Maritime Conference The United Church of Canada
The 93rd Annual Meeting Sackville, New Brunswick May 24 - 27, 2018
SECTION 1 REPORTS TO CONFERENCE
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ - John 11:25-26
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The scripture verses above are taken from the account of Jesus coming at the call of Mary and Martha because their brother Lazarus was very sick. Martha claim’s, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”. Jesus responds with the above words, and then lives into those words commanding the dead man Lazarus to come out into new life.
I offer these verses because Jesus is speaking to us just as much as he is speaking to Martha who is filled with grief at the passing of their brother. We are like Mary and Martha, weeping at the tomb of something that has passed or at the very least will pass. The church is not what is was, the church of tomorrow will not be the same as the church of today, and many of us see this as a kind of death. And yet, just as Jesus turned to Martha and spoke the words above, so he turns to us offering us the same truth and asking us the same question. Do we believe this? That those who believe in Christ, even though they die will live? That everyone who lives and believes in Christ will never die? Do we believe this? If so, then even as we mourn what we lose, we should know that what lies before us has the potential to be more amazing than anything we could have hoped for.
Jesus stands at the entrance to the tomb in this story, and in our lives he stands at the doors of our conference and of our churches. In both cases, he calls out not to someone or something that is dead, but rather newly alive. In Christ we find new life, even when we feel like we have reached the end of our rope, even when something we loved has been taken from us, even when we feel dead on our feet.
In my year as President, I have seen and heard much in the way of reactions to the work that has come out of the comprehensive review, and the boundaries commission from presbyteries across our conference, and conferences across our church. Was there fear and grief for what we will lose? Yes, there was both fear and grieving. But across our presbyteries and synod, I have heard stories of hope of how we can live into the new structure. Indeed, I have heard that no matter what we do, people have faith that the Holy Spirit will move in and amongst us. Christ will call to us from what was, to what might yet be in him, and God will continue to reach out with love.
What we should take from this story is the overwhelming persistence of God’s love. Nothing, not weariness, nor waywardness, nor even death itself can stop God from calling us to a new thing, because God is not done with us yet! God’s unwillingness to let us go is a reach that goes beyond death, and so whatever structure we find ourselves in, whether we feel it is a tomb of death or a temple of life, nothing can impede the work of the Holy One.
So as we prepare for whatever may come, let us hear the words of Christ, and let us ask ourselves, “Do we believe?” I am not asking if we all believe the same things exactly, or understand the story in the same way. I am asking these things: Do we believe that with God, all things are possible? Do we believe that in Christ, new life can be found? Do we believe that by the Holy Spirit, we can find the way from despair to hope? If so, then what have we to fear?
Let us celebrate together all that we have been able to accomplish as the people of Christ here in the Maritimes. Let us praise God for the blessings that we find in our work and in our community. Let us pray with hope and eagerness for whatever may come knowing that God waits for us there, at work already.
Yours in Christ, The Reverend Richard Bowley
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INDEX President’s Message ...... 1 Parliamentary Procedures ...... 4 Conference Resource Persons ...... 5 President-Elect ...... 6 Representatives of General Council...... 7 Music Leaders ...... 7 Constitutional Motions...... 8 Candidates for President Designate ...... 9 Committee Reports Affirming Ministry Committee ...... 9 Annual Meeting Planning Committee ...... 9 Archives Committee ...... 10 Archivist’s Report ...... 13 Christian Life and Growth Committee ...... 13 Church in Action Committee ...... 14 Financial Support Committee ...... 15 Finance and Property Committee...... 16 Proceeds from Church Sales - 2017 ...... 18 Proposed Budget for 2019 ...... 19 Narrative Budget for 2019 ...... 22 Bequest Funds ...... 24 Maritime Conference Internally Restricted Funds ...... 28 Auditor’s Report ...... 30 Ministry, Personnel and Education Committee ...... 47 Education and Students Committee ...... 47 Biographies of Candidates for Ordination and Admission ...... 48 Conference Interview Board ...... 51 Conference Committee on Internship and Educational Supervision ...... 51 Conference Interim Ministry Committee ...... 52 Maritime Conference Pensions Convenors ...... 53 Settlement Committee ...... 53 Nominations Committee ...... 54 Directory of Membership of Standing Committees ...... 55 Staff Committee ...... 64 Stewardship Network ...... 65 Executive Committee Reports Incorporated Ministries Reporting ...... 65 List of Incorporated Ministries Directors ...... 66 United Church Men ...... 71 United Church Women ...... 73 Other Reports Atlantic School of Theology Senate ...... 74 Atlantic School of Theology ...... 76 Financial Services of Maritime Conference ...... 76 Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 3
General Council Executive ...... 77 Hunter United Church Building Fund...... 79 Mission and Service Giving in 2017 ...... 80 Mount Allison University Board of Regents ...... 81 Pine Hill Divinity Hall ...... 82 Tatamagouche Centre ...... 83 United Church Home For Senior Citizens (The Drew Nursing Home/Tantramar Residences) ...... 84 Pastoral Oversight Reports Bermuda Synod ...... 85 Chignecto Presbytery ...... 86 Halifax Presbytery ...... 87 Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery ...... 88 Miramichi Presbytery ...... 89 Pictou Presbytery ...... 89 Prince Edward Island Presbytery ...... 90 Saint John Presbytery ...... 90 St. Croix Presbytery ...... 91 South Shore Presbytery ...... 93 Sydney Presbytery ...... 94 Truro Presbytery ...... 95 Valley Presbytery ...... 97 Woolastook Presbytery ...... 98 Decisions and Actions of Executive and Sub-Executive ...... 98 Jubilarians and Retirees ...... 105 Memorial Observances ...... 107 Proposals Process ...... 121 GC43 Business Outline Summary (v2018-01-31) ...... 122 Proposal 1 – Mental Health Training ...... 124 Proposal 2 – 1925 20 Articles of Faith ...... 126 Proposal 3 – Delay Implementation of Three Court System ...... 128 Proposal 4 – Continued Use of Conference Office ...... 130 Proposal 5 – Maintain on Church in Action Committee...... 130 Proposal 6 – Association of Ministers ...... 131 Draft Agenda ...... 134
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PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
#9
Vote Required Simple Majority Decision by chair; see Simple Majority Decision by the chair Simple Majority 2/3 Simple Majority 2/3’s Majority Simple Majority Simple Majority Simple Majority Simple Majority 2/3’s if in the same meeting; majority if at another meeting; see note #12
it it be
Can referred? No No No No No No No No n/a Yes No Yes Yes
Can it be tabled? No No Yes No n/a No See note #7 No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Subject to closure? No No n/a No No n/a Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Can it be reconsidered? No No Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No; See note #10
What motions apply to it? None None 5,1,2,13 3 None 13 10 None 6,10,13 5,6,7,9,13 6,13 All See note #10
Can it be amended? No No No No No See note #5 Yes (time) No Yes; See note #8 Yes No Yes No No
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
e?
Debatabl No See note #1 No; See note #3 No No No; See note #4 No; See note #6 No See note #6 Yes See note #6 Yes Yes; See note #10 Yes
Seconder required? Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Interrupt member on the floor? No Yes Yes; See note #2 Yes No No No Yes No No No No No No
Ruling
Motion Adjourn/ Recess Privilege Appeal of the Chair’s Point of Order Motion to Table To extend or limit debate Postpone definitely To call anfor immediate vote Motion to refer Amend Postpone Indefinitely Main Motion Motion to reconsider Motion to Lift the from Table
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
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CONFERENCE RESOURCE PERSONS
President Rev. Richard Bowley
President-Elect Rev. Catherine MacDonald
Executive Secretary Mr. David Hewitt
General Council Representative Ms. Pauline Walker (Lay), 2nd Term Rev. Sean Handcock (OM), 1st Term
Annual Meeting Planning Chair Rev. Donna Tourneur
Annual Meeting Planning Secretary Ms. April Hart
Proposals Unit Chair Rev. Rachel Campbell Rev. Ivan Gregan Rev. Stephen Mills
Local Arrangements Chair Mr. Donald Mackay
Worship Planning Rev. Ivan Gregan
Head Teller Rev. Melaney Matheson
Past-President/Banquet Coordinator/ Ecumenical Host Rev. Catherine Stuart
Treasurer Mr. Alan Gray
Office Manager Ms. Jennifer Whittemore
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PRESIDENT–ELECT
Sacred stories, shared with others, form a faith that’s strong and true Sacred places, etched with meaning, bringing hope and joy anew. Sacred memories, sacred future, sacred present, here and now. Sacred knowing, sacred being, Sacred living be our vow. (Tune VU 374 – Come and Find the Quiet Centre)
#TrueStory is the theme of this Conference Annual Meeting, perhaps the final meeting of the part of the body of Christ known as Maritime Conference, but not the end of us meeting together. And not the end of God's story or our story. What are the sacred stories we have to share? The sacred memories and the sacred future?
The story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is our greatest story. Where do we locate ourselves in his story? Have we left our nets behind to follow him? Are we one who has experienced healing through him? Are we one who spends time with him, learning from him, confused by him? Are we with the crowd shouting Hosanna? Are we the betrayer? Are we among those who denied knowing Jesus? Are we one of the bystanders… waiting to see which way the wind blows? Are we the one betrayed? Are we one of the faithful women who stayed with Jesus? Are we one of those same women who announced Jesus’ resurrection? Are we one of the disbelieving disciples? Who thought the women’s account was an idle tale? Wherever we locate ourselves in Jesus’ story, Easter is for us!
I write this on Wednesday of Holy Week; halfway between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Halfway between crying Hosanna and He is Risen! The past will not save us and the future is still unknown. So we sit in this in between time, looking both backwards and forwards. This holy space, this waiting for resurrection is a tender place and time, and we long to be saved. Saved from what? Death? Jesus died and lived again. Can we trust that the death of this part of the body of Christ will lead to resurrection? Remembering that Jesus was no longer the same in his rising. Our rising too will be different.
Jesus is not in the past… he is always ahead of us, calling us, inviting us, challenging us. Calling us to be joyful and courageous. Inviting us into his mission of welcome and inclusion of all. More often than not, I end my Sunday morning reflections with the words, “Thanks be to God for the challenge and the opportunity of following Jesus.” For it is challenge and opportunity. Opportunity to be part of an ancient story, opportunity to continue Jesus’ story, opportunity to go deeper into Jesus’ story and emerge transformed in some way. May we enter into the story knowing that God is with us.
Blessings on our shared stories… Rev. Catherine MacDonald
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 7
REPRESENTATIVES OF GENERAL COUNCIL
The Rev. Alan Hall Executive Officer Ministry and Employment (Human Resources) General Council Office The United Church of Canada
Ordained by Maritime Conference of The United Church of Canada, Alan is a graduate of Mount Allison University and the University of Toronto (Victoria College). He has served in ministry positions in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and East Africa.
He currently serves as Executive Officer Ministry and Employment (Human Resources) in the General Council Office of the United Church. In this role, he has oversight of candidacy and admission to ministry vocations, pastoral relations processes, and employment policies and services for the denomination, including compensation and benefits. He is co-chair of the Remit Implementation Task Group and oversees the development of the Office of Vocation. Alan also serves as the senior Executive Officer of The Pension Fund of The United Church of Canada with responsibility for governance and fiduciary duty. He is a member of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy and the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches.
Sara Stratton Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator General Council Office The United Church of Canada
Sara Stratton is Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator for the United Church of Canada. Sara is a Newfoundlander, raised in Corner Brook (Qalipu M’ikmaq territory) and shaped by her family’s almost 300 year history in Northwestern Bonavista Bay – part of the traditional territory of the Beothuk. She has a PhD in history from York University, and has worked in the church sector for 20 years. In her spare time, she cooks, gardens, and watches birds. She is married to Kelly, who is a librarian.
MUSIC LEADERS
Dana Pardy and Kevin Parks are pleased to return as this year’s music leadership team. Kevin and Dana have been collaborators in music ministry for 25+ years. As a duo they crossover music styles, capably performing in classical as well as contemporary and global genres. They have worked jointly in music leadership in congregations in the Maritimes and British Columbia, and have been co-music directors for St. Luke’s Community Players productions since including this years production, Nunsense! Dana is Ministries Mentor at St. John’s United Church, Waverley Pastoral Charge, and Music Education Specialist at Giant Steps Children’s Centres. Kevin is Minister of Music at St. Andrew’s United Church, Halifax and University Musician at Atlantic School of Theology. Working with Dana and Kevin are Rick Gunn, bass and David Atwood, percussion. 8 The United Church of Canada
CONSTITUTIONAL MOTIONS
RE CONFERENCE ROLL “That the Roll of the Ministry Personnel, as contained in the Record of Proceedings of the last Annual Meeting of the Conference, with the addition of the names of those who have been transferred into the Conference, and the deletion of the names of those who have been transferred out of the Conference, or have died, during the year, be the Ministry Personnel Roll of Conference; and that the lists of Lay Members appointed by the Conference and submitted by the various Presbyteries, subject to such changes as shall be presented in writing to the Executive Secretary’s desk by May 15, signed by the Chairperson or Secretary of the Presbyteries concerned, be the Roll of lay members; and that the Roll as thus constituted be now taken as read and further that the Roll be adjusted between now and the convening of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Conference to delete all members of the Order of Ministry who will be transferred out of the Conference, other Ministry Personnel whose appointments end, and all Lay Members who may move out of the Conference or remove their membership from The United Church of Canada, and to add all members of the Order of Ministry who may be transferred into the Conference.” RE QUORUM AND BOUNDS “That the quorum be as indicated in Section D.4.3.1 of The Manual; (a) at least 1/5 of the members of the Conference who are entitled to vote must be present; (b) at least 1/3 of the voting members present must be members of the order of ministry or designated lay ministers; (c) at least 1/3 of the voting members present must be lay people other than those appointed as designated lay ministers; and (d) there must be members present from at least two presbyteries. And that the bounds of annual meeting of Maritime Conference be the floor of the place of meeting.” RE CORRESPONDING MEMBERS “That members of other Conferences of The United Church of Canada who are now present, or who will be present at any subsequent sessions of this meeting of Conference; the Candidates for Ordination or Commissioning at this meeting of Conference not serving pastoral charges; the active and retired Lay Overseas Personnel; ecumenical delegates and observers; The President of the Atlantic School of Theology (or their designate) and the Executive Director of the Tatamagouche Center (or their designate) and any other registered visitors to the Conference sessions; be Corresponding Members of this Court.” RE AGENDA “That the programme as printed and distributed be adopted as the Agenda for this meeting of Conference, subject to such changes as may be adopted and such Orders of the Day as may be determined, by the Conference.” RE MINUTES “That the Minutes of the ninety-second Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference (Pages 128-156, Record of Proceedings) be adopted as printed and circulated.” RE REPORTS “That all Reports to the Annual Meeting which do not require other action be received for information.” (Reports coming to this annual meeting for action are Finance and Property, Ministry Personnel & Education and Nominating.) RE RULES OF DEBATE “That the initial time allocated for the mover to address the motion be limited to three minutes and that all subsequent speakers limit their time to two minutes, including any reply by the mover of the motion.” Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 9
CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT DESIGNATE
No nominations received at time of printing.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
AFFIRMING MINISTRY COMMITTEE
The Affirm Committee held two meetings in 2107/18; one face-to-face and one by conference call. Still a very new committee in the Conference, our main task has been getting to know one another and the work of the Affirm movement in the United Church of Canada. We are blessed with the wisdom of experience of past members, and welcome Susan Reid as our chair.
In living out our commitment of inclusion, modifications have been made to the Conference Office. Affirm logos have been placed on the doors, and a banner placed in the entrance way. More significant changes in the building around provision of gender non-specific washrooms is still under discussion. This brings with it a significant renovation cost and is being held in consideration with potential organizational changes following General Council 43.
In our time together we have discussed topics such as the Nashville Statement and various responses to it, Iridesce project, Operation Shoebox and theological differences represented in this mission work, and continuing education and support of Affirm in Maritime Conference. Plans are underway to provide a workshop and display table at the Annual Meeting of Conference in May 2108.
Much thanks must be given to committee members Tony Burnett, Elizabeth Stevenson, Jennifer Robarts and our staff support David Hewitt. Their passion, compassion and dedication will continue to hold the work of Affirm as we move forward.
Susan Reid Chair
ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING COMMITTEE
Theme: # True Story Recognizing this is a significant year, the committee felt the need to honour the broad challenges and emotional context associated with this time of change. This meeting will attempt to both share information about the work happening and to offer time through theme and worship to share our stories. Our time together is reflected and remembered through 93 years of work. Several themes emerge and will be remembered in chapters of our common story.
Chapter 1: In the beginning 1925 & early days Chapter 2: Potlucks, pews & pastoral adventures congregational life Chapter 3: A woman’s place women’s work & ministry 10 The United Church of Canada
Chapter 4: To seek justice social justice & action Chapter 5: Are we there yet? children’s & youth ministry Chapter 6: The next chapter imagining the future
The final theme session on Saturday will be an “order of the day” so we spend our time in the last chapter with an eye to the future.
The worship team will endeavor to integrate worship with theme, providing a sacramental unity in a kind of “controlled Chaos.” Kevin Parks and Dana Pardy will be leading music again.
The Youth Forum and Intermediates at Conference will once more provide a quality experience for our young people. We are expecting a combined number of about 200 youth, who will join in inviting us to imagine how the sacred is at work in our communities and churches. The infusion of hope we feel through these programs, in both leadership and participants will surely be appreciated this year.
In case you think this whole annual meeting will be focused on our changing structure, it is helpful to be reminded that the work of justice seeking and faithful living continues, as it ought, the Church in Action committee has invited Sister Maudilia Lopez Cardona, Guatemala, to address the court during their committee time. We anticipate the insights she brings will invite us to look beyond ourselves to the places we are called to work for justice with our mission partners.
Workshops are being planned by several groups in our conference. Those who are bringing proposals have been invited to offer a workshop to offer a time for those who might like to work through the heart of the proposals before they come to the floor to do so.
Faith March-MacCuish, who has been named Executive Minister (Provisional) for our regions in the new structure will be joining us at the Annual Meeting.
We have reserved some time on Friday evening to honour the Conference Staff. The Staff committee has been given the responsibility to plan this event.
Respectfully submitted, Donna Tourneur
ARCHIVES COMMITTEE
At the rise of Conference in 2017 and in the months that followed, several members of the Maritime Conference Archives Committee (hereafter MCAC) completed their time on the committee or had to step away from the work for other reasons. We thank Heather MacLean, Louise Fyffe and Marianna Russell for their time on the committee.
The MCAC met once in October 2017 and will meet again in May 2018 just prior to the beginning of the 93rd Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 11
As with many groups in United Church, the MCAC has been concerned over the last year with various facets of the process to restructure the United Church of Canada. As a Conference Archives Committee, our discussions as a group have, naturally, centred around the place of archives, archivists and records retention in the United Church’s new system of organization. Committee members and others have already received comments of concern from grassroots members and adherents in Maritime Conference about what happens to congregational and other records and how accessible they will be in the new configuration of the United Church.
One of the outcomes of the MCAC’s October 2017 meeting was a list of recommendations concerning archives and record keeping in the new configuration. These were passed on to the Boundaries Commission and the Remit Implementation Team.
In addition, a consultant is currently reviewing the state of archives across the breadth of the United Church. She has already issued an interim report. We await Laura Millar’s final report which should be completed in advance of the Conference Annual Meeting.
In conjunction with the work concerning the Archives Network Review, I, as Chair of the MCAC, have tried to synthesize thoughts shared with me about the future of archives and pass them on to the archives consultant. I have also participated in discussions about boundaries and the future of archives on behalf of Maritime Conference at meetings of the denominational Archives and History Committee (hereafter AHC).
With Maritime Conference Archivist, Sarah Wallace, on maternity leave until June, David Hewitt also filled out a questionnaire for the archives consultant on behalf of Maritime Conference.
We are in a process of change in the United Church. Members of the MCAC understand this. While some members have cautioned that we should not be too wedded to one system, it has been a commonly expressed sentiment that – whatever the new structure – the current archival facilities with at least the current level of staffing and the corresponding funding should be maintained. In addition, a hope has been expressed that should Maritime Conference be split into two regions – as is currently slated to happen – that the two regions should continue to share the existing archival space and services and maintain a joint archives committee with equal representation from the two regions.
It is important to note that the current archival facility in Sackville is relatively new and state-of- the-art. It is the culmination of many years of hard work by various members and staff of the United Church in Maritime Conference. As the Maritime Conference Archives rents space to – among others – the General Council Archives of the United Church, the current archival space serves not only Maritime Conference but a need in the wider church. By renting archival space to several local cultural institutions and the General Council Archives, we have continued to accrue rent from extra archival space for the past several years. With a rental total of $11,777 in 2017, the Conference exceeded its budgeted expectations for rent by over $2000. Moreover, as the Maritime Conference representative to the AHC, I have seen that – despite our monetary challenges – we are in a better position than many other Conference Archives.
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In more joyous news, in December 2017, Maritime Conference Archivist, Sarah Wallace, and her husband welcomed a daughter into their family. With the Conference Archivist on maternity leave, former Maritime Conference Archivist, Judith Colwell, has agreed oversee the Conference’s archival work for a more limited number of hours per week. We thank Judith Colwell for her time and efforts.
Last year we began The Archives and Artefact Beacon newsletter. Two more editions have been completed since last year’s report to the 92nd Annual Meeting. There will be another edition before the 93rd Annual Meeting celebrating the history of Conference and the Presbyteries. For missed copies, go here: https://marconf.ca/47585-archives-artefact-beacon-newsletter/
In conjunction with the AHC, work continues slowly but steadily on a trial project to catalogue the history contained in artefacts of the United Church. There is now a draft cataloguing guide available on the Maritime Conference Archives’ website. (https://marconf.ca/wp- content/uploads/2012/02/Keys-to-Keeping-Track-of-Material-History.pdf).
In relation to the project on artefacts and other archival matters, Maritime Conference Archivist, Sarah Wallace, and I, Julielynne Anderson, visited Trinity United Church in Charlottetown, PEI in November of 2017. We thank, in particular, Katherine Dewar and Emily Bryant of Trinity’s History and Archives Committee for their help with this artefact project and their work on church history.
In other heritage related news, for several years the AHC has been working on a virtual history website to commemorate United Church history. I am pleased to announce that there are now four commemorations from Maritime Conference on the website. To view these commemorations and for guidelines on heritage commemoration submissions, please follow this link: http://www.ucheritage.ca/
Previously, we began a process to make one of the positions on the MCAC a designated youth/young adult position. It is a pleasure to say that this has been achieved. We are pleased to welcome Timothy Howatt as the first person to hold this position.
A thank you to Maritime Conference Archivist, Sarah Wallace, for her stellar work in the Maritime Conference Archives. Again, a thank you to Judith Colwell for filling in. A special thank you to the entire staff of Maritime Conference for all their hard work, but especially for their help in the last few months when Sarah Wallace has been on maternity leave.
In closing, I leave everyone with some food for thought… Archives and records retention are both a legal responsibility and a way to honour our heritage. I urge people to consider the place of archives and records in the new structure of the United Church carefully. If we neglect archives and records, we may very well fail in our legal obligations and effectively write ourselves and our forebears out of history.
Respectfully submitted, Julielynne Anderson, Chair Maritime Conference Archives Committee Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 13
Archivist’s Report
When our archivist, Sarah Wallace, began her maternal leave on December 5th, I began working a maximum of 7 hours per week in the archives. Thus far, I have enjoyed the hunt for information, and some processing of records. I also enjoyed volunteering in the archives, usually processing records received. The following work of the archivist is gleaned from Sarah’s files:
The archives received 109 accessions in 2017 – some a few pages, and some containing 15 boxes. In general records received prior to September have been processed, and subsequent records, very slowly, are being sorted, placed in acid free folders, catalogued, boxed and shelved. One large edition to our collections contained the records of the Atlantic Ecumenical Council.
People who come to the archives to do their own research have been few (only 16 visits). When people do not visit the archives to do their research, the archivist has been called upon by mail and e-mail to search for answers to their questions. Sarah responded to 91 genealogy queries, and provided certifications of marriage/baptism/burial to 68 others. Eleven academics were assisted with their research, quite a few of which are creating histories of overseas missions and missionaries. Fifteen research requests came from other archives. Sarah has also been working with Sharon Moyse to collect photos and biographies of presidents of Maritime Conference UCW.
Searches for minute details for Conference and for Presbyteries numbered forty – many of these involved trying to locate legal documents for cemeteries, churches (particularly deeds), and for historic details of buildings including identifying architects and, oddly, one request for the name of the carver of a gravestone! The archivist has done 72 searches for pastoral charges – quite a few for information regarding their trust funds.
Sarah also continued her work of reworking the box list finding aids for our holdings so that they are becoming computerized. All in all the work was obviously varied and done with much dedication.
Judith Colwell
CHRISTIAN LIFE & GROWTH COMMITTEE
Maritime Conference Christian Life and Growth continues to support a number of special projects.
More than Friends, an online marriage preparation resource was launched in November of 2016 and we have supported the leads on this project, Rev. Dr. Linda Yates and Rev. Janice MacLean (of The Prayer Bench), as they worked diligently to get it established and marketed over the last 2 years. We are pleased that it is now a beautiful, easy to use resource available for purchase by anyone leading marriage preparation, and couples can even use it on their own. There has been ecumenical interest in this resource and from across the country.
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Be. Maritimes continued holding events in the Winter, Spring and Fall of 2017, travelling throughout the Maritimes and building community outside of the traditional worship setting. They travelled to Skylight Festival in August in Paris, Ontario and were a featured program of the event.
We built a partnership with the Go Project in 2016 through providing finances to help congregations host Children’s Adventure Camps. We continue to support this project.
Youth Forum, Intermediates at Conference and Camping Ministries are all important and thriving ministries of Christian Life and Growth. There is continued focus on implementing leadership development, training, future directions, policies and governance for all of these programs.
We continue to foster connections between youth leaders, a facebook group is used by youth leaders, a way for them to communicate, share ideas and resources.
Christian Life and Growth Committee continues to monitor the youth opportunities fund. Money was used from the fund during the summer to assist with travel for Rendez-Vous. The fund has made it possible for a number of youth to participate in exciting expressions of mission in the world since it was established.
The sub-committee, Outdoor Recreation Ministries, which has oversight of our camping ministries in Maritime Conference, continues to offer leadership training for camp staff. They also have been encouraging learning and development and hosting conversations called “Camp Futures” for camp board members.
We are very grateful to Laura Hunter who continues to share her time, gifts and supports our committee and to Lauren King who continues to work along with us as Program Assistant for Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
As we make our way through 2018, it is my prayer that God will continue to bless the work of this conference. Our committee is open to hearing any concerns or suggestions you may have for us.
Blessings, Alicia Walls Chair, Maritime Conference Christian Life and Growth Committee
CHURCH IN ACTION COMMITTEE
The Church in Action committee of Maritime Conference includes the chair of each presbytery CiA committee plus the chairs of the working groups and a few members at large. The “on the ground” justice work is done through these working groups and our presbyteries. Here is some of what our working groups have been up to lately:
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 15
Justice and Peace for Palestine and Israel: April 28 and 29 Naim Ateek, co-founder of Sabeel, will be in Halifax. He will be at a private dinner for clergy and theologically minded people on April 28 and a public event at SMU on April 29. The focus nationally and at the Conference level has been on the “No Way to Treat a Child” campaign that seeks to educate people and help them to respond to the high numbers of Palestinian children being held prisoner in Israel.
Mental Health The Mental Health Working Group has: Held a second workshop in November at which several task groups were set up to deal with a number of mental health concerns. The Working Group intends to present a proposal on mental health training for paid accountable ministers to Conference in May. The Working Group is now developing a program for a workshop in early May, and considering making a presentation on mental health at Conference.
Mining the Connections Sister Maudilia Lopez, who has raising awareness of the inhumane activities of Candadian mining companies in her home of Guatemala, will be joining us at Conference. We urge you to have a conversation with this remarkable woman and find out what our country has been doing to hers. Ombudsperson for Extractive Resources.The work of the last 10 years has paid off in an ombudsperson who will hear difficulties and abuses aroundCanadian mining companies’ operation in Canada. It iscause for celebration, but since it’s new it’s worth watching to make sure that the voices that need to be heard indeed are.
The Church in Action Committee of Maritime Conference has a great hope. We believe that God is calling us to be aware of what is possible for our world and for the people in it, and to strive to bring a balance of justice and peace to a hurting world. If you feel the same, we invite you to join one of our working groups. Contact Laura Hunter at the Conference office and she will help you to become more involved.
Submitted by Sarah Reaburn
FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Financial Support Committee of Maritime Conference membership from June 2017 to May 2018 consisted of Jeffro Bursey, Heather Donnelly, Harley Grimmer, Sheila Gallant, Phyllis Munroe, Frank Oulton, Bob Fisher and myself, Fay Smith, as Chair.
Our committee throughout the year supported outreach ministries and educational opportunities across Maritime Conference: --September 17, 2017 meeting allocated funds for 2018 Mission Support grants amounting to $174,542.00 to 14 mission units (one Pastoral Charge (learning site), two campus ministries, and 16 The United Church of Canada
11 outreach ministries). The same amount of money was also disbursed in 2017. There was NO uncommitted balance for any emergency funding requests in 2017-18. --distributed funds from Capital Assistance Grants which included: Church Modernization $7,947, Manse Modernization $10,706, Technology $2,300, Education Centre $4,000, Camps $4,000 and from Capital Assistance Loans $42,000. --from Conference Funds: Conference Learning grants $9,516.45, Youth Opportunities Funds $6,000 and Bequest Funds $7,700. (At the May 2016 Maritime Conference Annual Meeting, the church court approved a $10,000.00 Congregational Learning Fund (now renamed Conference Learning Grants) from Conference funds to be drawn from each year, which is replacing the discontinued grant from General Council).
