Reports & Agenda

REPORTS & AGENDA

83rd General Meeting May 22-25, 2014 Vancouver Island Conference Center Nanaimo, BC

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

6 President’s Message 7 President Elect’s Message 8 Executive Secretary’s Message 9 Music Leadership 10 Anniversaries 12 Retirees 28 Memorials BC Conference 36 Ends Policies 41 Executive Members 42 Office & Staff Directory 43 Business Committee Motions 45 Guidelines for Business Procedures 47 Proposals: An Explanation 48 Nomination for President-Elect Presbytery Reports 50 Cariboo 51 Comox-Nanaimo 54 Fraser 55 Kamloops-Okanagan 56 Kootenay 57 Prince Rupert 58 Vancouver-Burrard 60 Vancouver-South 62 Victoria 63 Westminster

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Work of Conference Support of Ministry Personnel 64 Ministry Personnel Council/Conference Pastoral Relations Committee 65 Interim Ministry 66 Pension & Benefits 67 Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Committee 68 Settlement 69 Spiritual Care Network

Support of Ministry Students 60 Candidacy Pathway Pilot 71 Candidacy & Admissions Board

Native Ministry 72 Mobile Counsellor Program

74 Youth and Young Adults

78 Conference Camps

79 Archives & Historical Committee

Financial 81 Finance Council 82 Grants Committee 84 Home Missions 86 Stewardship 88 ProVision Funds

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

89 BC Conference United Church Women

Educational Centers 90 Centre for Christian Studies 92 Vancouver School of Theology

Proposals

96 BC Conference 2014-1: Resolution Related to the Storage and Shipment of Thermal Coal

attached Settlement Report attached Financial Statements—Consolidated and PDC

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE REV. JENNY CARTER

Respectfully Submitted: Jenny Carter

It has been such an honour and privilege to serve as the President of BC Conference! For the past two years I have met with presbyteries and congregations, individuals and groups, Conference staff and the Executive, and without exception have been blessed by the opportunity to connect with, and hear from, such fine people. As I reflect on the past two years as President, and anticipate the upcoming General Meeting in Nanaimo, I do so with a profound sense that while we live in challenging times as a people of faith, the Spirit is alive and well and in our midst, and calling us to continue to grow into the Conference and communities of faith God knows we can be. As my term rapidly draws to a close, I thank you all for your hospitality and faithfulness.

Throughout my journey as your President, the passage from 1 Corinthians, 12:25-27, was formative in how I saw the church in BC Conference. We are the body of Christ – made up of many parts. When one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, as well as in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the abundance. As I listened to the people of this Conference share with me their hopes and dreams, struggles and triumphs as communities of faith – it became clear to me that when we remember that we are all “in this together”, that we are indeed, the body of Christ, united and in service to one another and the world, life happens. Healing happens. Growth happens.

Never was remembering that we are the body of Christ more important, nor evident, than when I represented the Conference at the Truth and Reconciliation Event in Vancouver. The gracious welcome we received from residential school survivors, their bravery in sharing their stories, and their strength as individuals, communities, and nations, was inspiring. To see volunteers from the United Church actively listening and fully engaged in the Truth and Reconciliation process infused me with a sense of hope that together, we might find ourselves on the path to true reconciliation. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “When one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt and the healing.”

It is this sense of coming together as the body of Christ that led to the choice of “Connexion” as the theme for this General Meeting. It is the General Meeting that offers us, the United Church family, the time and place to connect as the body of Christ. When we gather we do so as a people who have much to celebrate – we live in challenging times, and we are beginning to find our way, which is worthy of celebration! I now know our Conference is filled with awesome people, and so we gather at the General Meeting to deepen our relationships with one another so that we might share our wisdom and our gifts. When we share these things, we will naturally grow in faith, and begin to live into an ever deepening understanding of our part in the mission of God. It is my hope and my prayer that this General Meeting of BC Conference will be a time of deep connection: a time where we will live into the intention of getting to know one another – hearing one another’s dreams so that we all might grow in hope; hearing of the struggles so we might be a part of the healing; finding our common purpose so we might enter into the exuberance that being a part of the body of Christ brings! May the General Meeting of BC Conference be such a time of “Connexion” for us all!

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PRESIDENT ELECT REV. KAREN MEDLAND

Respectfully Submitted: Karen Medland

The past two years have gone by very quickly and it is hard to imagine that we are now gathering once again as the Body Christ here in Nanaimo. Much has happened in that time and I’ve been very fortunate to have Jenny Carter show me the way. It is easy enough to say that the church is in transition, yet again; and I wonder if the last time we were offered such possibilities for renewal was at Union. We stand on the edge of something that is fearful and wonderful; we have a chance, like our predecessors, to shape a community of faith that is unique in its context and life giving in its substance. It is Easter weekend as I write this and the tomb is empty; everything is at the same time impossible and possible. God has chosen life, the question for us is. Do we too choose life, even if it does not look as it did before? These are interesting times and so I come to my time as President of Conference curious about the future, but I trust in God, and God chose life. Therefore I choose life for our Conference too.

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EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S MESSAGE REV. DOUG GOODWIN

Respectfully Submitted: Doug Goodwin, Executive Secretary

If you turn to the United Church’s “answer book”, the Manual, to find out why BC Conference meets like we do in a General Meeting, you will not find much help. The actual responsibilities of the Conference are minimal, and of those only a tinier number are actually accomplished at the General Meeting. What is clear, though, is that it is to meet regularly, at least once every three years. Even if its work is minimal, it needs to meet. At first glance, that seems like too small a thing to do. Perhaps, though, it really gets to the core of what a General Meeting is to the church: it is a “meeting place”, a gathering place, where those present recognize themselves as part of a larger body, even part of the body of Christ, who come together not primarily to “do stuff” but to “be who we really are.” The Methodists, our ancestors and cousins, call this “connexion.” The Conference is the “Connexion”, where people need to talk to one other individually and, more importantly, as a whole. The Connexion wants and needs to know how the rest of the body is doing. It needs to listen carefully, and reflect back what is heard. It does not flourish on clarity but upon extensive conversation. It wants to reconnect with those closest and get to know those most distant. It thrives on relationships. The Connexion needs to know and experience that it does not live to or for itself but lives to the One who gives life. It is the body of Christ and a significant part of the mission of God in the world. Worship, praise, singing, hearing and responding to call, are all part of its life. The Connexion gathers for mission, to order its life together so that God’s work in the world might also be the work of this part of the church. The Connexion organizes for mission: identifying and choosing its leaders, sorting out differences, finding common cause, identifying where energy and effort need to be placed, seeking to discern the new thing that God might be calling the church into. The Connexion celebrates with wondrous music and grieves together with solemn passion. The Connexion feels itself growing as a body. It needs to be fed and nurtured. It needs to hear and say and do something new, something that pushes it outwards while nourishing it inwardly. It needs to grow in faith and spiritual depth. From the Presbyterians we inherited the idea of the “courts” of the church, where decisions are made. From the Methodists we inherited the Conference, where we “confer”, and the Connexion, where we connect. All are important.

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MUSIC RESOURCE REBEL MESSIAH

Cheryl, Brendan & Wade have been playing together since 2008 as Rebel Messiah, and have released an album, Rebel Messiah and the WayCup Cafe.

They have a passion for serving the experience of the community that gathers with lively music that speaks to the head, heart and soul of a constantly emerg-

Brendan Wanderer is a musician, barista and youth minister from Calgary, Alber- ta. He has a passion for directing, storytelling and using music to bring people together. Brendan has recently completed his first short screenplay and plans to write many more. He has been known by many names in his journey, and he is very excited about the title for his next big adventure: 'Bren-DAD'.

Wade Lifton is a candidate for ordained ministry with more than a decade of children, youth and young adult ministry experience. He has studied musical theatre, theology, youth ministry and social change leadership. A playful and contemplative extravert, Wade believes cookies and dancing are essential to building a better world.

Cheryl Ballard is a professional musician, performer and teacher. She lives in Burnaby BC and spends most of her time at the VSO School of music teaching Col- ourstrings, a music and movement program for children of 3 months to 8 years of age. She spends her Sunday mornings at Northwood United Church where she plays the drum set and directs the church's children's choir and youth jam. She enjoys com- posing and arranging for both groups. For Cheryl, playing at BC conference with Re- bel Messiah is a treat and an honour!

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ANNIVERSARIES 2013

70 Years 45 Years 30 Years Rev. Laura E. Butler Rev. Gordon C. How Rev. S. Stanbury Bailey Rev. Reginald A. Wilson Rev. Gordon D. Laird Rev. Steven J. Chambers Rev. Richard T. Price Rev. Mary A. Duncan Rev. J. C. Matthew Smith Rev. Gale E. Glover Rev. David A. Spence Rev. Michael B. Hare 60 Years Rev. Edward C. White Rev. James Y. K. Pan Rev. A. Ibbs Avery Rev. Ivan F. Jesperson Rev. Neil Ian Parker Rev. Wilfred C. Waddell Rev. Ann E. Pollock Rev. Wayne E. Wattman Rev. Albert L. Ramsey Rev. David. B Wood Rev. Cathryn L. Paterson- 40 Years Sequin Rev. Scott K. Argur 55 Years Rev. Donald C. Isner 25 Years Rev. Gordon Cann Rev. Bruce Comrie Rev. David K. Dickey Rev. Rohana E. Laing Rev. Robert Gracey Rev. Maria C. Van Holten Rev. Cilfford R. Henning Rev. Shirley M. Etter Rev. Thomas A. Miles Rev. Selma D. Sheldon Rev. R. George Morrison 35 Years Rev. Gabrielle S. Suedfeld Rev. John P. Romeril Rev. Clayton Arkesteyn- Rev. Robert F. Smith Volger Rev. Frank H. Ward Rev. James E. Massey Rev. Janet L. Silman Rev. Mary E. Steele Rev. Gerhard Bihl 50 Years Rev. Kenneth Crassweller 20 Years Rev. Robert L. Gorrie Rev. David R. Ewart Rev. P. G. Boyd Rev. Freda W. Rajotte Rev. Ross M. White Rev. Gwendolyn A. Davis Rev. Allister N. Skinner Rev. John W. Butron Rev. Robert J. Thompson Rev. J. Franklin Lewis Rev. Robert T. Thomson Rev. Eugen Bannerman Rev. Mark T. Bedford Rev. Jacqueline F. Green

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ANNIVERSARIES 2014

60 Years 45 Years 30 Years Rev. Fredrick F. Cline Rev. Douglas A. Bacon Rev. Patricia Mary Baker Rev. Ronald D. Johnstone Rev. John B. Bell Rev. Wendy L. Bily Rev. Alan A. Reynolds Rev. Gregory J. Darjes Rev. Murray A. Groom Rev. Kenneth Wotherspoon Rev. Terrance M. Finch Rev. Kathleen A. Hogman Rev. Albert G. Fowler Rev. M. Dorcas Larson Rev. Douglas B. Graves Rev. Frederick A Kingston 55 Years Rev. Peter S. Packham Rev. Arthur M. Anderson Rev. Norman Pettersson Rev. Herbert Ellison Bradley 25 Years Rev. S. Ray Brandon Rev. J. David H. Boyd Rev. Robert A. Burrows Rev. Karen P. Dickey Rev. James G. Erb Rev. Sally Harris 40 Years Rev. Harold W. Jenner Rev. Douglas L. Lobb Rev. Robert J. Shank Rev. Stephen J. Hershey Rev. Edward C. Roworth Rev. S. Jean Sherwood Rev. James Lindenberger Rev. L. Dawne Taylor Rev. Stewart James Rev. Gordon J. Verplank McInnes Rev. Janice L. Young Rev. Clark J. Saunders Rev. Mollie E. Williams 50 Years Rev. George E. Ferguson Rev. Bruce W. Gunn 20 Years Rev. Clare A. Holmes 35 Years Rev. Richard H. Potte Rev. John E. Hooper Rev. Stuart A Appenheimer Rev. Gloria C. Christian Rev. Daniel J. MacQuarrie Rev. Janice A Guthrie Fred Duck (DLM) Rev. Cameron G. McMillan Rev. Masao Iwasawa Rev. Lorraine E. Powell Rev. Robert G. Miller Rev. Heather J. Lindstedt Rev. Sharon Copeman Rev. Nelson B. Rajotte Rev. Margaret E. McMillan Rev. Diana Sung Rev. Cameron J. Reid Rev. Larry W. Scott Rev. Richard Bott Rev. David C. Stephens Rev. Brenda Faust Rev. Winston W. Stokes

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RETIREES 2013—2014

Minister Pastoral Charge Presbytery Date Ann Manikel Comox-Nanaimo February 1, 2012

Dorothy Jeffery Fraser March 31, 2012

Sally Harris Vancouver-Burrard July 1, 2012

Don Collett Vancouver-Burrard July 1, 2012

Ross White Cadboro Bay UC Victoria August 28, 2012

Barbara Martin Victoria November 1, 2012

Paul Davis Conference Minister Cariboo January 1, 2013

Rick Taylor Steveston UC Vancouver South June 30, 2013

Larry Scott Kitimat UC Prince Rupert June 30, 2013

Jane Clarke (DLM) Elk Valley PC Kootenay July 1, 2013

Gaye Sharpe (DLM) Oak Bay Uc Victoria August 31, 2013

Rick Newbury West Burnaby UC Westminster September 1, 2013

Joan McMurty First UC -White Rock UC Fraser April 1, 2014

Stuart Lyster Sunnyside UC Fraser April 1, 2014

Brian Burke Trinity UC –Port Coquitlam UC Westminster June 30, 2014

John Miller Bethany Newton UC Fraser June 30, 2014

Ann Pollock Castlegar-Kinnaird PC Kootenay June 30, 2014

John Kim Capilano UC Vancouver-Burrard June 30, 2014

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RETIREES 2013—2014 RUTH CAIRNS

The Retirees

Look What God Has Done! A celebration of the ministries of those retiring from ordered ministry at British Columbia Conference, The United Church of Canada

The Conference Archives and History Committee is pleased to provide a glimpse into the stories of our retirees. We are grateful to all who were able to contribute to this booklet. Some of our retirees were either unable to come through in time with their stories, or declined. The complete list of retirees is given below, and our intention is to honour every one of them.

Congratulations to each of you! Blair Galston, Jon Jessiman, Chair Conference Archivist Archives and Historical Committee

Ruth Cairns

Marjorie Ruth Cairns DM, MTS. Commissioned by BC Conference, 1996. Served Fairfield UC, Victoria (student/staff associate, 1991-1996); Lesser Slave PC, High Prairie and McLennan, Alberta (1996- 2000); Trinity UC, Merritt (2000-2003); Salt Spring Island UC (2003-2012).

I was born and raised in Victoria and baptized and confirmed at Centennial United. I was active in Jun- ior Choir, Explorers, and CGIT, and then became a leader of both those groups. After my marriage and the birth of two children, our family transferred our church membership to Gordon Head United. There, I led Explorers and CGIT and was their Lay Presbytery representative for several years. I was also chair of the Leadership Development Committee for CGIT for BC Conference for a few years.

My teenage and young adulthood years were informed and nurtured by the CGIT purpose: “To Cher- ish Health, Seek Truth, Know God, and Serve Others.” Many times over those years I was inspired by summer camp and mid-week leaders, clergy, and “partners-in-mission” to prepare myself for a vocation in the Church. The United Church of the 1960s and ‘70s, with deep roots in the social gospel, was for me a venue that challenged and nurtured my spiritual growth to lift up the loving, compassionate, and justice-seeking person that “God would have me be.” Although marriage and raising two children delayed my post-secondary education, I continued to be active in bible studies, leadership development courses, and teaching how to act to protect the rights of children, women, the differently-abled, and the poor.

I returned to school at Camosun College in 1990, updated my senior matriculation, and enrolled in the Social Work program. In my work in Victoria, I came across an advertisement from the Centre for Christian Studies that outlined a program that would provide training for “a ministry of education, service, and pastoral care.” It was an answer to many longings and prayers. Continued on next page

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RETIREES 2013—2014 RUTH CAIRNS/SALLY HARRIS

Ruth Cairns Cont’d In 1991, I enrolled in the newly developed Western Field-Based Diaconal Training Program—a five year program that included academics, work in a congregation and a social ministry setting, and a Global Exposure Tour which took me to South Korea. This challenging program deepened and wid- ened my passion for social justice in the Church, my community, and the world.

In all four pastoral charges in which I served, my most rewarding moments were educating myself and others to live into the call to “do unto others.” Beyond the congregational ministry of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, I lived out this passion for justice seeking. In Fairfield, I created and coordinated a Community Kitchen. In High Prairie/McLennan I worked with and walked with the “Women Against Violence” group, and Social Service seminars to educate people about fetal alcohol syn- drome and its effects. At Merritt, I helped launch “The Soup Bowl,” worked with the “Nicola Valley Women in Action,” and the Multi-Faith, Intercultural Committee Against Racism (“Together We’re Bet- ter”). In Salt Spring, I was very active in many Kairos projects, and led in establishing the “In from the Cold” and the “Thrifty’s food vouchers” programs. It has truly been an honour and a joy to serve as a Diaconal Minister in The United Church of Cana- da.

Sally Harris

Sarah Lucia Harris, RN, BScN (Hons.); MDiv; DMin. Ordained by BC Conference, 1989. Served Ev- ansburg Green Grove PC, Alberta (1989-1993); Shaughnessy Heights UC, Vancouver (1994-1998); Trinity UC, Vancouver (1999-2011). As I reflect upon both the 25th anniversary of my ordination and my retirement I find authentic expression in these words of David Whyte.

WE ARE HERE

We are here essentially to risk ourselves in the world, we are a form of invitation to others and to otherness, we are meant to hazard ourselves for the right thing, for the right woman or the right man, for a son or a daughter, for the right work or for a gift given against all the odds. And in all this continual risking the most profound courage may be found in the simple willingness to allow ourselves to be happy along the way…

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RETIREES 2013—2014 DOROTHY JEFFERY

Dorothy Jeffery

Dorothy Anne (Ballentine) Jeffery, BSc (Pharmacy), MSc (Bionucleonics), PhD (Biopharmacy), MDiv (VST). Ordained by BC Conference, 2002. Served Gladwin Heights UC, Abbotsford (2002-2011); St. Stephen’s UC, Ladner (retired supply, 2013- present).

I grew up on our family farm north of Irma, Alberta, although from about age 7, we lived in the village, since winter roads were often too treacherous for reliable travel. During summers on the farm, I attended Vacation Bible School. I was a member of Mission Band, Explorers, and CGIT at Irma United Church, and attended Hi-C in Wainwright, Irma, and Viking (a joint communities group). During many summers I went to United Church Camp at Lake Whitney, in St. Paul Presbytery, Alberta. I found the camp experience was my first connection with God in the awesomeness of nature. When I moved with my husband to BC, I joined West Burnaby United Church, where our daughter was baptized. I studied at the University of Alberta from 1967 to 1974. I worked for a brief period as a pharmacist but mostly worked at the University as a lecturer, as a research associate, and in the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the research group of Dr. Sid Katz. Then, for several years I worked as the quality assurance scientist at a water quality lab (variously named Zenon, or Philip laboratories). My call to ministry involved encouragement by the minister at West Burnaby United Church and the invitation from the Vancouver School of Theology (VST) to “A year to change your life.” The intent to spend a year of study turned into staying for a Master of Divinity. I attended VST from 1996 to 2002, including field education at Highlands United Church, an internship at Jubilee United Church, and Clinical Pastoral Education at Vancouver General Hospital. One of the high points of my ministry was interfaith dialogue and worship in Abbotsford. I have always believed there is one God, experienced in culturally and geographically specific ways, and that understanding other faiths that centre on love and justice is important to understanding ourselves. One of the benefits of being part of The United Church of Canada is having a structure that defines us, although some would say it confines us. A low point in my ministry has been a failure of congregations to understand that the Ministry and Personnel process supports not only the ministry personnel but also the work of the individual churches. It is a blessing, not an imposed burden. I discerned my call during many hours of walking in the woods in BC parks. My main passion and common thread in my ministry continues to be “Care for the Earth” and respect for this God-created gift. In summary form it was articulated in Gladwin Heights’ mission statement of 2010: “Seeking Justice for All Creation and All God’s People.” My first lay sermon was on environmental protection. In my “sabbatical time,” I have been active in the Canadian Memorial United Church Sustainability Circle and remain connected with more than one environmental group. For future generations of ministers, in the face of closing and shrinking theological schools, I remind them that an educated clergy—especially one with an interdisciplinary background—is highly prized. The church needs to open, encourage, and respect paths in ministry beyond congregational ministry, if the church is to “grow in wisdom, strength, and favour with God and man.”

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RETIREES 2013—2014 JOHN KIM

John Kim

John Tae Kim, BA, MDiv (Emmanuel). Ordained by Toronto Conference, 1996. Served Richmond Hill UC, Toronto (1996-2005); General Council Office (2004-2006); Willowdale UC, Toronto (2006-2010); Capilano UC, North Vancouver (2010-2014).

John was born in South Korea into a Christian family. He attended Sunday school, joined the choir, became a youth leader, and was a board member of his congregation.

