United Church of Canada Page 2017 7 Attendance Sheet Charge Ministry Personnel Lay Delegates Regrets Abbey/Lancer/Portreeve Salesi Takau Sandra Watson Assiniboia Marilyn Leuty Allison Karst Borderlands Cabri/Hazlet/Pennant Climax Grasslands *Marilyn Leuty Harold Little Hazel Blake Charlene Orr Sheila Gebhart Sylvia Knudsen Gravelbourg Gull Lake Ken Schrag Nora Rudolph Lafleche/Limerick Leader/Sceptre Maple Creek *Salesi Takau Andrew Hecker Doug Haroldson Susan Dokken Neil Gilbert Duane Filson Moose Jaw: Minto Linda Tomlinson- Seebach Moose Jaw: St. Andrew s Jim Tenford Karen Mundt Joe Almeida Moose Jaw: Trinity Tim Ellis Adele Dixon Moose Jaw: Zion Darleen Stewart Mortlach Marilyn Forbes Mossbank Wendy Gibson David Gibson New Venture Laura Balas Pine Cree Spirit Hills Swift Current: First United Annette Taylor Tompkins Eleanor Rockabar Members at Large Retired Visitors The meeting has a quorum. Carolyn Conarroe Julie Graham Chuck Ames John Aitken Linda Stumpf Adele Heise Elaine Little Geri Ball Shelby Kinrade Herb Conrad
United Church of Canada Page 2017 8 FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017 The presbyters and visitors gathered for a meal at 5:30 p.m. followed by a presentation by Julie Graham, Saskatchewan Conference program staff for Education and Mission. Julie introduced us to webinars offered by United in Learning; The Edge; and Church Next as well as Together We Worship. It was an interactive, very informative workshop. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017 WORSHIP Marilyn Leuty, minister at Assiniboia and Borderlands Pastoral Charges, led the opening worship. CALL TO ORDER Jim Tenford, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TERRITORY We are all treaty people. This meeting of Chinook Presbytery Executive is being held in the traditional territory of Nakota, Lakota, and Cree First Nations, an area more recently known as Treaty 4. WELCOME AGENDA MINUTES Jim Tenford welcomed Julie Graham, program staff for Education and Mission, to the meeting. Karen Mundt introduced Joe Almeida as the second presbytery representative from St. Andrew's United Church, Moose Jaw. David Gibson is the new presbytery representative from Mossbank Pastoral Charge. Chuck Ames joined the meeting as a visitor from Zion United Church, Moose Jaw. Ken Schrag introduced Nora Rudolph as the new presbytery representative from Knox United Church, Gull Lake. Linda Tomlinson-Seebach introduced Susan Dokken as the presbytery representative from Minto United Church, Moose Jaw. Motion #1 Tim Ellis, Doug Haroldson That Chinook Presbytery approve the agenda as circulated at the meeting. CARRIED Motion #2 Salesi Takau, Wendy Gibson That Chinook Presbytery accept the minutes from the November 19th Presbytery meeting. CARRIED Motion #3 Marilyn Leuty, Carolyn Conarroe That Chinook Presbytery receive the minutes of the January 26 th Executive Meeting for information. CARRIED BUSINESS ARISING - There was no business arising. REMITS Motion #4 Tim Ellis, Geri Ball That Chinook Presbytery agrees that (a) the United Church of Canada be re-organized into the three-council model approved by the 42nd General Council 2015; and that (b) the Basis of Union be amended to reflect this change. CARRIED
United Church of Canada Page 2017 9 INFORMATION SESSION Annette Taylor, Andrew Hecker, and Jim Tenford led the participants through the next three remits for discussion: Remit 2 Elimination of Transfer and Settlement, Remit 3 Office of Vocation, and Remit 4 Funding a New Model (the Three Council Model) DIVISION MEETINGS Division meetings began at 11 a.m. and continued until lunch. The afternoon session started about 1:15 p.m. CORRESPONDENCE The list of incoming and outgoing correspondence was distributed at the meeting and can be found in Appendix #1, pages 2017-14 to 2017-16. REPORTS Division of Mission Tim Ellis Tim gave a big thank you to the Division of Mission for their work in planning the technology rollout. Almost all of the 33 sets of equipment were picked up on March 10. The first basic training sessions were held on March 10. More dates for basic training will be Swift Current, Saturday May 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Assiniboia, Saturday June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tim asked the question about what we want to do in the future. What is important to the people of Chinook Presbytery? With the prospect of having a larger unit, the regional council, what do our congregations need to feel more connected when moving forward. Motion #5 Tim Ellis, Salesi Takau That Chinook Presbytery accept the Division of Mission report. CARRIED Division of Ministry Personnel and Education - Pastoral Relations: Carolyn Conarroe Carolyn asked that committees (Joint Needs Assessment and Search committees, in particular) let pastoral relations know if there is a change in contact people or if a search is suspended or any other change. Licenses for sacraments elders expire on June 30, 2017. Please ensure the pastoral charge council passes a motion to have Chinook Presbytery re-license the sacraments elder for July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Then complete the paperwork to request a license for the next year and send to pastoral relations. The dates for the executive meetings and the presbytery meetings are at the end of the minutes.
