COUNCIL

COMMITTEE REPORTS for the March Meeting of Council

Minister of Worship & Congregational Life-Report

Synopsis: As I look back over the past several weeks, it is proving difficult to adequately circumscribe the range of activities with which I have been engaged and the responsibilities I have assumed. From the kick-off service for Black History Month held at First-St. Andrew’s to Ash Wednesday and countless other outreach meetings, the previous two months have been nothing short of a whirlwind. But all in all, I am happy to say that we are moving forward with a spirit of anticipation and possibility, not fretting because things don’t look like they once did but rather creatively reconfiguring our expectations and making decisions that are adaptive and suited to our time.

Staff Concerns and Celebrations: It remains a joy to work with such a talented and compassionate team of ministry colleagues. I am learning that it can be quite difficult to have a staff meeting with so many part-time staff members, but we are all communicating with each other on a regular basis as a result of the other platforms at our disposal. Also, we never fail to seize an opportunity to check in and consult as needed.

1. Office Manager: Kathryn and I consult regularly about daily operations, and increasingly, our conversations revolve around which spaces are available and when. On the whole, I consider this a positive, but I must admit it can be very difficult to manage so many different needs and expectations. Even when Kathryn and I are not in the office at the same time, we communicate daily to insure we and everyone else are on the same page.

2. Minister of Music: Chris and I confer multiple times per week, not only about upcoming worship services but also about collaborative possibilities with our community partners. I suppose one of our recurring themes is: How do we expand creatively without placing unbearable demands on our colleagues and volunteers? I greatly value Chris’s sensitivity to blind spots in the history of the wider Church, especially as it concerns music and the function of worship in the overall mission to transform our world.

3. Youth and Young Adults Minister: Marilyn and I check in about items pertaining to FSA Youth and Young Adults, but also about broader regional concerns. She is a great window into the operations of ARWRC and the United Church in general, since I am still rather new to things. I love the invitations she extends for me to participate in supporting our YYA, and as a result, I have made some significant connections which I hope will bear fruit down the road.

4. Children’s Ministry: Christina and I meet for programming matters almost as much as Chris Fischer and I do, but our meetings might occur over the phone or in person. With Christina’s limited hours, we are mindful to not extend her work week beyond that allotted amount, but we also know that some weeks might mean more hours and some less. From my observations, she is learning the rhythms of a ministry schedule, which is anything but a 9 to 5. I am beyond grateful for the countless creative ways she has infused our Children’s Programming events, including but not limited to bringing The Saidat Show to FSA but also planning for a robust puppet ministry, something that I think will take off as it has already struck a chord with a number of parishioners who are interested in volunteering.

5. Pastoral Care Minister: Annie and I are in regular communication through phone and email. I have work to do to make sure we meet in person more consistently, but with our very busy schedules, which do overlap sometimes around visitation and care, it has proven a challenge. Nevertheless, we both respond in a timely manner to inquiries the other has, and it is nothing short of an honor to work with her in the provision of spiritual care to the community of FSA and beyond.

Internal Interventions: Our Lenten Bible Study has been a great success. I think this time of year can be difficult for a number of reasons, not least of which relates to the unpredictable weather. Fortunately, that has not stopped many persons from participating fully in our study, which will conclude on the morning of Maundy Thursday. Our next six week session will not begin until later in April (after I have had a moment to breathe following Easter). As already mentioned, our different ministries are only moving in more creative directions, which requires me to pivot and expand my own thinking, both of which have allowed me to grow as a minister and caregiver. I could not ask for more support from the community of FSA, and it continues to feel me with joy that I was given the opportunity to serve and grow right here.

Finally, my work with the Discipleship and Justice Commission continues to be rewarding, but we are facing the same challenges that any local congregation faces—volunteer recruitment and a decline in overall contributions that are used to fund the various missional programs affiliated with the UCCanada. I hope to continue to find creative ways to serve the United Church in some capacity, though my most immediate task is to continue working to secure Permanent Residency for our family.

Finally, some of you will know that are always big supporters of climate action and awareness, which prompted the use of our atrium space for a press conference that I like to think played some part in securing 18,000 additional hours of bus service for the City of London.

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Report from the Minister of Pastoral Care

Number of Hours:  48

Number of Visits:   31

Number of Phone Calls/Emails:  26

Number of Meetings:  4

 

February Visits

February was a busy month for visits and support.  I made several visits to Long Term Care, University Hospital, and Retirement Residences as well as to homes.  I also made visits to other members of the congregation in order to get to know them better. 

