81st General Meeting May 26-29, 2011 Penticton …...May 26-29, 2011 Penticton Convention Centre BC CONFERENCE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA 2011 Reports & Agenda - Page 3 6 President’s

81st General Meeting May 26-29, 2011

Penticton Convention Centre

BC CONFERENCE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

2011 Reports & Agenda - Page 3

6 President’s Message

9 President Elect’s Message

10 Executive Secretary’s Message

12 General Council Representative

13 Theme Speaker and Music Leadership

14 Anniversaries

16 Retirees

31 Memorials

BC Conference

39 Ends Policies

47 Executive Members

48 Executive Summary of Actions

52 Office & Staff Directory

53 Business Committee Motions

55 Guidelines for Business Procedures

57 Proposals: An Explanation

58 Nomination for President-Elect

Presbytery Reports

60 Cariboo

61 Comox-Nanaimo

62 Fraser

63 Kamloops-Okanagan

64 Kootenay

65 Prince Rupert

67 Vancouver-Burrard

68 Vancouver-South

69 Victoria

70 Westminster

TABLE OF CONTENTS


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Work of Conference

71 Archives & Historical Committee

72 Camp Future Project

74 Mobile Counsellor

75 United Church Women

76 Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Councils & Their Committees

79 Finance Council

80 Grants Committee

81 Home Missions

82 Stewardship

83 Ministry Personnel Council

84 Campus Ministry

85 Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct

86 Conference Interview Board

87 Education & Students Committee

88 Interim Ministry Committee

89 Internship & Educational Supervision Committee

90 Pension & Groups Insurance Committee

91 Settlement Committee

92 Spiritual Care Network

Education Centres

93 Centre for Christian Studies

94 Vancouver School of Theology

Proposals

96 BC Conference 2011-1: Social Justice

97 BC Conference 2011-2: Ethically Raised Meats

98 BC Conference 2011-3: UBC Campus Ministry


TABLE OF CONTENTS

99 BC Conference 2011-4: Environmental Stewardship Regarding the Proposed Raven Underground Coal Mine

100 BC Conference 2011-5/6: Theological Education & Formation For Ministry in BC Conference

102 BC Conference 2011-7: Facility Fee at BC Conference General Meeting

102 BC Conference 2011-8: Support for the Ongoing Work on InSite

103 BC Conference 2011-9: Employing a Social Justice Staff Person

103 BC Conference 2011-10: Food Justice

104 New Ministry Profiles

attached Settlement Report

attached Financial Statements—Consolidated and PDC


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

REV. DAN CHAMBERS

In Short

If you, too, are late for something right now and don’t have time for the full meal deal, here’s a quick summation of my two year term serving as President:

Though I know serving as President ranks for some of you on par with getting a root canal, believe it or not it’s been a privilege and I thank you for the opportunity. In the last two years, I’ve heard your frustrations, your concerns, your appreciation and your hope. There is no question the United Church in BC (and beyond) is going through a radical shift right now. This is not groundbreaking news. But it dramatically affects who we are and how we live into our discipleship following the way of Jesus.

As we watch our UCW groups shrink or disappear, as fewer children are counted in Sunday school, as our roofs sag in need of repair and our budgets seem drained dry, as we find ourselves attending more memorial services than weddings, baptisms or new member celebrations, we know we’re living in what Parker Palmer calls “the tragic gap” between what has been and what will be.

We’re fairly clear about what has been – at least how we like to remember it. As for what will be…not so clear. But alongside the fear and grief, for example, of losing long established United Church congregations in rural areas where there’s no other United Church for many miles, I also hear an eager hope: A hope that in this rupture of the familiar ways of being church, a fresh expression of discipleship can be found. A hope that rather than losing our soul with a diminishing Church, we find it in an Emerging Spirit. A hope that for every end of time as we know it, there’s a new beginning. I think that’s scriptural. It’s also inspiring to be part of this conversation and this embodied movement of faith.

And then some

If you still have a quarter cup of coffee left and time for a few paragraphs, here are a few things I’ve been up to in our shared ministry that reflect some of the ministry happening in our midst:

Reconciliation

Sixty-five years ago, when members of the Japanese United Church were released from their internment camp, they returned to Vancouver to find many of their possessions had been sold – including their church. The BC Conference made an official apology to the Japanese United Church, publically spoken at our last General Meeting in 2009, in a service of confession and reconciliation led by Rev. Dan Kierkegaard and Executive Secretary, Doug Goodwin and at at the General Council meeting in Kelowna, where those in attendance solemnly stood as a way of embodying the apology.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is working at a national level to educate, inform and hopefully transform the general public about the abuses of the Residential schools, with the hope that greater understanding and appreciation of the culture and experience of First Nations people. A national event of reconciliation is scheduled to happen here, in BC, likely in Vancouver in September, 2012.


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (CONT’D)

REV. DAN CHAMBERS

It’s been a privilege to be part of our own work of reconciliation and to come to know better some of our Aboriginal Leaders, who, in my opinion, show extraordinary patience and compassion with the Church and live from a courageous and forgiving heart.

The Prince Rupert Presbytery meeting held in Haida Gwaii also involved a gathering of the Native Ministry Council and was attended by our Moderator, Mardi Tindal. This gathering closed with a First Nations feast, where the Moderator read once again the apology from 1986 first offered by then Moderator Bob Smith, and I read the apology addressed specifically to Residential School survivors, first offered by The Very Reverend Bill Phipps in 1998. Clearly, there were some in the room who were hearing these apologies for the first time, and those who had heard them before but heard it differently this time, a reminder that reconciliation is a process without a terminus, and apologies need to be made more than once.

Leadership

The mission of BC Conference is Healthy Congregations, Effective Leadership and Faithful Public Witness. At a General Meeting of BC Conference several years ago, Leadership was lifted up as our priority, because healthy congregations and faithful public witness depend on effective leaders.

Hundreds of people in BC have benefitted from the insightful and challenging work of Keith Howard and his team with Emerging Spirit to help us all hone our skills as leaders in uncertain times.

More specifically for ministry personnel, I’ve been privileged to be part of two initiatives, both under the excellent leadership of Treena Duncan:

After years in the making, a leadership development program came to birth. It was called Sowing Seeds, Growing Leaders and involved 45 ministry personnel who were inspired, challenged, stretched and deepened by the work of Former Moderator Peter Short, mentors and other speakers and facilitators.

The Spiritual Care Network continues to build relationship and enliven the network that connects ministry personnel. Often kidnapped by overloaded schedules and the administration of the church, the Spiritual Care Network strives to foster a professional environment of trust, support and care of the soul. Each Presbytery has one or two people who are called to further this important work.

Also, to support leaders in challenging times and to foster creative ways of being the church in the 21st century, Executive Secretary Doug Goodwin has recommended the formation of a Ministry Fund. As we free-up assets from the sale of buildings, this fund will allow programs to be developed and people/congregations to be supported who are willing to explore and engage ministry in a non-traditional manner.

Youth

The youth in BC are amazing. It was a delight to lead a few workshops and to be part of the energetic vibe at both the 2009 and 2010 Evolve gatherings, artfully organized by Doris Kizinna. My faith is deepened and hope lifted by time spent with our children and youth.


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (CONT’D)

REV. DAN CHAMBERS

Witness

From time to time the President is asked or feels compelled to voice concern or protest. On behalf of the Conference, I have voiced protest against the proposed Casino development in downtown Vancouver, the Health Care cut-backs that removed most chaplains from hospitals under Fraser Health Care, and have written in support of Bill C393 (reducing the cost of medicine for HIV infected people in Africa) as well as other important concerns.

Highlights

Though serving as President comes with no salary, no extra-benefits, not even a cushy office, there have been many highlights. Here are a few:

Attending the General Council meeting in Kelowna and see our national Church at work and talk with people from around the country, as well as our mission partners abroad.

Being in touch with Conference Presidents around the country, as well as our leaders in the National Office, clarifying for me our deep-grained connection even with those we do not see and may not know by name.

Visiting you, in different parts of the Province with its varied history and beauty. Even as Presbyteries deal at times with great challenge, there was always an abundance of laughter, perhaps pointing to of all things a joy-filled Presence of Christ.

Engaging conversations about how the Conference supports and helps facilitate theological education in BC.

Being present and one of several ecumenical speakers at the opening of the Iona Center for Interfaith Dialogue at Vancouver School of Theology.

Being present at both the Celebration of Ministry last year (and this!) as well as the honouring of our retired clergy.

Working with an interesting and extremely dedicated group who have served on the BC Conference Executive Council.

Working with an equally fabulous group to plan this General Meeting.

Woven through these lines is gratitude for you, the people of the Conference who allow your lives to be turned in the direction of a life-transforming grace. As we go forward in faith, in all our discussing, all our working, all our praying and singing and living, may we go knowing the Spirit of the One who keeps us connected.


PRESIDENT ELECT

REV. DEBRA BOWMAN

Submitted by Debra Bowman

At our General Meeting two years ago, as our friend and former Moderator Peter Short spoke to us about ‘getting ready to let go’ I felt a strong call to offer to be part of the process; to offer support to our President Dan Chambers and to BC Conference to help in whatever way I could to ‘get ready to let go.’ Now, days away from our gathering in Penticton and being installed as your new President there are other feelings – ‘what was I thinking’ perhaps strongest amongst them, honour, trepidation, anticipation. I recall that Peter’s focus was not on the need to ‘let go’, we’ve heard lots about that and while it’s a painful call it’s not new information. Instead his focus was on ‘getting ready’; preparing ourselves for the moment when we can release what was and what we might have hoped for and be ready to embrace what is, and what might be. Or perhaps, more accurately, getting ready to be

embraced by what might be, to be caught up in, even swept along with God’s future. The getting ready then is not so much about girdling our loins to release one task in order to pick up the next we see immediately in front of us, but loosing our clammy little fingers from what we are grasping on to so that we are free to be pulled along into the fullness of God even as it approaches us.

This is not to minimize the pain of letting go – not one of us has not lain awake at night contemplating the possibility of losing everything we have poured our lives into. Not one of us has not had to come to terms with the reality that even as we labour as hard as we know how, even as we excel in all the things we knew once were effective ways to establish ‘successful’ congregations, camps and missions, these ways no longer assure ‘success’ but more often fatigue, disappointment, disillusionment and eventually ‘failure’. The task of getting ready involves discerning the difference between being a perky Pollyanna and trusting in God’s proleptic future – trusting in the truth that God’s future comes towards us. The task involves discerning the difference between a superficial understanding of nonattachment, and the true sacrifice of relinquishment – of pulling back and making room for what new things are emerging. The task involves not trusting in the simplicity of either/or, of dichotomies of this is the right way and this is the wrong, but of living in the murkiness of the middle, living in a tensile state.

For the one year in which I will serve as your President I do not have a grand plan, an agenda I’d like to unroll. The term of this presidency is only one year, and I have no intentions of trying to squeeze all that Dan has done in two years into one. Indeed, I have no intention of trying to be all that Dan’s beautiful, gracious presence has been to our Conference. I will try to be available where invited, but please do not feel any obligation to invite ‘the President’ only because tradition might indicate you should. I and we don’t have time for that. But we have lots of time to be together for conversations that matter, for growing solidarity in the pain and excitement of getting ready. I am very much looking forward to being with you in this next year.

Thanks be to God for a past which roots us, for the complex gift of what is now and for the life giving promise of what might be.


EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

REV. DOUG GOODWIN

If you turn to the United Church’s “answer book”, the Manual, to find out why BC Conference meets like we do in a General Meeting, you will not find much help.

The actual responsibilities of the Conference are minimal, and of those only a tinier number are actually accomplished at the General Meeting.

What is clear, though, is that it is to meet regularly, at least once every three years. Even if its work is minimal, it needs to meet.

At first glance, that seems like too small a thing to do. Perhaps, though, it really gets to the core of what a General Meeting is to the church: it is a “meeting place”, a gathering place, where those present recognize themselves as part of a larger body, even part of the body of Christ, who come together not primarily to “do stuff” but to “be who we really are.”

The Methodists, our ancestors and cousins, call this “connexion.” The Conference is the “Connexion”, where people need to talk to one other individually and, more importantly, as a whole. The Connexion wants and needs to know how the rest of the body is doing. It needs to listen carefully, and reflect back what is heard. It does not flourish on clarity but upon extensive conversation. It wants to reconnect with those closest and get to know those most distant. It thrives on relationships.

The Connexion needs to know and experience that it does not live to or for itself but lives to the One who gives life. It is the body of Christ and a significant part of the mission of God in the world. Worship, praise, singing, hearing and responding to call, are all part of its life.

The Connexion gathers for mission, to order its life together so that God’s work in the world might also be the work of this part of the church. The Connexion organizes for mission: identifying and choosing its leaders, sorting out differences, finding common cause, identifying where energy and effort need to be placed, seeking to discern the new thing that God might be calling the church into.

The Connexion celebrates with wondrous music and grieves together with solemn passion.

The Connexion feels itself growing as a body. It needs to be fed and nurtured. It needs to hear and say and do something new, something that pushes it outwards while nourishing it inwardly. It needs to grow in faith and spiritual depth.

From the Presbyterians we inherited the idea of the “courts” of the church, where decisions are made. From the Methodists we inherited the Conference, where we “confer”, and the Connexion, where we connect.

All are important.

Change is Happening

Over the past years several initiatives have taken place that have helped shape the work of Conference but have not been well communicated. Although each appears at different places in these reports and in the meeting, I thought I would gather key ones in summary form here.


EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

REV. DOUG GOODWIN

Conference Finances

A “vision” or “structure” for Conference funds is now in place. It recognizes that Conference finances fall into three “streams”: Core, Camping, and ProVision (formerly Mission).

The Core stream is basically what we have come to know as the major work of the Conference: providing support for Presbyteries and ministry personnel, as well as general administration and a small number of other historic ministries. Much of this work is done by staff and committees. This work is funded by Presbytery allocations, a General Council grant, and investment funds. More money is needed in investments to ensure this work is sustainable at present levels but we are close to achieving that goal.

The Camping stream supports the Conference camping program identified by the Camp Future Project. It is supported by investment funds, all of which we presently have in place.

The ProVision stream provides funding for all those other ministries we would like to do within the Conference that are not Core or Camping. This, too, is supported by investment funds which can grow as high as the Conference would like – the more funds, the more work that can be done. It is anticipated that this “stream”, presently with over $4 million invested, can grow through the future sale of properties.

Camp Sales

All of the income from the sales of Camp Kwomais (2007) and Camp Moorecroft (2011) has gone into the Camping stream, providing money for the capital development at Camp Fircom and Camp Pringle (approximately $11.5 million). It is also providing an endowment for the future support of these ministries. Once the goals of the Camp Future Project have been met, it will be determined how much money is needed in this endowment and how much might be freed for other church priorities.

Faithful Public Witness

Over the past decade or more the focus of social engagement in the Conference has shifted from lobbying and advocacy (official letter writing and political gatherings) to local initiatives and projects, usually grounded in small groups and congregations. The Conference continued to act on behalf of the whole Conference during the last few years by:

hosting several inter-church gatherings to prepare for the Truth and Reconciliation hearings and events presently being held throughout Canada;

hiring a full-time Mobile Counsellor for a three year project to provide counselling and psychotherapeutic services to the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, their families and communities in four, small coastal communities;

establishing with Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery a $2 million pledge for the development of First United Church mission in downtown Vancouver;

offering an apology to Vancouver Japanese United Church for the loss of their church home after relocation in World War Two;

supporting an international observer to the Philippine’s national election (2010);

supporting the intercultural Behold! conference in BC with staff and finances, participants to the national United Church’s justice gathering TURN in Pinawa, and the ongoing work of the Refugee Committee of the Conference.


GENERAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

REV. ALAN HALL

The Rev. Alan Hall, Executive Officer Ministry and Employment

Alan, ordained by Maritime Conference in 1983, is a graduate of Mt. Allison University and Emmanuel College. He did internships in Saskatchewan and East Africa, was settled in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Conference and was later called to Toronto Conference. He has served on the former Division of World Outreach, the Human Resources Committee of the General Council and the Permanent Committee on Ministry and Employment Policies and Services as well as participating in several General Councils, including the last one at Kelowna. He came to this current position in the General Council Office in 2009.

As Executive Officer Ministry and Employment, Alan has oversight of ministry vocation assessment and call , pastoral relations processes and the employment services of the General Council and Conference Offices. He is a staff resource to the Pension Board and is the lead staff person for the simplification of The Manual and church processes project. He brings to his work a strong commitment to respectful and healthy pastoral relationships, understanding them to be a critical component in strong and vital pastoral charges serving faithfully.


THEME SPEAKER

MARILYN LEGGE

Marilyn Legge, the daughter of Joyce and Garth, was born into a manse of the United Church of Canada and raised in Northern Ontario, Quebec, central Africa, and then Toronto. Other formative influences include the Student Christian Movement, Canadian Crossroads International in Sri Lanka, work with Frontier College doing adult education as a labourer-teacher in a sawmill camp and then as Atlantic Region Co-ordinator. Marilyn has worked as a security guard and window-glazier. She is married to Michael Bourgeois, avid cyclist, colleague in theology and partner in life. Other passions include yoga, dancing, gardening, swimming and kayaking as well as jazz and world music.

She has been teaching Christian ethics at Emmanuel College since 1998. She taught theology for nearly a decade before at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon. She is a graduate of Victoria and Emmanuel Colleges, Toronto and Union Theological Seminary, New York. She has chaired the United Church's Theology and Faith Committee and been

President of the Canadian Theological Society. Her interest in faithful public witness is rooted in her experience, research and teaching in eco-social ethics of justice-love, difference, and intercultural relations infused with moral imagination.

She is looking forward to being at this conference.

MUSIC RESOURCE

LINNEA GOOD

Linnea Good is an award-winning "Musical Animator" whose primary work is to help communities & churches express their souls through music. She is a leader in the fields of music in worship, biblical story-telling and all-ages worship styles. She and partner, David Jonsson, tour 1/3 of the year throughout Canada and the United States. Their latest CDs, “Swimmin’ Like a Bird” and “Momentary Saints”, were nominated Children’s and Gospel albums of the year by a variety of Canadian music associations. The North American Catholic Press gave Linnea and Nancy Reeves top honours this year for their col-umn on children's spirituality in "Celebrate" magazine.


ANNIVERSARIES

2010

45 Years

Rev. Cullene E. Bryant

Rev. Harold G. Coward

Rev. Ann E. Evans

Rev. John C. Gouws

Rev. James Hamilton

Rev. Glenn C. Jackson

Rev. Arvon A. Keating

Rev. Mervyn G. Lutes

Rev. Philip W. Mayfield

Rev. S. Dale Perkins

Rev. Thomas M. Simms

Rev. Lance B. Woods

40 Years

Rev. Thomas R. Harding

Rev. Leslie W. Hutton

Rev. James L. Johnson

Rev David Sutherland

Rev. Norman F. Wilkinson

35 Years

Rev. G. R. Paul Davis

Rev. R. Paul Hacker

Rev Robert F. Lees

Rev Beverley J. Milton

Rev. Peter Mitchell

Rev. David E. Sparks

50 Years

Rev. Richard H. Delome

Rev. James Elliot

Rev. Arthur A. Greenhough

Rev. Omrand D. Lavenne

Rev. Jai Hyung Lee

Rev. Andrew M. Owens

Rev. Gordon R. Rajotte

Rev. Douglas M. Sly

Rev Donald V. Waldon

55 Years

Rev. R. Grand Bracewell

Rev. David J. H. Cook

Rev. David E. Lovewell

60 Years

Rev. M. Jean Macdonald

Rev. Alex G. Reid

Rev. Benjamin H. Taylor

65 Years

Rev. Frank R. Johnson

25 Years

Rev. Bari Castle

Rev. Louise A. Cummings

Rev. Marianna Harris

Rev. Nancy Holman

Rev. Kenneth C. Jones

Rev Yvonne Jordan

Rev. Ichiro Noshiro

Rev. Bruce Sanguin

Rev. Helen Simonson

Rev A. Dawn Wood

30 Years

Rev. Colleen Erb

Rev. G. Douglas Goodwin

Rev. Debra A. Hinksman

Rev. Keith E. Howard

Rev. Douglas R. Ireland

Rev. Colin Kang

Rev. Peter Lemmer

Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon

Rev. Bradley R. Newcombe

Rev. David. R. Parks

Rev. Edwin J. Searcy

Rev. K. Paul Taylor

Rev. Allen L. Tysick

20 Years

Rev. Foster Freed

Rev. Ryan E. Knight

Rev. Louise Skibsted

David P. Anderson


ANNIVERSARIES

2011

45 Years

Rev. F. L. James Beal

Rev. Dean F. Boundy

Rev. Bruce J.R. Cameron

Rev. Douglas H. Cossar

Rev. R. Gerald Hobbs

Rev. Brian P. Jackson

Rev. Donald B. Jackson

Rev. Fredrick V. Kropp

Rev. Susan MacGregor

Rev. Michael M. Mandich

Rev. M. Bruce McIntyre

Rev. Peter James Newbery

Rev. Donald H. Robertson

Rev. Robert D. Thompson

Rev. J. Gordon Verplank

Rev. Gendon G. Watts

80 Years Rev. N. Dermott McInnes

75 Years

Rev. Elderkin Bell

40 Years

Rev. E. Graham Dickie

Rev. Joseph D. Driskill

Rev. William E. Dyer

Rev. Wilber R. James

Rev. J. Kristian Jensen

Rev. John H. Lindquist

Rev. K. Ian Macdonald

Rev. Donald J. B. MacCallum

Rev. Barry K. Morris

Rev. Brian J. Shields

Rev. Mervyn S. W. Skey

Rev. Brian D. Thorpe

35 Years

Rev. R. Wayne Atkinson

Rev. Duncan Barwise

Rev. Michael G. Collison

Rev. Joan K. McMurtry

Rev. Frederick C. Taylor

Rev. David D Watt

50 Years

Rev. Darryl J. Auten

Rev. Alan R. Billington

Rev. Gordon M. Craig

Rev. John M. Davidson

Rev. Robert Forsythe

Rev. Frank H. Legras

Rev. Paul W. Newman

55 Years

Rev. Terence R. Anderson

Rev. Reginald H. Brown

Rev. R. Oakley Dyer

Rev. William L. Howie

Rev. Ronald Smith

Rev. D. Blain Thierry

Rev. Frank H. Ward

60 Years

Rev. Frank H. Chubb

Rev. Ross G. Connal

Rev. Arthur J. Griffin

Rev. H. Irvine Hare

Rev. William Joseph Hogman

Rev. J. Piercey MacLean

Rev. R. Hori Pratt

Rev. David R. Stone

Rev. Byung Sub Van

65 Years

Rev. John T. Horricks

Rev. Alex M Manson

70 Years

Rev. L. Eveleigh Smith

Rev. George M Tuttle

25 Years

Rev. Mark D. Collins

Rev. Ann F. Moir

Rev. K. Eleanor O’Neill

Rev. Valerie Raey

Rev. Shelly Stickel-Miles

30 Years

Rev. Douglas Alexander

Rev. Michael L. Cochrane

Rev. Donald M. Collett

Rev. Murray W. Etty

Rev. Gary Allen Gaudin

Rev. Valerie L. Ternes-Taylor

Rev. R. Douglas Throop

20 Years

Rev. Linda C. Benso

Rev. Colleen (Gai) Campbell

Rev. Margaret M. Enwright

Rev. Sharon W. Moore-Cooke

Rev. Phillip A. Spencer

Rev. Paul K. Taylor


RETIREES

2010—2011

Minister Pastoral Charge Presbytery Date

Rev. Peter Mitchell Shady Creek/Brentwood Bay Victoria June 30, 2010

Rev. David Ewart Capilano Vancouver-Burrard June 30, 2010

Ariel Creighton (DLM) Highlands Vancouver-Burrard June 30, 2010

Janet Brigham-Turowski Oak Bay Victoria June 30, 2010

Douglas Bacon Retained on Roll Fraser November 1, 2010

Donna Ziegler (DLM) FUC-Prince Rupert Prince Rupert November 30, 2010

Dee McEachern McBride/Valemount Cariboo December 31, 2010

Catherine Angus Mt. Lehman Fraser March 1, 2011

Connie Thompson Trinity Memorial Fraser June 30, 2011

Mollie Williams Cloverdale PC Fraser June 30, 2011

Ruth Wright Winfield Kamloops-Okanagan June 30, 2011

Marianna Harris St. Andrew’s – N. Van Vancouver Burrard June 30, 2011

Ian Macdonald South Burnaby Westminster June 30, 2011

Allan Tysick The Open Door Victoria June 30, 2011

Wally Hargrave Knox-Terrace Prince Rupert August 1, 2011


RETIREES 2010—2011

CATHERINE ANGUS

Catherine Angus Catherine Ann Angus, BA, MDiv (Atlantic School of Theology). Ordained by Maritime Conference, 1992. Served Burns Lake-Houston (1992-1999); Arrow Lakes (1999-2001); Coaldale-Raymond (2001-2005); Mount Shannon United Church, Chilliwack (2005-2011).

