Newsom United Church , NS.

Joint Needs Assessment June 17, 2018

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Glace Bay is a small town on the east coast of Cape Breton Island with a mining and fishing background. Incorporated in 1901, it became part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) in 1995.

Glace Bay has an acute care hospital. Twenty minutes away is the Regional Hospital, second largest acute care facility in NS.

A consolidated Glace Bay High School was opened in the early 1990’s. In 2010 a modern junior high school, Ocean View Education Center, was opened. is twenty minutes away on the Sydney Glace Bay Highway. Close by is the Marconi Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College.

Glace Bay has four museums. the Miner’s Museum, Marconi Museum, Town Hall Museum, and the United Negro Improvement Association. Within a short drive is Fortress and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.

Glace Bay’s Savoy Theatre stages local productions and well known international artists. Boardmore Playhouse at Cape Breton University presents a season of plays among other cultural events. About one-half hour away is the (HAT). There are community bands and singing groups in the CBRM. For nine days in October, Cape Breton is home to the Celtic Colours International Festival. Venues throughout the Island host performances.

In addition to school sports Glace Bay has a successful Minor Hockey program. Its Little League Baseball teams have won National titles and participated in the World Little League Championships in the United States. The Sydney Curling Club will host the Scotties Tournament of Hearts National Woman’s Curling Championship in 2019. The annual Vince Ryan Old-timer’s Hockey Tournament is the largest of its kind in North America and money raised supports scholarships at local schools.

Glace Bay has a nine hole golf course. The Lingan Golf and Country Club is ten minutes away. Three other courses are about an hour away. Golfers from around the world are flocking to Cape Breton to play the rugged wind-swept links at the recently opened Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs in Inverness. The Highland Links in Ingonish has been ranked among the best in the world for over 75 years.

There are a number of service clubs in Glace Bay.

Bayitforward, a community development organization, is working to promote economic, cultural, and social growth in Glace Bay. 2

Cape Breton has five Mi’kmaw communities. Membertou is a modern, urban First Nations community located three kilometers from downtown Sydney. CBU is home to Unama’ki College (Unama’ki is the Mi’kmaw name for Cape Breton) which is dedicated to supporting First Nations students.

Sydney Airport is ten minutes from Glace Bay. About thirty minutes away is North Sydney where the ferry to Newfoundland departs. Halifax is 454 kilometers to the south and can be reached by road within six hours.

For a more in depth Community Profile please refer to the appendix to the JNAC.

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PASTORAL CHARGE PROFILE

For forty-eight (48) years, from its inception in 1958 until 2006, Newsom United Church was part of a two-point charge. In 2006, Newsom was part of the Renwick Pastoral Charge and was sharing ministry with the congregation of Epworth United Church. On April 17th, 2006, Epworth United Church closed. For the first time in its history, Newsom United Church became a single-point charge. Since 2006 Newsom has been able to sustain itself as single-point charge. Until the end of 2012 we were served by full-time ministry. Since January 1, 2013 we have part-time ministry. Newsom United Church remains debt free. To supplement income earned from the weekly offering, donations and memorials, the congregation takes on some fund- raising and has sponsored a number of successful ventures.

Newsom Pastoral Charge Mission Statement

We strive to be part of God’s people here in Glace Bay; witnessing for Jesus Christ in worship and praise; and trying to be Christ-like in our Church, in our community and in our world. We pray that the doors of Newsom Church will be seen as open doors to all people, inviting them to enter and join us as we endeavour to be followers and servants of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

History of Newsom United Church

In 1939 Miss Mabel Newsom, a Prince Edward Island native and a 1912 graduate of the Deaconess Training Center, arrived in Glace Bay to operate an Outreach Ministry in the Passchendale and Caledonia areas of town. Her work very quickly yielded results and brought many families under the care of and into the membership of the established congregations in the “downtown” area, Knox and Epworth United Churches. Shortly thereafter the ministers of Knox, Epworth and Warden United Churches established a committee to work with Mabel Newsom to define what was needed to meet the demands of her rapidly growing ministry. Their recommendation was for the construction of a suitable building to facilitate Miss Newsom’s work.

