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REPORT BOOK
THE 92nd ANNUAL MEETING of
LONDON CONFERENCE,
The United Church of Canada
Hosted by Essex Presbytery
May 27 - 29, 2016
Hellenic Centre, London
Travelling Along With You
CONFERENCE OFFICE
PO Box 28039, London, Ontario N6H 5E1
Telephone (519) 672-1930 ● Fax (519) 439-2800
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.londonconference.ca
TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR CONFERENCE OFFICE
DURING the 92nd ANNUAL MEETING in London, Ontario
519-280-2819
The Report Book 2015-2016 is produced by London Conference of The United Church of Canada
and The Mission & Service Fund of The United Church of Canada
CONTENTS
London Conference Officers ..................................................................... 1
London Conference Executive & Staff 2015-2016 ................................... 2
London Conference Division & Committee Chairs 2015-2016 ................. 3
London Conference Representatives to General Council ......................... 4
Key Personnel of 92nd Annual Meeting ...................................................... 4
(Registrar, Committee Chairpersons)
President’s Report ..................................................................................... 5
New Ministries Fund of London Conference ............................................. 6
Executive & Sub-Executive Report ........................................................... 6
General Council Executive Report ............................................................ 7
The Presbyteries ....................................................................................... 9
Committees of Conference Executive
• Affirm Task Group .............................................................................. 16
• Nomination ........................................................................................ 16
• Planning ............................................................................................ 17
• Staff Support ..................................................................................... 18
Divisions of Conference
• Communication & Public Relations ................................................... 19
• Faith Formation & Congregational Life ............................................. 22
• Finance & Administration .................................................................. 28
• Ministry Personnel & Education ........................................................ 32
• In Memoriam ................................................................................ 38
• Retirees ........................................................................................ 40
• Jubilands ...................................................................................... 40
• Candidates ................................................................................... 41
• Social Justice .................................................................................. 43
• Stewardship .................................................................................... 45
United Church Women Report ................................................................. 47
Corporations & Related Bodies ................................................................ 47
Rules of Debate & Order, Proposals ........................................................ 54
Delegate Agenda ..................................................................................... back
Conference OFFICERS 2015-2016
PRESIDENT
Catherine Larmond
PRESIDENT-ELECT
PAST-PRESIDENT
Kenji Marui
Jeffrey Crittenden
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
TREASURER
Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa
Bev Slater
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Conference EXECUTIVE & STAFF 2015-2016
OFFICERS
President .............................................................................. Catherine Larmond
President-Elect .................................................................................. Kenji Marui
Past President ...................................................................... Jeffrey Crittenden
Treasurer ............................................................................................ Bev Slater
Executive Secretary ......................................... Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa
REPS TO GENERAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE ................................ Douglas Wright
Wendy Brown
UNITED CHURCH WOMEN
President ....................................................................................... Sandra Stock
PRESBYTERY REPRESENTATIVES
Algoma .......................................................................................... Eun-Joo Park
Elgin ....................................................................................... Glenda McMillan
Essex ................................................................................................ Paul Rodey
Huron-Perth ................................................................................. Ken Hunking
Kent ............................................................................................... Wanda Burse
Lambton ........................................................................................... Connie Ellis
Middlesex ............................................................................. Sheila Macgregor
Oxford ......................................................................................... Mark Marshall
CONFERENCE DIVISION CHAIRS
Communication & Public Relations ....................................... Doreen Hewitson
Faith Formation & Congregational Life ................................................... vacant
Finance & Administration ................................................ Mary Anne Silverthorn
Ministry Personnel & Education .................................................... Mark Ferrier
Social Justice ............................................................................. Carey Wagner
Stewardship ............................................................................................ vacant
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Nominations ..................................................................................... Chuck Scott
Planning (Annual Meeting) ................................................... Jeffrey Crittenden
Staff Support .................................................................................... John Brown
CONFERENCE STAFF
Personnel Minister ..................................................................... Michelle Owens
Pastoral Support Minister .......................................................... Elaine Graham
Minister, Faith Formation, Youth & Young Adults ............................. Betsy Exley
Minister, Vocations & Training ................................................... Tanya Cameron
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF
Pretima Kukadia ● Tanya Cameron ● Krista Ford
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DIVISION & COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2015-2016
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
Affirm Task Group ................................................................................... vacant
Nominations ..................................................................................... Chuck Scott
Planning ................................................................................ Jeffrey Crittenden
Staff Support .................................................................................... John Brown
COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS .................. (Chair) Doreen Hewitson
Resource Centres .................................................................... Karlene Kimber
Grand River Spiritual & Educational Resource ....... Chair/Executive Secretary
FAITH FORMATION & CONGREGATIONAL LIFE ...................................... vacant
Camping Network ................................................................................... vacant
Rural Life & Small Member Churches ............................................ Eric Skillings
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION .............................. (Chair) Mary Anne Silverthorn
Archives .................................................................................................. vacant
Budget Forum ................................................................. Mary Anne Silverthorn
Fairfield Museum ............................................................... (Acting) Larry Stokes
Incorporated Ministries ............................................ (Secretary) Lynne Dunlop
