Maritime Conference the United Church of Canada the 90Th Annual
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Maritime Conference The United Church of Canada The 90th Annual Meeting Sackville, New Brunswick May 28 - 31, 2015 SECTION 1 REPORTS TO CONFERENCE President’s Message I took on the role as President of Maritime Conference because I felt, with all the uncertainty about the future direction of our United Church, a pastoral response might be in order. As I feel my gifts lie in that area, I expected I would be doing a lot of pastoral care and it seems I was right. So far this year, we’ve seen the death of a dozen or so retired clergy and one minister who was presently serving. I’ve travelled all over our Conference to bring appreciation and condolences at most of these funerals. I’ve done my best to send condolences to families of those dedicated lay people who have died this year as they, too, have given much to our United Church. This year, as in every year, some of our congregations experienced crisis; such things as the murder of a beloved church organist, hurricanes, arson, and suspected fraud. On your behalf, I’ve responded to these and other situations. I’ve also visited The Gaspe, Valley Presbytery, Saint John Presbytery, Truro Presbytery, and PEI Presbytery where members have spoken of their joys and challenges. I’m looking forward to visiting Bermuda Synod from April 7th to the 14th. While the challenges are many with financial struggles, declining membership, churches closing or going to part time ministy, etc., I’m heartened to hear stories of new life, new ways of being church, stories of outreach and mission into our communities and the world, innovative ways of doing worship, an openness to change, and so on. I sense the Spirit is alive and well! With the recent report of the Comprehensive Review Task Group, it seems the recommendations are uppermost on people’s minds as we go into our meeting and General Council in August. It seems we realize we must change but for most change is difficult and there’s both excitement and fear around what these changes might mean for us a United Church. Yet this report is now ours to do with what we choose. The responsibility falls to us and we need to take that responsibility seriously so we must read it, tell others to read it, and come to our meeting prepared to speak and listen, prepared to discuss and discern, prepared to be open to the Spirit’s leading in this matter as well as in matter of whether we are to become an Affirming Conference. In closing, I must say I’ve been humbled to witness the dedication and commitment of so many of you who give so selflessly to our church in all parts of our Conference and I’m humbled and honoured for the trust you have placed in me to serve as President of the Maritime Conference for the past year. In faith we go forward knowing not what the future holds, but knowing we are not alone. God is with us and the Spirit in me honours the Spirit in each of you as we walk this journey together. In faith and love, Rev. Gloria Churchill 2 The United Church of Canada INDEX President’s Message .................................................................................................................... 1 Core Values Statement / Ministry Priorities / Statement of Purpose and Goals ......................... 4 Structure of The United Church of Canada ............................................................................... 6 Manual 2013 - Proposals ........................................................................................................... 8 Parliamentary Procedures ........................................................................................................ 12 Conference Resource Persons ................................................................................................... 13 President-Elect .......................................................................................................................... 14 Theme Speaker.......................................................................................................................... 15 Representative of General Council ........................................................................................... 15 Music Leadership ..................................................................................................................... 16 Constitutional Motions.............................................................................................................. 17 Candidates for President Designate .......................................................................................... 18 Committee Reports Annual Meeting Planning Committee .......................................................................... 20 Archives Committee .................................................................................................... 21 Archivist’s Report ............................................................................................ 23 Christian Life and Growth Committee ........................................................................ 24 Church in Action Committee ....................................................................................... 24 Financial Support Committee ....................................................................................... 30 Finance and Property Committee.................................................................................. 32 Proposed Budget for 2016 ............................................................................... 33 Bequest Funds .................................................................................................. 36 Auditor’s Report .............................................................................................. 41 Ministry, Personnel and Education Committee ............................................................ 57 Education and Students Committee ................................................................. 57 Biographies of Candidates for Ordination ............................................ 58 Conference Interview Board ............................................................................ 61 Conference Committee on Internship and Educational Supervision ............... 62 Interim Ministry Committee ............................................................................. 62 Settlement Committee ...................................................................................... 63 Nominations Committee ............................................................................................... 63 Directory of Membership of Standing Committees ......................................... 64 Staff Committee ............................................................................................................ 73 Stewardship Committee ................................................................................................ 74 Executive Committee Reports Affirming Ministry Task Group, Maritime Conference .............................................. 74 Affirming Ministry, Maritime Conference ................................................................... 76 Incorporated Ministries Reporting ................................................................................ 77 List of Incorporated Ministries Directors ..................................................................... 78 United Church Men ...................................................................................................... 83 United Church Women ................................................................................................ 83 Other Reports Atlantic School of Theology Senate ............................................................................ 84 Atlantic School of Theology ......................................................................................... 85 Financial Services of Maritime Conference ................................................................. 86 Ninetieth Maritime Conference Meeting 3 General Council Executive .......................................................................................... 87 Hunter Church Building Fund ...................................................................................... 88 Review of 2014 Mission and Service Giving ............................................................... 89 Mount Allison University Board of Regents ............................................................... 90 Pine Hill Board of Govenors......................................................................................... 91 Tatamagouche Centre .................................................................................................. 92 United Church Home For Senior Citizens (The Drew Nursing Home) ....................... 93 Pastoral Oversight Reports Bermuda Synod ............................................................................................................ 94 Chignecto Presbytery ................................................................................................... 95 Halifax Presbytery ........................................................................................................ 96 Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery ............................................................................. 97 Miramichi Presbytery ................................................................................................... 98 Pictou Presbytery ......................................................................................................... 99 Prince