He defines his call as having had two stages: “God inspired me through my brother, who was a minister, and I began my journey in ministry as a student in theology in university.” This initial pull was not enough: “I served three years in the Army.” After moving to Canada, he was a successful restaurateur, with four restaurants in Toronto. “In middle age, when I was at my peak as a restaurateur, I answered the call a second time and I began my undergraduate studies again in psychology in Toronto to prepare a secure and confident foundation before beginning my theological education at Emmanuel.”

John describes his main passion as “sharing the living word of God and engaging in living ministry together with the congregation and community.” Witnessing church decline and seeking God's call for the revival of the church has been the most difficult aspect of his ministry.

His words of wisdom to those entering the ministry: “Try to follow the way of Christ truly and honestly with your whole self. Ministry is not a career (for yourself), but a self-sacrificing call.”

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RETIREES 2013—2014 STUART LYSTER/ANNE MANIKEL

Stuart Lyster

Stuart Allan Lyster, MA (UBC), MDiv (VST). Ordained by BC Conference, 1982. Served Long Plain First Nation, Manitoba (1982- 1984); Keremeos Ecumenical Parish (1984-1988); Trinity Memorial UC, Abbotsford (1988-1990); Sunnyside UC, White Rock (1990-2014).

Stuart was born in Edmonton and raised in North Vancouver as an Anglican. He joined the Highlands United Church youth groups in high school. Stuart attended Winter Session at Naramata Centre in 1973- 1974. He served as Youth Co-ordinator for BC Conference (1977-1978) prior to studying theology at VST.

Stuart “experienced a call to ministry through United Church Campus Ministry (UBC), as well as my home congregation, First United Church (Vancouver).” He identifies the common thread of his ministry as social justice. Through the 1990s, he helped develop sexual misconduct protocols. More recently, he has worked for social justice through his involvement in migrant worker issues.

Anne Manikel

Anne Elizabeth Manikel, BScA, BTh. Commissioned by Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, 1996. Served Pembina Parish PC, Morden, Manitoba (1991-1992); Trinity PC, Winnipeg (1992-1999); Oak Table Ministry, Augustine UC, Winnipeg (2000); Snow Lake Anglican- United PC, Manitoba (2000-2001); Selkirk PC, Manitoba (2001-2003); UC Campus Ministry, University of Manitoba (2002-2003); Niverville PC, Manitoba (2003-2006); Lake Cowichan PC (2007-2009); St. Paul’s PC, Sidney (2011); Brechin PC, Nanaimo (2012-2013).

I grew up in the church . . . literally. I spent the first twenty years of my life at St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church in Winnipeg. In those days, church life was the centre of community life. There was Explorers and CGIT, Junior Choir, Youth Group, and Sunday school. I was one of 65 Grade 10 youth in my confirmation class. I worked in the nursery, counted offering with my dad, served dainties, and helped in bazaars with my mom. The church was my home.

Continued on next page

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RETIREES 2013—2014 ANNE MANIKEL

Continued from previous page

I met my husband, Randy, when we were both studying Agricultural Economics at the University of Manitoba. We raised our three children on a farm, south of Winnipeg. At that time, there was a common understanding that parents would be involved in Sunday school and we eventually undertook the leadership of the Youth Group. Youth leadership tended to draw one into Conference- wide events, as very few adults really enjoyed playing “Duck, Duck, Goose” or sleepovers or answering deep theological questions at midnight with, “So, what do you think?”

As our children became more independent, I became involved with presbytery, and later enrolled in the “LEAP” (Lay Education and Action Program). After a two-year introduction to every facet of ministry, I naïvely asked, “What’s next?” of Ted Dodd, one of our Conference ministers. It was Ted who introduced me to “the other” stream of Ordered Ministry. At that point, the idea of preaching or leading worship was terrifying to me, but a ministry more focused on education and social outreach, as well as pastoral care seemed like a perfect fit. I was extremely fortunate in the timing of my call as the second (and last) intake for the five-year Western Field-Based Diaconal Training was about to begin.

Throughout my ministry I have been blessed with diverse opportunities to serve: urban, rural, northern, team, inner-city, ecumenical, and affirming. I believe that my particular gift for ministry is in my adaptability and willingness to serve short-term, sometimes part-time situations where the need is pressing. Just such a need presented itself in the form of Snow Lake Anglican-United Church, an isolated northern charge which was passed over three years in a row when I served on the Settlement Committee. It was one of the richest experiences of my career as I witnessed the lay people of this small congregation empowering and supporting one another to provide outstanding ministry across geographical and theological boundaries.

Since coming to Vancouver Island in 2006, my ministry has moved from (temporary) interim to more formalized Intentional Interim, as I was asked to take training in order to serve at Lake Cowichan United Church. The Interim process is a good one, and a useful tool for every congregation to use from time to time, regardless of their perceived “health.” It can be very difficult when people are unable or unwilling to change with our rapidly changing times. And change is the order of the day. I look forward to what the Spirit imagines for us as church: “… a new shape and form of the body of Christ in the 21st century.”

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RETIREES 2013—2014 JOAN MCMURTRY

Joan McMurtry

Joan Kathleen McMurtry, BA, MDiv. (St. Andrew’s College, Sask.), MEd. Ordained by Saskatchewan Conference, 1976. Served Kelvington-Lintlaw PC, Sask. (1976-1979); St. John’s UC, Regina (1980- 1987); Knox UC, Vancouver (1990-1997); BC Conference, Personnel Minister (1997-2002); First UC, White Rock (2002-2014).

I was born in Radville, Saskatchewan to Clifford, a United Church minister, and Betty, a nurse, and I feel fortunate to have had a stable and progressive home to be raised in. My extended family formed me to the ways of compassion, service, and care for the marginalized. Saskatchewan, with its culture, politics, and social gospel heritage, also shaped me.

I studied at St. Andrew’s College, and together in the early 1970s, we developed the first Canadian course on “women and the church.” I always thought that I would be a school teacher but ended up as an educator, animator, and mentor within the role of ordained ministry. Always the learner, I took time out over the years for studies in pastoral counseling, conflict and mediation work, and adult education at UBC (education as a vehicle of social change), which gave me courage and capacity for the future.

I was fortunate to have served in diverse ministries that welcomed my gifts and were gracious about my limitations. I advocated for women in the church and society, and was drawn to support those “on the edge” in the communities I served, within and beyond the church. Having one foot in the community helped me keep perspective and balance on the realities of church life. I loved being part of a team of people and pushing out with vision for a new church and a renewed, more radical theology, in the context of congregations, in Presbytery re-imaginings, and in General Council leadership. I had some great connections with theological students and candidates for ministry over the years. I enjoyed being with the children and youth wherever I was and was forever humbled by the poignancy of walking with old and young through the challenges and joys “of the journey.” I feel incredibly grateful for the support and care over the years from family, friends, and strangers, who deepened my sense of the sacredness of life and love, in surprising and sustaining ways.

I believe that the hope and promise for the next decade of being the United Church focuses on being a progressive Christian presence in our communities: offering an inclusive and radical vision of God and discipleship, and acting more decisively in practical acts of compassion and justice in the community and the world. In other words, how we think about God and how we act matters for our future.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 JOHN MILLER

John Miller

John Charles Clayton Miller, BEd, MDiv. Ordained by Toronto Conference, 1987. Served Melville-Locust Hill PC, Ontario (1987-1992); Westminster UC, Calgary (1992-2002); Living Spirit UC, Calgary (2002-2005); Bethany-Newton UC, Surrey (2005-2014).

was born April 28, 1950 in Winnipeg Manitoba. I grew up on a Canadian Forces military base CFB Rivers near the town of Rivers, Manitoba. I attended the protestant chapel on the base while growing up there. We moved from Rivers in 1969 to Edmonton, Alberta where I completed Grade 12 and then attended the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education. In my second year at the U of A, I met my wife, Mary. Upon graduation in 1973, we were married and went to Nigeria to teach with CUSO. We returned to Edmonton in 1975 and I taught Grades 7-9 and grade 5 until 1980, when we moved to Markham, Ontario. While in Edmonton, we had attended a Baptist church, but upon our move to Markham, our family attended Ebenezer United Church, where we became members. I taught Sunday school, was the youth group leader, and served on the church board and the Stewardship Committee. I also got involved with the worship team. Through my involvement with the church I began to realize that I was enjoying my involvement with the church and sensed a call to ministry. I then entered into the discernment process in 1982 and began my theological education at the Toronto School of Theology/ Emmanuel College in 1983. I did a year-long student internship at Dunbarton United Church in Pickering, Ontario. I graduated in 1987 and was settled at the Melville-Locust Hill PC near Markham. There is no one specific highpoint of my ministry. During my first 10 years or so of ministry, I was very involved with the Stewardship Services of the United Church and was a member of the National Board of Stewardship Services for a number of years. During my ministry, one of my emphases has been education, and I have put a great deal of effort into helping congregations to grow in their faith and theological education. I have pushed the boundaries and encouraged people to move beyond their comfort zones and to expand their religious beliefs and understandings. Music has played a very important part of my ministry. I have incorporated my own musical skills in worship and have participated in the music program of my congregations with guitar and voice. I have encouraged other musicians to offer their gifts of music and have emphasized blended worship, bringing the traditional and contemporary together. Worship has always been the life force giving me the energy and interest to keep going. Low points have been few, but those that have arisen have tended to be around the politics and power struggles within church life. The 1988 Victoria General Council debate over the ordination of gay and lesbian people was a low point as I found myself in sharp disagreement with my parishioners (I supported the General Council resolution). However, I survived and the church survived, and through that experience, I learned a great deal about what it means to be a leader in ministry. Finally, as advice to future ministers, I would offer this one observation. Ministers are called by congregations and it is the local church that forms the foundation of the ministry of The United Church of Canada. If the congregations are healthy and strong, then the United Church will be strong. Congregations exist because of the faithful stewardship of people who feel called to be a part of a faith community. Therefore, it is important—even an imperative—that ministers nurture and love the people who faithfully serve our United Church with their time, talents, and financial resources. As ministers, we are given the privilege to journey with the people for but a short time, but the people remain and continue to be the church after we have moved on. As ministers, we must never forget that we are called to serve.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 ANN POLLOCK

Ann Pollock

Ann Elizabeth Pollock, BASc, MDiv (VST). Ordained by BC Conference, 1983. Served Lake Cowichan (1983-1991) and Castlegar (1991-2014). Spent one year on exchange at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Timaru, New Zealand (1988-1989).

I was born and grew up in the small town of Norwich in southern Ontario. I have often said I was everything but conceived in the United Church in that community, as my family was very involved. I knew from a young age that I wanted to grow up to be a dietitian, so I got my degree in nutrition from the University of Guelph and landed a job as the dietitian at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace. I continued my church involvement there, and then decided—because I had the time and the money, and because I was inspired by David Martyn— to take a couple of years to address my theological questions by studying at Vancouver School of Theology. It was after my first year there that I felt called to address the hungers not just of peoples' bodies, but of their whole lives and their souls.

The highlight of my ministry has been the opportunity to walk with people on their faith journeys— something that is particularly enabled by long term ministry—watching children grow up and mature, and accompanying people as they face the challenges of aging. I enjoyed the year I spent in New Zealand and my internship in Gander, Newfoundland, both of which expanded my understanding of the church. The burning down and rebuilding of the church in Lake Cowichan were the most notable incidents of my ministry career – dealing with the overwhelming grief that the destruction of the church brought to many, and celebrating how the community came together to help ensure the church was rebuilt. It is sad for me that that congregation has closed and the building has now been sold.

I have been blessed by being able to serve the church in this time. There are great challenges and changes in store for those coming into ministry now, and I pray they may have the grace and wisdom to faithfully face whatever the future may hold.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 GAYE SHARPE

Gaye Sharpe

Gaye Sharpe, RT (NM), BA, DLM. Served Pilgrim UC, Victoria (1991-2005); BC Conference, Minister for Social Justice and Children (1994-1996); Esquimalt UC and Fairfield UC, Victoria (Supply Minister, 2006, 2008); Oak Bay UC (2008-2013).

I was born and raised in Pine Falls, Manitoba, a small pulp and paper town near Selkirk. Church has always played a significant role in my life from Mission Band to Explorers and then graduation from CGIT. When I attended university in Winnipeg, I became a CGIT leader. My first career was as a nuclear medicine technologist, which occupied me full- and part-time as I embarked on my greatest joy— mothering my three daughters.

1980 brought my family to Victoria, where I continued my volunteer work in Sunday school, youth group, and on the board. After the failure of my marriage, I returned to university, began a business partnership, and worked with the church and other non-profits on issues of poverty and First Nations’ land claims.

Keith Howard and I married in 1990, blending our families so that five children now graced my life. He began ministry at Pilgrim United Church in 1990, and I joined him as staff associate in 1991. Although I have attended VST for courses over the years, my ministry had grown as a result of mentoring by wonderful women like Anne Searcy and Marion Best, and brilliant theological guidance by the children with whom I have had the privilege of ministering. By far my greatest joy in ministry has been working with children and with communities committed to intergenerational community. I have enjoyed sharing this passion within the Conference and the national Church. The corollary to this is my sorrow at the unwillingness of many congregations to embrace the gift of children in their midst.

I have treasured accompanying many on the highs and lows of their life journeys. I would hope that future ministry persons will love their people in all their diversity, beauty, and warts. My word to the church is to embrace mentoring lay leaders within congregations so that people may hone their gifts and enter paid ministry, rather than travelling the path of increased professionalization.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 LARRY SCOTT

Larry Scott

Larry William Scott, BA (U of T, 1975), MDiv (Princeton Theological Seminary, 1978). Ordained by Toronto Conference, 1979. Served Ogema-Benough PC, Sask. (1978-1982); Dundurn-Hanley PC, Sask. (1983-1986); Mayfair UC, Saskatoon (1986-1990); Rundle Memorial UC, Saskatoon (1990- 1999); Cordova Bay UC, Victoria (1999-2005); James Bay UC, Victoria (2005-2010); First UC, Kitimat (2010-2013).

I was born in Cornwall, Ontario but our farm was a few miles south of Maxville, Ontario. My education began at a one room school about a mile from where we lived. That era drew to an end, and with other rural students, I was moved to the district elementary school in Maxville. Because our county was so close to Quebec, about half the residents were Francophone and the other half were Anglophone. In the middle of my high school years, our family moved to Brampton, just west of Toronto. My new high school had 1,600 students, and it seemed at first a difficult transition. In hindsight, the ability to pick up and move to new places would be a valuable learning experience for both study and life in ministry.

My family was not particularly church-oriented, but I found that becoming a part of a church community wherever I lived provided community and support in the midst of change and transition. In my university years, I attended a church near the campus and took part in its young adult group. At the same time, I took a university course on modern theological history, taught by a professor of religion who had initially been ordained as a United Church minister. Although my actual double major was political science and history, I found his class provided an engaging link between faith and intellect. From that spark I caught the vocational flame of ministry.

In those days, it was fairly usual for people to go straight from university to ministry studies. At my professor’s recommendation, I applied to go to Princeton Theological Seminary and received a scholarship/bursary to do so. In addition to the usual study program, I did clinical work at the State Mental Hospital of Pennsylvania at Byberry, PA; chaplaincy in a terminal care hospital; and field work at an inner city Presbyterian church in Philadelphia. During the summers, I served student mission fields with the United Church in Blue River, BC and in Granby-Abbotsford, Quebec. My ordination was delayed a year after graduation because I had not studied in a United Church theological college; nevertheless, I was settled as Ordained Supply in Saskatchewan and then ordained a year later to my ordinand charge. After that first charge, I took a year (1982-83) to study German in Austria, and French in France. A high point in ministry was being able to accompany people of many different ages and backgrounds through challenging life transitions. A low point was, at one stage, not having the physical health to be able to continue doing so. A common theme in ministry for me is the surprising way in which God’s presence is a transformative source of hope that allows people to walk journeys they never thought they were capable of. This seems to me a key insight for the future of the Church as well as for individuals; we don’t need to know the exact form of the future but we do need to know that God will be with us in new ways, even as we are challenged to let go of some old ways. Sometimes letting go is letting God.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 RICK TAYLOR

Rick Taylor

Frederick Charles Taylor, BA, MDiv. Ordained by Hamilton Conference, 1976. Served Plumas- Lakeshore PC, Manitoba (1976-1980); St. Andrew’s UC, Port Alberni (1980-1984); Ryerson UC, Vancouver (1984-1992); Marpole UC, Vancouver (1992-2001); Steveston UC, Richmond (2001- 2013). I was born and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. I left home for the first time to attend the University of Western Ontario in London. My parents were charter members of St. John’s United Church on Hamilton “mountain.” I attended Sunday school, youth group, was confirmed, and eventually became a candidate from that congregation. I can say with confidence that my call to ministry was not a dramatic turning to Christ and acknowledging his call to me. Rather it was, in the words of Gregory Baum, a poco a poco (little by little) experience. For example, just when I thought I might be heading back to teacher’s college to become a grade 8 history teacher, someone would come through the door rather unexpectedly and say, “You don’t really want to do that.” I looked into social work, probation officer, and psychological counsellor, until one day a man from my home church asked if I would consider preaching for a month while the minister was away on vacation. I stopped searching after that experience.

I have always worked for the church in my adult life, whether it be in rural Saskatchewan, or Winnipeg as a summer intern, or Woodstock, Ontario, Cabbagetown in Toronto, or back on Hamilton Mountain in winter. Recalling a high point is a tough one. I suppose it would be the privilege of supporting and counselling people, families, and groups, in crisis situations, whether it be situations involving grief and loss, hospitalization, shut-in elders, or crisis in a family home. I’ve always wanted to demonstrate to people with whom I have had contact that they are loved, cared for, and valued by a gracious and loving God. The most difficult part of my ministry? A relatively easier question. Over the years, I would say it was the tension between my vocation and the needs of my family.

My main passion has been to accompany other staff people and the people of the congregation to give evidence of the work of the Spirit of God in their lives and in their leadership.

A word of wisdom: As the church shrinks and changes, I believe that future clergy will need an openness and skill at handling disagreements and conflict – a very real commitment to working together toward consensus.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 LILY WATSON

Lily Watson

Lily Louise Watson BA, MDiv (VST), MA. Ordained by BC Conference, 1987. Served as intern at Trinity UC, Nanaimo (1983-1984); Laflech PC, Saskatchewan (1985); Carman UC, Sardis (1986). Served St. Andrew’s UC, Golden (1987-1989); Arrow Lakes PC, Nakusp, Burton, and Fauquier (1990 -1992); Rutland UC (1999-2000); Summerland UC (2000-2001); Okanagan Falls UC (2002); Lumby UC (2004-2013), continuing on as retired supply.

I was born and raised in Nanaimo, BC. I went St. Andrew’s United as a child, attending Sunday school, singing in junior choir, attending Explorers and later CGIT. I became a member of the United Church in 1964. After high school, I went to the University of Victoria to study to become an elementary school teacher. When I returned to Nanaimo to teach, I returned to the church of my childhood but I didn’t seem to fit. I left the church for several years of “wandering in the wilderness,” during which I read a lot about Christianity. In 1979, shortly after the opening of Trinity United Church at the Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre, I attended church there. It was during a membership class, led by Rev. Art Lucy, that my world got strangely changed and I felt the love of God for me and movement of the Holy Spirit within. When I first returned to church, I was just comfortable in the back row near the door, but that is not where God left me. I got more and more involved in the church and felt God calling me to ministry. My first full-time position was as a grade five school teacher in a small elementary school in Wellington, BC (1969-1970). After that, I worked in the lumber industry at CIPA Lumber Co. (1971- 1981), beginning first as a receptionist and later doing bookkeeping. I left this position to study for ministry. I was a caregiver for my mother for 15 years until her death. Ministering part-time or in an alternate ministry enabled me to be there for her. The lowest point of my ministry was a tough ending to a pastoral relationship. It took me time to heal. I left pastoral ministry for a while. Even during those years, I still felt called; I just engaged that call in a different way. In 1999, I returned to pastoral ministry, bringing with me what I had learned from my alternate ministry. In 1994, I engaged in an alternate ministry. It was structured as a business but its focus was ministry—facilitating spiritual growth through workshops, retreats, courses, counseling, and spiritual direction. This ministry was in support of congregations, ecumenical in nature, and open to the public at large, and was offered at churches and retreat centres. The high point of my ministry was the opportunity to co-lead retreats and parish missions with my former spiritual director and professor from Gonzaga University, Fr. Armand Nigro, a Jesuit. It was ground breaking in its time to be an ordained United Church woman minister co-leading a mission with a Jesuit priest in a Roman Catholic parish. My continuing passions include: “visioning” at the local church level and at Presbytery, to discover new ways in which God is calling us to be Church; and “spiritual growth programming,” which helps people grow spiritually and become excited about having God in their lives. It has been said that United Church members have a quiet faith. That does not work in our favor as we seek to grow the church. If Jesus’ disciples had had a quiet faith, they would not have shared their faith and Jesus’ mission would have failed. We need to find ways to talk as easily about our spirituality as we do about anything else we are passionate about.