United Church of Canada Page 2017 10 Please add Joe Almeida, 306-681-3522, sinhor_joe@hotmail.com, in Moose Jaw, SK as a minister who is willing to provide pulpit supply. Motion #6 Carolyn Conarroe, Hazel Blake That Chinook Presbytery approve the Zion United Church Moose Jaw pastoral charge Joint Needs Assessment report pending the receipt of the survey result, and upon receipt of survey, declare a vacancy for full-time ministry at Zion United Church. CARRIED Motion #7 Carolyn Conarroe, Doug Haroldson That the General Council rate for Pulpit supply be the same rate for whom ever does the pulpit supply in Chinook Presbytery plus the General Council travel rate. CARRIED For information, the 2017 pulpit supply rate is $206.00 plus mileage at $0.39 per kilometre. It was suggested that the pastoral charges do not have to pay $25 more for a second location. Motion #8 Hazel Blake, Doug Haroldson That Chinook Presbytery approve the request of the Ministry Unit of Mossbank Pastoral Charge to re-appoint Wendy Gibson to a part-time pastoral relationship effective July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 with the following terms in place: Half-time: 20 hours per week Local Ministry Unit Cost of Living (COL) Group Assignment 1 Local Ministry Unit ADP Company Code for automated payroll service SAU6 Eligible years of service: 12 years Increment Category E Total Salary (without manse) annually $25,328.50 Reimbursable Expenses allowed Home/Manse Telephone 1,200.00 Continuing Education 687.00 Other 300.00 Total annual remuneration plus expenses allowed $27,515.50 And all other requirements of the Manual and on the Covenant for Call, Settlement or Appointment Form PR450. CARRIED Education and Students Annette Taylor There will be a sacrament elder's course at Yorkton on the weekend of April 1. Annette will send the information to the secretary to be circulated. Chaplaincy Report Wendy Gibson This is Wendy's last report. Carla Yost will be taking over on the committee. The report can be found on page 2017-17, Appendix #2. Wendy gave a special acknowledgement to Grace United Church, Swift Current, who donated money to the South Saskatchewan Chaplaincy. This donation was greatly appreciated.
United Church of Canada Page 2017 11 Motion #9 Hazel Blake, Wendy Gibson That Chinook Presbytery accept the Ministry Personnel and Education report. CARRIED Division of Finance and Administration - John Aitken The equipment package of 33 sets of laptops, speakers, data projectors, and screens cost $44372.83. This money came from the Ina Grafton Gage House funds. Motion #10 Ken Schrag, Linda Tomlinson-Seebach That Chinook Presbytery pay 2,685.32 for audited review by MNP. CARRIED The Finance and Administration committee reviewed and approved the audited review. Motion #11 Harold Little, Linda Tomlinson-Seebach That Chinook Presbytery approve the renovations to the roof of Maple Creek United Church. CARRIED Tompkins manse has been sold. Sceptre United Church ceased worship at the end of December 2016 and are continuing to work at disposing of their assets. Centre Street United Church, Shaunavon is the third building designated as a heritage building in our presbytery. Motion #12 Linda T-S, Ken Schrag That the term deposit (TM Laddering Strategy Acct. #830511209777) expiring on March 7, 2017 be put into a daily savings account at the current rate of interest. CARRIED The current amount of the term deposit is $51,126.26. Nominations - Linda Tomlinson-Seebach Chinook Presbytery is looking for a Male Office of the Court and someone to review record books. Linda has volunteered to review the record books. This division is short of people with the resignation of Barbara Gilbert, Karen Messer, and Shirley Wilson. Motion #13 John Aitken, Darleen Stewart That Chinook Presbytery accept the Financial Report from February 28, 2017 as circulated by email. CARRIED Motion #14 John Aitken, Harold Little That Chinook Presbytery accept the report of Finance and Administration. CARRIED
