May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-1 Northern Waters Presbytery Toronto Conference of The United Church of Canada

Transcription

1 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-1 Table of Contents Welcome:... 3 Opening Worship:... 3 Constituting the Meeting:... 3 Opening Motions:... 3 Approval of Agenda:... 3 Approval of Congregational Life Commission Minutes... 3 Correspondence:... 3 Business Arising from the April 12, 2016 Meeting Minutes: Cheltenham Nobleton/Schomberg Kilsyth, Keady, North Derby... 4 a) Update of vacancy process (Kathy Underwood)... 4 b) North Derby ( can be found in Dropbox) Statistical reports not submitted Elmvale... 4 a) Is the consultant fee coming out of the CLC budget or is a grant request being made?... 4 b) Listening request Annan-Woodford Pastoral Charge. Friends of Leith update Pastoral Charge supervisors reporting Reports and Motions: ) Update from Settlement and Pastoral Relations Representative - Ann/Marg... 4 Business: Cooperative Innovative Ministry consultation of May 3, 2016 follow-up Review of Pastoral Charge status Caledon East appointment of Supervisor Ballinafad Vacancy Nobleton/Schomberg Shelburne / Primrose Pastoral Charge Listening Team report Annesley UC, Markdale Creemore Pastoral Charge Countryside pastoral charge Invitation by North Bramalea Walter s Falls Temple Hill... 7 Closing Prayer and Benediction:... 8 Next Meeting:... 8

2 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-2 Holy Manners* Keep God at the center of everything we do Ensure that everyone has what they need in order to fully participate Speak for ourselves Speak for a purpose Separate people from problems Allow for full and equitable participation Listen carefully without interruption Welcome the conflict of ideas Take a future orientation Demonstrate appreciation Honour the decisions of the body Commit to holding one another to account when we do not keep our holy manners Keep the discussion at the table Watch our body language Check in about good use of time Provide a process for allowing the quiet people to speak, with an invitation to speak Sincerely say what we really feel * The phrase holy manners comes from Behavioural Covenants in Congregations by Gil Rendle. United Church Moderator Marion Pardy made extensive use of the term during her time as moderator. There are a number of versions of holy manners. Accessibility Statements: We want to ensure that accessibility needs are met and that everyone can hear, see and communicate effectively. Is there anything we need to know or do so everyone can participate fully? Tell us of any difficulties you may face participating today. For participants who have difficulty with accessibility concerns as they relate to a conference call, please check with your phone service provider for options which they support. Bell: Mission Statement Called to serve all in the name of Jesus Christ, in Toronto Conference will work in an inclusive way to build connection and community by encouraging and challenging the congregations and people of our area. Statement of Commitment In fulfilling our mission, strives at all times to provide its programs and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our programs and services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place, and in a similar way as other participants. Quorum: Quorum for all the Congregational Life Commission meetings shall be 50% of the voting membership. ( (Exec))

3 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/ :00 a.m., St. John s Alliston Present: Carolyn Harding, Kathy Underwood, Marg Krauter, Rev. Felicia Urbanski, Ann Harbridge, DLM, Thom McDonough, Keith Lockhart, DLM, Rev. Bruce Gregersen, Deborah McKellar, DM. Regrets: Rev. Heather McCarrel Staff Support: Rev. John Neff (Conference Program Minister (CPrM)) Welcome: Opening Worship: A selection from Rebirthing of God by John Philip Newell was used, on a Pentecost theme. What would a reawakened Christianity look like? Constituting the Meeting: Chair, Ann Harbridge, DLM, constituted the court in the name of Jesus Christ the head of the church to conduct all business properly brought before it. Opening Motions: Approval of Agenda: by Kathy Underwood / Deborah McKellar, DM, that the agenda be accepted as amended. Approval of Congregational Life Commission Minutes by Rev. Felicia Urbanski / Marg Krauter that the Congregational Life Commission of approves the minutes of March 8 and April 12, 2016 as circulated. Correspondence: None Business Arising from the April 12, 2016 Meeting Minutes: 1. Cheltenham conversation about possibility of an appointment while they consider options for the future. (Ann Harbridge, DLM, Carolyn Harding) There is a meeting with the pastoral charge tonight (May 10 th ). 2. Nobleton/Schomberg finding a supervisor (Ann Harbridge, DLM) by Rev. Bruce Gregersen / Marg Krauter that the Congregational Life Commission of appoint Ann Harbridge, DLM, as supervisor to Nobleton / Schomberg Pastoral Charge.