In April 2017, the committee chose to visit two of the Mission Support grant recipients in the Halifax area—St Matthew’s United with Out of the Cold Program and St Paul’s Family Resource Centre, Spryfield. The visits provided us with affirmation for the work we do as a committee to assure that many much needed ministries continue to be supported within our Conference through the generosity of our people and the ingenuity of our United Church of Canada Mission and Service Fund.
As always, our committee appreciates the good work that is done at the Pastoral Charge level through M&S stories, events and offerings and at Presbytery level through Stewardship programs.
I wish to offer my thanks to all of the committee members for their energy and time as we work together, ask questions and the role we play in a vision that helps so many. A special thank you to the Conference staff, Laura Hunter and Marlene Trenholm, who assist us in many ways! And a huge thank you to each and every person who contributes to the Mission and Service Fund, enabling the Mission Support grant to continue to support a wide variety of ministries in our midst.
Blessings, Fay Smith, Chair, Financial Support
FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE
With the number of new members of our committee, it was decided to hold an in-person meeting in the fall to allow our members to get to know each other. At that time, we would introduce our new members, Harvey Gullon, Truro Presbytery, Kyle Grant, Miramichi Presbytery, Charles Stewart, Woolastook Presbytery and Tony Orlando, Valley Presbytery. Rev. Meggin King agreed to be our secretary for the coming year. Unfortunately, Tony Orlando, Kyle Grant and Susan MacAlpine-Gillis were unable to join us.
The meeting had a full agenda with a focus on the status of the mortgage for the Maritime Conference building and the request of the Affirming Committee to a gender-neutral washroom. There was much discussion on the status of the mortgage and where we were with renewing with our original lenders. Over the fall the committee had discussed moving the mortgage to the General Council and they had accepted the work we had prepared. We were prepared to move Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 17 forward with this decision. The original vendors further explained to us their reasoning for wanting to continue to be the holders of the mortgage and upon reflection we felt as a committee it was in the best interest of Maritime Conference to leave the mortgage where it was. We were able to negotiate a decrease in the interest rate from 6.5 to 4.5% with the ability to renegotiate in 5 years. We were also able to pay down an additional 10% on the mortgage leaving us a balance of approximately one million dollars.
The other main topic that the committee worked on throughout the year was the request from the Affirming committee to consider a gender-neutral washroom. We toured the building and discussed possible options for how we could accomplish this goal. At this time this project has been put on hold waiting for the outcome of the remits at General Council or until the status and the use of the Maritime Conference building is determined. Throughout the year we also discussed the sale and situation of various church properties throughout the region. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Executive for approval.
This year, as in past years, the format for our budget process included sending a letter early in the year to committee chairs asking for their budget for 2019 to meet their program objectives, while reminding them to be conscious of the fact that we would no longer be receiving monies from General Council. The budget proposals from standing committees were reviewed in a conference call with the committee’s chairs during the April, 2018 meeting. A special word of thanks and commendation is extended to committee chairs for the hard work reviewing their programs and controlling their expenses for the proposed 2019 budget. The narrative budget prepared in 2018 for inclusion with the 2019 budget proposal was reviewed and amended to reflect the proposed 2019 budget. The 2019 narrative budget will be presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting as part of the budget deliberations.
We all realize that the 43rd General Council may enact the remits and could implement the new structure as of January 1st, 2019. If that is the case, then this work on the budget may be a starting point for the regions 14 & 15 to try to discern their needs for the coming year. If the implementation is delayed, then this budget will be our guideline for the coming year.
So, on that note, the committees funding is increased by approximately $5,750 in 2019. This increase is principally accounted for by our Christian Life & Growth Committee as we continue to offer resources to our congregations to build our faith. Our proposed budget for Youth Form and Intermediates at Conference was held at 2018 budget levels and the costs are offset by revenues from registrations for these two events and is cost neutral. Once again, as in the past, we sincerely thank the committee chairs for their continued thoughtful deliberation in considering the budget realistically. Thanks to all of our staff that continue to support the Finance & Property Committee in this important work for our church. Our budget preparation methodology continues to work well. We continue to want full transparency, accountability and good financial management in the work of the Maritime Conference.
In the development of the 2019 budget for Maritime Conference, the committee set out 3 guidelines for decision-making: 1. We will hold (or attempt to hold) the 2019 allocations to presbyteries at the 2018 figure of $934,366. 18 The United Church of Canada
2. We will not be receiving any grant from the National Office. 3. Our salary budget will include part time staff for Youth Ministry on a contract basis.
At its April 27-28, 2018 meeting, Maritime Conference Executive Committee will be presented with the following motions, which if approved and authorized will be presented to the Maritime Conference Annual Meeting in May 2018: 1. That the proposed operating budget for the year 2019 be established with expenditures of $ 1,123,291.64, with revenues other than Allocations of $126,025.00, a 0% allocation increase, an operating deficit of $0.00, and a draw from the contingency fund of up to 62,900.64. 2. That the proposed 2019 allocation to presbyteries be set at $934,366.00, which is an increase of $0.00 (0%) over the allocation for 2018. 3. That the proposed capital expenditure for the 2019 budget be approved at $3,000.00. 4. That a narrative budget for the 2019 financial year be presented to the Conference Annual Meeting to assist delegates in their understanding of the 2019 budget. 5. That Maritime Conference committee travel rate of $0.30/km, meal rates of $30/day, and annual meeting travel rate of $0.10/km remain the same for 2019. 6. That the audited financial statement of the Maritime Conference Fund for 2017 prepared by Grant Thornton, CA, Moncton, NB be approved. 7. That Grant Thornton, CA, Moncton, NB, be re-appointed as auditors of the Maritime Conference Fund for the year ending December 31, 2018. 8. That the above items will be duly presented to the Conference Annual Meeting on May 25, 2018.
We would like to offer a special thank you to all Pastoral Charges in Maritime Conference for their financial and spiritual support for the work of our conference.
We continue to face the unknown. As we prepare for the 43rd General Council, we offer prayers to our leaders to make the best decisions for the United Church of Canada as a whole. As we move through this year and the future unfolds for us I know we will work hard to keep the United Church of Canada alive and well in our respective regions.
Respectfully Submitted, Jane McDonald, Chairperson Finance and Property Committee Maritime Conference
Proceeds from Church Property Sales - 2017
When a congregation disbands, or an Incorporated Ministry dissolves, Conference is responsible for any remaining property (Manual G.1.5.7, Incorporated Ministry Handbook). Maritime Conference has approved “Guidelines for Church Property Sales and Proceeds of Sale” (http://marconf.ca/resources/guidelines-for-church-property-sales-and-proceeds-of-sale/) which are offered for the consideration of any group in the church considering the sale of church property.
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Conference is required to consult with the Presbytery before making any final decision with respect to the sale of the property of disbanded congregations (Manual G.1.5.7). The Conference Executive has chosen to deal with each property sale situation on a case-by-case basis – there is no policy that applies in all situations.
In 2017, the following church properties were sold, and a portion of the sale proceeds was received by Maritime Conference in support of the Conference Fundraising Project for paying down the mortgage.
Disbanded Congregation Received by Conference Orangedale United Church $ 6,728 Trinity United Church (Cape Tormentine) $ 3,611 Wesley United Church (Bayfield) $ 4,961 Renwick United Church $ 2,756 Trinity United Church (Parrsboro) $ 6,219 Escuminac United Church $ 5,000 Salisbury Pastoral Charge Manse $25,000 Kouchibouquac United Church $ 540 Steeves Memorial United Church $36,523 Northumberland Pastoral Charge Manse $12,891
Proposed Budget for 2019
2019 2017 Actual 2018 Budget Recommended Revenue $934,366.00 $934,365.99 Allocations to Presbyteries $934,366.00
Other Revenue $194,097.00 $30,000.00 From General Council $0.00 $42,801.88 $40,750.00 YF Registrations $40,750.00 $24,097.40 $30,250.00 I@C Registrations $30,250.00 $33,608.73 $0.00 Be $0.00 $621.58 $0.00 Bank Interest $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Archives Fees $0.00 $11,777.00 $9,750.00 Archives Rent $12,000.00 $257.58 $0.00 Archives Projects $0.00 $25.00 $0.00 Camp Stuff Registrations $0.00 $1,025.00 $750.00 Camp Staff Training $750.00 20 The United Church of Canada
$20,171.78 $500.00 CLG Project Income $500.00 $294.00 $0.00 Online Courses $0.00 $736.00 $0.00 CiA Project Income $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 MPE Projects $0.00 $18,000.00 $0.00 Internship Sites $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Conference Interview Board $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 CIES Orientation Event $0.00 $29,470.60 $0.00 Licensed Lay Worship Leader $0.00 $725.00 $1,000.00 Banquet Tickets $750.00 $0.00 $0.00 Stewardship $0.00 $17.24 $0.00 AVEL Fees $0.00 $591.05 $550.00 Office Supply Recoveries $525.00 $30,789.92 $0.00 Camping Ministry $0.00 $6,000.00 $0.00 Youth Opportunities Fund $0.00 Fin & Prop-Remaining $0.00 $0.00 Properties $0.00 $100.00 $0.00 Travel Recoveries $0.00 $3,580.00 $2,500.00 Rental Income $2,500.00 $72,370.07 $0.00 Other Income $0.00 $32,388.00 $33,500.00 Amort. of Campaign Proceeds $38,000.00
$1,457,910.83 $1,083,915.99 Totals $1,060,391.00
Expenses Conference Executive $12,217.99 $11,550.00 Meetings of Conf. Executive $12,050.00 $272.94 $1,000.00 Task Groups $1,000.00 $0.00 $3,000.00 Commissioners’ Training $0.00 $0.00 $100.00 Moderator’s Visits $0.00 $3,162.49 $4,500.00 Presbytery Officers Gathering $3,500.00 $180.89 $400.00 Ordination Costs $250.00 $34,594.78 $5,000.00 Conflict Resolution / Legal $5,000.00 Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 21
$0.00 $500.00 Miscellaneous $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Personnel Emergency $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Financial Campaign $0.00
$50,429.09 $26,050.00 Total Conference Executive $21,800.00
Administration $4,641.44 $4,500.00 Officers’ Expenses $4,500.00 $5,000.00 $5,000.00 Treasurer’s Honorarium $5,000.00 $13,098.12 $11,000.00 Auditors’ Fees $13,000.00 $1,458.33 $1,750.00 User Fees & Bank Charges $1,750.00 $0.00 $0.00 Bad Debts Expense $0.00 $5,042.04 $2,000.00 Interest Expense $2,500.00 $198.66 $500.00 Treasurer’s Expense $250.00
$29,438.59 $24,750.00 Total Administration $27,000.00
Conference Office $62,890.01 $63,500.30 Mortgage Interest $35,116.64 $73,926.99 $67,175.00 Office Operations $71,850.00 $20,826.95 $21,475.00 Staff Travel $22,375.00 $559,823.64 $555,000.00 Staff Salaries and Benefits $551,000.00
$717,467.59 $707,150.30 Total Conference Office $680,341.64
Standing Committees $57,751.75 $71,275.00 Annual Meeting Committee $65,700.00 Christian Life and Growth $182,618.80 $95,875.00 Committee $105,575.00 $7,435.62 $16,250.00 Church In Action Committee $14,450.00 $41.06 $200.00 Nominating Committee $100.00 $198.95 $1,500.00 Stewardship Network $1,000.00 $2,249.74 $1,450.00 Finance & Property $2,375.00 $10,752.25 $5,150.00 Financial Support $11,650.00 22 The United Church of Canada
$966.92 $1,200.00 Archives $1,200.00 Ministry Personnel & $28,155.90 $30,500.00 Education Committee $27,500.00 $5,820.89 $9,300.00 Staff Committee $9,100.00 $1,945.55 $3,700.00 Affirming Ministry $3,500.00
$297,937.43 $236,400.00 Total Standing Committees $242,150.00
Grants to Organizations and for Ministry Education $50,000.00 $50,000.00 Tatamagouche Centre (ACTC) $50,000.00 $101,736.30 $101,500.00 Depreciation $101,500.00 $111,061.00 ($61,934.31) Reserve ($62,400.64)
$1,247,009.00 $1,145,850.30 Total Expenses $1,122,791.64 Excess of Revenue over Expenses (Expenses over $210,901.83 ($61,934.31) Revenue) ($62,400.64)
Capital Expenditures Furniture and Office $0.00 $500.00 Equipment $500.00 $0.00 $2,500.00 Computer Hardware Upgrades $2,500.00
$0.00 $3,000.00 Total $3,000.00
Narrative Budget for 2018
A Celebration of God’s Presence - Narrative 2019 Budget of Maritime Conference
The Maritime Conference has a planned operating budget for 2019 of $1, 145,850.00 with a draw of $62,400 from the contingency fund and with $934,366 allocated to presbyteries and hence to Pastoral Charges.
The 2019 Narrative Budget is entitled “A Celebration of God’s Presence”. It looks at the work of the Maritime Conference with focus on major activities of the conference in 2019 as follows:
I. Ministry to Pastoral Charges, Community Ministries, and Incorporated Ministries The staff and programs of Maritime Conference provide guidance to Pastoral Charges, Community Ministries, and Incorporated Ministries in UCC policy application, in ministry and mission Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 23 development, lay leadership training, financial and human resource development, stewardship, and problem resolution through: Provision of materials and training programs in stewardship at the local level, Providing facilitation and support for mission and ministry development, Assistance in conflict resolution and maintenance of good ministry and congregation relationships through the work of the Executive Secretary, the Conference Personnel Minister and Conference staff. Assistance in interpretation and application of UCC policies and programs for Pastoral Charges, Community Ministries, and Incorporated Ministries, Management of mission support grants, capital assistance, grants for ministry development, and related funds or grants for ministry development and leadership. Budget % = 17, Budget Amount = $194,650
II. Nurturing our Children of all ages The staff and programs of Maritime Conference provide guidance and support to Pastoral Charges through: Provision of materials and training programs in education of children and adult member at the local church level, Fostering connections for leaders of children and youth ministries, Maintenance of a Maritime Conference web page resource system to deliver spiritual support to individual church members and to Pastoral Charges Provision of yearly Youth Form Program and Intermediates at Conference Program Nurturing opportunities for youth and young adults to be connected to expressions of faith in the wider church, and world. support to camps and camping ministries Budget % = 17, Budget Amount = $189,910
III. Outreach to Other Children of God The staff and programs of Maritimes Conference provide support and a voice for social justice and right relationships around the world through: Justice-seeking and advocacy activities of the Church in Action committee and related networks. Provision of grants to the Tatamagouche Centre Building relationships with Aboriginal neighbours in the Maritimes Nurturing ecumenical and interfaith relationships Education on the activities of the United Church in the world Budget % = 18, Budget Amount = $204,226
IV. Education and Support of Church Leadership The staff and programs of Maritimes Conference provide support and leadership in the recruitment and education of candidates for ordered and designated lay ministries and placement of new ministers within Maritime Conference through: Oversight and facilitation of educational processes of accepted candidates for ministry within the United Church. 24 The United Church of Canada
The screening and validation of candidates seeking a ministry vocation within the United Church of Canada, both students and ministers from other denominations seeking admission as a minister in the United Church disability management conflict assessment, and facilitation of processes toward resolution Budget % = 8, Budget Amount = $90,786
V. Governance of God’s Church The successful provision of support to Pastoral Charges and management of the work of the church and conference staff requires oversight through: Maritime Conference Executive Committee Maritime Conference Annual General Meeting Financial Management of the Conference Budget % = 29, Budget Amount = $323,303
VI. Story of Maritime Conference and the United Church of Canada For Maritime Conference to plan its future, it must have access to stories and records of its past through; Maintenance of a paper and electronic archival system Provision of staff and computer support to manage the story and provide methodologies for church members to access the story. Budget % = 11, Budget Amount = $116,417
BEQUEST FUNDS Application Procedures and Guidelines
Maritime Conference has received several bequests over the years. The Conference Executive has designated that the Financial Support Committee will administer these funds. The procedures and guidelines outlined below are intended to maintain easy access to them from various groups, pastoral charges and individuals, while simplifying the review of the applications.
Guidelines: Applicants can be groups, congregations, pastoral charges, presbyteries, committees of conference, and individuals. Individuals are only able to apply for grants for educational purposes or due to financial distress for medical or other reasons. After receiving presbytery approval, applications must be submitted to the Financial Support Committee. The committee meets 4 to 6 times per year and will review applications at the next meeting following receipt. Applicants from groups, congregations, and pastoral charges must have their application reviewed and supported by their presbytery. Presbyteries are to ensure the application is completed in full. Individuals should send their applications directly to the Financial Support Committee. Applications submitted by Conference committees or staff must be reviewed and supported by an independent review group (hereafter referred to as Review Group) before they are forwarded to the Financial Support Unit. Successful applicants must submit a report of the work carried out using these funds at the conclusion of the project. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 25
Application Process: 1. The applicant would complete an application and prepare all the necessary documents and obtain the agreement of the sponsoring body, e.g., official board, etc. The representative of the ministry or project would sign the application and send to the Presbytery Mission Support Convener or the Review Group. 2. The presbytery or Review Group would review the application to determine if it feels it is a worthy ministry/project and meets the guidelines for bequest funds. If the presbytery or Review Group feel more information is needed, they will be in touch with the applicant before endorsing it. The secretary of presbytery or representative of the Review Group would sign it and send it to the Maritime Conference Financial Support Committee. 3. The Financial Support Committee, will review the application using the terms of the bequest funds available to determine the amount of financial support and which of the funds will be used. 4. The Financial Support Committee will notify the contact person named on the application. If the application is successful, details on the transfer of funds will be arranged.
Criteria: The bequests administered by the Financial Support Committee each have different criteria and therefore, it is sometimes difficult to match a request with a particular bequest. It is not important for applicants to identify the particular bequest to which they are applying or the criteria they feel they meet. The most important information needed is a complete application. The Financial Support Committee will match the application with the particular bequest depending upon the criteria of that bequest and the funds requested and available at the time. However, it may be instructive to know some of the criteria set out in the bequests themselves. They are:
1. For small United Churches in Nova Scotia 2. For religious and educational purposes in New Brunswick 3. For the support of needy (urban outreach) missions in Nova Scotia 4. For any purpose the Conference deems wise
The Financial Support Committee feels that although some funds can be used for any purpose, criteria are needed to prioritize the applications for the limited funds available. The criteria presently being used are:
1. Innovative or new programmes will be a higher priority than established programmes. 2. Programmes related to the work of the church will have a higher priority than capital projects. 3. Applicants would normally receive funds once. 4. Applicants would normally be expected to financially contribute to the programme for which funds are being requested 5. If other sources of funds are available for a programme, an explanation would need to accompany the application outlining why Bequest funds are being requested. 6. If an application is not completed in full, including the approval of presbytery or Review Group, then the application could be held to the next date.
Applications are available from your Presbytery Mission Support Convener, Conference Office and also online at: http://www.marconf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Bequest-Fund- Application.pdf
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Maritime Conference Office c/o Bequest Fund 21 Wright St., Sackville, NB E4L 4P8 (506) 536-1334 - Phone; (506) 536-2900 - Fax Website: www.marconf.ca; Email: [email protected] Updated May 10, 2017
MARITIME CONFERENCE BEQUEST FUNDS
1. Edith MacPherson Bequest (1983)…………………………………...$5,000.00 Amount expected to be available……………………………………… $3,386.20 *Nova Scotia only* **Interest from this fund to be used to assist small United Churches in Nova Scotia.
2. Guy R. King Bequest (1973)………………………………………...$75,330.71 Amount expected to be available……………………………………..$17,796.17 *Nova Scotia only* **Interest to be used for United Churches in Nova Scotia as the church may determine. Recommended uses of income: assist congregations in imaginative, experimental projects, especially in Christian Education and Outreach assist ministers who suffer acute and unusual financial distress for medical and other reasons assist Rural Congregations in meeting maintenance and improvement costs for Manses and Church Buildings assist Summer Ministries in tourist areas assist Smaller Congregations and charges in enabling their ministers to take advantage of the Church’s continuing education programme assist Lay Persons in increasing their leadership potential
3. Annie V. King Bequest (1960)………………………………………$23,000.00 Amount expected to be available………………………………………$9,186.31 *Nova Scotia only* **Interest to be used for United Churches in Nova Scotia as the church may determine.
Recommended uses of income: assist congregations in imaginative, experimental projects, especially in Christian Education and Outreach assist Ministers who suffer acute and unusual financial distress for medical and other reasons assist Students for the Ministry by way of increased bursaries over and above those available through Pine Hill assist Camps for necessary capital expenditures assist Ministers or Lay Persons to attend a school of Church Music
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4. Agnes J. Ross Bequest (1973)……………………………………….$36,383.45 Amount expected to be available…………………………………… $15,397.55 *New Brunswick only* **For religious and educational purposes in the province of New Brunswick. Requisition should include a description of terms.
Recommended uses of income: assist Ministers who suffer acute and unusual financial distress for medical or other reasons assist Rural Congregations in meeting maintenance and improvement costs for manses and church buildings assist Summer Ministries in tourist areas assist Smaller Congregations and charges in enabling their ministers to take advantage of the church’s continuing education programme assist lay persons in increasing their leadership potential
5. Metzler Bequest (1902)………………………………………………….$822.00 Amount expected to be available………………………………………...... …$771.20 *For the cause of Christ* **Unrestricted**
6. William A. Crawford (1935)………………………………………….$1,975.00 Amount expected to be available……………………………………...... $1,296.05 *For any purpose the Conference deems wise* **Unrestricted**
7. J. Oscar Young (1967)……………………………………………….$39,000.00 Amount expected to be available…………………………………..……$8,645.51 *Anywhere in Maritime Conference* **For some purposes to be determined by Maritime Conference for its benefit. **Unrestricted** Recommended uses of income: assist congregations in imaginative, experimental projects, especially in Christian education and Outreach assist Ministers who suffer acute and unusual financial distress for medical and other reasons assist Ministers in post graduate studies for extended periods of a year or more
8. Jost Bequest (1984)……………………………………………………$8,000.00 Amount expected to be available……………...……………………… $9,560.41 *Nova Scotia only* **To support needy missions in Nova Scotia with no mission to receive aid, from these funds, after having been established ten years. Court Decision - waiting to make change in interpretation of “Mission.” Started in 1984, S/B “Urban Outreach Ministry” would meet term of Mission. Should not be restricted.
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Applicants to submit to the chair of the Bequest Committee: Name, mailing address and telephone number; Name of contact person or individual applying if different from above; Presbytery, Pastoral Charge, Church Committee and/or Group; Reason for requesting Grant (Project, etc.); Funds available and/or source of additional funding; All other pertinent information which would assist in processing of Grant; All innovative requests considered unless restriction applies.
Mail your application to the following address: Maritime Conference Office c/o Bequest Fund 21 Wright St. Sackville, NB E4L 4P8 (506) 536-1334 - Phone (506) 536-2900 - Fax Website: www.marconf.ca Email: [email protected]
MARITIME CONFERENCE INTERNALLY RESTRICTED FUNDS
Maritime Conference has received monies in recent years that are specified for particular ministries. The Conference Executive has designated the administration of these funds to different committees.
Camping Ministry (2015) Maritime Conference Executive, October 23, 2015, 49(15) “moved that upon the closure and/or sale of camp properties, and all outstanding obligations are paid, ORM recommends that 10% of proceeds go to Mission and Service Endowment Fund and 10% to Maritime Conference with respect to reducing the mortgage; and that the balance of the proceeds be held by Conference and used in response to proposals for projects from the remaining camps. The funds may also be used as support for special Conference/ORM activities in support of camping ministry throughout the Conference.” Maritime Conference has received funds from the sale of Camp Woolastook and MacLennan Memorial Camp. Used to continue support to camping ministries within the Conference. Held by Conference and used in response to proposals for projects from the remaining camps. The funds may also be used as support for special Conference/ORM activities in support of camping ministry throughout the Conference. Mail, fax or email your application to the following address: Maritime Conference Office c/o Camping Ministry 21 Wright St. Sackville, NB E4L 4P8 Fax: (506) 536-2900 Email: [email protected] Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 29
Camping Ministries, 2015……………...... $244,726.94 Disbursed to Date………………………………… ...... … $25,948.24 Yearend Balance ...... $218,778.70
Internship Sites (2015) Maritime Conference Executive, April 17, 2015, 07(15) “approved for the support of ministerial internships sites across the Conference, with each internship grant to not exceed 40% of Pastoral Charge cost for one internship, to a maximum of $8,000. The grant program is to be administered by the Conference through the Ministry, Personnel & Education Committee”. Maritime Conference received funds through Halifax Presbytery from the sale of Forest Hills United Church, Halifax, NS, to use towards internship sites. To be eligible for a Learning site grant a Learning Site must apply annually for a grant of up to $5,000 per candidate. The amount received annually will be prorated based upon the normal length of the ministry educational program. Applications can be sent to the Maritime Conference Office and will be dealt with when the Conference Ministry Personnel and Education Committee have their fall and winter meetings. This would require that applications be received by October 1st for the fall meeting, and February 1st for the winter meeting. Applications can be found at: http://marconf.ca/committee- news/ministry-personnel-education-2/maritime-conference-funding-ministry-learning-sites/
Internship Fund, 2015……...... $100,000.00 Disbursed to Date………………………………… ...... … $26,000.00 Yearend Balance ...... $74,000.00
Conference Youth Opportunities (2015) Maritime Conference Executive, April 17, 2015, 07(15), and 35(15) For application information please visit: https://marconf.ca/youth-opportunities-fund/ Maritime Conference established this fund with $100,000 received on recommendation of Halifax Presbytery from the sale of Forest Hills United Church, Halifax, NS, to use towards youth opportunities. To foster spiritual growth and faith development by providing financial assistance to youth and young adults in Maritime Conference to enable them to participate in expressions of Christian faith and gatherings of the wider church, primarily, but not limited to, participating in national and international events or ministries. For criteria and application go to: http://marconf.ca/youth- opportunities-fund/
Youth Opportunities Fund, 2015………………………… ...... $100,000.00 Disbursed to Date………………………………… ...... … $22,435.00 Yearend Balance ...... $77,565.00
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MINISTRY, PERSONNEL AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Our committee meets at least twice yearly, as well as email and conference call connections to deal with those matters that are drawn to our attention. These include approval for sacramental privileges for those serving pastoral charges that do not have access to ministry personnel, such as Designated Lay Ministers and those who may be serving in Supervised Ministry Education placements. Discussion around Licensed Lay Worship Leader training is ongoing. We work closely with Kendall Harrison, Conference Personnel, and with Lorraine Horyl, who presence at the Conference Office we will miss. She has provided invaluable assistance to us.
The reports that follow set out the areas of responsibility that fall within our mandate. We are grateful for each member who serves on these committees.
Also included on our committee are representatives from the Order of Ministry and Designated Lay Ministers.
Just prior to our Conference meeting, we are hosting an event around best practices in ministry and the plans for continued ministry in the new regions currently served by those in Pastoral Relations and Pastoral Care/Oversight committees within our Presbyteries.
The work of our committee will look quite different following the approval of remits at the upcoming General Council meeting this July as we move into 2019 and beyond.
Brian DeLong Chair, Ministry Personnel and Education
Education and Students Committee
The Maritime Conference Education and Students Committee met on January 17 at the Conference Centre in Sackville, NB.
As a result of our interviews the following persons are recommended for ordination at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Conference:
David Atwood (Bermuda Synod) Susan Chisholm (Halifax Presbytery) Brian Curtis (Halifax Presbytery) Mary Jo Harrison (Truro Presbytery)
Due to the uncertainty involved with a possible transition to a new governing structure in 2019, we considered the wisdom of interviewing all candidates for ordination and commissioning in 2019 in late November of this year. Kendall Harrison is to check this out. (Subsequently, Kendall has reported that this seems to be a desirable course of action so the interviews will proceed in November.)
John Moses E&S Convenor 48 The United Church of Canada
Biographies
ORDINANDS
David Atwood
I was born and raised in Bermuda where I have lived for most of my life, with the exception of a period of six years when I was a small child and for three years of post secondary education, both spent in The United Kingdom. My spouse Margaret and I settled in St George, Bermuda where we raised our two children Deborah and Daniel. My first career was primarily with the Bermuda Government where I worked for over thirty years in the field of information technology and online services as a Systems Development Officer, Planning and Training Manager and Departmental Director.
My involvement in the life of the church began at the age of eight when I attended and was confirmed at Ebenezer Methodist Church, St George. My call to ministry began and grew as I served on numerous church boards, the Synod of the Wesleyan Methodist Churches of Bermuda, and as a delegate to Maritime Conference. It was during my term as Chair of Synod that I started thinking more intentionally about entering the ordained ministry, began the process of discernment, and working towards my Master of Divinity. In 2004 I became a student minister at Wesley Methodist Church and in 2016 made the decision to retire from The Bermuda Government, move to Halifax and complete my studies at the Atlantic School of Theology (AST) on a full time basis. I am grateful for the time I have spent at AST, for its inter-denominational culture and dedicated professors and staff. I also give thanks for the members of my discernment committee in Bermuda; the Lay Supervisory Teams at Wesley Methodist Church, Cole Harbour Woodside United Church, and Rockingham United Church; and the supervising ministers, Rev. Gary Clark, Rev. Michael Mugford and Rev Debbie Aitken. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my spouse Margaret, for supporting and accompanying me on this amazing journey towards ministry.
Susan Anne Chisholm
Susan Anne Chisholm was raised in Amherst NS, where congregational life at Trinity St. Stephen’s United Church was central to her family. Growing up in the church, Susan remembers committee meetings held at her dining room table, choir practices held around her piano, CGIT and youth retreats held at her cottage, farewell and welcome parties held around her barbecue. Her connection to God came first from her sense of belonging in a loving and supportive faith community.