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RETIREES 2013—2014 ROSS WHITE

Ross White

Ross Maynard White, BTh, DM. Commissioned to Diaconal Ministry by Alberta and Northwest Conference, 1978. Served Zion UC, Moose Jaw (1979-1981); South Alberta Cooperative Parish (1979-1981); McKillop UC, Lethbridge (1979-1986); West Lethbridge UC (1986-1987); Highlands UC, North Vancouver (1987-2000); Penticton UC (2000-2002); Shaughnessy Heights UC, Vancouver (2002-2005); Cadboro Bay UC, Victoria (2005-2013).

Ross was born in Vancouver and grew up in Kerrisdale, attending Ryerson United Church and Maple Grove School. He describes his early involvement in the church as “classic affiliative faith (Sunday school, grace at meals and prayers at bedtime, youth groups).” He began flexing his leadership muscles as a teen, teaching intermediates, and serving as Hi-C president, Calgary City-Wide Council. Early jobs included work as CIT Director at Camp Kasota West (Alberta) and Camp Quin-Mo-Lac (Ontario).

“Winter Session at Naramata in 1972-73 was perfectly designed for me to understand that, whatever I did in life, my career had to feel like a response to God in me. I was a whiz at initial post- secondary academics but it felt too hollow. I then spent two years in what was then called the Queen Charlotte Islands, having been drawn there by a vision and childhood fantasy. My plan was sustainable hermitage and life discernment. Instead I met Jeannie MacDonald, and a lifestyle of survival-oriented bush economics ensued. Ironically, because I’d attended Winter Session, a Centre for Christian Studies mailing came one day. Before tossing it in the wood stove, I thought I’d take a peek at what it said. It changed my life! I could see myself thriving in the educational environment they so temptingly described . . . plus it was available to mature students. It described ministry possibilities that felt like what I was meant to do.”

Ross attended the Centre for Christian Studies and was commissioned as a diaconal minister. He describes a high point in his years of ministry: “Winter 1986 . . . The moment the Search Committee at Highlands United Church opened the package Jeannie and I had sent to Ivan Cummings, Executive Secretary of BC Conference. The package contents summarized the futuring we had been doing for ourselves and contained our vision paper of strong leadership for children, learning and worshiping with all ages, through multiple activities and groups. The Highlands Committee read with incredulity our desire to establish a Family Ministry somewhere and how that matched their document. Jeannie and I were the only ones they interviewed . . . thirteen years of a ‘dream job’ ensued from that moment!”

Getting started in formal ministry was tough for Ross. “In May of ’78, I had a brand new baby and an offer to go to far, distant Faro, Yukon from Alberta’s Settlement Committee. Jeannie freaked out at the offer, so Settlement cut me loose and I found a job for my settlement charge at Zion in Moose Jaw. My naïveté and anxiety prevented me from seeing red flags in the interview and initial conversation with the incumbent senior minster. Thank God for Alex Lawson, who had recently been called from Moose Jaw (Minto) to McKillop. He reached out to me, invited me to apply and, after one year in hell, we packed up, left Saskatchewan, and began one of the most fruitful ministry periods and enduring team relationships in my life at McKillop [in Lethbridge].” Continued on next page

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RETIREES 2013—2014 ROSS WHITE

Continued from previous page

Teaching and healing have been Ross’s main passion and common thread throughout. “My concluding eight years at Cadboro Bay constitute, I humbly submit, a model for church congregations that want to keep growing. The model we used required two equal team mates with gifts and skills in curriculum design and progressive preaching styles. Mark Green and I began the church program year with a team retreat each May. Over two or three days, we’d brainstorm, select, and refine a list of ten scripture stories/themes, one for each month of the program year. After checking with the Christian Development Committee and Council, we’d finalize the list and choose an overarching theme for the coming year. In doing so, several things happened: excitement built among the leadership, resources could begin to be gathered over the summer months, and publicity began to entice the congregation and community to the direction ahead. Mark and I implemented the program by choosing which of us wanted to animate each theme, either with the children or with the adults in worship. Accordingly, we leap-frogged month to month, sharing the Sunday school and worship leadership responsibilities. It kept us fresh, interested in the variety of our jobs, up-to-date theologically, and we bonded with the families and their kids. It also kept the congregation well- educated with up-to-date theology, and they were entertained and interested at the differences in our outlook on the biblical material.

“The recovery of healing ministry through Bruce MacIntyre and especially Rochelle Graham and the Healing Pathway Program of Naramata Centre in the mid-1990s came at a perfect time for me. I had seen T-groups of the 1960s, encounter groups of the ‘70s, TA groups of the ‘80s and, although all helped people, nothing cleaved with the Christ-encounter I’d had as a teenager, in which energy with sound poured through as I read scripture alone one night. What was this power? How does one use this energy? Why can no one explain it to me? Why does everyone seem so afraid of it? Rochelle’s work answered all these questions. She helped me learn that this energy is with all of us and is God’s way of continually blessing God’s creation and all that's in it. Since that time I’ve initiated congregational healing groups in Highlands and Ladysmith, become an instructor, and am part of a growing Canada-wide network of church-based healers.”

In reflecting on what words of wisdom he might offer to future generations of ministers, Ross writes: “Cast your dream . . . in writing! The church is moving out of the ministry-follows-vision stage to something much more concrete. In the future, tools and ideas like a spirit-led version of a “business plan” will be commonplace because sustainability of the mission will be on everyone’s mind. Ministers will need to learn to articulate their unique skills. They will need to furnish potential sites for their ministry with clear ideas of how they intend to be. They will need to get far better at promoting themselves as the right person or team of persons for a particular outreach. Resumés and covering letters won’t cut it.”

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MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

2012 Rev. Kathleen Edmunds ~ June 7, 1962—May 31, 2012 Rev. Art Lucy ~ November 19, 1932—June 26, 2012 Rev. M. Jean Macdonald ~ April 5, 1917—July 4, 2012 Rev. William Easson ~ July 21, 1925—September 14, 2012 Rev. Weldon Holland ~ May 27, 1932—September 28, 2012 Rev. Eleanor Ferguson ~ April 19, 1932—September 13, 2012 Rev. Ivan Cook ~ February 1, 1929—October 2, 2012 Rev. Bonnie Burnett ~ September 23, 1944—November 5, 2012 Rev. Frank Johnson ~ May 3, 1918—November 21, 2012 Rev. Helen Simpson ~ March 24, 1930—December 1, 2012

2013 Rev. Rob Pollock ~ October 4, 1957—January 6, 2013 Rev. Frances (Ann) Moir ~ August 3, 1930—January 18, 2013 Rev. Colleen Erb ~ January 19, 1928—February 3, 2013 Rev. Arvon Keating ~ February 21, 1924—March 17, 2013 Rev. John Travis ~ August 27, 1923—March 24, 2013 Rev. Fran Darling ~ August 2, 1951—March 30, 2013 Rev. Elizabeth Langhorne Macleod ~ January 27, 1923—April 23, 2013 Rev. Jean Angus ~ February 22, 1923—April 23, 2013 Rev. Fredrick Kropp ~ August 4, 1932—April 23, 2013 Rev. Clayton H.T. Moorhouse ~ April 3, 1929—June 25, 2013 Rev. Jack Horricks ~ January 18, 1921—December 19, 2013 Rev. Jack McLachlan ~ December 25, 2013

2014 Rev. James Bragan ~ February 5, 1932—January 2, 2014 Rev. Betty Evans ~ October 9, 1929—January 8, 2014 Rev. Graham Dickie ~ February 10, 1939—February 22, 2014 Rev. George Stegen—May 12, 2011

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MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

Rev. Kathleen Ann Edmunds June 7, 1962 – May 31, 2012 Kathleen Edmunds was ordained by BC Conference in 2010. Prior to her ordination, she had served as staff associate at the United Church of New Westminster and at Como Lake (Coquitlam). While a student at VST, she served St. Andrew’s (Haney) and St. Stephen’s (Vancouver). Upon ordination, she was settled to Pitt Meadows United Church. She died after her second bout of cancer. A memorial service was held on June 9, 2012 at Eagle Ridge United Church (Coquitlam). Rev. Arthur Russell Lucy November 19, 1932 – June 26, 2012 Art Lucy was ordained by Manitoba Conference in 1963. He served at Pilot Mound and Brandon, Manitoba, before coming to BC in 1977. Here, his charges included Lantzville-Wellington, Trinity (Nanaimo), Collingwood (Vancouver), and Gladwin Heights (Abbotsford). He retired in 1992. A memorial service was held at Northwood United Church on September 30, 2012. Rev. Margaret Jean Macdonald April 5, 1917 – July 4, 2012 Rev. Jean Macdonald was a missionary to Japan for the United Church of Canada from 1951 to 1981. In 1983, Jean helped with the preparations for the Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Vancouver. Jean was a member of Ecumenical Action and the Association of Professional Women Church Workers. She also served on the Auxiliary to the Vancouver School of Theology between 1982 and 2007, and Jean was its president in 1986 and 1987. In 1982, Jean joined Dunbar Heights United Church (Vancouver). She transferred her membership to Knox (Vancouver) in 2002. Rev. Eleanor Ferguson April 19, 1932 – September 13, 2012 Eleanor Ferguson was a diaconal minister and a high school counsellor. Prior to being commissioned in 1963, she did mission work for the Woman’s Missionary Society at Bissell Memorial Church and All People’s Mission, in Edmonton. She carried out most of her ministry in Alberta, and moved to Victoria after her retirement in 1997. Rev. William George Easson July 21, 1925 – September 14, 2012 George Easson was born in Stettler, Alberta, and moved with his family to Chilliwack, BC in 1942. He worked with his father on the family farm, until he was called to the ministry. After ordination (BC Conference, 1964), Easson served several charges in Manitoba and Alberta. He and his wife, Beatrice, retired to Vernon in 1990. His funeral was held at Trinity United Church in Vernon on September 25, 2012.

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MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

William Weldon Holland May 27, 1932 – September 28, 2012 Weldon Holland served the Cultus Lake Pastoral Charge as a lay minister from 1979 to 1990.

Rev. Ivan Harley Cook February 1, 1929 – October 2, 2012 Ivan Cook was ordained by London Coference in 1968. He served charges in Saskatchewan and Ontario, before coming to BC in 1982. Here, he served Mountain View-Windsor (Vancouver) and North Surrey, retiring in 1994. Ivan died at Comox.

Rev. Bonnie Burnett September 23, 1944 – November 5, 2012 Bonnie Burnett was ordained by Maritime Conference in 1978. She served United Church congregations in British Columbia, Alberta Northwest, Maritime, and Manitou Conferences. She was also staff at United Theological College in Montreal. Most recently, she served the congregation at Summerland, BC. Rev. Frank Johnson May 3, 1918 – November 21, 2012 Frank Johnson was ordained in 1945 in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and was admitted to The United Church of Canada in 1954. From 1953 to 1955, he served as assistant minister at First United Church in Victoria. He continued his pastoral ministry at Courtenay (1955-1960). He then served as a Canadian Forces chaplain until his retirement in 1973.

Rev. Helen Simonson March 24, 1930 – December 1, 2012 Helen Simonson was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She moved to Edmonton in 1950, where she married, raised her family, and worked at a number of United Churches in the city and surrounding area. She was ordained by Alberta Northwest Conference in 1985, and continued her ministry in Alberta until her retirement in 2005, when she moved to British Columbia. She died at Kimberley, BC. A celebration of her life took place at McDougall United Church in Edmonton on December 7, 2012.

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MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

Rev. Frances (Ann) Moir August 3, 1930 – January 18, 2013 Ann Moir was born in New Jersey and raised on the east coast of the United States. She moved to Vancouver in 1954. She attended the Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained by BC Conference in 1986. She retired in 1995, after serving congregations at Oak Avenue (Surrey), Willingdon Heights (Burnaby), Aldergrove, and Tsawwassen. A memorial service was held on February 6, 2013, at Shaughnessy Heights United Church in Vancouver, where Ann was a long-time member. Rev. Robert Allan Pollock October 4, 1957 – January 6, 2013 Rob Pollock was a graduate of the Native Ministries program at the Vancouver School of Theology. He was ordained by BC Conference in 1999. Prior to his call to the ministry, Rob had had a career in forestry. While studying theology, he served Port Simpson and First United in Prince Rupert. After ordination, he continued at First, then moved to Highlands (North Vancouver) and St. Stephen’s (Vancouver). Rob died of cancer, leaving behind his wife, Pam, and three daughters. A celebration of his life was held at Highlands United Church in North Vancouver on January 13, 2013.

Rev. Colleen Margaret Erb January 19, 1928 – February 3, 2013 Colleen Erb was born in Calgary, and was ordained by BC Conference in 1980. She served the congregation at Sardis, BC, for a year before being called to Gordon United Church in Victoria, where she served until her retirement in 1993. After retirement, Colleen continued to offer spiritual guidance and leadership at First Metropolitan and to others in Victoria Presbytery.

Rev. Arvon Argyle Keating February 21, 1924 – March 17, 2013 Arvon Keating was born in Silverton, Manitoba. He grew up on a farm in Clandeboye, joined the the Air Force during the Second World War, and then returned to farming. Called to the ministry in the late 1950s, he attended United College in Winnipeg and was ordained in 1965 by Manitoba Conference. Arvon served several rural charges in Western Manitoba, including Emerson-Dominion City, Nesbitt- Carroll, and Gladstone. In 1975, he moved to BC and continued his pastoral ministry at St. Andrew’s and Trinity (Nanaimo), then Bethany-Newton (Surrey). After retiring in 1988, he served Gabriola Island as retired supply (1988-1992). During his career, Arvon led lively Bible study and youth groups and was active at both Presbytery and Conference levels. Arvon died at Nanaimo. He was predeceased by his wife, Betha. A memorial service was held at Brechin United Church (Nanaimo) on March 27, 2013.

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MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

Rev. John Probyn Travis

August 27, 1923 – March 24, 2013 John Travis was born in Swansea, Wales in 1923. After wartime service with the RAFVR, John studied theology at New College, London and was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church in Huddersfield, England in 1948. He was admitted to The United Church of Canada in 1951, and served charges in Northport (Nova Scotia), Franklin Centre (Quebec), Rundle Memorial United Church (Banff), Centennial United Church (Victoria), Central United Church (Edmonton), and St. Andrew's United Church (Maple Ridge). John was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth. A celebration of thanksgiving for his life was held on April 8, 2013 at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria. Rev. Frances Marr Darling August 2, 1951 – March 30, 2013 Fran Darling was born in Vancouver, and grew up in Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from McGill University and enjoyed a career in writing, primarily as an editorialist for the Cowichan Newsleader/Pictorial. This past decade, she entered theological studies at the Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained by BC Conference in 2008. Fran began her ministry at Cedar United Church and Chemainus United Church, staying at Chemainus United until her death. A celebration of her life was held at the New Life Baptist Church in Chemainus on April 13, 2013.

Elizabeth Langhorne MacLeod January 27, 1923 – April 20, 2013 Elizabeth MacLeod (née MacGillivray) was born in Toronto. The daughter of a United Church minister, she grew up in manses in Ladner, Revelstoke, and Penticton. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, Elizabeth attended the United Church of Canada Training School and was commissioned as a Deaconess in 1946. She served as a teacher missionary in Trinidad and Tobago until 1948, when she married the Rev. Alastair MacLeod. She returned to teaching in 1963, and became head of the Mathematics Department at Vancouver Community College. She was deeply devoted to the church. A memorial service was held on April 27, 2013 at Canadian Memorial United Church (Vancouver). Rev. Jean Petrona Angus February 22, 1923 – April 23, 2013 Jean Angus was born and raised in Summerland, BC. She attended Victoria Normal School and taught for a few years before enrolling in the United Church Training School for deaconesses, in Toronto. After graduating in 1952, Jean took a position with the Religious Education Council in Alberta, then as Girls’ Work Secretary for Alberta Conference. In 1957, she pursued graduate studies in Christian Education at Columbia University in New York. She then served congregations at Montreal West United Church and West Point Grey, Vancouver (1962-1965). She taught Bible and Religious Education at Mount Royal Junior College in Calgary (1967-1970), and then worked in Wellington, New Zealand as Associate Director of the Education Division of the Methodist Church (1970-1976). On returning to Canada, she was ordained by BC Conference (1977) and served Pemberton, Knox (Vancouver), and Oshawa, Ontario. Jean retired in 1988. A celebration of her life was held at Knox United Church in Vancouver on May 4, 2013. 2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 32

MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

Rev. Frederick Kropp August 4, 1932 – April 23, 2013 Ted Kropp was born in Leduc, Alberta. He attended Union College and was ordained by BC Conference in 1966. Ted served as the first Protestant Chaplain at the Matsqui Prison, and later transferred to the Mission Institution, from which he retired in 1990. Ted died at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, and their children, Douglas, Randy, and Shari.

Rev. Clayton H.T. Moorhouse April 3, 1929 – June 25, 2013 Clayton Moorhouse began his career as a social worker. He managed the Social Services office in Prince George before entering theological studies at St. Andrew’s College (Saskatoon). He was ordained in 1984 and settled at Zion United Church in Ashcroft. There he served for ten years. He retired formally in 1994, but continued to serve various pastoral charges in Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery as retired supply. Clayton and his wife, Hilda, moved to Prince George in 2009. A celebration of his life was held on August 4, 2013 at Knox United Church in Prince George.

Rev. John Thomas Horricks January 18, 1921 – December 19, 2013 Jack Horricks was born in Red Willow, Alberta. He received his formal education at the University of Toronto (BA) and Emmanuel College (BD), then completed a Master of Sacred Theology at Yale University. Jack was ordained by Alberta Conference in 1946. He served pastoral charges in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, including Castlegar (1946-1951); Knox, Brandon (1951-1958); Carmichael, Regina (1958-1967); Kamloops (1967-1980); and Chilliwack (1980-1986). Jack was deeply committed to community and social justice. A memorial service was held on January 11, 2014 at Chilliwack United Church.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 33

MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

Rev. John Alexander McLachlan September 28, 1928 – December 25, 2013 Jack McLachlan was born in Carman, Manitoba. After graduating from high school, he opened his own business as an electrical contractor in Treherne. He attended United College in Winnipeg, and was ordained by Manitoba Conference in 1959. He served four charges: Steinbach, Carman, Dauphin, and Atlantic-Garden City (Winnipeg), before retiring in 1994. Jack initiated the Inter-Church Task Force on Northern Flooding in 1978, which represented Northern Manitoba communities, in negotiations with Manitoba Hydro, for promised compensation for loss of lands and livelihood caused by Hydro's dam building. Jack moved to White Rock in 2001, where he began "The Social Justice Film Festival." For his social justice work, the City of White Rock presented him with the "Outstanding Canadian on the Peninsula" award in 2013. He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Margaret, and his children, Bruce, Mary, and Brian. A celebration of Jack’s life took place on January 11, 2014 at First United Church in White Rock.

Rev. Dr. James Harris Bragan February 5, 1932 – January 2, 2014 Jim Bragan was born in the Cayman Islands and raised in the southern United States. Ordained in the United Methodist Church, he served in a shared ministry in Nebraska before coming to Canada in 1971. In Calgary, he augmented his counselling psychology background with pastoral counselling studies, and was admitted to The United Church of Canada in 1974. He served Knox (Calgary) and Highlands (North Vancouver), before shifting into work as Probation Officer and Family Court Counsellor in Haida Gwaii (1980-1995). Feeling a call back to pastoral ministry, Jim chose to specialize in ministry in transition. He served many charges in Canada, including several in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and the north coast of BC (Bella Bella, Klemtu, Lax Kw’alaams, and Skidegate). Jim died at Halifax. He is survived by his wife Vicki, and his children Matthew, Heather, and Leanne Bragan.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 34

MEMORIALS MAY 2012—APRIL 2014

Rev. Elizabeth Pearl Evans October 9, 1929 – January 8, 2014 Betty Evans was born in Watrous, Saskatchewan. Ordained in the United Church in 1979, she spent many years serving congregations in BC. She provided ministry at Newton, North Surrey, St. Paul’s- Trinity (Nelson), St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s (Gold River), and Agassiz-Rosedale. Betty died at Chilli- wack, BC. She is survived by her children Jon, Barbara, and Toni. A celebration of her life took place February 1, 2014 at Agassiz United Church.

Rev. Ernest Graham Dickie February 10, 1939 – February 22, 2014 Graham Dickie was ordained by BC Conference in 1971. He served pastoral charges at Milk River (Alberta); Medicine Hat; Coaldale-Raymond (Alberta); and Shiloh (New Westminster). He is survived by his wife, Janice, and children Brock, Andrea, and Joel. A memorial service was held at Como Lake United Church in Coquitlam on March 8, 2014.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 35

BC CONFERENCE ENDS POLICIES MISSION

Mission The mission of the BC Conference Executive is:

 healthy congregations and ministries;  effective leadership;  faithful public witness.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 36

BC CONFERENCE ENDS POLICIES ENDS

Ministries of BC Conference are effective in fulfilling their call and mission at a cost not to exceed the resources available to the Conference.

A. Presbyteries

Presbyteries can articulate their mission priorities and effectively fulfill their responsibilities in relation to the Manual and ministry personnel.

1. Presbyteries fulfill their Manual responsibilities at a satisfactory level; 2. Presbyteries fulfill their responsibilities toward ministry personnel at a superior level; 3. Presbyteries have a basic capacity for discernment and development of mission; 4. Presbyteries are able to provide oversight to congregations within their bounds and contribute significantly to congregational development.