As a result land was obtained on Dominion Street and on June 2 1940, the “United Church House”, later to be known as the “little hall”, was dedicated. On the ground floor there was a large meeting room and kitchen and on the upper floor a two bedroom apartment for the Deaconess. Miss Newsom’s ministry soon outgrew the “little hall” and in 1947 the current church hall was built and named in honour of Mabel Newsom. It was dedicated on

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May 13th , 1947, Mother’s Day, in a rousing ceremony in which more than 200 Sunday school children, their teachers and families proudly marched from the “little hall” to the new building as they sang “Onward, Christian Soldiers”. In 1957 those who considered Newsom Hall to be their center of spiritual activity petitioned Sydney Presbytery for permission to form their own congregation. On January 12th, 1958, by an act of Presbytery, Newsom United Church was created. The upper floor of the hall was dedicated as a sanctuary. The congregation was determined to build its own church. Plans for construction of a sanctuary began soon after its formation. The congregation purchased a property across from the “little hall” that had once been the home of the coal company doctor, whose son, Hugh MacLennan, is the acclaimed author of such classics as “Each Man’s Son”, “Barometer Rising” and “Two Solitudes”.

In July, 1966, a sod turning ceremony was held and on December 4th of that year the nearly completed sanctuary was dedicated. Although they struggled to make the payments, the congregation was able to celebrate the burning of the mortgage in April, 1982.

For most of its history, Newsom United Church has shared ministry with other churches in the area: Chalmers United Church, Dominion (1958-1965), Gordon United Church, Reserve Mines (1965-1995), Epworth United Church, Glace Bay (1995-2006).

Newsom congregation remains resolute in its commitment to retain its own ministry in the sanctuary it has worked so hard to build and maintain. The congregation is proud of its past, hopeful for its future and looking forward to continued growth. Believing that faith will be rewarded the congregation trust that they will enjoy many years of Christian worship, witness and work together. Newsom is in discussion with the other United Churches in Glace Bay seeking options for cooperative ministry. Newsom takes part in ecumenical events such as the World Day of Prayer and Lenten Lunches. In June 2018, Newsom will celebrate sixty years as a congregation.

Newsom United Church Structure

Newsom Church has a Church Board and Trustees. The Committees of the church are Ministry and Personnel, Worship, Nominating, Property, Hall and Finance.

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Ministers Who Have Served Newsom United Church

Re. John Jarvie 1958-1964 Rev. Arthur Whiston 1964-1965 Re. James Fraser 1964-1965 Rev. Elmer Asaph 1965-1967 Rev. Rod MacLean 1967-1970 Rev. Frank Phinney 1971-1974 Rev. Yu Rak Kim 1976-1978 Re. Louis Ihasz 1978-1983 Re. John Reynolds 1983-1985 Rev. John Patterson 1985-1990 Rev. Herb Reid 1990-1991 Rev. Ray Purchase 1991-1991 Rev. David Hann 1991-1995 Rev. Eric Lynk 1995-1996 Rev. William Matthews 1996-2001 Rev. Bernice Spracklin 2002-2004 Nancy Whitney LPMiT/DLM 2004-2007 Rev. Michael Goodfellow 2007-2012 Rev. Donald MacDonald 2013-2015 Rev. Carol Gillard 2015-2017 Rev. Donald MacDonald 2017-2018

6 RESOURCE PROFILE

Staff The minister is the only salaried employee of the charge. Volunteers look after the church’s business and maintain its properties. An honorarium of approximately $3,500.00 is paid to the organist. For the past few years caretaking duties have been done on a volunteer basis by members of the congregation.

The Sanctuary Built and dedicated in 1966, the impressive building of steel construction on Dominion Street is nestled among the trees beside Renwick Brook. The building is wheelchair accessible, has a sound system and is electric heated. A small bell tower was added in 1991. It houses the bell that used to be in S & L Railway Steam Engine # 23.