United Church of Canada Page 2017 12 Representative to Saskatchewan Conference Susan Dokken Susan Dokken presented the Saskatchewan Conference report. Linda Tomlinson-Seebach mentioned the Call Echoes Conference Weekend June 16-18, 2017 in Saskatoon. While there is no annual meeting this year plans are coming along for a get together for renewal, learning, and celebration of ministry. The weekend begins with a Spiritual Retreat on Friday June 16. On Saturday June 17 there will be worship and workshop. Saturday evening will be the Banquet where the retirees are honoured. On Sunday morning everyone will join in worship as new ministers are admitted, recognized, and ordained. The banquet will be held at St. Martin s United Church in Saskatoon. The Sunday Morning Service of Praise will be at 9:30 am at Knox United Church in Saskatoon. Details on the locations for the day of workshops and the retreat will be coming soon, so watch the E-notes. There is also a Music Matters workshop in Saskatoon on May 5. More details can be found at http://musicunited.ca/. Motion #15 Susan Dokken, Annette Taylor That Chinook Presbytery accept the report from the Saskatchewan Conference representative. CARRIED CONFERENCE MISSION AND EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS Julie Graham Refer to Appendix #3, pages 2017-18 to 2017-20, for Julie's report. NEW BUSINESS Motion #16 Tim Ellis, Ken Schrag That Chinook Presbytery send thank you cards for the Gilberts, Norma Hain, Shirley Wilson, and Karen Messer acknowledging their contributions to Chinook Presbytery. CARRIED No one has offered to host the May 13 Presbytery meeting. We are looking for a location. There was a suggestion that Chinook Presbytery do some planning for end of Presbytery. The Executive will discuss this at their next meeting and find someone to organize this. Jim Tenford suggest the presbytery meetings include more singing as has been done in the past, especially before the afternoon session. Salesi Takau asked for volunteers to people to do Oversight visits and to serve on the Oversight committee.
United Church of Canada Page 2017 13 UPCOMING EVENTS St. Andrew's United Church, Moose Jaw has been recognized as an affirming congregation. To celebrate there will be a potluck at 5:30 p.m. and service at 6:30 p.m. on March 26 May 7 Ray McGinnis workshop at First United Church on prayer writing Soul Spa Minto United Church, Moose Jaw, will have a silent retreat, Saturday April 8, in preparation for Holy Week. Women's Camp at Candle Lake, end of August, Mary Mohn Motion #17 Salesi Takau, Ken Schrag That the Chinook Presbytery Executive be empowered to carry on the business of the Presbytery until the next full Presbytery meeting on May 13, 2017. CARRIED Jim thanked Marilyn for leading worship this morning Ken Schrag was given an old Camp Journal from Camp Shagabec by George Fletcher. Annette Taylor will take this to the Camp Shagabec board. COURTESIES Linda Tomlinson-Seebach CLOSING WORSHIP Jim closed the meeting with a prayer. ADJOURNMENT Motion #18 Carolyn Conarroe, Harold Little That the Chinook Presbytery meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Jim Tenford, Chair L. Adele Heise, Minute Secretary Next Meetings: Presbytery Executive Meeting Thursday, April 6, by conference call Presbytery Meeting Saturday, May 13, location to be determined Presbytery Executive Meeting Thursday, June 15, First United Church, Swift Current, SK END OF MINUTES FOR CHINOOK PRESBYTERY MEETING MARCH 10 AND 11, 2017
United Church of Canada Page 2017 14 APPENDIX # 1 INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE: November 19, 2016 to March 9, 2017 1. November 21: Adele Heise re: adding to contacts list my information 2. November 23: Laura Balas re: New Venture acceptance of Technology Equipment- added to list 3. November 24: Adele Heise re: advertising Christmas pudding sales at 1 st United, SC. 4. November 24: Krystal Sheremeta re: requested dates of our next two meetings to set up visitation replied 5. November 25: Annette Taylor re: photos of Grace UC stained glass windows for anyone interested forwarded 6. November 21: UC-GCO re: updates on remits forwarded to ministerial 7. November 21: Jackie Childerhose re: AVEL November update forwarded to ministerial 8. November 21: Adele Heise replying to Julie Graham re: info for March meeting for my information 9. November 23: Duane Filson re: motion from Lafleche/Limerick PC to extend search for minister forwarded to Pastoral Relations and then forwarded their reply to Duane 10. November 28: Bill Doyle: re: report on accreditation of Camp Shagabec not fully accredited because annual reports not received filed for information 11. November 29: Bill Doyle re: update on directors and officers liability insurance filed for information 12. November 30: Linda Tomlinson-Seebach re: Marilyn Leuty agrees to do worship at March meeting filed 13. December 1: Annette Taylor Re: Explorers Project and list of Licensed Lay Worship Leaders filed 14. December 1: Jackie Childerhose re: AVEL newsletter filed 15. December 2: Annette Taylor re: 1 st United accepts offer of technology equipment- added to list 16. December 2: Jim Tenford re: 2017 Final Assessment figures filed 17. December 6: Neil Gilbert re: Gravelbourg declined technology equipment- made note on list 18. December 8: PRS re: November 2016 availability listing filed 19. December 9: Gifts With Vision re: thank you for generous support filed 20. December 9: Jackie Childerhose re: Five Oaks centre is still open and support is welcome filed 21. December 12: Adele Heise forwarded from Darlene Stewart re: thank you note from Emily Bamforth for funding towards here LLWL course filed 22. December 13: Susan Jackson UCO re, Pastoral Charge statistics for 2015 to appear in 2016 year book saved a hard copy 23. December 14: Tim Ellis re: acceptance of technology packages by Minto, Trinity and St. Andrew s -added to list 24. December 14: Krystal Sheremeta, Conf. Pres. Re: her attendance at May 13 meeting NEED TO CONTACT HER WHEN WE KNOW WHERE IT WILL BE HELD. ALSO INCLUDE HER ON THE AGENDA 25. December 15: UC of Canada re: thank you from Mission and Service team for generous givings filed 26. December 15: SK. Conference re: Seasons Greetings and dates of office closures filed 27. December 27: Tompkins PC re: acceptance of technology equipment added to list 28. December 27: copies of 2017 Minute for Mission filed 29. December 27: Lafleche/Limerick PC re: to reappoint Neil Gilbert to part time position.- referred to Pastoral Relations 30. December 19: David Armour re: 12 new grants awarded from M&S filed
United Church of Canada Page 2017 15 31. December 22: UC of C re: numbers to call during holidays 32. December 22: Angela Musonza re: discontinued service list filed 33. December 23: Jackie Childerhose re: Christmas Wishes from Grand River Spiritual & Ed. Resources -filed 34. December 20: Sandra Watson re: November minutes referred her to Presbytery website 35. January 4: Deanne Hartell re: Spirit Hills tech packages for Central Butte and Tugaske -added to list 36. January 6: PRS re: availability lists 37. January 7: Marlene Reidle re: 2016 financial report save a hard copy 38. January 7: Heather Dootoff re: notice of meeting of SK. Conference executive 39. January 8: Linda Anderson re: was Mark Wartman s transfer done in November? Referred to PR 40. January 9: Katie Curtis re: Vacation Bible School Caravan info referred to executive 41. January 10 Julie Graham re: intention to attend March meeting information 42. January 11: Mary Mohn re: UCW and Women s Network webinar referred to all presbyters 43. January 12: UC, GCO re: remit updates referred to executive 44. January 17: Jackie Childerhose: AVEL Jan. newsletter filed 45. January 17: Hazel Blake re: Mark Wartman transfer we found a copy of the form, I signed, dated and sent it to Conference Office 46. January 17: David Armour re: Canada wide grants available filed 47. January 17: Bill Doyle re: policy on heritage properties referred to John Aitken (Fin./Admin) 48. January 17: UC-GCO re: Moderator s statement entitled Loving Donald Trump see UC website 49. January 18: Kathryn Hofley re: invitation to Feb. 14 M&S learning gathering filed 50. January 19: Bill Doyle re: reminder to send replies to remits before Feb. 17 th info 51. January 20: Hazel Blake re: Grasslands request hire minister Past. Rel. has info filed. 52. January 23: Adele Heise re: conference call Jan. 29 at 9 a.m. agenda my info 53. January 25: Camp Woodboia re: thank you for the grant to the camp. 54. January 26: Bill Doyle re: what was our action on church properties and SK. Heritage Act? Replied by asking if he thought we needed a definitive motion when we only have two heritage properties. 