Council

Council Committees

Environment Ad Hoc Committee

To: FSA Council

From: Mary Ann Hodge

In the Spring 2019, Council approved the formation of an ad hoc Environment Committee with a mandate to engage people outside of FSA in the climate emergency.  This group currently has about 100 followers; we have a strong presence with the City of London; several churches distribute our weekly environment message; and we have been accepted as a member of the London Environment Network, where we are the only organization focused on climate action.

We have 2 central themes of Education and Advocacy on Climate Action:

  1. Top down- engaging city officials, large employers and educators

  2. Bottom up – engaging the general population of Londoners

This grant proposal responds to the second initiative.  Our goal is to create a web-based engagement tool that

  • provides suggestions on positive climate action

  • includes a call to action (a pledge) to take this action

  • and consolidates these pledges to create a running total of reduced GHG emissions for the city as a whole

The goal is that by showing how small individual actions can lead to large collective reductions in GHG emissions, people will be more inspired to participate in reducing GHG emissions.  The engagement tool will be a series of emails sent out over 7 weeks, with the 8th week a call to action to sign up for a further 7 week engagement, where the calls to action become more difficult. The initial project would have 3 series of 7 engagements.  This form of digital engagement is used widely by online “self-help” type courses.  To create this type of engagement tool, will require professional resources.  As such, we will be seeking out grants to fund this work.  The Ontario Trillium Foundation has an annual seed grant opportunity with a deadline of Feb 26.  Requirements to submit a grant include:

  • must be a non-profit organization

  • must be operating for more than 1 year

  • must have financial statements for the past year

This environment committee does not have these requirements on its own.  As an ad hoc committee of Council, we respectfully ask if we can submit this application under the umbrella of First-St. Andrew’s United Church.

 

 

What we would need of FSA:

  1. Need official authorization from FSA to submit the application:

  • Name of person with authority to grant permission

  • ​

  • Email

  • ​

  1. Who would be the “Signatory Contact” – the person with signing authority to legally bind the organization and will be responsible for signing the OTF grant contract.(if awarded) and their contact information.

  2. Who would be the “Project Contact” – the person responsible for implementing the OTF grant and responding to any questions from Trillium.

  3. Details of the “charitable organization or public foundation registered as a charity by the Canada Revenue Agency”

Legal Name:

Operating Name:  First-St. Andrew’s United Church

Charitable # and year of registration:

Website: fsaunited.com

  1. They also ask questions about the organization, such as mission, typical activities, number of staff and volunteers and a copy of the most recent financial statements.

I will be happy to answer any questions on this at the Council meeting.  Attached is a “Campaign Proposal” that we have put together to obtain pricing to include in this grant submission.

The budget is expected to be about $50,000 for the digital work, a part-time administrator and a marketing campaign.  The proposal would be for the administrator to work under the auspices of the London Environmental Network (LEN).  The LEN is in support of this project, but they have another project they will be putting forward to Trillium for approval, and you can only have 1 application at a time.  Seed grant projects can be a max of one year in duration.

To move forward with this application, I am requesting a MOTION – for Council to authorize the application for this Trillium grant.  In the case where we are not awarded this grant, we would also request a MOTION – for Council to authorize the ad hoc Environmental Committee (Climate Action London) to apply for other grants, including United Church grants.

Respectfully,

 

Mary Ann Hodge

Faith Development

February Report

Katie Glaves, chair
Jo Ann Silcox, co-chair
Stephen Adams
Joan Bancroft
Susan McKane
David McKane
David Pederson
Jean Wright
Jane Dockrill, staff
Rev. Michelle Down, stafff

BALANCE BETWEEN SECURITY AND WELCOMING: A number of property and personal security breaches in recent months has heightened the need to ensure that both the building and its occupants are kept safe—while continuing to find a balance which welcomes the stranger. Property and M & P will be asked to review the recommendations from Tim Miedema re the former while the congregation as a whole commits to ensure that all are welcome in this place.

 

SANCTUARY DECORATIONS:Faith Development in the last several years ceded sanctuary decorations to George Jolink’s considerable skills (with gratitude!). A recent incident in which complicated Christmas decorations required urgent dismantling by an aging Faith Development Committee in George’s absence—raised the imperative of ensuring back-up plans for such exigencies and a recognition that simpler set-ups may at times be necessary. George will be consulted (Katie).

 

CONFIRMATION REPORT:Eight young people will be gratefully confirmed on February 16th with Rev. Kathie Douglas (Faith Formation Minister for the Antler River Waterways Regional Council) preaching.A Confirmation dinner is planned for February 15th (Allyson Watson, Chris Lindsay) and cake will be provided after the Sunday service (Jim and Jo Ann Silcox).