Catherine was born in British Columbia, but spent her formative years in Southern Saskatchewan. She was involved in the Sunday school, CGIT, young adult group, Bible studies, and UCW. Catherine earned a certifi-cate in office skills at Vancouver Vocational Institute in 1967 and worked as a bookkeeper for an accountant for a time. While inquiring about an accounting program at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, a Roman Catholic counsellor asked her if she had ever considered the ministry. Although the thought had occurred to her in high school, she had never

seriously considered it, so was delighted at the encouragement. She decided against it, as she be-lieved she hadn't been truly called by God, and knew how difficult ministry could be. But just when she dismissed the idea, she suddenly felt God pointing her directly toward ordered ministry. Gradually and determinedly, she took all the undergraduate courses required to get into the seminary.

In addition to her Divinity degree, Catherine has taken workshops on conflict resolution, dementia, and ending family violence. She has also taken various courses through Naramata Centre (including heal-ing touch), Sorrento Centre, and Conference-sponsored courses. Catherine loved the experience of working with various denominations in the community in sponsoring a refugee family. During this time, she helped reunite a husband and father with the rest of the family. Just over two years before retire-ment, she had to withdraw from what she recalls as a “joyful ministry,” due to a disability. This was the most difficult point in a ministry, which thrived on worship and providing pastoral care. To those new ministers looking for some advice, Catherine offers this: “Be yourself, and always leave something to God to do.”

The Retirees

Look What God Has Done!

A celebration of the ministries of those retiring from ordered ministry at British Columbia Conference, The United Church of Canada

In the tradition that Bob Stewart began years ago, the Conference Archives has prepared profiles of our Conference‟s retirees, in recognition of their tremendous collective contribution and individual gifts in ministry. This year, we celebrate the ministry of those who have retired over the past two years (since our last meeting in 2009), or who are just on the cusp of retiring. It is always a delight to connect with ministers at this important milestone in their lives, and to hear their “veteran” perspective as they tell their stories. We wish them all God’s richest blessings.

Blair Galston, Conference Archivist Marilyn Harrison, Chair Archives and Historical Blair Galston, Conference Archivist Marilyn Harrison, Chair Archives and Historical



DOUGLAS BACON

Douglas Arthur Bacon, BA, MA, STB (United Theological College, Montreal), DMin (Drew University). Ordained by Bay of Quinte Conference, 1969. Served Rama PC, Ontario (student, 1962-1966); Rydal Bank PC, Ontario (1969-1971); St. Andrew’s Westmount UC, Montreal (1971-1974); Sprucedale UC, Chatham, Ontario (1974-1977); St. Margaret’s UC, Kingston (1977-1983); West Point Grey UC, Vancouver (1983-1995); Colebrook UC, Surrey (1995-1996).

Douglas was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario. Baptized at George Street United Church, he was part of that congregation’s mission band, Sunday school, junior choir, Cubs, Scouts, Hi-C, and Young People’s Union. He served as Vice-President of Bay of Quinte YPU from 1963-1964. It was United Church formation and enculturation at its finest.

While Douglas was enrolled in his first year of Medicine at the University of Toronto, he felt a restlessness. “I attended the annual meeting of the Young People’s Union in Bay of Quinte Conference in October 1963 and

found a sense of belonging and self-worth. This convinced me that serving as an ordained minister with the church would be a better fit for my talents and aspirations.”

In addition to his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from McGill, he has a rich and varied educational background. Some of the more interesting educational experiences include:

Guestmaster, Iona Abbey, Scotland (1966) Montreal Urban Training Program (1967-1968) Volunteer Assistant at Emmanuel Baptist Church, San Salvador (1992) Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems, Laney College, Oakland, California (2000) Diploma (honours), English as a Second Language Instructor, University of Toronto (2003)

Douglas also served as Secretary of Kent Presbytery, London Conference (1974-1976); Chair of Education and Students Committee, Bay of Quinte Conference; member and Chair of the Worship and Liturgy Committee of the United Church, and co-editor of A Sunday Liturgy (1978-1984); Chair of Vancouver-Burrard Presbyter (1987-1989); and member and Chair of the national Candidature Committee of the United Church (1990-1996).

The best part of ministry for Douglas was in being with people during times of deep pain and great joy. “For example,” he says, “being the pastor for the Chippewas of Rama when thirteen-year-old Alvin Snake died, or initiating and accomplishing a joint United and Presbyterian 50th and 100th anniversary celebration in Chatham, or coordinating protests against nuclear arms at a City Council meeting in Kingston” all spring to mind as highlights. The low point of ministry came before, during, and after the 1988 General Council, in his endeavours to provide faithful pastoral and prophetic ministry.

“There have been many passions and threads in the patchwork quilt of my ministry,” he says. “My dependence upon the grace of God has been of paramount concern, and my love of the stories of the family of faith found in the scriptures has been foundational.”

Since going on Long-Term Disability in late 1996, Douglas has, at various points, served as a part-time professor of computer information systems at Laney College; taught English as a Second Language at the University of Toronto; and worked as a National Olympic Committee Assistant for Bulgaria, Greece, and India during the Youth and Paralympic Games throughout 2010.

When asked to provide a word of wisdom from his experience, Douglas says simply, “No wisdom. I continue to believe in the power of story, of compassion, and of redemptive suffering love seen in the life, teachings, actions, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”



JANET BRIGHMAM-TUROWSKI

Janet Brigham-Turowski Janet Lauraine Brigham-Turowski, BA, MDiv (Emmanuel College), DMin (Ashland Theological Seminary, Ohio). Ordained by London Conference, 1991. Served Trochu PC, Alberta (1991-1994); Bedford UC, Windsor (1994-2001); Westway UC, Toronto (2001-2003); Cambridge Street UC, Lindsay, Ontario (2003-2007); Oak Bay UC, Victoria (Supply, 2007-2009); Fairfield UC, Victoria (Supply, 2008-2009).

Janet was born and raised in London, Ontario, where she attend First-St. Andrew’s United Church. She sang in the junior choir, and was part of missions, Explorers, CGIT, and youth group.

Janet remembers a very spiritual leader, teacher, theologian, and musician – the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Smith – who was her minister for ten years at Trinity United Church in London. He greatly influenced her decision to enter ordered ministry. “Life is our story located in God’s story, People of the Book, says Janet. This is how she sums up her calling.

The high point in Janet’s ministry was during the 2003-2007 timeframe. It was a time when she felt she was watching spiritual community slowly being revealed, and she had a desire to be with people. “Being the lead minister at Cambridge Street United Church in Lindsay, Ontario was a true gift from God.”

Shortly after being appointed to Oak Bay United Church, her husband, Gunter Turowski, suddenly died. This was a truly difficult time in Janet’s career, and she felt blessed to be supported and embraced by the ministry team at St. John’s United Church in Deep Cove, BC, during that critical time. Janet’s main passion in ministry has been the people she served. “Being their shepherd, their teacher, and spiritual leader is the greatest joy in my life. My love of worship, preaching, teaching, prayer, and music will always live on in my heart.” Some of her core values in ministry have been: dynamic and Christ-centred worship; prayerful conversation with God; attentiveness to the presence of God’s spirit; the stewardship of life, creative living, and God’s earth; discipleship; serving as a wounded healer; inclusivity; safety of expression; the healing power of music; and accountability. She believes that the hallmarks of good ministry and greatest wisdom are integrity, authenticity, and recognizing that we are all Christ’s wounded healers.



ARIEL CREIGHTON / DAVID EWART

Ariel Margaret Creighton, BSN. Served First UC, Vancouver (1986-1994); Highlands UC, North Vancouver (1994-2002 and 2006-2010); and Wilson Heights UC, Vancouver (2002-2005).

Ariel grew up in her birthplace, West Vancouver, and later in Nanaimo. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked in Public Health in Vancouver, including the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf and the Vancouver Oral Centre. Ariel also taught Pediatric Nursing at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

She has always been deeply involved in the church, whether it be with children’s programs, social justice, or her work with the Division of Mission. She also received theological education through Vancouver School of Theology and Naramata Centre. She completed the Naramata Healing Pathway Certificate Program and took a variety of courses at UBC in counselling. Throughout, Ariel‟s work has been devoted to hospitality and pastoral care.

David Roy Thompson Ewart, BSc (Hon.), MA, MDiv (United College, Vancouver School of Theology). Ordained by Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, 1978. Served Kincaid-Aneroid-Ponteix, Saskatchewan (1978-1980); Hartney-Lauder-Dand, Manitoba (1983-1984); General Council Office (1984-1988); Chalmers United Church, Vancouver (1988-1994); Haida Gwaii Pastoral Charge (1994-1995); Bethany-Newton, Surrey (four-month interim, 2004); Chalmers Institute, VST (2005); Wilson Heights, Vancouver (10-month interim, 2005-2006); and Capilano United Church, North Vancouver (2006-2010).

David was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba and grew up in Winnipeg. He was involved in the church sporadically in his youth, through Sunday school and Hi-C groups. “I came into the church through six years of active involvement in the YMCA, and so have always had a non-churched, not-very-religious understanding of faith and discipleship.” This was where he received his foundational leadership training and experience. He was also part of the Student Christian Movement at university, where he met the then Secretary/Chaplain, Mac Watts, who influenced David’s decision to study

theology. He describes this as a “curiosity about Jesus,” rather than a “call to ministry.”

Continued on next page



DAVID EWART

Continued from previous page

After two years of theological studies and a winter internship, David realized what “being a minister” really meant, and quit his studies. He remained an active lay leader in his congregation and took a job for Winnipeg Presbytery. This led him to pursue an MA in leadership in Spokane, where he met Ivan Cumming of Naramata Centre. David was inspired to finish his theological studies, but this time, he says, his call was “not to „ordered ministry,‟ so much as it was to „active, paid, leadership.‟” After two years, he attempted to “resign” his ordination, but was able only to “voluntarily DSL.” Still, he was drawn to the ministry, so he resigned himself to doing it on the United Church’s terms. Over the course of his journey, David has encountered many positive moments “where new light – new understandings – break dysfunctional bonds of habitual thinking, acting, and feeling, and bring healing, reconciliation, release, and new life.” He points to these moments as the highlights of his career. In a broader sense, David has been involved in some pivotal moments of the United Church, such as:

Discussions and reports about “the meaning of ministry” (and paid, accountable, lay ministry in particular)

Reconciliation with native peoples, and the Land Claims Fund in BC

Changing roles of women and men (e.g. addressing sexism, and the development of the use of “inclusive language”)

Changing the Church’s understanding of homosexuality and support for openly accepting lesbian and gay members and clergy

David and his family moved to Haida Gwaii in the mid-1990s, and he came to realize just how difficult and troubling the move was on his children. As tough as it was on him to leave the charge after only one year, David concluded that he must, for his family’s sake. When asked what the common thread of his ministry has been over the years, David responds, “Initially I thought my „job‟ was to be a good minister and manager to healthy, well-functioning congregations and otherwise help them engage in the mission and issues of the day. Alas . . . they have all been struggling congregations.” Through it all, he has maintained his curiosity about Jesus: “I continue to learn and become more amazed at Jesus‟ courage, wisdom, and bonding with/trusting in God. I continue to hope that my own living will somehow be a small reflection of his. And I continue to be curious about what new form the experience of God will take in this digital era.” To the next generation of ministers, David has an abundance of wisdom to share. Here are two pearls: “Don’t confuse your calling with your expectations and circumstances. God IS calling you, has desires for your purpose and well-being, but never make the mistake of thinking that means happy circumstances. “Remember: our church was founded by those who were willing to let go of the beloved familiar for the desired unknown. Where that heart still beats, there is still life.”



WALLY HARGRAVE

Wallace Wyanel Hargrave, MDiv (Vancouver School of Theology). Ordained by The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, 1987. Received into The United Church of Canada, 1999. Served with the UFMCC at Fayetteville, Arkansas; Tulsa; Oklahoma City; Galveston, Texas; and Vancouver, BC. Served with the UCC at Darby Memorial UC, Bella Bella (1997-2001) and Knox UC, Terrace (2001-2011).

Wally grew up as the son of a military chaplain and Baptist preacher. The family moved around a lot, but lived primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. Wally found a niche within the Baptist church as a music and youth director.

Asked to describe how he was called to the ministry, Wally exclaims, “Persistently!” As a preacher’s kid, he had decided that ministry was the one thing he would NOT do. “I ran the other way long and hard before I finally said, ‘Uncle’ and gave into the call. Many people encouraged me to follow such a path, yet I denied my abilities. I encountered and was swallowed by many a whale before I said yes.”

Wally speaks with great fondness of serving with the Heiltsuk people in Bella Bella. He asserts that each of the places he has served is special to him. Still, he says, “Bella Bella fills about ninety percent of my heart even to this day.”

The most difficult leg of his journey was his transfer’s main passion has been “to equip the saints in living the Kingdom through every aspect of their lives.” His words of wisdom? “Relationship is the most important aspect of ministry: relationship with one’s self, relationship with the Divine, and relationship with those one serves.”



MARIANNA HARRIS

Marianna Harris, BA, MA, MDiv (Vancouver School of Theology). Ordained by BC Conference, 1985. Served Eagle Ridge UC, Coquitlam (1983-1992); St. Andrew‟s UC, Fort Langley (1992-1994); St. Andrew‟s UC, Mission (1994-1996); Campbell River UC (1996-2002); St. Andrew‟s UC, North Vancouver (2002-2011).

Marianna was born in Vancouver and spent her formative years in Vancouver and Surrey. She grew up in the church, and was part of the congregational life at St. John’s Strawberry Hill. She was a member of CGIT, led Explorers, went to camp, sang in the junior choir, and taught Sunday school. She was also part of the Student Christian Movement (SCM) at UBC.

“From my involvement with the SCM and my association with the campus chaplain, Rev. Jack Shaver, I became interested in studying theology. When [my family and I] moved to Canberra, that was not possible. In Regina, I

unexpectedly was asked to work for the church. It was out of this work that I decided to go back to school to study theology even though I had two very young children.”

Prior to entering theological school, Marianna obtained a BA in Psychology (UBC) and an MA in Sociology from the Australian National University. She also taught Sociology, briefly.

Looking back over her many years of ministry, a particularly positive moment jumps out at her: “When we were creating a mission statement for Eagle Ridge United Church, the chair of the Council wanted to include the phrase, „We serve because it is our privilege and responsibility.‟ She was probably in her thirties at the time and I felt so encouraged that this was the way she would name our mission as a church.” Marianna has noticed a change in the work of BC Conference over the years, and finds it difficult to witness the shift in focus away from social justice. “With no staff person holding responsibility in this area, we have to rely on a national staff person to create links among those with a passion for justice. Our structures do not currently support this work.” Asked to summarize her own mission and passion, Marianna points to the scripture passage, “Behold, I make all things new” to sum it up. “I do believe that God calls us out of what has been into what will be.”



IAN MACDONALD

Kenneth Ian Macdonald, BA, BD, STM (United College). Ordained by Manitoba Conference, 1971. Served Cartwright-Mather-Holmfield-Neelin, Manitoba (1971-1973); Westworth UC, Winnipeg (1973-1979); Augustine UC, Winnipeg (1979-1988); Norwood UC, Winnipeg (1988-1994); and South Burnaby UC (1994-2011). Served as President of the Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario (1994-1995).

Ian was born in Saskatoon. His father was a United Church minister, and Ian spent his childhood and youth in Ottawa, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. Prior to ordination, he contributed to the church in three main ways: “cartoonist, Sunday school teacher, church geek.” Those are Ian‟s words.

How was he called to the ministry? “Slowly,” says Ian. “It was the sixties: the world and the church were suddenly changed. Dad was a minister and it took a while to sort out whose call it was, and what it was a call to.” His decision to go into ministry made life a little rough at home for a time. “Heather married me on condition that I give the church a wide pass. Later, when her passion and care for refugees led to a position in the

Division of Mission in Canada, we became a two-call family.”

In addition to his formal education at United College in Winnipeg, Ian credits many other key sources for his theological education, including: people in the pastoral charges; Dr. Carl Ridd (of the University of Winnipeg and Augustine United Church); Rev. Ralph Donnelly; ministry team-mates Fred McNally, Jim Uhrich, Kathryn Hoffley, and Barbara Tunnicliffe; the Inter-church Task Force on Northern Flooding; classmates in theology (particularly Bob Haverluck and Stan Mckay); his experience in founding Riverborne, a community development organization; participation in the first peace marches; initiating Public Hearings on Unemployment; writing The Lenten Study Book (2006); and “reading, listening, and being wrong so often!” While all these learning opportunities were highlights for him along the way, Ian adds that the true high points in ministry are “all those experiences when you are with people who need you to speak with them or for them.” Another, more obvious, highlight for him was forming the “Common Cup” musical group with Gordon Light, Jim Uhrich, and Bob Wallace. “We‟re still going, in studio, concerts, and through tours. (See me if you want to host a „She Flies On‟ concert in your neighbourhood!)”



DEE MCEACHERN

Deirdre Alma McEachern, BTh (University of Winnipeg/ICPO). Ordained by Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, 2003. Served Altona UC, Manitoba (Lay Supply Minister, 1986-1987); Fort Garry UC, Winnipeg (Staff Associate, 1987-1989); West Hawk Lake, Manitoba (Lay Pastoral Minister, summer 1990); Strathclair-Newdale-Cardale PC, Manitoba (Lay Pastoral Minister, 1991-1999); Niverville UC, Manitoba (Student Supply, 1999-2003); Robson Valley Shared Ministry, Valemount & McBride, BC (2003-2010).

Dee was born and raised in High River, Alberta, where she was an active part of the United Church. She took part in Mission Band, Sunday school, Explorers, CGIT, Hi-C, and choir. She describes her call to the ministry as a process: “As a Sunday school teacher, I soon discovered that I didn‟t know much, and wanted to know more. I just

kept on learning, and working in the church, particularly when I moved to Manitoba and worked as a lay person at Carman United Church.”

As she began to study what the United Church believed, she became increasingly involved in the broader church, including the General Council Committee for Theology, Faith and Ecumenism. Despite the possibility of field-based training for Diaconal Ministry, Dee believed that ordination was the route for her. When field-based training for ordination became available, Dee was encouraged by Rev. Ralph Donnelly and Rev. Paul Campbell to enter the In Community Program for Ordination (ICPO).

Dee is quick to express gratitude for the many high points in her ministry. “I greatly appreciated the opportunity to baptize 16 children from the Keeseekoowemin First Nation in Elphinstone, Manitoba on an Easter Sunday, after my three regular Sunday services and a very early Easter Sunrise Service. The people were so appreciative and the feast following was such a privilege to partake in, along with an elder and pianist from the Strathclair church. What a wonderful way to celebrate new life in Christ at Easter!” Her ministry has also been full of many challenges, but one particular instance involved going with the RCMP to her friend’s home to tell her that her husband had been killed in a highway accident. “You then become the messenger of bad news, and whenever she sees me, I am a reminder of her loss. That is a very hard thing to get beyond in ministry.”

Dee’s mantra over the years has been, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbour as yourself.” Feminist and liberation theologies have also been an influence and common thread in her ministry; they have brought her to the story of the Good Samaritan, and led her to try very hard not to be the priest or Levite passing by the beaten one on the other side of the road. This has meant that Dee has had to overcome fears of the unknown. To future ministers, Dee says, “Just love the people you serve, regardless. If they are causing you stress, what does that say about what is happening in your life? Something also may be happening for another that is equally sad or tragic, and they may be trying to do it on their own. Find a way to love them.”



PETER MITCHELL

Peter Mitchell, BA, Dip Ed, MDiv (Atlantic School of Theology), M Ed. Ordained by Maritime Conference, 1975. Served Campbellton-Stoneville PC, Nfld. (1975-1976); Maitland PC, NS (1977-1980); Trinity-St. Stephen’s UC, Amherst, NS (1980-1986); Augustine UC, Winnipeg (1986-1988); North Kildonan UC, Winnipeg (1988-1998); Meridian, Manitoba (1998-2004); Shady Creek-Brentwood Bay, BC (2004-2010).

Peter was born in Lancaster, England and grew up in Elgin County, Ontario. He attended St. Luke’s Anglican Church in St. Thomas, until dropping out in his teens. He attended the University of Western Ontario, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and his teaching certificate. While in Sackville, New Brunswick, making his living as a teacher, Peter attended a worship service one Palm Sunday; this service marked his return to the church. “Led by the movement of the Holy Spirit,” he felt a calling to enter the ministry, and enrolled at the Atlantic School of Theology. For Peter, the

high points in ministry have been working with congregations in smaller communities. “Smaller communities actually are communities, in all of the sunshine and shadow that go with human beings in real relationships with one another.” Low points for Peter have involved the politics and structures of the United Church. “My passion has been worship that draws on the heritage of both the local congregation and catholic Christianity, yet is tailored to a particular congregation in a specific time and place. I’ve sought to help construct worship so that it increases the number of people involved in its leadership, and is enriched with their wide variety of gifts. I’ve also worked with others to provide more intimate occasions for worship throughout the church year. These services . . . compliment but do not copy Sunday morning.” One of the strengths Peter has brought to the church is his ability to expand the number of ways in which people are integrated into the life of a congregation. “I’ve been involved in youth groups, seniors‟ groups, lectionary studies, topical studies, couples‟ groups, social groups, and with people gathered around a specific concern in either their community or personal lives.” Peter sends blessings to all the newly commissioned and ordained ministers of our Conference.



CONNIE THOMPSON / AL TYSICK

Constance Jean Thompson, BTh, MDiv (Vancouver School of Theology). Ordained by Alberta and Northwest Conference, 1982. Served Chown Memorial UC, Vancouver (1981-1982); Delia, Craigmyle, and Youngstown, Alberta (1982-1985); Rundle Memorial UC, Banff (1985-1990); Ellesmere UC, North Burnaby (1991-1994); St. Andrew's UC, Fort Langley (1994-2000); Kamloops UC (interim ministry) (2000-2002); Trinity Memorial UC, Abbotsford (2002-2011).

Connie was born in Cecil Lake, BC (in the Fort St. John area), where she spent her childhood and youth. Within the church, she contributed in so many ways: as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, church secretary, presbytery delegate, and Chair of the Board at St. Luke’s United Church in Fort St. John. She was also involved in Peace River Presbytery’s Stewardship Committee.

Connie describes her call to ministry as an “inner drive or passion that could not be ignored.” She pursued her formal theological education at VST, and took Clinical Pastoral Education courses through Riverview

Mental Institute (three-month intensive chaplaincy); the Calgary Pastoral Institute (one year counselling); and North Shore Pastoral Care (a year and a half with Bowen Family Systems Counselling). She has also done interim ministry training and Ministry of Supervision courses.

Connie remembers vividly an event from a work/study tour with a group to Nicaragua in 1988. “We went into the mountains to pick coffee under armed guard because of the threat from the American-backed Contras who were burning villages and killing people who supported the Sandinistan government.” It was an experience of liberation theology in action. She has always been committed to social justice. Still, as with all ministers, there have been difficult times, not the least of which was dealing with loneliness and isolation in some of the towns in which she served. Here’s what Connie offers our newly minted ministers: “Be followers of the living Christ; live and witness to the hope that is within you!”

