ANNUAL REPORT 2018 for CONGREGATIONAL PLANNING MEETING January 27, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction (David Brown)
Who we are Glebe-St. James United Church Mission Statement Glebe-St James and the Spirit of Reconciliation Affirm United Living Ministry profile (David Brown) Church Rolls (Crystal Maitland) / In Memoriam
What we are doing Our staff From the Minister’s desk (Teresa Burnett-Cole) Our staff Our ministries – Glebe-St James as a community Christian Development Ministry (Ruth Burnett-Cole) Men’s and Friends’ Dinners (Bob Irvine) Ministry of Pastoral Care and Visitation (Adele MacLeod) Patchwork Pilgrimage (Chris Burbridge) Prayer Circle (Janice Vennos) Welcoming and staying in touch (David Brown) Communications (David Brown) Women’s Intergenerational Group (Marsha Hay Snyder) Worship Ministry (Hilda Sabadash) Choir Highlights (Pam Fitch) Our ministries – Glebe-St James in the wider community Christian Outreach (Marilyn Hamilton) Mission and Service Concert Series (Bruce Taylor) Refugee support through FACES (Karen Walker)
Stewardship of Glebe-St James Annual Planning Meeting, January 2018 (David Brown) Annual Congregational Meeting, March 26, 2017 (Jenifer Aitken) Approved 2018 Budget Report from Council (David Brown) Glebe St James volunteers Accessibility and Glebe-St James (Ross Snyder) Board of Trustees (Don Ray) Building & Property Finance & Administration (Dudleigh Coyle) Fundraising (Dudleigh Coyle) Home Services Guild (Dudleigh Coyle) Doug Davidson Building Fund (Dudleigh Coyle) Glebe Montessori School (David Brown) Ministry & Personnel
Where we are going New directions in the United Church of Canada – Ottawa Presbytery (David Lee) Introducing Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Regional Council (Region 12) (David Brown) Building community partnerships – the Campus HUB (David Lee) Long-range planning and sustainability for Glebe-St James (David Brown) Glebe-St James governance – organizing for the future (David Brown)
Introduction
An annual report serves many purposes.
In the first instance it is an opportunity to remember and to celebrate what we in Glebe-St. James have done in the past year as a faith community.
It is also an important vehicle for us to tell our story to others. It will be posted on our website: https://www.glebestjames.ca/. It will also be available to the wider United Church of Canada. In the longer run it serves as an historical record of who we are and what we have been doing in 2018.
This report is also a working document. It includes material from all the major groups and activities within the congregation that will serve as a resource for two annual meetings that will shape Glebe-St. James and what we do in 2019 and beyond.
The first is the annual planning meeting, in late January 2019, when we will look at the major challenges facing the congregation and consider ways of addressing them. This will be followed, in March 2019, by our annual congregational meeting; it will take decisions growing out of the planning meeting and about the budget, governance and other matters relating to the congregation and its work.
The 2018 annual report is divided into three parts. The first is intended to provide the touchstones of who we are as a faith community. The second presents our staff and our work in ministering to Glebe-St. James as a community and to the wider community, in Ottawa and around the World. It also describes our stewardship of the resources – the people, the finances and the building – that enable us to be a church. The third part discusses some longer term developments, including, in 2019, major changes in the United Church of Canada.
David Brown Chair of Council Glebe-St. James United Church
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If you would like a printed copy of this report, or if there is anything you would like to know about what is discussed in it, please get in touch with our church office:
Glebe-St. James United Church 650 Lyon Street South Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3Z7 (613) 236-0617
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journey with us at Glebe-St. James in the United Church of Canada!
“REACHING – INTO FAITH, 7 ways into faith:
Inclusive and welcoming – all faiths, races, ages, abilities, sexual genders and identities; Welcome
Spiritually alive community, open to all; if you cannot afford an event, contact our Minister; to all !
Adult Education encourages a different way of thinking in a secular, self-centered age;
New approaches to Christian development for all ages, through music, drama and hands-on learning;
Opportunities to grow in faith through outreach and sharing;
Face-to-face involvement through women’s Spiritual Group; men’s Dinner Group;
Learn and meditate with our labyrinth, library, the United Church Observer and so much more …
… OUT TO OTHERS” 7 ways to outreach:
leading community resistance to violence and hatred;
interfaith involvement, supporting each other and learning from each other;
providing support for refugees through sponsorship and financial aid for housing;
direct involvement with Indigenous Peoples, hearing their stories and acknowledging our use of their unceded land;
Ongoing alleviation of poverty through grants for initiatives, gifts to food banks, quilts for the needy or just because we love them.
Spiritual support through our Healing Pathway program, prayer circle and cooperation with Glebe Montessori School.
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Glebe-St James and the Spirit of Reconciliation
The final section of this annual report describes changes that the United Church of Canada is going through in how it is organized and operates. At least as profound – and as a central part of this transition – is a spiritual and cultural change that grows out of the longer- term process of reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous communities. The United Church has had a relationship with those communities since well before Confederation that stretches through the history of residential schools but that has many other dimensions – both good and bad – as well.
A respectful and healing United Church of Canada
The United Church is now seeking to create a new relationship in which the Indigenous church is both a distinct but also an integral part of who we are and how we operate. At its most basic, it involves a redefinition of the United Church, of who it includes and how it practices its faith. An important step – symbolic in the best sense – was taken in 2016 to incorporate the four sacred colours of Indigenous spirituality into the United Church logo.
At the 43rd General Council in July 2018, the Caretakers of Our Indigenous Circle presented Calls to the Church (https://www.united-church.ca/community- faith/being-community/calls-church), which asked the United Church to recognize and foster Indigenous ministries and faith communities and through that to create a Healing Church that embraces past and current experience in looking to the future. Our Coordinating Minister, Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole, has been an Urban Indigenous member of the Caretakers. In response, General Council adopted the multi-faceted program proposed by the Caretakers, summarized in the circle diagram, Dreaming New Relationships for the Indigenous Church.
As part of this initiative, the new Regional Council 12 shares with RCs 11 and 13 a full-time Community Capacity Development Officer, Joe McGill, who will work with Indigenous communities of faith in developing their own ministries and in taking their place in the three regions. Teresa Burnett-Cole has also provided an Indigenous perspective to the Regional Council 12 organizing committee, helping to ensure that Indigenous communities of faith and voices are part of the new region from the start.
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Glebe-St James and the new relationship
While many of these developments relate to the emerging Indigenous church and its part in the wider United Church, they also call for individual congregations to take their own initiatives. For Glebe-St. James in 2018 it has been a series of steps in a longer journey.
Each Sunday, a red dress is placed in a different location in the Sanctuary as a visual reminder of the need for redress for the missing and murdered Aboriginal women, ASWA.ca who are a silent reality of Canadian society.
Each Sunday, as well, at the beginning of the worship service we acknowledge that our worship space is built on lands that have never been ceded by the Indigenous communities that lived here when colonial powers and settlers first arrived. In recognition of this, we have adopted the practice of making an annual payment of $2000 to the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, which serves the Indigenous community in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. A fuller account of the work of the Odawa Centre is found in the Christian Outreach committee report.
A more in-depth effort to understand and come to terms with the historical legacy and contemporary challenges has been the work of the Glebe-St. James Indigenous study group, which met throughout 2018. A major part of our adult Christian Education program, this group was formed to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for communities of faith to educate themselves in the history of Indigenous relations in Canada. The group began by exploring Lee Maracle’s book, Conversations with Canadians, then moved to having some guest speakers in to speak on particular topics such as the Inuit of the Arctic, and Indigenous Women in the Canadian Prison System.
“As we meet together, we remember in gratitude the Algonquin Peoples on whose traditional land we now gather. We acknowledge their story and their stewardship of the land and water, the plants and animals, through many generations.”
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Glebe-St. James and Affirm United
Glebe-St. James is one of five United Church of Canada Affirming Ministries in the Ottawa area. This is integral to who we are and is reflected in how we present ourselves, in worship and in our face to the community. As such we are a member of Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble (AUSE).
AUSE is an independent volunteer movement that works in partnership with the United Church of Canada. Its website (http://affirmunited.ause.ca/) is a resource available to Affirming Congregations. It describes AUSE’s work, and the work it supports in the United Church, in these terms:
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble works for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Church of Canada and in society. We draw strength and hope from biblical stories of liberation; from the prophetic call to live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God; and from Jesus’ witness to God’s inclusive love.
We’re a voice and a support for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and we help ministries become truly welcoming safer sacred spaces through our Affirming ministries program. Membership and participation are open to people of all gender identities and sexualities.
Individual AUSE memberships are also available through the AUSE website: http://affirmunited.ause.ca/individualhousehold-membership-one-year-payment/. Membership includes access to the AUSE newsletter, Consensus, which is also available through the Glebe-St. James office. Back issues are available through the AUSE website.
AUSE asks congregations to adopt PIE (Public, Intentional and Explicit) as the standards to which they hold themselves and their welcome when they become Affirming Ministries. In keeping with that, they encourage members to observe international PIE day (March 14 – known in other contexts as Pi Day!)
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Glebe-St James United Church, Ottawa Living Ministry Profile, 2017-18 www.glebestjames.ca
(Note: This document was approved by the Glebe-St. James Annual Congregational Meeting on March 18, 2018 and then submitted to Ottawa Presbytery)
Referring to our 2014 Joint Needs Assessment profile, we have reflected on the following questions:
1. Does the description of our physical community (town, city, region) still adequately reflect who we are? In what ways has our community changed?
As a generally well-off neighbourhood close to the centre of Ottawa, the Glebe continues to be under development pressure; the population that we serve is gradually expanding with the addition of high-rises and condos, although there is also a loss of reasonably-priced housing. The Ottawa area is enjoying economic stability and growth, including the opening of a major new light-rail transit system in 2018, but there are significant inequalities and also challenges arising from changing demographics, including meeting the needs of an ageing population and of recent immigrants to Canada, many of them refugees.
2. Do our facilities continue to meet the needs of our congregation and wider community?
The facilities continue to meet the congregation’s needs, although the physical plant, much of which is over 100 years old, requires ongoing and often costly maintenance. An important part of our community presence, and support for looking after these facilities, is our sharing the building with the Glebe Montessori School. We believe we are using our facilities well in supporting community groups and in providing services to the community, but we are looking at ways of making even better use of them. The creation of a ‘Glebe St James Service Guild’ as a means to exchange services for donations has proven to be very successful in 2017.
3. How has our congregational demographics changed over the past year?
We are attracting some new supporters, including younger families, but overall the congregation continues to go through a gradual process of getting older and smaller. We are looking at ways of keeping up with and involving visitors and also of staying in touch with supporters who are in the church directory but not active.
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4. In the past 12 months, how has our congregation responded to the outreach needs within our community, both regionally and globally?
We have responded to public demand for refugee sponsorships through participation in a three-church and community refugee sponsorship group that has helped 3 families and 12 individuals so far. A wide range of other outreach partnerships continue, but they are being monitored for sustainability; a primary issue is volunteer time balanced by the recognition that members volunteer for causes they care about. We continue to provide solid support for the M&S fund.
We are taking steps to support reconciliation with the Indigenous community, including a contribution to a community organization in recognition of our occupancy of unceded Indigenous land and a study group on related issues. We have placed a red dress in the sanctuary as a symbol of our desire to see justice in the work of the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
We continue our involvement as an affirming congregation in the community and have participated in the 2017 Pride parade.
5. In what ways have we assisted our congregational leadership in responding to the mission of the congregation within the community of faith and beyond?
Members of the congregation are heavily involved in internal and community initiatives but many are less willing to participate in or to lead committees or other Council structures. We have an ongoing discussion about how to improve our organization and procedures, which we expect will also provide a basis for updating our constitution.
6. In what ways have we assisted one another within the congregation on our individual spiritual faith journey?
Minister-led Sunday morning Bible study was discontinued in 2017; our evening discussion group started afterwards on Indigenous issues in the context of spiritual renewal. The congregation-led Men’s Group has had considerable success in bringing together long-time and new members of the congregation. A new Women’s Intergenerational group has very quickly established itself as a forum for discussion of spiritual issues. This complements an annual quilting retreat in which many women from the congregation participate. Numerous members of the congregation play volunteer roles in support of Sunday worship. We continue to look for opportunities for individuals in the congregation to tell their own faith stories.
We have hired two young and innovative members to our ministerial team, in the areas of music and Christian development, and we are confident that they will help us with meeting the needs of all members and supporters and with the continuing process of renewing our community of faith.
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7. Are there new initiatives that have been undertaken -- or need to be undertaken – to remain faithful to our call within this town/city/region and our world?
As indicated above we are involved in a wide range of initiatives, although we are also very conscious of unmet and under-met needs. One major limitation is volunteer time and attention. Funding is also an issue, although we have been able to increase our support for refugee initiatives while generally maintaining overall levels of support in other areas.
We have identified improving our communications, both within the congregation and with the wider community, as a priority for 2018. This includes strengthening our Website (www.glebestjames.ca), use of social media, re-establishment of The Epistle, our internal newsletter, and ensuring greater integration and coherence among all the different ways in which we convey our message and stay in touch.
8. Are we as a congregation continuing to meet the needs of this town/city/region relating to pastoral care, spirituality and self-care, within the community of faith and the wider community?
We are looking at ways of strengthening pastoral care support for our members and of ensuring that we are in contact with and supporting all our members and supporters, going beyond those whom we see regularly in Worship and congregational activities. We have begun discussion about ways in which we can better connect with the broader community, starting with other UCC congregations in central Ottawa and with other churches and community groups in the Glebe. This discussion is in turn linked to consideration of our long term prospects as a congregation, in light of our demographic and financial trends. We have an active Healing Pathway ministry, and a Labyrinth for meditation that is advertised and available to all who are interested.
9. Are we faithful in our use of our resources: financial ($), talents (people) and physical (building)? Do our stewardship goals assist us in meeting the needs of the life and work of our congregation?
We continue to make efforts to ensure that we manage well and make effective use of talents, financial and physical resources. We have not had a systematic stewardship campaign in recent years but are gearing up to do so in 2018. We continue to have generous responses to fundraising events and the upper tier of our financial contributions remains strong, however we are concerned our financial situation is overly dependent on the contributions from a relatively small group of families. This links to issues about staying in touch with and engaging the full range of our supporters.
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10. In what ways do your financial/budget projections for the coming years need to be updated? Are they still accurate?
Broadly speaking we feel we have a solid financial foundation, and total congregational givings, including operating, capital and outreach expenditures, have remained essentially constant for several years. There has, however, been a gradual decline in contributions to operating funds and we have been increasingly dependent on fundraising. We have had operating budget deficits in the past two years; while our immediate priority is to bring it into balance, we are also giving more attention to ways of ensuring longer-term financial sustainability. Council chose to defer repaying our Presbytery loan to 2018 when an opportunity arose to do additional expensive, but desirable in the longer run, building repairs.
In 2017 Council held a retreat to consider the congregation’s longer- term situation, focusing on a 20 – 30 year time horizon. This arose partly out of a request by the Glebe Montessori School to extend its lease but also from a desire to consider the implications of the demographic and financial trends described above. We expect to continue these discussions and to use them to inform short- to medium-term planning decisions.
11. Does our worship meet the diverse needs of the whole people of God?
The anchor for all of our activities is strong worship services, where we are able to draw on our ministerial staff and also on five members of the congregation who are licensed lay worship leaders. An active choir provides voices and music leadership in the service and a modern AV system provides visuals for announcements and words for hymns.