 

The confirmands and their sponsors enjoyed a Luke Trivia contest (with pizza!!) at the end of January and it was evident from the laughter that community has been formed!

 

Four of the confirmands have indicated a desire to attend a Confirmation weekend at Piece Williams Camp later this month as a sign of continuing investment in the life and work of the church and we will encourage those broader UCC activities as they continue to grow in their faith.

 

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER AND BIG CIRCLE PANCAKE BREAKFAST:It has not been possible to sustain these events this year but it is hoped that as the Youth and Young Families staff position is again filled, there will be renewed energy to mount these intergenerational events.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION VOLUNTEER STAFFING: An inevitable sequel of both busy families and the absence of a staff person in the role of Young and Young Families Co-ordinator for many months has been a decreasing pool of volunteers to co-ordinate and administer the children’s programmes.It is proposed that teachers be gathered every several months over a Sunday morning breakfast to hear needs and build community.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION STAFFING:A renewed search for a 6 month Youth and Young Families Coordinator (to cover Jane Dockrill’s sick leave) has begun in earnest outreach to other churches, to the Centre for Christian Studies, to Huron University Faculty of Theology, and to the general public—recognizing that in the interim shared programing with other churches may also need to be explored.

 

WORSHIP NEEDS:Michelle reviewed the Worship Planning until June with several changes/additions.

 

  • PIE SUNDAY (π) (March 15th). The National UCC Affirm Committee has asked that celebrate Affirm ministries as Public, Intentional, and Explicit. Members will be asked to supply pies (of the less erudite form) as refreshment following the service.

  • PENTECOST SUNDAY (May 31st): This year this Sunday also includes Communion at FSA and the Regional Meeting of the ARW Region at Port Elgin. We will approach Rev. Tom Hiscock to see if he might officiate at FSA in Michelle’s absence.

  • BALANCE BETWEEN SECURITY AND WELCOMING: A number of property and personal security breaches in recent months has heightened the need to ensure that both the building and its occupants are kept safe—while continuing to find a balance which welcomes the stranger.

  • Property and M & P will be asked to review the recommendations from Tim Miedema re the former while the congregation as a whole commits to ensure that all are welcome in this place.

  • SANCTUARY DECORATIONS:Faith Development in the last several years ceded sanctuary decorations to George Jolink’s considerable skills (with gratitude!). A recent incident in which complicated Christmas decorations required urgent dismantling by an aging Faith Development Committee in George’s absence—raised the imperative of ensuring back-up plans for such exigencies and a recognition that simpler set-ups may at times be necessary. George will be consulted (Katie).

  • CONFIRMATION REPORT:Eight young people will be gratefully confirmed on February 16th with Rev. Kathie Douglas (Faith Formation Minister for the Antler River Waterways Regional Council) preaching.A Confirmation dinner is planned for February 15th (Allyson Watson, Chris Lindsay) and cake will be provided after the Sunday service (Jim and Jo Ann Silcox).

  • The confirmands and their sponsors enjoyed a Luke Trivia contest (with pizza!!) at the end of January and it was evident from the laughter that community has been formed!

  • Four of the confirmands have indicated a desire to attend a Confirmation weekend at Piece Williams Camp later this month as a sign of continuing investment in the life and work of the church and we will encourage those broader UCC activities as they continue to grow in their faith.

  • SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER AND BIG CIRCLE PANCAKE BREAKFAST:It has not been possible to sustain these events this year but it is hoped that as the Youth and Young Families staff position is again filled, there will be renewed energy to mount these intergenerational events.

  • CHRISTIAN EDUCATION VOLUNTEER STAFFING: An inevitable sequel of both busy families and the absence of a staff person in the role of Young and Young Families Coordinator for many months has been a decreasing pool of volunteers to co-ordinate and administer the children’s programmes. It is proposed that teachers be gathered every several months over a Sunday morning breakfast to hear needs and build community.

  • CHRISTIAN EDUCATION STAFFING:A renewed search for a 6 month Youth and Young Families Coordinator (to cover Jane Dockrill’s sick leave) has begun in earnest outreach to other churches, to the Centre for Christian Studies, to Huron University Faculty of Theology, and to the general public—recognizing that in the interim shared programing with other churches may also need to be explored.

  • WORSHIP NEEDS: Michelle reviewed the Worship Planning until June with several changes/additIons.

  • PIE SUNDAY (π) (March 15th). The National UCC Affirm Committee has asked that celebrate Affirm ministries as Public, Intentional, and Explicit

  • Members will be asked to supply pies (of the less erudite form) as refreshment following the service.