Allen L. Tysick, BSc, BA, BTh (United Theological College, Montreal), MA, EdD. Ordained by Montreal and Ottawa Conference, 1980. Served Brinston, Hulbert-Valley PC, Ontario (1980-1988); Williamsburg, Ontario (1989-1991); Open Door / Our Place, Victoria (1992-2011).

l was born and raised in Ottawa. His experience of church prior to his call to the ministry was with the poor in Ottawa. Sensing “a push from God,” he entered seminary. In a recent article in The United Church Observer (April 2011), Al is quoted as saying, “My real love is that calling to the street that came from God many years ago.” Al is best known for his work in downtown Victoria, with Our Place outreach centre (formerly known as Open Door).



MOLLIE WILLIAMS

Eunice Mary Williams, BA, MDiv (Vancouver School of Theology). Ordained by BC Conference, 1974. Served Rockyford PC, Alberta (1974-1978); First UC, White Rock (1978-1991); Crescent UC, Surrey (Interim, 1991-1993); Eagle Ridge UC, Coquitlam (1993-2002); Trinity UC, Port Coquitlam (Interim, 2002-2004); Highlands UC, North Vancouver (Supply, 2004-2005); Tsawwassen UC (Interim, 2005-2007); Lynn Valley UC, North Vancouver (Interim, 2007-2009); Cloverdale PC, Surrey (Interim, 2009-2011).

Mollie was born in Sidney, BC and grew up in Vancouver. She attended her local congregation, West Point Grey United Church, and participated and provided leadership in Explorers, CGIT, various church choirs, and youth groups. She also served on BC Conference Executive as a teenager.

After graduating from UBC, she attended VST because she felt she lacked vocational direction and wanted to integrate her faith with her life, more fully. “In response to the gift of receiving a theological education, I felt I should give something back by serving on two summer Mission Fields. When people in the two pastoral charges I served in rural Saskatchewan stayed awake during my sermons, did not run from my pastoral visits or leave town in the face of whatever else I was able to offer, it occurred to me that maybe I was quietly being called to ordained ministry.” Mollie truly enjoyed serving as an interim minister in five different pastoral charges. Says Mollie, “It’s great fun because one never knows exactly what one is getting into!” She also feels that a highlight of her ministry was volunteering in the wider church, through presbyteries, Conference, and General Council, because it felt like it was important work for the greater, common good. After considering what wisdom she has gleaned from her years of service, Mollie chooses to pass along these words: “Take time to listen to your own heartbeat and to what is driving your deepest thoughts, so that you may discern where God is moving in your life and ministry. Trust your instincts. Be present among a worshipping community, and wherever possible be part of a group of colleagues who will meet regularly for support and encouragement. Ask them to help you to be accountable to your best self, and offer to be that for them as well.”



RUTH WRIGHT

Ruth Lynne Wright, BSc, BEd, MA, MDiv, PhD, DMin, DD. Ordained by Montreal & Ottawa Conference, 1995. Served Apple Hill PC, Ontario (Student Supply, 1992-1995); Summerford-Moreton‟s Harbour PC, Nfld. (1995-1997); First UC, Vancouver (1997-2007); St. Aidan‟s UC, Victoria (2007-2009); Wood Lake PC, Winfield, BC (2009-2011).

Ruth was born in Moncton, New Brunswick and grew up in the Maritimes. In her younger years, she was involved in the church as a musician, youth leader, and elder, took part in Bible studies, and found herself working with the disenfranchised. She felt called to the ministry over and over again, “by mentors, by „street people‟ in Rideau Market while teaching at the University of Ottawa, by the United Church education and student process, and by an elderly woman sleeping on a heat grate outside my office one very cold winter night, whose voice I couldn’t ignore.”

Ruth received her theological education through Queen’s Theological College and Vancouver School of Theology. In addition to the pastoral charges she served between 1992 and 2011, she has worked in a variety teaching and research settings, including:

teaching high school science and working as a school administrator

serving as a tenured professor and administrator at St. Francis Xavier University and the University of Ottawa; assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan

teaching sessional courses for Queen‟s University and several Canadian theological colleges

working as an independent researcher and trainer focused on organization administration and employee development

Ruth also has a principalship certificate, a certificate from the Problem Gambling Program of the Justice Institute of BC, a certificate in Senior University Administration from the University of Western Ontario, Interim Ministry designation, and Ministry of Supervision training. Over the years, her passion has been facilitating change gently. As one whose life has been devoted to social justice and working with the poor, Ruth speaks of her dismay at “how rapidly justice work is eroding in The United Church of Canada.” When asked what she remembers most fondly in her ministry, her mind casts back on several months she spent in Africa as a guest of a Methodist Bishop. To future minister, Ruth advises: “Be the first to recognize the point at which your wisdom becomes trite.”



DONNA ZIEGLER

Donna Leigh Ziegler. Recognized as Designated Lay Minister by BC Conference, 2009. Served First United Church, Prince Rupert (2006-2010).

Donna was born in Chilliwack, BC, and lived in Hope for her first year of life until her father joined the service during the Second World War, at which point her mother brought the family to Vancouver. When her father was discharged, the family moved to Chilliwack. Donna attended Sunday school and church, and became an active member of Explorers and CGIT. After graduating from Chilliwack High School in 1957 and completing grade 13 the following year, Donna worked at Camp Chilliwack. Within a year, she married and moved to Williams Lake, then Prince Rupert, and eventually ended up in Terrace in 1966 with a growing family of four children.

As an adult, Donna was very involved in the church. She taught Sunday school, was part of the UCW, attended Bible study groups, and chaired church committees and the Church Board at Knox United, Terrace. In 1982, she became treasurer for Prince Rupert Presbytery and has served in a variety of positions on Presbytery since that time. She has also served on BC Conference committees and was Vice-Chair and Chair of the Home Missions Committee for a total of six years. These responsibilities took her to the Division of Mission in Canada, where she also served on committees for six years. By 1985, Donna felt a call to a ministry of word, sacrament, and pastoral care, but felt too busy and “too old” to pursue the call. “At this time, we owned two companies, one of which was my accounting practice and the other, a water utility. This work, along with our blended family of nine, plus grandchildren and the volunteer work, kept me more than busy. However, when I turned 65 and was challenged to consider Lay Pastoral Ministry, I could no longer say ”No”.

In addition to her theological education through United Theological College, Donna’s own life experience and church involvement equipped her for the work. Over the years, she has also taken Kerygma courses, Knowledge Network Bible studies, Native Ministries Summer School (at VST), and many other workshops and seminars. An image that stands out for her as a highlight is a multi-faith wedding in the rain at Crippen Cove. Everyone had to wear gum boots! Her time of trial came when she had to make the decision to retire. Donna‟s ministry has focused on pastoral care and the building of relationships. “I consider ministry a sacred trust.” Related to this is her sage advice to us all: “Honour and respect others‟ views while you hold onto your own beliefs and live your life with integrity.”


MEMORIALS

MAY 2009—APRIL 2011

2009

Rev. Ruskin Thorpe – August 16, 2009

Louise Best (Missionary) – August 23, 2009

Rev. Hadden Gregory – December 18, 2009

2010

Rev. Pete Collins – Jan 13, 2010

Rev. Donald Macpherson – Jan 30, 2010

Rev. Arthur Greenhough – April 3, 2010

Rev. Benjamin Taylor – April 6, 2010

Rev. Raymond Fenn—April 26, 2010

Rev. Alice M. Hogman – May 6, 2010

Rev. Arthur Lloyd Anderson – August 12, 2010

Rev. Fredrick Roy Anderson – October 26, 2010

Rev. Glenn Baker – October 29, 2010

John Douglas Robertson – November 1, 2010

Rev. Howard Filsinger – November 26, 2010

Rev. Clifford R. McMurtry – December 6, 2010

2011

Rev. Art Henderson – February 15, 2011

Rev. Rayburn Hugh McColl – February 20, 2011

Rev. Theo E. C. Roberts – February 23, 2011

Rev. Ellen Turley – March 26, 2011

Rev. Marvin G. Fowler— April 7, 2011

Rev. Albert Baldeo—April 25, 2011

Rev. John A. Godfrey—May 4, 2011

Rev. George Stegen—May 12, 2011


MEMORIALS


Rev. Ruskin Thorpe June 12, 1923 – July 23, 2009

Ruskin Peter Thorpe was ordained by Toronto Conference in 1958. He served congregations in Muskoka, Windermere-Roussea, Dalston, and Angus (Ontario). In the early 1970s, he taught at the Berean Christian School (subsequently known as Grenville Christian College) in Brockville. He retired and settled in the Vancouver area in 1974. Ruskin died in Surrey.

Louise Best

June 11, 1925 – August 12, 2009 Gertrude Louise Best was born at Grafton, King’s County, Nova Scotia. She was commissioned by Maritime Conference in 1952 and appointed by the Woman’s Missionary Society to the Language School in Allahad, India. Louise soon moved to Kharua, where she taught from 1953 to 1965. She then taught at the Christian School in Neemuch from 1966 to 1987. The School in Neemuch was attached to a Children’s Home, and Louise was involved in a project that ensured that orphaned girls had dowries so they could have the option of marriage. Louise retired to British Columbia in 1987. She was a member of Shiloh United Church in New Westminster, before it amalgamated with Sixth Avenue United Church. She brought an intercultural understanding to the congregation long before it was recognized as necessary; this was a significant service to Shiloh, because of its large number of Taiwanese members. Louise also spoke frequently on behalf of the Mission & Service Fund, around the Lower Mainland. Louise’s memorial service was held at Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church on August 23, 2009.

Rev. Hadden Gregory December 26, 1929 – December 18, 2009

James Hadden Gregory was born in Winnipeg. He graduated from Union College (now Vancouver School of Theology) and was ordained in 1959 by BC Conference. He served in Dubuc (Saskatchewan), Quesnel, Abbotsford, East Trail, Marpole (Vancouver), Nelson, and Williams Lake, retiring to Salmon Arm in 1993. Hadden also served as BC Conference President in 1985. Hadden died at Shuswap Lake Hospital in Salmon Arm, on December 18, 2009. He is survived by his wife Evelyn; sons Stephen, Keith, and Paul; sister Audrey, and brother Arnold. A memorial service for Hadden was held in May 2010..

Rev. Pete Collins

October 14, 1918 – January 13, 2010 Harvard Petain (Pete) Collins was born into the Presbyterian Church, in Toronto. He participated in the YMCA War Services in Estevan, Saskatchewan during the Second World War. From 1946 to 1951, he was Director of Christian Education at Ryerson United Church in Vancouver, and established the 13th Ryerson Troop (Cubs and Scouts). Pete attended Union College and was ordained by BC Conference in 1951. He served the church at Pioneer-Bralorne, Abbotsford, Rossland, and Haney. From 1973 to 1983, he worked within the church’s administration, first as Personnel Secretary for BC Conference, then as Ministry Personnel and Education Administrator for General Council. He strongly maintained that “administration is ad-ministry.” After retiring in 1983, he returned to British Columbia. Pete was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, by just two days. He is survived by daughter Patti and son Bill. A memorial service was held at Queens Avenue United Church in New Westminster on January 23, 2010.


MEMORIALS


Rev. Donald Macpherson January 10, 1922 – January 30, 2010

Donald Anthony Macpherson was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference in 1950. He served charges in Saskatchewan, Albert-Northwest, and BC Conferences. He retired in 1987 from Westbank United Church. Don took a great interest in camping and was involved in many of them. He was also a keen supporter of the “Food Grains Bank,” and his eyes would tear up when he would speak about how little it costs to keep people healthy in other countries. Don died in Kelowna on January 30, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Cathy, and children Bruce, Faye, and Vaughn. He was predeceased by his son, Murray. A memorial service was held at Westbank United Church on February 20, 2010.

Rev. Art Greenhough

June 20, 1922 – April 3, 2010 Abraham Arthur (Art) Greehnhough was born in England and came to Canada at the age of three. He grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, and served as a signalman on a number of corvettes with the Canadian Armed Forces (Navy) during the Second World War. He met and married Ruth Gibbons on June 19, 1947. Art earned his Degree in Theology from McGill University and entered the ministry of the United Church o f Canada in 1960 where he served in var ious charges throughout Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. He retired in 1988. Art is survived by his wife Ruth and their children Terrence, Stuart, Jacalyn, Ronald, and Arthur. A memorial service was held on April 24, 2010 at Westbank United Church.

Rev. Ben Taylor

August 4, 1921 – April 6, 2010 Benjamin H. Taylor was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was ordained in the Irish Methodist Church. He came to Canada in 1956 and served a number of congregations in BC. Among his pastorates were Powell River, North Lonsdale (North Vancouver), Knox (Prince George), Trinity Memorial (Abbotsford), and Peachland. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and his children Lesley, Daphne, Sharon, and Paul. Ben was predeceased by his son, Barrie, in 1994. A service in celebration of his life was held on April 13, 2010 at Trinity Memorial United Church in Abbotsford.

Rev. Ray Fenn

March 30, 1916 – April 26, 2010 Raymond William Fenn had several careers during his lifetime, including social worker, minister, funeral director and, during the war, ambulance driver. He was received into The United Church of Canada from the Congregational Church in England, in 1957. He served congregations in the Maritimes and Ontario before coming to British Columbia in 1960 to serve Courtenay and Comox, then Vanderhoof. In 1971, Ray chose to leave pastoral ministry and move into the field of Social Work and Counselling. He worked in Quesnel and Campbell River until his retirement in 1981. He went on the Discontinued Service List (voluntarily) in 1986. Ray was always concerned about social justice, and gave to many causes that he believed in. He was predeceased by his wife, Edna, and is survived by his daughters, Jennifer and Jane. A celebration of life was held at Bailey’s Restaurant (670 Primrose St.) in Qualicum Beach on May 15, 2010.


MEMORIALS


Rev. Alice Hogman November 25, 1922 – May 6, 2010

Alice Mary Hogman (née Walker) was ordained in 1948 by Manitoba Conference. A pioneer in the ministry of women, she served charges in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. During the 1960s, she and her husband, the Rev. Bill Hogman, served as overseas personnel in Trinidad. After retirement, the couple moved to BC. Alice is survived by her husband and their three children, Susan, John, and Kathy. A memorial service was held on May 14, 2010 at Highlands United Church in North Vancouver.

Rev. Art Anderson July 10, 1914 – August 12, 2010

Arthur Lloyd Anderson was ordained in 1937 by BC Conference. He served the church at Stewart, Cumberland, Union Bay, Barkerville, St. Paul’s (Nelson), First United (Kamloops), First United (Victoria), Dunbar Heights (Vancouver), Pleasant Heights (Calgary), and Marpole (Vancouver). Art also studied under Paul Tillich in New York City and served in a chaplaincy capacity with the RCAF during WWII. He was President of BC Conference in 1962. After retiring in 1979, he served as occasional pulpit supply at First United (Victoria) and Sunnyside United (South Surrey). Art died in White Rock at Peace Arch Hospital, aged 96. He is survived by his wife, Lena, and children David, Kathleen, and Rev. Heather Anderson.

Rev. Fred Anderson

April 7, 1931 – October 26, 2010 Frederick Roy Anderson was ordained by BC Conference in 1956. From 1956 to 1966, Fred served as a missionary to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and then Zambia. In 1968, he returned to BC, and served as minister at Salt Spring Island. Fred became Superintendent at the Friendship Centre in Prince Rupert in 1978, where he met his wife, Dorothy. He continued to work at the Centre in his retirement. Fred served as Chair of Prince Rupert Presbytery, 1996-1997. A service was held in Prince Rupert on October 28, 2010 at First United Church. A non-liturgical event in honour of Fred was held October 29th at the Nishga Hall in Prince Rupert.

Rev. Glen Baker

April 28, 1932 – November 1, 2010 Glen Worsfold Baker was born in Prince Rupert. He began ministry as lay supply at Cadillac, Saskatchewan in 1953. He was ordained by BC Conference in 1958, after graduating from Union College. Among the charges that he served are: Prince George Rural, McBride, South Arm (Richmond), First United (Vancouver), Dunbar Heights (Vancouver), First United (Kelowna), and West Howe Sound. Glen was the President of BC Conference from 1986 to 1987. He gave his entire career to ministry, most recently in team with his wife Patricia (also ordained) in Kelowna and Sechelt, which is where they retired. Glen is survived by Patricia and their five children, Lorraine, Dianne, Cathy, Michael and Richard. A service was held at St. John's United Church in Sechelt on Nov. 3, 2010.


MEMORIALS


John Robertson May 7, 1937 – November 1, 2010

John Douglas Lawrence Robertson was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He provided leadership in education, personnel, and finance in his various positions within the United Church. During the 1970s, he worked within the Division of Mission in Canada in the Administration and Financial Policy areas at the General Council office in Toronto. He later served as the Director at Naramata Centre, and Presbytery Officer for Kamloops-Okanagan and Kootenay Presbyteries. John died at Moog and Friends Hospice House in Penticton. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and children Geoffrey, Gordon, and Julie. A service in celebration of John’s life was held on November 10, 2010 at Columbia Hall, Naramata Centre.

Rev. Howard Filsinger January 2, 1930 – November 26, 2010

Howard George Filsinger was born in Bruce County, Ontario. Howard graduated in 1953 from the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) in Guelph with a BSA in Agricultural Economics. He studied theology at Emmanuel College, where he graduated with a B.D., and was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference in 1957. Howard served the United Church in Central Butte and Gravelbourg (Saskatchewan), and for thirty-two years at First United Church in White Rock. He is known for his dedicated board work in developing community services to meet the needs of the growing community. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and their two sons, Bruce and Brian. A memorial service of thanksgiving was held on January 8, 2001 at First United Church (White Rock).

Rev. Dr. Cliff McMurtry

December 22, 1926 – December 6, 2010 Clifford Rundle McMurtry was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference in 1949. As a United Church minister, Cliff served in the communities of Radville (Saskatchewan), Wetaskiwin (Alberta), Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. In Winnipeg, he was instrumental in starting up Agapé Table, an organization that has served free hot meals to underprivileged people in the inner city since 1980, and is still going strong. After retiring, he moved to Tsawwassen, BC, and attended Ladner United Church, where he shared in memorial services and conducted regular pastoral visitations. He also served for many years as the Convener of Pensioners for Vancouver South Presbytery. Cliff had a passion for including those who felt on the fringes and, in his pastoral ministry, he had a special gift for keeping in touch with persons who were marginalized. His written prayers were beautifully crafted and flowed from his heart. Cliff’s Memorial Service was held December 9, 2010 at Cedar Park Mennonite Church (Delta, BC). He is survived by his wife, Betty, and his children, Joan, Rob, and Ruth. Cliff was predeceased by his son, Jim.

Rev. Art Henderson

September 7, 1926 – February 15, 2011 Arthur John Henderson was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference in 1952. He served pastorates in Battleford, Fillmore, Antler-Redvers, Melville, and Foam Lake (Saskatchewan). He retired to Chilliwack. A memorial service was held on February 18, 2011 at Mt. Shannon United Church in Chilliwack.


MEMORIALS


Rev. Ray McColl June 14, 1923 – February 20, 2011

Rayburn Hugh McColl was born in Winnipeg and graduated from the Royal Canadian Naval College, the University of Manitoba, Union College (BC), McGill University, and University of Guelph. Ray was appointed as a Lieutenant RCNVR in 1944, and served aboard the corvette, Lachute, on the North Atlantic convoys. Decorated with the 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star, CVSM and Bar, and Victory Medal. Ray was ordained by BC Conference in 1949, and served as Captain of the Thomas Crosby IV. He also served pastorates in Chateauguay (Quebec), London (Ontario), Waterloo (Ontario), and Niagara Falls (Ontario). He was an active member in the United Church General Council, and Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. While in Vancouver, Ray was the Chaplain for the Vancouver Naval Veterans, the Billy Bishop Legion #176, and the Vancouver Zone Naval Veterans. He continued to be active in the Naval Officers Association of BC. Ray is survived by his sons Hugh, John, and David. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Wulffraat). A memorial service was held at Dunbar Heights United Church on February 28, 2011.

Rev. Theo Roberts

February 25, 1920 – February 23, 2011 Theodore Ernest Charles Roberts was ordained by Manitoba Conference in 1947. During the course of his 37-year ministry, he served the church in Manitoba at Snowflake and Wawanesa, then in BC at Langley-Milner, Parksville, Rossland, and Kitimat. A memorial service for Theo was held at Gladwin Heights United Church (Abbotsford) on March 1, 2011.

Rev. Ellen Turley

November 5, 1958 – March 26, 2011 Ellen Turley was born in Kamloops. She studied accounting at UBC, graduated in law from the University of Toronto (1982), and was ordained in the United Church after receiving her MDiv. from Emmanuel College (1987). She was a member of the bar of British Columbia and Ontario, and in 1997, she returned to BC to become a sitting Justice in Vancouver.

Ellen was a compassionate advocate for the disadvantaged and marginalized. Her causes included refugee advocacy, women’s rights, and helping those less fortunate. She was a member of the Canadian Refugee Board, the United Nations Commission on Refugees, and the Canadian Council of Churches. She is survived by her twin sister, Margaret, and brothers Frank, Bill, and Bob. She will be missed by her nephews and nieces, and her special friend, Maureen Simpson. A celebration of Ellen’s life took place on April 2, 2011 at Kamloops United Church.


MEMORIALS


Rev. Marvin G. Fowler July 28, 1929 – April 7, 2011

Marvin Gehman Fowler was born in High River, Alberta. He was ordained by Alberta Conference in 1954 and served Sexsmith and Acme charges in Alberta; First United (Victoria); Glenayre (New Westminster), Coquitlam, Mackenzie-Bear Lake, Smithers, and Bamfield. Marvin was active with many community activities, including scouting, youth work, church camps, SHARE Crisis Centre, Aboriginal Neighbours, and the Baden Powell Guild. He was also a lifeguard, swimming instructor and volunteer fireman. Marvin died in Duncan, BC. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, and their children John, Skai, Rebecca, Stephen, and Lydia. A service was held on April 14, 2011 at Sylvan United Church, Mill Bay, BC.

Rev. Albert Baldeo

April 21, 1930 – April 25, 2011 Henry Albert Baldeo was born in Penal, Trinidad. He was a teacher for ten years in Trinidad before studying theology at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick and St. Stephen’s Theological Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta. He met and married Beryl Hobbs, and the two moved back to Trinidad, where Albert served as a Presbyterian minister for eight years. In 1971, the Baldeo family moved to Canada, where Albert served in the United Church of Canada. He served within Alberta Conference at Chinook Cooperative Parish, Coaldale, and St. James (Edmonton) prior to moving to Kelowna in 1981. He served St. Paul’s United Church (Kelowna) until his official retirement in 1995, and continued there as Minister Emeritus until his death. Albert was known as a gifted orator with a wonderful sense of humour, and one who encouraged others to embrace life with gratitude. He wrote a weekly column of pastoral reflections in the Kelowna Capital News, and was known as “the Chaplain of the City of Kelowna.” Albert was an active member of Rotary International, and he nurtured, advocated, and raised funds for countless organizations related to poverty and other social causes. In 1983, he was Kelowna’s Citizen of the year; in 1992 and 2002, he received the Queen’s Commemorative Medal; and in 2003, he was presented with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. He is survived by his wife, Beryl, and their three daughters, Ramona, Kim, and Kaylyn. A “celebration of life” service was held on April 30, 2011 at Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna.