As stated in our 2016 Living Ministry Profile, people of diverse backgrounds find security and spirituality; sermons are inspiring and challenging; the needs of our community and world are always before us; and a welcoming atmosphere encourages outsiders to come to our services and stay afterwards for socializing in our church hall.
12. What does it mean for us to be a part of the United Church of Canada?
We are the visible presence of the UCC in our community, which is reflected in many of our program events and in our communications outreach, including through the community newspaper. Our Minister has also represented the UCC in the community and on Parliament Hill on several occasions with respect to Indigenous issues. We have studied and endorsed all the recent remits on future UCC organization. This discussion has led us to refresh our understanding of what it is to part of the UCC, a process that will continue as the new national and regional structures are put in place in 2018 and beyond.
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13. After reflecting on all these questions, are there things that need to be changed/updated in our Living Ministry Profile? (Formerly referred to as a JNAC Report)
The 2014 JNAC Report is still appropriate. In 2017 we used these guidelines to re-staff two ministerial positions – the Minister of Music and the Christian Development minister – and also the position of office administrator.
Glebe-St. James Roll
Membership as of December 31, 2017 195
Removed from rolls: 8 Deaths: (4 Members, 6 Non-member) 4 Transfer out: 4
Joined Glebe St James United Church: 2 Transfer in 0 Joined by profession of Faith 2 Joined by Reaffirmation 0
Membership as of December 31, 2018 189
Baptism (0 adults, 3 children) 3 Weddings 2
Crystal Maitland Clerk of Rolls
Glebe-St. James Honour Roll
In grateful memory, we record the names of the Members and Adherents of Glebe- St. James United Church who entered into rest during the year 2018.
Joan Boswell – July 28, 2018 Margaret Clarke – May 2, 2018 Patricia Crook – May 21, 2018 Nancy Daniels – September 5, 2018 Marjorie Fraser – June 12, 2018 Jean Hamm – May 2, 2018 Gwen Herstad – December 20, 2018 Mary Joyce – June 2, 2018 Stella Ladd – early 2018 Eileen MacLeod- Dec 28, 2018
In life, in death. In life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone, Thanks be to God.
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From the desk of Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole
Dear Friends,
2018 has been a year of beginnings and endings here at Glebe St. James. Taylor Bourassa moved to other endeavours as did Jennifer Berntson. Robert Palmai came back and reprised his role as Minister of Music filling in until our new Minister of Music, James Caswell, takes the reins in January 2019. James has history with Glebe-St. James – he served as interim music director when he was doing his undergraduate studies in music. No stranger to us, James has been a guest here numerous times during Robert’s tenure, and in a delightful but unrelated move, joined the congregation this fall. In keeping with the “everything old is new again” theme, much loved Christian Development Minister Stephanie Langill has returned to the helm of children’s ministry.
Glebe St. James has continued to be a beehive of activity and I have been busy on your behalf. I continued to serve on an array of committees at the presbytery/region and national church. I served on a discernment committee for presbytery Education & Students’ Committee. I am currently serving on the Executive Commission of the new region (the body that replaces presbytery). Our new region is called Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region. I also continue to serve on the World Methodist Council – Liturgy Commission. Two extra duties have been added to my plate this year: I was appointed to serve on the General Council Executive and the advisory council of Gathering magazine. Gathering is a grassroots liturgical publication of The United Church of Canada.
I found myself back on Parliament Hill a couple of times this year, representing first the United Church on the issue of Indigenous poverty and then Citizens for Public Justice concerning the greening of our churches. I also gave a couple of guest lectures on indigenous issues, first to the Seaway Valley UCW Presbyterial, and second, to the Canadian University Women’s Ottawa Indigenous Education group.
Finally, I’d like to share a few words of thanksgiving. Church volunteers are the unspoken heroes of every congregation and GSJ is no different! Thank you to all who serve on committees, task groups, guilds, and in the Children’s Church. Without you, we wouldn’t be here! A special thank you to the M&P Committee – on behalf of the staff team – you help make the “process” of church work. Finally, thank you to the staff team. It is a delight to come to work when you have such a good group of people with which to work.
Sincerely,
The Reverend Teresa Burnett-Cole
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Our staff
Glebe-St. James is blessed to have a strong and experienced staff team. They provide expertise and continuity to the work of the congregation and are valued collaborators and guides for our many volunteers.
Teresa Burnett-Cole – Coordinating Minister - Teresa has been with Glebe St. James for five years. In addition to her church ministry, she has recently been named to the newly structured United Church Executive and continues work on her PhD.
George Clifford – Minister of Visitation – George continues to offer compassionate care in trying times through his telephone ministry.
James Caswell – Minister of Music – James officially started in this position on Jan.1, 2019. James is an accomplished conductor, organist, pianist and vocal coach, with over 25 years of experience, including a year as interim Minister of Music at Glebe-St. James in 1990-91 while he was still a student! He is well-known in the Ottawa choral community, and as the music director and conductor of the Canterbury Trebles, as well as a teacher of vocal and choral performance at Canterbury High School. At Glebe-St. James, we were blessed to have his organ accompaniments through the Advent and Christmas season.
Stephanie Langill – Christian Development Minister – Stephanie started in her position in September 2018. She has brought her energy and magnetic personality back to our Children’s programming and Christian Development team. She also continues to work full time as the office administrator at an elementary school.
Jennifer Reid – Office Administrator – It is hard to believe Jennifer Reid has been with us for only 18 months as it seems she has been with us forever. She is our day-to-day hub for all important events at Glebe-St. James and runs a tight ship. Abdul Ibrahim – Caretaker – Abdul came to Canada as a refugee. He is a person filled with joy, and takes pleasure in working among us.
Alex Totten-Thomas and Saj Patni – Sunday Sextons – This fall these two young men of our congregation stepped up to job-share support for worship on Sunday mornings.
Christian Development Committee
Members of the committee include Stephanie Langill (CD minister), Kim Lewis, Elaine Leung, Andy Hamilton and Ruth Burnett-Cole (chair). The committee mandate is to ensure that the children, youth and adults of the congregation are provided with continuing opportunities to learn and grow in their Christian faith.
It was a year of many changes in Christian Development.
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Taylor Bourassa, our past CD minister left GSJ at the end of June to return to school. We welcomed back Stephanie Langill as our Cd Minister in September. Stephanie has been in this position previously and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with children to this position.
Children’s church is the main focus for our CD minister, Stephanie. She does the children’s time in the service and leads the children in interesting and engaging lessons for a multi-age group. The number of children, and the ages varies from week to week. The curriculum used is Feasting on the Word, part of an overall Christian education package. Reverend Teresa uses the adult resources from this curriculum for both bible study and Sunday worship preparation, thus we link what the adults and children are doing on Sunday.
Engaging youth is more challenging. They have such busy schedules, and some of those things can occur on Sundays. This makes it difficult to plan for any kind of curriculum for them. It is not uncommon to have weeks where there are none in attendance. Taylor did get them involved to clean up and paint a room downstairs for their use. This is no longer a job responsibility for the CD minister, as her hours have been changed, so we require volunteers to do this special time with them.
The nursery was staffed by Caroline Capehart until June 2018. Her post -secondary studies meant she was unable to return in September. We have been unable to fill the position since then.
Reverend Teresa has been very involved in adult education. She has led a Lenten and Advent studies and continues to lead a weekly bible study on Sunday before choir and a biweekly group exploring Indigenous topics.
Ongoing issues for the committee include recruiting volunteers particularly to work with the children and youth, as well as staffing the nursery position.
Submitted by Ruth Burnett-Cole Chair of the CD Committee
Men’s and Friends’ Dinners
The Glebe-St. James Mens’* Monthly Dinner (*Friends are most welcomed and frequently attend) has met monthly at the church over the year except for the summer season. Dinners are held before the monthly Council meetings and help to set the tone for those occasions as well.
The November Men’s Dinner was held in conjunction with set-up for the church’s annual bazaar. Everyone – men and women – worked hard to ready Fraser Hall for the bazaar, which was a major success. Beyond ensuring success of the sale, there was a great sense of comradery amongst those who participated in these preparations.
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At some Men’s dinners, discussion has been free-flowing with attendees sharing news with one another. Discussions at other dinners have focused on specific topics often tied in some way to the work and life of Glebe-St. James. When there has been annual maintenance work around the church (such as spring clean-up and fall preparations for winter), the call for participants has gone out in the first instance to participants in the men’s dinners.
For all dinners, Dudleigh Coyle has kindly provided his delicious chili. (The comment has been made that, “thanks to Dudleigh, Glebe-St. James is a church that runs on chili.”) All are deeply appreciative of Dudleigh’s contributions in this regard. Others bring accompaniments of other food and beverages. Participants in the December Men’s Dinner have made a special effort to all bring tasty food items because of Dudleigh’s absence from the dinner.
A place for Dudleigh at the December - Bob Irvine Men’s and Friends’ dinner
2018 Pastoral Care Ministry Annual Report
The Reverend Teresa Burnett-Cole, Co-ordinating Minister, leads the Pastoral Care Ministry and the Reverend George Clifford is the Minister of Visitation. Several trained spiritual care volunteers, Chris Burbridge, Robert Palmai, Hilda Sabadash and Adele MacLeod assist the Ministry.
The Ministry includes the Prayer Circle of 12 members that is led by Janice Vennos. Each member is responsible for one month to keep up with the prayer requests and notify the Circle members of changes. The Circle operates on a confidential basis and has had a busy year in 2018.
This year a group of 9 persons agreed to be visitors to others in the congregation and, where possible, to keep up their connection for at least 6 months or longer. Called the Friendly Visitors, requests for a visit can be made for various reasons through the Church office or by contacting Adele MacLeod. Requests could be for a number of purposes, such as: sharing a chat over tea or coffee, help for newcomers to connect with others in the congregation, if one is recovering from a loss, accompanying one to Church events, going for a walk, being read to. The options for a visit are open and will largely depend upon the request.
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The Church’s Pastoral Care Visitation Ministry is extended outside the Church to patient visits at the Civic and General Campuses of The Ottawa Hospital. Presently, Chris Burbridge and Adele MacLeod visit patients who are associated with any United Church of Canada. Numbers visited on any given day can vary from 7 to 30 with an average of approximately 10 –15.
In January of this year the Pastoral Care Ministry offered a session on Planning Wills and Estates. Lawyer Jim McCulloch from the GSJ congregation gave an in-depth presentation on Wills and Estates and Patrick McGarry presented information on planning for funerals. Both presenters stressed the importance of early planning for these events and updating those plans regularly. The event took place after a Sunday service and attracted approximately 28 people
The Ministry looks after ordering and preparing flower deliveries to shut-ins and others at Easter and Christmas.
Adele MacLeod Pastoral Care Coordinator
Patchwork Pilgrimage 2018
On Friday, September 21, 31 quilters and 3 little girls headed up to Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre in Gracefield, Quebec. It is about a 90-minute drive which, for some, proved to be the most exciting part of the weekend. While many of us had arrived earlier in the day to set up, some people were travelling just before supper and hit some pretty powerful thunderstorms along the way. (Only later did we realize that tornadoes had hit the area and that we had been very lucky indeed!)
Tornadoes aside, the weather was great. The heat and humidity on Friday sent many quilters down to the lake for a quick dip. The storms broke the heat, so the rest of the weekend proved to be very agreeable for quilting, hiking and communing with nature.
Our individual project this year was a small backpack with a Dresden fan pattern block. Some people made more than one. We moved on to baby quilts for St. Mary’s Home and the creativity flowed. Many quilters completed their baby quilts at home after the retreat. When we presented them in church on November 4 to Mayda Embree, Program Coordinator at St. Mary’s, we had almost 40 quilts for their clients. As a quilter herself, Mayda was very impressed with our efforts and expressed interest in joining us on next year’s retreat – September 27 – 29, 2019.
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Yes, our weekend retreat is about learning new skills and making baby quilts, but it is also about so much more. The time we spend together renewing and enriching relationships is important, too. We are friends, mothers, daughters and sisters. The threads that bind us are golden.
Prayer Circle Annual Report – 2018
Members: Ruth Burnett-Cole Marilyn Hamilton Barb Coyle Eric Dormer Marion Dunning Nancy Huggett Stephanie Langill Olga Lee Adele MacLeod! Beverley Pidduck Hilda Sabadash Karen Smith Janice Vennos
Stephanie Langill resigned during 2018. We thank her for the time she spent with the prayer circle and for her caring concern for those in need of our prayers. We welcomed Marilyn Hamilton as a new member.
The prayer circle is under the umbrella of the Pastoral Care Committee. Prayer requests come from an individual, the clergy or through the office. Individuals stay on the prayer list for a minimum of 1 month, and no one is taken off without agreement from the person making the request. Privacy of all information is carefully protected.
All prayer circle members pray each day for those on the list. Each member takes a turn as monthly coordinator. As such he/she is responsible for contacting other members with any changes occurring during that month.
The prayer circle meets once a year. The last meeting was in February, 2018.
Submitted by Janice Vennos
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Welcoming and staying in touch
Glebe-St. James is a welcoming congregation. Every Sunday in our worship services we make an effort to welcome both newcomers and members of our community of longer standing: they are met by an usher and given a bulletin for the service, there is gathering music, information about our congregation is provided in the pews, and all are expressly welcomed by Jim Richardson, who also provides direction to our coffee hour after the service in Fraser Hall. Before and after the service there is information about upcoming events. On the way to Fraser Hall, there is a guest book for new arrivals or visitors to sign. There is a greeter at the door to Fraser Hall, coffee and other refreshments have been prepared, information is available at the Welcoming Table, and members of the congregation are interested in meeting and talking with newcomers. All women are invited to the monthly Women’s Intergenerational Lunch, as are men and friends to their monthly dinners. All of this is in the spirit of our membership in Affirm United.
This work is coordinated by the Welcoming and Membership Outreach Ministry of Council, working with the Worship committee. Building on this work, in September 2018, Teresa Burnett-Cole prepared a brochure describing all the worship services through the Fall and Advent season to the end of December. On October 28 there was a Welcoming Sunday, when new members were received into Glebe-St. James. Many of our fundraising events had a welcoming dimension, notably Glebe-St. James Goes Out to Dinner in the Spring and the annual bazaar in the Fall.
There is more to be done, however. The revisions to our website (www.glebestjames.ca) were at least partly intended to strengthen our sense of connection with the Glebe-St. James community and strengthen our visibility and the reach of our welcome in the wider community. As the note on communications indicates, in 2019 a Council priority will be to develop a more comprehensive approach to our communications activities in support of what we do now but also to reach out to those in the wider community who might like to become involved.
Welcoming is foundational to congregational growth and health. As noted in the final section of this report, our membership is declining. While this reflects broader trends in Canadian society, there are steps that can be taken to stabilize the situation and – a gleam in our eye! – even to grow our membership and Sunday attendance. Some immediate measures that have been taken or planned and that will continue into 2019 include:
Greater coordination among the ushers and greeters during Sunday worship. Reviewing information material for newcomers and regular members, including what is available on Sundays and on the congregational website. Developing a stronger capacity to visit members of the congregation, as part of pastoral care and more generally – current plans are discussed in the note on Pastoral Care and Visitation.
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Strengthening how our database is organized, recognizing the important role played by Jennifer Reid and the Church office in greeting and staying in touch with members of the Glebe-St James community outside of Sunday worship. In 2019 there will be an effort to be more systematic in reaching out to all who are in the Glebe-St. James directory and to stay in touch with them during the year. These efforts will be complemented by a stewardship campaign that will focus on meeting the needs of the congregation through the offering of time and talents as well as of financial resources.