 

5 deaths occurred this month which was deeply felt by families and many in the congregation (Judi Barker, Jim Coulthard, Jim Hendry, Peter Denny, Jean Sykes.)  Bereavement calls were made to each of these families.  I took the Richmond Woods Sunday Service for Joshua on Feb. 18th,  and attended 4 meetings during the month.  Several members are on the Prayer Chain which is most appreciated by the individuals being prayed for.

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February Sorrows & Blessings

Sadness re life changes in health and home

Dealing with chronic illnesses

The heavy load of caregivers

The warmth and love of prayer shawls being taken to individuals

The delight of pets who keep members company

The art work of individuals in nursing homes and retirement homes proudly displayed in their rooms

The support of family members and friends as well as the congregation

Good news regarding improved health

Residents singing and playing instruments in Long Term Care

 

Contact Information:                     (home phone) 519-439-0904

                                                            (cell phone) 647-973-1169

                                                            (work phone) 519-679-8182 Option 4

                                                            (work email) pastoralcare@fsaunited.com

                                                            (home email) annelouisejannaway@gmail.com

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Shared Youth and Young Adult Minister Report

Summer Camp- FSA will host summer camp again this year from July 22-26 and August 6-9 from 9 am-4 pm. At present, we have seven children registered.

 

Summer Adventure Leadership Team (SALT)-Interviews for our Summer Program Director are on Tuesday, March 19, with interviews for the Youth Program Coordinators in a few weeks. These positions are pending until we hear if we receive grant money from the Canada Summer Jobs Grant at the end of April. Our hope is to hire 1 Youth Program Director and 6 Youth Program Coordinators to lead summer camps and plan/lead other children, youth and intergenerational programming this summer.

 

Confirmation- Through the shared youth ministry, we have 5 youths in the confirmation program. These youth and their families attend First-St. Andrew’s United Church. I am giving these youths the opportunity to gather and have discussions/activities with Rev. Ann and Dr. Jeff Crittenden throughout the program, as we are a shared ministry. This Sunday, March 24, the confirmation class is gathering at Siloam for discussion and activities with Rev. Ann around the importance of prayer, learning different spiritual practices and various ways to pray.

 

Youth- Our high school youth continue to gather 2-3 times monthly for recreation and faith-based programming at each of our shared youth ministry churches. A couple of weeks ago, we had an event at Wesley Knox United Church, as we have been coordinating and working with their youth leader in the last few months.

 

Young adults- Our young adults are busy with a new community outreach project that will begin in April, which we hope will begin to get our ‘neighbours talking again’ and attract more young adults to our gatherings. We are continuing to understand that mental health and isolation continue to be prevalent, and we are putting together opportunities to hear and invite our faith communities and the wider community to get to know one another again.

 

In April, we will begin with a simple activity you will see online and on bulletin boards in the churches (and Central Secondary School, where one of our young adults teaches), asking people to share “ What is Community”? There are plans to launch new activities each month.

 

Mint Smoothies- Our youth are selling mint smoothies to help pay the rental fee for the youth and congregational family camp from May 31 to June 2. Thank you to all of you who have purchased these smoothies. They are available in the church office.

 

Youth and Family Camp- Through the Shared Youth and Young Adult Ministry, we will lead a youth retreat for Gr. 5 and older from May 31 to June 2. On June 1, people of all ages are invited to come for the day or stay overnight to enjoy a congregational family camp. The youth will be at the camp for the full weekend. The link to register is found on the church website and social media.

 

Diaconal Minister- In October 2023, the United Church General Council invited all Recognized Designated Lay Ministers who have been working in congregational ministry for 5 years or more to discern if they wish, the call to diaconal (called to education, pastoral care and service) or ordained ministry (called to Word Sacrament and Pastoral Care). I discerned a call to the Diaconal Ministry with best wishes from the M&P committees and our lead ministers.

 

After a successful February interview, I hope to be commissioned at the tri-annual Regional Meeting on May 24-26 in Port Elgin. There needs to be a congregational meeting at each of the three congregations to approve this call to change my ministry status from Recognized Designated Lay Minister to Diaconal Minister. I understand the meetings have been called, and the meetings and approval must be completed by Monday, April 8th. Thank you to everyone who is working on this.

 

Thank you for all your best wishes as I move into ordered ministry. This will not change my job description/role as the Shared Youth and Young Adult Minister.