Rev. John Allan Sanderson Godfrey December 12, 1924 – May 4, 2011

John Godfrey was born in Sudbury, Ontario. He served in various locations in Canada during the Second World War. He also volunteered for the Chemical Warfare Laboratories experiments in Ottawa, for which he received a special note of thanks in 2004. He was shipped overseas during the Korean conflict where he served as a supply Sergeant. When the Korean War ended, John became a police officer in Parry Sound, then in Neilson-Garson, near Sudbury. In 1960, he moved with his family to Kitimat, to work at the Alcan smelter as a stud puller, but he soon became a candidate for the ministry, sponsored by Kitimat United Church. John attended Union College and was ordained by BC Conference in 1967. He served in 100 Mile House, Greenwood, and Kimberly before moving to Alberta and Northwest Conference, where he served in several southern Alberta charges. John served as Chair of South Alberta Presbytery in the year leading up to his retirement in 1989. Moving to Nanaimo, John served at Brechin United Church as a “fill-in” minister. Among other charitable activities, he volunteered at the Nanaimo Crisis Centre; served as a Chaplain at the Legion 256 Branch; and volunteered for Family Life as a peer counsellor. John is survived by his wife, Hazel Godfrey, and children, Marilyn and Lawrence. A service in celebration of his life will be held at the Oliver Woods Community Center in Nanaimo on June 4, 2011.


MEMORIALS


Rev. George Albert Stegen April 25, 1929 – May 12, 2011

George Stegen was born in Spain and came to Canada when he was 11. After receiving an education at McGill University, Sir George Williams University (Montreal), and Trinity College (Toronto), he was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1954. George served as Archdeacon of Okanagan, Vancouver General Hospital, Christ Church Cathedral (Vancouver), and St. Paul’s Church (Powell River). In 1962, he was made Canon of St. George’s Diocese in Winnipeg.

George was admitted to The United Church of Canada in 1984, and served West Burnaby United Church for 16 years. He also served as a Lieutenant and naval chaplain within the Royal Canadian Navy; chaplain of Legion 83; and commodore and chaplain of the Vancouver Rowing Club. George is survived by his wife, Claire; children Chris, Geoffrey, and Katherine; and stepchildren Cheryl, Wendy, and Laurie. A celebration of George’s life will be held May 24, 2011 at Queens Avenue United Church, New Westminster.


BC CONFERENCE ENDS POLICIES

MISSION

Mission The mission of the BC Conference Executive is:

healthy congregations and ministries;

effective leadership;

faithful public witness.



VISION—HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & MINISTRIES

The vision of BC Conference Executive regarding “Healthy Congregations and Ministries” is: Mission that: is clear and articulated is rooted in United Church of Canada heritage; is part of the global body of Christ Worship and Spirituality that: is rooted in scripture, tradition, and our lived experience; builds up the body of Christ; is inspired and inspiring; nurtures personal and corporate spiritual growth Leadership that: is gifted and led by the Spirit is fittingly trained and equipped; has a clear, shared mission and vision; is empowered by and empowering of the congregation is able to recognize and respond to conflict Evangelism that: is grounded in the gospel story, appropriated in a deep, life-giving faith is shared and spoken with the spirit of enthusiasm and love is the outpouring of a joyful life Fellowship that: deepens relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ is deeply joyful even when sharing sorrow is caring, safe and respectful reconciles conflict and hurts is welcoming of all ages and cultures Discipleship that: calls every person into the faithful service of Jesus; honours and builds up the individual gifts of all; is grounded in the Christian story and responsive to the world calls out sacrificial giving

money time talents

(Continued on page 41)



VISION—HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & MINISTRIES (CONT’D)

Outreach and Service that: embodies the love and communion of Christ both locally and globally responds sacrificially to the needs of the world from a sense of gratitude initiates action in a timely manner

Organizational Structures that: embody the vision, purpose and goals of the congregation are accessible to all

transparent decision-making transparent communication

are functional and efficient recognize and respond well to conflict

(Continued from page 40)



VISION—EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

The vision of BC Conference Executive regarding “Effective Leadership” is: The church longs for leadership that passionately proclaims the gospel and so we seek

leadership that it is rooted in the biblical narrative;

leadership that is being transformed / converted by the good news;

leadership that is in service to Jesus Christ;

leadership that dares to risk speaking the truth in love;

leadership whose way of life bears witness to their faith;

leadership with evident spiritual gifts (teaching/preaching/healing)

leadership that is called and set apart

leadership with knowledge and understanding of United Church polity.

This kind of leadership

leads people into life within the biblical story;

leads the community in its covenanted relationship with God;

leads by building up the community, Body of Christ, Church, and the people of God;

leads in ways appropriate to the cultural context;

helps the community embrace change and discover and achieve goals:

Is both challenged and supported within the structures of the Conference.



VISION—FAITHFUL PUBLIC WITNESS

The vision of BC Conference Executive regarding “Faithful Public Witness” is:

witness that is:

practiced by congregations, presbyteries, conference, leaders and members

grounded in the scriptural and theological basis of public witness and action;

grounded in prayer and spiritual disciplines;

empowered and able to act;

well-informed about the major social and cultural issues facing the church and world.

Conference and coalition-based educational and advocacy initiatives in the areas of:

right relationships with First Nations brothers and sisters, including just treaty negotiations and residential school resolution;

provincial government policies;

racial justice;

HIV/AIDS.

As we work toward this vision of Faithful Public Witness, we shall:

1. act with integrity

ensuring our faith and actions are congruent

2. respect diversity

consulting with others, honoring the views of others

3. collaborate with others in the church and community

in particular, in the UCC and among coalition groups

4. be pro-active

initiating action and willing to take risks

5. be prophetic

offering challenge to injustice, comfort to the afflicted.



PRIORITIES

To fulfill its mission, the present priorities of the BC Conference Executive are:

1. “Effective Leadership” as defined in the “Vision-Effective Leadership” policy.

The following groups of people will receive priority attention:

a. Ministry Personnel

ministry personnel will be able to receive safe and expert Pastoral Care and/or Spiritual Guidance within church structures

b. youth

c. major Conference, presbytery and congregational leaders

d. First Nations

e. Ethnic and Multicultural Ministries

2. Outdoor Ministry



ENDS

BC Conference Executive supports and oversees Presbyteries, Congregations and Conference ministries within the bounds of BC Conference with available resources.

It does so by undertaking to achieve the following goals (2008-2011):

1. GOVERNANCE

a. Strengthen the identity and cohesiveness of the United Church in BC, and the level of confidence and competence in and of its leadership.

b. Provide sustainable structural and program support to Presbyteries.

c. Establish a strategic policy and planning function or capacity.

2. OPERATIONS

a. Achieve and maintain financial stability and sustainability.

b. Allocate financial resources to support priority ministry and organizational needs.

c. Provide institutional oversight to ensure church structures are legal and functional.

3. MINISTRY

a. Provide effective oversight of the standards and placement of new ministry personnel.

b. Provide a full range of human resource management support and services for ministry personnel and institutions in BC Conference.

c. Provide professional development programs to enhance priority skills and abilities for effective ministry.



PRACTICES STATEMENT

As a living witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, BC Conference Executive of The United Church of Canada seeks:

1. To be rooted in gospel memory and hope by

a. Faithfully keeping our covenants with God and neighbour

b. Stewarding our inheritance of scripture and tradition

c. Proclaiming and embodying God’s new creation

d. Practicing hospitality with strangers and making room for diversity, and

2. To build up the Body of Christ by

a. bringing differences to the table of reconciliation

b. ordering our life together justly and with compassion

c. stewarding resources faithfully

d. practicing the disciplines of worship, prayer and spiritual discernment


BC CONFERENCE

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

President Dan Chambers 2009-2011 President-Elect Debra Bowman 2009-2011 Executive Secretary Doug Goodwin 2003 Cariboo Presbytery Maureen Anderson 2010 - 2013 Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery Julianne Kasmer 2010 - 2011 Fraser Presbytery Cari Copeman-Haynes 2004 - 2011 Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery Ian Fraser 2010 - 2013 Kootenay Presbytery Shelley Stickel-Miles 2009 - 2012 Prince Rupert Presbytery Wally Hargrave 2008 - 2011 Nancy O’Higgins 2011 - 2014 Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery Linda Gunn 2008 - 2013 Vancouver-South Presbytery Jean McCutcheon 2009 - 2012 Victoria Presbytery Al Fowler 2006 - 2012 Westminster Presbytery Carole Finch 2006 - 2012 Finance Council Mark Paetkau 2008 Ministry Personnel Council Gary Gaudin 2010 - 2013 Native Ministries Council Jim Angus / Jim White 2006 Ethnic Ministries Brian Tsai 2008 General Council Executive (OM) Heather Burton 2006 - 2012 General Council Executive (Lay) Alvin Dixon 2009 - 2015 Youth Jacob Black-Lock 2008 - 2014 Youth Robyn Green 2011 - 2014


BC CONFERENCE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS

BC Conference Executive and Property Development Council

Summary of Actions—April 2009 to April 2011

The British Columbia Conference Property Development Council of The United Church of Canada (PDC) is a society wholly controlled by the BC Conference Executive. It receives, holds, transfers and sells property on behalf of the Conference. Its members are the members of the BC Conference Executive.

At each meeting the BC Conference Executive spent time:

in worship

in training and education in good governance practices and theory;

listening to the Ownership in order to better understand the desires, hopes and needs of the variety of constituents within BC Conference;

listing the Outcomes desired by the members for the meeting;

monitoring Executive Secretary performance against the established policies through a written report and extensive conversation;

hearing from the General Council Executive representatives about the work of the General Council;

reviewing Executive policies to ensure they say exactly what the Executive want them to say;

evaluating the meeting and offering appreciations.

April 23, 2009

The Property Development Council:

approved the sale of Renfrew United Church for $2,350,000 to Pacific Grace Mennonite Brethren Church of Vancouver, possession date June 30, 2009.

May 15, 2009


approved the sale of St. John’s United Church, Vancouver, to Westbank Projects Corporation for $4,400,000, possession date August 2, 2009.

November 5-7, 2009

The BC Conference Executive:

heard that work toward the fulfillment of the Three Year Plan was generally on track;

heard of the development of a “Personnel Team” of staff to provide better coordinated and supported personnel services to the Presbyteries; that support for the Audio Visual Educational Library (AVEL West) would end in 2010 due to lower use and rising per unit costs; that in a joint agreement with Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery $2 million had been assigned to a trust fund for the future development of First United Church, Vancouver;

heard that the pledge of $500,000 to the Naramata Centre for its capital campaign has been paid;

heard from the Rev. Dr. Keith Howard about the present state of the church and trends in church and society;


BC CONFERENCE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS (CONT’D)

approved the 2008 audited financial statements;

adopted the Ten Year Financial Vision that shapes the Conference’s financial planning and decision-making;

adopted the 2010 operating budget with anticipated expenditures approximately $1.6 million; heard how the poor financial markets of 2008 have negatively affected Conference investment income;

head an update on the Camp Future Project, including the start of capital development at Camp Fircom and Camp Pringle;

received a report recommending a “vision” for the General Meeting of Conference and asked for refinements to be made for presentation to the next Executive meeting.

December 4, 2009


approved the sale of East Burnaby United Church to the Parish of St. Peter and St. Paul for $1,850,000, possession date December 29, 2009.

March 18-20, 2010


heard that the Camp Future Project development is on track with major construction at Camp Fircom and Camp Pringle; that Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery has agreed to the sale of Camp Moorecroft;

heard that plans are in place for a Leadership Training program to begin in the fall; that the Conference has hosted two ecumenical Truth and Reconciliation meetings; that a Mobile Counsellor position has been established to work with survivors of Indian Residential Schools, their families and communities, funded equally with the General Council;

appointed the Rev. Dr. Brian Thorpe as Acting Executive Secretary from April through June when Doug Goodwin is on sabbatical;

heard from the Presbyteries regarding their major issues and work; heard, in particular, that Presbyteries are seeking release from organizational maintenance and “housekeeping”, particularly in the area of pastoral relations;

decided not to continue to push for changes to the Conference Executive membership due to a lack of interest among the Presbyteries;

received a Communication Plan which guides the communication work of the Conference;

agreed to a contract with Ian Fraser to conduct an “external organizational audit” as part of the regular monitoring of the work of the Executive Secretary;

revised the “Vision – Effective Leadership” policy and the “Priorities” policy;

discussed the desirability of a policy about the use of assets from property sales and set aside time at the next meeting for discussion;

appointed the Rev. Dan Chamber as the Alternate General Council Executive Ordered Representative;

authorized the use of monies from the Crosby Fund to be used to support the Mobile Counsellor staff position for three years.


BC CONFERENCE


November 18-20, 2010


met at Sylvan Lake United Church, Sylvan Lake, BC;

heard that the Incorporated Ministries Oversight Committee has been put in place with the Rev. David Ewart contracted to provide leadership;

heard that construction at Camp Pringle is almost complete and a large percentage of the work finished at Camp Fircom (both will be open in the summer of 2011); that costs are approximately 3% greater than budgeted due, primarily, to the large amount of clean-up needed at Camp Fircom;

approved the acceptance of the gift of land from Timberwest Forest Corp. which ensures a sustainable water supply for the camp;

heard of the successful start of the “Sowing Promise, Growing Leaders” leadership training program; that over 200 youth attended the “Evolve Your Faith” youth gathering at the Naramata Centre;

heard that a Mobile Counsellor, Irene Champagne, has been hired and has begun her work;

heard that Missy Taylor has left as Receptionist and a temporary replacement hired;

heard from representatives from Fraser Presbytery and engaged in discussion with them about their dissatisfaction with the amount and type of support being received from the Conference;

received the “external organizational audit” from Ian Fraser, noting, in particular, the difficulty of evaluating Ends Policy compliance when the Ends statements are so general;

heard that the budget is now using the flat rate of 3% of Line 40 of the Year Book statistical report to assess Presbyteries;

adopted an Operating Budget 2011 with a total expenditure of approximately $1.9 million;

decided to reassess Conference priorities in conjunction with new Ends statements, yet to be developed;

accepted the 2009 audited financial statements of the Conference and PDC;

requested the Executive Secretary to write the Government of Canada regarding Bill 393;

accepted the report “General Meeting Vision” which used the Methodist concept of “connexionality” as a governing image.

December 10, 2010


approved the transfer of the title to Eagle Ridge United Church from the PDC to the trustees of the congregation;

approved the transfer of the titles to Hastings United Church (Longhouse Ministries) to the PDC from the Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery-appointed trustees.

December 10, 2010


approved the sale of the Camp Moorecroft property to the Regional District of Nanaimo for $4,800,000, possession date of March 2, 2011, and the acceptance of a conservation covenant monitored by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.


BC CONFERENCE


March 17-19, 2011


received and discussed the internal financial reports for 2010; heard that capital development at Camp Fircom and Camp Pringle will total approximately $11.5 million;

spent significant time working on new Ends policies that will establish the expectations for the work of the Conference; established a working group to continue work on the Ends policies;

heard that the Ministry Fund has now been established with an agreement with Vancouver- Burrard Presbytery regarding the monies from property sales within that Presbytery;

adopted “in principle” a “Property Sales and Use of Property Sale Assets” policy;

heard of plans for the General Meeting 2011 in Penticton, BC;

adopted as a working document a report outlining the experience, skills and qualifications desirable for Conference Executive members;

decided to develop orientation materials and training for new Executive members;

altered the Investments Policy to allow the possibility of providing property development loans from Conference assets;

heard of several property transfer discussions in place to consolidate the camp properties.


BC CONFERENCE

STAFF

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

NAME POSITION EMAIL EXT. Doug Goodwin Executive Secretary [email protected] 301

Treena Duncan Personnel Minister [email protected] 304

Nellie Tang Finance [email protected] 309

Doris Kizinna Youth & Young Adults [email protected] 303

Ruth Stebbing Support: Exec. Sec. [email protected] 302

Brenda Wolff Support: Personnel [email protected] 308

Beth Wertz Support: Finance [email protected] 311

Scott Reynolds Receptionist [email protected] 300

Conference Staff based Outside of the Office NAME POSITION EMAIL & PHONE Paul Davis Conf. Minister - Cariboo [email protected] (250) 392-5217

Bill Laurie Conf. Minister – Comox/Nanaimo [email protected] (250) 716-1325 Ivy Thomas Conf. Minister – Kamloops-Okanagan [email protected] (250) 319-8355

George Meier Conf. Minister – Kootenay [email protected] (250) 358-7904

Clare Hill Conf. Minister – Native Ministry [email protected] (778) 884-6775

Michael Hare Conf. Minister - Prince Rupert [email protected]

(250) 641-8686

Terry Harrison Conf Minister - Victoria [email protected] (250) 514-1064

Camp Future Project Blair Galston Conference Archivist [email protected] (604) 822-9589 Contractors (Longer term) Irene Champagne Mobile Counsellor 1-800– 934-0434

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

mailto:[email protected]�




BUSINESS COMMITTEE MOTIONS

2011

M/S (Jenny Carter, Doug Goodwin) that:

1. The Roll of the 81st General Meeting of BC Conference shall consist of those members of BC Conference who register prior to 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011. Those arriving after that time shall not be included on the Roll and shall not be entitled to payment of travel expenses.

2. The Quorum of the General Meeting shall be one-fifth of those entitled to vote, with at least two Presbyteries represented.

3. The Bar of the Court shall be the floor of Ballroom II, Salons A&B, of the Penticton Convention Centre, Penticton, B.C.

4. The Business Committee for this General Meeting shall be Allan Buckingham, Jenny Carter (Chair), Dan Chambers, Maggie Enwright, Doug Goodwin, Jim Hannah, Kent Israel, Doris Kizinna, Shelagh MacKinnon, Kathy McMillan, David Sparks, Ruth Stebbing, and Nellie Tang.

5. In order to facilitate the formulation of motions and discussion of matters raised by Proposals, the President may, at his discretion, suspend the ordinary limitations of parliamentary debate and engage in a different process. All decisions of the court shall follow the rules of debate and order as summarized in Appendix III of the Manual (2010).

6. Subject to such changes as the Business Committee might make and announce, the agenda as printed shall be the working basis for the order of business.

7. Proposals directed to this General Meeting shall be dealt with by the meeting in the appropriate place in the General Meeting agenda. Proposals dealing with matters not noted on the agenda shall be dealt with in the order that they are received by the Conference office or Business Committee prior to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 28, 2011. Like proposals may be grouped together at the discretion of the Business Committee. All unfinished business at the close of the meeting shall be referred to the Conference Executive.

8. Voting shall be carried out by delegates raising designated voting cards, save those instances where voting by ballot is required or moved and duly passed, in which case written ballots shall be used.

9. All motions having budget implications for BC Conference of over $500 shall not be put to an immediate vote but after initial discussion be referred to a committee consisting of all members present of the Finance Council for a statement of financial implications. The motion will then be returned to the floor for action.

10. Election of President-Elect

a. This meeting of Conference shall elect, from amongst those nominated for this position, a President-Elect to serve as Conference President at the rise of the Conference meeting in May 2012 until a successor is elected at a subsequent meeting of the Conference.



BUSINESS COMMITTEE MOTIONS (CONT’D)

2011

b. All nominations for the position of President-Elect shall be submitted to the Business Committee by 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, accompanied by:

i. the signature of five delegates; ii. the written agreement of the nominee; iii. a single page introduction or resume of the nominee. The election for President-Elect shall take place by a series ballot system until there is a clear majority obtained by the person with the greatest number of votes.

11. Corresponding Privileges be granted to Alan Hall, representative of the General Council office.

12. Requests to withdraw from the meeting shall be submitted to, considered, and granted by the Business Committee. Delegates leaving before noon on Saturday, May 28, 2011 without the consent of the Business Committee shall not be entitled to have travel expenses paid.

13. Payment of delegate expenses shall be made as specified in the travel claim form. Claims shall be submitted to the Transportation Clerk at the time of registration but no later than 7:00 P.M. Friday, May 27, 2011. Late claims submitted after June 30, 2011 shall not be paid.

VOTING ON CANDIDATES

M/S (Jenny Carter, Doug Goodwin) that the requirement to vote by ballot for candidates to be ordained, commissioned, admitted, readmitted or recognized for ministry be waived (Manual 035).

MINUTES

M/S (Jenny Carter, Doug Goodwin) that the minutes of the 80th General Meeting of BC Conference held May 21-24, 2009 in Langley, BC, be adopted.

ELECTION OF CONFERENCE PRESIDENT

M/S (Jenny Carter, Doug Goodwin) that this meeting of BC Conference elect Debra Bowman as Conference President to take office upon her installation on Sunday, May 29, 2011 to serve until the installation of her successor.

ENABLING MOTION

M/S (Jenny Carter, David Martyn) that:

1. The Executive Secretary be authorized to edit reports and minutes for the Record of Proceedings of this meeting.

2. The Executive be authorized to transact all business of the Conference until the next meeting of Conference, except those matters prohibited by the Constitution and Bylaws of The United Church of Canada.

3. The 82nd General Meeting of BC Conference take place in May 2012 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.

4. All remaining ballots be destroyed.



GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS PROCEDURES

1. Motion:

The mover states the motion.

A seconder is named.

The mover has the privilege of speaking at the beginning and end of discussion of his or her motion.

2. Discussion:

Start by identifying yourself (name, Presbytery).

All discussion should be directed to the President.

The correct manner in which to address the President is: “President …”

Each person may address the President only once on a motion, except the mover, who may speak both first and last.

All discussion should be clear and concise and deal only with the motion.

The time allowed each speaker may be limited by the President or the court.

3. Amendments:

An amendment is a recommendation to change a motion by:

a. removing words and replacing them with others, or

b. adding or deleting words.

An amendment cannot change the intent of a motion.

4. Amendment To The Amendment:

A motion to change the amendment.

5. Voting:

Amendments must be voted upon before the original motion.

Voting is carried out by delegates raising designated voting cards, save those instances where voting by ballot is requested or required, in which case written ballots shall be used.

All those with voting privileges (delegates) are expected to indicate their vote in favour of or opposed to a motion. If unsure of how to vote, one should abstain. Abstentions are not

recorded in the minutes unless requested for conflict of interest reasons.

Those who voted in opposition to a motion may request that their names be recorded in the minutes.

If there is a close vote, scrutineers will count.

If there is a ti e, the President will cast the deciding vote.

6. Point Of Order:

A point of order can be made by anyone at anytime if the rules of the court have been or appear to have been broken.

7. Point Of Privilege:

A person may rise at any time during business proceedings to state a personal concern or a

concern relating to the whole community that jeopardizes the good functioning of the court.


GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS PROCEDURES

8. Notice Of Motion: New or emergent items may be brought to the attention of the court by means of a Notice of

Motion. Originator rises and asks permission to read a Notice of Motion. The Business Committee may be asked to make a recommendation to the court as to

whether or not the item qualifies as new and emergent. Such Notices of Motion will be dealt with, ti me permitting, as arranged by the Business

Committee.

9. Business Committee: To sort and clarify issues when things get bogged down in procedure wrangles or wording problems. To deal with changes to agenda during the General Meeting. 10. Proposals See the explanation on Proposals on the next page. 11. Other: Other Rules of Order are contained in the Manual, Appendix III. In general the conduct of business is at the discretion of the President. The President may seek the advice of the Executive Secretary or Business Committee.


PROPOSALS

AN EXPLANATION

The term “proposal” is used in two different ways by the United Church at this time:

1. as a technical term replacing the terms “resolution”, “memorial” and “petition” as formal methods of communication within or between the courts of the church;

2. as a description of a style of decision-making that lays aside strict parliamentary procedure to allow wider debate and creative methods of discernment in the initial stages of decision- making.

1. “Proposal” as a Technical Term

A Proposal may be directed to Conference from a member or committee of Conference (formerly, a “resolution”) or from a Presbytery, Congregational Board, or member of a Congregation (formerly, a “petition”). If so, the court may:

adopt the proposal;

take action in response to the proposal that is different from what has been requested in the proposal;

refer the proposal to an appropriate body; or receive the proposal but take no action.

A Proposal may be directed to the General Council from a Presbytery, Congregational Board, or member of a Congregation (formerly, a “petition”). If so, the Conference:

must determine whether it concurs or does not concur with the proposal;

may determine by vote not to transmit the proposal if it does not concur with it;

if transmitting, must note concurrence or non-concurrence; if transmitting, may include recommendations by the Conference on how the General Council should respond to the proposal.

A Proposal may also be directed to the General Council from the Conference General Meeting itself. If so, it is treated like any other motion. If the motion passes, the Proposal is transmitted to the General Council as a Proposal.

