Justice Program To create a multi- faceted program with adequate funds To build a base of well-equipped leaders which have the capacity to share the gospel message that connects faith with action on issues that affect lives To develop skills so that congregants and those with lived experience can affect change in their communities and work with others on a common social agenda. To be the public voice in matters related to issues of concern at provincial, national and civic levels. And to encourage congregations to engage members through issues of concern to them. To host learning experiences or events that shares and builds the knowledge base of congregations about social issues and concerns. To articulate expected outcomes and impacts that are achievable for staff, congregations, and partnerships A Proposed Vision for Building a Sustainable Social Justice Presence This vision and plan is based on a program that will:

6 October 4, 2016 Executive 16/17-6 Provide a long-lasting impact by training/engaging/preparing people in congregations to engage in doing social justice in faith and with partners Explore ways for the social justice work that has been core to the United Church mission to be relevant in a different way in an emerging church Generate a sustainable, missional future of the church by grounding it solidly in the local context Connect congregations with their immediate communities to identify common concerns around which people can mobilize Walk the talk with Jesus and live that out in real ways that seek a transformed world Based on an Action/Reflection model of learning, discerning and acting Resources required: Funding for two fulltime positions for Toronto Conference to the end of 2018 with the option for continuing depending on governance changes. Support from all four presbyteries, with presbyteries contributing as able and inviting the conference to be the fifth partner Office space and minimal administrative support Program funds Next Steps This is a proposal for discussion. It was developed by the Steering Committee for Toronto Southeast s Social Justice Project. If there is an interest in a) supporting this project or a similar one, b) working out the cost sharing details and c) developing the steps toward implementation then you are invited to a meeting at noon on Nov 2 at Bloor Street United. This was already set as a joint East/West Presbytery joint meeting and it was East s turn to host (hence location). Hopefully other presbyteries and Toronto Conference can attend.