Susan holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario, McGill University, and Atlantic School of Theology. As an educator, Susan worked in the Arctic, East Africa, Central Canada, and Eastern Canada, always with an interest in education for social change. Susan has been involved in the healing work of reconciliation, and is committed to new and open pathways. Her call to ordination is grounded in these things.
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Susan is grateful for some remarkable ministers and teachers encountered on the path to ordination. We have within our church and theological schools people of keen and critical intellect, with a capacity for leadership and progressive theological reflection. They challenge and inspire. She thanks especially the professors at Atlantic School of Theology, and personal mentors Rev. Russ Daye and Rev. Catherine Faith MacLean. She also thanks her husband, Michael Young, and her children, Simon and Claire, who have accompanied and encouraged, with good humor and the patience of saints.
Susan has been called by Saint Andrew’s United Church in Halifax.
Brian Curtis
I’ve had a conversion experience. Not every Christian does, with a date they can mark on the calendar, and that’s ok… it’s not a prerequisite to faith. At the age of 10, depressed and bullied, I found comfort in Paul’s letter to the Romans and prayed for the first time on my own. I invited Jesus into my life and, even though life was still messy and full of bullies, they didn’t have the same power over me. I was empowered. This experience still guides and informs me as a Christian, and now as a minister.
My degrees already say a bit about my journey. The options I considered in high school were music and technology. I figured music made for a hard living, but a great hobby. Technology was difficult as a hobby but made for a great living. It wasn’t until much later I realized there was a third option to consider in pastoral ministry.
I, like many others, am a second career minister. In my first career I did random acts of technology in different sectors but found that work to be unfulfilling. It was fun, but I found myself taking on more and larger tasks within the church, first as a volunteer and then in a congregationally designated ministry at Grace United in Dartmouth. I was reaching a point where I had to pick one: the church or my career. It was then pointed out to me, “Brian, you’re only happy when you’re at the church.” So, I took the dive and haven’t looked back.
Those closest to me know that the journey has not been smooth. There have been personal losses and challenges throughout my journey to this point. BUT, I didn’t enter ministry to sip tea and collect a pension. For me, following Jesus means walking with people in the messiness of life, much as the Jesus and the church walked with me. I have learned a great deal more in this journey than I expected, and look forward with anticipation to what is yet to come.
Mary Jo Harrison
The path of ministry that I started out upon in 1997 has been a long (a VERY long) and winding one, with many detours and dead ends and calls to start over again, but the whole time I have been on this path, I have heard, through the words of encouragement and support of others, God’s whispering voice saying to me “it’s not over yet. Keep going, you are not alone”. Through the support of my families (both those who are related to me by blood or marriage and the various 50 The United Church of Canada church families I have been privileged to be a part of over the years), and the work that I have been able to partake in as a part of this church as a whole, God’s call was strengthened and affirmed in the midst of moments both good and not so good during this journey. And now I am humbled and overjoyed to be able to stand in a place where I can hear God whispering a different message: “It’s not over yet. Keep going. It’s only just beginning”. And as I stand here, I know that I did not get here by myself, so I say the deepest and most heartfelt of thank yous to everyone who encouraged and supported me on this path to ministry. Whether you are here in this life or are here solely in memory and spirit, your love and care and encouragement have helped me along the way, and I thank you for all that you have done to keep me going on this path that I started so long ago.
There are so many of you that I am afraid to start naming names because I will likely forget someone, but a few names and places need to be mentioned as stand outs:
To the people of St. James United Church, the people of United Memorial Church Halifax, the people of St. Andrew’s United Church, Truro, the people of Grace United Church, Dartmouth, the people of Upper Musquodobit United and Dean Presbyterian, the people of Truro Presbytery. I thank you all for your encouragement and your support.
To my supervisors and mentors: Rev. Sandra Cox, Rev. Jay Ettinger, Rev. Stephen Fram. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me in the times when I was your student and your colleague. I will never forget how you have helped me to become a stronger person and a stronger minister.
To my family and friends, thank you for walking with me on this path. Your support and love has meant the world to me. You all mean the world to me. Thank you
To my husband, Ian- there are no words for how much your love and support have meant to me and will mean to me always, but I hope these words might do: On the Sunday of the ordination, I hope you’ll be there. I hope I can make it across the stage to give you a hug. I hope that the ministries that are ahead of us will be as beautiful as they have been in my dreams. I hope.
ADMISSIONAND
Rev. Michael Henderson
The Rev. Michael Henderson was born and raised in Scotsburn Nova Scotia, by Judy (Rankin) Henderson and the late Allister Henderson. He experienced a call to ministry at a young age, and it began to solidify after attending Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University, when he was 15. After graduating high school, Mike attended and graduated from Mount Allison University, McGill University, and the Montreal School of Theology. His student placement was with St. Andrews Presbyterian and Athelstan Presbyterian Churches in Huntingdon Quebec.
Michael was ordained to the Christian ministry by the Presbytery of Pictou (Presbyterian Church in Canada) in 2002, following which he happily served for 8 years as minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Glace Bay. From Glace Bay he was called to serve for another 8 years with the Upper Musquodoboit Pastoral Charge, and now ministers with the Brookfield Pastoral Charge Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 51 in Nova Scotia. While in Glace Bay he volunteered for 6 years as Chaplain with the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, and while in Upper Musquodoboit he served as an adult advisor to the local high school’s GSA. His interests include film, social media, meditation, animals, social justice, all things Youth Forum, and contemplative end of life care. He currently serves on the Church in Action Committee and the Affirming Ministries Sub-Committee of Truro Presbytery, and serves as Secretary of the Youth Forum Planning Team of Maritime Conference. Mike lives with a 10 year old mixed breed dog named Zach, and a 3 year old tortoiseshell cat named Pema. He is the proud uncle of Sam, Jack, and Lily Kate.
Conference Interview Board
The Maritime Conference Interview Board met twice during 2017, in May we held one interview the day before the beginning of the AGM and in October we held our regular overnight meeting in Sackville. During these meetings, four (4) Inquirers were interviewed for suitability for Ordination in the United Church of Canada, and one (1) was interviewed as the beginning of the Admission process. In keeping with the polity of the United Church, confidential reports were sent to their respective Presbyteries with the recommendations of the Board. While Presbyteries request the interview of those persons finishing their discernment, the Conference Personnel Minister requests the interview of those members of the ordered ministry of other denominations seeking appointment in the United Church.
As Chair of the Board I am constantly impressed with the ability of the Board members to hold the Inquirers and their hopes, dreams and expectations in tension with the expectations and needs of the Church. It is not easy work and the members of the Board engage it with integrity.
As the Candidacy Process changes the work of the Board will come to an end. It has been a privilege to serve the church in this capacity and I extend a sincere thank you to the members of the Board who have served with me and look forward to our work together in 2018.
I am indebted to Pam Reidpath, the secretary of the Board, for her able handling of gathering and distributing sensitive information and ensuring that the meeting goes well. I would also like to thank the Rev. Beth Johnston who has served as our Chaplain for each meeting since I took on the position of Chair of the Conference Interview Board. Appreciation also goes to Kendall Harrison for his support and guidance in this work.
Joy Noble
Committee on Internship and Educational Supervision
Over the past year the Committee has been busy as it seeks to fulfil its mandate in respect to considering applications from Pastoral Charges seeking to be recognized as learning sites where Candidates for ministry may complete their Supervised Ministry Education requirements. There were three such applications considered over the past year bringing the number of active learning sites to six. In addition, we have received two applications from Pastoral Charges to be considered 52 The United Church of Canada for the coming year. One of these is seeking an 8 Month Matched Placement and the other is open to a Student Supply Appointment. The National Matching Committee will meet in June and it is hoped that a new student will be matched to begin in September.
In closing, as Chair of the Committee, this will be my last report to this body. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and to work with so many amazing people: Students, Educational Supervisors, members of Lay Supervision Teams and Committee Members.
Looking ahead to the implementation of the Candidacy Pathway it is important that the Church begin to plan for the changes that will affect both Candidates and those Pastoral Charges that serve as Supervised Ministry Education sites. The Rev. Robin McGauley, in a letter dated Jan 31, 2018 outlines the issue clearly:
One change that candidates will need to be aware of in advance is the proposed implementation of 2 years of Supervised Ministry Education (SME). Candidates for ordination who anticipate beginning a SME in 2019 will need to plan for this reality. Any candidate who has already started or completed their SME prior to January 2019 will not be subject to this change.
As Maritime Conference comes to the conclusion of its existence, it will be essential for the new regions to consider how best to support Pastoral Charges in offering themselves as Supervised Ministry Education sites over a two year period.
Faithfully, Lloyd Bruce
Conference Interim Ministry Committee
The Conference Interim Ministry Committee meets for the purposes of interviewing persons seeking designation or re-designation as Interim Ministers. The Committee is composed of ministry personnel who themselves have served as Interim/transitional ministers and lay persons who have had an experience of Interim Ministry, often by serving on a Transition Committee during a time of Interim Ministry.
During a time of significant transition in the life and work of our church, those persons who have completed the training for Interim Ministry, and who the Committee discerns to have the skills and training necessary to this particular Ministry, may be able to assist congregations moving forward with new mission and ministry directions. The ability to act as a non-anxious presence, bringing “balcony view” observations and analysis to a congregational setting can be of great benefit when communities of faith feel over-whelmed by the challenges before them.
During the past year, the Conference Interim Ministry Committee met with persons seeking initial designation as Interim ministers as well as meeting with persons seeking re-designation following the completion of a period of interim Ministry. Members of the Committee were also available for Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 53 consultation with Pastoral Relations Committees and Congregations with respect to Interim Ministry.
If you have questions about Interim Ministry, please do not hesitate to contact our Committee.
Rev. Debbie Aitken, Convener of Maritime Conference Interim Ministry Committee
Maritime Conference Pensions Convenors
The Pension Convenor for Maritime Conference is a member of the Ministry Personnel and Education Committee of the conference. I attended a meeting of the MP & E in October, 2017 and participated in a conference call in March, 2018, presenting reports at those gatherings.
I did send a letter to the Pension Convenors in the fall of 2017, having taken this committee on after the rise of conference, 2017. I am a pensioner myself. I’ve been in touch with the various Pension Convenors of each presbytery of Maritime Conference. There has been frustration at not receiving updated lists of pensioners of the presbyteries so that annual visitation/phone calls might be carried out.
In late December a list of pensioners was received by me, however it is by province, not presbytery so difficult to know who is where. I’m trying to create a list for each presbytery at this current time. PEI is simple. NB and NS take time to sort through. I’m now in touch with the Pension Convenors of the presbyteries regarding this task.
Truro Presbytery had a luncheon with 45 of their pensioners. Perhaps other presbyteries might consider a gathering of some sort.
As 2019 unfolds, with change in The United Church of Canada re governance, I’m not sure how this committee will continue to be active.
Please be in touch if you have questions. Ruth Gamble, Pensions Convenor, Maritime Conference [email protected] 902-660-2699
Settlement Committee
The Maritime Conference Settlement Committee is made up of two representatives from each of our Presbyteries and Bermuda Synod and formally meets as a committee by conference call in May. It is from this meeting that the Settlement Report is prepared for presentation on the floor of the Maritime Conference Annual Meeting. The conference call also allows a chance for pastoral relations representatives from across the Conference to touch base with each other and identify common issues/concerns/celebrations of their work. 54 The United Church of Canada
The better known function of the Settlement Committee has been the prayerful matching of Ordinands and Commissionands to settlement sites in the conference. However, with changes made to the Transfer and Settlement process (2009), there have been significantly fewer candidates seeking to be matched through the General Council model. It is anticipated at the General Council Transfer meeting in April 2018 there will be one candidate nationally seeking a formal settlement. We have not gone through the matching process in Maritime Conference in a number of years. A remit regarding the future of the Transfer and Settlement process, authorized by GC 42 was approved by a majority of pastoral charges and presbyteries and we await GC 43’s decision to implement or not. Given the proposed changes in the church structure that will also be dealt with at GC 43 there is no certainty as to what/if there is a formal settlement process or the role of the settlement committee in 2019.
As chair of the Settlement committee, I am in conversation with potential Ordinands/Commissionands so that they can make an appropriate decision as to whether to seek their own call/appointment or seek a call through the settlement process. Many thanks, in advance to the Presbytery representatives to the Settlement committee and the ongoing support of Kendall Harrison and the Conference office support staff which makes this responsibility just that much easier.
Sincerely, Steve Longmoore
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
I want to begin by extending warm and sincere thanks to everyone who has served, or is currently serving, on a Conference committee, task group, or in any volunteer role. The Nominations Committee has the privilege of speaking to many new and potential committee members each year. We hear directly from talented, dedicated, and open-hearted people who generously offer their time and energy to the work the church in our Conference. The task of the Maritime Conference Nominations Committee has always been an easy one: many people are ready and willing to serve.
A lot of the work of Maritime Conference's committees and task groups is behind the scenes. Members meet to review budgets, evaluate applications, prayerfully discern future directions, offer guidance and support to leaders, and undertake administrative tasks that are critical for our church's health. I wish to express my personal appreciation for the work of each committee member, knowing that, without them, it would be difficult for our church to thrive.
Because of the anticipated change to the church's structure, the Nominations Committee has undertaken our work this year with caution. We have asked some committee members to extend their term beyond the normal three-year limit, knowing our committees will most likely be reconfigured in the new structure. We have also reduced the number of new nominations we have made, and chosen to leave some positions vacant. Given the uncertainty about the future of many committees, we felt it best to save the majority of new nominations for the new structure.
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Though our church structure will probably change, it is certain the volunteer effort of committees and task groups will be needed to help our church thrive. For this reason, I wish to thank those who have filled out the online Committee Interest Form on the Maritime Conference website (http://marconf.ca/nominations-form/). And I would like to encourage others to fill out the form as well. The information you provide will be used within the new regions as committees are reconfigured or newly formed. We will need your experience, enthusiasm, insight, and imagination to continue our ministry in the years ahead.
It has been a great pleasure to serve on the Nominations Committee this past year. Many thanks to all the members of the committee: John Peach, Rachel Campbell, Catherine Stuart, Catherine MacLean, Ruth Gamble, Pauline Walker, and Stephen Brown. Thanks to Jennifer Whittemore and Marlene Trenholm for your invaluable administrative support.
The final thanks go to Executive Secretary David Hewitt: your wisdom, knowledge, creativity, and vision serve our church well.
Respectfully submitted, Rev. Alison Etter
DIRECTORY OF MEMBERSHIP OF STANDING COMMITTEES
President of Conference and Executive Secretary are Ex-officio members on all conference committees. Terms of office are normally for three years with one additional year when necessary. The year shown indicates thae end of the term. * Indicates the fourth and final year. This year only: ** indicates a special extension due to the structural changes. For contact information visit the directory link http://marconf.ca/directory-page/.
AFFIRMING MINISTRY COMMITTEE Chair – Ms. Susan Reid 2020 Secretary – VACANT Members at Large (3): 1. Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson 2019 2. Mr. Tony Burnett 2019 3. Ms. Jennifer Robarts 2020 Conference Staff Resource – Mr. David Hewitt, Executive Secretary
ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING COMMITTEE Chair – VACANT President – Rev. Catherine MacDonald Past President – Rev. Ricky Bowley Executive Secretary – Mr. David Hewitt Secretary –Ms. April Hart 2020 Members at Large (4): 1. Ms. Liz Farrar 2019 56 The United Church of Canada
2. Ms. Sara Campbell 2020 3. VACANT 4. VACANT
Intermediates at Conference Members: 1. Ms. Kaleigh Kingsbury 2. Ms. Arlene Richardson Youth Forum Members: 1. Mr. Mat Whynott 2. Ms. Andrea Rogers
Worship Planning Team – VACANT Theme – Table Group Facilitators – Rev. Robyn Brown-Hewitt 2020 Tech Team – Mr. Roland Easter 2019 New Delegates Coordinator – Ms. Liz Farrar 2019 Head Teller – Rev. Melaney Matheson Local Arrangements - Mr. Donald MacKay 2020
Proposals Unit Convenor – Rev. Stephen Mills 2020 Members at Large: 1. Rev. Ivan Gregan 2019 2. VACANT
ARCHIVES COMMITTEE Chair – Ms. Julielynn Anderson 2019 Secretary – Ms. Hannah Lane Professionals: Indefinite Term 1. Ms. Hannah Lane 2. Ms. Rhianna Edwards Presbytery Archives Convenors 1. Ms. Roberta Phillips 2019 2. VACANT Members at Large: 1. Joyce Wylie 2019** 2. Mr. Ross Cameron 2019 3. Ms. Elaine Burrows 2019 4. Rev. John Wilson 2019 5. Dr. Robert Christie 2020 Youth Member – Mr. Timothy Howatt 2020 UCW Representative – Ms. Sharon Moyse Staff Resource: Conference Archivist – Ms. Sarah Wallace
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CHRISTIAN LIFE AND GROWTH COMMITTEE Chair – Ms. Alicia Walls 2020 Secretary – Ms. Kathryn MacIntosh 2020 Presbytery CLG Representatives (2): 1. Rev. Barbara Cairns 2020 2. VACANT Members at Large: 1. Ms. Linda Atkinson 2019* 2. Rev. Bethe Benjamin-Cameron 2020 3. Rev. Susan White 2020 IAC Representative – Ms. Kaleigh Kingsbury YF Representative – Rev. David Campbell UCW Representative – Ms. Anna Peters and Ms. Sandra Carr Outdoor Recreational Unit Representative – Ms. Elizabeth Hines BE Representative – Mr. Mat Whynot More Than Friends Representative – Rev. Dr. Linda Yates
Outdoor Recreational Ministry Unit Convenor – Mr. Mat Whynott 2021 Members at Large (5) 1. Ms. Arlene Richardson 2019* 2. Rev. Alicia Cox 2020 3. Rev. Sean Handcock 2020 4. Ms. Sharon Hannan 2020 5. VACANT
Youth Forum Chair – Mr. Larry Hale Secretary – Rev. Michael Henderson Registrar & Treasurer – Ms. Whitney Walls Co-Directors 1. Ms. Andrea Rogers 2. Mr. Mat Whynott Facilities Coordinator/Rep – Ms. Lisa Folkins Communications – Mr. Mat Whynott Music Team – Mr. Nathan Beeler Facilitators Coordinator – Ms. Jodi Vacheresse Member at Large 1. Mr. Michael DeCoste Chaplains 1. Ms. Sarah Brown 2. Ms. Alicia Walls Youth Representatives 1. Ms. Ila Matheson 2. Mr. Jonathan Gillan
58 The United Church of Canada
Intermediates at Conference Co-Directors 1. Ms. Kaleigh Kingsbury 2. Ms. Arlene Richardson Registrar & Treasurer – Mr. Ben Grady Facilitators Coordinator – Ms. Sarah Kingsbury
CHURCH IN ACTION COMMITTEE Chair – Rev. Sarah Reaburn 2019* Chair-Elect – VACANT Secretary – VACANT Past Chair – Mr. Jim Wicks 2019* Church in Action Committee Convenors from Presbyteries (see Presbytery Committee Chair lists) Members at Large: 1. Rev. Emily Duggan 2019* 2. Ms. Shannon MacLean 2019 3. Mr. Wayne Toole 2020 4. Ms. Jane Keller 2020 5. Mr. Jason O’Hearn 2021 6. Rev. Dr. John Moses 2021
Convenors of Working Groups
Aboriginal Concerns and Relations: Convenor: Rev. Keith Lyons
Access to Justice: Co-Convenors: Mr. Norman Laverty and Ms. Gail Wylie
Environmental: Convenor: Ms. Emma Seamone
Just Peace for Israel/Palestine: Co-Convenors: Ms. Linda Scherzinger and Steve Berube
Mental Health: Convenor: Mr. Gary Carey
Mining the Connections: Convenor: Ms. Kathryn Anderson
Mission Interpretation and Global Mission: Convenor: Ms. Georgina Baisley and Mr. Gary MacDonald
Refugee and Immigration Issues: Convenor: Ms. Lenora Timmons Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 59
UCW Representative: Ms. Myrna Wicks
Men’s Ministry Network: VACANT
Community Partners Members: 1. KAIROS Atlantic 2. Breaking the Silence – Guatemala Solidarity Network – Ms. Myrna Wicks
Corresponding Members: *Members of General Council Committees (Partners in Mission) Resident in Conference
Conference Staff Resource: Ms. Laura Hunter
FINANCE & PROPERTY COMMITTEE Chair – Ms. Jane McDonald 2020 Secretary – Mr. Tony Orlando 2021 Members at Large (6): 1. Mr. Ross MacIntosh 2019* 2. Rev. Dr. Susan MacAlpine-Gillis 2019 3. Mr. Harvey Gullon 2020 4. Mr. Kyle Grant 2020 5. Mr. Charles Stewart 2020 6. VACANT UCW Representative – Ms. Joan Wright Treasurer of Conference – Mr. Alan Gray
FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE Chair – Ms. Fay Smith 2020 Secretary – Ms. Heather Donnelly 2019 Members at Large (6): 1. Mr. Harley Grimmer 2019* 2. Mr. Robert Fisher 2020 3. Ms. Sheila Gallant 2020 4. Mr. Frank Oulton 2020 5. VACANT 6. VACANT
U.C.W. Representative – Ms. Phyllis Munroe Staff Resource: Ms. Laura Hunter
Bequest Review Committee: 1. Mr. Gordon MacGregor 2. Mr. Frank Chisholm
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MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE Chair – Rev. Brian DeLong 2020 Secretary – Rev. Stephen Longmoore 2020
Categories of Ministries: Ordained – Rev. Pix Butt 2019** Diaconal - Ms. Martha Martin 2021 Designated Lay Minister – Ms. Margaret Ann Plant 2019
Candidate Representative – (AST sends name) Church Secretaries’ Association – Ms. Marg Lee Pensions Convenor – Ms. Ruth Gamble 2020
Member at Large - Mr. Wayne Jarvis 2019
Committee On Internship And Educational Supervision Chair – Rev. Lloyd Bruce 2019* Secretary – VACANT Members at Large: 1. Rev. Leslie Hamilton 2020 2. Rev. David MacLean 2020 3. Rev. Jack Spencer 2020 4. VACANT (This committee will add as required)
Coordinating Committee On Sexual Abuse Chair – Ms. Annika Sangster 2019 Contact - Rev. Kendall Harrison
Education & Students Convenor – Rev. Dr. John Moses 2019*
Interim Ministry Committee Chair – Rev. Debbie Aitken 2019** Members at Large: 1. Rev. Heather MacDougall 2019** 2. Rev. Curtis MacDonald 2019** 3. Ms. Heather Facey 2019**
Interview Board Convenor – Rev. Joy Noble 2019* Secretary – Rev. Pam Reidpath 2019* Chair Designate – VACANT Members at Large: 1. Rev. Ron Vincent 2019* 2. Rev. Derek Ellsworth 2019* Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 61
3. Rev. Kevin Cox 2019* 4. Rev. Bev Daley 2019* 5. Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson 2019* 6. Ms. Anne Cameron 2019* 7. Ms. Sheila Gallant 2019* 8. Mr. Carl Phillips 2019* 9. Mr. Tony Orlando 2019* 10. Rev. Bonnie Fraser 2019 11. Rev. Helene Burns 2019 12. Rev. Blair Lewis 2019 13. Ms. Kay Dean 2019 14. Mr. Bill Drysdale 2019 15. Mr. Barry Robertson 2019 16. Ms. Norma Mills 2019 17. Ms. Kimberley Douglass 2019 18. Mr. Ken Jones 2020 19. Rev. Barbara Wagner 2020 20. Rev. Val Chongva 2020 Related Staff Member: Rev. Kendall Harrison
Settlement Committee Chair – Rev. Steve Longmoore
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Chair – Rev. Alison Etter 2019 Secretary – VACANT Members at Large (5): 1. Ms. Pauline Walker 2019** 2. Mr. John Peach 2019* 3. Rev. Rachel Campbell 2019* 4. Ms. Ruth Gamble 2019 5. Rev. Stephen Brown 2020 Conference UCW Representative – Ms. Sarah Goodfellow Conference Past President – Rev. Ricky Bowley Conference Staff Resource – Mr. David Hewitt, Executive Secretary
STAFF COMMITTEE Chair – Rev. Matthew Fillier 2020 Secretary – Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin 2019* Members at Large (4): 1. Rev. Susan Estabrooks 2019* 2. Mr. Phillip Kennedy 2019* 3. Mr. Roger Boychuk 2019 4. VACANT
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Staff Liaison Persons: 1. Ms. Elaine Gray 2. Mr. Bill Drysdale 3. Ms. Anne Pirie Conference Representative to General Council – Rev. Sean Hancock Conference Staff (Corresponding Members) – Rev. Kendall Harrison, Ms. Laura Hunter
STEWARDSHIP NETWORK Related Staff Person – Ms. Laura Hunter Stewardship and Gifts Officer – Rev. Roger Janes
OTHER APPOINTMENTS
EXECUTIVE OF CONFERENCE - YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE 1. Mr. Max Martin 2020
A.C.T.C. SOCIETY (3 Year Terms) 1. Rev. Christine Johnson 2016-2019 (1st Term) 2. Rev. Jim Webber-Cook 2017-2020 (1st Term) 3. Rev. Constance McNamara 2017-2020 (1st Term) 4. Rev. Allan McIntosh 2018-2121 (Ist Term)
A.S.T. SENATE Rev. Donna Tourneur 2017-2020 (2nd Term)
CAMP WEGESEGUM BOARD Rev. Yvette Swan 2019 Rev. Betty-Jean Friedman 2020
GENERAL COUNCIL ARCHIVES COMMITTEE Ms. Julielynne Anderson 2019*
GENERAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE Lay – Ms. Pauline Walker 2018 (2nd Term) Order of Ministry – Rev. Sean Handcock 2018 (1st Term)
Alternative Lay - Dr. Shirley Cleave Alternative Order of Minister - Rev. Ivan Gregan
GENERAL COUNCIL JUDICIAL COMMITTEE (this group may only serve until July) Rev. Steven Longmoore 2019* Rev. Dr. Susan MacAlpine-Gillis 2019* Ms. Kerri Seward 2019* Ms. Diana Ginn 2019*
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MOUNT ALLISON BOARD OF REGENTS (4 Year Terms, effective January 1) Ms. Carol Chapman 2015-2019 (1st Term) Ms. Doreen Richard 2018-2023 (1st Term)
MARITIME CONFERENCE UNITED CHURCH WOMEN President – Ms. Ruth Kennedy Past-President – Ms. Sarah Goodfellow President-Elect – Ms. Elaine Burrows Second Vice-President - Ms. Marilyn Buber Second Vice-President - Ms. Debbie Hawkins Recording Secretary –Ms. Christine Urquart Corresponding Secretary – Ms. Reta Manuel Treasurer – Ms. Phyllis Munroe Administrative Assistant – Ms. Jean Smith CLG - Prog & Literature – Ms. Anna Peters CLG - Leadership – Ms. Sandra Carr Church in Action – Ms. Myrna Wicks Stewardship – Ms. Olive Archibald Archives – Ms. Sharon Moyse Finance – Ms. Joan Wright Press/Publicity/Newsletter – Ms. Fran Harding Berwick Cottage Committee – Ms. Joan Fraser Newsletter – Ms. Fran Harding Nominations – Ms. Sarah Goodfellow
UCW Presbyterial Presidents Bermuda – Ms. Marilyn Dyer Chignecto – Ms. Judith Colwell Halifax – Ms. Rena Hill Inverness-Guysborough – Ms. Annie Dodge Miramichi – Ms. Debbie Stymiest Pictou – Ms. Olive Archibald Prince Edward Island – Ms. Helen MacLeod Saint John – Ms. Marilyn Magee South Shore – Ms. Ruth Rudderham St. Croix – Ms. Dorothy Jackson Sydney – Ms. Sharon Black Truro – Ms. Noreen Stark and Ms. Marie Duranceau Valley – Ms. Rosanne Peach Woolastook – VACANT
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STAFF COMMITTEE
The Maritime Conference Staff Committee act as a sounding board and support for the Conference ministry and administrative staff. We serve in an advisory and consultative capacity for the Executive Secretary’s Human Resources responsibilities, as well as making recommendations to the Conference Executive regarding Conference Staff.
Through ongoing relationship with staff liaisons, and opportunity for staff to have conversation with the committee as a whole, the Staff Committee seek to provide encouragement and reflection as needed.
Conference staff across the country are in a precarious position. As the denomination is poised to make substantial structural change across its conciliar courts, some processes are already being implemented before the rise of the next General Council. Regions have been assigned, Executive Ministers have been provisionally appointed, staff will be cut and others will revise their roles within the new structure. With any change comes sacrifice and upheaval, and Conference staff across our country are experiencing both first hand.
Since the last rise of Conference, I have constantly met with the Executive Secretary about these emerging matters, and our liaisons have been supporting our staff. I have met with my counter parts across the country to discuss what role the Staff Committee may play in the transition to a new structure and repeatedly, have communicated on behalf of our Conference staff with the Boundaries Commission and Transition teams. Staff across the church will be competing for a smaller number of jobs, and often against the very people they worked alongside. Like the story of Easter, we are easily reminded that new life comes at great cost as we strive to walk this road together.
This could very well be the last meeting of our Maritime Conference, and it is surely the last days of our current staff team as we know them. I would encourage all of you who have been blessed by their work personally or as a church, to send that staff member a note or give them a call to express your thanksgiving for their work. It is essential that in saying goodbye, we also give thanks for all that has been given, and friends, these sisters and brothers in Christ have given much to our mutual benefit.
I am grateful for the Staff Committee team and especially Rose Hannah-Gaskin who filled in for me when I was ill this year. It has been a privilege to work alongside our Executive Secretary in this role and to begin the process of giving thanks for and saying goodbye to Lorraine Horyl as she retires. No matter what the future brings, let us give thanks to all our staff who have laid a firm foundation on which we will continue to build the mission of our church.
