COUNCIL

COMMITTEE REPORTS for the February Meeting of Council

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WORSHIP

The Worship Committee gives GOD and GOD’s faithful stewards thanksgiving for the efforts of so many in keeping the Worship life of FSA alive during these Covid lock-down times.

PREACHING kudos go to Rev. Ann Corbet, Rev. Tom Hiscock and to Rev. Dr. David McKane—as well as to the many UCCs who have made their on-line services available to us.

MUSIC: Erich Knapp, our Minister of Music, continues to find an amazing variety of ways to ensure that melody of our worship through not only his own amazing repertoire but also the gifts of the sextets and trios he has assembled through this very challenging time.

TAPED SERVICES: We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the tech team (Kathryn Skelly, Merran Neville, and Jim Silcox) for their amazing skill in allowing the rest of us to feel as we watch as if we were virtually present in services.

NARTHEX CO-ORDINATOR: In the wake of Charlotte Oldham’s health issues Catherine Charlton has graciously stepped forward to fill this position.

GOING FORWARD: We will continue to worship at a social distance from one another for a  yet-to-be determined Covid time—but look forward to the time when we might become a virtual community again.

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CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT

 

CHURCH SCHOOL- 

1. Church school families made and sent Valentines Day cards to members of FSA

2. Zoom church school will be offered as well as a lesson via email until we can return in person.

YOUTH GROUP

1. Will be offering a zoom youth group in February and hopefully we will be able to offer something in person once restrictions ease.

ADULT EDUCATION

1. We are working on an environmental series that will most likely be in the fall due to energy around leadership and zoom sessions.

2. We may consider an informal Lenten series if we open up to in person worship during Lent.

CONFIRMATION

1. We are hoping to offer a confirmation group for the fall of 2021.Anyone who is in Grade 9 and Grade 10 in the fall should contact us.

COLLABORATION

1. We are in the opening stages of conversation with other United Churches about sharing and collaborating in youth ministry.

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MEMBERSHIP & NURTURE

• Our committee has continued to devote considerable energy to reaching out to members of the FSA family to ensure that they continue to feel connected to the church. With the help of Jan Hendry we are also trialing a Zoom Social Hour beginning Thursday morning for four weeks.  Stay tuned for feedback re the success of this project.

Despite requests through the eblast and reaching out in person to several people I am sad to report that the Affirm Committee is without leadership and in fact has not met for over 18 months.  Without a functioning Affirm Committee it will be hard to call ourselves an Affirming Congregation.

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PROPERTY

 The Property Committee met in January to review the previous year activities and to plan for the upcoming year. 

 

• The main concern at this time is around our heating system.  Significant failures were detected and corrected in December and January which cost in the neighbourhood of $15 000.00.   As a result we are now beginning the process to consider a complete upgrade and modernization of the heating systems at FSA.  The Avis report of 2008 indicated at that time that this work would be necessary in the future.  The Property Committee along with the Planning Committee are working to discern if that future is now.  This would represent a significant capital project which would require Trustee support and a Capital Campaign to raise the funds required. 

• Other Property projects in 2021:

1. Dry well improvements on the west lawn to better handle roof  drain water in heavy downpour situations.  

2. Security gates in the south Narthex entrance (completed)

3. Completing Stained Glass repair

4. Completing Heat trace cables on rear west roof.