2. “Proposal” as a Style of Decision-Making

i. Items of substantive business are placed before the court in the form of a “proposal.” This may be a detailed motion or a simple request for an action or decision.

ii. The President directs the conversation about the concern in a manner appropriate to its nature, giving due regard to fairness and openness, usually by directing conversation to the “larger” questions first before debating less substantive ones.

iii. Before finishing this open process a motion and/or process is shaped that will either reflect the consensus of the court or clearly defines a course of action.

iv. A motion is then made and put to the court. The normal rules of debate and procedure (The Manual, Appendix III) then are applied.


NOMINATION

PRESIDENT ELECT

The position of President is a key position in our Conference. This year the President is elected from among members of Conference for a term of one year, May 2011 to May 2012. The President–Elect also serves on the Conference Executive from the time of election until the end of the Presidential term.

PRESIDENT’S ROLE

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

1. The duties of Conference President are described in The Manual 430 and 431.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a. Except when duly called upon to make a ruling under The Manual 431(e), the President does not make decisions about policies created by the Conference Executive within Ends and Executive Secretary Limitations policy areas.

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

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


NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT

NOMINATION SHEET

Print Full Name of Nominee:

Signature of Nominee:

Address:

Postal Code __________

Work phone # ____________________ Home phone # ____________________

Email Address

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

Nominated by (signatures of five General Meeting delegates):

1. Name (print) Signature

Address

Phone


Address

Phone


Address

Phone


Address

Phone


Address

Phone



PRESBYTERY

CARIBOO

Submitted by: Alyssa Anderson, Cariboo Presbytery Secretary.

Since 2009 the Cariboo Presbytery has been experiencing a greater sense of stability. At the time of the last Annual Report the presbytery was down to five full time ministers in all of the 13 pastoral charges. Therefore it was with joy and celebration that Rev. Brenda Miller and Rev. Alyssa Anderson were settled respectively to the Omineca Pastoral Charge and Smithers PC in 2009. In 2010 Rev. Maureen Anderson was settled in Burns Lake, and Rev. Debbie Bentham was officially received into the United Church and appointed permanently to Houston. With the addition of these ministers we have been able to fill a few more pulpits. That being said, we believe that stability comes from more than paid professionals being available to a few congregations. As a presbytery we have realized that our resources are not only the paid accountable ministers, but our resources include the gifts of what our laity brings to their own congregations.

In 100 Mile House the decision to stay as a lay led congregation has helped it not only survive but actually grow. Attendance numbers are up and so are the numbers of people involved in church activities. As St. Andrew’s in Quesnel discerns its future, they are envisioning how lay leadership could become an integral part of their ministry.

Cariboo Presbytery has been actively planning and implementing lay ministry training session in three different geographical centres of our vast presbytery. In April we planned the next 18 months of lay education events. Our plans will include education events on Pastoral Care, Church Management, Faith Formation, Mission, Stewardship, Leadership, Worship, Sacraments, Funerals and a Festival of Faith event to be held in June 2012. These workshops are to be led by lay and ordered members of the presbytery who have been identified as having the skills, gifts, and calling to education. The Spirit is at work within Cariboo Presbytery moving among us, and creating a new sense of purpose and a greater sense of unity. We do not embark on these plans because we are lacking in fulltime ministers, we have a vision of what ministry can mean to each and every member of a congregation. Our task as a presbytery is to help equip those who are excited about doing ministry and to support and encourage them so they can do it well.

We are particularly excited about our Festival of Faith event. It will be held in Prince George in June next year. The theme of the event is Colour Outside the Lines and hope to include sessions around Children and Youth with some guest speakers, Adult Education, Emerging Church, Stewardship, and a presentation by member of the 100 Mile House congregation about being a lay led church.

Some of the other news about the presbytery includes our shift in focus from all decisions being made on the floor of presbytery to functioning as working units each with a convener which report back to the court as a whole. The current working units are Development, Education and Student, Pastoral Relations, Finance and Administration. This model allows us to function more efficiently and allow us to have more time for worship and educational time.

In 2010 the Rev. Dee McEachern officially retired, and Rev. David Wood and Rev. Paul Davis both embarked on much deserved sabbaticals in 2010 and 2011 respectively. It is with sadness that we also acknowledge the death of the Rev. Marv Fowler, who served the Smithers Shared Lutheran United Church from 1978-1987.


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

COMOX-NANAIMO

Submitted by Marion Wood

Major Events

� On October 16, 2010 the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery affirmed its agreement of February 27, 2010 that BC Conference sell Camp Moorecroft if it is protected by a Conservation Convenant. On February 22, 2011 the Regional District of Nanaimo announced the purchase for $4.8 million; the property, to be known as Moorecroft Regional Park, is protected by a Conservation Covenant.

� Five Covenanting Services were held for new ministers within the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery: Alberni Valley UC (Rev Minnie Hornidge); Campbell River UC (Mr. Wayne Hughes); Powell River UC (Rev Maxine Pirie); Brechin UC in Nanaimo (Rev Randy Antle) and Ladysmith First UC (Rev Min-Goo Kang).

� After several years as Ministry Personnel at Brechin United Church in Nanaimo and Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery Representative to the B.C. Conference Executive, Rev John van Omme accepted a call to Kingsville United Church in Ontario.

� On September 26, 2010 at St. Aiden’s on the Hill in Ucluelet, a shared ministry with the Anglican Church, a service of thanksgiving and deconsecration was held in the 60-year old Church. This was a two-point pastoral charge and proceeds of the sale will be used to support the neighbouring ministry in Tofino, B.C.

� The Racial Justice Workshop, held at St. George’s in Courtenay on October 14, 2010, was facilitated by Revs Minnie Hornidge and Min-Goo Kang. It was well attended and received.

� The sale of the United Church property in Bamfield, B.C. was finalized on May 6, 2010.

� Four Mission Support Grants were received, by congregations in Cumberland, Long Beach Shared Ministry, Port Hardy/Port Alice Shared Ministry and the Port McNeill Shared Ministry.

� At the February 18 & 19, 2011 meeting of the Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery, a full-fledged Visioning process was undertaken, as a follow-up to initial visioning work begun in October. Rev George Meier provided leadership and Rev Dr. Keith Howard preached on “Lament and Hope.”

� Julianne Kasmer, Ministry Personnel student at Cumberland United Church, was recommended for Ordination, which will take place at B.C. Conference in May, 2011.

� The Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery has prepared a new Guide, clarifying its organization, decision-making processes and the Cluster organization. This will enable new and current presbyters to understand the scope of the Presbytery’s work and their role therein.

� Presbytery resident membership was 2,487 in 2008 and 2,389 in 2009, a decrease of 98 (3.9%).


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

FRASER

Submitted by Ev Leskiw

It has been an exciting and busy year in Fraser Presbytery. We are 25 Pastoral charges in the Fraser Valley from Crescent Beach to Hope with two congregations north of the Fraser River. We are, served by 31 Ministry Personnel. Within the Presbytery we have 29 retired clergy, 4 Retained on the Roll 2 B.C. Conference staff, and 42 active Lay Delegates

Our year has included three Friday/Saturday meetings and 4 evening meetings with Executive meeting each month for 11 months of the year. Our weekend meeting format has included an educational component with speakers/workshop leaders. Lesley Harrison (Emerging Spirit) and Rev. Ross Lockhart from West Vancouver United Church, both focusing on our shifting culture. Rev. Will Sparks and Rev. Yoko Kihara presented the Racial Justice Workshop. We were also blessed to have a Friday evening visit from, Mardi Tindal; our Moderator and , Rev. Dan Chambers, President of B.C. Conference.

We continue to seek improved Communication, both with our Presbyters and with our Pastoral charges. A Web Site, an e-mail group and, new this year a newsletter that went out twice to every congregation to include in their bulletin. We have moved to using the internet for most of our meeting notices and presbyters are referred to the minutes which are on our Fraser Website. Environics data continues to impact discussions as each congregation attempts to improve the way in which it relates to its communities.

Aldergrove United Church has sold its building and property and is leasing facilities on Main Street in Aldergrove. Whonnock and Webster’s Corner have amalgamated into one congregation, Webster’s Whonnock United Church The Langley Futures Initiative (4 congregations) is now holding one Worship service for all at Sharon United Church and a service at St. Andrew’s Fort Langley twice a month. An interim Council is in place as it moves forward. Crossroads United Church has worked through building plans and permits and has (March 1) begun to redevelop its property with exciting plans for a new sanctuary and more. Cultus Lake United Church Camp is working towards becoming a Society

Vision for Mission continues to be a driving force for new initiatives in the Presbytery. We made grants available to congregations or clusters of congregations to help fund new initiatives that fit with the Vision.. Projects included hiring a regional Youth group leader, developing a new website, support for consultation workshops, instruments and supplies for a multi-generational music program, interfaith community dinners, professional help to redesign the sanctuary, Pathway to renewal, music jam sessions for youth, Children’s Ministry and more. Also in keeping with our Vision we added two members at large to our Executive - One member to keep us apprised of, and to promote multicultural work and intercultural initiatives/needs and the other member to keep us aware of our Spiritual Care needs.

We diligently seek new ways to support our Youth and Young Adults. May Retreat continues to be an inspiring weekend for our Youth and congregations or clusters of congregations sponsor open events.. We had Rev. Yoko Kihara (by contract) meet with congregations to explore how we can move forward with ministries to all generation.

We covenanted with four Ministry Personnel new to our Presbytery, approved an Educational Site for ministry training and accepted two candidates for ministry.

We have ongoing discussions with B.C. Conference over the need for funding to carry out our mission. As with most congregations and Presbyteries we have fewer volunteer hours to give and we must use them wisely. We are blessed to have excellent leadership and support from active Teams.


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

KAMLOOPS-OKANAGAN

Respectfully Submitted: Graham Brownmiller, Presbytery Secretary

It has been a busy two years in Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery since we last gathered as a Conference. One of the busiest times for us was hosting the 40th General Council in Kelowna in August of 2009. Many dozens of members of our Presbytery were involved in numerous roles at that meeting.

As a Presbytery, we have been engaging the theme of Transformational Leadership in our Presbytery over those two years with focus on Facing the Realities (with Janet McDonald at our Fall 2010 meeting), Leadership (with Ann Linnea and Christina Baldwin at our Spring 2011 meeting) and Spiritual Practices (with Wendy Fletcher at our Fall 2011 meeting). We plan on also focusing on Worship/Liturgy, Creating Vision, Connecting to the Wider World, and Moving Forward in the coming years.

Since the last meeting of Conference there have been 18+ covenanting services recognizing new Pastoral Relationships in congregations and pastoral charges and at this time we are in the midst of a few more changes coming up as some congregations have explored their identity in transition and as some folks are preparing to move on from those relationships now.

Judith Hardcastle became the Chair of the Leadership Circle (and therefore Chair of Presbytery) at the rise of the last Conference General Meeting in Langley and at the rise of this Conference General Meeting, Karen Medland will assume that role. Much thanks to Judith for her work over the past two years in this role. We also gave thanks to Kent Israel for his work as Chair of Management Team and we welcome Steve Hershey as the new Chair of that Team.

We continue to explore the workings of our Governance in this Presbytery; our Management Team and Leadership Circle continue to form the Executive and discover where the boundaries of authority and permission lay in each of those places and our policies are being reviewed for the first time since many of them were instituted. The Leadership Circle deals with helping to create the vision of our Presbytery and the Management Team deals with ‘business’ pieces of the Presbytery, while striving to communicate needs and decisions to the Leadership Circle and the rest of the Presbytery.

Ivy Thomas assumed the role of Conference Minister for Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery in July of 2009, a three-quarter time position. Ivy’s time is well-used by members of our Presbytery for guidance, assistance and grounding, while she continues to offer herself to lead workshops for congregations who are looking for some healthy communication training, Circle Ministry hints and tips Team Building, Leadership Development, Mission & Vision Development and other areas that she has expertise in. It has been wonderful to have her ministry in our midst.

Our Oversight Committee has been working diligently and is almost up-to-date with the tri-annual visits. Many thanks to Lee Fraser for all his work in this area and to all who have volunteered their tim and gifts to this ministry.

We continue as a Presbytery to deal with the everyday work, always seeking to continue to build the Kingdom of God in these valleys, deserts, mountains and lakes that we call our home. We build it so that we can be vital disciples of Christ in this time and place.


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

KOOTENAY

Submitted by Tess Moffatt

Kootenay Presbytery has completed the journey of restructuring that began in 2008 with the approval of the official Policy Manual. A time of transition for presbyters has become now, implementation. It is recognized that even as we have the Policy Manual; change will still happen and policies will change and shift according to the needs of the Presbytery.

A Behavioural Covenant was adopted this past year. It contains 10 statements in regards to how we interact and behave with one another. Each meeting begins with the reading of this covenant by all present. This Covenant helps to set the tone of the meeting and calls us into account when we get swept up in the passion of the debate.

Dan Chambers, President of B.C. Conference, was present at our May, 2010 meeting at Nakusp Pastoral Charge. Don Seaton from the Kimberley Pastoral Charge gave an informative talk on “Coping with Copyright in Congregations”. The presentation helped to clarify this somewhat complicated but important issue for all present. At our November, 2010 meeting, Will Sparks of Northwood United Church – Surrey, presented a mandatory workshop of Racial Justice Training. There were 15 presbyters who received their certificate as having taken the training. One more Order of Ministry personnel has received the training through the on-line program for Racial Justice Training.

This past year saw a number of changes within our Order of Ministry. Windermere Valley Shared Ministry bid farewell to Sandy Ferguson. The Pastoral Charge has now entered into a search within the Anglican faith for their next minister. A Bishops Personnel Commission is now active in the search for a new incumbent. Creston Pastoral Charge welcomes Don Holmes as interim minister for a term of 2 years. Rhonda Pigott, minister for Cranbrook United Church and Jeff Seaton, minister for Kimberley United Church have requested a change in pastoral relations effective June 30, 2011. Presbytery has declared a vacancy for Kimberley and is in the process of declaring a vacancy for Cranbrook. Boundary Pastoral Charge welcomes Kim Horwood. Therese DesCamp has been admitted into ministry in the United Church of Canada after having completed all of the necessary requirements. The 9 current Licensed Lay Worship Leaders had their licenses renewed for another year. A motion was passed at the spring 2010 meeting to approve Alice Watson as a candidate for diaconal ministry

In terms of business for Presbytery, Jean Daniels was elected to a 2 year term as Presbytery Chair at the spring 2010 meeting. Jean, along with George Meier attended a “Conflict Competent Leadership” seminar sponsored by B.C. Conference. The Camping and Youth Team is now referred to as the Outdoor Ministry and Youth Team. The Camp Negotiating Team that was active in 2009 is re-activated and is now in dialogue with B.C. Conference and Terri Harrison. A resolution was approved from the Justice and Peace Team asking B.C. Conference to include consistently time and attention on social justice issues in the agendas of B.C. Conference meetings. Presbytery was also successful in receiving a grant through Home Missions to allow the Support to Congregations to organize a workshop with Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea; Living Christian Community Today: God-centred Conversations With Vital Churches.


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

PRINCE RUPERT

Submitted by FayEllen McFarlane

Greetings from Prince Rupert Presbytery, This morning I write to share with you the Blessings and Challenges we have experienced during the past two years. We have seen changes, both in our personnel and in the way we conduct our business. We face challenges financially and because of the vast territory the presbytery covers. When we meet we try to find solutions that will allow us to continue to perform our duty and provide the leadership required for the pastoral charges we serve. The Blessing of Personnel Nancy O’Higgins became the minister in the Skidegate Pastoral Charge in July, 2009 and Ann Austin-Cardwell started her ministry in Bella Coola in October, 2009. Larry Scott filled the vacancy in First Kitimat when Don Holmes moved in June, 2010. Sunni Shular moved within the presbytery from Anspayaxw to Hazelton – Gitsegukla Pastoral Charge in January, 2011 to enable her to complete her DLM program and be recognized at BC Conference this year. When her appointment is completed, we look forward to welcoming Kevin Hegseth to Hazelton. A JNAC has been put in place to study the needs of the Anspayaxw Pastoral Charge. This year two of our members are retiring: Donna Ziegler and Wally Hargrave from First Prince Rupert and Knox Terrace, respectively. Both of these pastoral charges have declared vacancies and are actively searching for ministry personnel. We still have vacancies at Haisla and Lax’kwlaams. We were saddened by the passing of Fred Anderson, who served at Friendship House in Prince Rupert for many years and remained on our Roll of Presbytery since his retirement. The Blessing of Students We have been so blessed to have students at work within our pastoral charges! Nancy O’Higgins in Haida Gwaii and Sunni Shular in Anspayaxw and Hazelton, as well as Gilbert Jackson in Bella Bella are all actively pursuing their studies while serving congregations. This year, Brooke Phillips from Ottawa Presbytery, has been an intern in the Knox Terrace Pastoral Charge. As well, Derry Bott from Prince Rupert has completed his Inquiry Process and has been recommended to take the DLM program. We are still hopeful that Clare Hill will take the opportunity to pursue formal training in ministry through the Charlotte Sullivan Program for Native Ministry Studies at VST. The Blessing of Vacation Bible Camp Last summer, leadership teams from Lower Mainland churches came to Prince Rupert Presbytery to lead Vacation Bible Schools in three communities. These proved successful, and have resulted in a three year program being set up to continue to provide leadership for Summer Vacation Bible Camps while giving the pastoral charges the encouragement and support to continue holding Vacation Bible Camps in the future. We appreciate the contributions and ongoing support of the lower mainland congregations who participated in these events. We are also exploring the idea of holding a weekend presbytery family camp at a central location this summer. The Blessing of Work Parties Prince Rupert Presbytery is exploring the possibility of using a traveling roadshow, “Have tools, will travel,” to perform some of the upkeep and repair jobs around the presbytery. We are hoping to receive some funding from Home Missions to support this work. The first project will be repairing the steps and providing a ramp at Pierce Memorial at Kispiox.



PRESBYTERY REPORTS

PRINCE RUPERT CONT’D

The Blessing of Money We gratefully acknowledge the contributions from Home Missions, the real property and maintenance grant programs and technology grants that have assisted our congregations to remain viable during the past two years, and we appreciate the generosity of the Queen’s Avenue United Church for providing us the interest from their Endowment Fund, which we are using to help facilitate the Vacation Bible Camps. Also we would like to say thank you for money from the Van Dusen Fund which enabled us to hold a Digital Projection in Worship Workshop in conjunction with our Fall Presbytery meeting. The Blessing of Meeting vs the Challenges of Distance, Weather, and Finance The great distance between congregations within Prince Rupert Presbytery has always proven to be a challenge to our financial viability, but with increasing travel costs and the loss of the allocation from the CMMM as a pastoral charge, we are more aware of our financial vulnerability. We are in the process of exploring our options. This year, fall flooding in Bella Coola and fall and spring wind storms in Bella Bella prevented members from participating in our regular meetings. We have been trying to reduce travel costs for meetings by holding most full meetings of presbytery along the Highway 16 Corridor, but we still try to visit one of our distant members about every two years. Usually our meetings begin on a Thursday evening and adjourn following Sunday morning worship so that we have enough time to conduct the business of presbytery as well as maintain the special bonds between our members. Our executive no longer meets regularly in face–to–face meetings. We now schedule one conference call and two face–to–face meetings annually and arrange special meetings by conference call to deal with issues as they arise. We also try to arrange Pastoral Oversight visits and Covenanting Services in conjunction with meetings of presbytery to reduce expenses. Our Fellowship Continues We have our challenges, but we have been blessed. Here in Prince Rupert Presbytery, close to the beauty of God’s Creation, we are very aware that “We live in God’s World…We are not alone. Thanks be to God!”



PRESBYTERY REPORTS

VANCOUVER-BURRARD

Submitted by Dal McCrindle

Vancouver Burrard Presbytery has 20 Pastoral Charges and one Mission Unit, First United Church. First is heading toward a two-tiered governance model composed of a Pastoral Charge and an Incorporated Society under the Incorporated Ministries of the United Church of Canada. This development at First reflects only one aspect of the changes that have come to the Presbytery in the last few years.

In recent years, the changing nature of our urban, suburban, and rural presbytery has led to two pastoral charges (St. John’s in the West End and Renfrew on the East Side) disbanding, the properties of each sold. The proceeds from these sales have now been divided through negotiation with the B.C. Conference among First United Church, B.C. Conference, and a new Conference Fund called the ProVision Fund—Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery. A portion of the capital and interest of that Fund will benefit Vancouver Burrard Presbytery over the next ten years with some of those monies being made available to the rest of the Conference. At the end of ten years the remaining monies will remain in the ProVision Fund to enhance the work of the church throughout the Conference.

During the past year we have been envisioning the future church in the Presbytery. Some Pastoral Charges (especially Squamish and Lynn Valley) are undergoing significant re-development strategies and redesigns for ministry. Almost all other areas of the Presbytery have been examining ways of sharing, cooperating and redefining what it means to be the church during this post Christendom era. The churches on the West Side, across Presbytery boundaries, have been meeting to share goals, visions and strategies. These churches include Trinity, West Point Grey, Dunbar Heights, University Hill and On the North Shore, Highlands, St. David’s, St. Andrew’s, Capilano and Mount Seymour have been meeting to determine possible alignments or even redevelopment. Lakeview has been consulting with Grace United in Vancouver South. Highlighting these developments is not to suggest that the other Pastoral Charges are not engaged in serious self-examination of their call to ministry.

First United Church is about to commence a major redevelopment of the property to provide much-needed additional housing for the homeless of the Downtown East Side as well as a facility which would be better suited and structured for the style of ministry that has been conducted there and developed over decades.

The Rev. Dr. Brian Thorpe has been contracted over the last several months to assist the various areas of the Presbytery in their visioning and to help the Presbytery “keep on track” in facing the demands of the future church and society in which the church is called “to live and move and have its being.”

It is interesting to note that many recommendations that were contained in a report from the 1980’s entitled “Settling Down in Babylon” and which were received, or not, with mixed reviews have come to fruition. Who could have guessed that what was recommended evolved, as the church moved ahead to face the challenges of the days through which we have come.

The work of the Presbytery would be impossible without the dedication of its volunteers, both lay and ministry personnel. I would personally like to thank God for their devotion to the work and their willingness to carry on, even as the road gets tough and tougher. The challenges are immense but as Paul reminded us: “we have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. we can do everything through him who gives us strength.”


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

VANCOUVER-SOUTH

Submitted by Blake Field, Chair

Vancouver South Presbytery was busy working with its congregations during 2010. Our business included receiving 6 reports on Pastoral Oversight visits and acting on their recommendations, setting up 6 Needs Assessments and 5 Searches (plus 1 ongoing), conducting 4 covenanting services, beginning an Interim Ministry and continuing a Transitional Ministry. A number of temporary appointments were made and several members served as Pastoral Charge Supervisors. Several students were in various stages of their journey, including 4 on Internship!

In May, our Executive met with the leadership of Vancouver-Burrard to talk about the role of Presbytery at this time in the life of the church. We shared our biggest challenges, as well as areas generating excitement and possibility. Some common ground was found as we talked about how much energy and time the ‘day-to-day’ business takes up and how little is left for long-range, strategic planning.

Rose-Hannah Gaskin’s time as Presbytery Chairperson came to an end in June with her departure for New Brunswick. Over the summer, people expressed some ideas for future meetings: while people appreciated the fixed location of the meetings, the social aspect that had been lost by no longer meeting for dinner was missed. People also felt that we needed time to worship together. So, starting last fall, our nine yearly meetings have alternated between only two locations, they begin with worship and they include a coffee break somewhere in the middle to give people some time to connect with each other. Apart from the ‘usual business,’ we were able to have some discussion, debate and reflection on a number of matters of concern, including sabbatical planning, ethnic/multi-cultural ministries and part-time ministry. We were pleased to have leaders from congregations in ‘The Langleys’ come and share some of their recent experiences with us.