  • PENTECOST SUNDAY (May 31st): This year this Sunday also includes Communion at FSA and the Regional Meeting of the ARW Region at Port Elgin. We will approach Rev. Tom Hiscock to see if he might officiate at FSA in Michelle’s absence.

Finance

February Report

Kerry Hill, chair
Tristin Hill
Ivana Klouda
Lesley Pergau
Barb Ridgewell
Laura Wood
Heather Vouvalidis, staff

Membership &

Nurture

Heather Locking-Cusolito, chair
Glenna Hall
Annabelle Logan
Gerry Meacham
Deanne Pederson
Jo Ann Silcox
Donna Thompson
Rev. Michelle Down, staff

February Report

Membership and Nurture met last on February 12, 2020 when we discussed the following:

  • We reviewed the ongoing responsibility of Coffee and Conversation ably led by Deanne Pederson and with thanks to Catherine Charlton who will coordinate scheduling volunteers for March.

  • We considered the significant pastoral care needs of our congregation and coordinated our response to those needs through our teams of caring callers, prayer chain, lay visitation, care for the caregivers and pastoral letters of concern and consolation. We spend close to 30 minutes of each meeting discussing pastoral care needs.We encourage members of the congregation to let us know if they are aware of, or concerned about, people requiring pastoral care as a result of illness, bereavement or loss. We would like to recruit more men to our lay visitation team.If you know of anyone interested in this important role please contact Heather Locking-Cusolito

  • We expressed thanks to Kathryn Skelly for her development of the concise and comprehensive outlining activities and programmes at FSA. Fifty copies were printed and are available in the pamphlet rack in the Atrium.Please offer them to anyone inquiring about programmes and activities at FSA. If more are needed they can easily be printed in-house. They are also easy to edit if necessary.

  • We made preliminary plans for our next which is scheduled for Tuesday May 5, 2020. If you have connected with people “new to the pew” please let them know about this evening and consider coming along with them.More details to follow regarding location, time and contact information.Glenna Hall provides leadership to this event.

  • After significant help from Arielle Kayabaga, FSA’s Ward 13 Councillor, we were able to confirm with Doug Bolton, at ByLaw Enforcement for the City of London, that the current bylaw permits parking on the north side of Queens Avenue between Colborne and Waterloo on Sundays (as reflected in the current signage). Mr. Bolton has copied the head of parking enforcement about the actual bylaw.Clearly parking enforcement has been ticketing without regard to the bylaw.The petitioning letters requesting a continued exemption for Sunday parking from 9 AM to 12N or 1 PM have been forwarded to Mr. Bolton in Bylaw Enforcement. For the time being parking is still permitted on Sundays in front of the church. Thanks are also extended to Steve Elson who reiterated our concerns with both Parking and Bylaws.

Ministry & Personnel

February Report

Bruce Moor, chair

Linda Badke
Stuart Eberhard

Ardath Finnbogason-Hill
Kathryn Patton
Barb Plante
David Wake

David Wardlaw

Mission & Outreach

February Report

Barb Dalrymple, co chair
Pat Pettit, co chair
Linda Badke
Marilyn Beach
Janice Elliott
Liz Galbraith
Jan Hendry
Laurel Kenney

Bill Knowles

Laurel Kenney

Donna Thompson

Bob Swartman

Michelle Down (Staff)

Music

February Report

Merran Neville, chair
Jane Archer Smith
Glenda Baldwin
Igor Saika-Voivod
Paul Cooper
Ardath Finnbogason-Hill
Ann MacPhail
Janis Wallace
Margaret Wardlaw
Terry Head, staff

Igor Saika-Voivod

The Music Committee did not meet in February so this report is a short overview of music activities coming up.This report is informational only.

 

  1. ​

  • Woodfield Jazz held a Sold Out event on Friday, Feb 14 with The Bettys a trio from Toronto performing.It is hoped that this success will be repeated.

  • Friday Lenten Noon Recitals –

    • March 13 – Claire Jones-Fright, violin and Lauren Thomson, piano

    • March 27 - Saunders Secondary School Chamber Strings, Madeline Hall, classical guitar, Igor Saika-Voivod, Director

    • April 3 – Laudamus Bells, Paul Merritt, Director

  • Love in Three-Four Time – March 21 at 7:30pm.  Performers – Sonja Gustafson, soprano; Francesca Ranalli, mezzo-soprano; Chris Wood, tenor; Alastair Smyth, bass; Lynda Kennedy and Grace Yip, piano; Gary McCumber, clarinet and Ralph Aldrich, viola.