55. January 27: Sandra Watson forwarded a letter from Catherine Christie in Korea indicating she will return in the spring to retire and would be willing to meet with Presbytery to discuss our work in Korea, probably in the fall forwarded to Jim Tenford 56. Feb. 7: Donna Barber re: meals for March meeting had to clear up the fact that both meals are to be catered by the UCW 57. Feb. 8: SK. Conf. re: request to forward an appeal for a bell for St. Andrews UC, DeWinton, Ab. forwarded to Ministerial 58. Feb. 9: Bill Doyle re: fees for Reviewers have increased, 1 review $5000, 2 reviews arising from same situation $7500 refer to March meeting 59. Feb. 9. Bill Doyle re: Presbytery financial statements forwarded to John Aitken, Finance 60. Feb. 11: Bill Doyle re: 2017 Celebration of Ministries and Banquet and Service of Praise June 16-18 61. Feb. 13: Adele Heise re: seeking responses to Study on Church membership information 62. Feb. 14. Jim Tenford re: invoice for conference call forwarded to John, Marlene, Darlene
United Church of Canada Page 2017 16 63. Feb. 12: Darleen Steward re: looking for a letter from Sue Franklyn asking for funds for LLWL course I have not received a letter from her. 64. Feb. 14: Wendy Gibson re:annual meeting of South SK. Hospital Chaplaincy at St. James UC, Regina, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. forwarded to Jim Tenford 65. Feb. 14: Bill Doyle re: Church Properties and Heritage act wants us to make a motion either accepting or declining this policy and let him know which we choose to do 66. Feb. 15; Joanne Rose re: Embracing the Spirit newsletter available for people to sign up for filed 67. Feb. 16: Linda Tomlinson-Seebach re: the Gilbert are unable to attend Presbytery meetings and therefore we need someone to be 1. Officer of the court and 2. Records checker. 68. Feb. 17: Bill Doyle re: reminder of business to be done even though there is no Conference meeting this year. (see copy of Letter) 69. Feb. 22: Adele Heise re: notice that minutes are posted on Chinook Presbytery website 70. Feb. 23 Bill Doyle re: SK Conference Structure Review Emergent Working group forwarded to Executive 71. Feb. 24: Annette Taylor re: LLWL course funding/sue Franklyn info only 72. Feb. 27: Bill Doyle re: reminder to Sacrament Elders to renew licenses. info 73. Feb. 24: letter from Limerick wondering about grant money for screen this was forwarded to Conference Office in October 74. Feb 27: BJ Crosbie, Mortlach PC re: application to become a learning site to be referred to Pastoral Relations 75. March 1: Tim Ellis re: instructions for training workshop sent to all Presbyters 76. March 3: Adele Heise re: 2017 Presbyters list to be changed/added, etc 77. March 3: Bill Doyle re: survey for Structure Review Emergent group must be done by March 10. 78. March 1-8 numerous replies of attendance or regrets concerning March 10-11 meeting 79. March 3: Sandra Fowler re: request for funding assistance for M&S Pilgrimage to Kenya to John Aitken 80. March 6: Sharon Arnold, Zion UC, re: JNAC forwarded to Pastoral Relations, Hazel and Carolyn 81. March 6: Marilyn Leuty re: short notice given regarding workshop as a number of people are away replied with assurance that other workshops will be arranged for those not present this time. 82. March 3: letter from Irene Ahner, Maple Creek re: asking permission to renovate Maple Creek Church ---to be referred to Finance/Administration 83. March 6: Bruce Harding/Bill Doyle re: Music Matters learning event on May 5-7 at St. Andrews (see poster and info attached) forwarded to Ministerial OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE: November 19, 2016 to March 9, 2017 1. NOVEMBER 21 RESULTS OF VOTING ON REMITS 5, 7 AND 8 TO UCC ALLISON JORDAN 2. JANUARY 3 AND 16 numbers regarding acceptance of technology packages to TIM ELLIS 3. JANUARY 16: to Heather Dootoff re: Susan Dokken to be our conference executive representative 4. JANUARY 16: to Hazel Black with the request from Lafleche/Limerick request to re-appoint Neil Gilbert 5. JANUARY 26: to Andrew Hecker and Susan Dokken regarding changing times of executive meetings and conference calls to facilitate their attendance 6. JANUARY 26: Bill Doyle re: SK Heritage Act -we have 2 heritage properties 1 st United, SC and Zion, MJ 7. Feb. 14: to Darleen Stewart re: question about letter from Sue Franklyn no I didn t get one.