The Staff Committee meet twice a year, and the majority of time is spent receiving written and/or verbal reports from staff members, describing their assessments of their work, sharing their hopes and concerns. We have met once via conference all on February 20th 2017 in this capacity, but since I became the Convenor, our first face to face meeting will immediately precede our Executive meeting in April.
Respectfully submitted, Matthew Fillier Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 65
STEWARDSHIP NETWORK
The Stewardship Network connects people and resources in the areas of Congregational Stewardship and the Mission and Service Fund.
Congregations around Maritime Conference have increased their givings by engaging the comprehensive resource Called to be the Church: Congregational Giving Program. We are still appreciating the “go-to” source for all things Stewardship is our website: www.stewardshiptoolkit.ca. Here you will find electronic resources in all major Stewardship topics that are United Church specific. Staffing has shifted over the last few years and this work is now primarily supported by Stewardship and Gifts Officer, Roger Janes. Roger has been offering webinars, in-person presentations, and phone and online consultations to help communities of faith and individuals with their giving programs. You can be in touch with Roger at 709-486-3239 or rjanes@united- church.ca.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Incorporated Ministries Reporting
The mandate of the IMAC is to receive annual reports from all incorporated bodies related to The United Church of Canada and resident in the Maritime Conference and report to the Conference.
Last Constitution/ Liability Directors Financial # Name Bylaws Insurance Report Report 1 Abbey St. Andrew Inc. 2008 2016 2015 2016 2 Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp 2011 2018 2017 2017 Atlantic Christian Training Centre 3 (Tatamagouche Centre) Revised 2013 2018 2017 2017 4 Brunswick Street Mission 2015 2018 2017 2017 5 Camp Abegweit Organization UR 2018 2017 2017 6 Camp Ta-Wa-Si Inc. Revised 2015 2019 2017 2017 7 Camp Wegesegum 2001 2018 2017 2016 8 Carleton Kirk Complex 1992 2018 2017 2017 Centenary-Queen Square Care Centres 9 Inc. 1989 2019 2017 2016 Church Extension Board - Halifax 10 Presbytery Revised 2016 2019 2017 2017 11 Church Extension Board - PEI Presbytery Revised 2013 2019 2017 2016 12 Fairview United Family Resource Centre 2002 2018 2017 2017 13 Financial Services 1992 2018 2017 2017 14 Home Mission Council Saint John 2003 2018 2017 2017 15 Hunter Church Building Fund NR NR 2017 2017 66 The United Church of Canada
16 Ken Val United Church Suites 2006 2018 2017 2017 17 Mount Allison University 1994 2017 2016 2017 18 Newport Village 2008 2018 2017 2017 North Dartmouth Outreach Resource 19 Centre 1996 2019 2017 2017 20 Ossekeag Place, Hampton 2011 2018 2017 2017 21 Pine Hill Divinity Hall Revised 1986 2018 2017 2017 22 Prince Place (Miramichi) Inc. 2013 2018 2017 2017 23 Sherbrooke Lake United Church Camp Revised 2003 2018 2017 2017 24 St. Paul’s Family Resources Institute 1985 2018 2017 2017 United Church Camp Meeting Association 25 (Berwick Camp) 1885 2018 2017 2017 United Church Home For Senior Citizens 26 – Drew 2012 2018 2017 2017
List of Incorporated Ministries Directory
Abbey St. Andrew Inc. – Not received at time of reporting
Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp Susan Calpin Pam Carter Alan Ellis Ange Falkenham Jennifer Forster David Hart Tammy Humphreys David Lea Michael Pottie Janet Moffatt Jennifer Power Alexandria (Sandi) Roberts Colin Roop
Atlantic Christian Training Centre (Tatamagouche Centre) Peter Hough Karen MacNeill Suzanne Mason Dwayne Semple Jim Wicks
Brunswick Street Mission Heather Bagnell John Beveridge Ruth Bona Grace Beazley Elaine Gunn Walter Hayward Sandra Keefe Geoff Lewis Susan MacQuarrie Brenda Munro Carol Smilie
Camp Abegweit Organization Jackie Affleck Joan Barlow Pix Butt Sara Crowther Linda Durdle Sharon Howatt Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 67
Ellen Locke-Doiron Bob Lockhart Karen Mayne-Mullins Gary Paynter Catherine Stuart
Camp Ta-Wa-Si Inc. Allison Bernardi Daniel Bernardi Lois Budd Stanley Dixon Alice Dupuis Kourtney Logan Ruth Mitton Jonathan Morton Sarah Rouse Charlotte Youland Lynne Wells Melissa Wells Camp Wegesegum Gerald Burke Lindsey Fraser Betty-Jean Friedman Judy Kosch Mike Stairs Yvette Swan
Carleton Kirk Lodge Eileen Boyd George Burchill Nancy Hamilton Alyson Harrity Paul Hooper Shirley Martin Mary Melanson Peter Perry Donald Scott Heather Toole Ian Wilson
Centenary-Queen Square Care Centres Inc. Christopher Boudreau Sharon Creamer Jim Crooks Bev Galbraith Ashley Jefferson Eric Marr Deborah Tremblay Amanda van Malsen Lauren Wiezel
Church Extension Board – Halifax Presbytery Ron Cochrane Diana Dalton Wayne Doggett Alan Ellis Catherine MacDonald Elroy McKillop Ronald Murray Steven Pace Donald Stonehouse
Church Extension Board – PEI Presbytery Joan Linkletter Elaine Palmer-Harding Barbara Prowse Ernie Stavert Gordon Vessey
Fairview United Family Resource Centre Mohammad Esan Tia Forthsythe Ron Hirtle Geoff Lewis Brenda Munro Ken Sampson 68 The United Church of Canada
Financial Services of The Maritime Conference of The United Church of Canada Doug Cosman, Chair Donald Mackay, Secretary Anne Thompson, Treasurer Alan Gray, Treasurer, Maritime Conference David Hewitt, Corresponding Member Wayne Smith, Chignecto Roy Einarson, Inverness-Guysborough Terry Mathews, Miramichi David Morison, Miramichi Richard Boulter, PEI Kevin Dingwell, PEI Jack Logan, South Shore David MacLean, Sydney Alex MacClure, Sydney Kenley MacNeill, Truro Kimberley Douglass, Woolastook Lloyd Penney, Woolastook
Home Mission Council Saint John William Allan Bruce Campbell Marilyn Campbell Corrine Carpenter Brion Crossman Richard Fullerton Gerald Higgins Bill Kearns James McKenzie Joanne McLaughlin Irvine Robertson Linda Watson Ian Wilson
Hunter Church Building Fund Sandra Barss Charles Baxter Blake Caldwell Trent Cleveland-Thompson Louise Gosbee Ross Hallett Vincent Ihasz Elroy McKillop Harriet McWhirter Robert Mills Vivian Moores
Ken Val United Church Suites Jack Brien Mary Crowley Lisa Dunnett George Fisk Hally Kimball Dirk Larooi Audrey Lounder Harold McKinnon Debbie Ogden Bruce Phillips Cheryl Raeburn Sheree Trecartin Bill Whittaker
Mount Allison University Robert Campbell, President Lynn Loewen, Chancellor Robert Inglis, Secretary Sara Camus Carol Chapman Andrew Clark George Cooper Sarah Crawford Suzie Currie Mark Fedyk Mark Fraser Brian Harriman Cheryl Hodder Barry Kyle Saurabh Kulkarni Brian MacLeod Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 69
Susan McIsaac Vicki McKibbon Daniel Nowlan Ron Outerbridge Jill Rafuse Odette Snow Peter Winters Sarah Young
Newport Village Thomas Baduik Sally Budge Lester Mott Jean Pond Ian Stead William Vail Carolyn Vail Sandra Winchester
North Dartmouth Outreach Resource Centre Sylvia Anthony Helen Carpenter Kevin Clarke Tom Clarke Carl Day Frances Hunter Gerry Irwin David Kaiser Betty Kemp Dale Knox Lynn Loder Gordon MacAskill Sara MacKay Gordon McKeen Martin Walker
Osseakeag Place, Hampton Cheryl Bezanson Barb Gates Brian Gesner Kelly Hudson-Lewis Blanche Jones Darrell Kilpatrick Anne MacAndrew David Tweedie Bill Wallace
Pine Hill Divinity Hall Margaret Arklie Kevin Cox Hugh Creighton Kim Curlett Bonnie Fraser David Griffiths Suzanne Hood Roger Janes Meggin King Susan MacAlpine-Gillis Catherine MacDonald Blair MacKinnon Martha Martin Lynn McKinnon Michael Mugford Brenda Munro Andrew Scollick Sally Shaw Mary Taylor Yvette Swan Patrick Woodbeck
Prince Place (Miramichi) Georgina Baisley Penne Buckley Royden Donald Gwen Geikie Earle Howe Ellie Hubbard Stanley Knowles Hal Raper Linda Treadwell 70 The United Church of Canada
Sherbrooke Lake United Church Camp Denise Beaulieu Ross Blakeney Morgan M-M Book (Lorraine) Helen Burch Laura Casey Chloe Clark Kevin Cox Sandy Creaser Copper Dominix Julia Lawrence Jack Logan Timothy Miner Kelly Moores (Vivian) Leslie Moores Shyanne Mossman Dawn Pelley Norman Phinney Amy Pothier Terry Skidgmore Jillian Vardy Ronald Walker Rachel Wamboldt Mat Whynott
St. Paul’s Family Resources Institute Elaine Amirault June Bates Gail Belmore Paul Britton Ron Buckley Anne Hoganson Bruce Holland Donna Martin Nancy McQuinn Carolyn Mont Lynn O’Hearn
United Church Home for Senior Citizens (Drew Nursing Home) Judith Cairns Erin Campbell Catherine Gaw Frank Chisholm Dominique Gordon-Phelan Alan Groundwater Glenna Lightfoot Lillian MacMellon Mona Meldrum Ron Roper Nancy Vogan
United Church Meeting Association (Berwick Camp) Bethe Benjamin-Cameron Chrissie Crooks Brian DeLong Wayne Fiander David Hewitt Susan MacAlpine-Gillis Mike Mugford Tim O’Brien Tim O’Neill Krista Rietzel Brian Rietzel Eric Schurman Janet Sollows Dawn Wood
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 71
United Church Men of Maritime Conference
Our Vision Statement: “To lead men to an understanding of the work and witness of the church, that through commitment to Christ, they may fulfill the ministry to which they are called, in the home, in daily work, in the community, and in the world.”
Over the past year, the Executive Committee of United Church Men has been occupied in planning for our ninth Biennial Rally scheduled for April 21, and through this exercise we have begun to incorporate new technologies and techniques into our work. This past year we began conference calling to allow for meetings when travel was difficult because of climate or schedules. We employed Lectio Divina (praying the Scriptures) into our strategic planning process and have engaged where possible with other denominations in support of our Biennial Rally. Similarly we stood up the “United Church Men of the Maritimes” Facebook Group encouraging discussion on issues of male spirituality and promoting the 2018 rally. Our speaker for the rally is Rev Dr Ross Lockhart who serves as the Director of Denominational Formation at the Vancouver School of Theology and Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at St. Mark's College at UBC.
The theme of this year's rally will be (or rather 'was' as this report was authored prior to the event) “Work and Witness in Post- Christian Canada” and Ross will provide some creative energy to the work and witness of United Church Men of Maritime Conference by asking the question 'Always in the Majority?'
It is our sincere hope that a meaningful discussion about the future possibilities for our denomination and the role that men, and specifically Maritime men, can take on is shaping the Church's future. As we recently reflected on the 90th Anniversary on the founding of our church we have become more keenly aware of the role Maritime men have played in the forming and evolving of the United Church in Canada, and as such are committed to preserving and continuing our legacy even as Conference itself changes. Hence the Monty Pythoneasque traffic signal used in our promotional material. It symbolizes that we are at a confusing crossroad in our collective story. As adherents and members of the United Maritimes, and particularly in what we as men can do to encourage and mentor others. We have also adopted a more aggressive marketing approach to this rally and trust it will translate into greater participation in the event. For the second rally in a row, UCM has extended the invitation to other denominations in a spirit of ecumenism and we trust this opportunity to welcome more men of faith from different denominations to our rally will enhance and support that work. It is our expectation to approach the numbers of the last rally, which featured Rev Major Charles Deogratias, and the rally will be hosted once again at Trinity–St. Stephen United Church in Amherst. I also want to express the deep gratitude of UCM and the executive committee to 72 The United Church of Canada
Trinity–St. Stephen for their hospitality over the decades in hosting us not only for the rallies but also for our regular monthly executive committee meetings.
Our UCM Executive for 2016-18: Layton Peck – President (Hampton) Bob Bartlett – Past-President (Fredericton) First VP - Wally Ellis (PEI) Second VP – Carl Wilson (NB) Bob Lindsay - Secretary (Dartmouth) Dwight Perkins – Treasurer (Dartmouth). Members-at-large: Dick Charlton (Dartmouth), Ron Patterson (Amherst) Don Hill (Dartmouth) John Hill, (Quispamsis)
Further to our 2017 report concerning the future of men's work in the United Church here in the Maritimes, we began several focusing activities to examine the role UCM will play going forward in the new Church governance model. There is unanimous consensus on our committee that UCM continue to function as a “Maritime” entity under the new Regions administrative and governance model laid out by the Boundaries Commission Report in February of this year. We feel that fellowship and faith formation among men in the United Church should continue to maintain a Maritime provinces and Bermuda focus bringing together men from the NB/PEI Region and the NS/Bermuda Region. We feel this continuity represents and reflects how we as Maritimers view each other and who we are in relation to each other. Firstly we are Christian men of faith who feel called to animate and enliven that faith within the United Church of Canada, and secondly we are Maritime men who represent a way of life and a society that is distinctly maritime and Canadian. It has been my personal experience that Maritime men have a unique and robust view of life, and that Maritime diversity is not always the same as Canadian diversity and it would appear it will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. While the people of the Maritimes share a relationship with the land and its people that is very Canadian; it is tempered with the reality of living near and harvesting from the ocean and all of its inherent dangers. Almost every Maritime family is in some meaningful way connected to the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Fundy. As such our executive have decided that we are being called to continue to build on the common elements of Maritime life and the devotion to the United Church we all share.
During our strategic planning in the Fall of 2017, we decided that even though the manner in which we administer the Church will change, that for United Church Men it important to reach across Regions to continue and speak as with one voice for the men of the Maritimes. We also see it as vitally important to the Church that we continue to provide leadership and direction and especially engage younger men as mentors, encourage male ministers, and serve as important workers in all areas within the United Church of Canada. In this regard we undertook a significant strategical exercise in praying Scripture incorporating a Lectio Divina and prayed and studied (together and separately) Luke 10: 1-11 on the sending of the Seventy into our strategic planning exercise. Prayerful planning in understanding our call and in identifying what we may do to realize our mission has revealed that as men we have a unique part to play in meeting the injunctions of Deuteronomy, Matthew and 1 Timothy to be mentors and role models. We also feel the need to foster fellowship and compassion with men from every walk of life, regardless of their life path or Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 73 extent of their spiritual journey. This desire is being manifested in a desire for fellowship and learning, and an opportunity to serve Christ within the United Church and to build relationships with Christians living out their faith beyond our sanctuary walls. As I said in my report of 2017, “as United Church Men, we understand that it is not hate that is the opposite of love but rather apathy. We call all men of the United Church, and across the Maritimes, from the apathy that leads to uncertainty and disbelief and rather hope that with God's help we translate that faith into a vibrant and expanding outreach for our Church to the Creator's honour and glory.” We again plan to promote UCM at Conference this year with an information booth or desk at Conference, and have started to make gains with individual men's groups at churches throughout the Conference in a broader effort to engage with the Men of the United Church. Representatives of UCM have personally visited at South Shore, Saint John, Chignecto, Halifax, Woolastook, PEI, and Valley Presbytery meetings speaking and promoting UCM. We are committed to finding ways to be intentional in living out the Gospel in our fellowship, in our local churches, and in the communities where we live and work. United Church Men of the Maritimes are excited and energized by the challenges we face and look forward to continuing to play and important role.”
I am also pleased to report that under the direction of our Treasurer Dwight Perkins our finances are in great shape and we have a good surplus of funds from the 2016 rally which helped in planning the 2018 rally. We have held off on any additional activities until the Fall of 2018 after General Council but are confident that we will be able to find worthy and worthwhile projects like Charles Deogratias “Bird of Paradise” charity to support seniors in Rwanda. Many of our executive are getting on in years still their passion and enthusiasm for United Church Men is very high and infectious. With their guidance we are looking forward to great things in the future.
In conclusion, United Church Men are sound financially and spiritually and looking forward with great energy and enthusiasm to the work ahead in the new United Church of Canada and the role we might play in it.
This update and report is humbly submitted by UCM President Layton Peck and the hard working and dedicated executive members of United Church Men of Maritime Conference.
Layton Peck – President Members at Large: Wally Ellis - First Vice-President Don Hill (Dartmouth) Carl Wilson – Second Vice President John Hill (Quispamsis) Bob Lindsay – Secretary Dick Charlton (Dartmouth) Dwight Perkins – Treasurer Ron Patterson (Amherst)
Maritime Conference United Church Women
The United Church Women have had a busy year, and we look ahead to more business and potential change to come.
We continue to keep a focus on our purpose, remembering that we have four ways that we serve God, our church and our communities; Christian witness, study, fellowship and service. Units 74 The United Church of Canada have been challenged to evaluate these areas, to see where they could add to or change the way they run their meetings.
We have also been working on a cookbook for the past two years, and the final result will be available at our biennial meeting. The book developed into something that could be used to serve others in the community, and I am thankful for all those who took part in events to raise awareness of poverty in their areas. We have compiled mostly simple recipes, with affordable ingredients, to share with those on a limited income, newcomers to Canada, and anyone else we know who could benefit from the book. Units and presbyterials will continue to share the book as widely as we are able.
Many of you are aware that I have had some health difficulties since August. I fell and broke my elbow, had a hysterectomy 10 days later, and started having headaches 6 weeks after that. After a month, I finally had a head CT, and was rushed to Saint John, where I had more CT’s, an angiogram of my brain, and finally a craniotomy. Thanks to so many prayers, I am recovering well, and have only a few long-term issues. I am very thankful to God, and to all of you who prayed and sent cards. I was very blessed by the outpouring of love from my UCW sisters, in our conference, and across Canada. I am also very grateful to Ruth Kennedy and Catherine MacLean, who took care of many of my UCW responsibilities since August!
The Child Well-Being Initiative held a huge event on November 21st, on Parliament Hill. Enough dolls were taken to make sure that every Member of Parliament had one. Catherine MacLean was able to attend the event, along with several UCW members from across Canada. There were panel discussions, and plenty of press, and the UCW members were given the opportunity to spread the message of “Bread not Stones”. Linda Woods, the main organizer, sent her thanks to those who are supporting this endeavour, as well as to those who made dolls.
It has been an honour to be president of this organization of women, and I look forward to seeing how God will use me as we continue our work in this time of change.
May God continue to bless you!! Sarah Goodfellow
OTHER REPORTS
Atlantic School of Theology Senate
It has been my privilege to represent the United Church on the AST Senate for another term. I am proud to be associated with this group of Senators and continue to be impressed with the progressive nature of the strategic thinking and advanced planning of AST.
This year I served on the committee tasked with recommending potential honorary degree recipients and “associate of AST” honoree. The Honourable Dr. Mayann E. Francis, ONS will receive an Honourary Degree at Convocation and AST will also honour the Most Rev. Ron Cutler, Archbishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and Metropolitan of the Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 75
Ecclesiastical Province of Canada, as an Associate of Atlantic School of Theology in recognition of his long engagement with AST. We have also proposed and invited our 2019 honourary degree recipient to receive the Doctor of Divinity honoris causa and are eagerly awaiting that individual’s decision.
Keynote speaker at the Gala Dinner this year will be Rebekah Friesen. Ms. Friesen’s story of love and forgiveness borne out of a passion for restorative justice is inspiring. During the Gala, The Honorable Dr. Mayann Francis will present the Faith in Action award to this year’s recipients, Jenn Power and Silas Donham, for their work and ongoing commitment to L’Arche. Convocation will see 23 graduates from this year’s class, and will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s United Church, Halifax.
Though the end of the school year has come, the need for recruitment continues. Currently, Susan MacAlpine-Gillis is the interim lead in that area. Rev. Trent Cleveland-Thompson chairs the self-study steering committee and is working to advance the school’s accreditation in self-study.
The first meeting of the Leadership Initiative Advisory Group, established by Senate to guide and evaluate the pilot phase of programming leading up to the planned launch of our Leadership Institute has been held.
Through its president, AST, with other universities and Nova Scotia Community College, met with Rick Hansen (leading accessibility advocate) and Gerry Post (Executive Director of Accessibility, Province of Nova Scotia) to discuss Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act and expectations for the post- secondary education sector with a goal to be completely accessible by 2030. Responding to the Act will require significant resources without ensured provincial funding.
All senators were instructed to review and AST’s Harassment & Discrimination policy, a standard to which they are held.
The first full meeting of the capital campaign President’s Council has been held. Council members were briefed and discussed AST’s strategic direction and the capital campaign priorities. Five projects are underway or soon will be at AST. 1) construction of faculty offices in the Library, 2) construction of staff offices in the Main Building, 3) construction of new offices to be occupied by CCEPA in Classroom #1, 4) construction of a 24 / 7 kitchen in the Common Room, and 5) upgrading the electrical room in the Main Building including the removal of transformers out to power poles on the street.
CAO Ted Vaughan is working closely with the contractor responsible for earthmoving aspects of the waterfront sewer project, which is now complete. Some of the rock and soil fill which was put in place as a work platform for the project is being used to create new parking on the lower campus. The access road to the pumping station has been widened, allowing for new parking along the road. Other new parking will be created to the south and to the west of the chapel building. These improvements will be at no cost to AST.
Submitted by Donna Tourneur
76 The United Church of Canada
Atlantic School of Theology
AST has had another wonderful year of seeking truth and compassion through the deep gifts of our shared Christian heritage and through the opportunities of the world that God is shaping. Our ecumenical learning community – both on campus and throughout Canada via internet-based study – is continually engaged in our shared mission:
Atlantic School of Theology serves Christ’s mission by shaping effective and faithful ordained and lay leaders and understanding among communities of faith.
We celebrate the good news and hopeful sign that our students and graduates are up to the challenge of serving God’s people wherever they are, both within and beyond the church’s four walls. The rich resources of the Bible, pastoral studies, ethics, theology, and Christian history continuously interact, as we discover the needs of the world and refine our responses to them.
In addition to our Master of Divinity and Master of Arts programs, we have a generous range of certificate, diploma, and continuing education opportunities, both full-time and part-time, for lay folks as well as ordered ministers. I’d be delighted to hear from you if you might be interested in discovering more about what we have to offer; or check out our website at www.astheology.ns.ca. (Don’t forget: candidates for ordered ministry studying at AST receive a full tuition bursary, regardless of the location of their home or ministry base.)
As we look ahead to the many changes sweeping through The United Church of Canada, both structural and otherwise, please be assured of our continued partnership with you, and of our prayers for the health, well-being, and faithfulness of the church. As a theological school of the United Church, our lives are closely intertwined with yours, and we value this relationship very much.
Yours in Christ, Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell Academic Dean [email protected] Spring 2018
Financial Services of the Maritime Conference of The United Church of Canada
We have met twice since the last Conference meeting. Last year we staffed a table in the conference room to promote our services to the Conference representatives and we expect to do the same in the spring session in Sackville. The Financial Services’ Board of Directors consists of two members from each presbytery to represent the interests of the local presbytery.
The presbytery reps have dual tasks-one is to act/speak on behalf of their presbytery interests at the Financial Services sessions and-two is to speak at presbytery of the financial services available. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 77
Financial Services will accept money to be invested at a rate higher than the bank interest rate. The 2017 and 2018 rate of interest paid by Financial Services is 4% for two-year term deposits and 4.5% for in perpetuity trust funds which is paid either annually or semi-annually. Cemetery committees AND Church committees AND individuals may place savings with Financial Services for investment of up to $5,000.00 for two-year term deposits and $10,000.00 for in perpetuity trust funds, per calendar year and receive the interest income as agreed on to meet costs within the cemetery and the congregation building committee needs.
It is the challenge of the presbytery to provide the appropriate two reps to attend the two meetings held annually at Sackville or Amherst to suggest input to the Treasurer and financial manager, Anne Thompson, in providing the most helpful service to groups placing their deposits there for growth and management. Donald MacKay, former Chairman of Sydney Presbytery, has been Secretary for many years and his experience is appreciated. As Chairman, I am a volunteer from Saint John presbytery.
It is the Board’s goal to share its existence and purpose more among the presbyteries of Maritime Conference, as it has funds available to lend to Congregations for capital purposes and has had historical success in helping groups and individuals invest funds within the confidence and goals of the Church people. We have been very effective in lending money to congregations making modifications to their facilities and investing funds on behalf of cemetery committees, providing money for cemetery maintenance.
This report was prepared during a snow storm a week before Easter! Chairman, Rev Douglas Cosman, March 2018
General Council Executive
Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
This past year, the work of the General Council Executive has been dominated by the expected transition from our Four Court Model to the Three Council Model which will be before this year’s GC43 for a final decision. With this in mind, at our Fall meeting, a Boundaries Commission was appointed to determine the number and boundaries of the regions. Their report was received at the March 3rd meeting of the GC Executive.
Moderator’s Travels: The Moderator spoke during The March GC Meeting of her visit to Red Sucker Lake First Nation in northern Manitoba in the midst of their grief over the deaths of two people in the same family. She also spoke about her visit to Kenya and the myriad partners and related partners she visited. Among the highlights: the National Council of Churches of Kenya’s (www.ncck.org) life-saving HIV/AIDS education program that has lifted much of the stigma for people in the massive northern Kenya Kakuma refugee camp, reducing suicides among infected people and encouraging people to come forward to be tested and treated; and a community for people with disabilities who can now support themselves because of the vocation training provided by the church’s partner, Pembizo Christian Council (Twitter @pembizo). Both the NCCK and 78 The United Church of Canada
Pembizo are ecumenical bodies and collaborate extensively on their work. The Moderator also spoke about a program for Christians and Muslims where the focus is de-radicalization for the isolated and hopeless youth in slums who are easy pickings for radical organizations like Al- Shabaab.
She noted the United Church can learn much from its Kenyan partners for ecumenical and interfaith work. They start by crossing ecumenical and interfaith lines first, rather than starting things independently and then looking for partners. That saves resources and minimizes the duplication of effort in various spheres.
Finances continue to be an issue. In looking ahead, the preliminary 2019 budgets for the General Council Office/regional councils strive to maintain grant levels and the current level of investment in Indigenous ministries and Embracing the Spirit. To ease the burden on regional councils in transition, it is proposed that reserves be deployed if necessary to offer funding assurance for 2019 and 2020.
In other Structural Related Matters: The creation of the Office of Vocation, its oversight by the Board of Vocation, and the role of the candidacy boards are major changes in the way the denomination has prepared and provided oversight of its paid accountable ministry personnel, so the composition and relationships of these bodies were clearly articulated. The Executive confirmed the authority of the Board of Vocation to appoint commissions to facilitate its work.
In Ecumenical Matters the Executive, as administrator of the Pension Fund, is recommending that the 43rd General Council approve a declaration that the United Church enter into a full communion agreement with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The United Church already shares two ministries with the Disciples, one in Winnipeg and one in Calgary. Christianity has a history of tectonic divides and friction. This latest agreement may seem small, but it is an effort to knit the frayed fabric together to realize Jesus’ hope that all would be one.
The Executive, as administrator of the Pension Fund, received the report of the Pension Fund Governance Review and referred it to the Pension Board for action. The review, undertaken by Morneau Shepell, concluded that the plan is well governed, meeting best practices recognized for pension funds. It also noted that the fund engages responsible investment in ways far exceeding what is commonly seen in other plans of a similar size.
Other projects currently being worked on include: Faith Formation, Children’s Ministry Strategy and Creation of Migrant Churches Resources to name a few. Please visit the GC website http://www.united-church.ca/ for all other information. A reminder that the Manual, Handbooks and Guidelines are all on this website for your use.
We thank you so much for your faith in us and for your support. It has been a privilege to represent Maritime Conference on your behalf.
Blessings to all of you, Rev. Sean Handcock Pauline Walker Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 79
Hunter United Church Building Fund
The Trustees of the Hunter United Church Building Fund have had a very busy year. We have held regular meetings in May, October and December 2017.
During the year, 21 grants were paid to approved applicants. There were 18 “Regular” grants with a total of $ 64,315.00. There were 3 “Special” grants with a total of $ 25,487.00. Total of Grants paid out in 2017: $89,802.00.
These figures do not represent total amount of grants approved. These figures represent approved grants for projects that were completed during the year.
There are a number having been approved, but work on project(s) not yet completed and accounted for.
“Special” grant applications along with “Regular” grant applications will continue to be accepted for 2018.
“Regular” applications are dealt with at the May, October and December meetings. “Special” applications must be received by the Secretary no later than end of November and Are dealt with at the December meeting only.
Audited or professionally “Reviewed” annual financial statements have been submitted to Maritime Conference Office for the year 2017.
This continues to be a very rewarding ministry for the Trustees of this special and unique fund. We know through letters that we receive that these grants are greatly appreciated especially in light of the many struggles churches and Pastoral Charges are faced with in these times. We look forward to continuing to serve our United Church of Canada as we move forward. With the changes coming in January 2019 in regards to our present Church Structure, we will be assessing how all of this will affect the processing of applications in the future and will pass along information as we receive and process the changes that will undoubtedly be forthcoming.