MINISTRY PERSONNEL & EDUCATION ............................. (Chair) Mark Ferrier
Education & Students ............................................................. Jane Van Patter
Interim Ministry ................................................................................ Harry Disher
Internship & Educational Supervision ............................................ Wendy Noble
Interview Board Chair ..................................................................... Olav Kitchen
Pensions .................................................................................... Kate Crawford
Settlement Chair ............................................................................... Louise Hall
Settlement Secretary ...................................................................... Joyce Payne
Sexual Abuse Awareness & Response ................................ Jennifer Richmond
SOCIAL JUSTICE .............................................................. (Chair) Carey Wagner
Global Mission Personnel Facilitator ......................................... Curtis Marwood
Social Justice Network of Ontario Conferences .................... Margaret Murray
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LONDON CONFERENCE REPRESENTATIVES
to GENERAL COUNCIL TASK GROUPS / COMMITTEES
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Edward Avey ..................................................................................... Archives & History Committee
Wendy Brown ........................................................ Lay Representative, General Council Executive
Permanent Committee, Ministry & Employment Policies & Services
Jeffrey Crittenden ........................................................................... The United Church Foundation
Ken Fraser ......................................................................................................... Judicial Committee
Robert Gibson ........................ Permanent Committee, Ministry & Employment Policies & Services
Judicial Committee
Catherine Larmond .......................................................... Conference Presidents & Leading Elders
EunKyung Grace Lee ......................................... Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee
Racial Justice & Gender Justice Advisory Committee
Mark Marshall ............................................................ UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Kenji Marui ............................................................ Conference Presidents-Elect & Leading Elders
G. Pirie Mitchell ......................................................... Academic Awards & Scholarship Committee
Brad Morrison ................................................. Judicial Committee & Judicial Committee Executive
Brenda Simpson ............................................................... Anglican Church-United Church Dialogue
Anthony Smith ..................................................................... Mission & Service Advisory Committee
Harold Usher ................................................ Racial Justice & Gender Justice Advisory Committee
Douglas Wright ........................................... Ministerial Representative, General Council Executive
Nominations Committee
KEY PERSONNEL - 92nd ANNUAL MEETING
Registrar ................................................................................ Annette Skillings
Business/Agenda ............................................................... Jeffrey Crittenden
Worship ....................................................................................... Judith Fayter
Local Arrangements ........................................................ Cathy Collins Barker
Head Teller ..................................................................... Charles McMillan
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The theme for this past Conference year has been Travelling Along with You. I have certainly been
living into the 'travelling' part! At last count, I have been on 18 airplane flights over the course of the
past year and I’m not sure I want to know how many kilometers have been put on my vehicle!
To start off, ten days after I was installed as your President, I was on an airplane headed for
Mozambique. I was there to experience the people of that area, their churches and to look at two
projects that we have been supporting: the Sand Dams Project and the PEDRA, Mozambique Girls’
Education Program, Project. We had a wonderful chance to meet with the people there and to attend
worship with them. One of the services was much like one here, except held partially in Portuguese
and partially in the local language. None of it was in English, but, we could still worship our God
together. The other service was a joint service, with several of the area churches combined, and ran
about four and a half hours. It was filled with music and our own Bill Butt preached. The time passed
quickly! It was a very worthwhile trip and I have been sharing highlights with Presbyteries during my
visits with them.
When I returned from Mozambique I had about a month and I was off to General Council in
Newfoundland. We worked hard at General Council for the week that we were there. There is a new
vision of what the structures of the church will look like in upcoming years. As a national church we
have a lot of 'travelling' to do over the next few years to get from the structure with which we are all
very familiar to a new format, that will take some time to become comfortable for many of us. We
have a lot of remits coming over the next couple of years and a lot of decisions to make. It’s not going
to be an easy time but we do travel with God and with each other.
London Conference Executive is a wonderful group of people. We started out the year with a couple
of days of retreat to look at what had happened at General Council and what we saw as our next
steps. I’ve had a marvellous time travelling and visiting with Presbyteries and have been made to
feel very welcome everywhere that I went. We are blessed with a great Conference staff and I have
enjoyed working with each of them in their various capacities. They certainly have helped to make
this year the wonderful experience that it has been!
It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve as London Conference President for the past year.
I’ve gotten to know each of you in your own Presbyteries. What I have found is that we have a very
flexible and versatile group of people, here in London Conference, whose willingness to try new
things and to step out in hope and in faith with Christ are some of our greatest strengths. We are
travelling a new road with Christ and with each other.
The Rev. Catherine Larmond
Email ([email protected]) if you have questions or input about the above report.
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NEW MINISTRY FUND OF LONDON CONFERENCE
Our MANDATE is:
• At its 2014 Annual Meeting, London Conference passed a motion to establish a fund at The
United Church of Canada Foundation that would support new ministry work within London
Conference. The fund is comprised of 10% of the property sales of a disbanding local ministry
unit/congregation.
• Allocation of funds:
A. 50% of the fund is endowed – that is the principal is held in perpetuity and a portion of
the income is disbursed annually.
B. 50% of the fund is available for use as needed.
C. In any given year up to 90% of funds available will granted to new ministries projects
within London Conference; 10% of funds available could be granted to programs outside
of London Conference should the steering group and London Conference oversight
deem the potential learnings worthy. Once the Fund reached a balance of $15,000,
grants would be available.
We are CELEBRATING:
• The New Ministry Fund of London Conference has now exceeded the minimum $15,000
threshold and applications can be made to it through The United Church of Canada
Foundation: www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grant-info/the-new-ministries-fund/.
• Recommendations will be made by the New Ministry Steering Group of the Foundation to
London Conference Executive.
Our CHALLENGES were:
• Encouraging applications!!!
As we travel along ‘Where are we going and what do we need to take with us?’:
• The creation of this fund was a commitment to look to the future when saying farewell to the
past. It will enable New Ministry through the gifts of past ministries.
Email if you have questions or input about the above report.
EXECUTIVE AND SUB-EXECUTIVE REPORT
Our MANDATE is:
• To do the continuing work of London Conference between its regular meetings (Manual 2013:
Section D. 3.1.1.)