B. Non-Congregational Ministries

Non-congregational ministries under the oversight of the Conference are supervised and supported at levels appropriate to each.

1. Societies incorporated in the United Church: A. follow the policies and practices associated with the Manual B.8; B. are able to access the governing structures of the church in an efficient and timely manner. 2. All non-incorporated but recognized ministries have access to the Conference office for advice and guidance; 3. Specifically designated strategic ministries shall receive the level of support determined from time to time by the Conference Executive.

C. Church Leadership

The Conference has leaders, both ministry personnel and lay, who are supported, connected, and equipped to effectively meet the demands of a changing church and world.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 37

BC CONFERENCE ENDS POLICIES ENDS CONT’D

1. Ministry personnel are: A. Supported i. Persons are recruited for ministry. Ii. Ministry Personnel are settled, called and appointed. Iii. Ministry Personnel have quick and professional consultation in matters related to their ministry; Iv. Ministry Personnel have professional assistance and advocacy, when needed, in matters related to their ministry. B. Connected i. Ministry Personnel are in networks that connect them to colleagues and the wider church. Ii. Ministry Personnel gather for colleagueship and cooperation with others in the Conference. C. Equipped i. Ministry Personnel have the training that provides knowledge and skills for ministry (in a changing world). Ii. Ministry Personnel have the personal spiritual depth that provides a foundation for ministry in a changing world.

2. Lay leaders are: a. Supported i. Persons are identified and encouraged to provide leadership in areas of church life related to their spiritual gifts and skills. Ii. Lay leaders have quick access to appropriate Conference staff for consultation and advice on matters related to their work. b. Connected i. Lay leaders have access to networks that connect them with others that share similar work, interests and gifts in church leadership. c. Equipped i. Lay leaders have the training that provides the knowledge and skills that allow them to carry out their work effectively. 1. Lay worship leaders will have training that provides a basic understanding of areas of church leadership, worship leadership, preaching, sacraments, and pastoral care.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 38

BC CONFERENCE ENDS POLICIES ENDS CONT’D

D. United Church Participants

Participants are informed about matters that allow them to participate fully in the life of the church in the world.

1. Participants have access to resources, advice and support at a basic level on matters pertaining to the life and work of the church within the Conference. Referral to age-appropriate resources on church worship, witness, and ministry is available (ie, the Conference will provide referral services; it knows where to find things) Interpretation and advice on the Manual is available. Advice on church governance is available. Professional archival materials and access are available. Appropriate archival materials are proactively obtained from the church and its communities archival materials are professionally catalogued and stored archival materials are made available to all legitimate research requests in a timely manner limited archival research is available. 2. Participants have access to resources, advice, support, and networking at a basic level on matters pertaining to the life and work of the church within the world. priority attention will be on issues that have been identified as such by the Conference Executive and/or the General Council. 3. Leaders are informed about and prepared for the current trends and changes in the church and world.

E. Cost

The cost of achieving these Ends is not to exceed to resources available to the Conference.

1. The cost to Presbyteries will be based upon 3 (+/- .1) % of Line 40 of the Year Book; 2. Costs of special programs and training will be borne by participants at a rate comparable or lower than rates charged by similar organization.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 39

BC CONFERENCE ENDS POLICIES ENDS SUMMARY

Ministries of BC Conference are effective in fulfilling their call and mission at a cost not to exceed the resources available to the Conference.

A. Presbyteries

Presbyteries can articulate their mission and effectively fulfill their responsibilities in relation to the Manual and ministry personnel.

B. Non-Congregational Ministries

Non-congregational ministries under the oversight of the Conference are supervised and supported at levels appropriate to each.

C. Church Leadership

The Conference has leaders, both ministry personnel and lay, who are supported, connected, and equipped to effectively meet the demands of a changing church and world.

D. United Church Participants

Participants have access to resources, advice, support, and networking at a basic level on matters pertaining to the life and work of the church within the world.

E. Cost

The cost of achieving these Ends is not to exceed to resources available to the Conference.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 40

BC CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

President Jenny Carter 2012-2014 President-Elect Karen Medland 2012-2014 Executive Secretary Doug Goodwin 2003 Cariboo Presbytery Alyssa Anderson 2013 - 2016 Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery Phil Spencer 2011 - 2014 Fraser Presbytery Murray Gordon 2011 - 2014 Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery Ian Fraser 2010 - 2013 Kootenay Presbytery Cheryl Swedburg 2013 - 2016 Prince Rupert Presbytery Nancy O’Higgins 2011- 2017 Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery Linda Gunn 2008 - 2013 Vancouver-South Presbytery Jay Olson 2013 - 2016 Victoria Presbytery Michael Caveney 2013 - 2016 Westminster Presbytery Jacob Black-Lock 2013 - 2015 Finance Council Mark Paetkau 2008 Ministry Personnel Council Jeff Seaton 2013 Native Ministries Council Jim White / Ray Jones Ethnic Ministries Everest Kao 2013 General Council Executive (OM) Graham Brownmiller 2012 - 2018 General Council Executive (Lay) Alvin Dixon 2009 - 2015 Youth and Young Adults Jake Highfield 2012 - 2015 Youth and Young Adults Robyn Green 2011 - 2014

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 41

BC CONFERENCE 4383 Rumble Street, Burnaby, BC V5J 2A2 www.bc.united-church 604-431-0434 or 1-800-934-0434 (BC) STAFF Fax: 604-431-0439

Conference Office Staff Name Position Email Ext. Doug Goodwin Executive Secretary [email protected] 301 Treena Duncan Personnel Minister [email protected] 304 Nellie Tang Finance [email protected] 309 Doris Kizinna Youth & Young Adults [email protected] 303 Katie Purych Support: Exec. Sec. [email protected] 302 Brenda Wolff Support: Personnel [email protected] 308 Jennifer Eastwood Support: Finance [email protected] 311 Belinda Burke Support YAYA [email protected] 306 Samantha Knopp Receptionist [email protected] 300 Conference Ministers—Staff based Outside of the Office

Bill Laurie Comox/Nanaimo—Medical Leave [email protected] (250) 716-1325 Thomas Dennet Comox/Nanaimo Acting [email protected] Effective Leadership Project Manager (778) 840-9222

Ivy Thomas Kamloops-Okanagan [email protected] (250) 319-8355 George Meier Kootenay [email protected] (250) 358-7904 Patricia Vickers Native Ministry [email protected] (250) 319-1210 Victoria Andrews Northern Ministries Personnel [email protected] Effective July 1st, 2014 (250) 641-8686

Debbie Bentham Northern Ministries Mission [email protected] Effective July 1st, 2014 (250) 641-8686

Keith Howard Victoria [email protected] Leadership Development (778) 679-0939

Terry Harrison Property Resource Team [email protected] (250) 514-1064

Blair Galston Conference Archivist [email protected] (604) 822-9589

Contractors (Longer term) Irene Champagne Mobile Counsellor 1-800– 934-0434

David Nanton Chief Financial Officer (604) 431-0434 ext. 312

Jocelyn Wagner Communications Director (604) 431-0434 2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 42

BUSINESS COMMITTEE MOTIONS 2014

M/S (G. Brownmiller/D. Goodwin) that: 1. The Roll of the 83rd General Meeting of BC Conference shall consist of those members of BC Conference who register prior to 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2014. Those arriving after that time shall not be included on the Roll and shall not be entitled to payment of travel expenses. 2. The Quorum of the General Meeting shall be one-fifth of those entitled to vote, with at least two Presbyteries represented. 3. The Bar of the Court shall be the floor of the Mount Benson C/D Room, the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo, BC. 4. The Business Committee for this General Meeting shall be LeAnn Blackert, Graham Brownmiller (Chair), Allan Buckingham, Jenny Carter (President), Ken Fanning, Doug Goodwin, Taryn Hunter, Doris Kizinna, Katie Purych, Nellie Tang. 5. In order to facilitate the formulation of motions and discussion of matters raised by Proposals, the President may, at her discretion, suspend the ordinary limitations of parliamentary debate and engage in a different process. All decisions of the court shall follow the rules of debate and order as summarized in the Appendix of the Manual (2013). 6. At the discretion of the President, speakers can be limited to two minutes each during debate. 7. Subject to such changes as the Business Committee might make and announce, the agenda as printed shall be the working basis for the order of business. 8. Proposals directed to this General Meeting must be received by the Business Committee prior to 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2014. The Business Committee may recommend editing or clarification before the Proposal comes to the floor. Proposals dealing with matters not noted on the agenda shall be dealt with in the order that they are received. Like proposals may be grouped together at the discretion of the Business Committee. 9. All unfinished business at the close of the meeting shall be referred to the Conference Executive. 10. Voting shall be carried out by delegates raising designated voting cards, save those instances where voting by ballot is required or moved and duly passed, in which case written ballots shall be used. 11. All motions having budget implications for BC Conference of over $500 shall not be put to an immediate vote but after initial discussion be referred to a committee consisting of all members present of the Finance Council for a statement of financial implications. The motion will be returned to the floor at the earliest opportunity.

12. Election of President-Elect A. This meeting of Conference shall elect, from amongst those nominated for this position, a President-Elect to serve as Conference President at the rise of the Conference meeting in May 2015 until a successor is elected at a subsequent meeting of the Conference. B. All nominations for the position of President-Elect shall be submitted to the Business Committee by 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2014, accompanied by: i. the signature of five delegates; Ii. the written agreement of the nominee; Iii. a single page introduction or resume of the nominee.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 43

BUSINESS COMMITTEE MOTIONS (CONT’D) 2014

C. The election for President-Elect shall take place by a series ballot system until there is a clear majority obtained by the person with the greatest number of votes. 13. In accordance with the Manual D.4.4 action by the Conference regarding candidates to be ordained, commissioned, admitted, readmitted or recognized for ministry or persons to be placed on the Discontinued Service List shall be decided by vote by ballot. 14. Corresponding Privileges be granted to Alan Hall, representative of the General Council office, and Lauren Hodgson, member of the Comprehensive Review Task Group. 15. Requests to withdraw from the meeting shall be submitted to, considered, and granted by the Business Committee. Delegates leaving before noon on Saturday, May 24, 2014 without the con- sent of the Business Committee shall not be entitled to have travel expenses paid. 16. Payment of delegate expenses shall be made as specified in the travel claim form. Claims shall be submitted to the Transportation Clerk at the time of registration but no later than 7:00 p.m. Fri- day, May 23, 2014. Late claims submitted after June 30, 2014 shall not be paid.

MINUTES

M/S (G. Brownmiller/D. Goodwin) that the minutes of the 82nd General Meeting of BC Conference held May 31-June 2, 2012 in Vancouver, BC, be adopted.

ELECTION OF CONFERENCE PRESIDENT

M/S (G. Brownmiller/D. Goodwin) that Karen Medland be elected as Conference President to take office upon her installation on Sunday, May 25, 2014 to serve until the installation of her successor.

ENABLING MOTION

M/S (G. Brownmiller/J. Black-Lock) that: 1. The Executive Secretary be authorized to edit reports and minutes for the Record of Proceedings of this meeting. 2. The Executive be authorized to transact all business of the Conference until the next meeting of Conference, except those matters prohibited by the Constitution and Bylaws of The United Church of Canada. 3. The 84th General Meeting of BC Conference take place in May 2015 at a location to be determined by the BC Conference Executive. 4. All remaining ballots be destroyed. 5. The meeting adjourn following the benediction at the Celebration of Ministry worship service.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 44

GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS PROCEDURES

1. Motion:  The mover states the motion.  A seconder is named.  The mover has the privilege of speaking at the beginning and end of discussion of his or her motion.

2. Discussion:  Start by identifying yourself (name, Presbytery).  All discussion should be directed to the President.  The correct manner in which to address the President is: “President …”  Each person may address the President only once on a motion, except the mover, who may speak both first and last.  All discussion should be clear and concise and deal only with the motion.  The time allowed each speaker may be limited by the President or the court.

3. Amendments:  An amendment is a recommendation to change a motion by: - removing words and replacing them with others, or - adding or deleting words.  An amendment cannot simply negate the motion.

4. Amendment To The Amendment:  A motion to change the amendment.

5. Voting:  Amendments must be voted upon before the original motion.  Voting is carried out by delegates raising designated voting cards, save those instances where voting by ballot is requested or required, in which case written ballots shall be used.  All those with voting privileges (delegates) are expected to indicate their vote in favour of or opposed to a motion. If unsure of how to vote, one should abstain. Abstentions are not recorded in the minutes unless requested for conflict of interest reasons.  Those who voted in opposition to a motion may request that their names be recorded in the minutes.  If there is a close vote, scrutineers will count.  If there is a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote.

6. Point Of Order:  A point of order can be made by anyone at any time if the rules of the court have been or appear to have been broken.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 45

GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS PROCEDURES

7. Point Of Privilege:  A person may rise at any time during business proceedings to state a personal concern or a concern relating to the whole community but only if that concern jeopardizes the good functioning of the court.

8. Business Committee:  To sort and clarify issues when things get bogged down in procedure wrangles or wording problems.  To deal with changes to agenda during the General Meeting.

9. Proposals  See the explanation on Proposals on the next page.

10. Other:  Other Rules of Order are contained in the Appendix in the Manual. In general the conduct of business is at the discretion of the President. The President may seek the advice of the Executive Secretary or Business Committee.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 46

PROPOSALS AN EXPLANATION

Proposals to BC Conference We recognize that individuals and other courts of the church wish to have time on the floor of the BC Conference General Meeting for a number of reasons. Sometimes it is to provide information about an issue of importance; sometimes it is to hear from others about what they are thinking or experiencing as the church; sometimes it is to ask the whole Conference to take an action. In the past the only option for having a concern talked about was to call for a specific action – a motion -- resulting in a debate. That often engaged the court in argument, sometimes about minor procedural matters. It meant taking sides and positions when, really, the major intention was simply to help inform or educate the court about something important, or to have an open conversation about important matters. We can imagine different kinds of conversations happening during the business of this Conference meeting. In 2014 we are once again using three different kinds of proposals. Each type of proposal will receive time for discussion on the floor, time permitting. 1. Educational: If the major intention is to inform the court about something important, this kind of proposal will allow time to present the issue and the significant information needed to be heard. There will be time for questions and comments but we will not engage in debate or a vote since there is no necessity to make a decision. 2. For Conversation: If the major intention is to hear what others have to say about an issue there will be time on the floor to pose a question or concern. The microphones will then be opened for conversation without the need for a motion to be made. 3. For Decision: If the desire is for a decision to be made or action taken on behalf of the Conference then this kind of proposal begins that process. A clear outcome is named as part of the Proposal. Open conversation and debate and, finally, a vote follow. As you consider your Proposal, please consider what kind of conversation or outcome you wish to have at the General Meeting and frame your Proposal accordingly. Please use the template attached to this document to help. If you are making a Proposal that calls for an action, consider the financial and other costs of implementing that Proposal and include those in your proposal. A Reference in Council group will be available at the General Meeting to help you ensure your Proposal is clear and unambiguous enough to achieve the good conversations the meeting wants to have. We shall follow all of the usual rules for Proposals found in other documentation, especially The Manual F.1.3.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 47

NOMINATION PRESIDENT ELECT

The position of President is a key position in our Conference. This year the President is elected from among members of Conference for a term of May 2015 to May 2017. The President–Elect also serves on the Conference Executive from the time of election until the end of the Presidential term.

PRESIDENT’S ROLE

The President of Conference is elected by the General Meeting of Conference to act as Servant- Leader, to provide spiritual and pastoral leadership, to ensure the integrity of the Conference Executive’s process, and to represent the Conference to other partners and outside parties.

1. The duties of Conference President are described in The Manual D. 3.4.1

a. The President constitutes meetings of Conference; presides, preserves order, takes votes and announces decisions, and otherwise directs the business of the Conference.

b. The President serves as ex-officio member of all Conference Committees, presides at services of ordination or commissioning, presides at communion at the meetings of the Conference and its Executive, and performs other duties assigned by the Conference or the GC.

2. The President chairs Conference General Meeting and Conference Executive meetings, keeping deliberations fair, open and thorough but also orderly and timely.

a. The President plans and proposes Executive meeting agenda in consultation with the Executive Secretary, and General Meeting agenda with the Agenda and Planning Committee.

b. The President may bring in resource persons to facilitate various aspects of the agenda.

c. The President is responsible for planning and implementing regular Executive evaluation.

d. The President ensures that the Conference Executive acts consistently with its own values and policies and those requirements legitimately imposed upon it from outside the Conference.

3. The President makes decisions that fall within the topics covered by Conference Executive policies on Governance Process and Conference Executive-Staff Relationships, except where the Conference Executive specifically delegates portions of this authority to others, using any reasonable interpretation of the provisions in these policies.

a. Except when duly called upon to make a ruling under The Manual D. 3.4.1, the President does not make decisions about policies created by the Conference Executive within Ends and Executive Secretary Limitations policy areas.

b. The President does not supervise or direct the Executive Secretary or vice versa.

4. The President represents the Conference to partners and outside parties in announcing Conference Executive positions and in interpreting the work of BC Conference. The President may delegate this authority but remains accountable for its use.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 48

NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT NOMINATION SHEET

Print Full Name of Nominee:

Signature of Nominee:

Address:

Postal Code ______

Work phone # ______Home phone # ______Email Address

Please submit a short bio with this nomination sheet or by e-mail to [email protected]

Nominated by (signatures of five General Meeting delegates):

1. Name (print) Signature

Address

Phone

2. Name (print) Signature

Address

Phone

3. Name (print) Signature

Address

Phone

4. Name (print) Signature

Address

Phone

5. Name (print) Signature

Address

Phone

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 49

PRESBYTERY REPORTS CARIBOO

Submitted by: Rob Smith, Cariboo Presbytery Chair.

In May of 2013, Cariboo Presbytery hosted its first "Festival of Faith." We are hoping this will become an annual event. The purpose of this event was to draw our folks together for a weekend of renewal and revival. It was a combination of workshops, worship and warm connections. It was also combined with a youth event which drew over 20 participants which for us was a huge success. We are very blessed to have an awesome youth and young adult volunteer worker named Kim McNaughton. She is doing incredible work with the youth in our presbytery. She held another event in conjunction with our most recent Presbytery meeting in Quesnel and there were seventeen youth in attendance. Thank you Kim! The Festival of Faith drew resources from around our Presbytery, BC Conference and the General Council. One of our theme speakers was none other than the current President of BC Conference; our very own Jenny Carter. It was an excellent weekend. Plans are already in motion to host our second Festival of Faith this fall in Smithers. This will be a combined event with Prince Rupert Presbytery. We are again blessed to have Jenny Carter leading the team of organizers for that event. Thank you, Jenny! Speaking of Jenny, we are very proud of her service to our BC Conference as the President, but we look forward to having her back among us. We have missed her and glad that we could loan her for a season to the larger church. Good job, Jenny! Our conference minister, Paul Davis, after many years of faithful service to this United Church of ours, decided it was time to retire. Thank you, Paul, for all your love and hard work on our behalf over the years! We are a stronger presbytery today because of your commitment to us and your presence with us. BC Conference took that change as an opportunity to discern for us what the position of conference minister might look like in the future. As a result, starting in July we will have two new conference ministers both of which we will share with our neighbours in Prince Rupert Presbytery. One will work with communities of faith strengthening them in their mission and the other working with the ministry personnel and the congregations they serve. We look forward to these new folks joining us in our adventure of serving our church in the north. Finally, at our last meeting we struggled with the recent report written by the Comprehensive Review Task Group entitled; "Fishing From the Other Side of the Boat." The conversation stirred up some strong emotions. There was a considerable amount of anxiety in the room when we finished our discussion. We concluded however that we are very thankful for our presbytery and we want it to continue. It is a source of strength and connection for us. It is life giving and it does help us to continue our journey towards being vibrant communities of faith. I am personally blessed and honoured to serve with my colleagues (lay and clergy) in Cariboo Presbytery.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS COMOX-NANAIMO

Submitted by Marion Wood, Comox-Nanaimo Secretary

EXECUTIVE Rev Minnie Hornidge, Chair Ken Fanning, Past Chair Alan Whitmore, Treasurer Andy Gilman, Effective Leadership Chair Rev Phil Spencer, B.C. Conf. Executive Rep Rev Scott Agur, Faithful Public Witness Chair Marion J. Wood, Secretary Thomas Dennett, Interim Conference Minister Nancy Hetherington Peirce, Healthy Congregations Chair

MAJOR EVENTS Meetings: the Presbytery Executive met 12 times and the Full Court three, as follows: June 1, 2013 Theme: Projects & Ministries EXPO Websites & Social Media Children’s Ministry; Peace Poles Refugee Sponsorship The Story: One Year Bible Study Mission to Mexico Healing Pathways The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss Oct0ber 25-26, 2013 Theme: Planning Meaningful Future Presbytery Meeting February 22, 2014 Theme: Leadership (Speaker Rev Jenny Carter, BCC President)

ProVision Fund: A total of $46,672 was awarded from the newly-established ProVision Fund, providing support to these projects proposed during the first three submission periods. Pastoral Charges are starting to realize the possibilities that can open up as a result of these available funds.