List Of Current Trustees: Mr. Ross Hallett, Chair Louise Gosbee Rev. Blake Caldwell, Secretary Sandra Barss Mr. Charles Baxter, Treasurer Rev. Vivian Moores Rev. Dr. Robert Mills Rev. Trent Cleveland Thompson Rev. Vincent Ihasz Rev. Elroy McKillop Harriet McWhirter
Respectfully Submitted: (Rev.) Blake Caldwell, Secretary Hunter United Church Building Fund
80 The United Church of Canada
MARITIME CONFERENCE We give thanks to you for your enormous generosity and continued support of local mission & ministry AND Mission & Service! OUR GIFTS FOR MISSION & SERVICE IN 2017 SUPPORTED:
Funding to all 13 Conferences through Mission support grants and operating grants for 11 11 Healing Fund projects Conferences
19 Justice and Reconciliation projects 63 Community Ministries across Canada
81 Vision Fund projects with youth 36 Chaplaincies on campus and in hospitals
Grants for 86 congregations Theological Education at 7 Theological
Colleges and 3 Education Centres 197 Embracing the Spirit Innovation Grants
20 Canadian ecumenical networks 87 Mission & Service global partners in 21 countries
An Initial review of 2017 giving indicates: Contributions to the Mission & Service Unified Fund in 2017: 1. $23.145 M Annual giving by congregations, UCW and individuals 2. $ 1.831 M Giving through wills and planning giving 3. $ .964 M Giving from donors through the United Church of Canada Foundation 4. $26.000 M Total gifts to Mission & Service unified fund in 2017
Contributions to Mission & Service Partners And Other Mission And Ministries in 2017: 5. $ 2.134 M Additional specific and emergency gifts to Mission & Service partners 6. $ . 800 M Additional gifts designated to other work of the denomination 7. $ 2.934 M Total Designated Gifts in 2017
Total Contributions Received in General Council Office: $28.934 M
OUR CONFERENCE MADE AN IMPACT: Mission & Service Contributions Amount For World Development and Relief 24,254.46 From UCW 147,680.75 From Special or One Time Gifts 108,828.96 From Congregational Giving 2,528,485.09 TOTAL MISSION & SERVICE GIVING 2,809,249.26
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 81
Mount Allison University Board of Regents
This is my final year on the board of regents for Mount Allison and so it is a distinct pleasure to present my final report. In May of last year Peter Mansbridge completed his term as Chancellor and thus the board set about to find a suitable replacement. The result was another outstanding individual was chosen. Lynn Loewen graduated from Mount Allison with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1982. She went on to become a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants and is currently the President of Minogue Medical Inc., a company specializing in the delivery of innovative medical technologies, supplies, and equipment. She also serves on the board of Emera Inc., an energy and services company based in Halifax, NS. Loewen served on the Board of Regents for 11 years, including eight years on the Executive Committee and a two-year term as Chair, and was a member of the Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies’ advisory board. She became Mount Allison's ninth Chancellor on Jan. 1, 2018.
As well 2018 marks the end of President Robert Campbell’s term. Dr. Campbell has been an excellent president and has ensured that Mount Allison continues to be the number one undergraduate university in the country. Perhaps equally important he leaves the university with a balanced budget and a bright financial future that makes it the envy of other institutions.
The board was pleased to announce that Jean-Paul Boudreau, from Ryerson University in Toronto will be the new president. Dr Boudreau has had an outstanding career as a psychologist and academic. Most recently, as Special Advisor and Executive Lead for Social Innovation (since 2016) at Ryerson, Dr. Boudreau has infused social innovation and social entrepreneurship into the university’s recognized innovation culture. His efforts on behalf of the university were recognized with the 2017 Global Higher Education Institution of the Year Award at the University of Oxford. In partnership with the office of Community Engagement, Dr. Boudreau also launched the ShapeLab (https://www.shapelabto.com/), an experiential learning opportunity for students to co- create innovative solutions to Toronto’s pressing urban issues.
Mount Allison continues to be an institution that fosters elite academic achievements. This year Colin Robertson was recognized as Mount Allison University’s 54th Rhodes Scholar. Robertson, an honours history student with a minor in classics, is one of only 11 students selected across Canada to receive the award.
I enjoyed my time on the board and have been continually impressed by the students, faculty and administration. Although the university is thoroughly secular and our continued connection with the university through our two representatives on the Board of Regents allows some United Church concerns to seep into the business of running the university. The current chair of the board is a long time member of Rothsay United Church and our reps are more than just token members. I thank Maritime Conference for the opportunity to serve in this way.
Andrew Richardson
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Pine Hill Divinity Hall
Pine Hill (PH) continues to thrive with an active Board of lay and clergy, supported by our executive director, whose main purposes are to financially support United Church (UC) students, as well as Atlantic School of Theology (AST) in Halifax. Our Board has representation from both the Maritime and Newfoundland & Labrador Conferences, and is fortunate in bringing together a team of people whose commitment and skills complement its committees. Since the Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell assumed the position of Dean of AST, United Church faculty have been capably represented by the Rev. Dr. Susan MacAlpine Gillis on the PH Board. My first and final term as Chair will finish June 30, 2018 and we welcome Vice-Chair Bonnie Fraser to undertake Chair on July 1, 2018. PH is also responsible for finding UC representation on the AST Board. In July Dr. David Griffiths, begins his second term as AST Board Chair. Roger Janes continues to represent Newfoundland/ Labrador conferences. New in 2017-2018 on the AST Board of Governors are Alumnus the Rev. Yvette Swan, the Honourable Justice Suzanne Hood and Martha Martin, DM.
The Founding Churches meet twice a year with representation from PH, University of King’s College, the Anglican Dioceses of NS & PEI and Fredericton, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax & Yarmouth. In February, we also welcomed Maritime Conference President, the Rev’d Richard Bowley; and Conference Executive Secretary, Mr. David Hewitt. I appreciated past chair, the Rev’d Trent Cleveland Thompson attending in my absence.
This year PH supported more than $145,250 in tuition bursaries for UC students in the lay and ordered streams of ministry at AST. The ratio of distance/on-campus students is approximately 61/11% respectively. A bursary developed in 2016/2017 called the Seeker Bursary, funded two part-time students this year by covering up to two credits each. A new bursary called the Inquirer Bursary was used to assist students by reimbursing up to five credits for students in discernment but not yet fully funded Candidates.
Pine Hill supported the part-time position of UC chaplain, the Rev’d Anne Hoganson, as well as full-time position of the UC Formation Director, the Rev’d Sally Shaw.
With a large endowment to manage (worth last year more than seventeen million dollars) we have been blessed to be able to support on-going programs and new initiatives of AST. Burgundy Asset managers hold the bulk of PH’s endowments. Although we have also enjoyed working with the UC Foundation and Asset Manger Fiera for a second year and we look forward to continuing this relationship in 2018-2019. We have committed to invest in AST’s Campus Renewal Project, and will start to release funds once renovations start on the 1898 building.
We have been involved in discussions with AST regarding a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the founding parties. We involved ES David Hewitt and the Rev’d John Young in a Conference Call to review the draft MOU and drew up some questions for clarification to bring before the MOU Task Force.
Regretfully, we say a grateful farewell to a two-term Finance and Investment Committee member the Rev. Kevin Cox and long-time member of the PH Bursary Committee the Rev. Meggin King both of who have served the PH Board since they were AST Students. The valuable contributions Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 83 of Kevin and Meggin have been deeply appreciated and will be missed. As always, Executive Director Brenda Munro, is invaluable in her dedication to the many administrative functions of her role, as well as the less defined pastoral role she plays with students.
Respectfully yours, Catherine MacDonald (Rev’d) Chair, Pine Hill Divinity Hall Board
Tatamgouche Centre
For over 60 years, Tatamagouche Centre has been an important place for spiritual growth and renewal. People from all walks of life have been able to join together to deepen their faith and seek guidance and clarity on how to live out the call to love in justice and peace within God’s creation. The Centre through its programs and outreach has developed people’s knowledge, skills, and leadership capacities both within the Church and within the broader community of like-minded people. The Centre has been important for people in the Maritimes particularly as it has sought to build bridges with the First Nations and with those often excluded at the margins of our communities. The Centre has an important heritage to both preserve and to build upon in its future work.
2017 was an important year in the ongoing journey of Tatamagouche Centre’s recovery and reinvigoration after the financial crisis which the Centre faced in 2015. By the end of 2016 the Board of Directors believed that the Centre was in the financial position required to hire a full time Executive Director. The continuing support for 2017 from the Maritime Conference and the General Council was crucial in this regard. The Board felt that the new ED needed to be someone who is entrepreneurial, self-motivated, mature, and self-aware with a passion for personal and social transformation through adult education. It was also seen as essential that the new ED have strong inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and be comfortable working with an organization in transition. We were excited by the number and quality of the applications and after a thorough process chose Josie Baker as our new ED. Josie Baker brings more than 12 years of work experience in the non-profit sector as well as being active in community organizations, serving on boards, and in leadership roles. She is committed to social justice, adult education, community development and engaged spirituality.
With Josie starting in the latter part of April the focus for the remainder of the year was on rebuilding and renewing relationships with Tatamagouche Centre’s various stakeholder groups and partnerships while facilitating the development of Centre and partner led programs. Josie dove right into the challenge of managing and rebuilding an organization in transition. As part of her orientation she met with many of the Centre’s stakeholders and partners bringing them back into relationship with the Centre and exploring future collaborations. She provided the Board with crucial intelligence on what was needed to revitalize these relationships. Although there is still work to done progress was made throughout the year.
Looking forward to 2018 the Board is excited to see that the Centre is starting its first full year since the crisis on a sound financial basis. 2017 ended with another operating surplus which has 84 The United Church of Canada eliminated the accumulated deficit which led to the 2015 financial crisis. This means that the focus for fundraising in 2018 is on adding staff in order to enhance and expand the programs and partnerships that advance the mission of the Centre. The Centre will be looking to all its supporters in this fundraising initiative.
The Centre has long made a contribution to the life of the Church and the broader community and looks forward to continuing to do so. In this time of restructuring we believe that the Centre, through our programs, can play a key role in providing skills, knowledge, and tools to successfully navigate the challenges ahead. Please keep the Centre in your prayers, but also, consider taking the opportunity to participate in the Centre’s programs or to use the Centre’s hosting services for your group’s retreat or event. We would also like to invite you to participation in the Centre’s Annual General Meeting on June 9.
Respectfully submitted Peter Hough, Chair Tatamagouche Centre Board
The United Church Home For Senior Citizens, Inc. Drew Nursing Home - Tantramar Residences
The United Church Home For Senior Citizens, Inc. continues our endeavor to provide quality care and spiritual services to our residents.
The following are the highlights of some of these initiatives and activities held in 2017/2018.
The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) and the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes have partnered to improve dementia care through the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotic Medications in Long Term Care Initiative. The Drew participated in this program with huge successes. The program included additional funds for training staff to provide a person-centered, non-pharmacological approach to managing challenging behaviors.
In October, the management team attended a conference to learn more about the Eden Philosophy. This philosophy is a person-centered approach to care. In the next year, it is our goal to move further in this direction.
Over the past year, the home has also been involved in community initiatives such as the “Memory Café” and “Age Friendly Community Committee”. The nursing home also partnered with the Town of Sackville to purchase a “Cycling Without Age Bike”. This bike allows for residents with mobility issues to be taken for a bike ride.
Interdenominational services are held on a regular basis. Other spiritual services include; visitation, communion, and involvement of clergy, lay volunteers, and church groups.
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The annual service of remembrance was held May 16, 2017. Family members, residents, staff and community are invited to attend. This service honors the memory of all residents, cottagers and staff who passed away in the previous year. The Home is very fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers. Volunteers are priceless to us in so many areas such as musical entertainment, church service, special events and resident visitation.
This year, volunteers Bill and Paulette Durant were awarded the Region 1 Volunteer Award at the Volunteer Gala in Fredericton last April.
In Closing, all of us associated with The United Church Home For Senior Citizens, Inc. will continue to work towards our mandate and ensuring quality of life is provided to our residents living at the Drew as well as the tenants of Tantramar Residences.
Linda Shannon Executive Director
PASTORAL OVERSIGHT REPORTS
The Wesleyan Methodist Synod of Bermuda
Like Presbyteries across the broad reach of our Church, Bermuda Synod, since the last Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference, has also experienced its share of addressing challenges whilst, at the same time, being on the receiving end of God’s continuing grace.
As of the date of this Annual Pastoral Oversight Report, all three churches which form Bermuda Synod – Ebenezer Methodist Church in St. George’s; Emmanuel Methodist Church in Southampton and Wesley Methodist Church in the City of Hamilton – have Ministers in place. Rev. Cyril Simmons leads the congregation at Ebenezer; Pastor Sim Rushton ministers at Emmanuel and Rev. Meredith Fraser is Supply Minister at Wesley.
By way of historical background, we point out that Bermuda’s link with The United Church of Canada extends over several decades. It was on 4th November 1930 when The Wesleyan Methodist Churches of Bermuda and The United Church of Canada agreed to enter into union, an arrangement that was unanimously ratified in 1931.
In common with our sister churches from one end of Maritime Conference to the other, we in Bermuda continue to seek innovative ways to address the decline in church attendance, together with an accompanying decrease in financial support; strategies to increase the number of children and young families in our congregations and, just as importantly, to maintain and increase our presence and our witness in all of the places where we find ourselves.
Without a doubt, perhaps the most critical challenge we in Bermuda – and in all our congregations – face are the proposals for the restructuring of our Church and of Maritime Conference in particular.
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As things stand at the moment, the proposed Boundary changes, if adopted, would see Bermuda Synod aligned with Nova Scotia, though, historically, Bermuda has had a long and constructive relationship with New Brunswick and that relationship over the decades has proven to be ‘a good fit’ for Bermuda. How things will turn out at the end of the day remains to be seen, but we have, at least, made our preferences known and we certainly hope that that the views of Bermuda Synod are taken fully into account before final decisions are made.
During the course of the year, Pastoral Oversight Visits have taken place at Ebenezer Methodist Church in St. George’s, Wesley Methodist Church in Hamilton, and Emmanuel Methodist Church in Southampton. Two of the three reports have been forwarded to Maritime Conference and the report from Emmanuel Methodist Church will be forwarded in the near future.
Bermuda Synod was delighted to host a visit from 8th to 15th April from the President of Conference, Rev. Richard Bowley, and his wife, Mrs. Natalie Bowley and the visit was highlighted by The President and Mrs. Bowley paying a courtesy call on The Premier, The Hon. David Burt, J.P., M.P., at the Cabinet Office in Hamilton on Tuesday, 10th April and a dinner with members of Synod at The Rosedon Hotel on Thursday, 12th April. The visit of the Presidential concluded with a Joint Worship Service for all three Churches at Emmanuel Methodist Church at which The President preached the sermon. The Service was followed by a Fellowship Hour at Emmanuel.
It has been a busy year for Bermuda Synod and, with limited numbers, the work carried out by Committee members can be somewhat overwhelming at times, but the work of Synod and of the Pastoral Oversight Committee continues unabated and each of us is committed to ensuring the success of what we do.
Jennifer Kearns, Secretary Wesleyan Methodist Synod of Bermuda
Chignecto Presbytery
Report from the Presbyteries regarding Religious Life and Work ..Manuel C3.4.5.
Report to the Maritime Conference Manuel section C3.4.5.
We are called to be the Church to celebrate God's presence to live with respect with creation to love and serve others to seek justice and resist evil to proclaim Jesus , crucified and risen our judge and our hope.
1./ What trends in celebration , service , justice seeking , and proclamation are filled with the Spirit in your Presbytery? There are a number of trends in celebration filled with the Spirit in our Presbytery. I would think Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 87 one of the celebrations would have to be the coming together of shared ministries for part time Pastoral Charges who have the opportunity to remain for now as a Pastoral Charge and yet share their minister with others. Too many of our churches consider themselves in survival mode. We need to find a place to be open to trust the Spirit even more simply because we have not been given all the information we need to make a sound decision. I for one spoke that God was about to do a new thing, or at least that was my hope. I am beginning to wonder if we have been given enough information to see what is best for those we serve.
When it comes to justice seeking, again it is difficult to project what you might be able to change or do with lack of information. If the work we do is based on volunteers and we have less staff, then we will need more volunteers. The difficulty right at this moment, we do not have enough volunteers before any changes take place. I have just taken over a Chairperson position ...and I am the only committee member.
As for proclamation, I understand our desire to proclaim that to which we hold dear and true. At the same time I realize that we do not all think upon the same lines. The Spirit is present when we meet and I credit that whole concept to those people who live by the understanding that no one in the room has all the wisdom. Together we can find the wisdom we need, if we are open to listen. This year for the first time in my ministry, I was asked to speak at another Denomination, how refreshing it was others be willing to consider our thoughts about faith's journey.
2./ Where is the Spirit of Jesus , our judge and our hope , evident with the “Life and Work” of your Presbytery ? Much of what I have already touched on offers us a small glimpse of the evident life and work of our presbytery Chegnecto ....My greatest struggle as I see it, is the change that may well be on its way and our trying to understand the thoughts and processes we may be faced to be a part, that are new to us { me } when it comes to the work of a Presbytery .....I can only add that being here in Chegnecto I am in my comfort zone. I just wonder how many others feel the same way.
3./ Where is God calling your Presbytery? I wish I knew where God was calling all of us, including our Presbytery. The only thing that I can see clearly at this present moment, is that God is calling us to change. There are many ideas of how such change might or even must take place. It may well be that we are running out of time ...because “CHANGE IS A COMIN ”.
Submitted by William N Drysdale DLM, Chairperson of Congregational Care and Support Chignecto Presbytery
Halifax Presbytery
We completed 8 Triennial visits in 2017. Our Committee is small in number and the geographical area of Halifax Presbytery large. During our visits we affirmed work of outreach, pastoral care, inclusivity, cooperation, programming, community orientation and a sense of hope and renewal. It was indeed a privilege to hear how clergy, ministry and personnel committees and representatives of a Board or Council describe how they along with their faith community serve God, proclaim the Word and love neighbour. 88 The United Church of Canada
The common struggles named continued to be financial and a decreasing number of volunteers. It was encouraging to learn how several congregations were looking into and testing new more streamlined governance models.
In addition to the visits, as matters came before us we prayerfully listened to one another and through joy, challenges and sorrow we continued in faith, trusting God is with us.
In peace, Dianne Dubowski, Chair-Pastoral Oversight
Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery
Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery is located in the northeast corner of mainland Nova Scotia and part of Cape Breton Island. It is of note that all current clergy in our Presbytery are female.
Pastoral Charge Highlights Nan Corrigan (clergy) and Noreen MacLean (lay representive) were appointed as nominees for General Council Commissioners; Reverend Alicia Cox was welcomed to Margaree Pastoral Charge; Reverend Karen Ross requested a change in Pastoral Relations from River and Lakeside Pastoral Charge to Stellaraton Pastoral Charge, Pictou Presbytery; Reverend Alison Etter, Baddeck, transferred to United Heritage Pastoral Charge, Sydney, NS; Long time presbyter, Jim St. Claire, retired from Presbytery and his dedication and help over the years was acknowledged at our June meeting; Whitehead, New Haven, Orangedale and Marble Mountain have been closed and sale of same completed; Greenwood United and Middle River/ Baddeck Forks are currently searching for clergy; A very well attended joint choir service took place at Greenwood United Church, Baddeck on September 10th; Three guest speakers attended meetings in 2017: Dr. Todd Vascello, a psychotherapist based in Sydney, spoke to the membership on PTSD and mental illness; Reverend Rodger Janes, General Council Field Position as Stewardship and Gifts Officer for the Maritime provinces, spoke on Stewardship and giving within our churches and offered many resources for use in our Pastoral Charges and Reverend David Hewitt, Executive Secretary of Maritime Conference, spoke about the upcoming changes in the geographic boundaries of the United Church of Canada per remit presented at General Council. We will no longer be part of Maritime Conference, but will be the Nova Scotia/Bermuda Region with 17 regions across Canada; Presbytery continues to work through the Affirming process and have voted on final remits; Triennial visits continued throughout the year
Respectfully submitted, Alice MacAskill, Chairperson Pastoral Oversight Committee, Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 89
Miramichi Presbytery
There has been a certain amount of hopeful celebration in Miramichi Presbytery, growing out of discussions around the concrete steps our church is taking, in regard to the future of our denomination. The new model, with a three court structure, has met with a great deal of interest. There has also been a certain amount of trepidation and interest about how these changes will be implemented. And a natural concern as to whether or not this is the best way forward.
However, the wide participation in discussing remits, has shown that there is a very high level of interest within congregations. Although, almost all of our charges have seen some decline, there is still significant optimism about the future and our ability to continue to witness in our communities.
An important celebration for our Presbytery is the construction of the Prince Place Development now underway in Miramichi. This initiative by the Newcastle Pastoral Charge is the result of years of hard work and a heavy financial commitment by the Charge. Prince Place will have 24 rental units for seniors and people with handicaps, of which 12 will receive a rent supplement from the provincial government.
The Miramichi Refugee Committee has begun taking steps towards settling another family in the Presbytery. This will be the second family they have brought to our area.
Although Presbyteries will soon fade into history, the Executive and delegates are continuing their work to ensure that everything is in good order as a new era begins for our church.
Pictou Presbytery
The year was filled with changes. A church building was torn down and now the congregation is worshipping in its hall. Three congregations became a shared ministry. We’ve said good bye to some preachers through retirement and transfer and we have welcomed two new ministers and look forward to their varied talents and ministries. We have one vacant pulpit and are now in the interview process for that location. We are struggling with what happens after this year and what it will mean to who we are and how we do ministry. We have renewed our attention to our local native bands and there is good liaison with them. Like all Presbytery’s, we struggle with numbers and lack of funds, but somehow we are keeping our heads above the rising tide. We are excited about what the Church will look like and how we will function within that vision. Churches are finding new ways of worshipping and of serving our communities. We have welcomed new families within the refugee programs and relish their input into the life of our communities. In all the changes that happen within the Church, we know and worship that head and Lord of the Church, Jesus the Christ. All our efforts point to him. Thanks be to God.
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Prince Edward Island Presbytery
The Pastoral Oversight Committee of PEI Presbytery has worked diligently to accomplish the work of oversight of the pastoral charges within our Presbytery.
The Chair of the committee is Rev. Bill MacLeod. Committee members Carolyn Francis, Shirley Affleck, Ruby Burns, Garth Wood, Rev. Greg Davis, Rev. Darin MacKinnon and Gail Carter-Jay have been active in visiting our pastoral charges.
Triennial visits have been conducted at Kings United, Memorial, Mt. Stewart- Morell - St. Peter’s Bay, Kensington, and Trinity-Clifton and visits are scheduled for Cavendish – Breadalbane for March 26, 2018 and for St. Andrew’s, Vernon Bridge for June.
Several of our pastoral charges are undergoing change and we face a challenge to provide ministry on an ongoing basis. As a result, several of our pastoral charges are being supplied by retired and retained ministry personnel. Pastoral Charges in process of change in pastoral relations or anticipating change include York-Covehead, Kings United, Montague, Winsloe, Central Queens and Bedeque North.
Although many charges no longer maintain a Manse, our committee is responsible to provide ongoing inspections of manses. This work is up to date, thanks to our dedicated members of the Presbytery Manse Committee.
While many of our pastoral charges struggle to meet commitments financially, there remains strong support for the wider work of the Church through the Mission and Service fund of the United Church of Canada. In addition, numerous projects and persons in our communities enjoy support from our congregations and people. We commend the effort to reach beyond our walls and minister to our sisters and brothers near and far.
In the coming year, we will continue to provide oversight through triennial visits, awareness of congregational life and support of our congregations.
Rev. Bill MacLeod Chair, Pastoral Oversight Committee
Saint John Presbytery
We are called to be the Church: Like every area of this United Church of ours, we are struggling to know and understand what this means in times of great change. While all of the things that we do as individual congregations continue, it is a struggle to remain aware and to find a place in the midst of, what appears to be, chaos. Still, the congregations continue to be church with worship, outreach, opportunities for youth and children and we hope to continue to be an overarching presence in the area through the work of the Home Mission Council. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 91
The work of the Dancing with the Spirit group is bringing light to new ways to be church in the 21st century and the One group of churches is making headway in what the urban church might look like in the future as two of the churches work towards amalgamation. to celebrate God’s presence, Saint John Presbytery churches celebrate God’s presence every day in worship and through work. The churches of the area are involved in ecumenical services, mid-week services as well as Sunday worship. Many churches share worship together. to live with respect in creation, Church in Action continues to remind us of our responsibility with respect to the care of the land. There continue to be links here with the aboriginal community who seem to be most concerned about the environment and the exploitation of God’s good creation. Many churches are now following the new Season of Creation, devoting intentional worship that lifts up our worlds need for sustainable living. to love and serve others, Our churches continue their ministry through food bank support, the Clothing Depot, socks and underwear offerings, as well as projects that provide warm clothing to people of the north and winter boots for children from Saint John’s south end. They are engaged in Christmas Exchange programmes and Literacy work, the Seafarers Mission and Mission and Service. to seek justice and resist evil, We encourage everyone in our communities to be aware of and to engage in justice in our interactions with each other and in our interactions with others. It is a continual struggle to maintain a justice centre when there is so much debate about what justice is. The Church in Action group have been working to bring issues around Mental Health to the fore and are offering training in this field. to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen We are all striving to make this proclamation in all that we do. In our interactions with each other, we live the way of Jesus and, even when confronted by other ways of being, we work to be Jesus hands and feet and voice in our world. By living our lives by Jesus example, we are making our faith real to everyone we encounter. As frail humanity, we often fall short, but we continue to try. our judge and our hope. In times of great upheaval… and these are time of great upheaval for those of us in the United Church, we can only continue to journey if we hope. If we give up hope, we will be lost. As we enter into the Triduum, that we not lose hope that God is present in this thing too. That regardless of the shambles that we humans can sometimes bring about, God is there, present in the mess with us.
Saint Croix Presbytery
Saint Croix Presbytery is a very small presbytery. We now have seven pastoral charges, including eight congregations, six of which are rural. There are only two paid accountable ministers in the Presbytery, so most of our pastoral charges rely on licensed lay worship leaders, retired clergy and a student for Sunday supply.
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The past year was a relatively active one for Saint Croix Presbytery: Much time was spent learning, discussing and voting on remits under the steadfast leadership of Jane Doull and Shirley Clarke. Bob Johnson led a seminar on the prerequisites for Church Growth, which was attended by several congregations. In the spring we received a special presentation regarding Truth and Reconciliation.
We had three visitors from Maritime Conference. President Catherine Stuart gave an inspiring address to Presbytery in April, and Executive Secretary David Hewitt informed us about the process of change within the UCC related to the remits, etc. Stewardship Co-ordinator Roger Janes visited the Presbytery and a few of our pastoral charges to discuss stewardship
There were a few changes in personnel. Bev Spires resigned as secretary and Barb Greenlaw stepped in to fill the gap. Rev. Jim Christie left the UCC and is no longer a member of Presbytery. Emma Hebb Seamone was appointed as Student Supply Minister to the congregations at Bocabec, Upper Mills and McAdam, and Tami Spires was ordained in Montreal and Ottawa Conference.
The Lawrence Station Pastoral Charge saw some big changes in 2017, with the congregations of Lawrence Station and Knox United (Tower Hill) being no more. Both were long standing congregations that, like their rural communities, had dwindled to a handful of people. Rolling Dam is now a single point pastoral charge.
Finally, the Saint Croix Wellness Centre continues to flourish. It’s an outreach ministry of the United Church that has now been able to hire staff, and to develop new programs. We’re particularly pleased with their weekly program for those 50 plus, that always includes social time, physical activity, a themed presentation and lunch. Transportation can be provided and it’s all free of charge. Not surprisingly, participation is full every week.
Since United Church people in Saint Croix did participate in the series of remits, they have at least a vague idea that structural change is likely. Many presbyters are concerned about how our congregations will co-operate after the dissolution of Presbytery, and are exploring ideas ranging from organic clusters to almost re-creating presbytery with a local association of United Churches. They’re not yet sure how or if they will transfer their volunteer efforts to the New Brunswick and PEI Region, and are concerned about things like driving to meetings. They’ll need to know more before they commit.
However, there remain many of us who want to ensure that the only expression of a liberal Christianity in our region survives, and so it seems likely that they will eventually step forward to see that it does.
Respectfully, Lance S Howard Chair, Saint Croix Presbytery
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South Shore Presbytery
Bob Dylan wrote, "The Times They Are a-Changin'". This is certainly true in The United Church of Canada this year. In South Shore Presbytery, we have spent time looking at what the future holds for us when we are no longer a Presbytery. A series of workshops were held throughout the year that not only helped us learn more about ourselves as a church community, but also helped us make individual and congregational connections. The Future Directions Committee helped organize three workshops with help from other committees. In September, Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett led us in a session, “The United Church: Past, Present and Future”. In the afternoon, the Church in Action Committee had members of KAIROS lead us in The Blanket Exercise: The Indigenous Rights History We’ve Never Been Taught. In November, David Csinos explored with us our Ministry with Children and Youth. In the afternoon, several people from our Presbytery led us in a discussion on “How to Become an Affirming Congregation”. The January workshop was an all- day session entitled “Leadership in Changing Times” and was led by David Hewitt, Executive Secretary of Maritime Conference.
In addition to workshops offered at the Presbytery level, several congregations held workshops for their members but opened them up to the entire Presbytery and sometimes other Presbyteries. Bridgewater United Church hosted The Blanket Exercise: The Indigenous Rights History We’ve Never Been Taught and another session entitled “Toward a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel”. Trinity United Church in Shelburne hosted Rev. Gretta Vosper to hear first-hand about her ministry and her beliefs.
Two other events included a ‘BE’ event held at White Point Beach Resort and a Newcomers Day for refugees and their families held at Sherbrooke Lake Camp. The latter provided an opportunity for refugees to connect with other refugees in our area. This event included refugees within Valley Presbytery as well.