We are CELEBRATING:
• During the 2014-2015 year, while its usual meeting space at Riverside United Church in
London, was under construction, London Conference Executive visited a variety of sites. That
continued into its 2015-2016 year with the June meeting being held at Colborne St. United
Church. Executive had a two-day retreat in September at Crieff Hills. The plan had been to
review the decisions of General Council 42, but, since there was still not clarity on key items,
it was a broader discussion of anticipated changes. In November, Executive met for the first
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time in the newly built wing of Riverside United Church in London at the new home of London
Conference. There are still some challenges with making the meeting space work well and
with enabling remote access for distant Executive members.
In addition to shifting its meeting locations, Executive has been shifting its focus from receiving
reports on the work of Divisions and updates from Presbyteries to its own role in the oversight
and discipline of ministry personnel, in the supervision of incorporated ministries, in seeking
reconciliation with the Delaware Nation, Moravia of the Thames re Fairfield and in entering the
process to become an Affirming ministry.
• The above noted work is challenging by its nature and the Executive is to be commended for
the thoughtful and prayerful way they undertake these important matters.
• London Conference Executive is entering into the changes before the church with openness
and has volunteered London Conference as a test site to experiment with two elements of the
proposed connection between local ministry units and the region in the three council model:
1) The annual self-assessment; and
2) The covenant.
GENERAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE REPORT
Our MANDATE is:
• The General Council Executive (GCE) acts on the General Council's behalf in the three years
between General Council meetings. GCE takes a leadership role in articulating and translating
the broad vision of the General Council, establishing mission directions, setting priorities for
the work of the national General Council Office, and vetting accountability reports from the
Moderator, General Secretary and Permanent Committees. In other words, the GCE sees that
the work mandated by the General Council gets done, deals with emergent issues and submits
proposals to the General Council.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Doug Wright and Wendy Brown joined London Conference Commissioners at General Council
42 (GC42), in Corner Brook, Newfoundland in August. Many of the London Conference
Commissioners were involved in the drama, Maybe One?, which was the official celebration
of the 90th Anniversary of The United Church of Canada at GC42.
• The major piece of work at GC42 involved turning the Comprehensive Review Report into an
18 page motion and plan to reform the church's structure, governance and operation.
• GC42 moved the United Church into full communion with the United Church of Christ (USA)
and into a mutual recognition of ministries with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines
and the Presbyterian Church of Korea.
• The conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the United Church's part in
it, was celebrated.
• A Living Apology, a travelling, interactive art installation project was approved for a three year
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journey of dialogue and reconciliation with LGBTTQ people, culminating in a celebration in
2018, to mark the 30th anniversary of the United Church's 1988 decision to welcome the full
participation of LGBTTQ persons in the United Church.
• The November meeting of GCE approved the form of 8 remits which will be issued for
Presbyteries and in some cases, also pastoral charges.
• Arising out of the Comprehensive Review, they are:
Remit 1: Three Council Model
Remit 2: Elimination of Transfer and Settlement
Remit 3: Office of Vocation
Remit 4: Funding a New Model
Arising out of GC42's other work:
Remit 5: Mutual Recognition of Ministry
Remit 6: One Order of Ministry
Remit 7: Candidacy Pathway
Remit 8: Towards a New Model of Membership
• These remits are not difficulties by any means, but are challenges for the United Church to
engage in, diligently and prayerfully.
• Looking at the present state and future directions of The United Church of Canada, from the
vantage point of GCE and GC42, the line from the drama, Maybe One? comes to mind, “We're
not the Titanic. We're the Ark!”
Douglas J. Wright
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THE PRESBYTERIES
Algoma Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• In partnership with local congregations and the larger church structure, to give effective
leadership in Christian witness and encourage fellowship with all parts of the body of Christ.
We are CELEBRATING:
• the two-year training program for Licensed Lay Worship Leaders (LLWL) is at the half-way
mark with 7 in training in addition to 12 already licensed;
• the formation of Central Algoma Church Communities joint council;
• a successful GO Project program in the summer;
• faithful discipleship by those in pastoral charges without paid accountable clergy;
• dedicated Presbytery-appointed pastoral charge supervisors;
• St. Andrews' (Sault Ste. Marie) sponsorship of a Burmese refugee family;
• the collaboration between Presbytery and Willowgrove United Church to bring another refugee
family to Sault Ste. Marie;
• the continuous support to Camp McDougall and Rainbow Camp for their specialized ministries;
• an annual Presbytery-wide traditional family picnic on Anniversary Sunday with a communion
service;
• an annual education event with Rev. Dr. Kempton Hewitt;
• the amalgamation of Little Rapids congregation with Zion United Church;
• ongoing support of the London Conference staff.
• Out of 16 pastoral charges, 20 congregations, we only have 7 working clergy and only 4 are
full-time; our Presbytery is stretched to its limit to provide supervisors to vacant pastoral
charges.
• There are a fewer number of congregations, either willing or able, to host Presbytery meetings
due to a lack of human resources and the large geographic nature of the Presbytery.
• An honest answer to this question is, "We don't know where we are going." This transition time
has been anxiety provoking and has challenged us with what identity we will have if there is
no Presbytery. However, we take this journey as Spirit driven and hope and pray that the same
Spirit will lead us through the journey knowing that we are not alone, God is with us.
Eun-Joo Park, Chair
Ailsa Hanson, Secretary
Elgin Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• Our mandate is to assist pastoral charges and congregations with resources on programs,
completing of administration requirements within the church, assisting with financial
direction/programs, and providing contacts within Conference or national church personnel
that can provide support and information. We promote communication between Presbytery
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and pastoral charges. As a Presbytery we are hoping that we can show them that there are
resources and guidance to support them; that they are not alone.
We are CELEBRATING:
• We are a small Presbytery but we are continuing on our journey within and as part of the United
Church. We have many dinners, support Inn Out of the Cold, help with nursing home ministries,
food banks, card parties, young mother’s programs, Bible studies and United Church Women
(UCW) programs. A number of our churches are involved in refugee programs.