Pastoral Charge/Entity Project $ St. Columba, Port Hardy Establish a Wellness Centre in Port Hardy 3,000 Campbell River UC Hot Breakfast program, Elementary School 13,300 St. George’s, Courtenay Worships: Writing Through Prayer, Grief 750 Cedar United Church Video: Canadian & Guatemalan Christian youth 5,850 Alberni Valley UC Training: “Get to know the You God Created 2,450 Texada United Church Leaders, facilities for Healing Pathways Minis- 4,000 try St. Columba Port Hardy Second year of funding for Wellness Centre 4,500 Effective Leadership Cluster 5-Week Mobile Summer Camp for Presbytery 12,822 Total, 8 Projects to date $46,672

Mission Support Grants Mission Support Grants for 2014 were given to: Port Hardy/Port Alice Shared Ministry ($4,000); Long Beach Shared Ministry (Tofino) $10,000; Port McNeil Shared Ministry ($4,000) and Cumberland Pastoral Charge ($4,000). 2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 51

PRESBYTERY REPORTS COMOX-NANAIMO (CONT’D)

Submitted by Marion Wood, Comox-Nanaimo Secretary

Property At Quadra Island, renovations funded by General Council were complete in 2013. After considerable work with the Property Resource Team of BC Conference, Brechin United Church (Nanaimo) received approval to consider redevelopment of their church property.

BC Conference General Meeting May 22 – 25, 2014, Nanaimo Comox-Nanaimo volunteers began the planning and logistics for hosting the BC Conference General Meeting.

UCC Comprehensive Review Task Force (CRTF) Throughout 2013, Presbytery members and especially Ministry Personnel participated in Webinars and sessions to give the CRTF input. A one-day Facilitated Conversation for the whole Presbytery to give feedback on the Task Force report “Fishing on the Other Side” was held on April 5, 2014.

HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS

Pastoral Relations: BC Conference is one of several Conferences across Canada testing a new model for Pastoral Relations work (approved by the 2012 General Council to be implemented by 2015). This Effective Leadership Project significantly alters Pastoral Relations processes.

Pastoral Charge Oversight visits were made to Gabriola United Church and Texada United Church in November, 2013 and Alberni Valley UC in February, 2014.

FAITHFUL PUBLIC WITNESS Truth & Reconciliation: In September, 2013 many from the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery travelled to Vancouver to participate in TRC Events including the Walk for Reconciliation on Sunday, September 22, 2013 when 70,000 marched. At the October Full Court Meeting, guest speakers shared experiences teaching in the Residential Schools and one person’s journey to understand.

Unsettled Goods: peaceful and respectful information sharing events were held to distribute information about Unsettled Goods, encouraging shoppers not to purchase SodaStream products.

Greening Sacred Spaces: Churches were encouraged to seek ways to minimize their environmental impact and perhaps undertake “Green Audits.”

Camping Ministry: From the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery, 30 campers attended programs at Camp Pringle down from 36 the prior year; two received sponsorships and three requested travel assistance.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS COMOX-NANAIMO (CONT’D)

Submitted by Marion Wood, Comox-Nanaimo Secretary

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

Candidacy Pathway: A new Discernment Process was introduced.

Students, Circles of Accompaniment: Comox-Nanaimo student Ha-Na Park will be Ordained on May 25, 2014 at the General Meeting of BC Conference. Circles of Accompaniment were established for students Elaine Julian (Campbell River United) and Mimi Smienk (Quadra Island). Student Ha-Na Park will be Ordained on May 25, 2014.

Mobile Vacation Bible School: Summer, 2014: The Cluster developed and received a ProVision grant to hire a team for a Mobile Summer Camp to operate for five weeks in summer, 2014.

Comox-Nanaimo Student Ha Na Park will be Ordained on May 25, 2014 during the Celebration of Ministry Service at the B.C. Conference General Meeting.

CELEBRATIONS

Convenanting Services

Brechin United Church, Nanaimo: September 8, 2013 with Reverend Sally Bullas.

Trinity United Church, Nanaimo: October 20, 2013 with Reverend Foster Freed

Centennials St. George’s United Church (Courtenay) and Gabriola United Church (Gabriola Island) both celebrated 100 years of church life in 2013.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS FRASER

Submitted by Iva Hancock, Fraser Presbytery Chair

It has been an exciting and eventful year in Fraser Presbytery. We are twenty-two Pastoral charges in the Fraser Valley from Crescent Beach to Hope with two congregations north of the Fraser River. We are served by twenty-five Ministry Personnel, four Retained on the Roll, three Designated Lay Ministers, four Candidates (including one Student Supply), twenty-seven Retired Clergy, three Youth Delegates and thirty-one active Lay Delegates, three Laity at Large and nine Lay Alternates.

Our year has included two Friday/Saturday, Full Court meetings, five Full Court evening meetings and thirteen Executive meetings covering twelve months of the year. Our two-day meeting in November included a presentation by Rev. Dr. Michael Nel on “Vibrant Congregations have Effective Leaders”. At the end of February we will have a two-day meeting that will include a workshop on “Re-Visiting Our Vision for Mission” with Amanda Fenton as facilitator.

We continue to seek improved Communication, both with our Presbyters and with our Pastoral charges. We are still in the process of re-designing our website and again this year we produced two Newsletters which were sent it to all Pastoral Charges to include in their bulletins.

Our ProVision funds are still available to Fraser Presbytery and we have now approved three applications that will continue to promote our Vision.

We diligently seek new ways to support our Youth and Young Adults. May Retreat continues to be an inspiring weekend for our Youth and congregations. Three Congregations have Youth Ministers and together they are endeavoring to support Youth in their Christian Growth throughout Fraser Presbytery.

During the past year we experienced the amalgamation of Fraser Valley Japanese United church with Northwood United church which is now known collectively as Northwood United Church effective April 1, 2013. The separation of Agassiz/Rosedale Pastoral 2-point Charge into two separate pastoral charges of Rosedale United Church and Agassiz United church occurred in the spring 2013.

There were no oversight visits conducted during the period of this report.

As with most congregations and Presbyteries we have fewer volunteer hours to give and we must use them wisely. We are blessed to have excellent leadership and support from active Teams.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS KAMLOOPS-OKANAGAN

Respectfully Submitted: Norma Fraser, Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery Chair

Our presbytery meets twice a year; in October and February. At each presbytery we try to take time to address our mission of supporting healthy, vital congregations. During our discussion time, we use circle groups which were introduced to us in 2011 by Ann Linnea and Christian Baldwin from Peer Spirit. Our Conference Minister, Rev. Ivy Thomas, has continued to lead us in this process during our discussion time at each presbytery meeting.

Our last two presbytery meetings have been an opportunity for members at presbytery to look at their own congregations and what may be the opportunities to examine the gifts that can be seen in their congregation. In October 2013, Rob Dalgleish, from Ministry Development with the National Church, led us through examining our own congregations with the topic, Helping Congregations Connect with their own Reality with Stories. He told stories of congregations in our country that are looking at doing church differently and encouraged us through discussion to examine how might do church differently in our congregations.

Rev. Jenny Carter visited our last presbytery meeting in February. Jenny’s theme was where we see abundant life in our churches and what needs to happen for life to be encouraged. It was a great discussion time as we took the opportunity to look at ourselves which we do not do enough in our own churches.

Norma Fraser was officially recognized as Chair of Presbytery at our February gathering.

Our presbytery has exciting times with redevelopment in three Pastoral Charges. Kamloops United has rebuilt their sanctuary and gathering hall as well as building low cost condos on their property. Mt. Paul in Kamloops is working on redeveloping their church property in working with Conference’s Property Team. St Paul’s United Church in Kelowna is redeveloping by dividing the property and building an Arts and Worship centre. These are exciting times for all of these pastoral charges.

We have been working on updating our Policy Handbook. Ian Fraser took us through a process on how we might work to make the workings of Presbytery and Executive more efficient. Also, we needed to make some changes to be in compliance with the Manual. Our Management Team has now become the Executive and the Leadership Circle has been charged with working towards visioning in how we can best support the churches and people of the presbytery. They are presently working on how we work with part ministries and a new model for the future.

Our presbytery has been very fortunate to have an active, vibrant Youth Council under the leadership of Joanne Koster. Joanne has been leading this group for the past six and half years. Her job description with her local church has changed so she has resigned from the position of Youth Worker. We will miss her leadership with the Youth Council.

As with most presbyteries, we have many volunteers which help to keep programs running. To those many people I say thank you. Also thank you to Rev. Ivy Thomas who is available and willing to work with many areas and people of this large presbytery.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS KOOTENAY

Respectfully Submitted: Jean Daniels, Chair and Carol Patton, Secretary

2012 – Conference President Jenny Carter attended our fall meeting and was guest speaker at our Sunday service – different approach to reporting from Pastoral Charges as each charge did oral presentation of “what’s happening with us” and proved to be beneficial in 2 aspects 1) each charge felt more “a part of” the presbytery 2) other pastoral charges benefitted by hearing firsthand what was happening in congregations, camps and teams.

2013 – In the spring, Brenda Watt from Alberta Conference presented most interesting and valuable workshop on Stewardship – Welcoming Well. Our congratulations were extended to Alice Watson as she was commissioned as Diaconal Minister! Our fall presbytery meeting welcomed Marianna Harris and Heather MacDonald to present a workshop on Justice!! One of our clergy, Keith Simmonds answered a call to serve a church in Duncan, leaving our Communities in Faith Pastoral Charge. CIF is now in Transition with Interim Minister, Rev. Michael Hare. A time of discernment and change, indeed! This year also saw the decommissioning of Turner Memorial United in New Denver – this was a celebration of a church and its ministry with much memory-sharing! Rev. David Boyd took a sabbatical which included a trip to Nepal and the Mt. Everest base camp. Our presbytery has purchased a projector and screen for use by all churches, specifically for our bi-annual presbytery meetings and anything needed in between. Elk Valley Pastoral Charge has moved forward (mutually agreed upon) in to 2 separate charges, now known as Knox United Pastoral Charge (Fernie) and Grasmere.

Our Justice and Peace team, headed by Rosemary Manarin, operates mainly through email notices of petitions and campaigns pertaining to ecological and justice issues. Every presbyter is on the email list and shares petitions and information with their pastoral charge along with messages from Conference and General Council. A Team description was worked out by our Support to Congregation Team and our Planning and Visioning Team for the Kootenay Presbytery Policy Manual. Roles and responsibilities of Teams were clarified to “be supportive and responsive to the needs of congregations and lay leaders within our presbytery.”

2014 – Chris Corrigan, an Open Space facilitator/consultant led our spring presbytery meeting (April) through conversations, exploring questions and stories brought by the presbyters themselves. It was well accepted with lively conversations of various topics – helped us feel that “we are one – we are not alone.” A true highlight was the visitation of our Moderator, Rev. Gary Paterson to our Presbytery this April, stopping in Nakusp, Castlegar, Creston and Cranbrook with people from each congregation of other pastoral charges in each particular area. He spoke to us of his passion and enthusiasm of the future of our church. Gary spoke at the worship service in Cranbrook Sunday morning “Behold, I do a New Thing.” What a privilege and blessing to have him spend time with us! This year we congratulate Rev. David Boyd on 25 years in ministry! We also say good-bye to Rev. Ann Pollock who is retiring this year – we wish her well in her ongoing journey! Our best wishes and some financial aid go to Robin Murray as she continues her education in to ministry. We have had a busy 2 years and are excited as we move forward together striving to explore and become the Presbytery we wish to be!

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS PRINCE RUPERT

Respectfully Submitted: FayEllen McFarlane, Chair

As I prepare to write the report of our activities since the conference last met, I have reread several reports I created in the past: reports that focus on the challenges we face and the blessings we experience here in Prince Rupert Presbytery. And I see that we face the same challenges as we did then: distance, costs associated with meeting and maintaining our congregations, and the difficulty in finding ministry personnel and keeping them in several of our pastoral charges. But we have been blessed in many ways. As we have met to discuss our pathway into the future, we were blessed by the attendance of Chris Corrigan and Doug Goodwin, who visited our meetings to provide wisdom and guidance. Personally, I was encouraged to hear that we were not alone as we struggled to find our future, because even as we were pursuing a new pathway for our presbytery, we were asked to provide wisdom to the General Council’s Comprehensive Review Process by studying and thinking about the “Fishing on the Other Side” document. We have been blessed to have new ministry personnel come into our presbytery: The Rev. Dr. Dona Lethbridge to serve in First Kitimat Pastoral Charge, and Cynthia Breadner to serve in the Bella Coola Pastoral Charges. We were happy when our Nancy O’Higgins was ordained last spring and we are so pleased that she has chosen to remain in Skidegate. This spring we will share in the joy of recognizing Derry Bott, as he has completed his DLM studies and will continue to serve in the First Prince Rupert Pastoral Charge. We have been so blessed to have First Nations persons who have been recognized by their people for their spiritual leadership step forward to provide ministry in the communities: Gilbert Jackson has served in Bella Bella for several years now, Gloria Stevens has been providing leadership in Kispiox for four to five years, and in Gitsugukla, Herb Russell and in Lax Kwa’laams, Lawrence Sankey are both becoming involved with ministry programs. We have also been blessed to have the wisdom and guidance of retired personnel, Donna Zeigler and Wally Hargrave as members of our presbytery. Finally, looking ahead, we will be blessed to have The Rev. Debbie Bentham serve us as Conference Minister. Recently, we have been meeting along the Highway 16 Corridor in an effort to better control our expenses: Prince Rupert, Terrace, Hazelton, and Kitimat have hosted meetings. As we step into our new presbytery model, we are planning to meet with Cariboo Presbytery this fall. I will close this report as I did the last one I wrote: “We have our challenges, but we have been blessed. Here in Prince Rupert Presbytery, close to the beauty of God’s Creation, we are very aware that ‘We live in God’s World…We are not alone. Thanks be to God!’”

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS VANCOUVER-BURRARD

Respectfully Submitted: Shelagh MacKinnon, Presbytery Chair

It has been a year of blessings and challenges for us here in Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery. In June 2013, our meeting was held at beautiful Camp Fircom. We saw the new dining hall, learned about the farm programme and the expanding programs at Fircom and Camp Fircom. At that meeting, a Commission was set to work with a motion from Trinity United Church regarding the possibility of buying a café in Vancouver over the summer months. The Commission was set to include members of Vancouver-South Presbytery as Trinity was worshipping at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre at that time. Over the summer months a great deal of work was done by the Trinity congregation and the folks who walked with them, and the Commission. The final outcome was approval of the purchase of the Rhizome Café on Broadway. It has since been re-named the Heartwood Community Café, and the Moderator spoke at their official openingWe did not meet in September in order to recognize the Truth and Reconciliation Forum and walk being held in Vancouver. Our October meeting was at Squamish, and we learned the progress of the development under way there. In is a collaborative project with a community social services provider. This is an exciting alternative for congregational re-development. In November, we met at Lynn Valley United Church in North Vancouver, also a congregation with a development plan in process. The Greenbelt participants shared their experience this summer. In November we welcomed Marc Coulombe, our first Conference minister. Marc has attended several Executive meetings and meetings of the full court. In January, we met at First United Church, Hasting at Gore Sts. Vancouver. We were happy to welcome President Jenny Carter to that meeting. Jenny made a presentation of Bread and read a Congregational letter from Williams Lake , St Andrew’s United Church to the Presbytery. We also had a tour of the Listening Centre, and worshipped in the Sanctuary. In February, at West Vancouver United Church, we began a three part study of the Fishing on the Other Side document. The TRC and beyond committee reported that it has a complement of volunteers and is continuing to be engaged in this work. Our March meeting was held at the Heartwood Community Café, with Trinity United Church hosting in their new café location. Bethan Theunissen and members of the congregation shared the history of their pilgrimage from Larch and Second St in Vancouver to the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood. We met some of the staff hired to manage the café and curate the art and meeting space. The April meeting concluded our work on the Fishing on the Other Side document. We were at Lakeview Multicultural church and were so pleased to see that the roof was holding. Last time we were there as a Presbytery, there were buckets everywhere, especially in the Sanctuary! At the BC Conference AGM, we will have a joint meeting with Vancouver South Presbytery. The chairs of the other lower mainland Presbyteries and myself have been meeting regularly this year to plan the Moderator’s visit in May. It has been a rich and valuable opportunity to connect with these other Presbyteries.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS VANCOUVER-BURRARD CONT’D

In June, we will return to Camp Fircom and see the Gazebo and witness the rebuilding process. There are changes in pastoral relationships as Rev John Kim is retiring, and the 2 year Intentional interim at St David’s West Vancouver is coming to a close. Jeri Bjoranson has served there. The Reverends Ross and Laura Lockhart have decided to move from West Vancouver United Church. The In-coming chair is Marianna Harris, and Blair Odney as Vice Chair. Carol Acton is continuing as Secretary and Cynthia Dumagpi as Treasurer. Simone Carrodas is covering Congregational Relations, and Kathryn Ransdell and Beth Hayward share P.R.We are grateful to Linda Gunn for her long service as the Chair of Education And Students. With the changes to E & S, Linda can reflect on many candidates being accompanied through the process. We see this now, as at this AGM Kathryn will be welcomed into the United Church and Ryan Slifka, Jacqueline Sampson, Caroline Penhale and Donna Dinsmore will be ordained/commissioned. We also express our thanks to Syd Lewis, who for many years has chaired the Long Range Planning Committee. This position has taken countless hours of volunteer time. Thanks to all who have served on Executive with me. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service as the Chair.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS VANCOUVER-SOUTH

Respectfully Submitted: Marleen Soutar, Vancouver-South Presbytery Chair

Greetings from the presbyters of Vancouver South Presbytery and may Peace be with all the folks attending the General Meeting of 2014.

One of the major preoccupations for Vancouver South in 2013 had to do with property issues - redevelopment, remodelling, amalgamating and selling property. Out of 20 pastoral charges 8 have been involved in one or more of those projects which ranged from possible amalgamations between 2 churches, which eventually was discontinued, to Brighouse United and Oakridge United being part of the Conference-wide project with the Property Resource Team. Ladner-St. Stephens Pastoral Charge has nearly finished an extensive remodelling and building project with a committed contractor and will begin worshipping in their new/old space soon. We give thanks for the leadership shown by all through these projects now and in the future.

In response to the on-going property work within the Presbytery we re-configured the Property committee whose work in the future will include accompanying those churches throughout the process.

We have also formed a committee to look at the governance of presbytery and will receive that report this year. With the many changes happening between the Courts of the church we felt it would be prudent to look at how we can be the church and support both lay and ministry people in better ways.

We covenanted with a number of folks who joined Vancouver South Presbytery and we rejoice in their talents and dedication. We also sadly said goodbye to others and we thank them.

The Spiritual Care Team suggested taking on the task of Worship before each Presbytery meeting which eventually evolved to include Communion each month. This has proved to be a wonderful time of renewal and support to all the presbyters.

Vancouver South supported and participated in the Reconciliation Canada event held in Vancouver. We joined in the special worship service with the moderator, Gary Paterson, at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church and many of us walked in the pouring rain to show our commitment to building right relationships with our aboriginal friends.

The Greenbelt Festival in England was well attended by members of our Court who joined the moderator at this Festival in August. From that experience came an exciting idea for the four lower mainland presbyteries. The chairs of the 4 presbyteries have been meeting regularly over the past year and when we were told that the Moderator would be visiting the lower mainland in May of 2014 we began planning a "tribute to Greenbelt" in conjunction with that visit. "Transforming Life" is an event being planned by the 4 presbyteries for May 10th and we look forward to engaging more than 200 people for the day.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS VANCOUVER-SOUTH (CONT’D)

Respectfully Submitted: Marleen Soutar, Vancouver-South Presbytery Chair

2013 also brought about changes in the areas of Pastoral Relations and Oversight as a Conference Minister, Marc Coulombe, was hired to serve the 4 lower mainland presbyteries. We thank all those folks who have worked so tirelessly and diligently on those two committees. Marc has become a welcome addition to both the Executive and Full Court of Vancouver South. With his hiring, also came the loss of the Congregational Renewals and Mission Development Fund which the 4 presbyteries had been sharing for the past few years. This has meant having to look at other, more creative ways of finding grant money. The committee looking at the governance of presbytery will be asked to look at this as well.

We support the excellent work of the Advocacy office located at Wilson Heights United and the 3 advocates who serve the community so well. Just keeping up with the many changes brought about by the government and advising folks of how to work within the system is a huge job in itself! We ask for God's blessing for their continued work.

We share the ministry of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry with Vancouver Burrard under the leadership of Eric Hamlyn and we are so thankful for the work he does.

Vancouver South Presbytery certainly knows "the times, they are a'change'n" and we ask for your prayers as we go forward with faith.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS VICTORIA

Respectfully Submitted: Bill Cantelon, Victoria Presbytery Chair and Alanna Menu, Victoria Presbytery Secretary

After having had to deal with several stressful pastoral situations during the past three years, Victoria Presbytery has been recentering its focus on our vision and mission. This initiative came as a result of three pastoral charges within our Presbytery disbanding ‒ Garden City, Lake Cowichan and Pilgrim. Their financial legacy to our Presbytery has resulted in a Victoria Presbytery ProVision Fund. Their gift is giving us the opportunity to think more broadly about congregational and ministry life.