Looking to our financial statements as a reflection of our priorities, Vancouver South continued to be committed to funding a children’s retreat, the Youth and Young Adult Ministry (a full-time position that we share with Vancouver-Burrard), and an Advocacy program housed at Wilson Heights.


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

VICTORIA

Submitted by Murray Groom, Chair A Year in the Life of Victoria Presbytery The days in which Victoria Presbytery was thought to be the Fields of Elysium for the retired and about to retire are a thing of the past. Today, this island Babylon is the venue for significant challenges in ministry; thanks be to God that the people of Victoria Presbytery are stepping toward the challenge, even if with some fear and trembling.

Aside from the regular tasks of administration and oversight, there have been a number of significant initiatives in the Presbytery over the past 10 months. Last September, presbyters gathered on retreat to consider the culture of our common life and a spirit of distrust and discomfort that seemed to have inculcated itself into our relationships. Under the leadership of the Reverend Richard Bott, two initiatives were begun to carry forward the discernments of that gathering. A Behavioural Covenant was drafted and continues to be scrutinized monthly by the Executive and the Court for necessary editing toward greater efficacy. As well, there has arisen an ongoing conversation about the nature and conduct of our meetings, with an effort to balance the requirements of business with the hope of a pastoral spirit.

In the course of its regular and demanding work, the Pastoral Relations and Congregational Oversight Committee has initiated a series of "cluster conversations", whereby congregations with similar interests and challenges have been brought together to discuss shared hopes and mutual possibilities; those conversations are ongoing. Our vital campus ministry at the University of Victoria continues apace, in spite of the erosion of funding under which it labours. Camp Pringle now enjoys the fruits of its place in the Camping Futures project, with renewed facilities and enlarged capacity. Our Place ministry marked the retirement of the Reverend Allen Tysick after his many years of acclaimed work with the poor of the inner city.

We were saddened this year to lose the services of our able treasurer, Robbie Pawlinski, as she struggles with illness; Anne Beel was available to step in as a source of interim help. Our secretary, Norm Lewis entered more fully into his retirement at the new year; Alanna Menu has risen to the challenge of recording our deliberations. In short, we are blessed in Victoria Presbytery with many resources, above all the people of the church who prove willing time and again to be a living sacrifice for the demonstration of the good news here in the south Vancouver islands.


PRESBYTERY REPORTS

WESTMINSTER

Submitted by Scott Turnbrook, Chair and Shannon Tennant, Secretary Westminster Presbytery continues to settle into the organizational structure we adopted a few years ago, which puts oversight of congregations and ministry personnel as our major focus. As more Oversight visits have been completed, the Presbytery has come to recognize both the skills that we have (and the ones that we don't) that are needed to support the mission and ministry of the congregations within our bounds. We are in the process of developing relationships with consultants whose skills can be connected with the needs of congregations as they build and develop their ministries. This year, Westminster Presbytery was extremely fortunate to receive access to some of the funds overseen by BC Conference from the sale of East Burnaby United Church. The Presbytery is working on criteria to help congregations access those funds for development work. Congregations in all parts of the presbytery have been in conversation with one another about what parts of their ministries can be shared across congregational lines. We're looking forward to seeing what new ministries grow out of these conversations. In the spring of 2010, Westminster Presbytery appointed Mary Nichol as Presbytery Youth Facilitator to support and help grow youth ministries across the Presbytery. There are several students from Westminster Presbytery are at various stages of their theological training. Kimiko Karpoff graduated from the Centre for Christian Studies in April 2011.


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ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Submitted by Marilyn Harrison, Chair

The Bob Stewart Archives continues to be a healthy and robust program, with projects and communications geared toward current priorities of The United Church of Canada. An order of magnitude appraisal in November 2009 places the value of archival holdings at $1.2 million.

Research and Reference Services: During 2009, the Archives responded to 230 research requests; there were 81 researchers who visited the facility. During 2010, the Archives responded to 257 research requests; 75 researchers visited the facility.

Student and Volunteer Work: Since July 2009, the Archives has benefited from the work of two students from UBC’s Archival Studies program, one short-term volunteer, and two long-term volunteers, who collectively donated approximately 675 hours (nearly 100 working days).

Projects:

Making Room for Women: The Committee purchased equipment for this oral history project, and the Rev. Sharon Copeman has begun conducting interviews with the nearly 30 women identified as “women of influence” within BC Conference.

BC Conference Thesaurus Project: During 2010, the Archives completed a thesaurus for BC Conference, thanks in part to a private donation and funding from the national church’s Archives and History Committee.

Arrangement and Description Projects: The Archives received funding from the National Archival Development Program (NADP), administered by Library and Archives Canada and delivered through the Canadian Council of Archives, to arrange and describe records of the Rev. Val Anderson fonds and Native Ministries fonds (Phase I). These projects have increased the accessibility of the Archives’ ethno-cultural-related holdings.

Strengthening Ties with First Nations: The Archives and Historical Committee and Native Ministries are endeavouring to develop a stronger relationship between the Conference Archives and First Nations communities. Some of the activities that have already strengthened these ties include:

Participation of the archivist in Native Ministries’ Education Fair (Feb. 2010). The archivist spoke on the topic, “Heroes of Our Church,” highlighting First Nations leaders who have been influential in BC Conference over the past 150 years.

Participation in a joint meeting of Prince Rupert Presbytery and the Native Ministries Council (Apr. 2010)

Participation in three major public events relating to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Indian Residential Schools

Web publication of a Guide to Holdings Relating to First Nations of BC

History of First United Church, Vancouver: Bob Burrows completed his most recent book, Hope Lives Here: A History of Vancouver’s First United Church (Harbour Publishing, 2010). The publication marks 125 years of First United, and a large part of Bob’s research was based on material held in the Bob Stewart Archives. The book is dedicated to the life and work of Robert Gordon Stewart (Conference Archivist, 1981-2005), who had a strong connection with, and great love for First United.


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CAMP FUTURE PROJECT

Submitted by Terry Harrison, Project Manager

This year’s Camp Future Project update is about accomplishments. Sometimes, we in the United Church have a hard time celebrating our accomplishments, particularly when the journey towards those accomplishments has taken us into dark and difficult places. But it’s critically important for us to name and celebrate our accomplishments – both as a way of respecting and honouring the loss that was a necessary part of the journey, and as a way of honouring and respecting the dedication, effort, commitment, toil and trust that went into the achievement.

This year’s accomplishments include the completion of the multi-million dollar construction programs at both Camp Fircom and Camp Pringle. The capital upgrades at both camps include a brand new – from the ground up – dining hall and commercial kitchen, as well as new staff accommodations, multi-purpose and indoor recreational space, additional camper spaces, infirmary and office space. The Jubilee Hall at Fircom was completely renovated, and includes a brand new shower and bath house. Construction took place between 2009 and 2011. Both projects were completed on schedule.

Construction at Camp Pringle was undertaken without any major disruptions to the 2010 summer camp program – which was, in itself, an accomplishment. Pringle is looking forward to this summer’s program in their brand new digs. Kudos to Darryl McLeod, Camp Director at Pringle, and his staff (including the amazing Penny and Richard Pope) for their leadership and strength (and for just living through the ordeal of having their workplace and backyard turned into a construction zone for 18 months). Camp Pringle marked the grand re-opening of the new facilities on October 9, 2010 as part of their 60th Anniversary celebration.

Summer 2011 will see Camp Fircom offer a summer camping program for the first time since 2005. This is an extraordinary accomplishment! The loyalty and perseverance shown by everyone involved in bringing Fircom back to life was amazing. There were shifts in leadership through the years, but there was one person who has been on the pin the whole time – Neil Carrodus. Thank you Neil! Neil’s new title is Land Coordinator, and he is a vital part of the new Management Team led by Executive Director, Jeff Willis. A Grand Reopening Celebration is scheduled for later this year.

When these two Capital Development projects were launched in the Fall of 2008 the combined gross budget was set at just over $10.5 million. We are closing the books on the construction program as I write this, but our accounting at this point show a budget overage of a mere 5.6%. Again, this is an amazing accomplishment given the challenges of redeveloping two institutional projects, both of which were located on islands (one, Gambier Island, which is completely off the BC Hydro grid and has no ferry service). The environmental remediation work undertaken at Fircom, along with infrastructure upgrades (i.e., water, sewer and electricity) at both camps is what put the most pressure on the budget. Property Development Manager, Justen Harcourt, deserves a tremendous amount credit for keeping this project on track. He navigated the maze of regulatory requirements, responded thoughtfully to the diverse range of stakeholder needs, navigated the complexities of running two construction teams at the same time, etc., and he did it all with integrity and one the strongest work ethics I have ever seen.

Of course, there are the many volunteer Board and committee members who I have had the pleasure of working with during the course of this construction program. These folks are volunteers of the highest caliber. They took on the intense and time-consuming task of “managing change in anxious times”, because they love these Camps, and they care deeply about the youth and children that depend on them. They are all deserving of our deep gratitude and respect.


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CAMP FUTURE PROJECT CONT’D

The construction program is complete at Fircom and Pringle, but the work of renewal is far from over. The task of keeping and maintaining these facilities while renewing the ministry and its programs is forever, and we still need your support and prayers. BC Conference, through the $10 million Camp Future Endowment, will work to ensure that these camps have the resources they need to make the transition, as well as a steady and reliable source of income for now and the future.

There is no question that one of the most difficult challenges for everyone close to this project has been the decision regarding the sale of Camp Moorecroft. At times, the very real feelings of fear and anger, loss and grief almost obscured any sense of hope or possibility. But hope persevered. If the degree of difficulty is any measure of achievement, then the final outcome (and the process that led us to it) was a monumental achievement. Just the fact of finally coming to an agreement was significant. The terms and circumstances under which we were able to sell the property were simply incredible.

The decision to finally sell Camp Moorecroft came in October 2010 after many years of deliberation and collaborative decision-making between BC Conference and Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery. The property sold early in 2011. It was sold, for $4.8 million dollars, to the Regional District of Nanaimo as a public park. The Moorecroft Regional Park, as it will now be known, will be protected forever by a Conservation Covenant held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. From the very beginning of this journey, it was our hope and intention to realize the best balance possible between achieving good value, protecting the environment, and enabling public access – which is exactly what we were able to achieve. I am forever grateful to the leadership of Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery for their courage and resilience.

We can expect more challenges ahead, but at least now we know – from experience – what can be accomplished when we work together. There are still steps to be taken before we call the Camp Future Project done, and several important decisions are pending surrounding the involvement of Camps Grafton, Koolaree and Rock Lake. We are hopeful that the Project’s spirit of commitment and good faith will guide these decisions forward. Finally – as promised years ago and put forth in the original Camp Future Reports by Derek Evans – the balance of funds remaining at the completion of the Camp Futures project are to be used to create a fund that will be accessible to all in the Conference to support their ministry priorities.

The Camp Future Project officially began in 2004. These many years later, we are finally nearing the conclusion of the “Project”, having accomplished many of the things it set out to do. 2011 will see us transition into being the thriving, high-quality, and sustainable camping ministry that the Project envisioned. The future is here.


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MOBILE COUNSELLOR

Submitted by Irene Champagne

The United Church Mobile Counsellor Role –

Post-Colonial Humanistic Therapy provided on the Foundation of Christian Love

As part of the United Church’s responsibility for efforts to repair the damage to First Nations communities from the evil that occurred through the Indian Residential School program, a full time mental health services clinician is provided to travel through the First Nations communities of Heiltsuk (Bella Bella) Kitasoo Xais Xai,(Klemtu), Nuxalk (Bella Coola) and Wuikinuxv (Rivers Inlet). Irene Champagne M.Ed. RCC, MFT is the contractor serving this role.

Therapeutic interventions, assessments, external referral preparation, and clinical counselling are offered to survivors of the Indian Residential Schools to help guide towards recovery from the traumas suffered from that experience, as well as the manifest psycho-social deficits that follow in the wake of that experience.

The mobile counsellor for the United Church serves to support the whole First Nations community’s wellness by offering full courses of therapeutic treatment for individuals, families, and couples who have endured psycho-social distress as a result of Indian Residential School trauma.

In addition, through partnerships with existing services the mobile counsellor serves as community capacity enhancement support. Encouraging integration of services to prevent gaps in the system of care for First Nations Communities, the mobile counsellor works closely with the community health centers, hospitals, physicians, RCMP, corrections, social services, schools and churches, forging supportive networks of understanding to combat the sense of neglect and abandonment that prevail in post-colonial relationships. A service that is growing is in aiding people who travel to Vancouver for treatment, with navigating the medical system.

The mobile counsellor serves as an expert mental health resource for health centre programs, community resource teams, social development committees, victims services consultations, Corrections B.C. and Corrections Canada pre-release planning consultations, psychiatric assessment consultations, and a variety of other systems to advocate for and support optimal care for Indian Residential School survivors and their communities.

Currently the mobile counsellor provides 4-8 days of on-site services to three of the four communities over a five to six week rotation. When off-site, the program is available through technological interface and telephone support. The practice is currently exceeding capacity standards prescribed by mental health industry guidelines and additional cases are being triaged as current cases are completing or reducing intensity of contact requirements.

We are in the first year of a three year program jointly funded by BC Conference “Thomas Crosby Fund” and the General Council.


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UNITED CHURCH WOMEN

Submitted by Judy Foster

Warm greetings to Conference delegates on behalf of the BC Conference United Church Women.

Membership currently stands at approximately 1897 reporting members.

UCW is marking the following date for a GREAT CELEBRATION—JANUARY 1, 2012. It is the 50th ANNIVERSARY of the amalgamation of the three main women’s groups in 1962. Please celebrate this with your UCW charter members who gave up their individual identities for a unified name. BC Conference UCW Executive started planning for this event at the April 2011 AGM in Vernon. Nationally, UCW will gather July 23-27, 2012 at Redeemer University, Ancaster ON. Hamilton Conference UCW is the host for the event. The Theme: TAPESTRY OF LOVE, has been chosen to honour their commitment to this wonderful organization within the National Church.

A special project has been chosen by the National UCW as a recipient of our appreciation for this golden milestone. UCW groups across Canada are encouraged to unite their giving to raise $50, 000 to bless the Morogoro Women’s Training Centre in Tanzania which works with the Christian Council of Tanzania in another phase of of training and education. A new course—for which the Center is requesting financial support—is training Maternal Health Care Workers to work in rural communities. Working with the Tanzanian ministry of Health, the Centre will train women for a variety of first aid tasks, birthing procedures and medical skills, as community health care workers. They are looking to train 250 women in the next three years. Due to the high maternal death rate in Africa steps are being taken to address the issue. Send your group’s donation to UCW Conference Treasurer.

A National initiative within UCW has been to respond to shrinking funds. I grought the issue to the National UCW Table in 2007 to begin looking at what each member could do in sharing this need. The result is, for each group to send a dollar per member to their Conference Treasurer who will forward this on the National UCW office for resourcing. In the early 80’s UCW was asked to consider being self supporting. This has yet to be achieved. The passing of the 2010 decision is working towards that goal.

BC Conference UCW hosts an Annual AGM. This provides cohesion for all members. The meetings address business, NUCW information, and provide inspiration and nurturing. We share a challenge—growing older together—responsibly and gracefully through change. Rev. Ivy Thomas has been the keynote speaker at the past two AGMs. She brings clarity in presentation, respect for UCW, and a joy in being present with us. Sharing her journey of faith was personal, inspiring, and well received.

UCW continues to honour those entering ministry within the United Church with a gift/book at the Celebration of Ministry. The UCW Projects Fund faithfully supports a variety of designated ministries within our Conference. UCE provides support to the Nation M&S fund through the sale of life memberships. As UNITED women, much has been achieved in these 50 years with their financial gifts.

As I leave the position of President of BC Conference UCW, thank you for the privilege of serving in a leadership capacity. You have supported me well. Now may the grace of God and the love of Christ continue to bless the hearts of the United Church Women of BC Conference.

(New President: Helen Ross, 811 Gardom Lake Road, Enderby, BC V0E 1V3 [email protected] )


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YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

Submitted by Doris Kizinna,

....... “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there”

2010, a milestone year and now after 12 years in this position at BC Conference I look back on what has been and what is yet to be created with gratitude and anticipation. Often I see the community of youth and young adults and the groups they find themselves connecting to the church in, the youth leaders, children’s leaders, those ordained and diaconal clergy who are passionate about connecting with young people as part of a GREAT FAMILY. I see our annual gatherings a little like the Family Reunion, where we all arrive and live and learn together for a time, then depart and head back out into the world and back into our local communities, enlivened, nurtured, loved and welcomed. This continuity of being able to see a ministry through 12 years has been a gift to me and I think to this notion of creating FAMILY.

The ministry with Youth, Young Adults and their leaders is lived out in many ways across the Conference. I’ll outline some of those ways that FAMILY has been created here:

Our Annual gathering: the EVOLVE Conference has been evolving our faith for the past two years. Junior Youth, Senior Youth, Young Adults, Youth Leaders and Children’s Leaders met in an intergenerational gathering in Vancouver in November 2009 and in Naramata in November 2010. 250 or so members of this great family Evolved their faith, themselves and their communities. Evolve.2011 @ Highlands United Church in Vancouver November 10-13, all are welcome and we mean ALL!

Each year in January, Children’s and Youth Leaders gather at Rivendell Retreat on Bowen Island for the Be Still Retreat. A time of reflection, nurture and retreat from the busy lives of youth and children’s ministry leaders. Jan 24-27.2012.

Outreach to Cariboo and Prince Rupert Presbytery. Our first joint gathering of Cariboo and PR Youth and Leaders was held at Haida Gwaii in April. 2011. Moderator Mardi Tindall joined us, we feasted incredibly well, met God on a lonely beach on Haida Gwaii, built community and connections for events to come.

Hosted a right relations event called “It takes a Village” in 2010 with Kathi Camilleri where youth, young adults and adults participated in building bridges to understanding the vision of whole communities in first nations communities. Our second event called “Building Bridges, through understanding the Village” was held April 30.2011.

Once a year a representative from each Presbytery (Presbytery Youth Workers or Volunteers), University Chaplains, and a rep from Naramata Centre gather together for networking, building community, updating one another and providing support to one another. This is a key way we link the various folks doing ministry with youth and young adults.

Faith Adventure Camps 2010, found 3 teams from lower mainland congregations planning a week long summer day camp for a first nations community in Prince Rupert Presbytery. Teams went to Haida Gwaii, Gitslegluka, Hazelton, and Bella Coola. Teams provide the programme and the leadership and the community provides meals and accommodation. Programme works to build connections between urban youth and young adults and those in rural first nations communities. The programme continues in 2011 with another 3 teams.

The Certificate Programme in Youth Ministry began its 8th session at the beginning of January 2011. The programme is offered this year by BC Conference and has 7 students: Barb Cave


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YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS CONT’D

(Vancouver), Christopher Bochon (North Vancouver), Michelle Sylvest (Rossland), Dara Shutty (Victoria), Kim McNaughton (Dunster), Rev. Hilde Seal (Parksville), and Joanne Koster (Salmon Arm). The group meets 7 times throughout the year learning about Principles and Practices of Youth Ministry, youth culture, United Church Doctrine and Polity, History of the Christian Faith, and Spiritual Practice. They also engage in practicum experiences, are connected to a mentor in the wider church (Thanks Mentors!), and have to complete a final project, readings and write their own Theology of Youth Ministry paper. The main coordination and leadership of the programme comes from Conference Staff Doris Kizinna; however, Rev. Brian Thorpe, David Hatfield, Tim Scorer, and Rev. Maya Landell will share leadership in some of the gatherings. The next intake for the Certificate Programme will be in January 2013. Please pray for these students as they deepen their response and leadership with youth in a United Church context.

In closing, I'd like to share some of our FAMILY photos of the gathering of the past year. Each photo tells a story of faith discovered and community lived.

I am in awe of the leaders we have working with our youth in BC Conference, each bring skills and passion that astound, and all are dedicated to this little part of the body of Christ. Like any family we have our issues and struggles, but we hang in, expecting great things from one another and from the Holy One, in our midst always.

I am always available as a resource on all topics related to ministry with youth and young adults. I can be reached at the BC Conference Office or at [email protected]

Evolve 2009—Naramata


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YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS (CONT’D)

Cariboo & Prince Rupert Presbytery Event with Mardi Tindall and Dan Chambers

Cariboo & Prince Rupert Presbytery Event

Faith Adventure Camp Skidegate, Haida Gwaii—2010


FINANCE COUNCIL

CHAIR

Submitted by Mark Paetkau, Chair

The Mandate. The Council advises and is accountable to the Executive Secretary. The key responsibilities of the Council are:

To analyze and make recommendations on the annual budget.

To analyze and review regular financial statements and reports with management.

To review audit reports and recommend the appointment of auditors.

To review or change Conference finance policies as directed by Conference Executive.

To assess long range financial plans.

To review investment results and to assess the performance of the investment advisor.

Council Members. Susan Burns, John Charlesworth, Jane Harding, David Martyn and Mark Paetkau, Chair; and Conference Staff: Doug Goodwin, Executive Secretary, Nellie Tang, Finance Minister, Ruth Stebbing, Recording Secretary and David Nanton, Accountant.

Report. Council members are very appreciative of the good working relationship we have with Conference management led by the Executive Secretary. The expertise of Council members is well utilized and respected. We also appreciate the steps management has taken to improve financial management practices.

Annual financial statements are audited and the auditor’s opinions are unqualified. Ernst & Young, our external auditors noted this year the very significant improvement in the state of our books over the past several years. In the words of the firm’s Senior Manager, Ernst & Young has gone from “building records and then auditing” to “just auditing.”

Conference management contracted with a part-time CFO who has played a major role in getting our books in good state as well as contributing valuable financial and management advice. Contracting with an experienced CFO has become has become a model followed by many smaller businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Interim financial reports are now produced regularly and closer to the end of the reporting period.

Conference management has prepared a 10 year financial vision to guide annual budget preparation and to identify possible future financial issues. Many organizations talk about longer range planning – few actually execute.

Conference management and Council members work closely with the Conference’s investment advisor, Connor, Clark & Lunn, to see that returns are optimized and that usual United Church investment policies are followed. These include investing in socially responsible companies and maintaining liquidity to meet capital spending needs and other mandated expenditures.

We welcome reader’s comments and questions. Please call or email the Council Chair.


FINANCE COUNCIL

GRANTS COMMITTEE

Submitted by Susan Burns, Chair

The Grants Committee receives, reviews and adjudicates grant application for:

The Alma VanDusen Fund (up to $3,000 to encourage new and existing initiatives by United Church entities in BC),

The Imagine Fund (up to $500 for Youth and Young Adults 13-25),

the Congregational Learning Fund (up to $300 for lay and clergy and up to $1000 for congregational leadership development) and other funds that may be assigned in accordance with the terms of reference or criteria for each fund.

In 2010 (2009) (2008) the Committee met 8 times during the year and distributed:

$21,500 for 10 applications ($13,500) ($45,000) through The VanDusen Fund, Applicants were congregations (5), Presbyteries (3) and Children’s Programs (2).

$ 10,409 for 9 individuals and 1 large groups ($2,500) ($7,700) through The Imagine Fund, and

$ 14,700 for 55 individuals and 2 congregations ($12,000) ($4,000) through the Congregational Learning Fund.

The Committee adopted the policy for VanDusen Fund that if the successful fund applicant has not submitted a report and the final financial accounting within one year of receiving 75% of the funds for which they applied, then the remaining 25% of funds will be added back to the Van Dusen Fund.

The web site was reviewed and some additions were made for clarification.

At the end of 2010 there are four committee members, Susan Burns, Maureen Hollins, Jim Ellis, Donna Dawson and Shirley McKeen (to June 2010) together with Nellie Tang and Beth Wertz of BC Conference office. Committee members rotate duties of chairing, worship and research. Susan represents the Committee on the Finance Council.


FINANCE COUNCIL

HOME MISSIONS COMMITTEE

Submitted by David Martyn

The Conference Home Missions Committee continues to struggle with decline available funds and a lack of clear criteria for funding requests. The former is due to the decrease in Mission and Service givings. The later is due to balancing historical commitments and new mission work, the changing demographics in the province and the struggle to name a central vision for mission.