• We need to improve communication with pastoral charges so that they know Presbytery is a
resource they can go to when they need information or need help with issues. We need to
have representation from all pastoral charges present at our meetings. Declining membership
is something we are all struggling with. We need to encourage pastoral charges to work
together to create healthy congregations. Our UCW is struggling with loss of membership, lack
of people to take key positions and lack of attendance at events because of age of members.
• Elgin Presbytery is willing to continue its journey. We are struggling to know where we are going;
we do not know what the future holds but are willing to help and resource pastoral charges so
they can determine and understand their responsibilities in their future with the church.
Terry Lanning
Ellen Palmer, Secretary
Essex Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• Supervising and caring for the pastoral charges in Essex Presbytery.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Licenced Lay Worship Leaders were granted licences for a two year period.
• Rev. Cathy Larmond, President, visited Essex Presbytery in September.
• Arrangements are underway for sponsorship of a Syrian Family.
• Plans are underway for hosting the London Conference Annual Meeting in 2016.
• Three covenanting services were held.
• Volunteered to be atest site for the new structure.
• Two events are being planned for next year, between the United Church of Christ in Detroit
and The United Church of Canada.
• A workshop for the Lay Worship Leaders on Grief, Bereavement and Pastoral Care is
being planned.
• to balance providing palliative care for dying congregations and effective stewardship of
church resources.
• too many physically large churches and aging congregations draining financial and human
resources which could be better served for active ministry within local communities.
• need to find the balance between honouring and preserving our roots while engaging in
new ways of being the church.
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•
to find ways of uniting congregations in ministry who are desperately denying the reality
of their demise simply to hold onto their cherished places of worship.
• what we need to take with us is a sense of honouring our forebearers while letting go of
buildings that are draining our resources.
• how we honour the past is by learning again to actually share our faith in both word and deed.
Colin Swan, Chair
Barb Van Norman, Secretary
Huron-Perth Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• The Presbytery is called to support and have oversight of pastoral charges within its bounds.
We are CELEBRATING:
• This has been a good year in the Presbytery for exceptional ministers joining us in ministry.
Presently, all congregations that have been vacant have had their pulpits filled by richly blessed
ministers. As a result, we in the whole Presbytery feel God encouraging us and walking with
us. In addition, there is a strong list of lay folks who have come forward to be trained and
approved as Licensed Lay Worship Leaders.
• The Presbytery has two paid staff in the area of Youth Ministry and Pastoral Support. Both
ministries continue to evolve according the call of the Spirit and the unique needs of the
congregations and leaders in our Presbytery.
• Our church camps, Menesetung and Bimini, continue to thrive and share God’s message of
welcome, love and acceptance.
• Like most church organizations we have seen the closure and/or amalgamations of
congregations. Some of these situations have given rise to new hope and vision, but sadly,
many have not. Closure is the last big choice for a congregation. Grief, frustration, anger and
helplessness have not been good guides on that journey. As a Presbytery, we too share those
emotions and pray that, in time, God will help all find a new church home and renewed faith in
the Body of Christ.
• I personally felt let down with the lack of daring which London Conference and the national
church have been willing to allow in experimenting with models of governance more closely
resembling what General Council envisioned at GC42. I know a number of other Presbyteries
who, like us, were ready to give over the majority of their role of oversight so that we could
focus on the calling of supporting our ministry units. Sadly, the wind went out of our sails with
a firm, “No! Things must be as they have been.” I was looking forward in our Presbytery to
trying and failing several times at this new way of being before the old system passed away.
• It would seem that the main thing to take with us is patience. We must wait on the structure to
give way as much as we wait on the Spirit to lead.
• Something that looks like it is going, whether we like it or not, is Sunday School and Adult
Study as we have known it during the last 90 years. Few churches have any more than a hand
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full of children in Sunday School and even fewer adults attending study groups.
Where the Spirit is leading is unknown, but, we patiently wait to find out how we will deepen
the faith of our people when there are fewer and fewer options for learning beyond Sunday
worship. Worship with mind, emotions and the whole body is becoming essential as that place
where the community gathers and deepens its walk with Jesus.
Gary Clark, Chairperson
Margaret Bakker, Secretary
Kent Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• To support the mission of Jesus Christ by supporting the work of pastoral charges and other
ministries of, and within the bounds of, Kent Presbytery.
We are CELEBRATING:
• A member of our Presbytery, the Rev. Cathy Larmond, was installed as President of London
Conference at the 91st Annual Meeting.
• We welcomed the Rev. Wanda Winfield into the Presbytery.
• We have a healthy Licensed Lay Worship Leader (LLWL) training program.
• We recognized 13 LLWLs at the October meeting.
• We support the ministry of Kenesserie Camp.
• We support our local Resource Centre.
• We support the faith leaders of our Presbytery through the work of a Presbytery Chaplain.
• We support the chaplaincy program of the Ridegetown Campus of the University of Guelph.
• We participated in the 2015 Habitat for Humanity build in Wallaceburg.
• Many of the individual congregations within the Presbytery decided to work together and
started the process of sponsoring a Syrian refugee family.
• We said farewell to the Rev. Jim and Lynn Brown as they moved away to start retirement.
• We said farewell to the Rev. Tyler Powell as he moved to Hamilton Conference.
• We also said farewell to our Presbytery newsletter.
• The Victoria Avenue, Thamesville, Sprucedale/Providence and Guilds pastoral charges are all
in transition.
• To boldly go where we have not gone before, and to take the Light of the world with us.
Mark Perry, Chair
Lambton Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• To support the pastoral charges of Lambton Presbytery.
We are CELEBRATING:
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Ed Nicol, Secretary
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Like most Presbyteries, Lambton has been involved in discussing the proposed changes within
the United Church. Our Presbytery decided that it wanted to be one of the pilot projects
regarding the three-court model. Discussions, led by the Rev. Brad Morrison, helped us
consider how we would proceed.