Communications
Communications is a vital part of every aspect of what Glebe-St. James does. It takes many forms. The most basic is in the day-to-day interactions that members of the congregation have with each other and with staff. It lies at the heart of our ministries, to each other and to the community. It facilitates the care of our building and other resources.
The essence of our communications activities is letting people know what is happening at Glebe-St. James. These activities are directed not only to current members but also signal our presence in the Glebe: who we are and what we do. They help to bring visitors and newcomers to our door and invite them to participate in our community within a community.
Our communications take many forms. A foundation is provided in the announcements at the beginning of the weekly worship services and the e-Bulletin that goes to over 190 e-mail addresses. These present upcoming services and the many activities in which Glebe-St. James and its members are involved. As discussed below, a more recent but growing presence is our revamped website, https://www.glebestjames.ca/. We regularly communicate through the mail. From time to time articles about what we are doing appear in the Glebe Report. We also have a presence on Facebook, where there is a group called ‘Glebe-St James Community’ and one for the church as an organization (Glebe St. James United Church); links to these groups are also on the website.
Communications was one of the central topics in our January 2018 annual planning meeting. Growing out of that, two members of Council, Jim Louter and Crystal Maitland, were asked to take the lead in “refurbishing” the Glebe-St. James website. Later in the year John Muggleton joined Council to work on communications more widely. All this work will continue in 2019.
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The Glebe-St. James website: www.glebestjames.ca The work on the Glebe-St. James website built on input received from the congregation on the site’s organization and content. Taking ideas from other church websites and injecting ideas heard from congregational feedback, the menu structure was altered and new content added. Our website service provider (Church Web) also updated their software; this update means it is easier to add photos, slide shows and videos to web pages.
If you don't already visit it regularly, have a look! If you have any concrete suggestions for changes or additional content that you think are iconic of GSJ but are missing from the site then please let Jim or Crystal know ([email protected]; [email protected]). As your current web-masters they are particularly seeking photographs of Glebe-St. James at work and at play. Check your photo archives and consider snapping a photo or two as you attend GSJ events in the upcoming year!
If you have any other ideas, whether it about the e-update, the website, or other means of communication, please let us know or consider joining our communications team!
Women’s Intergenerational Group
The Women’s Intergenerational Group continues to thrive as a drop-in, safe space for women to explore topics of current and personal interest. In the past year, over a pot luck lunch, we have worked to reach a better understanding of reconciliation with Indigenous people, who refugees are, what it’s like to live in Palestine, and how we could make Christmas different for Glebe-St. James. In December, several of us gathered to create 60 parcels of socks, chocolate and Christmas greetings for participants in Centre 507. And we invited the congregation to decorate the Christmas tree in the sanctuary with photos of family decorations that hold special meaning. If this group interests you, please join us for lunch and discussion at our monthly meetings, Sundays after worship. Meeting dates and topics are advertised in the Sunday bulletin and e-update.
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WIG Christmas Project – 60 pairs of socks for Centre 507 – photos by Susan Palmai
Worship Ministry 2018
Members: Christine Burbridge Jim McCulloch Jim Richardson Hilda Sabadash Judy Wolanski
Staff: Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole (Minister). Robert Palmai (Minister of Music (June, December), Jennifer Berntson (Minister of Music January to November and time off for maternity leave). Other organists were Teresa van den Boorgaard and James Caswell.
The purpose of the Worship Committee is to plan and coordinate all Sunday worship services and other special workshops that add to the Christian educational development of the congregation and community.
Summer services, like other years, were shared with Southminster United, St. Giles Presbyterian and Fourth Avenue Baptist Church.
Special services were: - Black History Month Service: led by Rev. Manasse Habonimana - Anniversary Service: led by Chris Burbridge with church history highlights, and Rev. George LeDrew gave the sermon. - September: Alison Sales was lay minister during Quilting weekend. - Blue Christmas was December 13 using the Labyrinth
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- December 24th morning service was in Fraser and included songs, carols, and coffee. - Christmas eve service sanctuary was beautiful with LED lights and decorations lining the pews done by Judy Wolanski and Chris Burbridge.
There was a change in sextons. Rebecca Hyland went to university in September and her back-up Parker Stewart also left his job as back-up for Rebecca. Alex Totten Thomas and Saj Patni shared the position starting in September. Wage was increased to $14.00 per hour as per Government guidelines. When both were absent, Eric Dormer filled the position. The job description is revised as situations arise.
Audio Visual Saj Patni ended his assistant position to Jim Richardson as he was interested in the sexton position. Replacing Saj was Josh Thoppil and he started in September. Susan Palmai and Eric Dormer filled in for Jim when he was away.
Special Events: - April 15 was the first of 3 Sundays in which Teresa’s sermon was the Lord’s Prayer. - Chris Burbridge was the “list lady” of volunteers for Scripture readings, coffee hour volunteers and communion volunteers. Interested volunteers need to call Chris to make her job easier. - Worship committee members volunteer to make the monthly birthday cakes or ask others in the congregation. - The Labyrinth is held the third Sunday of each month from 3pm to 5pm in Fraser Hall. Highlight of the year was the live cello accompaniment by students of Margaret Tobolowski on June 17th. - Healing Pathway is offered at most communions. A permanent place for a Healing table on the south west corner of the sanctuary makes it accessible for appointments. There have been very few sessions in 2018.
Jim McCulloch coordinates the usher teams for Sunday services and special services at Christmas and Easter.
Police checks for those working with the vulnerable were checked that they were up to date.
Thank yous to the many people behind the scenes who check pews for neatness, cleaning, lighting and up keep.
For those interested in the worship planning at Glebe-St. James, I would love to hear from you.
Submitted by Hilda Sabadash
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Choir Highlights
Glebe-St. James Choir provides musical leadership during regular Sunday and special services throughout the year, except in the Summer. It enjoys a long and storied musical heritage. Over the past 80 years, musical leadership has included several notable directors, including renowned composer Robert Fleming, Frances Macphail, Brian Cameron, Marg Stubbington and Robert Palmai. When Robert
retired in December 2017, the choir and congregation honoured him with the designation of Minister of Music Emeritus to recognize his inspiring contributions to the choir and to the church. From January through October 2018, Jennifer Berntson was the Minister of Music and provided a new perspective as a musician starting out on her career. We would like to thank her for her contribution to the life of the congregation.
Effective January 1, 2019, Glebe-St. James welcomed the return of James Caswell as incoming Minister of Music. James began his musical career here at GSJ when he accepted the position of Interim Minister of Music at age 20, following Frances Macphail's retirement. We are delighted that James has decided to join us once again and we look forward to his magnificent playing and exceptional conducting.
Two musical highlights during the year were two students who joined us on special occasions. Erik Wightman was the guest trumpeter during the Remembrance Day service and Matteo Tempo was joined us as a tenor for Christmas Eve service. Robert and James jointly led the music in the services during Advent and on Christmas Eve.
The choir has begun a process of letting go their 40-year-old white choir gowns and seeking a new Sunday morning “look”. Advice and support for this initiative comes from Judy Wolanski. It is hoped that the choir conversations about gowns may grow into a choir committee that can help support musical direction.
In addition to choral direction, other members of the choir have shown leadership and initiative, notably Eric Dormer, who wisely determined that the aging eyes of the choir needed more light to read their music. Eric replaced all the ceiling lights with bright LED bulbs, doubling the light and helping us to sing our parts more effectively. Joyce Wagland, a soprano choir member able to sing in at least three different ranges and often depended on for her tenor support, bid farewell to the choir last winter. Happily, she returned for additional rehearsals and services in May and June and we hope that she will continue singing with the choir whenever she is visiting Ottawa.
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Glebe-St. James' musical heritage is inextricably linked to its remarkable Casavant Frères organ. It is a very fine instrument, according to all who play it, but it is in need of significant renewal and repair. We expect to begin fund-raising for these repairs in 2019.
Pam Fitch
Outreach Annual Report 2018
Odawa Native Friendship Centre
Joyce Hardman (Right Relations Network) and Manuela Popovici (RRN and Quakers) met with Morgan Hare, Executive Director of Odawa, in the summer (Right Relations Network, a faith-based group in Ottawa working for reconciliation and justice for Indigenous peoples). What follows summarizes Manuela’s report to supporters.
Odawa Native Friendship Centre, which runs a drop-in at 510 Rideau St, has moved into the Rideau High School building at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, K1K 3A7. Many of the programs can now be under one roof. Partnerships and sublets are being arranged with other indigenous organizations, and Rideau Rockcliffe Community Service Organization. An overall governance structure will be developed with the Board of Education.
The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres monitor, who comes annually to check out their activities, was so impressed by Centre 510. that they have approved increased funding to Odawa. For the next one to two years, the day programme at 510 will stay as is. They will see how the high school site might work for meals, drop in and even possibly, sleeping places for people on the streets. Volunteers continue to be needed, particularly for the lunch shifts (12-2 pm). Even going for a shift once a month makes a big difference. And there will likely be future volunteer options at the new Rideau high school centre.
The City of Ottawa is creating oversight and accountability to determine the best way to distribute funding to indigenous residents, to cover the needs most effectively. This will help eliminate competition among the service providers and set up regular and shared decision-making to best distribute services to meet the real needs.
There will be a wider range of options under “Housing First.” Odawa is unique in that it is the most accessible to those who are least able to access services, or who are the least eligible. Odawa is committed to being a place to go to find welcome, a cup of coffee and someone to listen and help for as many hours as possible....with no requirements or appointment needed.
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Morgan still speaks about how the support from all of you and the Right Relations Network provided 510 an important bridge during a very tough time. That partnership has been impressive to funding agencies as well as very appreciated by Odawa.
It has also been a tremendous gift to us, inviting us into growth and relationship as settler allies, and into community. A big thank you to all of you who have been so loyal and supportive over the last three and a half years.
Gratefully, Manuela
Activities at 507 Bank Street
Give Back program: Members of the Centre 507 community get training, learn new skills, and have a chance to improve their lives.
Pop Up Fine Dining—Training to serve food builds community and teamwork, and makes a special meal once a month available to the Centre 507 community. 507 Jam—Training to harvest, dehydrate, and can fruit. Volunteers work with Hidden Harvest, gathering fruits and nuts on private and public land that would otherwise go to waste. A portion is made into jam to augment Centre 507 breakfasts.
To enable Centre 507 to serve more people: Renovations were undertaken to increase seating capacity for meals. A campaign to install an elevator was also started.
Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC), and Centretown Emergency Food Centre (CEFC)
These programs are also run from Centretown United Church, 507 Bank Street, serving the needs of residents in Centretown, with the support of 23 churches in the catchment area.
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Normally, the CEFC budget relies each year on a $25K transfer from CCSAC funds. Reports aren’t all in for 2018 from supporting churches, but projections indicate that this is not going to be possible in 2019. With a projection of $15K transferred from CCSAC funds, the 2019 budget drafted for CEFC has about a $17K shortfall.
The fundraising work that CCSAC has initiated via the walkathon has been a helpful way to address the resource challenges ahead, but CEFC cannot meet client needs in the summer without a summer student. There were CCSAC reserves which covered the summer student position this year, but they are now exhausted.
The plan is for CEFC to proceed with getting its own charitable number. This will make it possible for them to seek funding from more diverse sources, some of which will not support an activity that involves churches.
Seeking summer student funding from other sources than Employment and Social Development Canada requires a change in the relationship with CCSAC. CCSAC representatives at the last meeting were committed to support of CEFC, however the relationship evolves.
Actions needed from supporting churches: Identification of people who can help with finding fundraising alternatives; support of CEFC with food donations, food drives, and informed sharing of information; continued advocacy on poverty issues such as affordable housing and food security.
Refugee Sponsorship
There is helpful networking. For example, information from a variety of community resources (e.g., Refugee613), housing subsidies from groups like OMRA, and space made available with Multifaith Housing Initiative.
Co-sponsorship of Eritreans with Amleset Kidane
Six members of Amleset’s family arrived from Tel Aviv, Israel in August: Two single men, Dawit and Awet, on August 8th, and a family of 5, Mengstaeb, Rshan, Feiruz, Rodas, and Yafet, on August 29th. They are settling well into language classes, school, and part-time work. They have basic needs met for the winter. They are receiving payments from funds deposited in a non-interest-bearing account through Glebe-St. James. Members of the congregation were generous in providing furniture, clothing and household items to enable the family of five to equip a rental townhouse. Amleset has handled most issues. She sees to family needs on her days off. Her shifts as a personal support
worker vary, and she sometimes takes additional shifts for co-workers.
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Dawit’s family (wife, niece, and four children) had been left behind in Eritrea, but crossed into Ethiopia. They are now in Addis Ababa waiting for One Year Window processing to be completed (for a limited time, immediate family members are given priority to be reunited). As of November 23rd, their forms have been sent to the visa office in Nairobi for processing. The United Church Refugee Advisor’s staff in Toronto, and Norma McCord, of McKay United, have been helpful and supportive.
Members of the family previously settled in Ottawa feel that they have the resources to settle the group of six that is coming.
For future consideration: We share responsibility for the family members that arrived in August for at least one year.
Perhaps there should be a back-up plan for supporting the One Year Window group. Under most circumstances, processing times in Nairobi are long. This is not predictable.
Perhaps there should be a larger support group, either from our congregation, or in co-operation with some other group—or at least the offer should be made to Amleset.
Refugee Housing
Glebe-St. James is one of four churches that support the Refugee Housing Program through the Ottawa Mennonite Refugee Assistance (OMRA) Shelter Alternatives Corporation, an arm of the Ottawa Mennonite Church. Our financial support to OMRA is made possible through the purchase of Farm Boy, Loblaws and Metro grocery gift cards by 33 faithful households plus 10 occasional supporters. By written agreement with Loblaws and understandings with Farm Boy and Metro, the stores return 4 - 5% of the gift card sales allowing us to meet our monthly commitment of $500.00 to OMRA for refugee housing. We have been part of the gift card program since 2003.
Although, Glebe-St. James did not sell as many cards this year as in 2017, monetary donations by some members of the congregation offset the deficit and we met the $500/month commitment. The total raised exceeded the commitment, and $1000 was released to OMRA.
With a recent change in direction approved by the OMRA Board, rental subsidies are provided to 9 families, two of which are sponsored by FACES. OMRA is open to providing subsidies for 2 additional families in 2019, and will consider more.
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Carlington Community Chaplaincy
Rev. Matt Gallinger, the Chaplain, impressed those of us who attended the annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction in November. The proposal is to arrange a pulpit exchange in the New Year so that he can share information with our congregation. Rev. Teresa has expressed interest.
There is evidence in the Chaplaincy community of community building and personal growth. There are both daytime and evening opportunities for volunteer involvement, on the Board and committees, and in more personal interactions with groups and individuals in the Chaplaincy community.
Timing of funding from the United Church and other grant sources is sometimes a challenge. Some programs have potential for self-sufficiency. For example, the women’s group, the Rainbow Weavers, raises their own funds for activities. A member of the community is beginning to farm and supply vegetables and fruit to community members.
Open Table Carleton/ Exam Pause Table
Students new to Ottawa and away from home for the first time are the focus of Open Table gatherings. Exam Pause Tables serve stressed students free food and conversation during midterms and finals. Youth and Young Adult staff members from the Ottawa Diocese of the Anglican Church, and Ottawa Presbytery of the United Church are supporting professionals in Ottawa. The Lutheran representative is involved, but gives virtual input. With the change in United Church of Canada structure, Rev. Hilary Merritt’s Youth and Young Adult responsibility ended at the end of December. A new connection with the United Church will be needed.