4 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/ Kilsyth, Keady, North Derby a) Update of vacancy process (Kathy Underwood) They are in discussion about their future. b) North Derby ( can be found in Dropbox) They are entering discussions about their future and will invite the other two points. Possible cooperative innovative ministry. 4. Statistical reports not submitted. The updated list is below with those who will be contacting them. Beeton: Trinity PC Ann Harbridge, DLM Bolton PC Rev. Felicia Urbanski Creemore PC Ann Harbridge, DLM Flesherton PC Rev. Heather McCarrel Marsville and Mimosa PC Rev. Felicia Urbanski Mono Mills PC Ann Harbridge, DLM Thornbury: Grace PC Kathy Underwood Walter s Falls PC Thom McDonough Wasaga Beach PC already contacted 5. Elmvale a) Is the consultant fee coming out of the CLC budget or is a grant request being made? Rev. John Neff to determine, with the Governance Commission, where the money might be found. Also need to establish a budget line for 2017 for consultant fees. b) Listening request. Rev. John Neff has spoken with the consultant to arrange a listening circle with CLC, Elmvale, and minister. This will be one of the first priorities of the consultant. Date to be determined. Toronto Conference should be approached to discuss preventative work to reviews. Are they willing to use monies from their litigation fund? John to find the process and outcomes for J8 and J9 reviews for the next meeting. a. Contract with consultant. Will move ahead with the contract as presented and will require consultant to have insurance. 6. Annan-Woodford Pastoral Charge. Friends of Leith update. Kathy Underwood has been asked to represent the CLC in a meeting with Annan-Woodford and Friends of Leith to clarify reasons they will need their own charitable status. 7. Pastoral Charge supervisors reporting. (Kathy Underwood, Ann Harbridge, DLM) No report. Reports and Motions: 1) Update from Settlement and Pastoral Relations Representative - Ann/Marg Appointments renewed: Jeff Davison, Marsville/Mimosa July 2016 June 2019; Janet Jones, High Country, July 2016 June 2017; Judith Oliver, Central Westside Owen Sound, July 2016 Dec 2016.

5 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-5 Business: Meg Jordan appointed to St. John s Elmvale as Student Supply (to be ordained at Toronto Conference), May 2016 to June Sacramental privileges granted during appointment to St. John s. Following the Settlement and Pastoral Relations Committee meeting June 28 th in Alliston there will be a Liaison training workshop, the north west corner (Owen Sound area) are short on Liaison s and the committee was encouraged to invite anyone that might be a potential Liaison. 1. Cooperative Innovative Ministry consultation of May 3, 2016 follow-up. 60 people present + 3 presenters. There was a difference between the responses to the use of technology in the northern groups than the southern groups. Question was raised about what happens to ministry personnel in a cooperative ministry arrangement. Requires training for a strong lay leadership. Need to look into the possibility of Presbytery being the employer of the team in a cooperative innovative ministry. a. Ballinafad and Flesherton request ongoing meetings arranged by CLC to discuss innovative ministries. b. Where do you want the cost of the two consultations applied? Mary McKeen needs information. Applied to the Kleinburg grant money received. Send information (One final consultation needs to happen. A report will be made available in the fall including a general outline of cooperative ministry possibilities. Pastoral charges interested in a form of cooperative ministry will be required to have their Ministry Articulation Profile (MAP) completed. Ongoing discussions involving various pastoral charges (including specific requests) will be continued in the fall after the report is made available.) We need to develop models on paper and a physical test pilot. Arrangements to be made for a cooperative innovative ministry consultation with the Mideast and Northeast groups (June?). Will check out Stayner or Elmvale. June 7, 2016, 7-9pm 2. Review of Pastoral Charge status. Each pastoral charge was discussed regarding their current status and the needed support of the Congregational Life Commission. 3. Caledon East appointment of Supervisor Ann Harbridge, DLM, is looking for a supervisor; will look into possibility of appointment for pastoral care. 4. Ballinafad Vacancy The TC 425 MM was originally received on and sent back for revision. The TC 425 DFC was originally received on and was sent back requesting information on how they could afford a call based on their information in Part C. The TC 425 PD was originally received on and sent back asking for revision because the expectations were too high. They are looking for a short term supply appointment until they can fill the vacancy. Service preparation minimum is 12 hours. Recommend associating with another church to allow for adequate ministerial time for emergency pastoral care and meetings of the governing