A Presbytery Refugee Fund was established last year and fundraising has taken place. It has
been amazing to see how the community has pulled together to help raise money to bring a
Syrian family to our area. For example, a basketball game at Lambton College raised money
on behalf of Catholic churches and our Presbytery. A Presbyterian church is holding a jazz
concert with proceeds to the Refugee Fund. To date, over $50,000 has been raised and we
are awaiting the arrival of our family.
Covenanting services were held for the Rev. Lilian Patey who came from Thunder Bay to
minister at Central United Church. Also a covenanting service was held for Brenda MacMain
who began her ministry at St. Clair United Church.
A Presbytery-wide celebration was held for the 90th Anniversary of the United Church with
The Right Rev. Gary Paterson, Moderator of the United Church, leading worship on June 10,
2015 and conducting a workshop in the afternoon. The Presbytery worked together to host
this event which was held at Central United Church in Sarnia. A parade from City Hall to the
church included dignitaries. A historical display with items from churches throughout the
Presbytery was featured.
The Rev. David Dyke retired from Forest United Church this fall and a celebration was held
there to celebrate his ministry.
Lambton Presbytery was involved in supporting Truth and Reconciliation events at
Aamjiwnaang. One of those events in October, 2015 included the visit by Commissioner Dr.
Marie Wilson, who talked about being raised in this area and her experience as a non-native
on the Commission and the impact of the 94 recommendations on all of us.
The life and service of the Rev. Harley Moore was celebrated following his death in September,
2015. The Rev. Moore was raised in Inwood, Ontario, served in various churches, including
one in Grand Bend, and retired to this area where he did pulpit supply until failing health led
to his move to London to be close to family.
The life and service of the Rev. Stan MacDonald was celebrated on Feb. 13, 2016 at Siloam
United Church in London following his death. He served in a various churches, including
Corunna United Church.
• Our chair, Adam Kilner, abruptly resigned in January 2016. We appreciated his enthusiasm
for the proposed changes in the United Church and will miss his leadership. However, we are
blessed with Carolyn Wilson Wynne, the past chair, who has taken the helm to guide us until
the Rise of Conference in May.
• The property and building of Blackwell United Church has been sold. Mandaumin United
Church is planning its last service.
• Filling vacant pulpits has been one of the challenges in 2015. Vacancies have been longer.
For example, Central United Church in Sarnia had a full year with pulpit supply. This is all
reflective of an aging ministerial supply, an aging demographic of members and declining
membership in the Presbytery and the church as a whole.
• It is not clear where we are going, but we know who we are going with. Jesus is our companion
on this journey of faith. As one of our wise presbyters has said the church will look different
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after the proposed changes take place. We will need courage, resourcefulness, creativity, faith
and the Spirit’s help to move forward in this Brave New World.
Carolyn Wilson Wynne, Chair
Nancy Andrews, Secretary
Middlesex Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• To work with and act as liaison between Conference and pastoral charges, supporting
congregations in ministry and mission.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Middlesex approved the following Licensed Lay Worship Leaders: Roxanne Bale, David
Burghardt, Helen Bowman, John Bowman, Carl Branch, Dorothy-Ann Foster, Helen
Keenliside, Jannie Law, Trish MacGregor, Christopher Mortlock, Kerry Stover, Patsy
Switzer, Jay Whistlecraft, John Wilkey and Les Youngson.
• Our Division of Mission & Outreach sponsored attendance of participants at WorshipLude
and Youth Forum, held workshops on refugee sponsorship, actively encouraged donations
for and education about the building of Sand Dams in Mozambique.
• Past members of the former Grace United Church were honoured for significant legacy
gifts to Camp Kee-Mo-Kee, East London United Church Outreach, Middlesex Presbytery
Grants & Loans, Middlesex Presbytery Resource Centre and Western University
Chaplaincy.
• We were excited to see the amalgamation last summer of the Granton-Wesley and Lucan
United Churches, who together, formed Villages United Church. This winter we saw the
amalgamation of Delaware and Kilworth United Churches into one congregation, currently
going under the name of Kilworth United Church.
• Challenges continue to be finding people to become involved in the work of Presbytery
and to take on leadership roles. Being somewhat in limbo, knowing that Presbyteries are
unlikely to exist much longer, makes it difficult to raise enthusiasm in the work we still need
to do - especially in the extremely important areas of ministry personnel & education and
pastoral oversight.
• We are eager to travel toward a new organizational model, recognizing that while
Presbyteries, as such, will no longer exist, God will lead us to a new thing! We are not
sure just where we’re going but are ready to take minds and hearts open to the Spirit with
us on the journey.
Dave Whiting, Chair
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Nancy Hind, Secretary
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Oxford Presbytery
Our MANDATE is:
• Oxford Presbytery seeks to promote healthy, vibrant congregations, strengthen
relationships and encourage cooperation and collegiality through the work of the
Presbytery and act as a liaison between all other courts of the church as, together, we
live out what it means to be the Body of Christ.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Oxford Presbytery continues in a time of transitioning for a third year with this year's theme
being ‘Wholly Conversations’.
• Dawn Hill continues in the Designated Lay Ministry (DLM) process in a position in
Middlesex Presbytery and Lloyd Bennett will complete the DLM process in 2016. We are
looking forward to celebrating this event with Lloyd. Christina Crawford has begun her
studies towards Diaconal Ministry. We also have some folks in the discernment process.
• We have welcomed four new ministry personnel to Oxford this year, Elizabeth Stewart,
Mary Elford, Ken Jackson and Kevin Taylor, all from outside the Presbytery. We have two
congregations, jointly, in the search process and once this call is filled all our pastoral
charges will have ministry personnel in place!