In the past two years we have spent major time on examining Intercultural Ministry with leadership from Yoko Kihara and Will Sparks. Brian Thorpe, former Senior Advisor to National Residential School Committee, helped us look at the residential school legacy and possible implications this has on our funding. Blair Galston, Conference Archivist, gave us a history of native mission work in the Conference.

Changes for 2011 have been increased support for Intercultural (Ethnic) Ministry and no support for Urban Congregations or University Chaplaincy.

Mission Support for 2010 2011 2011 Totals CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT ETHNIC: Amazing Grace 20,000 19,000 Fraser Valley Japanese 23,000 22,000 41,000 CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT NATIVE: Anspayawx 32,000 4,000 Bella Bella 10,000 10,000 Bella Coola 19,800 19,000 CCM 50,687 50,000 Haida Gwaii 18,000 18,000 Hartley Bay 12,000 10,000 Hazelton 18,000 15,000 LongHouse Council 27,500 27,500 153,500 CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT RURAL: Cumberland 9,000 9,000 Long Beach (Shared) 9,500 12,000 North Thompson (shared) 12,000 7,000 Port Hardy/Port Alice (Shared) 4,000 3,500 Robson Valley (Shared) 7,500 6,000 Port McNeil (shared) 4,000 3,500 Lumby UC 7,500 7,500 48,500 OUTREACH MINISTRIES First - Vancouver 160,000 155,000 Open Door - Victoria 41,000 44,000 199,000 NEW MISSION WORK Cariboo Initiative 25,000 12,000 Kootenay Initiative 12,000 St. Andrew's - Lillooet 9,000 33,000

CONFERENCE MISSION TOTAL 475,000


FINANCE COUNCIL

STEWARDSHIP

Submitted by Jane Harding—Chair

Like many things in our church, the Stewardship committee of BC Conference has been in transition. It has been challenging to get members all together to share, learn and motivate each other.

The pattern of Stewardship in this conference has been to alternate themes every other year between M&S animation and general stewardship education. There has been about $12,000. per year available to each conference to accomplish these goals. That amount will likely change as General Council realigns priorities.

In 2009 this committee hosted an ecumenical conference called “The F Word”. This event was very well attended and the feed back through evaluation was positive. The team worked together with Anglican and Lutheran colleagues to offer a wonderful event with great speakers.

2010 saw active participation in the traveling “Treasurers and Trustees” Workshop held at Cadboro Bay United Church in Victoria. Further meetings after that experienced diminished attendance both face to face and via internet, with no real movement.

Late in 2010, Bruce Cowburn left his position as M&S animator and in April of 2011 a group of people gathered at BC conference offices to look at stewardship needs and see what could be done to inspire and reactivate the stewardship of BC Conference. They are calling themselves a “Working Group” and will stand until the end of 2011. Several exciting goals have come from that gathering including greater understanding of best ways to communicate, intentional connection with pensioners and those in internship. The team will also meet with national staff in the stewardship, philanthropy and M&S areas as the opportunity arises. There is also a plan for an educational event to be held in the lower mainland in the fall of 2011. The thrust will be practical, hand-on stewardship that can be accomplished weekly. Watch for more information about this exciting event. The rest of the Planning Group’s work will be to make some exciting plans for stewardship going forward.

If you are interested in the Working Group or in being an M&S Enthusiast or Stewardship Team member, I would be delighted to hear from you!

The Working Group consists of:

Jane Harding, chair

David Smith

Bob Burrows

Bruce Cowburn

Gary Gaudin

With support from Nellie Tang and Beth Wertz

Contact Jane: phone: 778-574-0423 or email: [email protected]



MINISTRY PERSONNEL COUNCIL

CHAIR

Submitted by Gary Gaudin, Chair and Convenor

The Ministry Personnel Council functions as a think tank for Conference on all matters pertaining to “Ministry Personnel.” Within this rather broad mandate, the MP Council establishes policy and provides direction for the work as requested. It comprises the chair and secretary (both elected by the Conference Executive for three year terms), the Personnel Minister, the Personnel Assistant to the Personnel Minister; and the chairs of all the ministry personnel related committees of the conference, whose reports will be found elsewhere in these pages. While the Council is a place of support and collegial accountability for the work of each of these committees, direct accountability for all the committees to the Conference and its Executive is through the Personnel Minister to the Executive Secretary. MP Council also coordinates any financial matters for the Council, e.g., committee budgets. In addition, through its collaborative accountability, the Council raises issues related to Ministry Personnel with the appropriate bodies and courts that seem to have been overlooked.

The Council’s Committees are as follows: Education and Students, Settlement, Interview Board, Interim, Internship and Educational Supervision, Coordinating Committee on Sexual Abuse Policy, Pensions and Group Insurance, Spiritual Care Network and Campus Ministries. The denominational Chaplain from the Vancouver School of Theology (Janet Gear) attends Council meetings to enhance the lines of communication between the school and the Conference Committees which have the most affect on theological students.

On behalf of the people of the United Church within BC Conference, I offer our heartfelt gratitude to the Council members and their various committees, as well as to the Conference Staff with which the Council works most closely. Your dedication is a great gift in the Spirit of Christ. Thank you. As the new chair, let me also offer our thanks to the Reverend Dal McCrindle, whose stewardship of these gifts over the years has been a blessing.



CAMPUS MINISTRY

Submitted by Nathan Wright, Chair

The Conference Campus Ministry Committee exists to support the mission of the church as it seeks to minister to the students, faculty, and staff at post-secondary institutions within the Conference. The committee has been completely re-established this past year and is now being chaired by Nathan Wright. Membership in the committee includes the personnel serving as campus ministers (ex-officio members), as well as other interested people from across the Conference. This past year saw Henri Lock and Doug Throop continue in their roles at UVic and SFU, respectively, and a transition at UBC when Nathan Wright moved to Queens Avenue United Church and Caroline Penhale was appointed to the campus ministry position. One of the chief concerns before the committee this past year has been ensuring adequate funding of the existing campus ministries within the Conference. With fewer grant dollars available to supplement what they receive from the Conference via assessments made to presbyteries, the ministries at UVic and UBC will see their budgets reduced, which will have an impact upon the programs at both institutions. It is the committee’s hope that presbyteries and congregations within the Conference will feel called to give additional financial support to the important work being done on behalf of the Conference on campuses in this province.



COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Submitted by Brian Burke, Chair

This past year the Committee engaged in an exciting education program which combined a very well-attended sexual abuse consultants training event at the Edenvale Retreat Centre from February 8 to 10, 2011 with a one-day workshop with the Reverend Dr. Marie Fortune on “Healthy Boundaries for Clergy and Spiritual Leaders”, held at Northwood United Church in Surrey. on February 9.

Dr. Fortune has long been associated with the United Church of Canada’s efforts to respond faithfully and decisively to issues of sexual abuse and its prevention and reparation. The Seattle-based Faith Trust Institute which she heads has played a major role in the initiation and subsequent revision of our denomination’s policy and procedures, The “Healthy Boundaries” workshop was open to all ministry personnel and was designed to satisfy the mandatory training requirements on this subject which were mandated at the last General Council.

The publication and distribution of the completely revised Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Policy and Procedures this past month, together with these highly successful training and education events, bears witness to the priority accorded by the United Church to a transparent, effective and compassionate response to sexual abuse, in all its forms, whenever and wherever it occurs in our faith community, While much work remains to be done, British Columbia Conference is fully committed to the task of providing safe, secure and pastorally responsible communities of Christian formation in service to the people of God in this part of the world.

The Committee’s respect and appreciation for the outstanding work by Treena Duncan and Brenda Wolff and the staff at Conference Office knows no bounds.



CONFERENCE INTERVIEW BOARD

Submitted by Hugh Creighton, Chair

The Conference Interview Board (CIB) acts as a resource, primarily for E&S Committees, to interview candidates who are referred to CIB, and to make recommendations regarding the candidates. There are three areas of recommendations which can be asked of CIB:

Suitability for ministry

Readiness for ministry – for those candidates who will be immediately entering into congregational charges (DLM and Admissions)

Capacity for educational studies – for those candidates who will be undertaking a course of instruction at the same time as engaging in congregational ministry (DLMs)

In the past two years, CIB has met as a full board on four occasions as well as two additional meetings with a smaller board (where only one candidate was being interviewed). In total, 19 candidates were interviewed and the following is a summary of the different candidate streams:

Ordination (OM) 9 Diaconal (DM) 4 Designated Lay Ministry (DLM) 2 Admission from another denomination 4 Total 19

In the past two years, changes have been implemented in the ministry streams arising out of the last General Council. From a procedural perspective, the changes in the Admissions process has resulted in a new role for CIB, as some of the previous responsibilities of E&S Committees has been transferred to CIB.

Also, changes in the DLM process has resulted in a reduced number of candidates being interviewed from that stream. It remains to be seen whether this is a temporary phenomenon or a permanent change.

The membership of CIB is currently 16 (plus Secretary and Chair). Members come from various parts of the Province and from all the ministry streams, including lay members. We are blessed to have a strong board, with good discerning skills. We appreciate the work of the Conference Personnel Minister for training and on-going guidance.



EDUCATION & STUDENTS

Submitted by Gaye Sharpe, Chair

The Education and Students’ Committee consists of the chairs of Presbytery E&S Committees, and a chair. It is our responsibility to support and monitor Presbytery’s work with candidates pursuing paid accountable ministry, to interview candidates for readiness for ministry, to interview those seeking admission to the United Church of Canada from another denomination and to recommend these candidates to the conference.

We met for three days in January of this year and had the privilege of interviewing nine candidates (one of these was on behalf of Toronto Conference. As a result of this process it is our joy to recommend two candidates for admission, two for commissioning, one for recognition and five for ordination. As always our committee is grateful to have the opportunity to engage in substantive conversations about ministry with those who have chosen to exercise their Christian calling in the United Church of Canada.

The work of the Education and Student’s Committee at both the conference and at the presbytery level is about to change (again). The Admissions process will now be handled at the national church level. Most of the Designated Lay Ministry candidates will be interviewed and recommended through the Presbytery E&S Committees.

Our Conference has been chosen by the national church to work on and “test drive” a new process for candidacy. Treena Duncan has recruited a committee for this work. They will begin meeting in May of this year.

I am personally grateful to Treena Duncan and the many members of our E&S Committees who do the work of shepherding candidates through the often long and arduous processes of becoming paid accountable ministers.



INTERIM MINISTRY COMMITTEE

Submitted by Beth Weick, chair

Nine congregations in BC Conference are involved in interim ministries in 2010. Of these, one has just concluded, and three others will be concluding in June. This is especially a problem for non-urban congregations in the Conference. The Interim Ministry Committee granted initial Designation as Interim Ministers to four ministers in 2010, and we continue to interview ministers to serve in this specialized ministry.

The Interim Ministry Committee Policies and Procedures handbook is now updated and available on the BC Conference website. The 2011 edition describes the appropriate application, designation and evaluation processes for Interim Ministers, as well as general information about the Committee’s role in supporting Interim Ministry in BC Conference. It will be of particular help to Pastoral Relations Committees in their role of supporting Interim Ministers.

Several national publications concerning Interim Ministers and Interim Ministry have become available this year, among them the Guidelines for Transition Teams. We note that this new national publication was adapted from the BC Committee’s original Handbook for Transition Teams. We look forward to the publication of an updated national Interim Ministry Handbook later in the year.

Among several initiatives the Interim Ministry Committee takes to provide support for Interim Ministers is a day long professional development gathering that the Committee hosts each fall to which all Interim ministers are invited. It is much appreciated by both Interim Ministers and Committee members as an opportunity for networking and support. One such opportunity is the Advanced Interim Ministry Seminar, supported by the Mission of BC Conference and facilitated by Janet Cawley, is another opportunity for mutual support and problem solving. As well, and especially for those Interim Ministers beyond reasonable travel distance, Committee members provide contact by phone or informal meeting.

The Committee notes that the program, Building Skills in Interim Ministry, continues to provide training for those interested in becoming Interim Ministers. The 2011 program is being hosted by Manitou Conference. Though not intended for this purpose, the course is increasingly being sought by ministers who are not contemplating serving as an Interim Minister in their near future, but who want to gain skills to help their congregations adjust creatively to the social and demographic challenges facing them.

Two of our experienced Interim Ministers, Ruth Wright, and Mollie Williams, will be retiring this year. Also we miss Rose-Hannah Gaskin, Interim Minister and former Committee Chair, who moved to take a call in the Maritimes. We appreciate the valuable support and guidance these ministers have given to many congregations in transition, and wish them well as they undertake their personal transitions.



INTERNSHIP & EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION COMMITTEE

Submitted by The Rev. G. Scott Turnbrook, Convener, CIES.

The CIES committee prayerfully oversees the internship process for students who are either in the Master of Divinity or the Designated Lay Ministry Program. To this end, we are involved in the training of new supervisors as well as helping active supervisors continue to hone and ‘refresh’ their ministry in this area. We are involved in the approval of internship sites for students from a United Church college and we seek to ensure that they appropriate supervision and healthy environments are maintained. We also approve alternative internships for BC Conference students which consist of some combination of a congregational setting and some other minister experience such as a mission site or a Clinical Pastoral Education unit.

In 2009-2010, we had 7 students who were placed in Presbyteries in Comox-Nanaimo, Fraser, Vancouver-South, Prince Rupert and Kamloops-Okanagan. In 2010-2011, we were responsible for 8 students who were placed in the Presbyteries of Comox-Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Vancouver- Burrard and Vancouver-South. The students were from the Presbyteries of Comox-Namaimo, Ottawa, Prince Rupert, Vancouver-Burrard, and Vancouver-South. Some rich and meaningful opportunities for ministry and reflection were experienced.

The general flow of our work as a committee commences in early September with a training retreat for students and supervisors preparing to commence their learning experience. Members of the CIES committee offer training for the Lay Supervision Team on-site. The committee meets again in January at the Vancouver School of Theology to connect with students preparing for internships in the coming year. We then have a year-end meeting in June. Teleconferences are held as pertinent items arise and a Matching Meeting for the Conveners of all CIES committees is held each April in Toronto.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the congregations and supervisors who have so faithfully fulfilled their ministry of education as they provided our next generation of pastors with excellent learning opportunities. My appreciation also extends to our faithful committee members who have worked so collaboratively together. They are Dee McEachern (past chair), Rob Smith (secretary), Nancy Hetherington Peirce, Janice Young, Linda Lee Henriksen and Betty Ann Dempsey, Val Taylor & Janet Gear (our VST liaison members) and Treena Duncan (our BC Conference staff person). As people are called to new ministries and stages of their lives, we celebrate the ministry offered by Betty Ann Dempsey who now steps down from the committee. We also celebrate the leadership of Dee McEachern who has faithfully chaired the committee and has used her powers of persuasion in gaining my acceptance to succeed her as chair. I am trying to use my persuasion skills to have her stay on as a committee member.

In closing, the committee offers God’s abundant blessings upon the students whom we have had the privilege to serve over the past few years. May you be a blessing to those whom you minister to in the future.



PENSION & GROUP INSURANCE COMMITTEE

Submitted by David Smith—Chair

Committee members continue to maintain contact and regular communication with persons receiving United Church pensions who reside within B.C. Conference. We send a regular visitation report to National, provide assistance where necessary in filling out applications, and implement compassionate grant policy.

While the committee only meets once a year, the Presbytery convenors (and helpers) do an excellent ministry keeping in touch with pensioners in their Presbytery areas. With the help of Conference staff, they make every effort to keep accurate lists for visitation purposes. Convenors are continually up-dating names and addresses as pensioners’ circumstances change. Visitation reports are now compiled each fall and sent to the National Office.

We continue to administer compassionate grants for pensioners from the Alma Van Dusen Fund, in accordance with the Committee’s approved set of guidelines.

Each year a Pensioners' lunch is held in the Lower Mainland hosted by one of the four Presbyteries. Victoria Presbytery has also been holding gatherings for pensioners.

Through the generosity of the Alma Van Dusen Fund and the Dian East-Peters-Horstman Fund, an annual monetary gift is sent to each person in B.C. Conference receiving a United Church pension. The committee usually determines the amount of this gift depending upon how the fund has been utilized and the remaining balance.

We are most grateful for the Conference staff, (Treena Duncan, Brenda Wolff and Nellie Tang), who are constantly available to assist us.

Committee members:

Cariboo Eleanor Johnson Comox-Nanaimo Cameron Reid Fraser Edith Baird Kamloops- Okanagon Bob Thompson Kootenay Gail Detta Prince Rupert Janet Whiteley Vancouver-Burrard Bob Burrows Vancouver South Doug Graves Victoria Mark Bedford Westminster Bruce Cowburn



SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE

Submitted by Brenda Fawkes, Chair

2010-2011 saw a significant change of how the United Church handles Transfer and Settlement of candidates for ordained and commissioned ministry. Following a remit that was passed by a two-thirds majority of presbyteries across the church, on June 24th, 2010 the Sub-Executive of the General Council declared that transfer and settlement will become optional for candidates for the Order of Ministry. Settlement Chairs from across the country met in October to review necessary polity changes to reflect the new system. An incentive process was also devised to encourage candidates to apply for settlement. The incentive policy allowed for a choice between options involving financial bonus; extra vacation time; or assistance with moving or relocating after the settlement relationship is complete.

Therefore this February commissionands and ordinands chose to opt for either entering the traditional settlement process or finding their own call or appointment. Of 44 candidates across the country in 2011, eleven chose the traditional Transfer and Settlement process and the remaining 33 chose to find their own call or appointment. BC Conference had no candidates for first time settlement and no settlement sites declared. All of our candidates chose to seek their own call.

Across the national church there were eleven candidates requesting transfer and settlement and nineteen congregation/ministry sites requesting settlement. Candidates were transferred to conferences with sites deemed to be high and medium need.

A BC Conference Settlement report of all calls, appointments and transfers will be made at the General Meeting.



SPIRITUAL CARE NETWORK

Submitted by Murray Groom

The Spiritual Care Network has been developed to encourage the spiritual care of people in ministry throughout BC Conference. The life of the network is guided by a Conference Coordinating committee: Dan Chambers, Sharon Copeman, Sally Harris, Bill Laurie, Lori Megley-Best, Karen Millard and Murray Groom. The network itself is composed of volunteers in each of the Presbyteries plus the Conference Ministers. Our administrative support is secure in the able hands of Treena Duncan and Brenda Wolff.

This year, the Coordinating committee was occupied with three particular pieces of work. The first two sprang from an effort to challenge members of the order of ministry to develop a regular, personal, spiritual practice. To that end, the committee first took up the attempt themselves and found it worthwhile. Two concrete things resulted from our experience: first, the Advent Challenge, wherein we invited personnel to pick up a practice for the period of Advent and second, the Spiritual Network Blog http://www.spiritualcarenetwork.blogspot.com/ an ongoing blogpost that is a resource for the Conference and a replacement for our former newsletter. The third major piece of work for the Committee was to plan and provide our annual working retreat for the members of the network, held this year at the CNIB Retreat Centre on Bowen island.

http://www.spiritualcarenetwork.blogspot.com/�


EDUCATION

CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Centre for Christian Studies Woodsworth House, 60 Maryland St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 1K7 P: (204) 783 4490 F: (204) 786 3012 email: [email protected]

For over 110 years the Centre for Christian Studies (CCS) has been training women and men to seek justice for all through diakonia: the ministries of education, pastoral care and social justice. Our students, staff, friends and national volunteer network are committed to living a theology of justice and believe that together we can transform the world! CCS Students - CCS has a group of dedicated and passionate students. The program begins with an intensive course. This Leadership Development Module is the introductory course for our program as well as a Continuing Education option for lay folks, Designated Lay Ministers, ordained ministers and MDiv students. Our diploma program is a community-based model where students live and work in field placements in their home communities, gathering for learning circles twice throughout the year. A final component of our program is required external courses taken at other theological colleges. CCS prepares people, mostly United and Anglican, as Diaconal Ministers who are: Able to teach and proclaim the Gospel, Trained to facilitate and empower the ministries of others, Adept at doing critical analysis, Ready to engage in life-long learning. This year we will be holding two Leadership Development Modules one in Winnipeg and the other in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. Our current theme year is the Education Ministry year with twenty students. Our five Intergrating year class Our five Integrating Year class spent the year honing their skills for ministry and integrating the various theories and themes of the previous three years as they prepared for graduation. We are confident that they will provide strong leadership as United Church Diaconal Ministers. Diploma students from BC Conference include Michelle Creedy, Barbara Hansen, Kimiko Karpoff , Jacqueline Samson, Alice Watson and Beth Walker. Our graduation ceremonies also included making Mary Ellen Moore of Red Deer, Alberta a Companion of the Centre. CCS Staff—Principal Megan McKenzie was on leave during a pregnancy related illness in 2010, and remains on maternity leave after birthing a healthy baby boy. Her resignation has been received and the Search for a new Principal is on. Charlotte Caron was appointed part time Acting Principal during the leave and transition time. Ted Dodd and Ann Naylor develop and teach a challenging and creative curriculum. Marc Desrosiers is the Development and Community Relations Coordinator. Scott Douglas remains as part-time staff as our innovative and creative program administrator, and Liz Bachmann as administrative assistant. CCS Volunteers—CCS has over 400 volunteers across Canada including facilitators and mentors for our students and committee and Council members. The students are supported in their learning by many of these volunteers who offer direct support and mentoring. The students are able to ask questions and explore diaconal ministry through their frequent meetings with these folks. Looking to the Future— if you know of anyone who is seeking theological education in the areas of leadership, Christian education, pastoral care or social justice ministry, please encourage them to explore CCS as an option. Our website is www.ccsonline.ca

There is much to celebrate in our community—together we can transform the world!



EDUCATION

VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

The United Church of Canada faculty of the Vancouver School of Theology greets the 81st General Meeting of the British Columbia Conference of the United Church of Canada! We are glad to be among you at this meeting.

United Church of Canada students attending VST this year were on paths of personal and professional development for deepening their lives of faith and service and in preparation for offering learned leadership to ministries in and beyond BC Conference. In the coming together of spiritual and intellectual work, of curiosity and commitment, of prayer and practice, they found themselves at VST in places like these:

continuing education weekend workshops like “Spirit as Mindfulness”

denominational studies intensives (10 hours) for admission and Designated Lay Ministry certification like “Patterns of Praise” – History and Practice of Worship and Music in the United Church of Canada

professional development like the Studio in Strategic Leadership offered from September to April every second Monday afternoon for students and others practicing ministry

graduate degrees like the Master of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership for those with previous ministry experience en route to ordination or those wishing to equip themselves for non-congregational ministries and leadership

full time or part time studies in the three year Master of Divinity degree program in preparation for ordained ministry

academic classes like Biblical Studies, Theology, and History to supplement ministry-based and diaconal formation

post-graduate degrees like the ThM

“skyped” into classes from remote areas around BC

attending credit or audit classes in Victoria

We warmly welcome you to our classes and to VST’s courses, diploma, certificate and degree programs, public events and community and worship life. See the VST display, the faculty in attendance, and the school website www.vst.edu for details.

VST congratulates all United Church students who graduated this year including, Julianne Lees (MDiv), Lori Megley-Best (DiplCS) and Brenda Wilkinson (MDiv) who will be ordained at the 81st General Meeting of the BC Conference as well as Pamela Scott (MDiv) en route to internship and Laurie Lamb (DiplCS), candidate for ministry.

http://www.vst.edu/�


EDUCATION

VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY CONT’D

Janet Gear

Professor of Public and Pastoral Leadership and

Director of Denominational Formation

Brenda Fawkes

Director of Theological Field Education

Val Taylor

UCC Chaplain

Keith Howard

Adjunct Faculty

Leadership Studio

HyeRan Kim-Cragg

St. Andrew’s Sask

Visiting Sessional Faculty

Intercultural Ministry

Brian Thorpe

Sessional Faculty

UCC History and Ethos

Dale Johnson

Session Faculty, CPE and

Pastoral Ministry

Ed Searcy

Guest Sessional

Homiletics

Bruce Harding

Sessional Faculty

UCC Worship and Music

VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY is a community of faith, valuing:

Biblical and theological learning

An integrated life of mature Christian spirituality and discerning ethics

Denominational commitment and intercultural and interreligious engagement

Diversity of cultures and the dignity of individuals

Learning undertaken with diligence and an open mind, we are an institution of theological education, inspiring its community to work through:

The Centre for Public and Pastoral Leadership to develop a learned ministry in the service of Jesus Christ, and religiously educated leaders for service in the world,

The Indigenous Studies Centre to partner with First Nations and the global aboriginal community in Christian min-istry, spiritual growth and social justice initiatives, and

The Iona Pacific Centre to further interfaith understanding and joint initiatives enhancing the quality of life for all.