In light of the state of flux within the United Church of Canada as General Council looks at governance within our church, we are examining new ways to be church and learning how to live with what is emerging. Our Presbytery is working with Thomas Dennett, interim Conference Minister and member of the Effective Leadership Project, as responsibility for oversight of ministry personnel is moved to BC Conference. Chris Corrigan and Caitlin Frost have been guiding our Vision process. We are still pondering what shape this will take as well as providing feedback to the National initiative from the Comprehensive Review Task Group 'Fishing On The Other Side'.

Two positive initiatives within Presbytery have been a Presbytery-wide worship service and the development of an energetic young adult choir, 'SingYourJoy'. For the past two summers, members of all the pastoral charges within Victoria Presbytery (Duncan to Victoria) have been invited to gather under a huge tent to worship as one community, to meet their neighbours in Christ, and to support Our Place (which provides lunch by donation). Participants have been energised by the experience of being part of something greater than their local congregation.

'SingYourJoy' provides a similar opportunity for young adults to form community and build friendships. It has grown from 20 members in its first year to almost 60 members now. They sing to enthusiastic audiences not only in concert venues but also at Our Place ‒ giving back to the community. Despite the uncertainty that not only the United Church of Canada faces but that we also face within our Presbytery, positive sparks still shine and give our Presbytery hope.

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PRESBYTERY REPORTS WESTMINSTER

Respectfully Submitted: Shannon Tennant, Westminster Presbytery Secretary

When I began to write this report I thought nothing had happened over the past two years, but when I reviewed the minutes I realized that nothing could be further from the truth.

Over the past two (2) years, Westminster Presbytery has welcomed at least six (6) new Ministry Personnel, one of whom will be ordained this year and has accepted a call to Ioco United Church and so will be staying for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, we have said good-by to seven (7) of our Ministry Personnel, either because they have moved or retired, with a few more about to move on. This has proven extremely challenging for the Executive as the Chairs keep moving out of town or retiring.

We have also celebrated with joy the ordinations of Leenane Shiels and Dona Lethbridge. Leenane has chosen to stay in Westminster Presbytery while Dona accepted a call to serve in the community of Kitimat.

To serve the needs of current and future students, Westminster Presbytery has moved swiftly and efficiently into the new Candidacy and Admissions Process. We have four (4) candidates moving through their educational programmes with more expected to start any minute now.

Not even the congregations have been able to stay the same. Hammond United Church and St Andrew's Haney United Church decided to join forces and chose the new name of Golden Ears United Church for the community of faith that serves the Maple Ridge area. Other churches, most notably some of the Burnaby congregations, continue to imagine the possibilities of doing ministry together in a variety of different ways.

Westminster Presbytery has finished setting up the Terms of Reference for its ProVision Fund and has directed some of those funds towards such things as consultants, ministries with children and youth, Camp Spirit and educational resources. In addition, we decided to call an existing fund the Westminster Possibility Fund, directing it towards ministries that would benefit Westminster Presbytery as a whole.

One of our successful all-Presbytery ministries has continued to be the Youth Ministry with the leadership of Mary Nichol. This provides the youth opportunities to meet people from other congregations in the Presbytery, the Lower Mainland and the country through evening gatherings, retreats and national events. It also serves the pastoral charges in the Presbytery through its Wandering Worship ministry.

With all the changes that are afoot, the next year will no doubt be as interesting as the past two (2) have been.

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MINISTRY PERSONNEL COUNCIL/CONFERENCE PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR

Respectfully Submitted: Jeff Seaton, Chair

Greetings from the Ministry & Personnel Council/Conference Pastoral Relations Committee!

As our two-part name suggests, we have been in the process of transition: from being the Ministry & Personnel Council, a representative body that brought together members of the various committees working in the area of Pastoral Relations in BC Conference; to becoming the Conference Pastoral Relations Committee, a new formation that will continue to oversee the work of Pastoral Relations on your behalf.

Included in the pages of this document, you will find reports from the various committees that comprised the Ministry & Personnel Council: Settlement, Candidacy & Admissions (CAB), Interim Ministry, Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response, Pensions, and the Spiritual Care Network. The Council met twice yearly to review the work undertaken by the committees, to ‘think together’ about the big picture issues impacting the work of Pastoral Relations, and to offer one another collegial support. To all those who served on the Council, I wish to express my gratitude for the care and commitment you each bring to your work.

Although representatives of these committees will no longer gather as the Ministry & Personnel Council, the important work of each of the committees continues on. I know that our Conference is well served by the women and men who undertake this work on our behalf, and I invite to offer your support and prayers for their work.

Now, to the transition: as part of the Effective Leadership Project, our Conference is piloting a comprehensive overhaul of the work of Pastoral Relations. A new Conference Pastoral Relations Committee has been created. This new committee will bring together a team of people from throughout the Conference, who will have responsibility for policy, evaluation, and overall support of the work of Pastoral Relations. The committee will be staffed by Treena Duncan, Conference Personnel Minister, and will include the following members: Deb Bowman, Jenny Carter, Michael Caveney, Marion Hollingshead, Kathryn Ransdell, Jeff Seaton (Chair), Shannon Tennant, and Donna Ziegler. Please pray for our new group as we begin our work on your behalf.

The work of Pastoral Relations has always been close to my heart, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our Conference in this capacity. I give thanks for the privilege of working alongside such gifted and committed disciples.

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MINISTRY PERSONNEL INTERIM MINISTRY COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: Ruth Wright, Chair

The focus of the work of this committee is on Intentional Interim Ministry in BC Conference. The Committee is responsible for recommendations to the BC Conference Executive relative to the new designation and re-designation of ministers seeking intentional interim ministry. The criteria for assessing readiness are based in the General Council polity.

10 congregations in BC Conference were involved in interim ministry in 2013.

Throughout the year the IMC conducts a number of interviews. Exit interviews focus on the main goals for the interim period’s drawing to a close: changes made in goals throughout the interim period; how well the congregation achieved it’s goals; discoveries; roadblocks to change; goals and objectives for the future; and information that allows Presbytery to be aware of actions if it needs to take in the next phase of its ministry.

Re-designation interviews are focused typically on the Interim Minister’s history in ministry; why s/he wants to be an interim minister at this time; experiencing change; their conflict management; their preferred style of leadership; their knowledge and use of organizational theory; and the training they have related to Interim Ministry.

Members of the IMC include Ruth Wright (Chair), Treena Duncan (Personnel Minister), Brenda Wolff (Secretary), Randy Antle, Mary Duncan, Peggy Jensen, Corneila King, Val Nielson, Ross White and Mollie Williams, who have a deep interest in change, particularly in how it has an impact on congregations in supporting the ministries in Conference. Passion brings forward skills.

Each year, BC Conference provides Interim Minister’s an opportunity for training that results in an approach in which growth is a gift highly valued. The usual approach of learning together involves a full day set aside to learn skills and to hare what is happening in the ministries represented in the group. This year the event included the Alban Institute Workshop, led by Susan Beaumont on ‘Leading Adaptive Change’. The Conference also supports an Advanced Interim Ministry Seminar for people actively serving in an Interim Ministry.

Beth Weick has retired from the IMC this year, following years of dedicated leadership; we wish to extend our thanks for her numerous and lasting contributions. We will miss her because she has a lot of knowledge and her passion brought with her leadership and skill. “Paint on, paint!”

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MINISTRY PERSONNEL PENSION & BENEFITS

Respectfully Submitted: Brenda Faust, Chair

I would like to thank the ongoing work of our faithful Convenors: Gordon Cann (Victoria), Cameron Read (Comox-Nanaimo), Janet Whiteley (Prince-Rupert), Neill McRae (Vanc-South), Shelagh MacKinnon (Vanc-Burrard), Doug Alexander (Fraser), Bruce Cowburn (Westminster), Eleanor Johnson (Cariboo), Bob Thompson (Kam-Ok)

These dedicate men and women offer local contact and visitation for our more than 625 pensioners and members on LTD. This year saw presbyteries and convenors working caringly together to support those struggling with health and financial issues.

We all take our hats off to Brenda Wolff our Conference staff liaison. Brenda faithfully reminds us of meetings, takes minutes, produces our annual Christmas Newsletter, mails the annual Christmas gift, and answers all our questions. This year she also researched and wrote a retirement handbook for pending retirees. Behind the scenes are Treena Duncan and Nellie Tang overseeing, offering guidance, and keeping us within budget. Nationally, Ministry & Employment sends us an annual list of pensioners and members on LTD for our Visitation Program.

BC Conference Pension and Benefit Committee is blessed with grants from the Alma Van Dusen, and Dien East-Pieters-Horstman funds. This allows us, among other things, to provide an annual Christmas gift, compassionate grants, our annual newsletter, retiree luncheons, a Retired Ministry contact list in the Conference Directory, and until recently fund pre-retirement workshops.

The increasing number of retirees will influence future stewardship of our budget. With foreseeable rise in compassionate grant requests, we are establishing more concrete guidelines for providing compassionate grants while at the same being more flexible in grant amounts. More resources will be required for visitation and connecting. We also relooked at funding pre-retirement workshops which were outside of our mandate.

Each year we receive many, many letters and e-mails of thanks for the Christmas gift, visitations and compassionate grants. The stories people share are inspiring. It is truly a gift to be part of this valuable ministry.

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MINISTRY PERSONNEL SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: Graham Brownmiller, Chair

Over the past few years, the Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Committee of BC Conference (SAPR) has been working to ensure the provision of the mandatory Boundaries Workshops throughout the Conference. From the planning to the implementation of this workshop, SAPR has done a lot of work to ensure that folks within our Conference have had the opportunity to think about the important question of Healthy Boundaries.

In June 2013, those who have been trained as Consultants to the Policy before, and those who were identified by their Presbyteries as possible Consultants gathered at Loon Lake for 3-days of training on the Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Policy of the National Church. We are always looking for new consultants – folks who are willing to walk through the policy and process with someone if and when a complaint has been made under the policy.

Treena Duncan and Graham Brownmiller attended a training session with Marie Fortune, who is the foremost voice in Sexual Abuse Prevention and Healthy Boundaries and founder of the FaithTrust Institute based in Seattle. The learning garnered in that time has helped us create an even better training for ourselves and others in BC Conference.

We said thanks and goodbye to Brian Burke who, coming close to a promotion to congregational member, finished his time as chair of the committee. Blessings and Godspeed, Brian!

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 67

MINISTRY PERSONNEL SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: Shannon Tennant, Chair

With the changes implemented through the Effective Leadership Project, this may be the last year for a Settlement Report. Under the new process, the work of approving calls, appointments, transfers and requests to be retained on the roll will be done by a Pastoral Relations Working Group, which will receive the forms directly from Pastoral Charges. Martha Ashbaugh and Mary Nichol have agreed to be part of this group, with the support of Brenda Wolff in the position of Secretary. This will give us a greater pool of wisdom to draw on.

The most high profile part of the work of the Settlement Committee is the Transfer and Settlement meeting, which was conducted through conference call this year. Once again, most of the Ordinands and Commissionands in B.C. Conference decided to go through a Call rather than Settlement process. However, one adventurous soul offered to serve the Church wherever her gifts and skills were seemed to be most needed. There were four candidates who were part of this process: two from Maritime Conference, one from Manitoba North Western Ontario and one, Jacqueline Samson, from B.C. This year there were five full time positions and two part time positions in Pastoral Charges in Newfoundland, Montreal and Ottawa, Manitou, Manitoba North Western Ontario and Saskatchewan Conferences.

Because of the low number of students who are regularly choosing to go through Settlement as well as the low number of Pastoral Charges that enter the process, the National Transfer Committee spent some time discussing the integrity of the system in which the main thrust seems to be figuring out who is willing to go where rather than whose gifts best suit the needs of which Pastoral Charge. This year, the process benefited from the openness of all the candidates to listen for the Holy Spirit.

As we move forward into the new process and the changes that will transform how we do things again and again, we will continue to adapt and reconfigure our own systems to respond to the needs of the ministry and personnel and the congregations.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 68

MINISTRY PERSONNEL SPIRITUAL CARE NETWORK

Submitted: Karen Millard, Chair

The Spiritual Care Network is an initiative of British Columbia Conference to nurture the spiritual welfare of those in paid accountable ministry. This Network attempts to assist in meeting the spiritual care needs of ministry personnel in B.C. Conference.

Each year the SCN offers an event to which each presbytery is invited to send two representatives who are passionate about this area of ministry and open to contributing some time in their own region. This year our even was held at Loon Lake Research and Education Centre in Maple Ridge, B.C. from April 8-11th. Our week was filled with times of meditation, spiritual practice, good food fellowship and fun. We were also blessed by the leadership of Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea of ‘PeerSpirit.’ They led us well through the process of circle practice. Many found this retreat to be a time of refreshment and renewal. At each ‘retreat’ presbytery representatives are sent home with tools to assist in leading spiritual practice times within their own presbytery. We would encourage presbyteries to allow the time and opportunity for prayer, worship, and meditation led by the Spiritual Care Network representatives.

In support of the work of the spiritual care network the coordinating committee has continued to work on: The yearly event to assist in training members of our presbytery for work in this area Resources to take into presbytery for spiritual practices. There is also a Handbook of Spiritual Care available through the conference office.

In this next year we will begin to look at more effective ways assist ministry personnel in regular Spiritual Care and practice.

Our 2013 Spiritual Care Network coordinating committee consisted of:

Karen Millard (chair), Bill Laurie, Dan Chambers, Lorrie Megley‐Best, Sally McShane, Treena Duncan, Brenda Wolff. Thank you to Sally McShane who took over the chair while I was on maternity leave.

If you would like to know how to get more involved in the Network, or if you or someone you know could benefit from having a member of the Spiritual Care Network contact you for support please contact. Rev. Karen Millard Squamish United Church 604-892-5727; [email protected] or Treena Duncan B.C. Conference 604-431-0434; [email protected]

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 69

MINISTRY STUDENTS CANDIDACY PATHWAYS PILOT

Respectfully Submitted: Brenda Fawkes, Chair

The Candidacy Pathway Pilot in BC Conference is in year three of the implementation process. Throughout the past year the focus of the implementation committee (Candidacy Pathway Committee) has been on improving communication on the pathway process; making the pathway accessible and on education with presbyteries on the role of accompaniment. Throughout the fall the CPC worked with the Candidacy and Admission Board (CAB) to increase members of the Board; educate on interview processes; and receive feedback on the work of implementation and the impact for volunteers and candidates.

In September, with regret we accepted the resignation of Hugh Creighton from chairing the Candidacy Board and Leslie Stirling as secretary. We would like to express our gratitude to them for their commitment to the CPC. In the early stages of the Candidacy Pilot both Hugh and Leslie worked as executive of CAB being called on to fill in the gaps before the new pathway was fully operational. We appreciate their flexibility and strength during the transition. In October we welcomed Scott Swanson as the new Chair of CAB and Brenda Wolf agreed to function as secretary and data compiler for the CAB and CPC. With three interview periods throughout the year and a significant increase in candidates the demands of these jobs are significant.

In May of 2013 Conference committed to a ¼ time staff support position to the Candidacy Pilot Pathway and I was hired as a manager for the pathway implementation. This staffing has been necessary to support, evaluate and be attentive to the process.

In January 2014 Treena Duncan and Brenda Fawkes lead a day long training event for Presbytery Education and Student Committee chairs to train and share information on the role of Presbyteries in the pathway, which is in the role of accompaniment. Presbyteries no longer hold a reporting role for candidates but are crucial in the support and accompaniment of students throughout their time as discerners and candidates.

Over the past three years of the candidacy process the CPC have held five discernment weekends for people discerning a call to ministry. Over 65 people have attended one of these weekends in our conference, many of them continuing on with formation and preparation for ministry. There are currently over 50 people at various stages in the candidacy process in BC Conference. This includes pre candidates, candidates, admissionands, those in the process of supervised ministry and ordinands/commissionands. There have been 14 Supervised Ministry Education (internships) placements over the past 2.5 years for ordination candidates The diaconal students have done their supervised ministry through their preparation at the Centre for Christian Studies.

As we approach the end of year three of the Pilot the conference is completing an evaluation for the General Council Task Group on the Candidacy Pilot and for our own analysis. The majority of feedback and evaluation has been positive and we anticipate the permanent Candidacy Pathway to be very similar to the one we are implementing. The CPC would like to thank Treena Duncan for her ongoing support, leadership and wisdom throughout the process.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 70

MINISTRY STUDENTS CANDIDACY AND ADMISSIONS BOARD

Respectfully submitted: Scott Swanson, Chair

As part of the Candidacy Pathways Project implemented on January 1, 2012, the Candidacy and Admissions Board (CAB) replaced the Conference Interview Board, the Conference Education and Students Committee, and the Conference Internship and Educational Supervision Committee as the sole interviewing and decision making body for everyone contemplating a recognized form of ministry within the church. This report covers the work of the CAB from October 2012 until January 2014.

During this period, the Board conducted 51 interviews – in some cases multiple interviews for different purposes with the same person – which have resulted in the following decisions:

Promise/Suitability for ministry 3 Promise/suitability/candidacy - Ordained ministry stream 15 Promise/suitability/candidacy - Diaconal ministry stream 3 Candidacy – Diaconal ministry stream 1 Candidacy for Admission to the UCC 3 Annual Confirmation of Candidacy Reviews 2 Readiness for Supervised Ministry Experience 9 Readiness for Ordination 9 Readiness for Commissioning 4 Readiness for Admission to the UCC 2

In addition to conducting interviews, the Board also receives annual reports from the Vancouver School of Theology and is developing a plan for closer communication with the Centre for Christian Studies. The Board also engages in ongoing training around issues related to our work. In the past two years this training has included: general interviewing skills; updates on the emerging Candidacy Pathways pilot; gender diversity awareness and implications of gender diversity on the interviewing and candidacy process.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 71

WORK OF CONFERENCE MOBILE COUNSELLOR

Respectfully Submitted: Irene Champagne, Mobile Counsellor

The Mobile Counsellor Program has been in place for 3.5 years. Services have been provided in the Central Coast Region of British Columbia. The communities served include: Bella Bella, Klemtu, Bella Coola, Wuikinuxv, Quatsino, and Fort Rupert.

The number of clients served includes: 366 individual case-managed clients 149 Indian Residential School Survivors 246 workshop participants 18 specific community-based support consultations

Treatment session rate: 1-5 sessions: 188 clients 6-10: 130 clients 11+: 48

The age range of clients treated: 4 years old – 94 years old

Cases are substantially equal in gender representation.