• In June 2015 we held two events to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the United Church:
The first, We R One, was a Presbytery-wide church service and BBQ lunch followed by
afternoon activities and was attended by over 500 people; the second, was a Presbytery
dinner followed by a worship service with the Rt. Rev. Gary Paterson.
• Presbytery is actively participating in efforts to bring refugees to Oxford.
• This year we have moved from committees to task groups to work on specific projects
within the Presbytery. This allows people to work together for specific needs without having
to commit for an indefinite period of time.
• We are challenged by not knowing what the larger church may look like in a few short
years and how we can effectively help our congregations make a successful transition
into the new model as it is revealed.
• As a Presbytery we have modeled our court meetings after the example of the London
Conference Annual Meeting. We have lots of music interspersed with business and each
team has its own ‘theme song’ which is played as they bring forward any business they
may have to present. Our overall theme of ‘Wholly Conversations’ has enhanced our table
group discussions. In order to ‘Travel Along with You’ we have held our meetings in several
different community venues including Indwell, a new geared-to-income housing
development in the refurbished old Harvey Woods factory in downtown Woodstock. At
that meeting we surprised the residents with a ‘shower of gifts’ to help them as they settle
into their new homes. Our Christmas banquet included a special modern day pageant in
which everyone present had a role to play. Things are changing in the church and we are
striving to be prepared to travel forward into the tomorrow that God has planned for us.
Liz Lemon, Chair
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Marianne Riach, Secretary
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COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE
AFFIRM TASK GROUP
Our MANDATE is:
• To shepherd London Conference and its Executive through the Affirming process as a way to
foster understanding, deepen the welcome of all God’s people and promote fair employment
practices for ministry personnel in light of London Conference’s role in Effective Leadership;
We are CELEBRATING:
• The task group is celebrating the decision of London Conference Executive to enter the
Affirming Ministries process. Becoming an Affirming Ministry requires:
1) an educational and discernment process;
2) approval of an Affirming Vision Statement;
3) development of an ongoing Action Plan;
4) enacting an Inclusive Marriage Policy (not applicable to Conference but required for
congregations);
5) approval from Affirm United and a service of celebration.
• Congratulations to the congregations of Victoria Avenue United Church, Chatham, First St.
Andrew's United Church, London, and Tecumseh United Church, Windsor who are Affirming
ministries and to those congregations in the process of becoming Affirming ministries.
• More information on becoming Affirming can be found at: http://ause.ca/.
• To transform the discussion from one of welcome to one of belonging. Welcome suggests that
there are insiders who have the power to invite (or not to invite) others into their circle. The
Affirming Ministries program will encourage London Conference to affirm the place of, and to
seek justice for, marginalized people in a variety of ways including sexual orientation and
gender identity, along with class, race, age and ability. How is church safe for all of God's
people?
• To live into the Affirming Ministry experience so that it has meaning beyond a title.
• The Affirming Ministries process invites us to leave behind the language that creates insiders
and outsiders; to name the inclusion of all of God's people as people chose to identify
themselves. This is a new way of encountering one another and of speaking about and living
into Christian community.
NOMINATIONS
Our MANDATE is:
• The Nominations Committee ensures that vacancies on London Conference Divisions and
Committees are posted on the website and advertised across London Conference.
• This committee reviews expressions of interest, discerns who is being called to vacancies,
and submits nominations to the Annual Meeting of London Conference for ratification (or to
London Conference Executive between Annual Meetings).
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We are CELEBRATING:
• In seven meetings, most by conference call, we clarified and enhanced the Term Renewal
Process for Committee & Division members, and passed on the following nominations to the
Executive for approval:
• Order of Ministry and Lay representatives for GC42 Comprehensive Review Task Group
Sessional Committee
• new Chair of Ministry Personnel & Education
• new Secretary of Ministry Personnel & Education
• new Chair of Retirees and Pensions
• new Chair of Interim Ministry Committee
• new Chair of Communications & Public Relations Division
• new Chair of Social Justice Division
• two new Affirming Status Task Group members
• new Youth and Young Adult corresponding member to London Conference Executive
• Communicating vacancies in our committees and divisions, and the opportunities they
represent, to an even wider audience across London Conference.
• As we anticipate significant change in the organization of our church, it’s important that we
don’t lose the accumulated learnings and knowledge within our committees and divisions, and
that we find ways to ensure the continued involvement of the many experienced and committed
volunteers who contribute so much to the successful operation of London Conference.
Chuck Scott, Chair
PLANNING COMMITTEE
We are CELEBRATING:
• Essex Presbytery hosting the Annual Meeting!
• A speaker arranged (with a different theme presentations)
• Hotels booked (with thanks to Tanya Cameron and Betsy Exley!)
• Thursday, May 26 - ‘Maybe One?’ performed at Westminster United Church in Thamesford!
• Friday, May 27 - 9:00 a.m. Orientation for new delegates!
• Friday, May 27 - President Cathy planning for an ‘indoor’ campfire (skits anyone?)!
• During the meeting - we plan to create a photo directory (don’t forget to smile)!
• Saturday, May 28 - Celebration of Ministry at Colborne Street United Church in London with
our Moderator preaching!!!!!!!!!! (Buses available).
• None.
• We hope that the business and agenda of London Conference Annual Meeting serves the
vision and inspiration of our President.
A special note of thanks to the detailed work of Tanya Cameron and the Rev. Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-17-
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Sampa. Their faithful and encouraging work with our planning team is instrumental. We are grateful
for their wisdom and knowledge!
Jeffrey Crittenden, Chair
STAFF SUPPORT
Our MANDATE is:
• In fulfilling our mandate, committee members have the privilege to meet with members of the
staff. Past accomplishments and frustrations are discussed and work plans for the future are
reviewed. The Executive Secretary both advises the committee and seeks our input in regards
to her ongoing work. The chairperson of the committee is a member of, and reports to, London
Conference Executive.