The beautiful 40’ x 80’ sanctuary has birch paneled walls, a vaulted ceiling and is well lit. On either side of the room are three (3) golden coloured windows through which streams of sunlight flow. The oak pews seat approximately 200 people. At the front of the sanctuary below the chancel there is ample room for special ceremonies and displays.

The chancel containing the altar and three large chairs is separated by a wooden rail from the elevated choir loft that seats twenty (20). The church has both a piano and an electric organ. Behind the choir loft there is a small dressing room and storage closet. The minister's office is adjacent to the choir loft and chancel.

There are two sets of stairs to the basement, one beside the front doors and another at the back of the building. Access to the basement from ground level is also possible through the bell tower. The basement is divided into three (3) sections. On one side of the wide central hallway is a 30’ x 12’ room that can be used for meetings and small receptions. It is furnished with tables and chairs. On the other side of the hall is a sitting room known as the U.C.W. parlour that is furnished with comfortable chairs and sofas. Adjacent to the parlour is a well equipped 12’ x 12’ kitchen. Completing the basement is a workshop with tools, two (2) washrooms and four (4) storage rooms.

The Hall The church hall is located on a nearby separate property only a few minutes’ walk from the sanctuary. Built in 1947, the 40’ x 80’ wood-framed building features a large gymnasium/assembly area on the upper floor and a large multi-purpose room, several smaller rooms, two (2) washrooms and a kitchen on the ground level. A steel roof was installed in 2017. A new furnace was installed in 2010. 7

Receptions following funerals and church services are held in the hall. The hall is used for a number of events such as the traditional Pre-Advent Potluck Dinner (inviting other United Churches in Glace Bay and the neighboring Presbyterian Church), and the annual Choir Basement to Attic Sale. With a renewed focus on fund raising some old favorites such as the Strawberry Festival have been revived. Hall rentals are available and the hall has been used for birthday and anniversary parties; wedding and baby showers. It is occasionally booked by community organizations for meetings and/or special events. The hall is only offered for use in accordance with United Church rules regarding the use of alcohol and games of chance.

The Church Office Located at the rear of the church the 20’ x 12’ office has two large windows overlooking picturesque Renwick Brook. The office has a desk, photocopier, two filing cabinets, bookcase, safe, and enough seating to accommodate meetings of the Church Board. A laptop was recently purchased for the minister's use and internet service was installed. The office has been newly painted and four new chairs have been purchased.

The Choir The choir has eight dedicated members, including the Choir Director and the Organist. Every Sunday they lead the congregation in song and during Advent and Lent provide special selections in keeping with the season. Throughout the year the choir shares its ministry of music in the community by participating in services for patients and residents at the local hospital and nursing homes and caroling at these places during the Yuletide season.

Finances The Historic Roll was recently updated and there are currently 118 resident members listed. There are 50 non-resident members. Average attendance at all services (including those during the summer months when attendance is very sparse) is twenty-five (25).

Other than its operating expenses the congregation owes no debt and owns the church, and hall buildings.

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Newsom United Church Budget for 2018