Ken Grahlman, the current co-ordinator, has done a very good job of monitoring which food is preferred, what equipment is needed, and giving daily feedback on the December 2018 Pause Table to all church contacts.
For Glebe-St. James, this has been a year of transition and assessment. The present model revolves around work by a student intern as Community Development Co-ordinator who recruits volunteers from churches and other groups to feed and otherwise give support to students. The goal is for us to gather a team of volunteers for one day of the Pause Table at Carleton in April 2019 to test the feasibility of continued involvement.
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Christmas Hampers
Centretown United’s Christmas Hamper Project 2018 had a goal of reaching 175 families. Thanks to those of you who were among those who sponsored, packed or delivered them, 180 hampers were provided to needy families. Centre 507, Centretown Emergency Food Centre, The Laundry Co-op, Dalhousie Food Cupboard and Ottawa Salus (community mental health services) are the social service agencies that refer clients.
Multifaith Housing Initiative
Glebe-St. James is a member of Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI), a charitable non-profit housing organization and a community of many faith groups working collaboratively on our shared concerns around the lack of affordable housing in Ottawa. Through outreach to other faith groups, MHI now counts over 70 faith communities as members, including Christians, Jews, Musliims, Hindus, Baha’is and Unitarians. Our mission is to provide safe, well-maintained affordable housing and supports for individuals and families who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. MHI owns and manages 4 properties, with a fifth project, Veterans House underway. The highlights in 2018 were as follows.
THE HAVEN is an innovative model for affordable housing in Canada. It is a mix of town homes and two low-rise apartment buildings in Longfields, Barrhaven. Construction was completed last year. The 98 units are all occupied, with some of them subsidized for refugee families through OMRA Corporation of Ottawa Mennonite Church (see Refugee Housing). An MHI office is on site.
VETERANS HOUSE MHI will own the Veterans' House building and manage the property. Using the Former CFB Rockcliffe Airbase Lands in Ottawa, the proposed building will comprise three floors of living space, one floor of communal space and a basement for administrative purposes. This unit will be modelled after Mainstay Housing in Toronto and Cockrell House in BC.
This project will include support services designed to meet the particular needs of homeless or precariously housed veterans in the Ottawa area. The supportive “Housing First” approach will help these individuals gain stable homes, and recover from health, mental health and addiction-related issues. The supported housing model is designed to improve their overall quality of life, as well as the lives of their families who are unable to provide them with the support that they need.
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Unlike other MHI properties, most resident support will come from veterans groups that are partners. Project partners and stakeholders include: Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services; Centretown Affordable Housing Development Corporation; CSV Architects; Helmets To Hardhats; Ottawa Salus; Soldiers Helping Soldiers; Support Our Troops; The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command and District G; True Patriot Love; VETS Canada.
Respectfully submitted, with thanks, Marilyn Hamilton, for the Christian Outreach Committee
Mission and Service
The Mission and Service (M&S) Fund is The United Church of Canada’s main fund and the largest contributor to its annual budget. Donations to the fund can be made by individuals as a separate part of their church givings or they can be included in a congregation’s annual budget. Glebe-St. James sets an annual target to guide the congregation at the Annual Congregational Meeting, but families and individuals make their M&S donations as a separate part of their givings to the church.
The March 18, 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting set a target for 2018 of $34,000. Preliminary figures at the end of the year indicate that actual donations totalled $35,506. We met and exceeded the target! This is in addition to the support that Glebe-St. James provides as a congregation to the Ottawa-area groups discussed in the Christian Outreach report.
Minutes for Mission are a regular part of Glebe-St. James Sunday worship services, highlighting projects supported by M&S in Canada or internationally. Periodically the M&S space in the service is taken by a Minute for Stewardship in which a member of the congregation talks about a local outreach project supported by the congregation or another aspect of Glebe-St. James’s ministry. Thanks to Kylie Taggart for her work in making sure there are volunteer readers, and to the thoughtful resources provided by the United Church, making promotion easier.
Mission & Service donations support congregations and new church development, Canadian outreach programs, international relief and development, training and supporting ministers, and maintaining ecumenical relationships. In 2018 the fund had a budget of $26M allocated to 672 projects.
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In 2018, M&S Supported: In the past M&S funds have also been used to support aspects of United Church 197 “Embracing the Spirit” of Canada administration and governance innovation grants, work, but as a result of the changes made 86 other local congregation on January 1, 2019 (described in the final grants, section of this Annual Report) these costs 89 Healing Fund projects with are to be covered by a separate system of Indigenous communities in assessments on congregational budgets. Canada, 82 M&S global partners in 21 For the future, we and our local outreach countries, partners or international contacts can 81 Vision Fund projects for youth, make proposals and apply for various M&S 63 Community Ministries across grants, for example, innovation grants Canada, (Embracing the Spirit) to test ideas for 36 Chaplaincies on campus and spiritual impact, positive social impact, hospitals, positive ecological impact, and potential 20 Canadian ecumenical networks, for financial sustainability. 11 UC conferences, 7 theological colleges and 3 education centres.
Concert Committee Report – 2018
The GSJ concert committee oversees organization and management of two concert series: (1) “Concerts-in-the-Glebe” series (professional-level) and (2) “Young Artist” series (pre-professional; typically university-level). As a form of stewardship outreach, these two series offer a performance opportunity for selected ensembles and soloists and draw audiences into the sanctuary of Glebe-St. James. The concert series is an important, pro-active component of our desire to be a centre of activities in the Glebe community.
Performers are generally local, although several groups have come from Montreal or Toronto. For ‘out-of-towners’ we stress the importance of having an Ottawa-support base since it is often the case that the performers are known to a majority of the audience. Several inquiries have been received from musicians studying/working abroad, who likely learned of our concert series via the internet. We generally discourage such inquiries by informing them of the ‘local’ nature of our series. We do not want them to entertain unrealistic expectations (e.g., a commercial concert hall and a large audience).
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Experience has shown that the audience size is directly proportional to the advertising web/effort of the ensembles (audience sizes are typically on the order of 20-40). Although we provide signage and posters (for email distribution), and publicize concerts via ‘spotlight’ (Citizen digital events calendar and other web calendar sites), we rely on the performers to assist with advertising. We do need to increase our presence and advertising via social media, however.
Music of a variety of genres comprises a typical season, which runs from September through May. During the (calendar) year 2018, which comprises parts of the 2017- 2018 and 2018-2019 concert seasons, we have offered concerts of original roots/folk music, jazz, variety, and classical. Ensembles are selected from proposals received by the end of May; details are posted on the concert web page. All take place at 2:30 pm on selected Sundays. An effort is made in scheduling to avoid the Advent season and school holidays, accommodate performer preferences for time of year, and avoid concerts on consecutive weekends. During 2018, 10 concerts were presented, including 9 in the Concerts-in-the-Glebe series and one concert in the Young Artist Series. Unfortunately, two concerts were cancelled by the respective performers this past season. This was an anomaly.
Current ticket prices remain unchanged: Concerts-in-the-Glebe series - $15 (adults); $10 (students/seniors); Young Artist series: $10 (adults); $7 (students/seniors). Revenue for the 2018 year was $721.70 (ironically this differs from the previous year by just less than $50). We adhere to a ‘no barriers’ policy: those unable to pay are admitted free, as are children under 12. We also accept ‘admission by donation’. Our goal is to draw audiences into the beautiful acoustic space of our sanctuary to experience beautiful music.
Concert proceeds are intended to help defray the costs of music-related items (e.g., piano tuning) in addition to needs expressed by the Music Committee, or others. Our concerts provide an opportunity for inspiration and interest in Glebe-St. James. Not infrequently, concert goers ask about the history of GStJ, or the services, etc. during or after intermission. Audience size is directly proportional to the advertising web/effort of the ensembles. Although we provide signage and posters (for email distribution), and publicize concerts via ‘spotlight’ (Citizen digital events calendar and other web calendar sites), the majority of the concert goers are known to the performers (as previously noted).
The “performer” (i. e., ensemble or soloist) receives 70% of ticket sales as remuneration; GSJ receives 30% of ticket sales. In rare cases, when the audience is extremely small, the “performer” may receive all of the proceeds from ticket sales. Volunteers to collect admission at the door (a program is received in return, in lieu of a ticket) are sought from a short list of past volunteers. Concerts are typically emceed by B. Taylor and, occasionally, another member of the committee (e.g., Karen Walker). Additional emcees would be welcome!
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A-frame and window posters and the printing of programs were donated by Bruce Taylor. Betty Taylor has been especially helpful during the past year by managing a growing email list of attendees, posting our concert season on various web-based calendars, and selling tickets. Our church administrator, Jennifer Reid, has given a significant boost to the concert series by promptly posting our season brochure on the web, linking programs prior to concerts (as a way of advertising), and ensuring that concerts are noted in the e-Update, in addition to emailing our season brochure to a large number of churches in the Ottawa area with the request that they print and post it for their members. Reciprocity has been offered.
Bruce Taylor
FACES
FACES had a busy year supporting our three most recent arrivals.
Elizabeth (from Liberia) has adjusted well to life in Canada. She completed English and computer courses at St. Patrick’s Adult School at the end of June and spent the summer looking for a job. She had a couple of false starts with jobs that were not a good fit and now has a part time job in the cafeteria at Carleton. She is receiving a rent subsidy from OMRA to fill the gap between her living expenses and what she earns and receives from Ontario Works. Thank-you OMRA! She is a resilient and optimistic person with a strong faith who will do well in the long term.
The Isaac-Adam family, Adam, Kubra and their six children (from Sudan) have found the transition to Canada and a modern, electronic lifestyle very challenging. Although the formal sponsorship ended at the end of July, they continue to need a lot of support. The kids are thriving though. Their eldest (Abdu) recently received an award for the highest mark in English Literacy Development at Gloucester High School. We are very proud of him! They had another baby (Moez) in June. He’s a very happy guy and all the kids adore him. Adam and Kubra are working at English but it will be a long process and will be some time before they can think about looking for a job.
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Esther (from the Congo) and her two boys, David and Jonathon, are doing well. Esther is French-speaking and has built a support network through her church. She took ESL courses last fall and, from January to March, took an early childhood education course at La Cité. This fall she is enrolled in ESL and hair styling at the Adult High School on Rochester St. Esther is also receiving a rent subsidy from OMRA to allow her and the boys to stay in their townhouse. In September, the boys moved to a new school in the French public school board. This move will allow Esther to be more involved in their schooling and there is increased likelihood that she will be able to get subsidized daycare. She is anxious to find a job but it has been difficult to find something that fits her schedule.
In addition to our work with these families, FACES held a fundraising Wine and Cheese party in January and a Big Soul Project concert at the church in June. Thank-you for your continued support!
In the new year, we are looking forward to the arrival of Mustafa (an Iraqi currently in Turkey) and Rashid (also Iraqi and living in Turkey).
Karen Walker, FACES Representative
Glebe-St James 2018 Annual Planning Meeting Sunday, January 28, 2018
Note: The Annual Planning Meeting was held during the Sunday service on January 28, 2018. Following are extracts from a discussion note circulated at the meeting and summary notes on the discussion.
A. Extracts from the discussion note circulated at the meeting
Objectives Congregational awareness and understanding of major issues facing Glebe-St. James Guidance for Council, input to March 18 Annual Congregational Meeting Identification of priorities and concerns for the longer term (5 years) and of possible courses of action Follow up to June 2017 Council retreat Input to preparation of Living Ministry Profile (for confirmation at March 18 ACM) ______
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What we do (and might like to do) (2, 4) ** ** Numbers in brackets indicate page numbers in the 2017 Annual Report
Community and Outreach (6) Ministry and In-reach (13) M&S, national and Worship (36) international outreach Music (14, 31) Ottawa-area outreach Community and Ministry and Outreach Inreach relationships (6, 10) Spiritual needs and pastoral care (3, 34, 35) Indigenous relationships Communication (1, 6) Christian development (16 -19) Glebe and central Ottawa community partnerships Welcoming and staying in touch (41)Organization Organization Communication Fellowship (8, 35) Volunteering (13, 27) Membership (12) Communications Budgetting and fundraising strategy (32) Website Working with staff (15, 33) Other internal
Care of the building (29) communications
Glebe Montessori School vehicles (e-bulletin, relationship (34) Epistle, etc.) GStJ Governance (20-28, 38, Other external 39) communications UCC structural change, long-
Werange are planninglooking (40, forward 41, 42 -to your feedback! Please provide comments on any or all44) of the topics outlined on the reverse side of this note. Please return this sheet at the end of the meeting. You can address any or all of our planning questions: • What is working well? What are the surprizes? • What are we missing? What can we do better? • How should we proceed? What are the priorities? Can we do it all?
B. Summary of discussions at the meeting
Key concerns and priorities (David Brown note-taker in concluding plenary discussion) 1. Ministry Expand pastoral care o Training of pastoral care workers o Communications with members of the congregation (n.b., script) Christian development o Older kids
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2. Outreach A lot is working well, we are richer than we think o Need for cross-fertilization • Activities • Age groups • With others o Develop GStJ (Glebe-St James) convening role (community crossroads) Figure out what we are good at Develop the campus idea 3. Organization Glebe Montessori School o Physical dimension (building) o School relationship • Know and build on the history • Proposed contract extension • N.B., link to GStJ long-range planning Guild and service activities Connection to internal and external communications o Glebe Report articles 4. Communications Means of communications o Issues about how we do communications Message o Is the message getting through? o But: what is the message? Ministry and In-reach a) Summary notes (Adele MacLeod and Donna-Fay Mailhot note-takers) General From this groups's discussion and input, here are the highlights and perceived needs within the congregation. We agreed that it is enriching for those in congregation who can connect with people at home. Adopting from former elder system frameworks, perhaps a visitor could commit to visiting/caring about specific persons or church families for an extended period of time.
Salient Discussion Points 1. Pastoral care and visitation Expand the program beyond the care and visitation of shut-ins; There is a need now to identify those who want to visit others within or outside the attending congregation; Create a model whereby people can be brought together in teams for purposes of sharing mutual interests, needs, caring for one another or building friendships;
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Provide training for the intended visitation purpose, i.e. visiting vs. pastoral visiting. This training can be accessed through Presbytery’s support of the Inter-Denominational Program on Pastoral Care Affiliated with the Christian Council of the Capital Area.
2. Effective Communications How should we communicate with newcomers or members on the register? Who are our target audiences? The mode of communication has changed with the younger generations. Texting is immediate and popular in the social media realm. In the past phone calls and random acts of kindness were frequently used. Today we ask, “What are the effective means for communicating in reaching out to people of all ages?” Presently: email or visitation, phone calls, sending cards to mark important occasions, flowers for special occasions on the church calendar (e.g. Christmas and Easter), cards of thanks, birthdays and monthly birthday cakes in the church. Quilts for baby baptisms and for special occasions are now being made and circulated. It was pointed out that Teresa and the congregation have made newcomers feel welcome.
Communications Ideas Could we have people sign sheets indicating how they wish to communicate? What information could we put in the pews that would entice people to come forward and join in the various activities? Community building is working well with the eBulletin. It comes at the right time in the week and has very useful information about the work of the church and our community. We need to make sure that all attendees are registered to receive the eBulletin. The ePistle is also important in getting the message out. As mentioned above, o How do we look at the congregation...... what can we do for you rather than what you could do for us. o We need messages that focus on different people. The needs of people are different. What brings them to church? Is it music; a time for reflection; a spiritual need, etc.? o Personal connection is empowering; perhaps a script could be put together focusing on the different specific needs of those called. o Newcomers could be given an info pamphlet and perhaps a # to contact if there are further questions...people come to church for many different reasons.