Most of the clients in individual treatment are between 30 and 70 years old. Most are survivors or family members of people who attended residential school. Most of the cases are reflective of psycho-social challenges from historical trauma and subsequent colonization issues, including:  Substance Misuse  Family Conflict  Legal Conflict  Depression / Anxiety  Under Employment  Academic Issues  Grief and Loss

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 72

WORK OF CONFERENCE MOBILE COUNSELLOR (CONT’D)

Respectfully Submitted: Irene Champagne, Mobile Counsellor

 Developing Healthy Personal Boundaries  Sexual Abuse Recovery  Personal Motivation  Resilience and Recovery  Spiritual Impasses  Aging and Life Transitions

Access to the service is by “on site” individual clinical counselling, workshops, and group counselling sessions. Additional access during off site periods is through telephone counselling, video conferencing, and at the home clinic in Central Vancouver Island.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 73

WORK OF CONFERENCE YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

Respectfully Submitted: Doris Kizinna, Conference Minister for Youth, Young Adults and their Leaders 2012-2013 flew by! Our Gatherings for Youth, Young Adults and their leaders this past two years were informed by the work the BC YAYA Leadership Team has done on The Strategic Vision for YAYA Ministry that will inform the work we do for the next 10 years. We thought this year we would share our Strategic Vision and some photos of our events past. BC Conference Youth and Young Adult Ministries Strategic Plan May 2013 Background: Since 2010, a group of representatives from each Presbytery in BC Conference, University Chaplaincies, Naramata Centre and the Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adults have met twice a year to form community, strategize and create vision. This group has consisted of paid staff as well as dedicated volunteers, all have a passion and call to ministry with Youth and Young Adults in BC Conference of the United Church of Canada. This Strategic Plan is part of their work. They met and strategized, they analysed the current context of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Church, they surveyed the constituency through an online survey that almost 100 folks responded to, they prayed and worked hard to create this strategic plan. In these times of uncertainty, Youth and Young Adult Ministry of BC Conference of the United Church of Canada offers a vital, connected and faithful ministry for youth and young adults throughout BC Conference. Youth, Young Adults, and their Leaders are inspired by the life of Jesus to seek justice, love kindness, and walk with God. In these times of uncertainty, we affirm and seek to instil these values in all that we do:  Grounded in Christian identity  Inclusion, hospitality, love, accessibility  Effective and flexible leadership  Centred around spiritual practice and faith formation  Regional Equality in youth and young adult ministry across BC Conference  Justice making

In the face of uncertainty, we affirm these scriptures:

This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, The God who summons horses and chariots and armies— they lie down and then can’t get up; they’re snuffed out like so many candles: “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’ —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me. Isaiah 43:19 The Message For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 New Revised Standard Version

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WORK OF CONFERENCE YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS CONT’D

In the face of uncertainty, we affirm and work toward these Ends/Goals:

1. All youth and young adults in BC Conference will have access to high quality age specific ministry.  The Church recognizes the value of supporting this ministry and offers commitment financially and prayerfully -BC Conference allocates adequate resources for gatherings, training, and travel  Youth & Young Adult Ministry leaders are equipped, trained, and supported -Facilitation of training events, workshops, and courses  Each region of BC Conference is supported with resources and leadership -Conference has staff who network and offer leadership to regional areas of the Church with regard to ministry with Youth and Young Adults -Youth and Young Adult Ministry events are open and promoted to leaders and participants from any regional area  Youth and Young Adult Ministries work together collaboratively and effectively -Staff are connected with regional youth and young adult ministry leaders and participants -United Church Camps in BC are included as partners in this ministry -Naramata Centre is a key partner in this ministry -Youth and Young Adult Ministry events in BC Conference are coordinated and an annual Calendar of all programmes is circulated

2. Youth, Young Adults and their leaders gather in safe sacred communities  There are standards of practice regarding theology, safety, and codes of conduct clearly outlined and adhered to at all gatherings of sacred communities  Leadership has access to information about safe practices  There are screening processes for all leadership  These sacred communities are places where faith is explored and formed and where spiritual practice is taught, engaged with and nurtured.  There are intentional communities -Online community, events live-streamed -Young Adult community houses connected with University Campuses -Gatherings for worship shared in an alternative way are explored (house churches, new venues)

3. Faithful accompaniment of Youth, Young Adults, and their Leaders through times of change.  Leaders accompany youth and young adults -Pastoral care -Mentorship programs -Support of life journey, discernment about future, building of community of support for each young person, practice of faith and connection with God/Jesus  Leaders are accompanied by Conference Staff -Safe practices -Pastoral care -Connection -Education

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 75

WORK OF CONFERENCE YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS CONT’D

 Intentional transitions from children à youth à young adult à adult -Reach out to children and guide them into YAYA programming -support programmes like winter session that seek to guide youth into young adulthood -Nurturing leadership of youth and young adults to assume roles of responsibility in the congregation, wider church and the world -Recognition and preparation of rites of passage

Evolve Stillwood, 2012

4. Youth and Young Adults lead the church through times of change with passion and compassion  In these uncertain times, we accompany and mentor the United Church, leading by example  Be advocates for authentic, resonant, and relevant, expressions of worship -Honour tradition, listen for the call to new directions -Express diversity of worship and liturgy styles so that all people feel nurtured in their practices of worship

5. Youth, Young Adults, and their leaders are equipped to respond with courage to the needs in the world  Seek justice and care for God’s world  Provide opportunities to engage social justice issues  All events will be conscious of the use of resources  Exposure to world issues and opportunities for hands on global education

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 76

WORK OF CONFERENCE YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS (CONT’D)

Our Evolve Conferences each Fall are the highlight of the year! This year Nov. 8-11 at Stillwood Conference Centre at Cultus Lake for Grade 7-12, young Adults, and Youth Leaders. All who have a heart for YAYA Ministry are welcome to attend.

Evolve Naramata, 2012

Evolve Naramata, 2013

Evolve Stillwood, 2013

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 77

WORK OF CONFERENCE CONFERENCE CAMPS

Respectfully Submitted: Ian Fraser

The Conference’s camping ministry is provided through two regional camps; Camp Fircom on Gambier Island and Camp Pringle on Vancouver Island. Through the Camp Futures project (completed in 2012) the Conference made capital investments at both camps – upgrading and replacing buildings and infrastructure, and the Conference provides ongoing operational support to both camps through the Camping Endowment. On request, the Conference provides advice and some services to the Presbytery affiliated camps – Grafton, Hurlburt (soon to close), Koolaree, Cultus Lake (closing after the 2014 season), Mackenzie and Rock Lake. Combined, camps Fircom and Pringle employ about seven full time equivalent staff on a year round basis supplemented by summer staff. The combined revenues of the camps is about $1.2M; $0.2M from camping, $0.7M from rentals and programming for schools, congregations, other groups and individuals, and $0.3M primarily from grants and donations. Participation in faith-based summer camping has been declining in recent years but appears to have leveled off and both camps are projecting modest growth in 2014. About 700 campers experienced Fircom and Pringle during the summer of 2013. A lightening induced fire completely destroyed the three year old dining hall and kitchen at Camp Fircom in late August 2013. No groups were on site at the time, no one was injured and the building is insured. Considerable energy has gone into what is a $4M project: recovering from the fire, planning to rebuild the dining hall and kitchen (expected completion spring 2015) and providing interim cooking and eating facilities so the camp can operate at a high level until the replacement building is ready. The Conference continues to work towards integrated governance and staffing for the two camps; a system to provide oversight, support and direction to the management and development of both sites; and to administer the Camp Endowment. This will enable some efficiency and allow for more collaboration. There will be opportunity for local initiatives at both Fircom and Pringle and a role for local leadership through the two existing camp societies. While the fire at Fircom presented a “speed bump” in this process, projected implementation of this new system is the end of 2014. Strengthening the faith element in summer camping, expanding the reach of the camps for both summer experiences and through more diverse programs and services, and working for financial sustainability continue to be priorities for this ministry.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 78

WORK OF CONFERENCE ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: Jon Jessiman, Chair

In January 2014, the Vancouver School of Theology announced its sale of the Iona Building to UBC. Since then, the Archives and History Committee has had to shift its priorities to prepare for relocation of the Conference Archives. VST is leading the search for a new location. Our hope is to find a modern facility and achieve a smooth transition, possibly in partnership with the Anglican Archives and VST Archives. Nonetheless, it is with deep regret that we make plans to leave the current facility.

Research and Reference Services During 2012, the Archives responded to 229 research requests. More than 60 researchers visited the facility. In 2013, there were 239 research requests, and more than 60 in-person visits.

Breakdown:

Type of research Percentage Baptism, marriage, death records 34% Academic research 30% Church administration 16% Residential schools research 6% Local church history 5% Other 9%

Volunteer and Contract Work The Archives has benefited from the work of several contractors, UBC archival studies students, and faithful volunteers:

 One volunteer has catalogued our collection of nearly 1,000 books and periodicals in our library, as well as some of our pamphlet collection.  Sharon Copeman has continued to coordinate interviews in connection with the Making Room for Women initiative, and with the help of contractor, Melanie Ihmels. We have begun publishing the interviews on the BC Conference Archives website.  Grant Bracewell continues to index the Western Methodist Recorder and the Records of Proceedings of General Council.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 79

WORK OF CONFERENCE ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Submitted by Jon Jessiman, Chair

Projects and Special Events  Residential Schools and Right Relations: The Conference Archivist and General Council Archivist worked at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s national event in Vancouver, September 18- 21, 2013. The main focus of the work was to provide survivors with photographs and other archival documentation to support the healing process. It was also a chance to educate church members and the general public.  Digitization: A collection of approximately 100 oral history interviews conducted in the 1970s have been converted to digital format for ongoing preservation. Several of these recordings have been published on the BC Conference Archives website.  History of BC Conference: The Committee has engaged Bob Burrows to coordinate a multi- authored book on the history of BC Conference, from about 1970 to present. The book will update Francis Runnalls’ It’s God’s Country, published in 1974.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 80

FINANCE COUNCIL CHAIR

Respectively Submitted: Mark Paetkau, Chair

Mandate. The Finance Council advises and is accountable to the Executive Secretary. We meet four times a year. Following are the key responsibilities: analyze and make recommendations on the annual budget. analyze and review regular financial statements and reports with management. review audit reports and recommend the appointment of auditors. review or change Conference finance policies as directed by Conference Executive. assess long range financial plans. review investment results and to assess the performance of the investment advisor. Members. Susan Burns (Member at Large); John Charlesworth (Member at Large), Doug Goodwin (Executive Secretary); Jane Harding (Stewardship); David Martyn (Home Missions); Fred Nienaber (Grants); Mark Paetkau (Chair); Nellie Tang (Finance Manager); and Ken Tunnicliffe (Member at Large). Katie Purych (Assistant to the Executive Secretary) serves as Recording Secretary and David Nanton (contract Chief Financial Officer) attends and advises at all meetings. Major Issues. Here are some of the major issues considered since the General Meeting 2012. Property Resource Team: we recommended that $800,000 from the sale of properties be allocated to fund the initial costs of developing congregational real estate in a portfolio approach. Costs may be recovered as properties are developed and sold. Change in Auditors: we reviewed a Request for Proposals developed by our CFO, sent it to several audit firms, and then recommended that Rolfe, Benson be appointed as the new Conference Auditors. We were well served by Ernst and Young, our previous audit firm, but felt an occasional change of audit firms is good practice. Investment returns: the average annual yield on Conference investments over the past five years has improved to about 9%. All investors have benefitted from market up-turns following the 2008 recession. For the longer term we recognize the need to ensure current or better returns so that ministries and programs can be sustainably funded. Our Investment Policy has been changed with the advice of our Investment Manager. Our investments will be allocated amongst equities, bonds and alternative investments in a 50%/40%/10% ratio. Alternative investments include real estate, infrastructure and private/public partnerships. The Centre at Naramata: we supported the Executive Secretary's recommendation to fund an operational and business review following the Centre's request of Conference to refinance its debt. The review confirmed a dire situation: cash flow insolvency, the need for major capital improvements, and pressure from the Centre's creditors. We recommended that Conference advance funds on the basis of the Centre's business plan which focused on reducing operating costs and seeking possible institutional partners. Should the business plan be successful Conference loans would likely be converted to grants. Council Members are very appreciative of the good working relationship we have with Conference management led by the Executive Secretary. The expertise of Council Members is well utilized and appreciated. We welcome comments and questions. Please call or email the Council Chair. 2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 81

FINANCE COUNCIL GRANTS COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: Fred Nienaber, Chair The Grants Committee receives, reviews and adjudicates grant application for the funds under its control. It is accountable to the Finance Council and is under the authority of the Executive Secretary, defined and limited by Conference Executive policies.

Current members of the committee are: Sharon Copeman, Donna Dawson, Fred Nienaber, Scott Reynolds and Nellie Tang. Members who have retired from the committee in the past two years are Susan Burns, Jim Ellis and Maureen Hollins.

The representative of the committee to the Finance Council is Fred Nienaber, and the committee is supported by the capable assistance of Jennifer Eastwood, who provided the summary of grant applications printed below.

In April, 2014, the committee reviewed and revised its terms of reference which now include the Conference ProVision Fund in addition to the Imagine Fund and the Congregational Learning Fund, along with any other funds which may be assigned to the committee. The work of the committee includes the encouragement of applications supportive of BC Conference goals and objectives.

The following is a summary of the amounts awarded from the funds under the direction of the Grants Committee to applicants during 2012 and 2013.

Imagine Fund – 2012 12 grants to 2 churches and 10 individuals $4,320.00 Imagine Fund – 2013 29 grants all to individuals $7,586.00

Congregational Learning Grants – 2012 38 grants to 1 church and 37 individuals $9,826.00 Congregational Learning Grants – 2013 37 grants to 3 churches and 34 individuals $11,763.77 Continued on next page

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FINANCE COUNCIL GRANTS COMMITTEE CONT’D

Van Dusen Fund– 2012 23 grants to 14 churches, 3 Presbyteries, 2 groups of churches, 2 Presbytery ministries, 1 outreach ministry, 1 young adult group $45,144.32 Van Dusen Fund– 2013 21 grants to 14 congregations, 3 outreach ministries, 2 Presbyteries & 2 Presbytery ministries $39,803.50

Conference ProVision Fund – 2013 2 grants to congregations $9,050.00

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 83

FINANCE COUNCIL HOME MISSIONS COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: David Martyn, Chair The Home Missions Committee meets twice a year: in the Spring where the focus is strategic planning and in the Fall when financial decisions are made. This past Spring we had as our guest The Rev. Dr. Richard Chung who gave us a vision for a different way to be church with a “Spirituality and Arts Centre” development that his congregation is doing in Kelowna. Take time to see St. Paul’s United Church “Sanctuary” display at the meeting or visit the website sanctuarykelowna.com. We faced a very difficult meeting this past Fall with $100,000 less in financial resources. This meant that we were asking most aid receiving mission units to reduced their requests by 25%. This meant that our two outreach ministries: First United in the Downtown Eastside and Our Place in Victoria, who receive 45% of our funds now receive 25% less. The following table are the grants for 2014.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 84

FINANCE COUNCIL HOME MISSIONS COMMITTEE

Respectfully Submitted: David Martyn, Chair We received $374,417 from General Council and the $5,318 deficit was funded from the BC Conference Mission Support funds. Real Property (property owned by the United Church of Canada with Conference oversight) requests from Bella Coola, Hazelton, Kispiox and First United were received. The Home Missions Committee will be meeting in June following the Conference AGM and we will need to do strategic planning for an expected further $100,000 reduction in funding; which incidentally is the same amount Mission and Service givings were down in BC Conference this past year. The chart below shows the available Year Book statistics for ten years. The two lines are: ‘local’ (line 32A–total raised by congregational givings) and ‘M&S’ (line 36–Mission & Service received from the pastoral charge) in the Conference. Assuming that an average gift to Mission & Service is a tithe (10%) I have divided line 32A by 10 for comparison purposes.

The chart illustrates that although we are giving slightly more in our offering envelopes there is a disturbing reduction in givings to the Mission & Service Fund and hence less money for those in need. Please do three things: encourage your congregation to increase their support for the Mission & Service Fund, do a Minute for Mission during each Sunday worship service and consider partnering with a small community so that resources can be shared for all of God’s people.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 85

FINANCE COUNCIL STEWARDSHIP

Respectfully Submitted: Jane Harding, Chair

“Thank you for inviting me into your homes and congregations, presbyteries, offices and work places. It is a pleasure and a privilege to do this work for our church.” Jane Harding Overview 2013 was a year of growth and excitement in BC Conference. Your Stewardship Team has been inspired and dedicated in its purpose to ensure the education and execution of faithful stewardship within the Conference. Your BC conference Stewardship Team has recreated itself over the past 18 months and the following are the goals we are focusing on going forward.

1. Promote stewardship awareness and activity within the Conference by a. Regular events throughout the Conference b. Engagement with Ministry personnel and Ministry students c. Engagement and resourcing the M&S Enthusiasts Network 2. Provide oversight for the faithful use of General Council Revenue Generation funding, including oversight of any contract staff. 3. Support Conference Executive priorities and goals by developing or promoting opportunities to: a. Strengthen the long-range financial sustainability of the Conference and its work; b. Provide substantial financial support of Conference mission and ministries; c. Maximize financial opportunities in a prudent and faithful manner.

We have had wonderful fellowship during our meetings and through the work outside the meetings. What a wonderful group of committed people! I am grateful for all their gifts.

Highlights of the BC Conference Stewardship Team 2013 The BC conference Stewardship Team is made up of interested people who come to meetings because important work is being accomplished and we are having fun doing it.

 This year we offered education for Treasurers and Trustees around the nuts and bolts of financial responsibility.

 We also have been working toward having an M&S contact in every congregation to share information about the work of the wider church easily and in a timely way

 We have been studying trends and participating in surveys to help the wider church make decisions based on data.

 We offered a very practical Stewardship session to the students in the Polity class at VST utilizing some vastly experienced clergy and lay people.

 We also presented the very first ever M&S Cabaret-style fund raiser at the Columbia Theater in New Westminster called “Shirley Goodness & Friends”. $4800.00 was sent to the work of M&S from that event. We are currently planning the next one for October 10 with many guest performers. Save the date for sure!

 We have organized the pre-conference event with Eric Law’s Holy Currencies for May 20 and 21, 2014

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 86

FINANCE COUNCIL STEWARDSHIP (CONT’D)

Respectfully Submitted: Jane Harding, Chair

As the chair of the Stewardship Committee, I have the opportunity to see the big picture for our church. I also sit on the Finance Committee, and the Home Missions Committee.

I also work closely with the Philanthropy Unit of the United Church and in that capacity share information and resources for Congregational stewardship and for individual engagement with the wider church. On December 1, 2013 the new stewardshiptoolkit.ca was launched. This is an amazing resource that is like a file cabinet of current, compelling resources for everyone.

I worked closely with 22 congregations in 2013. This work involves everything from sitting in on a council meeting to give support and information to preaching on a Sunday and presenting workshops, specially customized to help identify ways to strengthen the sustainability of United Church congregations. I connected with 716 generous donors or potential donors in person, by phone, or email. Approximately 350 people attended over 35 workshops I facilitated during the year.

Changes to the scope of work As with every career in Canada today, the work of the United Church of Canada is evolving and looking for creative, interesting ways to maximize the use of the gifts we share. I have spent many years focusing on Legacy Giving in congregations and now my role has been expanded to include all areas of Stewardship.

In 2013 I was able to offer leadership and education to congregations, presbyteries, and individuals around whole life stewardship. I am finding more and more, that I am honing my abilities at telecommunication and web based workshops and meetings. Although I believe there is nothing that can replace good old fashioned, face to face sharing, I can relate a lot of information through this media. As time goes by, people are more comfortable with using our computers to communicate and Stewardship falls into that category.

Summary I find my work to be inspiring and challenging and often wrestle with the broader issues, for which I have no definitive answers. For example, is stewardship a lifestyle choice rooted in our identity as children of God? If we look at stewardship as a lifestyle and a way of living out our faith rather than another church program to raise money, do we gain a new way of seeing who we are and all that we possess? In our busyness, how might we live out stewardship in a more holistic way … what might that look like in terms of how we use our time, our talent, and our treasure - both individually, and collectively?

If you or your congregation would like to connect with me I would happy to engage!

Jane Harding Regional Financial Development Officer, BC Region T: 778-574-0423 C: 604-761-1677 E: [email protected]

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 87

FINANCE COUNCIL PROVISION FUNDS

Respectfully Submitted: Gordon How, Secretary

Since the beginning of the ProVision Funds in Presbyteries in our conference in mid-2011, there has been a significant increase in grants made from these Funds. The five Presbytery-based Funds are reported herein.

a) The Vancouver Burrard Presbytery ProVision Fund has had three years of operation making 49 grants which average $11,000 totalling $543,760. These grants have sustained 10 Outreach Ministries, 10 Congregational visioning and planning programs, 13 children’s and youth and young adult programs, and 10 congregationally based ministries. In addition there have been 6 other projects some of which have been on the “cutting edge” of church and society. The invested Funds originated at $2,000,000 from the proceeds of the sales of: Renfrew United Church and St. John’s United Church. The investment income and ½ of the capital is scheduled to provide $190,000 each year for grants up to 2020.

b) The Westminster Presbytery ProVision Fund has had two years of operation. It has made 21 grants averaging $5636 and totalling $118,350. The grants sustained 11 congregational and inter- congregational planning and vision activities, 7 children and youth programs and 3 congregational programs and ministries. The invested funds originated at $750,0000 from the proceeds of the sale of East Burnaby United Church. The investment income and ½ of the capital is scheduled to provide at least $70,000 each year for grants up to 2021.

c) The Fraser Presbytery ProVision Fund began in February 2013. It has made 3 grants totalling $272,000. This Presbytery has determined that it wishes to only make large grants to sustain congregations which clearly demonstrate a paradigm shift. The invested funds originated at $1,000,000 from the proceeds of the sale of Camp Kwomais. The investment income and ½ of the remaining capital is scheduled to provide about $70,000 each year for grants up to 2022.

d) The Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery ProVision Fund began in February 2013. It has made 8 grants totalling $46,672. These include 4 congregational programs or ministries, 3 outreach ministries and 1 inter-congregational children’s summer ministry. The invested funds originated at $1,000,000 from the proceeds of the sale of Morecroft Camp. The investment income and ½ of the capital is scheduled to provide about $90,000 each year for grants up to 2022.

e) The Victoria Presbytery ProVision Fund is in its formative stages. Plans are underway to first make grants in 2014. The invested funds originated at $1,000,000 from the proceeds of the sale of Morecroft Camp and could welcome new funds from potential new sales of Presbytery located churches. At present, the investment income and ½ of the capital is scheduled to provide about $90,000 each year for grants up to 2023.

In summary, the originating capital invested totals $5,750,000 and $980,782 in total grants have been made to initiate creative projects and ministries in these Presbyteries. The other provision Fund, the B.C. Conference ProVision Fund is available for Applications from those based in the other five presbyteries and is reported elsewhere.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 88

UNITED CHURCH WOMEN

Respectfully Submitted: Madelyn Craven, Chair

Greetings from the UCW President of BC conference. I am just completing my first year in office, and by the time this is published, my first AGM will be completed. This happens in my home church, Trinity Memorial , Abbotsford, B.C. from May 7 to 9th. It has been an interesting year and busier than I had anticipated. I will fill you in on some of the details in point form.

1. On behalf of UCW I had the honour of presenting the new Manuel to the Ordinands at Queen’s Ave., in New Westminster.

2. In September, my vice-president, Lynn Lancaster and myself flew to Toronto to an annual national meeting. It is a great gathering of all the conference leaders in Canada. We are looking to change and downsize as we are an aging group.

3. Back home, I organized an executive meeting to plan for our May event. I am very excited about this happening. We are honouring several women who were the first in their field in Canada, or specifically, BC. We are very fortunate to have The Very Reverend, The Honourable Lois M. Wilson to be our theme presenter. She has done many exciting and worthwhile endeavours during her life of service to her church, her country and the world. I am sure this will be a very informative and uplifting two days.