Expenditures Actual 2016 Budget 2017 Actual 2017 Budget 2018 1. Minister`s Salary/ADP $28,911.89 $25,000.00 $ 29,547.89 $ 29,500.00 2. Pensions,Benefits $ 303.00 $ 336.00 $ 392.00 $ 1,500.00 3. EducationSupport/ADP $ 679.50 $ 687.00 $ in #1 $ 692.00 4. Minister`s Travel $ 237.20 $ 300.00 $ 894.32 $ 1,200.00 5. Organist Honorarium $ 3,462.00 $ 3,500.00 $ 3,500.00 $ 3,500.00 6. Honoraria $ 2,384.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 828.00 $ 900.00 7. Presbytery Allocation $ 195.82 $ 247.93 $ 247.93 $ 248.19 8. Conference Allocation $ 2,084.05 $ 2,064.14 $ 2,064.14 $ 1,989.81 9. Conference ______$ 600.00 ______$ 700.00 Attendance 10. Oil-Hall $ 5,479.05 $ 6,000.00 $ 4,558.74 $ 5000.00 11. CBRM Water-church $ 310.59 $ 325.00 $ 327.83 $ 380.00 12. CBRM Water-hall $ 418.83 $ 425.00 $ 495.74 $ 500.00 13. Phone-church $ 1,081.56 $ 1,100.00 $ 1,150.56 $ 1,233.36 14. NSP-church $ 9,036.88 $ 10,000.0 $ 8,785.25 $ 10,000.00 0 15. NSP-hall $ 1,159.90 $ 1,200.00 $ 917.19 $ 1,200.00 16. ICR-Printer $ 401.67 $ 500.00 $ 362.03 $ 400.00 17. Office Supplies* $ 1, 556.90 $ 1,600.00 $ 1,382.74 $ 1,500.00 18. Mar.Con-Archives $ 1,377.00 $ 0.0 $ 110.00 $ 0.00 0 19. Other (Misc)** $ 1,272.14 $ 2,000.00 $ 1443.43 $ 1,000.00 20. M&S $ 3,020.75 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,927.00 $ 2,500.00 21. Building Insurance $ 4,669.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 4,890.00 $ 5,000.00 22. Build-Equip-Main*** $ 6,359.24 $ 7,000.00 $ 25,360.94 $ 10,000.00 23. Christian Education $ 215.13 $ 200.00 $ 46.40 $ 200.00 24. Financial Review $ 0.00 $ 200.00 $ 0.00 $ 500.00 25. Bank Fees( 1 account) $ 72.00 $ 84.00 $ 45.00 $ 42.00 26. Visiting Ministry $ Is in #6 $ 2,00.00 $ 2,129.00 $ 2,500.00 Personnel 27 Visiting Travel Costs $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 148.78 $ 500.00 28. TOTAL $ 72,549.04 $ 75,119.07 $ 92,554.90 82,685.36

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Newsom United Church Financial Report 2017-2018

Income Sources Actual 2016 Budget 2017 Actual 2017 Budget 2018

Local Offering $52,823.00 $50,000.00 $ 54,285.00 $ 50,000.00

Loose Collection $ 529.75 $ 500.00 $ 515.00 $ 500.00

Initial Offering $ 187.00 $ 150.00 $ 237.00 $ 175.00

Memorials $ 2,325.00 $ 200.00 $ 3,985.00 $ 2,500.00

Bulletins $ 80.00 $ 100.00 $ 165.00 $ 125.00

Hall Rentals $ 725.00 $ 600.00 $ 975.00 $ 700.00

Donations-Other $ 8,800.07 $ 7,000.00 $ 9,574.78 $ 7,000.00

Weddings $ 0.00 $ 100.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00

Fundraising $ 989.40 $ 800.00 $ 1,262.25 $ 800.00 Events

Special $ 6,131.00 $ 6,000.00 $ 6,390.00 $ 6,000.00 Envelopes

GST Rebate $ 1,212.00 $ 1,250.00 $ 926.30 $ 900.00

Archives $ 1,377.00 $ 0.00 $ 110.00 $ 0.00

$73,802.22 $66,700.00 $78,425.33 $68,700.00 Sub Total Mission and $ 2,936.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,729.00 $ 2,500.00 Service Total $76,738.22 $69,200.00 $81,154.33 $71,200.00

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POSITION TITLE: MINISTER

The Joint Needs Assessment Committee has determined that full-time ministry will work best at Newsom. After years of part-time and shared ministry, the congregation unanimously endorsed having full-time ministry to better serve our congregation and community. The congregation is looking for a person with an energetic personality and genuine interest in helping congregants navigate the challenges that confront the modern church. The congregation wants someone who is sensitive to the concerns of its older members and who is prepared to minister to their need for pastoral visits and prayer. The aim of the church is to grow both spiritually and numerically so a person who is responsive to and in tune with the interests of younger people will be an asset.