The Future Directions Committee continued, this year, to encourage pastoral charges to seek ways they can work together and share resources. They also are encouraging conversations about creating clusters of churches to support one another when Presbyteries are dissolved. A covenanting service was held in October for Rev. Lee Simpson for a 70% position shared between the Mahone Bay Pastoral Charge and the Blue Rocks/Stonehurst Pastoral Charge. This is one example of two pastoral charges working in co-operative ministry.
The Property and Finance Committee continued to look after grant applications. Congregations struggle with balancing their ministry costs and their building maintenance costs. The Hunter Church Building Fund and other grants through Maritime Conference help congregations offset major expenses for buildings.
The Church in Action Committee brought forward many social justice issues to our attention. The Committee was aware that individuals and congregations could be overwhelmed with mission requests. They shared a “5 Step Triage” document with us to help us prioritize appeals for help.
The Pastoral Care and Oversight Committee continued to read every pastoral charge’s annual report and respond in writing to it. In addition, triennial visits were conducted on the following 94 The United Church of Canada pastoral charges: Mahone Bay, Blue Rocks/Stonehurst and Riverport. Notes and cards were also sent to Presbytery members experiencing illness, death in the family or happy occasions. Of note, Rev. Heather Ferrier was congratulated on the birth of her baby boy on Christmas Day!
The Archives Committee, the Christian Life and Growth Committee, the Education and Students Committee and the Pastoral Relations Committee carried on with their respective tasks throughout the past year. With all the changes that are before us, we journey on together in faith and in confidence that the Divine One will lead us to preach the gospel, serve one another and look for ways to take care of creation.
South Shore Presbytery April 2018 Annual Report as per Manual C3.4.5
Sydney Presbytery
We are not alone, we live in God’s world …
In 2017-2018, the sixteen pastoral charges making up Sydney Presbytery continue their work of witnessing to the power and presence of God on the eastern side of Cape Breton Island.
A mild winter meant regular meetings and gatherings of the executive went ahead as planned with good attendance and participation by representatives from our churches.
There was a full discussion of the implications of major changes possible if remits from General Council are approved. The presbytery voted on all remits and, if the General Council endoreses the changes in July, is ready to join in the transition to the new structure.
The pastoral charges are generally healthy though some closures are anticipated in the next few years. There is an abiding concern over shortage of ministry personnel. Too many pastoral charges are offering only part time positions. Cooperative ministry conversations are taking place in the Glace Bay. Two JNACs are just being completed and two are just beginning.
We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others…
Worship time precedes every meeting and presbytery has also had to opportunity to lead covenanting services and services to recognize lay licensed worship leaders. We are pleased that close to a dozen people have completed or are participating in the LLWL program and so enriching the worship life of our churches.
Sydney Presbytery has joined with other denominations and non-profit groups to sponsor and support several Syrian refugee family who have settled in Cape Breton. Individual churches also have strong community outreach programs in support of food banks and youth programs. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 95
The presbytery is keeping informed about plans to move into the new structure. We will be seeking individuals to work with other presbytery representatives on the regional council for Nova Scotia and Bermuda.
Respectfully submitted Rev Stephen Mills, Chairperson Sydney Presbytery
Truro Presbytery
The Apostle Paul writes in his first letter to the people of Corinth saying, “Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed”. Pertinent words for the United Church of Canada in the midst of the transitions and transformations being brought about by the implementation of the comprehensive review; and particularly appropriate words for Truro Presbytery and the Pastoral Charges within its boundaries in 2017.
Truro Presbytery is fully immersed in change in a variety of ways as Conference and Presbyteries become new “Regions”, as financial challenges lead to new ways of doing ministry and the sale of many church buildings, and as busyness and weariness translates into fewer people volunteering to do the hands on work of ministry. Of course, with all of these changes comes the constant concern that as a church at various levels we are going to become irrelevant, or even worse, die. And so we need more than ever to hear words of hope as the Apostle Paul says, “we will not die, but we will all be changed.”
Pastoral Relationships Committee of Truro Presbytery covers the mandates of 2 committees - Pastoral Relations and Pastoral Oversight, with duties including Joint Needs Assessments, Joint Search Committees, as well as supervisors, visioning, governance, special services, and working with Presbytery Finance & Property and Future Directions Committees. A shortage of PR committee members and volunteers, means that something had to change, and so triennial visits were put on hold for 2017.
We hear, from many pastoral charges/congregations (but not all), concerns of dwindling numbers, volunteers, buildings/overhead and finances. Remits have been voted on and submitted to GC. We do hear of Anniversary services, enthusiastic youth and youth groups, dedicated quilters, keen Bible studies and films, going green/vegetable gardens, choir and music events. Truro Presbytery is an Affirming Presbytery and there are 2 recognized Affirming Pastoral Charges. Three Refugee Groups with UCC/Truro Presbytery association have received $10,000.00 each from Truro Presbytery towards current sponsorship.
Other changes in Pastoral Relationships include two pastoral charges now under a “Cooperative Ministry Agreement” for one full time position; two pastoral charges sharing a “Children and Youth Co-ordinator” (15 hours each per week); and two pastoral charges in Joint Search for one full time cooperative ministry position. One Pastoral Charge continues a “Cooperative Shared Ministry” with the Presbyterian Faith. We have one congregation ceasing to function as a 96 The United Church of Canada worshipping community and moving toward disbanding; one pastoral charge (two points) which has been amalgamated; and another (three points) in the amalgamation process.
Truro Presbytery E&S supports several students in various stages of theological education and will have one ordinand at Maritime Conference in May 2018. And Truro Presbytery CIA has reached out in advocacy, writing a letter to various levels of government concerning the appalling water situation for the Potlotek First Nation; and to the UCC concerning pensions.
Finance and Property Committee of Truro Presbytery has also been instituting changes. Truro Presbytery is now using line 40 of the national stats to determine the pastoral charge allocations based on a three year average, and in 2018 will be applying a portion of our surplus funds (from the closing of a pastoral charge) toward reducing the pastoral charge allocations to presbytery. Church closures and requests for transfer of property have revealed UCC ownership of cemeteries previously operating independently, so FP is providing much encouragement for the securing of a deed for all properties, placement of trustees and record keeping, maintaining UCC polity in the courts of the church; and adhering to federal charity status regulations and provincial guidelines.
In the midst of all of the changes, Truro Presbytery currently has: 27 pastoral charges: 47 UCC congregations, 1 presbyterian, 2 union 9 full time ministry personnel (includes 1 cooperative ministry) 12 – 1/3 to 3/4 time positions 5 with no ministry personnel 8 supervisors for pastoral charges (including 3 students) 8 manses with ministry personnel, of which 2 are rented and 1 is vacant
Truro Presbytery offers thanksgiving to God and to all of the people who continue to work faithfully for the church in the world by attending meetings, offering care and compassion to all who have need, being a voice for the oppressed and the vulnerable, and celebrating the good news even in the midst of change and challenge. May we be assured that “we will not all die, but we will all be changed” for the betterment of the United Church of Canada and for a stronger faith filled presence no matter what we may be called within Region 15.
In ministry together, we are: Harvey Gullon - Chair of Pastoral Relationships Rev. David Leblanc - Chair of Finance and Property Rev. Meggin King - Chair of Education and Students Rev. Penny Nelson - Chair of Church in Action Christine Urquhart - Chair of Christian Life and Growth Mary Thompson - Chair of Future Directions Stuart Semple - Chair of Theology and Worship Fran Fiddes - Recording Secretary Fay Smith - Secretary of Truro Presbytery Rev. Connie McNamara - Chair of Truro Presbytery
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 97
Valley Presbytery
The annual reports of the congregations of Valley presbytery show communities of faith who are engaged in ministries that include supporting refugee families, hosting community suppers. Presenting musicals, holding Easter egg hunts and Christmas tree lightings, staging jam sessions, visiting ill, elderly or shut-in people, providing food and clothing to the needy, comforting those who have suffered losses, celebrating baptisms and weddings and speaking out on social justice issues. We lift them up for the work they do in Jesus' name. One of our projects in 2017 was to review the annual reports and send letters of affirmation to individual pastoral charges. This was positively received.
Over the past year the pastoral oversight committee submitted reports on triennial visits to three pastoral charges. As well, we worked with the members of Ste. Croix Pastoral Charge, who completed a successful amalgamation of the Ellershouse and Ste. Croix congregations into the Ste. Croix Ellershouse pastoral Charge. The work involved several meetings and a few unforeseen issues. But the people of the charge persevered and under the capable leadership of the Reverend Krista Anderson have a new governance structure and a renewed sense of being a community of faith within the United Church of Canada.
We worked with the Berwick Trinity Pastoral Charge on an amalgamation proposal that was supported by one church and rejected by the other. Through this process the two congregations were able to dialogue about their future direction and develop a new governance model for the Pastoral Charge. They will continue to work and worship individually and together throughout the year and summer months as they look at other options.
We have also been working with the Walton Pastoral Charge on governance and financial issues as they adjust and renew their congregations under the leadership of the Reverend Judith Perry, who accepted an appointment to the Charge last November.
We are delighted to welcome the Reverend David Hann as minister at Windsor United Church and the Reverend Donald MacPherson to the William Black Pastoral Charge. We look forward to the arrival of the soon-to-be-ordained Donald Sellsted who has answered the call of Orchard Valley United Church.
A great deal of the committee's work involves informally offering support, advice and comfort to congregations and their leaders. We pray that this work will continue under the proposed governance changes. But we are concerned about the lack of clear direction about how this will be carried out.
The committee wishes to thank all the congregations who have welcomed us, fed us, consulted with us and accepted us well as we provided guidance in some very difficult circumstances. The Spirit moves.
Respectfully submitted, Reverend Karen Lynch and Reverend Kevin Cox Co-Chairs Valley presbytery Pastoral Oversight Committee 98 The United Church of Canada
Woolastook Presbytery
The Pastoral Care and Support Committee of Woolastook Presbytery, the equivalent of an Oversight Committee, met four times since the report of March 2017. We also met to review Annual Reports received from Pastoral Charges. Members of the committee conducted Triennial Visits with one Pastoral Charge.
We are able in most circumstances, to get a good sense of the situation in our pastoral charges through these visits, and discussion of the subsequent reports at our meetings, our readings of Annual Reports, and conversations with Pastoral Charge clergy and delegates at Presbytery meetings and at other times. We celebrate the Christian life and spirit-filled service of the dedicated people of the Pastoral Charges of Woolastoook Presbytery.
In general, at this point in time, we could say that about one-third of the pastoral charges within our boundaries are stable and thriving. One–third are somewhat stable and holding on, but with inevitable challenges in the very near future, as congregations see life-time members die or become unable to attend. The final third are in situations of serious decline and are barely able to function financially or in terms of weekly worship month by month.
Dwindling resources, both financial and human, are the most common cause of serious difficulty. Sadly too, we have seen one or two congregations begin to talk of disbanding as there is no further resource for sustaining the ministry. Of course, a decision like this is never taken lightly.
Notwithstanding internal difficulties, in several pastoral charges, service to the wider community and world through the Mission and Service Fund and other charitable causes is notable across the Presbytery. There appears to be a good sense of what it means to serve others. We see Christ’s compassion and self-giving practiced often.
Our Committee has had several opportunities to discuss the future in the light of the new governance structure for The United Church of Canada. We have also been able to facilitate a good discussion at a recent Presbytery meeting. It must be said that we have concerns about the ongoing pastoral care and support of pastoral charges after January 2019.
The Committee was delighted to welcome our Chairperson, The Reverend Dr. Kelly Burke, back to our midst upon her return to health in the fall of 2017.
We trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us through the transition, and we know we are not alone.
Rev. Rose~Hannah Gaskin, Member, Pastoral Care and Support Committee
DECISIONS AND ACTIONS OF EXECUTIVE AND SUB-EXECUTIVE
Executive Meeting, May 28, 2017
1. MEETING SCHEDULE: Approved the Fall meeting date of the Executive be October 27-28, 2017 at the Tatamagouche Centre, Tatamagouche, NS; and the Spring date April 20-21, 2018 at the Maritime Conference Centre, Sackville, NB, and April 27-28, 2018 as a storm date. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 99
2. CONFERENCE SUB-EXECUTIVE: Elected the following as the Sub-Executive for the 2017- 18 year: President Richard Bowley President-Elect Catherine MacDonald Executive Secretary David Hewitt Treasurer Alan Gray General Council Executive Representative Pauline Walker Stephen Mills Jane McDonald Layton Peck Brian DeLong Catherine Stuart
3. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: Approved that Kathryn McIntosh be named as Secretary to the Christian Life & Growth Committee.
4. MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND EDUCATION: Executive Secretary reported that permission was given to: - Sydney Presbytery, Ms. Marilyn Dale Crawford, Designated Lay Minister, to administer the sacraments and officiate at weddings; and - Sydney Presbytery, Ms. Dianne Kempt, Designated Lay Minister, to administer the sacraments and officiate at weddings.
Sub-Executive Meeting, July 14, 2017
5. FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE: - Approved the Executive Secretary to communicate the response to General Council that Maritime Conference accept their offer of a mortgage of up to 1 million dollars after David Hewitt and Alan Gray calculate the actual value of our potential mortgage and subsequent monthly payments and that this amount be further calculated after a down payment of approximately $265,000 from our fund raising fund be made. The interest rate of 4.5% would be set and the mortgage would be amortized over a period 10 years. - Agreed that all monies in the Fundraising account be used to pay down our mortgage when the new mortgage agreement is successfully negotiated with General Council.
Sub-Executive Meeting, September 5, 2017
6. DISCONTINUED SERVICE LIST (VOLUNTARY): - Agreed to waive written ballot in order to deal with a request to have a name placed on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary) of The United Church of Canada. - Approved the recommendation of Saint Croix Presbytery to approve the request of James Wallace Crighton to have his named placed on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary) of The United Church of Canada effective September 5, 2017. - Approved that Maritime Conference, under Manual Section I.3.3.5, stipulate that James Wallace Crighton not be granted permission to exercise any of the functions of an ordained minister while his name is on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary). 100 The United Church of Canada
7. MINISTRY PERSONNEL & EDUCATION: - Approved Wallace Ellis, Designated Lay Minister (Recognized), be licensed to administer the sacraments and officiate at weddings within the bounds of Prince Edward Island Presbytery, for the duration of his appointment to the Cavendish Breadalbane Pastoral Charge. - Approved Christine Marie Gladu, Student Intern, be licensed to administer the sacraments and officiate at weddings within the bounds of the Grand Falls-Plaster Rock and Perth Andover-Kincardine Pastoral Charges, Woolastook Presbytery, for the duration of her appointment.
Internship Funds Agreed to add the following wording to the background information for Maritime Conference Funding for Ministry Learning Sites: “MPE sees the Learning Grant Fund as an opportunity for both students and pastoral charges to grow in their faith journey. Each Learning Site will have its own needs for making application to this grant, but MPE has prioritized three broad categories for funding. First, for those Learning Site ministries that plan to use the funding to meet the learning goal needs of the student and/or the pastoral charge. This could be something practical like the purchase of new worship resources, or it could be something more creative with regards to the local ministry opportunities and learning goals. The second category would include Learning Sites that are experimenting with new models of ministry. Finally, for Learning Site ministries who show financial need to support the ministry (follow up information may be requested which could include but is not limited to: learning site application, budgets, financial statements, future direction plans). These categories are not exhaustive but are designed to give more clarity as it relates to the application for funding and MPE grant recommendations.”
8. FINANCE & PROPERTY: Agreed to accept the offer of Gerry and Linda Moore to continue to hold the Conference mortgage at a reduced rate of 4.5%.
Executive Meeting, October 27, 2017
9. MINISTRY PERSONNEL & EDUCATION: - Executive Secretary reported that permission was given to: o Saint John Presbytery, Ms. Barbara (Joy) Cowan, Intern Supply, to administer the sacraments. - Approved Emma Seamone, Student Supply, be licensed to administer the sacraments within the bounds of Bocabec, Upper Mills and McAdam Pastoral Charges, St. Croix Presbytery, for the duration of her appointment. - Approved Marty Clark-Ettinger, Designated Lay Minister (Non-Recognized), be licensed to administer the sacraments and officiate at weddings within the bounds of the Stewiacke- Springside Pastoral Charge, Truro Presbytery, for the duration of his appointment. - Approved Robert Costelo, Elder, be licensed to administer the sacraments within the bounds of the North Highlands Pastoral Charge, Sydney Presbytery, for a 12 month period beginning October 27, 2017. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 101
- Approved Sandra Curtis, Elder, be licensed to administer the sacraments within the bounds of the North Highlands Pastoral Charge, Sydney Presbytery, for a 12 month period beginning October 27, 2017. - Approved Ruth Gamble, Retired former DLM, be licensed to administer the sacraments within the bounds of the Parrsborough Shores Pastoral Charge, Chignecto Presbytery, while serving as Pastoral Charge Supervisor. - Approved Alicia Walls, Designated Lay Minister (not recognized), be licensed to administer the sacraments and officiate at weddings, pending approval of Saint John Presbytery (weddings), within the bounds of Rothesay Saint David’s Pastoral Charge, Saint John Presbytery, for the duration of the appointment. - Agreed that upon receipt of an application for Sacramental and/or Marriage Privileges that has the support of the Presbytery making the application and any other necessary parties, and following the assessment of the MPE Chair and any 2 other committee members that the request meets all the usual parameters for such application, the MPE Chair is directed to forward the application to the Executive Secretary for approval.
10. FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE: Tatamagouche Centre request Approved the request of Tatamagouche Centre to communicate with Presbyteries for fund- raising purposes.
11. CHIGNECTO PRESBYTERY, COVERDALE UNITED CHURCH: Approved to authorize the Trustees of Coverdale United Church to proceed with the sale of Coverdale United Church (PID # 00636951), Riverview, NB, to Stephanie Elizabeth Hunter-Ing for $71,999 and authorize the Executive Secretary to act on behalf of the Conference in this matter.
12. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: - Approved that Norma Mills and Kimberley Douglass be named to the Conference Interview Board until 2019 (noting that they each have started their terms). - Approved that Betty-Jean Friedman and Yvette Swan be named Maritime Conference representatives to the board of Camp Wegesegum until 2019 (noting that both have already started their terms, and that Betty Jean Friedman began her term as a member-at-large, then moved into the role of Conference representative).
13. AFFIRMING MINISTRY COMMITTEE: Approved that Maritime Conference, as part of our Affirming commitment, approve that the President and the Executive Secretary (or alternates designated by the Affirming Committee) would typically attend the Affirm United Conference and AGM, and that travel and expense budgets, as appropriate, be adjusted to reflect this expectation.
14. ARCHIVES COMMITTEE: - Agreed that the remaining Friends of the Archives funds be used for travel, supplies and software, etc. for ongoing artifacts projects and to hire an archival assistant for processing and cataloguing at a minimum rate of $15.00 per hour. - Approved that should any Friends of the Archives funds be remaining as of 31 December 2018 that they be put to use for the day-to-day operations of Maritime Conference and Archives or its successor bodies. 102 The United Church of Canada
15. FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Agreed that the name of the “Congregational Learning Grant” be changed to “Maritime Conference Learning Grant”.
Executive Meeting, November 24, 2017
16. REGIONS: The Executive met by telephone to discuss possible recommendations to the Commission on Regions. Notes include the following points: - a larger region is not desirable or viable - smaller regions jeopardize established relationships and youth programs - support for the desire of Bermuda to remain with an Atlantic-based region - support for the Archives and the Archivist Agreed that Richard Bowley, Sean Handcock, David Hewitt and Pauline Walker review the notes with Stephen Mills before sending them on to the Commission on Regions.
Executive Meeting, January 18, 2018
17. REGIONS: Defeated a motion to inform the Boundaries Commission that Maritime Conference should remain intact as New Brunswick including the Gaspe Bay Peninsula, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Bermuda.
18. REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFFING MODELS: - Agreed to inform the Implementation Team that Maritime Conference prefers a staffing model with a mechanism for regions to work together. - Agreed that Maritime Conference express its concerns to the Remit Implementation Task Group that full information including both staffing and financials be available to the 43rd General Council by June 30.
Executive Meeting, March 15, 2018
19. STAFFING IN THE REGIONS: Agreed that Tara Ann Gourson and Jane Johnson (representing Region 14), Malcolm MacLeod and Simpson Rushton (representing Region 15) be appointed to participate in conversations with the Executive Secretaries of Newfoundland and Labrador Conference and Maritime Conference.
Executive Meeting, April 27-28, 2018
20. MINISTRY PERSONNEL & EDUCATION: - Executive Secretary reported that permission was given to: o Truro Presbytery, Ms. Kim Curlett, Candidate for Ministry working in a supervised ministry intern site on the Rawdon Pastoral Charge, to administer the sacraments.
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders - Agreed to recognize the Tatamagouche Centre LLWL program as a program for the training of Licensed Lay Worship Leaders. - Approved the request from Tatamagouche Centre for funding to support its License Lay Worship Leader training program in the amount of $11,500, for the year 2018. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 103
Interim Minister - Approved that E. Lorraine “Lori” Crocker continue designation as an Interim Minister. - Approved that Bill MacLeod continue designation as an Interim Minister.
Discontinued Service List (Voluntary) - Agreed to waive written ballot in order to deal with a request to have a name placed on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary) of The United Church of Canada. - Approved the recommendation of Halifax Presbytery to approve the request of John Wayne Hartlen to have his named placed on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary) of The United Church of Canada effective April 27, 2018. - Approved that Maritime Conference, under Manual Section I.3.3.5, stipulate that of John Wayne Hartlen not be granted permission to exercise any of the functions of an ordained minister while his name is on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary).
21. FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE: 2017 Audited Statements Approved the 2017 audited statements to be reported to the 2018 Conference Annual Meeting.
Contingency Reserve Transfer Agreed that Maritime Conference transfer $111,061 of the 2017 operational surplus to the Contingency Reserve Fund.
2019 Budget Agreed that the Executive of Maritime Conference recommend to the Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference a deficit budget for 2019 with expenses totaling $1,123,291.64 including a 0% assessment increase for a total assessment of $934,366, and a draw from reserves if necessary of up to $62,900.64.
Conference Annual Meeting Travel Approved that Maritime Conference committee travel rate of $0.30/km, meal rates of $30/day, and annual meeting travel rate of $0.10/km remain the same for 2018.
22. CHIGNECTO PRESBYTERY, DORCHESTER UNITED CHURCH: Approved the distribution of remaining funds (approximately $15,227.59) of Dorchester United Church, Dorchester, New Brunswick, be as follows: - 10% (approximately $1,522.76) to the Mission and Service Endowment Fund. - 25% (approximately $3,806.90) to Maritime Conference Financial Campaign. - $6,070.54 to the Presbytery Education Fund. - Remaining balance (approximately $3,827.39) to Maritime Conference Fund to be used to help offset costs to Maritime Conference surrounding the actions (sales/demolition) relating to Church buildings/or the care of orphaned cemeteries associated with disbanded pastoral charges within the bounds of Maritime Conference or its successor Regional Councils (Reginal Council 14 and Regional Council 15).
104 The United Church of Canada
23. CHIGNECTO PRESBYTERY, COVERDALE UNITED CHURCH: Approved the distribution of remaining funds (approximately $71,466.43) of Coverdale United Church, Riverview, New Brunswick, as follows: - $46,000.00 along with the Coverdale cemetery be transferred to the Wesleyan Union Cemetery Committee, Inc. - $18,000.00 (25.2%) Maritime Conference Financial Campaign. - Remaining balance (approximately $7,466.43, 10.5%) to the Mission and Service Endowment Fund.
24. INVERNESS-GUYSBOROUGH PRESBYTERY, ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED CHURCH: Approved the distribution of remaining funds (approximately $37,779.98) of St. Matthew’s United Church, Marble Mountain, Nova Scotia, as follows: - 10% (approximately $3,778.00) to the Mission and Service Endowment Fund. - 25% (approximately $9,445.00) to Maritime Conference Financial Campaign. - Remaining balance (approximately $24,556.99) be transferred to the River and Lakeside Pastoral Charge.
25. HALIFAX PRESBYTERY, ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH: Approved that St. Andrew’s United Church, Moser River, Nova Scotia, be offered for sale using a Request for Proposals process. Proposals to state the intended purpose for the property and purchase offer. The Request for Proposals will be issued with a six week deadline.
26. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: Approved that Doreen Richard be named to the Mount Allison University Board of Regents, effective immediately, until May 31, 2018.
27. PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE MINISTER: Agreed that a letter be written by the Past- President of Maritime Conference requesting definition and clarification from the General Secretary and the General Council Executive on the processes used for hiring the provisional Executive Ministers nationally. This would include how it was determined who would be considered for each of the 6 positions and on what basis were the final decisions made.
28. REMIT IMPLEMENTATION AND TRANSITION PLANNING: - Approved that we postpone indefinitely the proposal from Chignecto Presbytery. - Approved that we invite the Presbyteries to name up to two (2) representatives for the Transition Planning Commission. - Approved that the Regional Commissions be the President, President Elect, and Presbytery/Synod representatives as presented and those yet to be named, to be named as the Transition Planning Commission for each Region and that each Commission be given the power to name up to five (5) additional members. - Approved that Regional Commissions be encouraged to ensure that representation include gender balance, lay/ordered balance, Affirming, justice, indigenous, youth, archives, and experience with staffing.
29. MEETING SCHEDULE: Approved that the Maritime Conference Executive meet September 21-22, 2018 and reserve November 2-3, 2018 as necessary.
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 105
Sub-Executive Meeting, May 16, 2018
30. THE HOME MISSION COUNCIL: Agreed that Maritime Conference give consent for the Home Mission Council of Saint John Presbytery to sell the property at 68 Carleton Street, Saint John, NB for $450,000 to Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
2018 Annual Meeting - Jubilarians Presbytery Name Anniv Bermuda
Chignecto Barbara M. Copp 55 Hugh A. Farquhar 55 Wayne A. McCarther 55 John W. Touchie 60
Halifax E. Ellen Wilson 50 G. Paul Cumming 55 R. Laird Stirling 55 Vincent Ihasz 60 Gordon K. Stewart 65 William D. Titus 65
Inv-Guys
Miramichi
Pictou Hallett E. Llewellyn 50
PEI
Saint John
St. Croix
South Shore
Sydney W. Robert Hussey 60 106 The United Church of Canada
Truro H. Allen Darby 50 Glenn M. MacLean 50 Alexander F. MacLean 55 David N. MacNaughton 60
Valley
Woolastook Robert A. Jones 55
2018 Annual Meeting - Retirees Presbytery Name Bermuda
Chignecto
Halifax
Inv-Guys
Miramichi Blair E. H. Lewis
Pictou
PEI Arthur E. Davies Eric N. Lynk Janet H. Travers Barbara B. Wagner
Saint John Audrey G. Lounder
St. Croix
South Shore
Sydney Hazel-Jane Morris
Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 107
Truro E. Lorraine “Lori” Crocker
Valley John W. Moses
Woolastook Cora Krommenhoek
MEMORIAL OBSERVANCES
Velma Bos 1941-2016
Velma Irene Bos, wife of Evert Bos, passed away on 26 November 2016 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Bathurst, NB on 16 January 1941, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Edna (Wiseman) Ronalds. Velma graduated from the Saint John General School of Nursing in 1962. She worked as a Registered Nurse in the field of mental health until her retirement in 2014. Velma was an active member of the Quispamsis United Church, Saint John Presbytery, and the Hampton Refugee Action Committee. She dedicated much of her time helping family and friends, and will be missed by all who knew her. Survived by her daughters, Allyson Bos, Julie Coutts (Micheal) and Jennifer Galloway (Paul); grandchildren, Liam and Emma Galloway, Zachery and Brooklyn Coutts and Mark and Laura Kerr; sisters, Marion Ronalds of Newfoundland, Edith Clouston (Hugh) and Ivy Bujold (Edward) of Fredericton; cousin Glenda Hossack (Laurie); special nephew and niece, Erin Whalen (Rosa) and Tanya Whalen Kerr; as well as many other cousins, nieces, and nephews. Besides her parents, Velma was predeceased by her sisters, Wilma Simonsen, Jean Koch, and Joan Whalen, and her brother Gordon Ronalds.
A celebration of life was held at A celebration of life was held at Chipman United Church, Quispamsis, NB, 29 November 2016.
Margaret Stewart Brogan 1930-2018
Margaret Stewart (Fraser) Brogan, 87, died peacefully on 08 February 2018. Born on 22 February 1930 in Chipman, New Brunswick, Margaret was the daughter of Carolyn Mae Stewart and George (Sam) Wellington Fraser. With the exception of time in Fredericton for Normal School; in Milltown for her first teaching job; and in Fredericton while she served as the first elected female president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association, she was a lifelong resident of Chipman. During her career in public education, Margaret was a respected classroom teacher, department head, vice-principal, principal and district supervisor. She served for many years on the board of the New Brunswick Lung Association and as a representative on the Woolastook Presbytery of the United Church of Canada. In addition to her parents, Margaret was predeceased by her brothers, Vance Fraser and Robert Dibblee; sister Frances Dibblee; and step-father Hazen Dibblee. She is survived by Woodrow Brogan, her husband of seventy years; and by her sister Elizabeth Dibblee; 108 The United Church of Canada daughter Frances Brogan; son-in-law David O’Brien; granddaughter Dr. Meaghan O’Brien; grandson Liam O’Brien; granddaughter-in-law Amorette O’Brien; great-grandsons Brogan and Flynn O’Brien; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held at Chipman United Church, Chipman, NB, 13 February 2018.