4. We had a second executive meeting before Christmas to begin plans for the 55th anniversary of UCW. This will happen in the summer of 2017 somewhere in our province, most likely in the lower mainland.

5. Since January I have had the honour of visiting Westminster and Fraser Presbyterial AGMs. I plan to do the same in June in Victoria. Unfortunately these are the only presbyterials that are still active. The other seven are no longer in existence. There are still UCWs in the other areas and they report directly to conference.

6. One other highlight that bears repeating is our 50th anniversary project. Thanks to our BC UCW president of two years ago, Judy Foster, whocame up with the idea that if every woman in UCW in Canada contributed one dollar, we could help fund a mid-wife training program in Morongo, Tanzania. We had hoped to raise $50,000 but underestimated our abilities and we raised just under $250,000. !

7. I am registered to attend BC Conference meeting in Nanaimo in May. It has only been recently that we have had representation at this event.

I will be involved in presenting gifts to new Ordinands this spring and there will be more meetings to plan for 2017. I plan to represent UCW at the Anglican Women’s meeting in late April and I will have one more trip to Toronto in the fall. My term is complete in the spring of 2015. The best part of the position has been the opportunity to meet and work with many wonderful women around the province. I have been blessed. My executive is the best. Thanks to all of them.

Even though our age numbers are increasing and our membership numbers are decreasing, we continue to be a viable organization. We are the hands and feet of Christ in our local church family, in our province, and throughout Canada and the world. We have been blessed as UCW members and we strive to be a blessing.

PS. I just received word that our BC UCW has donated $65,522 in 2013 to the Mission and Service of the United Church of Canada.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 89

EDUCATIONAL STUDIES CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Respectfully Submitted: Center For Christian Studies

Educating leaders for justice, compassion, and transformation.

On the brink of enormous change. For the Centre for Christian Studies, 2013 was a year of charting our course in the face of a promising but uncertain future. As The United Church of Canada redefines its relationship with theological schools, including grants and the role of testamur, we need to hold tight as we discover the consequences for ours and other theological schools.

Leading from the edge. Yet even in this time of transition, CCS continues to lead from the edge, through our excellent programming and our award winning program staff, who equip our students for transformative ministry in the diaconal tradition. We find strength from knowing what it is to be at the edge of systems and on the brink of change, from learning through action and reflection how to respond and adapt to our context, and from belonging to a community of justice and faith.

Program and Students. Students who enter the diploma program at CCS must complete two weeks of intensive learning in leadership development. The “LDM” (Leadership Development Module) is also open to students in the Designated Lay Ministry program, and anyone who is looking for the chance to explore ministry or a continuing education opportunity.

In June 2014 we plan to offer the LDM in London, Ontario (June) and Winnipeg (August). And in 2015 we have our sights on Quebec City (January), and Montreal (June) as well as Winnipeg (August).

In 2013, six students graduated from CCS with a Diploma in Diaconal Ministries and Transformative Leadership. This year, we are proud that Barbara Hansen and Jacqueline Samson will be commissioned at the Celebration of Ministry service of BC Conference on May 25, 2014. Other CCS students preparing for ministry in BC Conference are Anne Ellis, Don Evans, Lynn McGrath, Ian McLeod, Mary Nichol, and Morgan Ryder.

For more information on Diaconal Ministry, Leadership Development, the Diploma course, and our “theme years” in Education, Social Ministry, and Pastoral Care, go to http://ccsonline.ca/program/

Staff and Volunteers. Ted Dodd, Ann Naylor, Scott Douglas and Principal Maylanne Maybee form the program team at CCS. Scott Douglas also manages the CCS website which we think is really great, and edits Common Threads, our bi-monthly newsletter. Lori Stewart came on staff as our Development Coordinator in July 2013, and Meytal Lavy joined us as our administrative assistant in December 2013.

CCS would not be able to deliver its community-based program without a company of over 400 volunteers who serve as learning facilitators, mentors, and supporters of our students, and who participate in our governing body as Committee and Working Group chairs, conveners, and members.

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EDUCATIONAL CENTERS CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Respectfully Submitted: Center For Christian Studies

Charting the Course with a new Strategic Plan. In anticipation of the changes ahead, CCS initiated a strategic planning process for the next three to five years. We crafted a renewed mission statement (“Educating leaders for justice, compassion, and education”) and reshaped our core values under these headings: Acting in faith; Living a theology of justice; Educating through action/reflection, integration, transformation; Grounding ourselves in sacred community; Living out of a spirit of abundance and gratitude; Participating in a larger story. Details can be found on our website at http://ccsonline.ca/about-ccs/mission-and-values/

There is no other school like us… Come and prepare to make a difference. Together we can transform the world!

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 91

EDUCATIONAL CENTERS VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Respectfully Submitted: Richard Topping, Principal

Vancouver School of Theology is a theological graduate School that offers a wide range of degree, diploma, certificate and continuing education programs with sufficient flexibility to accommodate a variety of goals and personal circumstances. The School is organized into three centres of learning, reflection and action: The Centre for Christian Leadership to develop a learned ministry in the service of Jesus Christ for the church and the world; the Indigenous Studies Centre to partner with First Nations and the global Aboriginal community in Christian ministry, spiritual growth and social justice initiatives; and the Iona-Pacific Inter-Religious Centre to further inter-faith cooperation for research, contemplative practice and social action, enhancing the quality of life for all. There is rich overlap and intersec- tion between these centres deepening and broadening theological education. Vancouver School of Theology is a Theological College of the Anglican and United Churches of Canada, with which the Presbyterian Church in Canada is associated through St. Andrew's Hall. St. Andrew's Hall provides for several professors who teach at VST and for that the School is most grateful. Our relationship is strong, respectful and cooperative. Academic Enrollment Academic enrollment for the fall of 2013 increased over the previous year. The fall 2013 head count was 123 and increased to 143 in the spring semester. The number of course registrations increased from 274 in the fall to 309 in the spring. Many of these students are part-time and so our full- time equivalency (FTE) was 61.25 in the fall and 70.33 for the spring semester. The number of United Church of Canada students is 33 in total. UCC students make up about one third of the student body.

At the 2014 May 5th convocation, we expect to see 22 students receive their degrees or diplomas. The service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, and the speaker will be Mr. David Goa, Director of the Ronning Centre of Religion and Public Life at the University of Alberta, Camrose. At our Convocation in 2013, two honourary doctorates were awarded. Recipients were Mr. Douglas Todd, of the Vancouver Sun, and Ms. Judy Graves, advocate for the homeless in Vancouver. Our honourary DDs for 2014 convocation are Douglas John Hall, Professor Emeritus at McGill University, and Chief Robert Joseph, Reconciliation Canada.

Summer Schools 2013 Both VST's and the Native Ministries Consortium's (NMC) Summer School were highly successful. These programs run concurrently for two weeks in the middle of July. VST Summer School saw an increase of 10% in enrollment for the second year in a row with 125 registrations. Prof. Ellen Davis, of Duke Divinity School , and Prof. Michael Higgins, of Sacred Heart University, held particularly popular courses.

NMC Summer School hosted courses taught by, among others, Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Dr. Malcolm Naea Chun, a Hawaiian Episcopal Priest, and for the third time The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Maliseet, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. Of the 8 faculty members that taught at the NMC Summer School, there were 6 indigenous instructors. This year 59 survivors of Residential School Survivors were honoured at a Salmon BBQ; 15 were presented with gifts.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Visiting Scholars This year at VST we invited Indigenous Scholars to give our distinguished lectures series to coincide with the theme of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Vancouver (September 18-21). Along with the University of British Columbia, VST cancelled classes for three days to enable our students, faculty and staff the opportunity for full participation in the activities associated with this event, including the Reconciliation Walk on Sunday afternoon.

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EDUCATIONAL CENTERS VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Respectfully Submitted: Richard Topping, Principal Prof. Wendy Fletcher lead a course in the fall semester on truth and reconciliation in conjunction with the TRC and members of our Faculty together with representatives of our Indigenous Studies Centre shared in a gesture of reconciliation in which 'Spirit Canoe,' porcelain art vase by Terry Jackson, was placed in the Bent Wood Box. Br. John Hascall, O.F.M. CAP (Ojibwa) lectured in the fall on the topic of Indigenous people and the Americas and in the spring of 2014 Dr. Marie Battiste noted Mi’kaw scholar and educator spoke to the theme of decolonizing education.

Induction of New Principal On October 18, 2013, the Rev. Dr. Richard Topping was inducted as the seventh Principal of the Van- couver School of Theology. It was a splendid event with the Rev. Dr. Darrell Guder of Princeton Semi- nary as the Convocation for Induction speaker. We are grateful to the Chair of the Board, Heather Clarke, the Chancellor, The Rev. Dr. Peter Elliot, and the staff of VST for their organization of this event.

Faculty All of our faculty are back on deck for the 2013-2014 academic year. Profs. Wendy Fletcher, Harry Maier and Paula Sampson all returned from sabbatical leaves and The Rev. Janet Gear from a one year leave of absence in Wales. We are grateful to the Rev. Brenda Fawkes who functioned as Direc- tor of Field Education and Director of Denominational Formation while Janet was in Wales.

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris has returned to his work as Dean of St. Andrew's Hall and Professor of Homiletics after over eighteen months as Acting Principal of the School . We are so very grateful to Stephen for his wise, compassionate and crucial leadership through an important time in the life of the School and we thank the Board of St. Andrew's Hall for their loan of Stephen. We continue to benefit from his work with the board and faculty for the vitality of VST.

The Rev. Dr. Paula Sampson, Director of the Indigenous Studies Centre, will go to half time beginning this fall and she will retire as of July 1, 2015. We will conduct a search for her successor in the coming year. We are so grateful for her diligence and love for the work she has overseen these last five years as Director of the Centre. We have now received the full amount, three million dollars, of the Butler gift for 'The Rev. John Ralph Butler and Elisabeth Letitia Baker Butler Chair of Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation.' A search to fill this chair will take place in the coming year. We are so very grateful to God for the generosity and Christian witness of the Rev. Ralph Butler (who passed away this year), his wife, Mrs. Wanda Butler, and his sister, The Rev. E. Laura Butler, retired UCC Minister. The donors have strongly expressed their desire that this gift not only honour their parents, but the many quiet servants of God who pro- claimed the gospel not only with their words but their lives. They hope that this gift will strengthen the preaching ministry of the Church and equip women and men to proclaim the gospel. A book launch was held at VST this spring to celebrate the recent publications of our faculty: Prof. Harry Maier, Picturing Paul in Empire: Imperial Image, Text and Persuasion in Colossians, Ephe- sians and the Pastoral Epistles (T&T Clark/Bloomsbury, 2013); Prof. Pat Dutcher-Walls, Reading the Historical Books, February 2014 by Baker Academic Press; Prof. Sallie McFague, Blessed are the Consumers, May 2013 by Fortress Press and a collection of her writings edited together in a newly released volume: Sallie McFague: Collected Readings, ed. David B. Lott (Fortress Press, 2013); and Prof. Wendy Fletcher, "Christianity” in World Religions. 4th Edition. W. Oxotoby and Amir Hussain eds. Oxford University Press. 2014 and ”Christianity” in Concise World Religions. Oxtoby and Hussain eds. Oxford University Press. 2014.

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 93

EDUCATIONAL CENTERS VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Respectfully Submitted: Richard Topping, Principal Association of Theological School's Self-Study 2014 marks the occasion of an accreditation visit at VST by the Association of Theological Schools. These visits take place every ten years and provide theological School's the opportunity for self and outside assessment of their academic life and mission. Visitors from ATS are welcomed at VST March 30-April 2. We are so very grateful for the dedication of our staff, board and faculty in preparation for this visit and especially to Prof. Pat Dutcher-Walls for her leadership, diligence and editorial skills in producing our self-study document.

United Church Funding In June of 2013, the United Church of Canada announced that Vancouver School of Theology will become the recipient of increased financial support from the United Church of Canada. The income from an existing United Church fund supports ecumenical theological education and is designated to VST to strengthen the United Church’s participation in the support of UCC teaching faculty at VST. The income generated from the fund will be made available to VST for an initial period of two years. This will ensure that VST is able to maintain and fortify its existing commitment to provide an excellent standard of education to United Church of Canada students. The Rev. Janet Gear is now employed with us three-quarter time and the Rev. Brenda Fawkes half-time. This funding enabled us to welcome the Rev. Peter Short to VST for intensive courses with United Church students and local UCC clergy to employ Susan DuMoulin as VST United Church Chaplain and fund a United Church student formation retreat.

United Church Faculty The Rev. Janet Gear is Professor of Public and Pastoral Leadership and the Rev. Brenda Fawkes is our Director of Field Education. Annual United Church sessional instructors include The Rev. Keith Howard, who teaches in the areas of Pastoral and Public Leadership and The Rev. Dr. Hye-Ran Kim- Craig, who teaches Christian Education and Inter-cultural studies. The Rev. Dr. Brian Thorpe also teaches regularly in the area of United Church History.

Sale of Iona Building Over the past two years, the VST board, faculty and senior staff studied how the institution could best fulfill its future mandate. The process revealed that the Iona Building was no longer suited to the School's new programming, and that different facilities were needed. The Iona building has almost 100,000 sq feet and VST needs about a quarter of that space for its operations. Moreover, this building holds the majority of VST's assets and so a decision was made to release the considerable investment made in the Iona building to support the mission and ministry of the Vancouver School of Theol- ogy. We approached the University of British Columbia for the purpose of a sale.

In January of 2014 the Vancouver School of Theology announced the sale of its Iona building to the University of British Columbia for $28 million. VST will use the proceeds of the sale to continue its existing operations as a theological college at UBC by investing in its facilities on the Vancouver campus and by setting aside a substantial portion of the remaining proceeds in a Foundation that will generate income to support professional and pastoral training. VST is exploring the repurposing of Somerville House, currently a residence, for a facility that will support training for thoughtful, engaged and generous Christian leadership in the 21st century. VST has retained ownership of Somerville House and the Chapel of the Epiphany on the campus of UBC.

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EDUCATIONAL CENTERS VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Respectfully Submitted: Richard Topping, Principal While we move toward repurposing Somerville House for occupation, St. Andrew's Hall and Epiphany Chapel will become our temporary home, swing space, for our operations. We are currently making plans for the move out of the Iona Building and likely into St. Andrew's Hall. Architectural drawings of repurposed space are being proposed and considered by the Board of the School and input from our stake-holder community is being sought. We anticipate an elegant building for our future home and we are very grateful to St. Andrew's Hall for their gracious invitation in the meanwhile. While UBC will take possession of the Iona building July 3, 2014, the archives of the United Church can remain until March 2015. Join efforts are made to find other appropriate accommodation for these important materials and the ministry they support. We are grateful to God for the ongoing support of the United Church of Canada and offer our prayers for the life and vitality of the church in Christ's name.

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PROPOSALS BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2014-1

Proposal Name Resolution related to the storage and shipment of thermal coal

Source: Faithful Public Witness Cluster, Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery

Recipient BC Conference

Type of Proposal For Decision

Proposal: Resolution related to the storage and shipment of thermal coal:

“Whereas that Fraser Surrey Docks has applied to Port Metro Vancouver for permission to turn part of its site into a Coal Transfer Facility initially handling four (4) million tonnes of thermal coal per year expanding to eight (8) million tonnes of thermal coal per year: And Whereas valid medical opinion is warning of serious health hazards to the adjacent communities; And Whereas no independent health assessment has been completed; And Whereas the pollution to the environment caused by burning thermal coal is well-documented; And Whereas as a people of God we are called to recognize that “...the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1); And Whereas as a people of God we respect that “all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, all things have been created through God and for God.” (Colossians 1:16); And Whereas as a people of God we believe that “...in God, we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28);

Be it resolved that the British Columbia Conference of the United Church of Canada requests that the Port of Vancouver rejects the application from Fraser Surrey Docks to establish a coal transfer facility on its site.” Moved: Karen May

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PROPOSALS BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2014-1

Background In 2008, the World Health Organization calculated that pollution from coal particulates cause approximately 1 million deaths annually across the world, about one-third of all premature deaths related to all air pollution sources. Also in 2008, the Harvard Medical School estimated the annual cost of “externalities” from coal combustion in the US to be US$345 billion; one-third of that, US$187 billion, resulted from air pollution that contributes to heart, lung, kidney, and neurological disease. Each stage in the life cycle of coal- extraction, transport, processing, and combustion-generates a waste stream and carries multiple hazards for health and the environment.

As the Medical Health Officers for Central and North Island, we strongly support the incorporation of health assessments into any project undergoing an environmental assessment. The environment and human health are intimately intertwined such that we require a health environment to be able to maintain our individual and collective health and well-being. The people and populations who must live with the consequences of environmental projects, such as coal mining, should have the opportunity for a full and transparent health assessment. The health parameters used in the health assessment would provide the balance to the effects that any large project may cause. The process of developing the health assessment, monitoring impacts, and surveillance for negative and positive outcomes, when done collaboratively, can contribute to a healthier community. (Dr. Paul Hasselback and Dr. Charmaine Enns).

Mental and emotion health also are affected by the presence of coal dust, which is a serious health hazard. Whether one lives near the mine or along a coal transportation corridor, one will be exposed to coal dust. In coal mining areas in the USA, studies have shown that people living in coal mining areas had higher rates of health problems, including cardiopulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, and kidney disease. Trains and trucks hauling coal release toxic air pollutants, including tons of nitrogen oxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) into the air every year, primarily through diesel exhaust. Some of the health effects of NO2 and PM include: increased asthma, wheezing and coughing in children; heart rhythm disturbance; ischemic heart diseases; congestive heart failure and higher rates of infant mortality. In addition to NO2 and PM, the coal dust also contains heavy metals, such as selenium, lead, and mercury. The dust may be carcinogenic, and has been linked to lymphomas. Worker health and safety are major concerns. Black lung disease, or pneumonconiosis, is the primary illness in underground coal miners. In the 1990's, more than 10,000 former US miners died from this affliction. The rate has more than doubled since 1995.” (As reported on March 23, 2012, in the Alberni Valley News).

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PROPOSALS BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2014-1

In a statement entitled, “One Earth Community: Ethical Principles for Environment and Development”, the 33rd General Council of the United Church of Canada stated:

“Ours is a world that is addicted to fossil fuel: from the Industrial Revolution to the present, much of the technological development has been powered by coal and oil. While such developments have, in some countries, allowed for dramatic changes in lifestyles, there is an increasing concern that the environment will pay a serious price. High levels of energy and material consumption exacerbated by ever increasing transportation of persons and goods are producing emissions from the fossil fuels used which are reducing local air quality and leading to serious climate change.”

Funding There are no funding implications to BC Conference from this proposal. Implications

Process The motion to present this proposal to BC Conference was made at a Faithful Public Witness meeting held in April; it was moved by Karen May, seconded by Rev Campbell Connor and carried.

Action of Presbytery Concurrence was given by Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery, at its Executive Meeting held April 16, 2014 at Trinity United Church in Nanaimo:

Motion: (Scott Agur/R. G. Madziya) that Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery forwards the following motion with concurrence, to the BC Conference General Meeting to be held May 22 – 25, 2014. Carried “Whereas that Fraser Surrey Docks has applied to Port Metro Vancouver for permission to turn part of its site into a Coal Transfer Facility initially handling four (4) million tonnes of thermal coal per year expanding to eight (8) million tonnes of thermal coal per year: And Whereas valid medical opinion is warning of serious health hazards to the adjacent communities; And Whereas no independent health assessment has been completed; And Whereas the pollution to the environment caused by burning thermal coal is well-documented; And Whereas as a people of God we are called to recognize that “...the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1);

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PROPOSALS BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2014-1

And Whereas as a people of God we respect that “all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, all things have been created through God and for God.” (Colossians 1:16); And Whereas as a people of God we believe that “...in God, we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28);

Background for the Motion on Coal *

“In 2008, the World Health Organization calculated that pollution from coal particulates cause approximately 1 million deaths annually across the world, about one-third of all premature deaths related to all air pollution sources. Also in 2008, the Harvard Medical School estimated the annual cost of “externalities” from coal combustion in the US to be US$345 billion; one-third of that, US$187 billion, resulted from air pollution that contributes to heart, lung, kidney, and neurological disease. Each stage in the life cycle of coal-extraction, transport, processing, and combustion-generates a waste stream and carries multiple hazards for health and the environment.

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PROPOSALS BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2014-1

(2)

increased asthma, wheezing and coughing in children; heart rhythm disturbance, ischemic heart diseases, and congestive heart failure; and higher rates of infant mortality. In addition to NO2 and PM, the coal dust also contains heavy metals, such as selenium, lead, and mercury. The dust may be carcinogenic, and has been linked to lymphomas. Worker health and safety are major concerns. Black lung disease, or pneumonconiosis, is the primary illness in underground coal miners. In the 1990's, more than 10,000 former US miners died from this affliction. The rate has more than doubled since 1995.” (As reported on March 23, 2012, in the Alberni Valley News).

In a statement entitled, “One Earth Community: Ethical Principles for Environment and Development”, the 33rd General Council of the United Church of Canada stated:

2014 Reports & Agenda - Page 100