United Church of Canada Page 2017 17 APPENDIX #2 SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN CHAPLAINCY REPORT
United Church of Canada Page 2017 18 APPENDIX # 3 Conference mission and education highlights Julie Graham Faith Formation: has been hopping! Conveners Barb MacNaughton and Cam Fraser will be considering whether to set up a focused task group that each will help resource, along with staff. Two overall priorities: Expansive Christianity and open, safe conversations. Supporting congregations with no ministry personnel. Paying for resources; supporting online education options. Church Next pilot. The November 2016 Expansive Christianity event doubled our best hopes. Follow up: possible Ray McGinnis workshops on prayer-writing; Conference Education Day circle conversation on how wide a tent. Intercultural: Affirming Sunday: May 7, 2017. Resources from Grosvenor Park United Church will be posted soon. Please use them! Congratulations to the United Church of Canada s next Affirming ministry: St Andrew s Moose Jaw! Celebration and potluck Sunday March 26. Refugee Task: An action in support of raising refugee quotas and reviewing the Safe Third Country Agreement is on the Local-Global Advocacy blog. This action is still current. All winter hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed the border by foot from the US at Emerson, MB. They are choosing this option because of the Safe Third Country Agreement. Stewardship: We are looking for a new Task convener (or conveners). Let me know if you feel called! Priorities: Connecting more with Mission and Service Enthusiasts; And telling global partner stories. Sandra Fowler is our Mission and Service pilgrim to Kenya, and will be telling her story in June, October, November through workshops and worship/ pulpit supply. Consider inviting her. Most costs can be covered. The Conference will consider hosting a provincial stewardship retreat in November. After Easter look for new Called to be the Church materials in the mail and at www.stewardshiptoolkit.ca The Brief: A meeting with government took place in November, for the first time in a couple of years, and included Lorna Standingready and Janet Sigurdsonof the All Native Circle Conference. The focus: the impact of provincial government cutbacks, including to disability support; and provincial support for the upcoming federal Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. An overhaul of the format and length of the Brief will be a priority for 2018. Please start thinking of advocacy and witness we need to offer the provincial government. Proposals from Presbyteries to Conference annual meeting shape the Brief, and your priorities and voices are crucial to the process.
United Church of Canada Page 2017 19 All My Relations: This area of work is a major priority for the church as a whole, and there are many, many opportunities. The leadership team now includes Indigenous people. We anticipate possible major changes to the work of this network, driven only in part by budget. Possible end to the annual gathering, and a move travelling workshops focused on different aspects of right relations. March 29 Blanket exercise facilitator training in Saskatoon, with KAIROS and community organizations. The goal: increase local capacity to facilitate this exercise and the often intense conversations that it sparks. Possible Blanket Exercise and trainers to go on the road. Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: The Conference voted to support this. Our chance should come in 2017 or 2018. Community engagement and a caring, respectful presence will be crucial. Conference Education day: Saturday June 17 in Saskatoon Worship together (and lunch together!) Two rounds of two-hour interactive workshops. Some will take place in community venues. Sample topics: Spiritual care for ministry personnel; assisted dying and its impact on our ministries and communities; reconciliation in a Prairie context; expansive Christianity-how wide a tent?; visiting the Saskatoon mosque; why become Affirming when we re already welcoming? And more! Followed by the banquet honouring retirees. Conference and national events Music Matters: annual conference of United Church musicians. All welcome! May 5-7, Saskatoon UCW 55th anniversary conference, Celebrating Spirit July 10-14 2017, Vancouver. Affirm United/ S affirmer Ensemble annual conference July 27-29, St Andrew s Wesley United, Vancouver/ Coast Salish territory Rendez-vous2017 national youth gathering, August 16-19, Montreal www.uccrendezvous.caconference and national events
United Church of Canada Page 2017 20 Vacation Bible School 2017! (as of March 11) July 3-7 ---> STILL OPEN July 10-14 --> BATTLEFORD UC July 12-21 --> WESTMINSTER UC July 24-28 --> REGINA BEACH UC July 31 -August 4 --> ST. ANDREW'S UC August 7-11 --> PARTNERS IN FAITH August 14-18 --> TBC August 21-25 --> MEADOW LAKE UC