Reverend John Alexander “Sandy” Bishop Clark 1939-2017
Rev. John Alexander “Sandy” Bishop Clark, 78, minister, teacher, administrator, musician and friend passed peacefully from the arms of loved ones into the embrace of his dear Lord and Saviour on 06 November 2017. Having lived most his earthly life in Morell, PEI, Sandy is survived by his loving wife Louise (Anderson), and their children, Ewan (Anne), John (Mary), Marion (Steven) and Janet (Sean). Grampy will be greatly missed by Emma, Lauren, Luke, Anna, Thomas, Sarah, Laura and Julia. Born in Kentville, NS, Sandy was the eldest son of Ewan and Helena Clark (Bishop), and cherished brother of Ken (Sally), Ewan “Sudsy” (predeceased) and sister, Janet (Jim). He was also predeceased by his beloved mother-in-law, Marion Anderson (Coffin). He will be fondly remembered by a lifetime of dear friends, colleagues and other relatives sprinkled around the world. Sandy and Louise were married on 20 August 1966 and spent the ensuing years working, taking on projects, travelling and sharing many adventures, twists and turns in the road exploring in cars, planes, campers, and motorcycles, creating wonderful memories for family and friends to cherish. Sandy dedicated his life and talents to service of the Lord and to his community in word, music and deed. He had a lifelong thirst for learning. A voracious reader, he studied at Acadia, Atlantic School of Theology, Dalhousie, Prince of Wales College, St FX, UNB, and UPEI. He imbued his curiosity in his children and many other students, colleagues and friends fortunate to have been touched by his generous and large heart. His calling as a United Church Minister, briefly interrupted by a 30 yr career as a teacher and principal, was where Sandy felt most comfortable and filled with purpose. A man of the strongest Christian faith, a great orator with a keen intellect and wit, he shared his message, empathy and respect. Sandy devoted his life to his family, Church and community volunteering and participating in youth, music, theatre, civic and too many other roles to list. A gifted musician, he could brighten any room immediately with his voice, music and presence. He was cherished and respected by so many whose lives he touched. He was a wonderful man. Forever generous with his time and talents, for 78 years he walked humbly among us with interest, curiosity, compassion, respect and appreciation of diversity and differences, always striving for what was just and good.
A celebration of life was held at Peter Gordon Memorial United Church, Morell, PE, 10 November 2017.
Reverend R. Stewart Clark 1930-2018
Rev. R. Stewart Clark, 87, most recently of Lawrencetown and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully on 19 January 2018. He is now in heaven with the Lord. The son of Raymond Alexander Clarke and Hannah Francis Matilda Jean Stewart, our father received his B.A. from Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 109
U.N.B., his M.Div. from Pine Hill Divinity Hall and his M.Th. from St. Stephen’s College. He was ordained as a minister in the Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada, on 06 June 1954, and “retired” (to a continued ministry) in 1997. Dad had the good fortune to marry Evelyn Marie Holmes on 24 May 1954. He is survived by his brother Bill (Viney) Clarke, his children Russel Stewart (Gillian) Clarke, D. Bruce (Caroline) Clarke and Janice Marie (Scott) MacInnis, 6 grandchildren, and a growing list of great-grandchildren. In addition to being a theologian, Stewart’s active and inquiring mind led him to a diverse set of interests that included broadcasting, organizational management, personality theory, parent and teacher effectiveness, grief counselling, wood turning, stained glass, Scottish Country Dancing, judo and wine making.
A celebration of life was held at Cole Harbour-Woodside United Church, Cole Harbour, NS, 02 February 2018.
Lola Margaret Crawford 1918-2017
Lola Margaret (Grady) Crawford, 99, wife of the late Richard J. Crawford, of Fredericton, NB, occurred on 23 July 2017 at her home. Born on 09 April 1918 in Millerton, NB, she was a daughter of the late Otto and Ethel (Manderville) Grady. Lola retired as a Sales Clerk with Pic"n" Puff. She was a member of Nashwaaksis United Church, UCW, Presbytery and a long time volunteer at the Fredericton Community Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, she also canvassed for various charities. Lola was recognized for volunteer and community service with such organizations as City of Fredericton Unsung Hero Award, Fredericton Community Kitchen, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Nashwaaksis and Marysville Y’s Men’s Clubs and York Manor. She enjoyed travelling, knitting, sewing, reading and jigsaw puzzles. Lola is survived by her daughter, Fay Hemphill of Ottawa, ON; sons, Arnold Crawford (Janet) of Nashwaak Village, NB and Gerald Crawford (Brenda) of Woodstock, NB; grandchildren, Richard, Shari, Tracey, Erika, Judith and Peter; great grandchildren, Tara (Skyler) Bulley, Carlie Southin, Ryan Crawford, Deanna, Meghan and Stephanie Hare, Genevieve Lochhead and Arcadie Gagne; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Mabel Curtis, Roberta Gilks and Esma Wilson; brothers, Lyle, Gerald and Joseph Grady; son-in-law, Lorne Hemphill.
A celebration of life was held Nashwaaksis United Church, Fredericton, NB, 27 July 2017.
Wilfred Anthony Dillman 1929-2017
Wilfred Anthony Dillman passed away on 08 September 2017 in Dartmouth General Hospital. He was born in Wyses’ Corner on 27 June 1929. He was the son of the late William and Ena (Barron) Dillman. He was employed with DREA Dockyard Lab as a Senior Industrial Radiographer. His journey with heart disease forced an early retirement. He served as Clerk of Session at United Memorial Church in Halifax and Woodlawn United Church in Dartmouth as well as many boards and committees at various levels of the church. Some of his happiest years were the 7 years he spent as Lay Assistant to the ministers of Woodlawn United Church where he was involved in 110 The United Church of Canada administrative tasks, pastoral care and social outreach. He was also involved with the First Presbyterian Church in Zephyrhills, Florida. Wilfred enjoyed square dancing in Dartmouth and Zephyrhills. He loved his vegetable gardens and spending time at the cottage in Pugwash. He was known as a ‘sharp’ card player and a great hugger. Wilfred is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce (Tupper), daughter Janet (Stephen Sollows), Yarmouth and son Paul (Elizabeth Bryce), Ottawa. He was very proud of his six grandchildren Jennie (Nicholas), Emily, Steen, Ruth, Rebekah and Luke. He is also survived by his brother Donald (Barbara), Elderbank, his special aunt Emma MacDonald and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters Ella (Roy) Rhind and Roberta (Ervin) Dillman.
A celebration of life was held at Woodlawn United Church, Dartmouth, NS, 14 September 2017.
Reverend Ray A. Francis 1936-2018
Rev. Ray A. Francis, 81, of Port Williams, NS, passed away on 27 February 2018 after a period of failing health. Born in Halifax on 29 June 1936, he was the eldest son of Rachael (Higham) Francis and James Augustine "Gus" Francis. Following the death of his father in October, 1940, the family moved to Sydney Mines, Cape Breton. Ray attended school there, then furthered his studies at Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB receiving a BA degree in 1957. Having felt the "call" to the Ministry, Ray studied theology at Emmanuel College, Toronto, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1960. He chose Emmanuel as he wanted to study under an Old Testament professor, Robert Dobbie, who was very knowledgeable of the works of Paul Tillich, a well renowned philosopher and theologian. Following his ordination in The United Church of Canada, Ray served in pastorates in Nova Scotia (Maitland; Yarmouth) and New Brunswick (Glen Falls; Bathurst). In late 1980, Ray was named the Superintendent of the Children's Training Centre, Digby, NS and remained there till the closing of the Centre in 1992. Following this, Ray continued work with the Department of Community Services as an Adult Protection Worker in the tri-county area of Nova Scotia. He retired from this in 1997. Ray returned to the pastorate in November, 1997 serving the former Wolfville Pastoral Charge (1997 – June, 1999), and then the former Canard United Church, Kings Co., NS from 1999 - 2005. From July, 2005 – June, 2008, Ray had Interim Ministries in First United Church, Bathurst, NB; Woodlawn United Church, Dartmouth, NS and Waterville/Berwick United Churches, NS. In the communities where Ray served, be it Church or Government, he was involved in the church at the Presbytery level and in community volunteer work. Ray is survived by his wife, Sheila (Branch) Francis, Port Williams, NS; his daughter, Jeannie (Kenny) Snyder, Ashland, Virginia, USA; his son, John (Emily) Francis, South Mailtand, Hants Co., NS; his sister-in-law, Katherine Francis, Moncton, NB; his first wife, Arlene C. Francis, Truro, NS; as well as extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Frank; a cherished cousin, Dr. Ross A. Stanway; and two children in infancy.
A celebration of life was held at White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, NS, 03 March 2018.
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Reverend James “Jim” Alexander Fraser 1927-2018
Rev. James A. Fraser, 90, of Dartmouth passed away on 04 February 2018, in the Dartmouth General Hospital. He was the elder son of the late Rev. Archibald and Jessie (Urquhart) Fraser, and grew up in North River Bridge, Victoria County, NS. He graduated from Dartmouth High School in 1945, and received his Bachelor of Science (’50) and Bachelor of Arts (’54) degrees from Mt. Allison University. In 1957 he received the Bachelor of Divinity degree from Pine Hill Divinity Hall and was ordained into the ministry of The United Church of Canada. In 1971 he earned the degree of Master of Sacred Theology in Psychology and Pastoral Counselling from Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts. During summer breaks from university studies, Jim worked for the Nova Scotia Dept. of Highways in road construction surveying on the Cabot Trail. From 1951 to 1954 he was employed in the Engineering Dept. of Dominion Iron & Steel in Sydney, NS, when he went on to study for the Ministry. Jim and his brother Lloyd were always mechanically minded, and they shared a passion for automobiles and for repairing them. Jim was equally adept at carpentry and fine woodworking, having built various clocks, including two full-size Grandfather clocks. Jim served pastorates in Bideford, PEI; Onslow, NS; Glace Bay, NS; Tatamagouche, NS; North Andover, Mass.; Saint John, NB; Vernon Bridge, PEI; and Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church in Amherst, NS, from where he retired in 1993. In retirement he served one year as supply minister at Woodlawn United Church in Dartmouth, and shorter terms in LaHave, NS. Serving the wider church, Jim was Chair of Saint John Presbytery, Secretary of PEI Presbytery, Secretary of Conference Staff Committee, and Chair of Conference Mission Support Committee. As well, he was a member of the PEI Community Care Facilities Board, and President of the PEI and NS Bible Societies. Jim and Shirley were avid members of the Stardusters and Coordinators Square Dancers, and members of the Woodlawn United Church Choir. They particularly loved their cottage time during summers at Lorneville, Cumberland County, and the fellowship of the Lorneville United Church, of singing in its choir, and of the local community. Surviving are Jim’s wife Shirley (Atkinson, Wilson); sons David (Brenda), Dartmouth and Ian (MaryJane), Halifax, and daughter Shirley (Robert), Toronto; step- daughter Janice (Michael Hambley), Dartmouth; grandchildren Adam, Devin, Lukas, Julia, Shawn (Julie), Jack, Chris, and Will. Also surviving are sister-in-law Irene of Montague, PEI and nieces Faye, Dawn, and Marlene. Jim was predeceased by his parents the Rev. A. C. and Jessie Fraser, his first wife Mildred (MacDonald) and his brother Lloyd.
A celebration of life was held at Woodlawn United Church, Dartmouth, NS, 08 February 2018.
Reverend Dr. Eldon Hay 1931-2017
Rev. Dr. Eldon Hay, 85, passed away on 17 September 2017 in Sackville, NB. Eldon Roy Hay was born on 15 December 1931 on a farm in Marvelville, a small community near Ottawa. Eldon was the middle child of three children of George Hay and Anna Carscadden. He was predeceased by his parents, his older brother, Keith, and his younger sister, Kathleen and her husband, Tony Lamont. Eldon is survived by his second wife, Anne Pirie, and their children: James, Alex, and Donald (Clare Bustin) Pirie-Hay. He is also survived by his first wife, Vivien (Beach) Hicks, and 112 The United Church of Canada their children: Keith (Susan) Hay, Heather Hay (Bill Piggott), Ron Hay (Hilaire St-Pierre), Nancy Hay and by grandchildren: Lindsay (Nuni) Müller, Sandy Hay, and Mari Piggott, and by great- grandchildren: Shasta and Sebastien Müller. Eldon completed degrees from Carleton University and Queen’s University, and then travelled to Scotland to further pursue his love of learning, completing a PhD in Theology from Glasgow University. In 1962, he joined the Department of Religious Studies at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, where he served as head of the Department and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1997. Throughout his academic career Eldon wrote scholarly articles on theology, inter-religious dialogue, process thought, and Covenanter church history. He received a Paul Paré award for outstanding contributions in teaching, research, and scholarship. After retirement Eldon continued his research in Canadian Covenanter history and local church history, for which he received honours and awards. Eldon’s recognized wisdom came from experience as an ordained minister of The United Church of Canada, as a congregational minister and as a prison chaplain at the Dorchester Penitentiary in Dorchester, NB. Eldon served as minister to congregations in Point de Bute and Jolicure, NB, and at Central United Church, Moncton, NB. Over the years he was a member and chaired several local, regional, and national committees of The United Church. During his career as an ordained minister, scholar, professor, author, and counsellor Eldon impacted many persons. He faced critics and controversies because of his human rights advocacy, and from time to time (!) penned a letter or three to the editor. Eldon always stood by his theological beliefs with courage and strength of mind, assuming a significant leadership role by founding and leading the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered People (PFLAG) chapters in Moncton and in Amherst, and serving as the first president of PFLAG Canada. In 1997, he was awarded the New Brunswick Human Rights Award for his tireless efforts in raising awareness of gay acceptance. Never strident, always thoughtful, Eldon Hay was often among the first people many turned to for insight and action when it came to gay rights issues. His fierce support of the LGBTQ community continued until the last weeks of his life, as evidenced when, wearing his trademark rainbow hat, Eldon sought out NB Premier Brian Gallant to advocate for transgendered issues at Moncton Pride on August 26. In 2001, Eldon was named the winner of the Queen’s University Alumni Association Award; in 2002, he received Volunteer of the Year award from Affirm United. In October 2003, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2004, the degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Eldon by Queen’s University. And on 15 September 2017, he was awarded the Senate of Canada Sesquicentennial Medal. Eldon’s inspiring leadership and distinguished service impacted the church and extended into the community at large. Always attuned to the rights of marginalized groups, Eldon championed a more tolerant and just society – and, as recognized by the Order of Canada: “He desired a better country”.
A celebration of life was held at Mount Allison University Chapel, Sackville, NB, 22 September 2017.
Annie Millicent “Anne” Ihasz 1939-2017
Annie Millicent 'Anne' Ihasz (Swindells), 78, died peacefully of breast cancer on 31 October 2017. It is not an easy task to sum up 78 years of living in a 'brief biography.' Anne was born 11 May 1939, the eldest daughter of Wilbert 'Bill' Earl and Caroline Millicent (Upham) Swindells, Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 113 both survivors of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Anne is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Rev. Vincent Ihasz, and her caring daughters, Janet Elizabeth MacLean (Grant) and Anne Louise Desrosiers (Jacques); her grandchildren, Logan and Kennedy MacLean, and Anna and Luc Desrosiers. She is also survived by her sister, Jean Elizabeth Wood (Don) of Montreal; Vince’s sister, Mary Brill (Jack) of Lower Sackville; his brother, Louis Ihasz (Mary) of Baddeck, and many nieces and nephews. Anne always had fond memories of growing up in Halifax’s North End and being a part the United Memorial Church community. It is here that she met and married Vince on 21 November 1959. Anne always loved to tell the story of how she was referred to as 'The $200 Bride,' because at that time, a United Church minister was given a $200 pay raise upon marriage. Anne’s joy in her ministry was shown through her dedication to the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT), Minister’s Wives Association and the United Church Women (UCW), as well as the many, varying aspects of congregational life as a minister’s wife. Outside the church, Anne had many cherished friends with whom she loved to share a cup of coffee or tea while catching up on each other’s lives. A beautiful seamstress, talk could often focus on one of the many prom, bridesmaid or christening dresses Anne was sewing for a family member or friend of the girls. In death, Anne would not want you to come together in sadness, but in celebration of a life well-lived. She faced cancer head on and did not let it dictate who she was. Anne, and the family, would be the first to say that she could not have done that without the incredible support and care of Dr. Daniel Rayson and nurses, Helen, Kim and Cheryl, the many dedicated staff of the QEII Cancer Care Clinic, Nancy Gillam of the Cancer Care Day Treatment Unit, as well as the Palliative Care Team at the VG Site, QEII. To VON’s Tanya, Darlene and Erin, thank you is not a big enough word to express the care, love and support you brought, not just to Anne, but to the family also. As Luc would say, 'You guys are the best!'
A celebration of life was held at Bethany United Church, Halifax, NS, 12 November 2017.
Judy Alean Jonah 1944-2018
Judy Alean LeCain Jonah “Aunt Judy”, 73, of Amherst passed on 24 March 2018 with family by her side at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Upper Nappan. Judy was born in Amherst and was a daughter of the late J.M. “Dock” and Lucy “Buddie” (Budrow) Rodger. Judy graduated from Amherst Regional High School and completed the executive secretary course at Oulton’s Business College in Moncton. She then began her career at Holder Brokerage Company until her marriage. She was a faithful member of Trinity St. Stephen’s United Church, Amherst where she served on church council, outreach committee on local and Presbytery levels and most offices of the UCW also at both local and Presbytery level. She was very community minded, serving on the local food bank, Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre Auxiliary, a volunteer for the Tantramar IODE Shop and has knit teddy bears for the Tragedy Teddy Bear Society going to the local hospital, food banks and day care centres. Judy was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing golf and loved summers at Amherst Shore. She will be sadly missed by her two sons, Doug (Anne Marie) of Halifax, NS, Chris (Jill) of Yellowknife, NWT, grandchildren Malcolm, Nikki, and Caroline, brother Jim (Eileen) of Amherst, half-sisters, Sharon of Amherst and Nancy of Charlottetown, PEI, and half-brother Brian of Charlottetown, special sister Joanne Riley of 114 The United Church of Canada
Riverview, NB and several nephews and a niece. Besides her parents, Judy was predeceased by her husband Douglas Jonah, CMA of Hillsborough, NB and nephew Jimmy Rodger.
A celebration of life took place in the spring.
Reverend Willard B. Lyons 1925-2017
Rev. Willard B. Lyons, 92, of Ludlow, NB passed away on 10 December 2017 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital at the age of ninety two years. Born in Carroll’s Crossing, NB on 09 October 1925, he was one of five brothers born to the late Tully and the late Florence Lyons. One other brother, Clarke died of polio as a child and all four of Willard's brothers, Marple, Bernard, Gerald and Len have predeceased him. During the Second World War, Willard served overseas with the Carleton York Regiment of New Brunswick. In August of 1949, Willard married Evelyn Walls of Blackville. They had 56 years of marriage before her passing in January of 2005. Willard is survived by three sons and one daughter, Keith (Beverley) Tully, Allan (Danica), and Beth (Raymond) Morrison. Willard was also predeceased by one daughter-in-law, Darlene. Mr Lyons also leaves to mourn four grandsons, Devin (Marie) of Vancouver, Mark (Laurie) of Toronto, Christopher (Katherine) and Jordan (Alissa) both of Fredericton. Mr Lyons also had three great– grandchildren, Emma and Brayden of Fredericton and Nola of Vancouver. For many years the family lived in Blackville and Willard was employed at the RCN ammunition depot in Renous. During twenty four years of ministry with the United Church of Canada, Willard served pastorates in Advocate Harbour, NS, Sheffield, NB Bideford, PEI, Collingwood, NS, Millstream and Stanley, NB. Since his retirement, Willard has lived in Ludlow, NB.
A celebration of life was held at Boiestown United Church, Boiestown, NB, 14 December 2017.
Reverend H. Gilmour MacKenzie 1925–2017
Rev. H. Gilmour MacKenzie, 91, passed peacefully at his home, Regent Hall (Independent Living) Parkside Residence in Fredericton, NB, on 15 September 2017. Rev. MacKenzie was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia on 01 October 1925 to the late Daniel and Marion (Appleby) MacKenzie. He was a graduate of the Sydney Academy, Dalhousie University and Pine Hill Divinity of the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. In 1950, Gil MacKenzie was ordained as a Minister of the Maritime Conference of United Church of Canada and began his lifelong ministry. Rev MacKenzie brought not only the Word of God to the pulpit, but also a strong and determined leadership to his congregations. He started his ministry at age 18 while still in university by serving in five mission fields. He was called to serve the parishes of Gabaruse–Forchu, Saint Andrews United Church in Sydney, NS, Nashwaaksis United Church in Nashwaaksis, NB, St. James United Church in Woodstock, NB, Trinity St. Stephens in Amherst, NS, and St. Paul’s United in Fredericton, NB. Rev. MacKenzie led the people of St. Paul’s for sixteen years and then retired as Senior Minister in 1990. Not to become idle, Rev. Gil accepted an invitation to be Minister of Visitation for Nashwaaksis United Church. He poured his heart and strength into pastoral care. After his first retirement Rev. MacKenzie continued to do the Work of the Lord for a further twenty Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 115 four years. He made thousands of pastoral calls. He attended hospital rooms and performed baptisms, weddings and funerals. He counselled, consoled, served and brought spiritual counsel and the Love of God to all; strangers, church members, friends, and family. Rev. Gil MacKenzie was in turn chair of the Ministerial Associations of Woodstock, Amherst and Fredericton. He was also Chair of the Amherst–Moncton, Fredericton and Woodstock Presbyteries. He served the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada as Chair of the Nominating Committee and as Chair of the Stewardship Committee. He also served on numerous national committees of the United Church of Canada. In 2009 in Fredericton Rev. MacKenzie received the Paul Harris Fellowship in appreciation of the tangible and significant assistance he gave to furtherance of understanding and friendly relations among the peoples of the world. Gil was married for 57 years to Eleanor Grace (Vincent) MacKenzie who supported him in his ministry and by whom he had six children. He was blessed in his later years by marriage to Gladys E. Jeffery. Gil MacKenzie will be mourned by Gladys and his children. They are Shauna MacKenzie (Ian Smith) of Hamilton, Bermuda, Margaret MacKenzie (Richard Cuthbertson) of Fredericton, NB, Kathy Stewart (Dave) of Sussex, NB, Kenneth (Roseann) of Amherst, NS, Dan (Wanda Day) of Mississauga, ON and Ian (Maude) of Dieppe, NB. He will be always remembered by his grandchildren, Andrew Cuthbertson (Katherine), Sarah Cuthbertson (Kasey Reeves), Joshua Stewart (Jenna), Julie DeWolf (Travis), Rebecca MacKenzie, Adam MacKenzie, Erika Brown, (Jake), Zachary MacKenzie, Zoe MacKenzie and Abigail MacKenzie; great–grandchildren, Rhea and Aubrey Stewart, Liam Cuthbertson and Jade Reeves; siblings, Mildred Jackson and George MacKenzie of North Sydney, NS; sister–in–law, Mae MacKenzie of North Sydney, NS as well as nieces and nephews. His family will remember him for his love of family gatherings, Cape Breton, his beloved cottage, the Blue Jays and ice cream! Gil was predeceased by his wife Eleanor and his brothers, Jack, Dr. Gordon and Chalmers MacKenzie and his sister Ethel Anderson.
A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Fredericton, NB, on 19 September 2017.
Catherine “Kay” MacLeod 1923-2016
Catherine “Kay” Grace MacLeod passed away 21 December 2016, at the Cove Guest Home, Sydney. Born 23 February 1923, in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of Alex F. and Margaret Marion (Ross) MacLeod. Catherine graduated in nursing from Saint John General Hospital, Saint John, N.B. She nursed in Saint John and Moncton prior to going to Archer Memorial United Church Hospital, Lamont, Alta., for 14 years. On her return to Cape Breton, she nursed at the Cape Breton Hospital/Braemore Home, prior to retiring. Catherine was an active member and former elder of First United Church, Sydney. Catherine is survived by her niece and nephews, Chyleen (Rick) Lobsinger, Ross (Pat), Allan, Henry (Catherine) and Murray (Elizabeth) MacLeod. She was predeceased by her stepmother, Jennie (MacVicar) MacLeod; sister, Florence MacLeod and brothers, Major Murray, Alexander, Donald and William ‘Buck’ MacLeod. Beloved friend of Mary Yhard and greatly loved and appreciated by her caregivers, Nellie, Brenda and Janet.
A celebration of life was held at Sydney Memorial Chapel, Sydney, NS, 23 December 2016.
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Jessie Catherine MacLeod 1923-2018
Jessie Catherine MacLeod, 94, passed away in Baddeck at the Victoria County Memorial Hospital on 03 May 2018. Jessie was born in Baddeck and was the eldest daughter of Angus and Winnie (MacKay) MacLeod. She graduated from Baddeck Academy in 1940. During the war years, Jessie lived in Halifax while attending Maritime Business College. Following graduation she worked for the Department of Education, Correspondence Study Division. Jessie’s thirst for knowledge, her interest in people and travel along with her dedication to the United Church of Canada were the bases for the successful and varied career that ensued. In 1945 Jessie moved to Toronto to attend the United Church training school and then completed a BA at Victoria College, University of Toronto. She went on to earn a Masters Degree at Union Seminary in New York. In 1950, after participation in an international work camp to help build a centre for post war European youth in the Italian Alps, Jessie joined the staff of Chalmers United Church in Ottawa as a diaconal minister. In the 1960’s, she was employed at Mount Royal United Church in Montreal. She later transferred to the British Columbia Conference of the United Church in Vancouver where she worked in leadership development. Following her position in BC, she took on yet another challenge and became the Associate Dean of Students at Mount Allison University, where she remained for 5 years. Jessie’s next move was back to Toronto, where she worked in the Division of Mission in Canada, Department of Christian Development until 1980. Jessie’s love for Cape Breton enticed her back to the Island, where she worked as Minister of Christian Development at St Andrew’s United Church in Sydney until her retirement in 1986. Throughout her career Jessie was especially interested in encouraging people of all ages, in identifying their gifts and developing them to their full potential. This dedication was recognized with several distinctions. In 1994 she was honoured with a Doctorate of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology and in 2013 she received the Companion of the Centre Award from the Centre for Christian studies in Winnipeg. Upon retirement, Jessie moved back to Baddeck and purchased a house on Water Street by the lake. Swimming in the Bras d’Or Lake remained a much loved activity that she was able to do well into her senior years. She volunteered for various local church committees and became involved in community organizations such as Centre Bras d’Or, Hospice Society of Victoria County, Historical Society of Baddeck and the Alexander Graham Bell Club. She was also deeply committed to the Tatamagouche Centre and travelled there frequently. Feeling the need to simplify her life, in 2012 Jessie sold her beloved Water Street home and moved into MacLeod House, a retirement living facility. She continued her cultural and social activities, her committee and volunteer work, and her involvement in Greenwood United Church. Jessie’s life was filled with education, her career, travel, friends, and family. She was predeceased by her sister, Anna Nicholson. She is survived by her sister, Agnes MacLeod; her nieces, Barbara McCurdy (Richard), Frances Nicholson (Laura); her nephew, Donald Nicholson (Pam); her grand-nephews, Glen McCurdy (Deborah), John McCurdy (Sarah), and her great-grand-nephew, Alastair. Jessie has donated her body to Dalhousie University for the advancement of medical science.
A memorial service was held at Greenwood United Church, Baddeck, NS, 19 May 2018.
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Gwendoline “Gwen” MacRae 1922-2018
Gwendoline “Gwen” Bicknell MacRae, died peacefully in her sleep on 29 March 2018. Gwen was born in London, England on 05 January 1922, the third and last child of the late Fred and May Bicknell. Gwen attended school until the year of false peace, living in London for the duration of WW II and working in Lloyds bank and the War Office. In 1943 Gwen met L/Cpl Hugh A. MacRae, Canadian Provost Corp and they were married on May 4th or 5th (they could never agree on the date), 1944. Gwen and Hugh settled in Halifax, N.S. in October, 1946, living there for four years during which their daughter Mary Elizabeth was born in 1947 and their son, Thomas Henry in 1948. The family moved to Hugh’s birth village, Bayfield, N. B. in 1951 and in 1966, after Mary and Thomas graduated from high school, Gwen and Hugh moved to Moncton, N.B. During the time Gwen was in Bayfield she joined the United Church of Canada and subsequently she was very active in the church, serving in many roles, most notably as the Superintendent of the Bayfield Sunday School for ten years. For a short time while in Bayfield Gwen participated in the Spence Settlement Women’s Institute and she was a charter member of the United Church Women (UCW) in 1962. Gwen worked up through local, Presbyterial and Conference UCW, especially enjoying her two years in office as the President of Maritime Conference, UCW. Gwen liked to take charge and get things done. Much of Gwen’s time in Canada was spent working outside the house. While in Bayfield Gwen was employed in Chapman’s general store and in Moncton she worked in the Out Patients’ Department of Moncton Hospital and then as a medical secretary for doctors in the city. Gwen enjoyed many years of retirement, joining IODE, knitting, sewing, reading, and working in her Church, Mountain View United. Gwen was predeceased by her husband, Hugh in 1998 and her daughter, Mary in 2005. Gwen is survived by her son, Thomas (Cheryl), her granddaughter Adina (Amy), her grandsons Ian (Erin), Jaret (Pantea), Trevor and David, her great grandchildren, Mason and Marlee, son in law Gerald (Denise), and several other family members in Canada, England and Australia.
Interment took place in the Bayfield Cemetery, NB, at a later date.