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3. Christian Development The number of "youth" attending is in decline. Currently, the "youth" mix well with the younger children. Taylor is working hard to address this challenge; trying new ideas. How can we, as a congregation, help? Parents helping with the program are missing their time at church service.
4. Links to Community and Out-reach We consider an aspect of Pastoral Care and Visitation as being in the Community and Outreach Group. In that regard, Chris Burbridge and Adele MacLeod are volunteers who visit the General and Civic Hospital campuses weekly under The Ottawa Hospital’s Spiritual Care Program. They visit all patients who indicate, upon admission, that they have an association with the United Church of Canada. Thus they are not limited to visit patients associated only with GStJ. Of course, as volunteers, they must follow the procedures of the TOH for visiting. b) Individual comments 1. Louise Archer Worship and music are excellent 2. Ruth Burnett-Cole Women’s group is great! (N.B.) Spirituality group needed for men or men and women Welcome dinner – invite people from church list (who are not involved) to participate Pair a newcomer with a church member Broaden understanding of pastoral care – not just shut-ins 3. Crystal Maitland Communication is generational 4. Will Smith I would love to see a Bible study group start. Perhaps in the tower I would like to see more time spent on the gospel and reflection, Teresa is phenomenal at making it relatable. I understand the need for all the discussion/politics, but feels like too much of service is taken up from the different groups and too little on spirituality. I find this our weakest point. 5. Bruce Taylor Already Jennifer Berntson has/is making positive influence in music. A capella choir piece brings a nice change. I hope she will receive support from others (change is often difficult) 6. Ron Totten Much must be working well for those who are already coming or they would not return. So, good job.
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Might we not try having circles based on geography, where groups would get together monthly with trained leads? 7. (Un-named) Expand pastoral care program – who is our target audience? Modes of communication need changing to accommodate younger people, e.g., texting, Facebook. Do we need a script? Asking what we can do for you? Communication is a generational thing. Pastoral care vs. visitation o Refer to different areas of interest o How do we look at the congregation? How to communicate? eBulletin is working very well with content and timing Christian Development o Develop a program for older children o Can we keep children as they grow and enter junior high? c) Would you like to be involved in further discussion or action on any of the issues we are discussing today? 1. Ruth Burnett-Cole Pastoral visitation d) Do you have any other questions or suggestions? 1. Ron Totten What is keeping those who have not bonded from bonding?
Community and Out-reach a) Summary notes (Rebecca Lee note-taker) Marilyn Hamilton has been leading this section since GStJ connected with OMRA (Ottawa Mennonite Refugee Assistance), so about 15 years. What is working o GStJ presence in the community o $ sent to our partners is well spent o Carlington Chaplaincy . Growth of individuals in the area – chaplaincy series (n.b., artists) . Community strength when faced with challenges . Good linkage of artists with greater art community o CCSAC (Centretown Churches Social Action Committee) . High capacity to draw the community in to prayer . High demand for short-term high-needs population in a context of dwindling financial support and able-bodied volunteers for food centre
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o Student support (Carleton University) . Logistical difficulties with pause table o But – compartmentalization What is missing o Realization in the congregation that we are “richer than we think” . Need to get children/youth (and adults) to participate in all parts of processes GStJ is involved with so they can understand what is involved: don’t just drop off food at the Church, but bring it to Centre 507 and get to know the people o Sense of who we are, how do we live it out in our faith . Not have so many compartmentalized activities E.g., link our youth and those of Indigenous and refugees o Cross-fertilization – hands-on . What inspires us to do what we do? Where is the message? What is our outreach challenge? o “Campus” . Summarized in the 2017 Annual Report . Need to address: should we be working with other churches and other like-minded on checking out message we have? Our strength is gradually decreasing, but working together we can still do great stuff Define an area that is easy to communicate o Organizations and churches in that area . E.g., Centretown could be a campus of social outreach and GStJ work with them . Could have a commitment over a defined period, with staffing, resources commensurate . In return, commitment by others (to things we consider are important) b) Individual comments 1. Louise Archer Promote all the good outreach projects we are doing, so like- minded people might join us 2. Crystal Maitland Cross-fertilization between groups and between age groups
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3. Bruce Taylor Intersection with and support for 507 is very good Love the men’s group/dinner – sad that my obligations interfere with attendance Contact scripts c) Would you like to be involved in further discussion or action on any of the issues we are discussing today? 1. Bruce Taylor If only there were enough hours in a day!
Organization a) Summary notes (Greg Roger note-taker) Interesting discussion about Glebe-St. James and Glebe Montessori School (GMS). Currently the school has a 15-year licence agreement to occupy/share church facilities. GMS corporation is interested in extending the agreement to 20 years. o Long-term implications for Glebe-St. James: . Where will the church be in 20 years? . Will we need to change the building’s use? Guild/Service activities o Some success with service/outreach fundraising o Pointed out that fundraising is not our only purpose/priority How do we connect with the community? o Glebe-St James has a long history in the Glebe, e.g., first meeting of GNAG (Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group) was held in Fraser Hall; initial Glebe Co-op Day Care was in the church; first meetings of OCRA saw exponential growth at GStJ o Suggestions . We could contribute articles to the Glebe Report summarizing Church contribution, history . Perhaps create more interest in joining Church for today’s younger population/families. b) Individual comments 1. Louise Archer Unless there is some new significant investment in the building contemplated by GMS, a 15-year agreement should be adequate for our planning horizons.
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We probably need a vision for the property – perhaps townhouses above the parking lot, or apartments above a re-built Fraser Hall Walkway on First Avenue side should be cleared completely each time it snows. It is not enough to dump melter on it. The same is true of the Lyon Street entrance on a daily basis 2. Martien deLeeuw Given the very strong trends, plans based on reality and from a positive approach must be made if we are to survive 3. Crystal Maitland Priority ≠ fundraising but connection with community Article in Glebe Report on some of history of GStJ? Oral history project? Re: visiting/stewardship and outreach/communications 4. Don Ray GMS going well Communication (ourselves and community) needs improvement – consider the Glebe Report Articles in the Glebe Report 5. Betty Taylor a. Contact Robert Palmai about Kiwanis booking in the Sanctuary b. Article in Glebe Report (monthly basis?) on contribution of GStJ to the community c. Spiritual but not religious: how to make people aware that we are socially active? 6. Bruce Taylor a. Jennifer has made a huge positive difference in office organization and support! Yay! b. Information on lift operating and maintenance and on the heating system needs to be made more apparent/accessible c) Would you like to be involved in further discussion or action on any of the issues we are discussing today? 1. Don Ray Care of building GMS Governance 2. Betty Taylor Kiwanis booking (see comment under Organization)
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Communication a) Summary notes 1. Background information: The 1994 Annual Report, dated February 1995, is similar in size and content to our recent ones; for example, it lists many vacancies at the “chair” level and has a reported income level only 10k lower than our present one (but actually somewhat higher, as 1994 dollars bought more services in those days). These things do not change for talking about them. The biggest change: we no longer have 5 Epistles a year “limited to 20 pages each to keep costs down.” These were cancelled for lack of readers. 2. How do people choose GStJ? Mostly because it’s conveniently close; but also by the affirming status mentioned on the Website. Other reasons include personal recommendations and affiliated groups (such as the Trebles). A WELCOMING initiative is needed. 3. All our present staff are computer-literate, but do electronic communications really help? Yes, BUT: they change so quickly that even young people fail to keep up (e.g., hand-held devices are replacing computers as the instrument of choice). A lot of discussion went into “fixes” such as: o hire a professional blogger? o email reminders to allow automatic update of personal calendars? o Facebook changes to allow more administrators to add content and a feed to keep Website current? o provide a link from the Service Guild back to GStJ? o Drop Box could be used to gather photos of GStJ and past events; try to get Youth more involved in photo/video that could be used on Facebook or website. o button “to donate” would cost 5% from online donations; better to ask for donations in-house. 4. Print publications Recent print publications, such as pew brochures, Epistle and the annual report, have been developed through individual initiative, with contributions not always forthcoming when invited. A diversity of approaches to communication is essential, and is not yet part of the GStJ culture, but experience with the preparation of print publications demonstrates the challenge of doing so within a common communications framework.
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5. What would a communications strategy look like? slots for people to get involved? designated photographer / video source? agreed-upon main message (“strategy that serves a purpose”)? What place do we give the core message we adopted a few years ago: “Reaching – into Faith, Out to Others” (showing balance between Worship and Outreach? promote programs through personal contact, such as today’s visitors from OMRA? who are our “shut-ins”? How do we hear from / about them? 6. Reported conclusions: Communications are not a one-way street. A source for communications must be matched by an attentive audience who responds by affirmation and/or constructive suggestions/provide new contributions. Andy also noted that communications fail if they are not remembered. b) Individual comments 1. Louise Archer Must promote our benefits and offerings to the community o tell community about our outreach to worthy causes o benefits of Sunday church, introduce Taylor o how to join church, or at least decide whether they should join the church . promote how church attendance supports “spirituality” o how are we connected to the community – some new developments could be press releases to bigger outlets than Glebe Report . Social media . Ottawa Citizen o Profile our Minister’s involvement beyond GStJ 2. Ruth Burnett-Cole Putting out the message that we are a community seeking how to live out our faith in the 21st century. 3. Dudleigh Coyle Paid position for communications? Phone material
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4. Crystal Maitland How do you do it (infrastructure) and content and consumption of information Communication types – need to bridge same information for different user types with minimum duplicated effort: o In person (person-to-person) - announcements, word of mouth, phone o In print (mail, etc., pamphlets, bulletins) o E-update, Epistle o Facebook/ web/cloud/social media Change Facebook page type from “religious organization” to “public group” Facebook events schedule? Pilot project? Cloud-based (Dropbox folder?) for aggregating images of GStJ for outreach use Communications internally and externally (to those who know the UCC and those who don’t) – webpage to do both Video of Jim R’s welcoming schpiel Note: Website ≠ social media Need feedback on communications and how to do better 5. Will Smith Sign-in books in pews, with space for contact info, to increase efficiency of pastoral care, outreach and better organization 6. Bruce Taylor E-Update very useful. Website maintenance and use is crucial to modern communications 7. Margaret Torrance A monthly article in the Glebe Report Engage Will Smith to make a one-minute video of Jim Richardson’s welcome each Sunday o Jim Richardson is willing o Jim Louter will put it on the website
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DRAFT MINUTES FOR REVIEW
Annual Congregational Meeting March 18, 2018
Present: Jenifer Aitken, Louise Archer, Julia Barry, Taylor Bourassa, David Brown, Ruth Burnett-Cole, Teresa Burnett-Cole, Myriam Chartier, George Clifford, Barbara Coyle, Dudleigh Coyle, Eric Dormer, Marion Dunning, Pam Fitch, Margaret Ford, Dietlind Gardell, Steven Golden, Andy Hamilton, Marilyn Hamilton, Marsha Hay- Snyder, Reiner Holbach, Natasha Holbach, Bob Irvine, John Le Drew, David Lee, Olga Lee, Rebecca Lee, Martien de Leeuw, Jim Louter, Cathy Mains, Donna-Fay Mailhot, James McCulloch, Donald McKenzie, Mary McKenzie, Ian McKercher, Adele Mcleod, Crystal Maitland, Barb Munro, Dorothy Philips, Robert Palmai, Susan Palmai, Beverley Pidduck, Laura Richardson, Jim Richardson, Greg Roger, Hilda Sabadash, Karen Smith, Ross Snyder, Laura Tanner, Betty Taylor, Bruce Taylor, Ken Torrance, Margaret Torrance, Ron Totten, Janice Vennos, Karen Walker
1. Welcome – Reverend Teresa Burnett-Cole opened the meeting with a prayer; Andy Hamilton asked all those present to sign the attendance sheet. Copies of the following documents were made available:
Nomination Committee Report—Ministries and Committees for ACM, updated March 14, 2018; 2017 Treasurer’s Report Draft Motion on Exploration of a New Form of Focused Co- operative Interchurch Ministry GSJ UC Living Ministry Profile, 2017
2. Motion to approve Chair of Meeting and Secretary: Marsha Hay-Snyder moved that Andy Hamilton chair the meeting and Jenifer Aitken record the minutes as secretary. Seconded by Rebecca Lee. Carried.
3. Motion to Approve Agenda. Bob Irvine moved that the proposed agenda be approved, as circulated. Seconded by Margaret Torrance. Carried.
4. Motion to Approve Voting rights for adherents. David Lee moved that during the 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting, Adherents of Glebe-St. James United Church be allowed to vote on financial and administrative matters in accordance with Section B.3.7 of the United Church Manual. Seconded by Dietlind Gardell. Carried.
5. Nominations Report –Marsha Hay-Snyder presented the Nominations Committee report and described the slate of candidates for committees and ministries as a robust leadership team reflecting a good level of participation, an improvement over the last few years. Marsha also noted work being done on welcoming, communications and pastoral care to think about how we go forward in light of changes in the church and in the way people do things.
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Motion to Approve Nominations Committee Report. Marsha Hay-Snyder moved that the Nominations Committee Report be accepted as presented. Seconded David Lee. The Chair asked if there was anyone who did not support the motion. The motion passed by consensus.
6. In Memoriam: Jim Richardson read the names of members and adherents of Glebe-St. James United Church who entered into rest in the year 2017: Ruby McCartney, Doris Louise Chandler, and Marney Anderson Knowles.
7. Motion to Approve the Annual Report for 2017 including congregational meeting minutes. Bruce Taylor moved that the Annual Report and enclosed minutes by approved. Seconded by David Brown. Carried.
8. Business Arising from the 2017 Annual Congregational Meeting: Motion to establish a Working Group to review the Constitution and Report to Congregation
Motion: Moved by David Lee and seconded by Crystal Maitland as follows:
Recognising that there have been developments both around and within the Congregation that affect the functioning and effectiveness of the Glebe St James United Church Constitution; Conscious also of the major changes underway in the whole United Church of Canada;
The 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting decides that: A) a Working Group be established under the purview of Council to review the Congregation's Constitution, its by-laws and other regulations and practices, inter alia taking account of the current Constitution and documentation, recent work and thinking on the subject within the Congregation, and changes underway in the broader United Church of Canada; B) the initial meeting of the Working Group be convened by the Chair of Council; C) the Working Group have the power to co-opt; and, D) the Working Group make a report, with recommendations, to the 2019 Annual Congregational Meeting.
The motion was put to a vote and carried.
9. Financial Report and Budget
Karen Walker presented the Financial Report noting that in 2017 givings to the operating fund exceeded the target by several thousand dollars. Similarly, givings to the Mission and Service Fund exceeded the target. In addition, there were givings of about another $30,000 to other outreach activities including FACES, to support refugees. In total congregational givings were over $307,000. The 2017 budget anticipated a deficit of about $8,000. This did not materialize in part because of the reduced personnel costs while Teresa Burnett-Cole was on a restorative leave. On the other hand, janitorial costs were higher than in past years. Maintenance and Small expenses –exceeded the budgeted amount of $20,000 by a small amount.
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Segregated funds – due to the organ restoration project, the organ fund is slightly under budget.
Capital Fund –Tower Room and restoration of big tower; work on tower came in higher than expected so we requested an extension of time to pay off loan from Presbytery and that was approved; we have pledges to cover the balance of the loan.
There was a question about what is included in “other expenses”. Karen explained that it includes items such as carpet cleaning and snow removal.