CHALLENGES and CELEBRATIONS:
• London Conference Executive approved changing the contract positions of .5 Pastoral Support
Minister (Elaine Graham); .5 Minister, Vocation and Training (Tanya Cameron); and .4
Administrative Support/Finance (Krista ford) into permanent positions. Our staff totals 7 people
when we include Pretima Kukadia (Administration, Graphics and Website); Betsy Exley (Faith
Formation, Youth and Young Adults Minister); Michelle Owens (Personnel Minister); and
Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa (Executive Secretary).
• It has meant much extra work for staff members involved in the move of London Conference
office to Riverside United Church in London. Staff are happy in our light-filled, spacious
location.
• Due to health issues, Marjorie Smith retired from our committee. She has been given the title
‘Member Emeritus’. We were also sad to say farewell to our secretary, Marilyn Hart, whose
faithful record-keeping has been an invaluable aid to our work. We are pleased that Jeff
Crittenden has become a member of the Staff Support Committee.
• As a Staff Support Committee we compliment our staff who work so hard for both our present
needs and our future possibilities. Their enthusiasm and dedication continues even as we
ponder and anticipate changes. These changes will personally affect staff members and
possibly the existence of our office when a move is made to regional structures.
John Brown, Chairperson
Marilyn Hart, Secretary
** Since this report was submitted, Elaine Graham has tendered her resignation effective June
30, 2016. Executive of London Conference has approved a description for a Pastoral
Support Minister. A search will soon be underway.
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DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Our MANDATE is:
• To provide, assess and update communication strategies in order to equip and enable all to
participate in the mission and ministry of The United Church of Canada in London Conference.
Advising Administration, Graphics Staff and Executive Secretary regarding:
• London Conference web site
• Bridge insert in the United Church Observer
• London Conference YouTube channel
• ‘Latest from LoCo’ enewsletter
• supporting the mission of Presbytery Resource Centres and of Grand River Spiritual and
Education Resources Board
• facilitating remote participation at meetings of Executive, Committees, Divisions
• resourcing sharing of information at the Annual Meeting
We are CELEBRATING:
• continuing publication of The Bridge in the Observer. With the assistance of Pretima
Kukadia and Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa this publication continues to be informative
and well received.
• that we are able to participate in meetings by remote calling. The new system still needs
some adjusting.
• the website, thanks to Pretima, is being kept as current as possible given time and capacity
issues.
• supporting Grand River bookstore and our three Presbytery Resource Centres. They
continue to be valuable tools for the Conference.
• the addition of some new people to the committee.
• Some of the challenges we encountered include:
• keeping the website current during a VERY BIG move of the Conference Office. Getting
everything back on track will take some time, but this is coming along.
• the remote call system. A lot of the problems have been alleviated with the new space, but
the room the equipment is in has its own challenges.
• what to expect with the move to regional councils from our current format and what
Communications and Public Relations might mean then.
• The Communications and Public Relations Committee is trying to keep information flowing
regarding what is happening with the move to regional councils. In this way we are ‘Travelling
Along With You’ in that we don't know what is going to happen until it happens. We are working
on finding effective ways of delivering new information to Local Ministry Units and Presbyteries
as it becomes available.
• With this comes the need to pack several items:
1) Open mindedness to change, whatever form that may take;
2) Willingness to work with committees and divisions to help meet the needs and/or
concerns that may arise;
3) Open communication regarding issues, events, concerns, questions and advice that
is shared;
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•
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4) Flexibility to try new things;
5) Willingness to offer constructive criticism in a kind and respectful manner so that
issues can be resolved quickly and with equanimity.
As we travel into the unknown future of our beloved church, God is with us. Let's travel together
to face whatever the future may bring.
Doreen Hewitson, Chair
RESOURCE CENTRES
Our MANDATE is:
• Presbytery resource centres offer books, resources & information to the people and ministries
of London Conference through a local presence in Huron, Kent and Middlesex Prebyteries,
book displays at Presbytery and London Conference events, lending and selling books and
resources that support and nurture the work and life of individuals and local ministries
We are CELEBRATING:
• We continue to provide book displays at many events within our own and neighbouring
Presbyteries. Each resource centre offers its own unique setting, assortment of books,
resources and services – curated for those it serves!
• As the wider church changes over the next few years, resource centres will need to change
too. The main challenges we see are: How do Presbytery resource centres exist within the
new structure (they currently report to and receive most of their funding from Presbyteries)
and how will resource centres best serve our communities/regions within the new structure?
• The London Conference resource centres continue to be in conversation with one another and
the London Conference Communications & Public Relations Committee about what the future
of these ministries might look like and about how we can work together through the upcoming
changes to best serve the people and ministries in our communities. As we travel this journey
together into a new reality, as we imagine the possibilities … we ask for your input and your
prayers, to help us take the next step forward.
Karlene Kimber, Coordinator
GRAND RIVER SPIRITUAL & EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE
www.grandriverbooks.ca
Our MANDATE is:
A ministry of The United Church of Canada providing and promoting resources: audio-visuals, books,
United Church programming materials and skilled resource people offered in one location and by
one operation:
• That supports current programmes and issues;
• That enhances the ministries of worship, education, social justice, spirituality and faith of the
individuals or groups who use the outlet that equips individuals and groups for the mission of
God as articulated and personified in Jesus Christ.