 

  1. Music in Worship:

  • Feb 9:FSA Strings played for the service

  • Feb 23:Laudamus Bells playing anthem in service

  • Good Friday:The Senior Choir will be joined by choristers from Met to perform “Eternal Light:A Requiem” by Howard Goodall during the Good Friday Service on April 10.

  • Easter Sunday:A brass quartet will be playing for the Easter Sunday Service.

 

  1. Music Leadership & Search for new Director of Music:

  • Michelle welcomed Dr. Victoria (Viki) Meredith during the service on Feb 2.Viki is the interim Choir Director and has joined Paul, who is continuing as organist/pianist.

  • The motion to search for a new full time Director of Music was approved by the congregation at the Jan 26 ACM.The search committee was struck at the end of January (members are listed in the Jan 20 Council meeting minutes) and notices are on the FSA website with the position description and the advertisement.Applications are being accepted until April 24, 2020.

By constitution, Council is composed of the chairs of the church's administrative committees. The current chair is Steve Elson, and the secretary is Katherine Wonfor. Council membership also includes the chair of the UCW plus the church's representatives to the Regional Council, the Director of Music, the Coordinator of Youth and Young Families, the Minister of Worship & Congregational Life, and the Church Administrator (ex officio). Council also has ad hoc committees: The Planning Committee and  the Jean Brown Fund Committee. Current membership of the latter includes Katie Glaves, Merran Neville, David Manness, Ian Wright, Christina Lindsay, Kerry Hill and Jane Dockrill.

Nominating

February Report

George Jolink, chair
Heather Locking-Cusolito
Rev. Michelle Down, staff

Planning

Steve Elson

George Jolink

Barrie Evans

Kerry Hill, Chair

Nancy Johnson

Kathryn Patton

Bob Swartman

Deanne Pederson

Michelle Down (Staff)

February Report

Property

February Report

George Jolink, chair
Ron Bradley
Willis Buckingham
Bill Guthrie, secretary
Peter Ross
Tim Miedema, staff
Heather Vouvalidis, staff

Trustees

February Report

Doug Jones (co-chair)

Bill Peel (co-chair)

Paul Cooper

John Eberhard

Janice Elliott

Russ Gonder

Jane Hill

Don Jones

Bob Kennedy

David Manness

Al Salmoni

Jim Silcox

Mary Vernon

Jackie Williams

Katherine Wonfor

Michelle Down (staff)

​

  1. The Board of Trustees held its first meeting of 2020 on Tuesday, February 11th, at which time we welcomed the newest members of the Board and also had an orientation for them.

  2. As per the approval at the December Council meeting, the Long-Term Giving Committee of the Board will be continuing its program to alert the congregation to the opportunities to provide legacy funds through their wills. This is a follow up to the Board Workshop held 2 years ago about wills and legacies and my comments at the Annual Congregational meeting. An alert from the Chair, John Eberhard will be go out with the 2019 tax reciepts to ensure there isn’t any confusion of this being a stewardship campaign. The full information package will be sent out later in the Spring.

  3. The Board is continuing to develop the criteria for a “Benefactor Program” for living donors: a parallel to the Current Proudfoot Legacy Program for those who have left funds in their wills.

  4. The Board has established its full Board meetings to be held at .

  5. Doug Jones, on behalf of the Board is working with Kerry Hill, on behalf of the Finance Committee, to develop a template for financial details that are more transparent regarding the sources of funds used to support all the activities of FSA.

  6. As stated at the Annual Congregational meeting, the full year end financial report from the Board will be presented at the upcoming 2nd Annual Meeting of the Congregation later in the fall, after completion of the audit report.

  7. With the recommendation from the Finance Committee, the Board’s third motion regarding the approval of an auditor has been postponed to that 2nd Congregational meeting to allow time to investigate options.

UCW

February Report

To get the names of the current UCW executive, contact the church office

1)       UCW Meeting: Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 2 pm, in the Parlour
          Guest Speaker: Pamela Coray, Development Manager, ANOVA


2)       Christians of many cultures, traditions, and races in over 170 countries around the world unite in prayer on the "World Day of Prayer". Join us - men, women, and children - for the "World Day of Prayer" service at First-St. Andrews United Church (Queens Ave. at Waterloo) at 11 am in the sanctuary.  You and your friends of all religious faiths are warmly invited to this service written by the women of Zimbabwe.
          
           Enjoy the music and a video of this beautiful country as women of different churches in London present the service. Sing, share the readings, pray together, and share fellowship.

           Following the service, lunch will be provided in Proudfoot Hall.