PROPOSALS

BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2011-1

Proposal Name: Social Justice

Source: Kootenay Presbytery,

Whereas: the founders of this church believed that ours was a living faith, a faith that is expressed not only in ministry but also in mission in and with the world.

Whereas: our New Creed includes the words “God calls on us to love and serve others and to seek justice and resist evil.”

Whereas: The criteria for planning B.C. Conference does not consistently include time and attention to social or justice issues in the Agenda

Therefore be it resolved that B.C. Conference consistently include time and attention on social justice issues in the Agenda of Conference.


Proposal Name: Ethically Raised Meat

Source: Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery

Whereas there are production sites where animals are treated with strong antibiotics to make them grow bigger more quickly until they are so large they can hardly walk and they are placed in overcrowded conditions with no room to move around; and

Whereas some of those animals are treated as lifeless objects and are beaten so that that they cannot fight back; and

Whereas the meat from those animals is produced in factories and many companies will not buy meat from farmers who keep their animals in these conditions; and

Whereas the label ‘Free Range’ means that the production companies only need to demonstrate that their animals have been allowed access to outside; and

Whereas the label ‘All Natural’ means that the meat was minimally processed with no artificial or synthetic products, however this is not regulated and anyone can put this label on their package; and

Whereas the label ‘certified’ means that livestock wasn’t treated with hormones or antibiotics and was fed a pesticide-free diet; and

Whereas the label ‘Humanely raised, certified humane or ethically raised’ means that the production sites have been audited in order to measure the entire life cycle in terms of animal health and well-being; and

Whereas the United Church Creed (1968; 1994) states “we are called to be the church: to live with respect in Creation … [and] to seek justice and resist evil”; and

Whereas we as consumers are not living with respect in Creation when we support the mass production of the meat we eat and are in fact (un)intentionally supporting the harsh treatment of animals;

Therefore be it resolved that only certified ethically raised meats be eaten at future BC Conference gatherings.

PROPOSALS



Proposal Name: Campus Ministry

Source: Vancouver South Presbytery

Whereas: United Church campus ministries exist to help students grow and transform spiritually by offering opportunities to learn, to practice, to serve and to come together in community; and

Whereas: Many candidates for ministry credit initial contact with Campus Ministries with nurturing their call to ministry; and

Whereas: Leadership recruitment and development are priorities of BC Conference; and

Whereas: Funding for Campus Ministries was originally made available from the national office through the division of Ministry, Personnel and Education, and for the last 7 years, by BC Conference Home Missions Grants;

Whereas: that Home Missions Grant support has now been ended at the UBC Campus Ministry, forcing it to seek funding from Vancouver South and Vancouver Burrard presbyteries; and

Whereas: Campus Ministries in BC Conference benefit all university students from every part of the Conference, not just the two Vancouver presbyteries; and

Whereas: BC Conference’s presbytery assessments already include an amount for supporting the Campus Ministries at University Victoria and University of BC (presently $36,250 each annually), which has not been changed for at least the last six years;

Therefore be it resolved that BC Conference commit to fully funding Campus Ministries at UVic and UBC, to be funded by increased presbytery allocations.

PROPOSALS



Proposal Name: Environmental Stewardship Regarding the Proposed Raven Underground Coal Mine

Source: Member of Comox United Church – Maggie Enwright

Whereas: As a faith community we are concerned about peace and justice for all living beings and are unified and guided by values that call humanity to be careful and responsible stewards of creation; and

Whereas: Our New Creed calls us “to live with respect in Creation” and our new statement of faith (A Song of Faith) says, “we participate in God’s work of healing and mending creation”; ajhnd

Whereas: The proposed Raven underground coal mine located in Comox Valley, BC will:

emit over 80 million tonnes of climate-change CO2 into our atmosphere

dump between 17 million tonnes of acidic waste rock in the Cowie Creek Watershed

destroy valuable ecosystems home to trout, salmon and elk

reduce the quality and quantity of water resources in the area

potentially destroy a $22-million Baynes Sound sustainable aquaculture industry

add over 52,000 truck trips per year for 16 years on local roads to a port for shipping the coal to Asian markets

adversely affect the sustainable local tourist economy and real estate values; and

Whereas: Disallowing the project will significantly support a commitment toward “de-carbonising” our provincial and local economies and transitioning to a green economy that promotes sustainable livelihoods; and

Whereas: Two highly reputable professional geologists, having evaluated the coal’s high ash and sulfur content, question the project’s economic viability; and

Whereas: Both the federal and provincial governments are not exercising due diligence by not calling for an independent peer review environmental assessment and comprehensive aquifer mapping and modelling;

Therefore be it resolved that BC Conference regards the development of the Raven coal mine to not be morally prudent for the sound stewardship and care of all creation, and BC Conference is committed to expressing its opposition to the mine in a letter to the BC Environmental Assessment Office and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Office.

PROPOSALS



Proposal Name: Theological Education and Formation for Ministry in BC Conference

Source: Vancouver-Burrard and Vancouver-South Presbytery

Whereas: Theological education is “a journey of the heart, soul and mind into a life of leadership and service” (the Fund for Theological Education); and

whereas: the Mission of BC Conference Executive includes “Effective Leadership”, with a Vision of Leadership that “fittingly trained and equipped”; and

whereas: the BC Conference Three Year Plan (November 2008) includes the following objective: “Develop and implement a recruitment strategy for Ministry Personnel that provides significant financial and other support for candidates” (#3(a)C); and

whereas: the General Council of the United Church of Canada has cut all funding to Vancouver School of Theology, resulting in not only a budget shortfall, but harm to the relationship between the United Church of Canada and Vancouver School of Theology;

Therefore be it resolved: That BC Conference establish a Theological Education Fund to financially support the theological education and formation of ministry leaders at Vancouver School of Theology; that such Fund support financially, on an annual basis: the salaries of United Church faculty; the salaries of instructors in United Church; and full scholarships covering tuition and housing for United Church candidates for ministry (maintained each year with high academic standing and practice of ministry skills);

(the following (highlighted) section is only part of the Vancouver-Burrard Proposal)

that such Fund be created by a 5% tithe of all property sales in the Conference, retroactive to January 1, 2010;

that such Fund be managed through the BC Conference office, with United Church faculty and instructors paid from the Fund for work at the school (in accordance with school employment and contract policy), as well as employees of and those on contract with BC Conference seconded by the school for service to the school in education and formation for ministry.

(Financial implications are listed on the next page)

PROPOSALS

BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2011-5/6


Financial Implications of the Proposal: Theological Education and Formation in BC Conference United Church Teaching Faculty at Vancouver School of Theology Sessional Instructors of Denominational Studies 6 x 4,000 24,000 per annum Sessional Instructor of Pastoral Ministry 4,000 per annum Adjunct Professor of Leadership 10,000 per annum Director of Theological Field Education 26,000 per annum Part time Professor of Pastoral and Public Leadership 19,000 per annum* United Church Formation at Vancouver School of Theology Part time United Church Chaplain 10,000 per annum Part time Director of United Church Formation 19,000 per annum* * these positions are currently combined _________________ 112,000 per annum United Church students’ tuition and housing at Vancouver School of Theology Up to full tuition is available through bursaries and work-study. However, many students work part-time during studies to keep income above expenses, thus limiting the amount of bursary funds available to them. Full external scholarships or loan forgiveness plans for tuition and fees only (no books, expenses, etc.) for up to 3 students per year for three years would cost 10,000 per student per year, awarded annually for a total of 3 years based on maintaining high academic standing and practice of ministry skills in a full-time program (30 credits per 12 month period) 30,000 - 90,000 per annum Housing is approximately 800/mth awarded annually for a total of 3 years based on maintaining high academic standing and practice of ministry skills in a full-time program (30 credits per 12 month period). For up to three students over three years the total would be 10,000 per student per year. 30,000 – 90,000 per annum _______________________ 60,000 – 180,000 per annum Total fund to support theological education and formation in BC Conference at the Vancouver School of Theology (salary and benefits, contract, tuition and housing at 2011 rates) would require: 172,000 to 232,000 per annum

PROPOSALS

BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2011-5/6—FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS


2011-7 Proposal Name: Facility Fee at BC Conference General Meeting

Source: Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery

Be it resolved that Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery propose to BC Conference that charging delegates for facility or meals is a wrong and unjust policy.

2011-8 Proposal Name : Support for the Ongoing Work of InSite

Source: Vancouver-South Presbytery

Whereas: we are called to

faithfulness that is consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ, seeking healing and wholeness with and for our brothers and sisters in creation;

a public presence in community; and

witnessing that stands alongside those who struggle, those who are suffering and those who bless us; and

Whereas: InSite is a medical facility in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver that offers a caring environment for those in the grips of drug addiction to inject safely, as well as resources for care and recovery; and

Whereas: the presence of Insite has reduced deaths from drug overdoses; local merchants associations support the initiative; the Chinatown Merchants’ Association, which was originally opposed to the site, came out in support of it after noting its positive impact on the neighbourhood; and residents now rarely see people using needles in public and the debris from discarded needles has been almost non-existent since InSite opened; and

Whereas: there are reduced instances of HIV and Hep C infections, reduced overdose deaths and an increased rate of people moving from the injection site to the detox located upstairs and then on to rehab; and

Whereas: there is prominent medical support for InSite, including in journals such as Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine;

Therefore be it resolved: That BC Conference urge the Government of Canada to:

come into alignment with other provincial and civil governing bodies regarding InSite’s right to exist;

acknowledge the particular exemption from related laws regarding drug use and possession and;

support harm reduction and healing, not only for addicts but also for the communities and families that love them;

And that BC Conference invite all United Church congregations to write to the relevant MP’s and government ministries, and encourage their congregational members to do so.

PROPOSALS

BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2011-7 & 2011-8


2011—9 Proposal Name: Employing a Social Justice Staff Person in BC Conference

Submitted by: Rosemary Collins

Whereas: the founders of this church believed that ours was a living faith, a faith that is expressed not only in ministry but also in Mission and with the world;

Whereas: our New Creed includes the words “God calls on us to love and serve others and to seek justice and resist evil;”

Whereas: Healthy congregations, effective leadership, and faithful public witness are the three missions of BC Conference;

Therefore be it resolved: That BC Conference employ a staff person in a full time position, responsible for coordinating, educating on, developing and promoting social justice theology and initiatives throughout the Conference.

2011—10 Proposal Name: Food Justice Source: Sandra Nixon (Vancouver-South) and Morgan Swift (Kamloops-Okanagan) Whereas: the United Church “A New Creed” (1968) states “we are called to be the church: to live with respect in Creation... (and) to seek justice and resist evil”; and Whereas: an important issue for the sustainability of our planet is food justice (ethical treatment of animals, sustainable food supply, fair trade, etc), and Whereas: the court of BC Conference on May 27, 2011 expressed its will that social justice issues be a priority at future General Meetings of BC Conference, and Whereas: on the floor of the court of BC Conference, concern has been expressed for ensuring that ethically-raised meat is used for meals at general meetings, and Whereas: on the floor of the court of BC Conference, concern has been expressed for addressing the broader issues of food justice in both planning for meals at Conference general meetings and in raising awareness of food justice and its implications for how we break bread together as Christian community in general (i.e. within presbyteries and congregations). Therefore be it resolved: that food justice issues, including support for local growers and verifying ethical sources of meat be taken into serious consideration in planning for meals at future general meetings of BC Conference and that education and awareness-raising of food justice issues be given time on the agenda of the next general meeting of BC Conference, with input/participation from both local farmers/producers and UC youth at Conference.

PROPOSALS

BC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 2011-9 & 2011-10


Family, friends, life-long education, passion for justice, inclusivity, and the privilege to walk with others through life’s experiences; those are the greatest joys of Leanne’s life and ministry. Long before she answered the call to diaconal ministry, Leanne lived out her call to serve others through volunteering in her home community and congregation of St. Andrews United in Lacombe. There she discovered a passion for peace initiatives, ecological justice, and supporting children and youth, particularly those who are vulnerable and marginalized. She is grateful to the youth of St. Andrews United and the Ponoka Outreach School for the vital lessons they taught her about social justice, respect, crisis intervention, advocacy, and the ministry of accompaniment.

Prior to commencing diaconal ministry studies, Leanne completed a Business Administration Diploma and a Voluntary Sector Management Certificate. She embraced being a stay-at-home mom with her three wonderful daughters, then volunteered and worked in various positions within and outside the church.

Leanne is grateful for the transformational experience of engaging diaconal ministry studies at the Center for Christian Studies. She is excited to be in leadership in the church in these changing times while understanding that change brings anxiety, fear, loss, and grief in addition to new opportunities.

Having graduated in 2009, she has been working in team ministry at Trinity United Church in Vernon. True to her diaconal heritage she looks forward to the next adventure serving in team ministry with the folks at First Metropolitan United Church in Victoria.

NEW MINISTRY

LEANNE BENOIT


NEW MINISTRY

LEANN BLACKERT

Rev. LeAnn Blackert’s connection to the United Church of Canada began when she enrolled at Vancouver School of Theology in 2000. After graduating from VST with her MDiv in 2004, LeAnn was ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC-US) in 2005. She accepted a call to San Leandro Community Church (UCC and American Baptist) in California, where she served from November 2005 – June 2009.

When her partner, Rev Ivy Thomas, was called to serve as the Conference Minister for the Kamloops Okanagan Presbytery in 2009, LeAnn once again set her sights for Canada. Mount Paul United Church offered an invitation and her ministry began in Kamloops in July 2009.

When she isn’t busy creating multi-textual worship services, encouraging the faith journeys of others, or playing with Mount Paul’s youngest members, LeAnn enjoys hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing and gardening. On days when the weather doesn’t cooperate, she can be found curled up with a cup of chai latte reading her Kindle. She is most easily recognized by the large blue insulated mug she carries with her everywhere.

On this day when her admission to the United Church is finally realized, LeAnn is extremely grateful for the many friends and colleagues who have offered support, encouragement and words of wisdom throughout the process.


NEW MINISTRY

THERESE DESCAMP

Rev. Dr. Mary Therese DesCamp is the co-founder of Heart's Rest Retreat Centre, New Denver, B.C. Raised Roman Catholic, Therese was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1993 (M.Div., Pacific School of Religion) and received her PhD in Biblical Studies with a concentration in cognitive linguistics in 2004 from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.

While living in Northern California, Therese administered an interfaith program for abused children; taught courses at Pacific School of Religion and the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley; served as associate, co-pastor, and senior pastor at the-Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, where she developed a contemporary service and healing prayer team ministry; and was a member and then co-chair of the Ethics Subcommittee of the Committee on Ministry of the Northern California/Nevada United Church of Christ. She has 24+ years experience practicing a 12 Step Program. Prior to her work in the church, Therese was an advocate for people with disabilities.

Therese has been designing and leading retreats in the U.S. and Canada for over 25 years and is an occasional contributor to the United Church of Canada Observer Magazine. She was recently a keynote speaker at "The Reality of Healing," a conference on science and healing held in Berkeley, California. She has published one scholarly book on cognitive linguistics and Pseudo-Philo, has just finished a co-authored primer on the use of cognitive linguistics in biblical studies, and is working on a book about the brain and prayer. (There's an unpublished mystery novel on her shelf, too!) Therese's favorite work these days is making the connections between the neuroscience of meditation and traditional Christian prayer practices.

Therese lives with her husband, George Meier (conference minister for the Kootenay Presbytery) and their dog Rose at Heart's Rest in New Denver.


NEW MINISTRY

KIMIKO KARPOFF / JULIANNE KASMER

Kimiko Karpoff worked in both communications and community outreach before attending the Leadership Development Module at the Centre for Christian Studies. Much to her surprise she found herself called to ministry, which was no shock to those who noted that CCS is a theological school and wondered what she thought she was doing there in the first place.

Kimiko has strong roots in the social gospel of the United Church of Canada. She follows in the footsteps of her grandfathers, who were both ordained ministers, and her grandmothers, who were both trained as deaconesses and missionaries and did much of the work in the churches they served with their husbands.

Kimiko is passionate about facilitating opportunities for people to explore faith issues and spirituality. She has strong leadership skills that enliven the gifts of others. She believes that the work of justice and our spiritual lives are closely integrated. She believes that she is called to journey with others through the challenges and opportunities of a church in transition.

Kimiko holds up the words of Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza who noted that the "reality of the basileia [the Kingdom of God] [is] not primarily holiness but wholeness... [and] is present and experientially available whenever Jesus casts out demons, heals the sick and the ritually unclean, tells stories about the lost who are found, of the uninvited who are invited, or of the last who will be first." She believes that we each carry the divine spark, sometimes known as the Holy Spirit, that lived in Jesus and rose in Christ. And that it ignites us as we work in our world.

Once upon a time, there was a small girl who loved the forest, and the ocean, and the rain and the sun. She loved crunching through leaves in the fall, and catching snowflakes on her tongue in winter, and putting on her gumboots and wading in the creek in spring, and swimming in the ocean in summer and listening to the sound of the wind. Although much older now, she still enjoys these same things. Listening to the sound of the wind taught her to listen carefully to others. Catching snowflakes taught her to wait hopefully and at the same time to work steadily and patiently for the life of the planet. Living close to her heart taught her there is a dig-nity to all humanity, and that walking lightly on this sacred earth brings us close to all that God loves. Julianne is a grandmother and lives in Cumberland, BC.

2011 Reports &

NEW MINISTRY

JULIANNE LEES / LORI MEGLEY-BEST

Theological studies and church life have taught me to never underestimate the power of prayer or the power of community. It is through the support of communities such as Vancouver School of Theology, Dunbar Heights United Church, St. Stephen’s United Church, the Centre for Christian Studies, Canadian Memorial United Church, Ryerson United Church, Vancouver South Presbytery Education and Students Committee, family, church friends and non-church friends that I am here now. In recognizing God’s support made manifest through these groups, I hope to be able to offer that same support as I move forward.

Moving into a life of ministry I bring with me my passion for photography and playwrighting, my love of most animals and nature, and my desire for all of us, at least once, to deeply and knowingly feel that we are not alone.

It is a deep privilege to have the opportunity to serve the United Church through ordered ministry and I hope that, in some way, I help share the good news of the new life found in Christ, the good news that we are loved by God, and the good news that is the United Church of Canada.

I come to my faith and the church through a peculiar mix of the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition and the United Church. I have always been connected to both and believe that my love of spiritual practice and comfort with mystery have come to me through my Orthodox roots. My conviction that faith has no potency unless it is lived out is the result of having that modelled to me through my United Church family.

Fortunate enough to have a number of vocations, I have been a teacher, a hospice counsellor, a mother of four sons and a life partner. I have had the privilege of serving the United Church of Canada as a DLM since 1994 in Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia. I have a deep respect for the specific gifts and skills that Designated Lay Ministry brings to our church and surprised myself when the outcome of discernment was for ordained ministry. I have loved every minute that I have spent at VST and am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the United Church as an ordained minister.

I believe that despite the chaos and uncertainty we are facing at this time in the history of our church, God has faith in us, the church. We can trust that the Spirit has gone ahead of us and is making way for a new and fresh way to do and be. Our job is to open our hearts and minds to the voice of the Spirit…and to follow boldly.


NEW MINISTRY

DIANE ROBINSON

I was born and raised in Prince George, British Columbia. During my growing-up years, I kept busy with various activities including: Brownies, Explorers, drama, choirs, Sunday school, swimming and skating lessons as well as piano lessons. During my teen years, I enjoyed riding my horse Cloudy. The United Church of Canada has been my life-long church 'home'.

Following high-school graduation in' 1975, I attended Naramata Centre's 4 1/2 month in-community Winter Session. From 1976 - 1979, I attended the University of Alberta (Edmonon), enrolled in the Faculty of Education (Secondary English). My post-secondary studies then took me to Simon Fraser University (Burnaby), from which I received a Teaching Diploma in 1991. In 2002, I graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George) with a Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)

I have done my theological studies through 3 schools: Vancouver School of Theology (Vancouver - Diploma of Christian Studies), United Theological College (Montreal - Ministry Based Ordination Program) and Atlantic School of Theology (Halifax - Summer Distance/Masters of Divinity Program). I graduated with my Masters of Divinity from AST in April 2011.

I am currently serving in 80% ministry with Radville Pastoral Charge (Radville, Ceylon and Minton-Gladmar United Churches) in south-eastern Saskatchewan.

I am married to Ken Robinson, my life partner and a Designated Lay Minister. I have two adult children: Alysson and Jeff (married to Melissa). Ken and I have 3 furry 'children': Smokey Robinson, MacDuff and Belle.

My heart's passions are: God, my husband and children, worship, music (singing and playing the piano), cats, creation, life-long learning and recycling. My life's call is to journey, in-relationship, with God's people; and, together, 'do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God' (Micah 6: 8).


NEW MINISTRY

SUNNI SHULAR

Sunni is currently serving as the full time ministry personnel of a two point pastoral charge on the Gitxsan territory consisting of both First Nations and non-First Nations congregations in north western BC. Previously she served as the full time minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care for Anspayaxw Pastoral Charge, on the Gitxsan territory.

An accomplished artist she blends various mediums and styles within her ministry. She designs, creates and teaches others to sew beautiful seasonal pulpit banners, wall hangings and stoles. With patience and many slivers she carved a 19 foot bible story pole depicting 12 scenes from Genesis to Christ’s resurrection. She etched two 5ft X 3 ft mirrors with Eucharist symbols, which grace the interior walls of the Anspayaxw PC church sanctuary. As well, she has written dramatic plays and faith fiction stories published in ‘Gathering” 2009, 2010.

She engages and delights children from 2-92 with the inter-active assistance of 3 puppets: Maizie, Jacob-the shepherd and Chester Church mouse who offer stories of the bible and Christ’s teachings as well as their opinions, views and insights.

With her previous experience as a Social Worker, she brings a wealth of expertise in advocacy, counselling and leadership. She brings her gift of dedication to others in Christ recognizing their uniqueness and values amid cultural diversity. She practises justice, fairness and equality for all. She believes fully that all are worthy of being children of God.


NEW MINISTRY

BRENDA WILKINSON

Brenda is native to BC and spent her younger years in Burnaby, just outside of Vancouver. She first graduated from college in Vancouver and then pursued studies to be become a registered massage therapist in both Ontario and BC.

She owned her own massage therapy clinic in Kitsilano for twelve years before moving to the Sunshine Coast to work as a massage therapist while her husband ran a bed and breakfast business. It was there that she firmly established herself as a United Church person and under the mentorship of the Rev. Patricia Baker and the Rev. Janice Young soon found herself immersed in studies at the Vancouver School of Theology. This led to a very strong call to ordained ministry followed by an affirming discernment process with St. John’s United in Sechelt.

This has been a seven year endeavour for Brenda, complete with first commuting from the Sunshine Coast and then a move to Vancouver during the week to study full time. She was joined by her daughter two years ago who begged to be put in a high school in Vancouver and then by her eleven year old son this year who is also now attending school in the Vancouver area.

Brenda is an avid cyclist and aspires to being a full time bike commuter.

Brenda has received a call to work in team ministry with the people of North Lonsdale United in North Vancouver and is thrilled to be looking forward to a new life with this community.

Documents

81st General Meeting May 26-29, 2011 Penticton …...May 26-29, 2011 Penticton Convention Centre BC CONFERENCE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA 2011 Reports & Agenda - Page 3 6 President’s