Karen indicated that the proposed budget for 2018 includes the following: $188,000 target givings; $160,000 revenue from the building; $25,000 fundraising target $2,000 land use fee.
Motion to accept budget. Karen Walker moved that the 2018 budget be accepted as presented. Seconded by Louise Archer. Carried.
Motion to designate recipient of land use fee. Margaret Torrance moved that the land use fee of $2,000 be sent to Odawa Friendship Centre. Seconded by David Lee. Carried.
10. Mission and Service Goal Motion: Marilyn Hamilton moved that the 2018 Mission and Service goal for 2018 be $34,000; seconded by Ross Snyder. Carried.
11. Presbytery Report and Long-range Planning Initiative
David Lee said that we are in a dramatic period for the UCC. The world has changed enormously in the last century. We are about to change the Basis of Union—that is a big deal; He recommended looking at the website and offered to facilitate a more detailed discussion. Since WWII changes that affect all of society have affected churches. People are active in what they give of themselves; but it is not clear whether the next generation will follow in the church. UCC substance is in tune with what the vast majority of Canadians care about; we are well placed to respond to those kinds of issues; new relationships based on covenanting; hope, opportunity; practical changes, including that financing will be handled differently- amounts required will be uniform across the country; mandate amount will be used for the operation of the church (head office; regional councils; outreach will all be voluntary). In this context, the Congregation could examine ways to share resources for common goals with other churches and organizations in the vicinity as part of our long –range planning.
Motion: David Lee moved that the Annual Congregational Meeting approve the creation by Council of a Working Group to develop further and explore with other churches and bodies in the vicinity of the Bank Street axis, the possibility of establishing ministries together along the lines described in the note circulated at the meeting. Seconded by Marsha Hay-Snyder.
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David Lee explained explained that the idea is to deal with resources, recognizing the demand still exists for what the United Church does; how can we organize ourselves to mobilize the resources we have; bring together people in different parts of church to work together toward common goals, Five UCs within a block of Bank Street between the rivers; and another 6 of other denominations, not to amalgamate but to co-operate. Outreach, young people, pastoral care, admin, IT, budgets, save money; get expertise; Eric Law, Holy Currencies ($, leadership, space); more than ad hoc; think in terms of 5 years;
Bruce Taylor spoke in favour but indicated he was skeptical about increasing resources. Margaret Torrance noted that FACES is a good example of churches working together. FACES includes St. Mathews, St Giles, GSJ and a community group; same principle applies.
The motion was put to a vote and carried.
12. Living Ministry Profile and Council Priorities
David Brown referred to the Planning meeting and noted that as part of the changes that have been happening in UCC, Congregations have been asked to be more aware of the covenant they have created with their Minister. We are familiar with the work of a Joint Needs Assessment Committee. However the idea of a Living Ministry Profile is that rather than doing it on an episodic basis when we need to hire new staff, we are continually looking at changes in our ministry and our needs. Last year the Living Ministry Profile was included in the Annual Report. We are at the stage where it needs to be submitted to Presbytery and David said his proposal would facilitate completion of the report in time to submit it to Presbytery.
Motion: David Brown moved that the Annual Congregational Meeting approve in principle the Living Ministry Profile 2017, as circulated, and that the Chair and Past Chair of Council, in consultation with the Minister, Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole, be authorized to make amendments on the basis of input from the congregation and to submit the Living Ministry Profile to Ottawa Presbytery by March 31, 2018. Seconded by Bruce Taylor.
There was some discussion covering the following points: we are leaving the door open for continuous amendments; the Living Ministry profile is a framework for what we are doing; new energetic process; involving everyone at grass roots; as good as the number of people who participate; the profile takes the place of a Joint Needs Assessment Committee report; it does take temperature of Congregation and should be updated every year; Teresa Burnett-Cole thanked David Brown for explaining this in a way that captured the attention of the congregation.
The motion was put to a vote and carried.
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13, Council Priorities for 2018.
David Brown circulated a report on the upcoming work of the Glebe-St. James Council. He noted that he had already received some feedback and welcomed more. He has identified five main themes for the work of the Congregation and Council in the coming year:
Themes: 1. Hub Ministry: As indicated earlier in the meeting, the Congregation is interested in finding ways to work with other churches and organizations on the Bank Street axis. 2. Inreach –Connecting with everyone on the rolls and in he directory to ensure their spiritual needs are being met. Relevant activities are: a. Ongoing discussion between F&A and Pastoral Relations committees to enhance and create a synergy among welcoming, ongoing contact and pastoral care. b. Proposal for a Fall stewardship campaign 3. Communications – Develop a more integrated and strategic approach to communications within the congregation and with the community. a. Numerous suggestions at the planning meeting, a priority area for nominations committee. 4. Sustainability – Review financial models to ensure that we are making best use of available resources and that we are able to operate within our means in the foreseeable future. Several key a. Linked to the hub proposal. b. GMS request to extend the lease contract to 20 years on a rolling basis c. balance our budget; are we sustainable without dramatic December Fundraising 5. Governance –participating in and responding to changes in the broader United Church of Canada; and reviewing our own Constitution and policies (as indicated in the motion passed earlier in the meeting).
David noted that a number of other areas of interest for the life and work of the church have come up in the Planning meeting and in recent Council meetings – Worship; Reconciliation; work with youth and children; Christian education; sustainability and others. He is looking forward to hearing input and having discussions.
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14, Vote of Thanks
Pam Fitch said it was a privilege and honour to thank everyone for their contributions to the life of Glebe-St. James. She referred to Jack Mezirow’s 12 steps to transformational learning—a disorienting dilemma creates transformational learning. It is a spiral of degrees of ownership. She said it is moving to see how this group of people owns the responsibility of caring for each other and the church. She was pleased to thank all the people who give so much every day. In particular, Pam mentioned people who do things without asking for thanks like Donna Fay Mailhot. She expressed deep thanks to Andy Hamilton and the leadership of Council, to staff who have been such incredible leaders, to individuals who have done so much –in particular, David Brown, Dudleigh and Barb Coyle, George Clifford. Thank you everyone.
Andy Hamilton added that he would like to single out two individuals –Eric Dormer who has been helping out on a number of fronts since he joined Glebe-St. James; and Karen Walker, an amazing treasurer – Pam noted people don’t realize how much Karen does. David Brown then thanked Andy Hamilton for his conscientious and effective leadership of Council over the past two years. David said that most important is the care that Andy brings to detail and his sense of the big picture. Teresa added her thanks as well.
Motion to Adjourn and Closing Prayer. Jim Louter moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Bruce Taylor. Carried. Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole closed the meeting with a prayer.
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GLEBE-ST. JAMES UNITED CHURCH – BUDGET 2018 Approved by the Annual Congregational Meeting – March 18, 2018
2017 2017 2018 Budget Actual Budget REVENUE Regular Givings $185,000 $188,267 $188,000 Other Donations $0 $475 $0 Donations to Music Program $0 $715 $0 Building Use $160,000 $155,148 $160,000 Glebe Montessori School $148,000 $147,618 $150,000 GNAG $8,000 $3,429 $6,000 Other Building Use $4,000 $4,101 $4,000 Fundraising (net of expenses) $11,200 $16,092 $20,000 Concert Series $500 $862 $500 Bazaar $3,500 $5,608 $6,000 Great Glebe Garage Sale $2,500 $1,662 $1,500 Glebe St. James Dines Out $3,500 $0 $3,000 Home Services Guild $0 $6,438 $7,500 Other Fundraising Activities $1,200 $1,522 $1,500 Interest/Other Income $0 $9,516 $0
TOTAL REVENUE $356,200 $370,213 $368,000
EXPENDITURES Personnel Costs $201,333 $191,123 $197,250 Minister $91,712 $79,211 $88,636 CD Minister $29,705 $28,773 $29,730 Mnister of Visitation $6,000 $6,048 $5,366 Minister of Music $25,134 $25,134 $21,450 Church Administrator $32,750 $36,438 $36,268 Other staff $16,032 $15,519 $15,800 Property Expenses $125,691 $134,572 $134,167 Land use $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 Insurance $9,253 $9,290 $9,253 Janitorial $51,267 $55,181 $55,529 Maintenance & small projects $20,000 $22,387 $20,000 Furnace maintenance $5,000 $4,210 $6,000 Electricity & fuel $23,386 $22,061 $23,000 Other $14,785 $19,443 $18,385
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2017 2017 2018 Budget Actual Budget Program/Committee Expenses $24,096 $31,348 $20,683 Worship $3,500 $2,399 $2,800 CD $1,700 $2,362 $0 Music $1,000 $3,124 $1,000 Presbytery dues $12,896 $12,896 $13,182 Travel and expenses $2,700 $1,917 $1,200 Other $2,300 $8,650 $2,501 General Overhead $13,100 $14,288 $15,900
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $364,220 $371,331 $368,000
NET REVENUE ($8,020) -$1,118 $0
PROPOSED COMMITTEE BUDGETS 2017 2017 2018 Deferred 2018 $ Expenditure Budget Revenue Available
Outreach Committee $0 $200 $200 Worship Committee $1,500 $1,800 $1,800 Pulpit Supply $900 $1,000 $1,000 Christian Development1 $2,362 $0 $2,642 $2,642 Youth Group1 $1,421 $0 $1,255 $1,255 Music Program1 $3,124 $1,000 $1,000 Pastoral Care $30 $500 $500 Flower Fund $366 $300 $300 Stewardship $88 $100 $100 Welcoming Committee $87 $200 $200 Celebration Guild $0 $0 $0 Communication Committee $171 $200 $200 Men's Club $313 $350 $350
Notes: 1. Augmented by fundraising and designated donations.
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Report from Council
The Church Council is responsible for the day-to-day activities and operations of Glebe-St. James, based on priorities and the budget approved at the Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM). This year’s meeting elected a new Council for a two-year term – its membership is listed in the end of this note. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of Council, who have contributed actively both to Council itself and to the many programs and activities that it oversees and that are discussed in greater detail throughout this report. For the first two months and a half months of the year, up until the Annual meeting, the Council led by my predecessor Andy Hamilton was also very active and I would like to thank them for their service and dedication as well.
Council meets on the third Wednesday evening of the month, and all members of the Glebe-St. James community are welcome to attend and participate in the discussions. In some months there is, instead, a meeting of the Council Steering Committee, which does not have decision-making authority but which provides an opportunity to think more strategically about issues facing the congregation and also to attend to the challenges of co-ordination and practical problem-solving. In 2018, there were six regularly-scheduled meetings of Council and three special meetings to deal with issues requiring immediate decisions. There were four meetings of Steering Committee.
The work of Council is reflected across this annual report; at one time or another just about everything presented in it was discussed in Council. In addition to the ACM, there were several developments relating to our relationship with the United Church of Canada at the local and national level. In March, we submitted our Living Ministry Profile to Presbytery – see the first section of this report. We also received a wellness visit from the Ottawa Presbytery Pastoral Care and Oversight Committee
A separate note, in the final section of the report, describes changes planned in 2018 and implemented on January 1, 2019 with respect to the organization and operations of the higher Courts – the decision-making bodies – of the United Church of Canada, most notably the creation of the new Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council. The Glebe-St. James Presbytery representatives, who are also members of Council, were actively involved in these discussions, as was our Coordinating Minister, Teresa Burnett-Cole. At the 2018 General Council of the United Church, Teresa was also elected as a member of the Executive Committee of General Council, and she has been a member of the organizing committee of the new Eastern Ontario Regional Council. Our best wishes and prayers go with her in both roles.
A top priority for Council was to ensure that we have a strong ministerial team. I would like to welcome Stephanie Langill, who joined us as Minister of Christian Development in September, and James Caswell, who became Minister of Music on January 1, 2019. Their arrival bodes well for 2019.
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At the March 2018 ACM I noted five priority areas for the new Council. These have all proved to be major themes in our work and they will continue to be priorities in 2019. These five themes are all discussed throughout this report: Inreach – strengthen our ability to welcome newcomers but also to stay in touch with and provide spiritual and pastoral care to the Glebe-St James community; Campus – exploring possibilities for collaboration with neighbouring churches and community groups; internal and external Communications; membership and financial Sustainability; and adjustments to our Governance, not least to reflect changes in the United Church.
Last, but by no means least, I want to thank all the many volunteers who have been the lifeblood of the work of the congregation and everything discussed in this report. They are too many to mention, although the list in the annex to this note is indicative. I would, however, particularly like to thank Dudleigh Coyle, a man with a big heart and boundless energy. Thank you one and thank you all!
David Brown
Glebe-St James United Church Council 2018-19
Chair: David Brown Past Chair and Chair of Nominating Committee: Andy Hamilton Vice-Chair: Jenifer Aitken Secretary and Roll Clerk: Crystal Maitland Treasurer: Karen Walker Co-ordinating Minister: Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole (ex officio) Christian Development: Ruth Burnett-Cole Christian Outreach: Margaret Ford Communications Co-leads: Crystal Maitland and Jim Louter Finance and Administration: Dudleigh Coyle Ministry and Personnel: (vacant) Pastoral Care & Visitation: Adele MacLeod Welcoming and Membership Development: (vacant) Worship: Hilda Sabadash Board of Trustees: Don Ray Presbytery lay representatives: Dietlind Gardell David Lee Tom Tanner Margaret Torrance Additional members: Marilyn Hamilton Marsha Hay Snyder Kim Lewis John Muggleton Brad Munro
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Notes: - This list was approved by Glebe-St James Council on April 18, 2018, based on decisions taken at the Annual Congregational Meeting on March 18, 2018. - Crystal Maitland was appointed Roll Clerk by Council on June 6, 2018, following the retirement of Don McKenzie. - Marilyn Hamilton was appointed an Additional member by Council on June 20, 2018. - John Muggleton was appointed an Additional member by Council on November 21, 2018.