6 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-6 body. May also look at Sunday services with ministry personnel for 3 Sundays a month with lay leadership on the 4 th Sunday. by Carolyn Harding / Deborah McKellar, DM, that the Congregational Life Commission of receive for information from Ballinafad United Church the TC 410 CHG form indicating the Interview Team and approve the TC 425 PD for a short Term appointment subject to changes reflecting reasonable expectations. A request for a liaison to be appointed will be made following receipt of acceptable position description. The CLC will initiate conversations with Ballinafad around cooperative ministry before approving a vacancy. by Rev. Felicia Urbanski / Rev. Bruce Gregersen that the Congregational Life Commission of receive for information from Ballinafad United Church the TC 425 DFC, TC 425 MM, TC 425 PD, and the TC 425 V forms. 5. Nobleton/Schomberg They are looking for a short term supply appointment until they can fill the vacancy. by Marg Krauter / Deborah McKellar, DM, that the Congregational Life Commission of receive for information from Nobleton/Schomberg Pastoral Charge the TC 410 CHG form indicating the Interview Team, approve the TC 425 PD for a short term appointment and request a liaison be appointed. 6. Shelburne / Primrose Pastoral Charge Listening Team report Draft report from the listening team was presented. It will be available in final form to a meeting of the pastoral charge council. Kathy Underwood and Rev. John Neff will look into the amount of hours spent for this listening process in order to establish a base guide for listening processes. 7. Annesley UC, Markdale Looking for a short term appointment until they get their vacancy paperwork together. by Deborah McKellar, DM / Rev. Felicia Urbanski that the Congregational Life Commission of receive for information from Annesley United Church, Markdale the TC 410 CHG form indicating the Interview Team, approve the TC 425 PD for a short term appointment and request a liaison be appointed. 8. Creemore Pastoral Charge There seems to be an ongoing problem with some questioning previous process and decisions made. To bring clarity and process legitimacy the following new process was outlined.

7 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-7 The Following are excerpts from an sent to the chair of the Official Board. At this point, since the approval process is still in question and in order to make sure that due process has been followed, the Congregational Life Commission will call a meeting of the Official/Joint Board and then a joint meeting of the congregations for approval of the appropriate documentation. It has not been helpful to have separate meetings in each congregation so they will all be joint meetings. So first a meeting of the Official/Joint board needs to be called. 1. The meeting will be called by the chair of the Official/Joint Board (The Manual B.7.7.2a. (i)) 2. They must call a meeting when required to do so by the presbytery. (The Manual B.7.7.2c. (ii)) The request will be forthcoming after the next meeting of the Congregational Life Commission (May 10, 2016) 3. Notice will be given in accordance with The Manual (B.7.7.3a., b., c(i)) 4. Quorum (The Manual B.7.7.4) Second a joint meeting of the congregations is to be duly called. It will be called after the decisions of the meeting of the Official/Joint board. 1. Presbytery has the right to call a meeting of the pastoral charge at any time. (The Manual B.5.3.4) 2. Proper notice of the meeting will be given (The Manual B.5.4.1; B.5.4.2a. (iv)) Here are the approvals that are required: 1. TC 425 DFC none required. Copies of both have been combined into one. 2. TC 425 MM Approval required by Official/Joint board of the pastoral charge from a meeting duly called. 3. TC 425 PD Approval by a joint meeting of the congregations duly called (PART B) 4. TC 425 V Approval required by Official/Joint board of the pastoral charge (PART A) and then approval by a joint meeting of the congregations duly called (PART B). by Carolyn Harding / Kathy Underwood that the Congregational Life Commission of call a meeting of the governing body of the Creemore Pastoral Charge (Official Board) by May 31, 2016 in consultation with Rev. John Neff to finalize a decision around the forms required to declare a vacancy. 9. Countryside Pastoral Charge. Cookstown United Church had a very well attended closing service. 10. Invitation by North Bramalea Invitation by North Bramalea to a consultation with Home United Church and North Bramalea United Church about their partnership for revitalizing and new mission north and south of Home. Rev. John Neff will attend a meeting. 11. Walter s Falls Temple Hill by Deborah McKellar, DM / Kathy Underwood that the Congregational Life Commission of appoint Thom McDonough as pastoral charge supervisor to Walter s Falls / Temple Hill pastoral charge.

8 May 10, 2016 Congregational Life Commission 15/16-8 Additional Notes: 1. How do we accommodate the increased vacant ministries that require a supervisor? What are the expectations of the supervisor? Can we look into best practices around remuneration for pastoral care during a vacancy? What is an appropriate hourly rate plus mileage? Can this be part of an appointment? Kathy Underwood will make a draft to offer to a pastoral charge (contractual and/or appointment) Need to include statements about income tax and pension adjustments 2. Consultants: Deborah McKellar, DM, will look into preliminary conversation with ARC/L3 Closing Prayer and Benediction: Next Meeting: June 14, 2016 at 10am. Worship by Rev. Bruce Gregersen. Ann Harbridge, DLM, Chair Rev. John Neff, Recording Secretary