Areas of Responsibility

1) Worship - Newsom is looking for someone who is prepared to lead a traditional scripture-based worship based on the lectionary but who is able to translate it into terms that make it relevant to the modern world and the role of the church in it - provide spiritual guidance to the congregation that will motivate them to lead Christ- like lives of devotion and service to their church and community - incorporate scriptural lessons into sermons that speak to the congregation in terms they can understand and to which they can relate their own experiences and circumstances - celebrate the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism - preside at services commemorating special events in the church calendar

2) Pastoral Care - provide comfort, support and spiritual guidance to those who are sick, dying, bereaved, shut-in, lonely and/or in crisis - in conjunction with the congregation commit to visiting people at home and in hospitals and nursing homes, including home Communion - ensure that those who are unable to attend church feel connected to the church - provide compassionate care to grieving families and conduct funerals and memorial services that help them mourn and heal.

11 3) Christian Education and Nurture - promote participation of adults and children in the worship service and other activities - investigate ways in which to involve youth and young people in the church - willing to conduct Bible study - prepare people for baptism, marriage and confirmation

4) Broader Church Newsom will appreciate a leader who: - encourages M and S involvement and supports community outreach activity (e.g. Food Bank). - cooperates with clergy and lay leaders of other United Churches and other Christian denomonations informally and through ecumenical programs. -participates in the work of Sydney Presbytery and attends Maritime Conference

5) Administration - strong organizational and time management skills - willingness to work closely with church members to provide direction and assistance to the church’s committees - working knowledge of the United Church Manual in order to help strengthen the administrative structure of the church - develop and facilitate the leadership gifts and potential of the church’s membership for their work in the church and community

6) Leadership Newsom needs a strong individual who is passionate about his/her ministry and who can effectively steer the congregation along a path of growth and renewal.

8) Accountability The minister is accountable to the congregation through the Ministry and Personnel Committee of Newsom Church and is under the supervision and discipline of Sydney Presbytery.

12 SKILLS PROFILE

The congregation is seeking the following skills, experience and qualities in its minister: a) communication: capacity to produce and deliver relevant spiritual messages that challenge, stimulate and uplift the congregation; superior interpersonal skills and a talent for connecting with people of varying ages and interests and conversing with them effectively b) sensitivity and empathy: provide perceptive and sympathetic pastoral care; respect for diversity in the congregation and community c) excellent organizational and time management skills: be prepared to help the congregation work on the church’s administrative structure and plan for its future d) sense of social responsibility: willingness to be involved in the community and causes for social justice e) leadership: ability to mentor lay leaders; encourage and support church members to participate in their church and community f) sound theological background: thorough knowledge of the scriptures and the ability to relate them to the modern world g) enthusiasm: a passion for ministry and a commitment to spiritual growth in him/herself and others

13 TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Commencement July 1, 2018

Hours of Work Full-time position based on forty (40) hour work week

Remuneration One hundred per cent (100%) of the current Salary and Housing as printed in the United Church of Canada Schedule for Ministry and Personnel.

Moving Expenses Per United Church regulations (based on reasonable estimates and receipts)

Travel Allowance In accordance with United Church guidelines (current rate 39 cents per kilometer)

Continuing Education and Learning Resource Allowance Three (3) weeks paid leave during the year. $1393.00.

Vacation One (1) month (including five Sundays) in each Pastoral Year.

Benefits United Church Pension and Group Insurance Plans as assessed

Support Volunteer secretarial help; photocopier, laptop, printer, internet access.

Sabbatical No less than three months (3) consecutive months after five (5) consecutive years of service to the pastoral charge

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RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that Sydney Presbytery declare a full-time (40 hours per week) vacancy at Newsom United Church Pastoral Charge effective July 1, 2018, for a two year appointment.

MEMBERS OF THE JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Andrea Batten

Congregational Members Norma Cochrane Dennis Hiscock Beverley Turner

Presbytery Representatives Rev. Duncan Roach Nancy Whitney-Latham, DLM

DATED June 17, 2018