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Outreach

1. Motion for Council to approve that the name of our committee be OUTREACH.

2. Christmas Eve loose offering was $276.00

3. Christmas Share to ELUCO was $3750

4. WSGT is set for Saturday June 8.

5. Beneficiaries from Golf Tournament proceeds are

   • ELUCO

   • St. Paul’s Social Services

   • Ark Aid

   • Los Quinchos

6. Guest speaker for April Outreach Sunday is no longer available.  We are considering other options

7. Open Doors London.  We are discussing how FSA Outreach might be featured.

8. Discussion re the interest from the Knowles Fund

9. During Lent we are collecting warm clothing for Ark Aid

10. Our committee is responsible for C&C for the month of April

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Music

• Barbara Plante was welcomed to the committee and Richard Frank has stepped down

• $1000 has been transferred to Operating Fund for 2023 from Friends of Music

• Event Parking was discussed at some length. Discussions will be undertaken with El Sistema Aeolian, neighbours, and with George Jolink – Property

• The idea of programme inserts outlining FSA programmes and up-coming events for inclusion in our concert programs was discussed and will be discussed further with Jim Silcox

• The senior choir have been very generous in covering the cost of the scores for Concerning Matthew Shepard

• For any up-coming concerts, an atrium monitor will be designated to ensure that late-comers can get in and to deal with any other atrium-related situations

• Members indicated their willingness to participate in providing entertainment for the fund-raising event being planned by the Fund Raising Committee in September

• Chris Fisher reported that about 22 children participate in Treble Makers or ReBELLS or both. Consideration is being given to the fact that some of the participants will be moving into the high school age—perhaps one group up to age 12 and then another group for the high school students

• Chris Fisher has e-mailed London choral groups in the area to receive their concert dates in order to avoid conflicts in future, whenever possible.

• Dates to keep in your calendar: March 14th is pi(e) day – Public Intentional and Explicit – for affirming churches. The senior choir is having a rehearsal of Concerning Matthew Shepard open to the public and pie will be served

• March 24th – Laudaumus Bells playing in service  

• April 7th – is an inter-generational service led by Saidat as a special guest.

• April 14th – FSA strings playing in service

• April 21st – Laudamus Bells playing in service

• Concerts

  • April 5th – Spring Noon concert - Eberhard Scholars

  • April 12th – Chris Fisher will be singing and Lynda Kennedy accompanying

  • April 21st – Considering Matthew Shepard – Senior Choir concert with soloists, chamber orchestra

  • May 5th – Jazz service

  • May 24th – Spring Noon concert - Laudamus Bells

  • May 29th – FSA Strings Summer Concert

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Membership and Nurture 

•  We welcomed Susan McGregor to our committee.  Susan will assume the role of writing notes to people in the congregation undergoing difficult times.  She assumes this role as we bid farewell to Gerry Meacham who has written over 170 notes in the last three to four years.  We thank Gerry for her significant contribution to this important ministry.

• Rev Annie reported on her ministry of pastoral care.  Annie has made 31 visits to long term care homes, UH and congregants’ homes and made 26 phone calls of support in the past month.  Two of these calls were made to relatives of former congregants who have died. There have been three deaths of members of the congregation or their loved ones in the last month: Judi Barker, Jim Hendry and Jim Coulthard. Annie also attended the birthday celebration for Fran Thomson who turned 104 this month.

• The four main volunteer pastoral care teams (Caring Callers, Visitation, Prayer Chain and supportive letter writing) have been working to provide ongoing support to people requiring their services.

• Annie shared a very comprehensive summary of the many activities that she and Rev Karen Low are undertaking as Co-chairs of the Affirm Committee. Affirm is a sub committee of M&N.

• Coffee and Conversation has been running very smoothly under the leadership of Glenna Hall and the work of members of various committees of Council.  We are also grateful for the volunteers  who have offered to run the dishwasher (in March- Jeff Robinson and Katherine Wonfor) thus avoiding the use of disposable cups.

• New Members Sunday is being planned for Sunday April 14, 2024.

• Lillian Reid and Bev Lindsay will be examining the mail slots to see if some need to be edited.

• Work on planning for the Photo Directory has been very time-consuming.  Glenna Hall, Heather Locking-Cusolito and Lillian Reid our leader have contacted over 250 people through sign up sessions before and after church, phone calls and emails. There are still some appointment spots available on Friday, April 19, Saturday, April 20 or Monday, April 22. If you know of someone still requiring an appointment please have them call one of us to make an appointment.