Reverend Ronald (Ron) I. Maund 1942-2018
Rev. Ronald (Ron) I. Maund passed away at The Moncton Hospital on 30 January 2018. Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1942, he was the oldest son of the late Ivan and Violet (Smith) Maund. Ron was a graduate of Mount Allison University and Pine Hill Divinity Hall and was ordained by the United Church of Canada in 1968. He served in the North Highlands Pastoral Charge, Cape North, NS, Central and Mountain View United Churches in Moncton, and was instrumental in the development of the Pastoral Care Department of The Moncton Hospital where he served for many years. Most recently he was the United Church Chaplain for the Greater Moncton Hospitals Chaplaincy. Always available in an emergency, Ron was well known in various other congregations either as a supply minister or offering pastoral care services. He was active in both Maritime Conference and Chignecto Presbytery, and in many community organizations in the Greater Moncton area and beyond. Ron is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ilene (Norrie), daughters Deborah Maund and Jennifer Vandenberg (Mike), grandsons Elias, Seth, 118 The United Church of Canada and Jakob. He is also survived by his brothers Donald, Winston (Kathy), Gary (Marjorie), sister- in-law Valerie, eight dear nieces and nephews and eight great nieces and nephews. Ron was a devoted husband, dad, grampy, brother, uncle, pastor, and friend who touched many lives during his fifty years of ministry. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Pat Phelan and the staff of the Palliative Care Unit of The Moncton Hospital for their exceptional care and support.
A celebration of life was held at Park Royal United Church, Charlottetown, PE, 02 February 2018.
Ross Lloyd Osborne 1930-2017
Ross Lloyd Osborne, Age 87. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend has passed away. Ross is survived by his wife of 62 years Mary (Kuhn), children Heather (Wayne), David (Jill), Gillian (Andrew) and Lori (Bill); grandchildren Matthew and Laura Osborne (mother, Mary), and Paige and Mikailee Vincent; brother Ronald, and sister Marie Hartlen; many nieces, nephews and friends. Modest of his own value he will be remembered for his integrity, counsel, compassion and kindness and as one who lived his faith in God. Ross had initiative and was gifted with an entrepreneurial spirit. While Ross was employed as a civilian at DND for 35 years, he co- founded and operated a property development company, Southwood Development from 1968-84. He was involved with Russell Credit Union as Treasurer for 17 years, and then held a variety of positions on the Board. He was most proud of being part of developing the first co-op housing in the Cole Harbour area of Nova Scotia. After retiring from DND, Ross started and ran Manor Hill Flags from 1988-1995. Ross gave of himself to others and his community. He was Treasurer of the Woodlawn Cemetery Company for 44 years, held various positions including President of the Nova Scotia Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees, was a member of the Group of IX Seniors' Advisory Council of Nova Scotia, and was Chair of the Bell Heritage Trust in Cole Harbour. Ross had an active life, was a member of the Dartmouth Curling Club, and long-time member of the golf club at Brule Point where he and Mary thoroughly enjoyed cottage life, particularly gardening and spending time with neighbours. His family fondly recalls their epic road trip across Canada. For his 65th birthday, Ross played the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland then called home to say "dreams do come true". Ross actively lived his faith. He was an Elder at Woodlawn United Church for 35 years. He was energized by his work as Chair of the Church Extension Board, a financial arm of Halifax Presbytery and by his role as member and loans officer with Financial Services of Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada. Ross' example and memory will continue to impact the lives of many!
A celebration of life was held at Woodlawn United Church, Dartmouth, NS, 23 October 2017.
Catherine Louise “Cathy” Smith 1941-2018
Catherine Louise “Cathy” Smith, 77, Truro, passed away on 27 April 2018, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Yarmouth, she was a daughter of the late Horace and Ella Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 119
(Harris) Wetmore. Although born and raised in Yarmouth, Cathy moved to Coxheath, Cape Breton, for her junior and senior high school education when her father became the principal of Riverview High School. She later attended Acadia University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in Home Economics. Cathy met Eric while attending Acadia and they married soon after their graduation. For a few years, she taught Home Economics in Horton and other Valley schools. She and Eric lived in Upper Dyke for several years and she kept herself busy raising her family and being involved in community affairs. While the children were still in elementary school, the family moved to Tatamagouche where they lived on a small family farm, and Eric commuted to Truro to teach at Nova Scotia Teachers College. After three years in Tatamagouche, the family moved to Truro and this became their permanent home. During this time, Cathy worked with the Truro Bookmobile and later at Colchester East Hants Public Library. She was a great lover and advocate of reading, and was especially knowledgeable about children’s literature; she was a master story teller and could hold an audience spellbound with her beautiful rich voice. Cathy shared Eric’s passion for gardening and the beautiful flowers and delicious fresh vegetables from their gardens were well-known. She had a deep, abiding Christian faith and was a member and tireless worker at Brunswick Street United Church where she was a member of the choir, lay reader and member of the worship committee. She was formerly a strong team member of CLEE, an organization devoted to developing Christian leadership, and for many years, she was a CGIT leader. Cathy was a wonderful cook and hostess and was happiest when the house was full of her friends and everyone was enjoying a delicious meal. She had a great gift for reaching out to people and really cared about each one as an individual. Her circle of friends just kept growing with each passing year; she had a tremendous zest for life and her enthusiasm for living was infectious. To Cathy, life was a wonderful, precious gift and not a moment was to be wasted; her memory will live on in our hearts. Cathy is survived by her son, Colin (Michelle Melanson), Truro; daughter, Susan (Darcy) Sinclair, Fort Smith, Northwest Territories; daughter-in-law, Clarissa Smith, Lethbridge, Alberta; sister, Beth (John) Matheson, Marion Bridge, Cape Breton; adored grandchildren, Samantha and Brayden Sinclair and Charlie and Andrew Smith; several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Eric; son, Peter; brother, Roy (Mary).
A celebration of life was held at Brunswick Street United Church, Truro, NS, 03 May 2018.
Reverend James Edward Sauvé “Bud” Tarrant 1931-2017
Rev. James Edward Sauvé “Bud” Tarrant, 86, Harmony, passed away 23 December 2017, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he was a son of the late Kenneth and Violet (Sauvé) Tarrant. Bud spent a few years working with the Bell Telephone Company, and then in the Navy as an electrician during the Korean War and later as a Protestant Chaplain on the west coast. The majority of his life, however, was spent as a United Church Minister, serving charges in Gaspé, PQ, Dartmouth, NS, Fredericton, NB, Nackawic, NB, St. Stephen, NB, Truro, NS, and New Mills, NB from where he retired in 1996. Bud is survived by his loving wife, Bunnie; daughters, Chris Greek (Bob), Norman Wells, NT; Peggy, Edmonton, AB; grandchildren, Rachael Verville (François), Robbie Greek, Teddy Greek (Carolyn), and Jay Tarrant; great grandchildren, Ryan and Tina Verville, and Riley, Anna, and Lizzie Greek; many 120 The United Church of Canada nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Mae (Ken) McPhatter; brother, Vance (Marilyn) Tarrant.
A celebration of life was held at Varner Funeral Home, Truro, NS, 13 January 2018.
Reverend Margaret “Margie” Ann Wood 1954-2018
Margaret “Margie” Ann Wood, 63, of Cape North, Cape Breton, N.S. and formerly of Kinlock, P.E.I. occurred at her late residence on 05 May 2018. Born 14 September 1954. Loving mother of Jennifer Arsenault (Christopher Michaud). Gran to Aiden, Ethan, Caleb and Honor. Sister of Mary Ellen McInnis, Karen Wood and Frank Wood, and sister-in-law of Claire Wood. Predeceased by her parents Bill and Margaret Wood, brother Billy and sister Pauline Roulston.
A celebration of life was held at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel, Charlottetown, PE, 11 May 2018.
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PROPOSALS PROCESS
[PROPOSAL NAME] Origin:
1. What is the issue? (describe in broad terms) We believe God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is calling us to: do something about… engage the topic of… respond to the challenge of… etc.
Note: proposals for the General Council are for issues of denominational responsibility that go beyond the bounds of a presbytery or Conference.
2. Why is this issue important? What are the key underlying theological, ecclesiological, missional, or justice issues?
What is the history/background of this issue?
What are the principles informing this issue?
What would be the implications of taking no action on this issue?
3. How might the General Council respond to the issue? Name a possible response that the General Council might consider:
A. Study/Discussion of the issue
B. Action on the issue
This could include: General Council directing that a policy/strategy be developed based on specified principles and parameters General Council adopting a policy position/strategy General Council encouraging/suggesting action by congregations and other communities of faith on the issue
Note to 3.A: The General Council could be asked to have a conversation about a particular issue as an end in itself without making a policy decision or taking other action.
Note to 3.B: Suggestions for wording of a policy/strategy could be offered as possibilities for consideration in the decision-making process but not as expectations of a particular outcome.
4. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council: Are there comments, affirmations, suggestions you would like to make with respect to this proposal? 122 The United Church of Canada
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Proposal 1
Title: Mental Health Training for Paid Accountable Ministry Personnel and Candidates for Ministry
Originating Body: Mental Health Working Group, Church in Action Committee Maritime Conference
1. What is the issue? We believe God is calling the church at the grassroots level to become more understanding and welcoming towards people with mental health issues. The paid accountable leaders in our church should have a high level of comfort and competency in giving leadership in this area. We propose that as a means of strengthening their ability to work with and advocate for people with mental health problems, that all paid accountable clergy be required to attend a 4 to 5 day training session on mental health. In addition that mental health training becomes a module in the curriculum for all candidates for Ordered Ministry.
2. Why is this issue important? Approximately one in four Canadians is affected by mental illness. Every Pastoral Charge includes members and their families that are suffering from mental illness and the stigma attached to it. Ministry personnel frequently encounter a full spectrum of mental health issues with parishioners and neighbours in their community. The purpose of this proposal is to raise ministry personnel understanding of the mental health spectrum, to better equip Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 125 them to work with their parishioners in efforts to reduce the stigma attached to and to deal with mental illness in the Church and the community.
The Church in Action Working Group on Mental Health of the Church in Action Committee has held Workshops studying the role communities of faith can play in raising mental health awareness. Those attending the workshops have included experts in the field of mental health, lay people suffering from mental health issues and people with a passion to see the Church become an advocate for increased public resources dedicated to mental health treatment. Workshop participants recognized that the majority of paid accountable clergy do not have the background required to take leadership on mental health in the churches and in the community.
At the May 2016 annual meeting of Maritime Conference the Working Group on Mental Health presented six action statements for consideration by the Conference. The delegates, representing pastoral charges from across the Maritimes and Bermuda were asked to prioritize the six statements. The Conference first priority was: To Propose to General Council that as a means of strengthening their ability to work with people with mental health problems, all paid accountable clergy be required to attend a 4-5 day training session on mental health.. In addition, mental health training to become a module in the curriculum for candidates for Ordered Ministry.
The 2016 Maritime Conference attendees also identified the following five priorities requiring further work. All of these priorities will require Church leadership to better understand and take ownership of the issues surrounding mental health in Canada. The Working Group has established working committees tasked to develop our action approach to each of the following five priorities;
i) Training opportunities for lay leadership to start facilitate and support congregational mental health education and peer support groups;
ii) Encouraging and supporting mental health study and discussion in groups such as UCW, Men’s and Youth groups;
iii) The United Church publically affirms the United Church’s support for and acceptance of persons with mental health problems;
iv) Maritime Conference facilitates collection and distribution to congregations of mental health resource information;
v) Create a mental health page on the Maritime Conference website;
The Working Group held a second workshop in November 2017 and after a full day of prayer and study decided that God was calling us to bring the issue of training for paid accountable ministry to the attention of General Council. We felt that it was time for the Church to become fully engaged in combating the stigma surrounding people with mental illness and that training Of Church leadership should be the first step.
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3. How might the General Council respond to the issue? The Working Groups recommends that Maritime Conference refer our proposal to General Council for consideration and action. The Working Groups preference is that the General Council agree to our proposal and direct the appropriate action be taken by the responsible committees. We suggest that General Council refer our proposal on ministry training for consideration by the Permanent Committee on Ministry and Employment Policies and Services. In addition, we suggest that when the Board of Vocation is established that our proposal be submitted to it for consideration as it establishes standards for training and accreditation of ministry personnel.
4. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council are there comments, affirmations, suggestions you would like to make with respect to this proposal?
Proposal 2
Title: 1925 20 Articles of Faith
Originating Body: Trinity United Church and the Lower Ohio Union Church, Shelburne Pastoral Charge, South Shore Presbytery
1. What is the issue: We believe it is time for the United Church of Canada to eliminate the 1925 Twenty Articles of Faith from the “essential agreement with the doctrine of the United Church” requirement for candidates for ministry, those being admitted into ministry in the United Church and for ministry personnel who are active in ministry in the United Church of Canada.
2. Why Is this Issue important: The 1925 Articles of Faith were written prior to Church Union to “set forth the substance of the Christian faith, as commonly held among us.” (Article 2.0) They were written in the language of the day, and “with relative ease due to the fact that theological developments during the latter half of the 19th century brought the three denominational traditions much closer together, in terms of what members of each denomination believed, than had been the case at an earlier time in history.” (Our Words of Faith, page 10)
The Articles of Faith are written in a language that is both gender and theologically exclusive, that as noted above, reflect theological developments during the latter half of the 19th century. They do not take into account modern biblical scholarship, feminist, liberation, black, or other progressive theological thought; nor do they reflect the scientific advances of the 20th and 21st century that necessarily influence how many in the church think about and name what they believe.
“The Doctrine Sub-Committee was also influenced … by the conviction that Canada, in the midst of dramatic population and industrial growth in the early 20th century, needed a strong national Protestant church to help the nation meet the challenges of the early 20th century.” (Our Words of Faith, page 10) This is no longer the world we live in. We live in Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 127
a global village, a multi-faith country and world, where the United Church is engaged in a reconciliation process with First Nations communities and in respectful dialogue with members of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. The exclusivity of the 1925 Articles of Faith not only does not reflect this, taken literally, they negate the possibility of these actions/engagement.
Thomas Kilpatrick, a member of the Church Union sub-committee tasked with writing the Doctrine section for Church Union wrote: “This doctrinal statement makes no claim to infallibility or finality. Creed revision is the inherent right, and the continual duty, of a living Church.” (Our Words of Faith, page 9)
The principles informing this issue are those of ethics and justice. Put bluntly the question the church must ask itself is: is it ethical or just to ask candidates for ministry, those who desire to transfer into ministry into the United Church of Canada, or active ministry personnel, to be in “essential agreement” with the 1925 Articles of Faith that were written almost 100 years ago to reflect the church’s shared beliefs at that time, that do not take into consideration any of the theological, biblical, or scientific advances of the last century, and that do not recognize in any way that the church and our nation are part of a multi-faith, global community?
The implications of taking no action on this proposal is to continue to put candidates for ministry, those seeking admission into the United Church and those active in ministry, who are unable to be in essential agreement with all or parts of the doctrine that reflects the churches beliefs from an earlier era and was never meant to be a final word, in an ethical dilemma; to say they are in essential agreement when they really are not or to say they are not in agreement and be refused entrance into ministry or possible review if they are active in ministry.
3. How might the General Council respond to this issue? The General Council adopting a position to remove the 1925 Articles of Faith from the “essential agreement” requirement of the church for those entering, transferring in or already in ministry in the United Church of Canada.
4. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council: The members of the Lent Study Group/Session who examined the question: What We Used to Believe and What We Now Believe, who used the 1925 Articles of Faith and the 2006 A Song of Faith to guide their discussion, came to the conclusion that it is unfair (a matter of justice), unethical and simply wrong to require anyone entering or in ministry in the United Church of Canada to be in “essential agreement” with the 1925 Articles of Faith. In fact, all the members of the study group were clear they themselves are not in essential agreement with portions of the 1925 Articles of Faith.
Transmitted with concurrence to Maritime Conference by South Shore Presbytery, April 26, 2018.
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Proposal 3
Title: Delay of Implementation of Three Court System
Originating Body: Chignecto Presbytery
1. What is the issue? The historic tradition of our church is that prior to significant changes occurring within the denomination that documents have been provided to the various courts for review, study, discernment and input in a manner such that Pastoral Charges, Presbyteries and Conferences can offer input and direction prior to the meeting of the General Council.
When this change was initially brought forward there was much discussion about the need for change to be mission driven rather than financial. Currently, it seems the initial focus has shifted to where the priority is now financial.
To date, no transition plan, for the change from four courts to three has been provided to the existing courts for review, discernment and direction.
Many people within the existing structures are frustrated and disillusioned that they have not seen any plan that leaves them with any confidence about the ongoing work of the church in key administrative and social justice areas within the new structure.
Frustration is also mounting in that the financial implications of this change are dramatically different from that which was initially described. The perception of some is they offered inaccurate financial information to others that could have significantly altered the vote on the Remits.
We believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to: - Delay implementation of the new system by at least six months and up to a year if necessary in order to provide the denominational leadership additional time to develop a transition plan for the existing courts to study, discuss and offer recommendations in order to improve the smooth transition from four courts to three.
2. Why is this issue important? The transition to the new structure will involve significant changes to important administrative processes such as property and personnel issues. Currently, the existing courts of the church have not been informed of any transition plan to a new structure.
We know there is a need to involve members of the church in this ongoing work. To date, many of those who have worked faithfully for decades have not been consulted about these changes. Further, they have not seen a transition plan for how they will wrap up their existing work or how the work will be accomplished in the future.
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Much of the identity of the United Church of Canada is rooted in the prophetical call of the scriptures to work for social justice. To date, there have been no consultations with many of those most directly involved in social justice work within networks, Pastoral Charges, Presbyteries or Conferences. They too have not seen any plan about how this vital mission aspect of our church will be continued or strengthened as we move forward.
Studies across all types of organizations have pointed to successful transitions being rooted in a few key areas: 1. The need to have strong input on the front end from those who will be directly impacted by transitions about possible consequences from their perspective. 2. The need for a clear transition plan that will help build confidence that the future state of the organization will be better than the present state. Further, that the transition plan provide people with the possibility of identifying potential problems and offering possible solutions so that problems and “re-work” can be minimized. 3. The need for frequent communication during times of transition.
The most serious downside of moving forward with the process as it has unfolded is three more years of frustration and growing disillusionment among the life blood of the denomination – the members and adherents of the denomination who serve Christ’s church beyond the local mission unit. Additionally, as evidenced in other transitions that do not have a clear plan, the work and mission of Christ’s church will be diminished as we deal with unanticipated consequences resulting from the change.
3. How might the General Council respond to the issue? We recommend that the leadership of the denomination be given up to a year to develop and broadly circulate a transition plan for the implementation of the new model. Further, that this time be used for meaningful and serious consultation with those most directly affected by the change across the denomination.
That the plan then be circulated to the various courts of the church for their consideration and that the transition plan be approved by a meeting of GC 43 to be conducted electronically within 12 months of the initial meeting of GC 43.
That a team, consisting of elected members of GC 43, be appointed to review and make recommendations to GC 44 regarding further changes needing to be made as a result of the transition from four courts to three.
4. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council: Are there comments, affirmations, suggestions you would like to make with respect to this proposal? Is this proposal in response to a previous proposal, motion or action? If so, please name the previous action(s) and proposal number(s).
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Proposal 4
Title: Continued Use of Conference Office
Originating Body: Port Wallis Pastoral Charge
God has blessed Maritime Conference with a new Conference Office which together the people of Maritime Conference enjoy. It provides archival space for historical and precious documents, meeting space for committees and a well-proportioned working arrangement for our staff. It is in a central location for all our Conference activities and has adequate parking space for visitors. This Conference Office allows the work of Christ to advance in our area.
Remit 1 proposes that Maritime Conference be divided into two Regional Councils both of which will need Office Space out of which to work. Since the people of both of our Regional Councils have looked to the Conference Office and to Sackville, NB as a common meeting place; A. Since the Conference Building is already in place and functioning; B. Since it is more economical to continue to use the one common Office Building sharing heating, lighting and other general expenses as well as meeting space, rather than sell it and build two new buildings or rent two spaces; C. Since it will allow us to share in other expenses (ie. buying paper, etc); D. Since it will allow us to continue to have one common witness to the unity of the Church;
Therefore, Port Wallis United Church proposes through Halifax Presbytery to Maritime Conference that the two proposed regional divisions of the former Maritime Conference both will use the present Maritime Conference building as the offices for both Regional Councils.
Transmitted to Maritime Conference by Halifax Presbytery without concurrence, April 17, 2018.
Proposal 5
Title: Maintain one Church in Action Committee, Budget and Staff Support for Regions 14 and 15.
Originating Body: Church in Action Committee of Maritime Conference
1. What is the Issue? Historically a very active and successful multipronged Social Justice Network, Church in Action, has been nurtured by the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada. This network has provided a broad base of resources and people who meet and correspond regularly allowing people living in areas with limited expertise and resources to become aware of issues and to draw on expertise. The network has also coordinated a broader base of advocacy than can be done by an individual, a Pastoral Charge or a Presbytery. Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 131
The breaking up of this network will, over time, result in a decrease in the effectiveness of the work and the loss of opportunities for effective justice work under the guidance of the United Church of Canada.
The division of the committee will require more staff time to coordinate activities and more budget for the administration of two committees as opposed to one.
2. Why Is this Issue Important: At the Church in Action winter meeting in January 2018, the members of CIA unanimously and strongly expressed their desire to maintain one Church in Action Committee, with one budget and staff member assigned to the ministry of justice. Members (who differed regarding their support for one Region or two Regions) recognize the effectiveness of the work of the Church in Action Committee (and its predecessors, the World Outreach and Church in Society Committees) regarding justice concerns throughout the Maritimes and beyond. This work most often crossed provincial boundaries e.g. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, resistance to fracking, poverty concerns, mental health concerns, establishment of an Ombudsperson for Extractive Resources, education/ advocacy concerning Israel/Palestine. It is vitally important that we maintain an effective voice for justice concerns regionally (including the Maritimes, eastern Quebec and Bermuda), nationally and globally, not one that becomes fragmented or duplicates efforts.
3. We propose: That Maritime Conference convey to the Transition Commissions for future Regions 14 and 15 and other decision-making bodies its support for the CiA request that: i. the two new Regions (14 & 15) collaborate to ensure that one Church in Action Committee is formed with representatives from both Regions, with a joint Church in Action budget and; a staff person be selected to serve both regions with a significant portion of their work in the ministry of justice.
Proposal 6
Title: Action on the Formation of an Association of Ministers Within the New Three Council Model
Originating Body: Halifax Presbytery
1. What is the issue? All the members of the Body of Christ deserve care and in the absence of such care then the entire Body will suffer. The Comprehensive Review Task Group recognized that in the new Three Council Model there needed to be a source of support for paid accountable ministers. General Council 42 concurred with this assessment and in adopting the CRTG recommendations directed General Council Executive that work begin on an Association of Ministers. Polity and processes focus with increasing intensity on supervision, accountability 132 The United Church of Canada
and scrutiny of ministry personnel. By eliminating the Presbytery and lodging issues of discipline and supervision primarily with the Office of Vocations, the CRTG vision was that the collegial and supportive functions of Presbytery would be taken up by the Association. The planned changes will leave ministry personnel without care and support in times of conflict, isolation or discipline. The Three Council Model contains no guarantee of paid Regional staff filling the current advisory tasks of Conference Personnel Ministers. The result is a critical vacuum in the system in the absence of an effective Association of Ministers. The issue is that there has been little information shared about the limited actions taken in response to this critical structural need.
2. Why is this issue important? GC 42 adopted the following: That the 42nd General Council 2015 direct the Executive of the General Council: (1) to establish a working group consisting of ministry personnel to consider the idea of establishing an Association of Ministers; and (2) to receive the report of the working group and to take appropriate action in response. (ROP page 242) In the triennium, the action of GCE and the GC staff in response to this direction has been mentioned three times: 1. A plan to establish a task group and perhaps consult. That brief report concluded with the phrase: “While an association is not dependent upon an office of vocation, the perceived need for and shape of an association may be influenced by what ministry personnel see being developed in an office.” (GCE Workbook, Nov 21-23/15, pg. 166); 2. A report on the formation of a Task Group and three meetings that consulted with some groups, identified several issues and referred to a possible survey of “ministry personnel (and potentially other stakeholders).” (GCE Workbook, Nov 18-20/2017 pg. 41); 3. A portion of the PC-MEPS report as follows: “In addition, PC-MEPS is expecting a final report in the fall of 2018 from the task group considering the idea of establishing an association of ministers.” (GCE Workbook, March 3-4/18, pages31-32)
Several things are notable from this information. First, there has been no attempt to widely inform ministry personnel about the progress of this important issue. Second, there is apparently no intention to report to GC43 except for a possible limited note within the PC-MEPS accountability documents. Clearly, there is no intention to have even the outline of a possible Association ready for GC43. Third, it is a regrettably apparent conclusion (given the relative amounts of detailed work available on other CRTG-related files) that the Association of Ministers has had a far lower priority for attention and work in the last three years than other aspects of the new governance model. Fourth, it is improbable that timelines will permit for a meaningful consultation with the primary stakeholders prior to the final report that PC-MEPS expects in the fall.
These factors fuel the concern that, while an Association of Ministers was to be an important component of the Three Council structure, it will certainly not be ready for implementation with the other facets in January 2019. Given the complexities of the issue it may be that such a timeline was never realistic, but the apparently low priority given this file seems to guarantee this.
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With the change to the Three Council model more work is directed to the Communities of Faith. The church has (rightfully) encouraged and empowered lay people to take control of their own pastoral charges and congregations. However, in most situations, ministry personnel are expected to act as advisors to committees, boards, and teams. With the elimination of Presbytery, lay committees and paid accountable ministers will have decreased access to informed resourcing. This is occurring in a time of extreme change in the system, when an increase in tensions, conflict and stress can be reasonably anticipated. In the Three Council model, it can anticipated that ministry personnel will need more, rather than less, support. The church needs the continued well- being of a healthy, productive workforce in a time of decreasing availability of personnel due to attrition, burn-out and decreased recruitment of new members.
A further, realistic concern, is that in the coming months and years, with the significant number of issues to address as the Church lives into its new governance model, there is a possibility that the Association of Ministers, will receive even less priority than it apparently has to date. Such an easily predicted turn of events could have disastrous consequences for the well-being of the church.
3. How might the General Council respond to the issue? In response to this concern GC43 should reaffirm the importance of the Association of Ministers; direct the GCE to immediately provide to all ministry personnel with a report on the progress of this file thus far; and direct GCE to make this subject a priority for attention and action for the new Denominational Council Executive and PC-MEPS (or its successor department). It is proposed by Halifax Presbytery, through the Maritime Conference, that the 43rd General Council: (1) reaffirm the importance of the Association of Ministers; and (2) direct the General Council Executive to immediately provide to all ministry personnel an update on the progress of this topic thus far; and (3) direct the General Council Executive to make this subject a priority for attention for the remainder of the current governance model and for the Denominational Council Executive and PC-MEPS (or its successor department).
4. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council are there comments, affirmations, suggestions you would like to make with respect to this proposal?
134 The United Church of Canada
THE 93rd ANNUAL MEETING OF MARITIME CONFERENCE DRAFT AGENDA
THURSDAY, MAY 24th 11:00 Registration begins (Civic Centre, Lower Level Lobby) 3:00 Orientation for New Delegates (Maritime Conference Centre) 4:00 Presenters Check-in with Tech Team (Tech Table, Arena Floor) 5:15 Supper at Jennings Meal Hall 6:15 Gathering Music 6:30 Constitution of the Court (Civic Centre, main floor) Opening Prayer Acknowledgement of Place Greetings from Indigenous Guest Opening Motions Introductions & Greetings Tatamagouche Centre Atlantic School of Theology 7:00 Theme Presentation & Table Group Time 8:00 Worship and Memorial Observance 9:00 Announcements 9:10 President’s Reception
FRIDAY, May 25th 7:00 Chapel (Sackville United Church) 7:00 Breakfast 8:30 Gathering Music 8:45 Worship 9:00 Theme and Table Group Time 10:45 General Council Executive Representatives Report 11:25 Church in Action – Sister Maudilia Lopez Cardona, Guatemala 11:45 20x60 12:05 Announcements & Grace 12:15 Lunch at Jennings Meal Hall 12:30 Choir Practice (Campbell Lounge) 1:30 Workshop #1 3:15 Workshop #2 5:15 Supper at Jennings Meal Hall 6:15 Gathering Music 6:30 Remit Implementation Report 7:00 Finance & Budget 7:50 Introduction of and Presentation to the Ordinands and Admissionand Ballot Circulated for Ordinands and Admissionand 8:20 MP&E Report & Settlement Committee Report 8:30 Nominations Report 8:40 Staff Committee Report 8:55 Announcements 9:20 Nominations Close Reception with Conference Staff Ninety-Third Maritime Conference Meeting 135
SATURDAY, May 26th 7:00 Chapel (Sackville United Church) 7:00 Breakfast 8:30 Gathering Music 8:45 Worship 9:00 Maritime Conference Executive Report 9:20 Proposal 1 9:50 Election of Denominational Executive Nominees 10:00 Proposal 2 10:30 Election of Commissioners – Remaining Synod/Presbytery Nominees 10:40 Proposal 3 11:10 Election of Commissioners – Under 30 11:20 Provisional Executive Minister Faith March-MacCuish, 11:40 20x60 12:00 Announcements & Grace 12:15 Lunch at Jennings Meal Hall 12:45 Choir Practice (Campbell Lounge) 1:20 Gathering Music 1:30 President Designate Nominees Ballot for President Designate 1:40 Proposal 4 2:10 Election of Commissioners – At-Large 2:20 Other Business 3:10 Theme and Table Group Time (Order of the Day) 4:40 Announcements & Grace Choir Practice (Business Stage, Civic Centre) 5:15 Supper Banquet for Retirees and Jubilarians at the Legion (pre-purchased ticket required) 7:30 Gathering Music 7:45 Introduction of Retirees and Jubilarians Book Room Closes 7:50 Report from the Ecumenical Guests 8:15 Worship 9:00 Introduction of President Designate 9:15 Courtesies and Closing motions
SUNDAY, May 28th 7:00 Breakfast 8:30 Ordinand Rehearsal (Worship Stage) 10:00 Service of Praise and Celebration of Ministry 12:00 Closing of Conference 12:15 Meeting of the new Conference Executive