Glebe -St. James Ministries and Committees for 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting – Updated 14 March, 6 June, 20 June, August 29, November 21 2018
STEERING COMMITTEE WELCOMING AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH Chair: David Brown MINISTRY Chair: Don Ray
Past Chair: Andy Hamilton Chair/ Co-ordinator: Vacant Margaret Torrance Olga Lee Chair Elect: Jenifer Aitken Coffee Hour Coordinator: Hilda Sabadash Chris Burbridge Janice Vennos Secretary: Crystal Don Hall Maitland Coffee Hour Greeters Coordinator: Marion Treasurer: Karen Walker Dunning
Plus (ex-officio) Teresa Roll Clerk: Don McKenzie Burnett-Cole Mary Ahearn Representatives from M&P, David Brown (Champion) F&A, Welcoming, Lay Barb Coyle Presbytery Delegate Dudleigh Coyle Laura Tanner
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CHRISTIAN OUTREACH PASTORAL CARE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MINISTRY MINISTRY (Re-Visioning)
Chair: Margaret Ford Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole: Co-Leads: Crystal Maitland, Co-ordinating Minister Jim Louter Minute for Mission: Kylie George Clifford: Minister of John Muggleton* Taggart Visitation Web Page Manager: Jim Adele MacLeod, Co- Louter Centre 507: Ross Snyder ordinator: Visitation Observer Rep: Ken Torrance & Spiritual Care * Appointed November 21, CCSAC: Marilyn Hamilton; Volunteer The Ottawa 2018 Alternate: Vacant Hospital (Civic Campus) Chris Burbridge: Visitation Multi Faith Housing & Spiritual Care Initiative: Volunteer The Ottawa Vacant Hospital (General Campus) Hilda Sabadash: Visitation & Refugee Housing Card Correspondent Coordinators: Prayer Circle Coordinator: Donna-Fay Mailhot Janice Vennos Marisa Romano Healing Pathway: Hilda Janice Vennos Sabadash, plus all Healing Pathway practitioners Healing Pathway Inter- church Committee: Hilda Sabadash Lay Visiting Subcommittee: TBA FINANCE AND WORSHIP MINISTRY CHRISTIAN ADMINISTRATION DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY COMMITTEE Chair : Hilda Sabadash Teresa Burnett-Cole: ex Chair: Dudleigh Coyle officio Chair: Ruth Burnett- Paul Thoppil James Caswell: ex officio Cole Jim McCulloch Stephanie Langill: ex officio Allan Lumsden Celebration Guild: Judy Elaine Leung Jennifer Johnson Wolanski Eric Dormer Susan Killam Ushering Coordinator: James Julia Barry Tom Tanner McCulloch Kim Lewis Peter Thompson Scripture Coordinator: Chris Louise Archer Burbridge Adult Education: Andy (Stewardship) Sound System: Jim Hamilton Dorothy Phillips Richardson (Stewardship) Communion Coordinator: Staff Resource: Stephanie Margaret Torrance Chris Burbridge Langill (Stewardship) Labyrinth: Judy Wolanski, Treasurer: Karen Walker Chris Burbridge
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F&A (cont’d)
Office administrator: Ex officio – Jennifer Reid Property Manager: Tom Tanner Fire Safety Coordinator: Andy Hamilton Records Manager/Archivist: Vacant
NOMINATION AND Up to FIVE ADDITIONAL MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP MINISTRY MEMBERS of COUNCIL PERSONNEL COMMITTEE FROM THE Chair - Immediate Past- CONGREGATION Chair: Vacant Chair of Council: Andy Hamilton Marilyn Hamilton* Marsha Hay Snyder Kim Lewis** Pam Fitch Chair of Church Council (ex John Muggleton*** Jim Louter officio): David Brown Brad Munro Susan Palmai* Marsha Hay Snyder Margo Williams Chair Elect of Council (ex officio): Jenifer Aitken * Appointed June 20, 2018 * Appointed August 29, ** Appointed April 18, 2018 2018 Tom Tanner *** Appointed November Marsha Hay Snyder 21, 2018 Dudleigh Coyle
CONCERT MINISTRY PROPERTY GUILD LAY PRESBYTERY Property Manager: Tom REPRESENTATIVES Lead: Bruce Taylor Tanner Men’s Dinner Club: Dudleigh Dietlind Gardell Laura Tanner Coyle Margaret Torrance Karen Walker Don Ray David Lee Margaret Ford Mary Ahearn Tom Tanner Minister of Music (ex Greg Roger officio) –James Caswell Karen Walker (gardener) Alternate: Vacant Brad Munro Ross Snyder Dave Stinson Heather Stinson Bruce Taylor Ian McKercher
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LICENSED LAY LIAISON PERSONS: CELEBRATION GUILD WORSHIP LEADERS Scouts: Kylie Taggart Lead: Judy Wolanski Chris Burbridge Dietlind Gardell Glebe Montessori School: Chris Burbridge Nancy Huggett Tom Tanner Andy Hamilton Stephanie Langill David Brown Hilda Sabadash Dudleigh Coyle
Accessibility Guild
Beginning in the summer of 2018, a small group of people has looked more systematically at the needs of those among us who have difficulty in accessing the church and its activities. The group believes strongly that Christ’s church must show it welcomes all people no matter their abilities. We recognize we have done much to show this welcome over the years, but there is more to be done. Most of our work is practical and uncomplicated. At the same time, the barriers to full participation are not always obvious. Some barriers are physical, but some also are attitudinal.
Our group calls itself a “guild”, made up of those motivated to remove barriers and those having skills to help achieve this. It is an action-oriented group keen to get on with improving access to the church and its activities. The guild is made up of the following:
Ross Snyder, Coordinator Eric Dormer Martien de Leeuw Marilyn Hamilton Jim Richardson Dietlind Gardell Bruce Taylor Jennifer Reid
Glebe-St. James currently has a number of features to enhance accessibility for those with disabilities. These include: ramped entry at 650 Lyon Street, along with a power-operated entry door two lifts to enable movement of disabled people to all levels of the church building fully accessible washroom a good sound system in the sanctuary
We have identified several areas where work is needed: having more people familiar with the operation of the two lifts access to the building through improved snow removal and appropriate signage for accessible parking; we have had good discussions with the company that removes snow on our property
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making recommendations to ensure good, fully functional sound systems in the sanctuary and elsewhere; this may require fine tuning and some additional equipment ensuring wide use in the congregation of available training in accommodating those with disabilities developing policies and practices to ensure compliance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and broader United Church policy frameworks
In the coming year, the guild will continue to work in these areas to improve accessibility for all those coming to Glebe-St. James. We encourage others to become involved in these efforts.
Board of Trustees
Members: Don Hall Olga Lee Don Ray Hilda Sabadash Marg Torrance Janice Vennos. The Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole is an ex officio member as Minister.
Mandate: In accordance with s.61 of the Glebe-St.James United Church Constitution, 2007, as amended in 2008, the Mandate is as follows:
The Board of Trustees reports to the Annual Congregational Meeting, but it takes direction from the Church Council from time to time. Its duties and procedures are as described in the United Church Manual. These include: a. Holding in trust the properties of the Congregation, including manses, church edifices, Trust Funds and Memorials, b. Dealing with matters relating to investments, capital indebtedness, major renovations or capital improvements, and property acquisitions, c. Maintaining insurance policies and an inventory of assets, and d. Acting in legal matters for the Congregation.
Summary of Activities: The Trustees met two times in 2018. The archival materials and records of interest to Presbytery have been transferred for retention at the City of Ottawa Archival center where the permanent records are kept. In addition to property and liability insurance for the church, event insurance and insurance coverage for the organizations using the church on a regular basis has been put in place in accordance with the Insurance Protocol. A pictorial inventory of the church property has been created.
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Focus and Priorities for 2019: The monitoring of revised governance documentation as may be proposed by Council and as may be required by the new Regional Council system which replaced the Presbytery. The maintenance of records and archives to be monitored. Continued oversight of insurance matters.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Ray, Chair.
Building and Property
The Glebe-St. James church building dates from the early 1900s and Fraser Hall from the 1950s. Many of the building’s distinctive features, from the architecture of the church, with its iconic tower, to the interior of the Sanctuary, the stain windows and the organ make Glebe-St. James a special place.
Even after major renovations over the past quarter century, however, by both Glebe-St. James itself and by the Glebe Montessori School in the area they lease, the building also represents a major ongoing maintenance and renovation project. Much of the day to day care of the building is overseen by Jennifer Reid, the office administrator, working with Abdul Ibrahim, the custodian. The Finance and Administration committee has an overview of this work on behalf of Council as well as ongoing maintenance. Within that framework, a major role has been played for many years by Tom Tanner as the property manager – this largely unsung work has added immeasurably to the state of the physical plant. In the past year, others have begun to pick up the baton from Tom, notably Don Ray, Eric Dormer and Dudleigh Coyle, but supported by a network of volunteers from the congregation.
In 2018 notable work on the building has included restoration of one section of windows in the sanctuary (part of an ongoing project) and replacement of fire doors and stairwell heating in the emergency exit leading from Fraser Hall.
A separate note in this report discusses the Doug Davidson Building Fund (DDBF), which was originally established as a vehicle for fundraising to pay off a loan from Ottawa Presbytery that helped to finance the last major round of renovations in the early 2000s. That loan was paid off in 2018, and the expectation is that the DDBF will be used for capital projects relating to the building. Fundraising for the Fund includes a joint campaign with the Glebe Montessori School. Council is also giving consideration to how best to organize itself to address building and property matters in the future. Expressions of interest from members of the congregation are welcome!
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Finance and Administration Committee
In 2018 F&A was active and focused. As the name implies, we are responsible for both the Glebe-St. James’s finances – collecting and spending the funds provided by our congregation and community partners – and the day to day administration of the church and our building. In this we rely on our staff – Jennifer Reid in the office, Barb Van Doorn, our bookkeeper, and Abdul Ibrahim, our custodian. I want to thank all three of them for their dedication and professionalism. We are very well served!
We are also well served by the many volunteers who help make things happen – and work. This ranges from those who help in the office to the collection counters on Sunday, the Spring and Fall clean-up crews and those who shovel snow in the Winter and mow the lawn and look after our flower beds in the Summer. I could go on, but this is the foundation on which all the rest of our work is built.
One major part of F&A’s work concerns our building, now 113 years old and a perpetual maintenance project. A separate note discusses work that we have done in 2018 to maintain our building.
F&A’s other major responsibility is looking after Glebe-St. James’s finances. The budget for 2018 is in another section of this report, and we work closely with Karen Walker, our Treasurer, Jennifer Reid and Barb Van Doorn to ensure that our money is well spent and accounted for.
F&A also takes the lead on the revenue side of the Operating Budget. We are the group that primes the fundraising efforts that the congregation fully embraces. This was most successful in 2018 – see the separate note on fundraising. Thank you all. Building Rental worked well thanks to Jennifer, who was the “adult-in-charge. As an aside, the Property committee is becoming active again with a focus on the repairs and maintenance of Glebe-St. James. Jennifer Reid, our Church administrator, is front and centre with this group.
We still face challenges. As discussed in the last section of this report, we have continuing work to do on the side of regular congregational givings to the Operating Budget. This is not because we are not strong – we have a loyal core group of contributors, and the congregation as a whole is wonderful in rising to the occasion with fundraising and special appeals. But we are gradually getting smaller and there is more we can do on the day to day to have a healthy Operating Budget. F&A is on this and is encouraging Council to strengthen communications efforts, especially our website. We also strongly support work to welcome newcomers and stay in touch with all the members of the Glebe-St. James community. With these kinds of initiatives, and building on our strengths, F&A is optimistic about the prospects for 2019.
Dudleigh Coyle
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Fundraising at Glebe-St. James
Fundraising is important for two reasons. Most visibly, it is a source of revenue that provides valuable flexibility for the Glebe-St. James budget. It also provides an opportunity for community building, within Glebe-St. James and more widely. Fundraising events allow for easy connection with newcomers and they bring people together.
2018 was a solid year for fundraising at Glebe-St. James, both for the Operating Budget and for the Doug Davidson Building Fund, our capital account. We began the year with an expectation of raising $20,000 for our Operating Budget, while preliminary returns at the end of December indicated that we should raise over $27,000. Our thanks to everyone who contributed, in time and financially, to this magnificent result!
The main fundraising programs in 2018 were: Glebe-St James Goes Out for Dinner – dinners in May and June hosted by members of Glebe-St. James During the Great Glebe Garage Sale in June we received donations from users of our washrooms Frozen Food made by members of Glebe-St. James – at various times throughout the year Home Service Guild activities – see the separate note on this highly successful initiative that continued to grow Glebe-St. James Fall Bazaar – November 24th, featuring the Bazaar regulars but also some new tables: jewelry, ties and scarves, knitting supplies and more Throughout the year we rent space in the building to community groups.
As well, in the Fall of 2018 a joint Fundraising initiative was started with Glebe Montessori, and we ended the year with well over half of our goal of $15,000 attained.
2019 will be another strong year for GSJ fundraising. We will again have the objective of $25,000 in support of the Operating Budget and likely $10,000 in support of the Doug Davidson Building Fund. And a few new activities may be added to the fundraising year. Notable among these would be increased participation in the Great Glebe Garage sale and a Fall Glebe-St. James Showcase.
We look forward to the full support of the congregation and of the Glebe community.
Dudleigh Coyle
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Glebe-St. James Home Service Guild
In 2018 the Home Service Guild anchored the Glebe-St. James fundraising activities. Established in June 2017 the Guild branched out and established a very strong “gardening/yarding” division to go along with our furniture repair division. In 2018 the Guild opened 63 projects and has carried over 10 into 2019. Over $15,000 was raised by the Guild and Guild spin offs (Frozen Food, Book Sale, GSJ Fence and GSJ on Kijji).
We are out in the community and our team members go beyond our congregation. The Glebe Centre through Abbotsford Community Support is a great partner, as a good many projects have come our way. Some highlights would include: cement work; porch/deck work; gardening; painting; plumbing; furniture moving; chair repair; woodworking projects; quilting; binding; window washing; interior design; basement organizing; new front walk; income taxes; clean outs; limited very limited snow shoveling; house sitting;
The Guild energy was expanded into Frozen Food Sundays, the Fall book sale as well as the GSJames Fence and GSJ on Kijji.
In 2018 we enjoyed our own website and in 2019 our intention is to bring the GSJ Guild into the GSJames website and we will become a stronger part of the GSJ total communications effort. WE look forward to the possibilities.
The Guild in 2019 and related fundraising projects with much stronger GSJ Website support should be able to maintain 2018 levels of support for the operating budget.
Dudleigh Coyle
Doug Davidson Building Fund 2018
The Doug Davidson Building Fund is the capital fund in the Glebe-St. James accounts. It is named in honour of a former Glebe-St. James property manager who made a substantial gift to the church. In recent years it has primarily been used as a fundraising vehicle for paying off a $350,000 loan provided in 2009 by Ottawa Presbytery to help manage the costs of major improvements to the heating system and foundation. This loan was retired in 2018 with a final payment of $25,000 plus interest. We owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated members of the congregation who have seen through the process of paying off the loan and who have honoured their pledges to the fund.
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In 2018 the fund was also used to replace stairwell emergency exit doors on the West side of Fraser Hall and to repair damage from a frozen pipe and install heaters in the same area. In 2019 two potential uses of the Fund are for repairs to the organ, to the extent that these cannot be covered by the Organ Fund, and repairs to the Western end of the Sanctuary roof.
In 2018 Glebe Montessori School proposed a joint fundraising project with Glebe-St. James to raise $15,000 for the Doug Davidson Building Fund. Progress in the joint project is measured by constructing a Lego model of the Glebe-St. James church building, with each brick representing a $50 donation. The Bricks Fundraiser raised over $9,000 by the end of 2018, and we fully expect to reach the target of $15,000 in the first quarter of 2019.
The Doug Davidson Fund balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 (not final):
Revenue: Starting Position $2,569 Bricks Fundraiser $9,284 Other Donations $23,755 Bequests $16,785 Total revenue $49,824 Expenses: Bank charges $106 Loan interest $756 Loan Repayment $25,000 Projects * Heater $5,634 * Doors $3,802 Total Expenditures $35,298 Approximate surplus to start 2019 $17,095
Glebe Montessori School – an enduring partner
If you visit Glebe-St. James in the daytime during the week you cannot miss the signs and happy sounds of the Glebe Montessori School. GMS has been a presence at Glebe-St. James since 1996. Currently the school resides in the lower level of our building and uses Fraser Hall and the sanctuary as well. And we are blessed to have the students perform annual Christmas productions, to which the members of the congregation are always welcome. In December 2018 the production was “The Tempest”. GMS embraces the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori and the belief that her method of education not only aids the child during early development, but also throughout life.
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GMS has invested heavily in our building, and it continues to maintain a high standard today. In September 2018, over 100 students were enrolled in GMS, ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years (grade 6). We currently have a long term license agreement with GMS, which in 2019 will contribute just over $150,000 to our annual Operating Budget.
In 2018, at the suggestion of GMS, we launched a joint fundraising project – the Bricks Fundraiser – in which every $50 of donation adds a Lego brick to a model of Glebe-St. James. By the end of 2018 we were well over half way to the goal of $15,000, which we expect to achieve in the first quarter of 2019.
