COUNCIL

COMMITTEE REPORTS

(submitted for the May 2020 meeting)

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...FROM FAITH DEVELOPMENT

We have been working in ‘virtual’ task groups during this time of Covid-19.

• WORSHIP:  Sunday Worship services have been recorded for on-line viewing each week—by Michelle with help from Kathryn Skelly, Merran Neville, Jen Sadler and many lay leaders.  A mammoth effort for which the congregation is very grateful!

• On-line services from other sources will be recommended for August, should we still be in shut-down during Michelle’s annual leave.

• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Enormous work has continued to be put into ensuring that our young people continue to be taught during this period by ZOOM, on-line forums etc.  Much credit goes to Allyson Watson, Ann MacPhail, Kathryn Skelly, Chris Lindsay and a host of helpers!!

• We celebrated this month the gradual return to work of Jane Dockrill after almost a year away.  What a gift she will be again.

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...FROM MUSIC

1. Search for new Director of Music:

   1. The application period for the Director of Music position closed on April 24, 2020.  A good number of applications were received with some very promising applicants.  The search committee continues next with a short list of applicants.

2. Virtual Worship Services:

   1. Virtual services began March 22 and continue with planning and weekly video creation by the Tech Team.  Thanks and appreciation go to all the people who have stepped up to participate in these services.

3. Policies & Procedures Manual:

   1. The Music Committee has submitted our changes to the Music section of the P & P manual.  Steve Elson, George Jolink and Doug Jones are updating the whole document.

4. Music at FSA after the lockdown:

   1. As we look to the future, we began the conversation about how music will be reintroduced into services after the lockdown.  The Council and the United Church of Canada governing body will be providing leadership in this. The Music Committee is interested in considering strategies to accomplish this for services and the various choirs.

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...FROM UCW

1. The UCW working group, Laurel Kenney, Linda Badke and Nancy Quinn, were empowered by Council, at the last meeting to do an initial investigation of the idea that there be a limited monthly online fundraising and education effort to help encourage the church, as a family, to support rotating charities. We report that after collecting a lot of helpful comments, which have been formally collated, that there is a wonderful mixture of enthusiasm and also concern. Paramount is the concern that this potential initiative not take any focus away from existing fundraising ventures at FSA. The need for face to face discussion and a round table discussion of the issues and ideas is great. We have decided to put this initiative on hold for the time being and we have not taken the next step of making a formal motion for the UCW to spearhead the project, which would then be handed over to the church. 

 

2. The UCW Executive, in March, formally cancelled April's Rummage Sale and there are no plans to do this in the Fall, as our government and medical officers advise us that there will be more waves of COVID-19. We thank Jim and Jan Hendry, the Rummage Sale co-convenors, for all of their dedicated preparatory work.

 

3. Glenda Robinson, Convenor for the UCW Boutique Bazaar, reports that The Boutique Bazaar Committee have had discussions via email and phone.  Dana Conn and Tara Gonder have taken it upon themselves to propose the creation of a virtual site for the FSA Boutique Bazaar. If there is no bazaar as we know it, finding ways to raise money for the UCW to continue its support of the thirteen local and international charities will be needed. The proposal that Dana and Tara have prepared could help us in this regard.

 

Here are some key excerpts from their proposal:

We are looking to create a sleek, clean, simple, and on trend online shop that will provide stock standard items, such as (but not limited to):
• shopping bags  • tea towels  • Heat packs    • throw pillows  • aprons   • wood bowls   • wooden toys   • Coffee
• And possibly canned preserves (more research needs to be done in regards to the liability of offering food products online)

This is an idea in the making. At this point, there are many unknowns about running an online shop.  However, we feel that by beginning this process we will venture into a new experience and open the pathway for changes and development in FSA.

 

• The Membership and Nurture Committee has decided not to meet virtually but we are in contact with one another around nurturing and pastoral care issues as necessary. We look forward to meeting outdoors when the weather starts to cooperate.

 

• We are extremely thankful for the pastoral care work of Dr. David McKane and Dr. JoAnn Silcox and for the commitment of the Caring Callers to keeping in touch with their flock.The Lay Visitation team has, of course, been unable to visit their folk though some visitors have continued to be in touch by phone. The pastoral care needs of the congregation are significant right now as a result of illness, death and isolation.

• The Newcomers’ Friendship Group scheduled for May 12, 2020 was cancelled.

• A Zoom meeting was held May 14 to discuss the preliminary steps to consider regarding the role of ordained ministry in pastoral care at FSA.