We look forward to working with GMS on a number of joint initiatives dealing with fundraising and building maintenance – as well as the more intangible daily ways of sharing a space. This a great partnership with great long term potential!
Ministry and Personnel Committee
The purpose of the Ministry and Personnel Committee (M and P) is to provide a bridge between staff and the congregation. The committee reviews salaries, benefits and working relationships with each staff member and clarifies lines of communication between staff members, the Council and congregation. M and P representatives meet regularly with their staff member to ensure that they are receiving support, to plan vacation and professional leave and to discuss any other concerns. In addition, M and P complete annual staff reviews for all staff.
M and P worked closely with Council (the decision-making body for staffing actions and salaries), and church committees (primarily Finance and Administration and Worship) on staff-related matters. In addition, the Committee implemented a number of improvements in managing staff information. A standardized form for each staff member ensures that employment-related details are centralized and secured. Safety precautions and procedures have been reviewed with all staff and work descriptions were verified against actual workload during staff reviews.
This past year, Taylor Bourassa, Christian Development Minster, and Jennifer Berntson, Minister of Music, finished their work at Glebe St. James and moved on to other pursuits. In September, Stephanie Langill became the new Christian Development Minister with a primary focus on Children's Church and securing volunteers for Sunday mornings. In November, Council announced the appointment of James Caswell as Glebe St. James’ new Minister of Music beginning in 2019.
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As per recommendations of the M and P Handbook, the committee initiates communication with the congregation in order to facilitate feedback to each staff member. When members of the congregation want to communicate their opinions to staff, they are encouraged to contact the M and P staff person.
M and P Staff Person Pam Fitch Teresa Burnett-Cole, George Clifford Marsha Hay Snyder Robert Palmai, James Caswell Jim Louter Jennifer Reid Susan Palmai Contractual and custodial relations (with F and A) Margo Williams Stephanie Langill
New Directions in the United Church of Canada – Presbytery Report 2018
This will be the final report from Ottawa Presbytery. On January 1, 2019 a new structure for the United Church of Canada goes into effect. The original four court system, established at Union in 1925 of Congregationalists, Methodists and most Canadian Presbyterians, ends December 31, 2018. A new three council structure with covenantal inter-relationships takes its place, with other significant changes to the ways we have been living and working together and in the world. These changes in part are a practical recognition of new ways of doing business since 1925 and a response to the varied resource issues our Church is facing. But very importantly, they are intended to encourage us more effectively to serve God into the future.
The three councils are the national-level General Council, the sixteen Regional Councils, and the almost 3000 communities of faith (congregations). Glebe-St. James United Church, is one of some 125 congregations making up the Eastern Ontario/Outaouais Regional Council. Glebe-St. James retains its current representation on this regional council, which will hold its first meeting in early June, 2019. A regional Commission (including Rev Teresa Burnett-Cole) has been taking decisions on steps to set up this council, and related matters, in accordance with the church-wide decisions taken in the seven relevant Remits voted upon by presbyteries/pastoral charges in the last two years, and confirmed at General Council in July 2018. General Council also chose Rev. Dr. Richard Bott as Moderator for the three year period until next regular General Council.
On the financial front, there will now be one system for assessing congregations, applying nationwide, instead of the hodge-podge of individual, and varying, presbyterial arrangements in force to date. These assessments will be used to fund national and regional structures and activities, and related staff personnel. Outreach activities and staff in Canada and abroad will be funded voluntarily.
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A full account of the details of the new system is on the UC website, including pastoral relations, financial arrangements, structural details, and more. Start with: https://generalcouncil43.ca/news/remit-enactment-means-major-structural- changes-church. The text of the 2019 UCC Manual, including all the changes, can be found at https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/the-manual_2019.pdf.
The focus of Ottawa Presbytery and its Executive has been largely on getting its house in order for the above changes, along with ongoing business including pastoral relations, students, mission activities, care of congregations. One task has been exploring arrangements for cemeteries at Gatineau churches that are closing (i.e. under the Quebec legal system)--work that has been largely handled by Rev. Steve Moore of this congregation, on behalf of Presbytery.
Our clergy Representatives remain Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole and Rev. Dr. George Clifford; and laity Dietlind Gardell, David Lee, Tom Tanner and Margaret Torrance.
Introducing the new Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council (Regional Council 12)
Effective January 1, 2019, Glebe-St James is part of the new United Church of Canada Regional Council 12: the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council. The Regional Council is one of 16 across Canada that replace both the Presbyteries and the Conferences that were part of the original United Church governance structure.
The new region brings together all the pastoral charges in four pre-existing Presbyteries: Upper Valley, Four Rivers, Seaway, and Ottawa, as well as Église Saint-Marc in Ottawa, formerly part of the Consistoire Laurentien. In practice it brings together the United Church presence in Eastern Ontario to the East of a line from Gananoque on the St. Lawrence River to Deep River on the Ottawa River; in addition it includes English-speaking pastoral charges, on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River adjacent to Ottawa.
The region will create new working relationships in more ways than one. Four Rivers and Upper Valley were previously part of Bay of Quinte Conference, while Seaway and Ottawa were in Montreal and Ottawa Conference. Altogether three regional councils grow out these two former United Church Conferences: in addition to Eastern Ontario Outaouais (RC 12), there will be East Central Ontario Regional Council (RC 11) to the West of our region and Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council (RC 13) to the East, encompassing most of the pastoral charges in Quebec.
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These three regional councils will share staff in some areas of work and will have their own dedicated staff and resources in other areas. The Rev. Rosemary Lambie will be Executive Minister of all three regional councils. As described by the United Church, her role will be to: provide leadership, counsel and support for the governance and administration of the three regional councils, supervise regional council dedicated staff, and engage the regional councils in the priorities and decisions of the General Council. She will be based in Lachine, Quebec. The three regional councils will also share common staff in the areas of: vocations for candidates for the UCC ministry and discipline; support for stewardship, mission and service and planned giving; and capacity development for Indigenous communities of faith.
The individual regional councils will have their own staff in the areas of pastoral relations, records and archives, and communications. The Pastoral Relations Minister for Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council is Rev. Whit Strong. His office and some other RC 12 services will be co-located with Zion-Memorial United Church in Carleton Place (the Ottawa Presbytery office at Cityview United Church will close). Two other full-time staff supporting Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Regional Council and its members are Jane Dawson, Minister supporting Communities of Faith, Clusters and Networks, and Dana Doucette, Minister for Youth and Young Adults (YAYA). Jane Dawson is well known in Glebe-St. James. Currently based in Victoria, B.C., she previously lived and worked in Ottawa and still visits Ottawa frequently, when she attends church with us. We welcome her active return!
These new arrangements replace those that Glebe-St James previously worked with in Ottawa Presbytery and Montreal and Ottawa Conference. The priority in 2019 will be to help them to function well to the benefit of all concerned.
The “HUB” Proposal: Developments in 2018
A year ago the Annual Report carried a notional proposal that we explore the possibility of cooperation with other churches in specific areas and subjects—or hubs, thus potentially enabling us each to do more (or at least maintain ourselves) with less. The idea was subsequently elaborated while still remaining open enough for further development with other churches. It was considered at both the Council level and the 2018 Annual General Meeting, and adopted by each for further development and discussion with other churches.
The basic challenge remains that many churches face significant resource issues, while still feeling the need and the call to provide a substantial range of traditional and new services or programs. Working together with others could offer possibilities for varied ideas and resources that one church on its own would not be able to generate or sustain. Certainty of provision of the service or program would be key.
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To this end, the notion includes three elements to be elaborated and agreed as appropriate in each area of cooperation: 1. A written plan, including substantive details, agreed by each church’s governing body; 2. A specific time frame for the program, with possibility for extension by agreement; 3. Resource commitments by each participant, appropriate to the circumstances.
Subject areas are potentially wide-ranging. They could for example include refugee work, study of or relations with indigenous, varied social assistance or outreach activities. Work with youth is a possibility. Another potentially promising area could be the practical work of administration, e.g. technically professionalising websites, accounting services, cleaning and/or snowclearing activities. It is possible that the geometry would be varied, with not all churches involved in every area. It is also likely that other bodies would become involved, e.g. neighbourhood organisations such as GNAG
This notion does not have to do with theology or with the relationship of any individual church with its denomination. Nor does it affect the authority and powers or the decision-making processes or institutions of individual churches. To be specific, the HUB notion is not about amalgamation.
Letters have gone out to four United Churches and three others in the general area of central Ottawa and exploratory meetings have been held with several; an informal information briefing has been provided orally at a meeting of central Ottawa churches; and informal contacts have also been made with GNAG. Other church contacts are on a potential follow-up list.
This work will be pursued in 2019; and Reports provided, for consideration and possible decisions, to Council early in the New Year, and to the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Congregation.
January 4, 2019
Long-range planning and sustainability for Glebe-St James
Glebe-St. James has been in operation for a long time. The congregation has roots that go back to the turn of the last century. Our building was built in 1905, and we became Glebe-St. James in 1971. We have many strengths and would like to be a vibrant presence in the Glebe well into the future.
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But we also face challenges that we need to be realistic about. This note is intended to contribute to a congregational discussion on some of the sobering realities that we face as a congregation. They inform many of the initiatives that are described elsewhere in this report – important steps in their own right but also contributions to the continued sustainability and vibrancy of the congregation.
A central reality is that, in common with the United Church, the membership of Glebe-St. James is getting older and gradually declining in numbers. In common with other congregations in downtown Ottawa, we are in a building that was built in and for another era, with the associated costs. In line with the reduction in membership is a reduction in overall regular givings. This is reflected in total amounts but in particular in terms of givings to the Operating Fund. Donations to the Operating Fund are declining and the number of donors decreased from 159 in 2017 to 129 in 2018. A related trend has been towards a relatively smaller group providing a growing proportion of the Operating Budget: for example, it is estimated that in 2017 53 families gave $1000 or more per year to the Operating Fund – approximately $20 per week – and together provided 85% of the total amount raised that year. A more detailed presentation can be found in the chart at the end of this note.
This situation has several dimensions. The 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting approved a balanced Budget of $368,000. The major elements are summarized in the following table.
2018 Balanced budget approved by the Annual Congregational Meeting
Revenues Expenses
Regular givings to Operating – $188,000 Personnel costs – $197,000
Glebe Montessori School – $150,000 Building costs – $134,000
Other building revenue and fundraising – Programs and general overhead – $37,000 $30,000
Some important insights follow from these numbers. One is that regular givings do not cover personnel costs. A second is the significant contribution that is made by the GMS license agreement. A third is the importance of revenues from fundraising and non-GMS building uses. Preliminary indications are that the year ended with a small surplus but with Regular givings lower than anticipated, balanced by higher than budgeted fundraising and building revenues.
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A more basic bottom line is that the budgetary situation cannot sustain annual deficits of any size or for any period of years. This is because between 20% and 25% of donations to the Operating Fund come in in December and we run a deficit of up to $30,000 during the year. As a result, we need to maintain a reserve to cover this in-year deficit. The reserve is currently adequate, but it is not at a level where it can sustain any size of deficit for any length of time.
Given all these considerations, the question is how to find and maintain a sustainable balance in the life and work of the congregation? At all times, an important part of the answer is to manage the resources we have been blessed with as well and as effectively as we can through prudent budgeting and careful stewardship. This includes doing what we can do as well as we can, drawing on our volunteer resources, without over-taxing them.
More is required, however. In June 2017 Council held a retreat to consider the future of Glebe-St. James on a 30-year time horizon. The discussion affirmed that we have a strong foundation and much to celebrate, but also medium- to longer- term trends that we cannot ignore. Not least, it confirmed that it is challenging to think in these terms! One initiative that grew out of this retreat was approved by the 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting, to explore opportunities to develop partnerships with other organizations with common interests: United Churches along the Bank Street corridor and other churches and community groups in the Glebe (see the note on a campus HUB in this report).
A second broad track is to maintain efforts to sustain, ideally even to grow, Glebe- St. James membership. It involves more intensive efforts both to welcome newcomers and to stay in touch with existing members of the Glebe-St. James community. We seek to be an open, welcoming and inclusive community of faith and we want to share what we have with others. Possible initiatives are also discussed in a separate note on welcoming and congregational development in this report.
Both lines of action build on who we are and what we do as a community of faith, on what we offer ourselves and others. We are an Affirming congregation; we are in a process of discerning our role in the ongoing reconciliation with the Indigenous community. Our worship and music offer spiritual nourishment, reinforced by our pastoral care and spiritual healing. We have active Christian education and outreach programs. Our Women’s and Men’s groups offer both spiritual development and a social network for those who join in. This is only some of what we have to offer.
All of these activities build on good communications (including a strong website), within Glebe-St. James and with the wider community – this is an area that has been identified as a priority by Council.
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A sustainable Glebe-St. James will require continuing effort on a number of fronts, but with foresight and wise energy it is a realistic goal.
Glebe-St James governance – organizing for the future
The March 18, 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting decided to set up a Working Group, under the purview of Council, “to review the Congregation's Constitution, its by-laws and other regulations and practices, inter alia taking account of the current Constitution and documentation, recent work and thinking on the subject within the Congregation, and changes underway in the broader United Church of Canada.” The working group was asked to make a report, with recommendations, to the 2019 Annual Congregational Meeting.
The working group has been asked to consider the formal structures and procedures that shape how Glebe-St James is organized and how it operates on a day to day to basis. In practice, it was given three separate but inter-related tasks. One is to consider the implications of the changes currently under way in the larger United Church of Canada. In that context, but also in the context of the needs and capabilities of Glebe-St. James as a community of faith, a second task is to review and propose any needed changes to the Glebe-St. James Constitution, which was last revised in 2008. A third task is to ensure that we have an up-to-date set of policies and procedures that reflect decisions over time by Council and the congregation about how we should operate and provide direction and guidance for staff and volunteers in the many dimensions of running a multi-faceted going concern.
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The working group met twice in the Fall of 2018 and will meet again to prepare for the 2019 Annual Congregational meeting. It currently has four members: Jenifer Aitken, David Brown, Adele MacLeod and Don Ray. Others are welcome to join!
From the outset, the group agreed that the most practical starting point is to bring together work that has begun in the past to consolidate administrative policies and procedures that guide daily work and life at Glebe-St. James. It has begun a review of existing material, giving priority to practices governing the care and use of the building and financial matters. A major variable is the requirements and guidance coming from the United Church through the United Church Manual, which governs all aspects of congregational life, from how they are organized to how they spend funds, hire staff, manage their buildings and work with volunteers. A new United Church Manual comes into effect on January 1, 2019, and a first priority for the working group in 2019 will be to consider its implications for Glebe-St. James.
The working group has also been monitoring the major changes – the most profound since Church Union in 1925 – that are under way in the United Church of Canada “polity,” the legislation, institutions and rules and procedures that govern the roles and responsibilities of individual congregations and situate them in a structure of Courts that ultimately links to the General Council of the national church. As noted elsewhere in this section of the annual report, the United Church is going through a major change, effective January 1, 2019, that reduces the number of Courts from four to three by eliminating the existing Conferences and Presbyteries and replacing them with the new Regional Councils. The working group is looking at the implications of these changes for Glebe-St. James’s responsibilities at the congregational level and also how it is expected to participate in the new three-Court structure.
This is not to forget our Constitution, which it is agreed needs to be brought in line with the changing environment but also with Glebe-St. James’s own requirements and capabilities. Building on the other two elements of the working group’s mandate, the focus will increasingly be on shaping a constitution that will provide a framework for our decision-making and activities into the future.
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