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We are CELEBRATING: Resources promoted at regular Presbytery meetings:
• Resource displays organized for workshops held at Five Oaks and other locations;
• Book and video displays taken to Presbyterial and Conference gatherings;
• Book and video displays taken to individual churches;
• Books/DVDs chosen and purchased to support the many events at Five Oaks;
• Book and DVD reviews at events held at Five Oaks and other locations;
• Workshops organized and presented for Five Oaks programs, hosted groups at Five Oaks
and other locations;
• Website launched and maintained, highlighting new resources in DVD format
(www.avelgrandriver);
• Easy to use and up to date web store with secure online payment methods
(www.grandriverbooks.ca);
• Produce specialized videographies for various user groups;
• Network with resource centre directors and Conference staff regularly and as requested;
• In 2015 we served 2,323 book store customers at Five Oaks, Conference Annual Meetings,
Presbytery Meetings, UCW Presbyterial Annual Meetings, and off-site book displays;
• AVEL bookings continue to hold steady as new titles and new AVEL users are introduced. If
you haven't discovered how easy it is to order AVEL resources online, visit
www.avelgrandriver.com today to set up your profile.
Our CHALLENGES were: To creatively function within two systems, one that generates revenue
through the sale of print material and one that offers a video loaning library.
• To raise the awareness of United Church resources both print and DVD and their potential as
part of challenging, creative and transformative programming.
• To enthusiastically support all ministries within The United Church of Canada by promoting
resources produced for their various programmes.
• To continue to provide the same level of ministry without increase in partner funding.
• To continue to uphold the unique partnership between five Ontario Conferences, Erie
Presbytery and Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre and to include Conferences,
Presbyteries, congregations and individuals who are inspired to invest in education.
We are looking to a future that includes broadening our outreach to those who look for the type of
resources we offer. We take with us the knowledge that our customers and constituents are satisfied,
well-read and life-long learners.
Jackie Childerhose, Director
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www.avelgrandriver.com
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DIVISION OF FAITH FORMATION & CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
CAMPING NETWORK
We are CELEBRATING:
• In June 2015 the Camping Network held our All LoCo Camp Staff Training Day. The event was
held at Pearce-Williams Christian Centre and over 120 counsellors and camp directors from
all over London Conference gathered to be inspired and motivated by our theme speakers.
Ian Tyson made us laugh and challenged us in the morning and Beth Allison inspired us to
make camp the best week of the summer for each camper. Workshops were led by camp
leaders from across London Conference and fun was had by all. We laughed, learned, sang
and got energized for the summer camp season ahead. It was good to gather our camps
together to share our strengths and ideas while learning about what makes each one of our
camps special and unique.
• Several of our camps are challenged by the decreasing number of churches that contribute
financially to camps. Some of our camps are also struggling with aging buildings and smaller
numbers of volunteers willing to help.
• London Conference is the only Conference in the United Church to have 9 Camps. Together,
our camps welcomed close to 3000 campers and staff this past summer. Camps offer a unique
experience that is hard to find anywhere but at camp. Camp is where seeds of faith, love and
leadership are planted. Camp offers a break from the everyday routine and is where kids can
unplug from the regular noise of technology to play in and explore their surroundings. Through
this kind of play children can connect with their peers, counsellors, and the beauty of creation
on a deeper level. Encountering the sacred at camp among old and new friends leaves lasting
impressions.
• In a society where parents are very involved and ever present in the lives of children Camp
also offers a safe time of independence from the family. A week away at camp can be a defining
moment in a child's life and personal development as well as for camp staff.
• When asked, "What do we (our camps) need to take with us?" I would answer that we need
to take our ears to listen for the Spirit in nature, a willing heart brave enough to try something
new and our rain boots to walk in the creek and splash in the puddles. Life gets messy so why
not come to camp!
• A day at camp is ALWAYS a great day!
• Thank you for the continued support of our camps. London Conference cares about the
importance of Camping Ministry.
Betsy Exley, Faith Formation, Youth & Young Adults Minister
Camp Bimini
Our MANDATE is:
• We believe that Camp Bimini is a place where God’s creation comes together with respect for
each other and the environment. It is our goal to give every child and youth a camping
experience where they feel loved and valued for who they are. We strive to be welcoming and
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inclusive of each individual and provide a safe and nurturing place where campers may
experience nature, grow spiritually and create lifelong friendships.
We are CELEBRATING:
• able to assist many families to cover the registration fee through our Gift of Camp program;
• very strong program in 2015 which again valued community and each individual person;
• completed construction of a new maintenance shed and a new cabin for staff (bunkhouse);
• completed renovations of a washroom;
• completed a plaque remembering congregations that have closed and people whose memorial
donations were given to Camp Bimini.
• keeping rates reasonable for families while still meeting needs of facility and providing a caring,
trained staff
• We are continuing to strive to value, include and welcome everyone. We need to simply take
our open minds, hands and hearts.
David MacLennan
Gesstwood Camp
Report not submitted.
Karen Sequin, Director
Camp Kee-Mo-Kee
Our MANDATE is:
• To provide a Christian camp experience for children and adults of all ages.
We are CELEBRATING:
• We provided a camping experience for 649 campers;
• We had over 1,600 school children enjoy a day long camp day from 29 schools;
• 16 physically or mentally challenged individuals had this camping experience;
• Spreading the camp news to the community through door to door campaigns;
• Reach the wider community through partnership with Optimist club and churches;
• Receiving major financial support from various groups within and outside the church.
• Continued need to upgrade and refurbish capital projects to meet changing laws;
• The reduction of campers coming from churches;
• Finding new ways to reach children who are no longer involved directly with church;
• Determining ways to reach parents in diverse communities, like new immigrants, while
providing appropriate programming in our Christian environment.
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• We see a future with many changes and challenges ahead. We continually evaluate our place
in travelling along the challenging role in Christian leadership in a camping environment. Many
young people have little or no religious knowledge or experience. We are always searching
for ways to train staff to recognize the needs of others while journeying along with them on
their faith journey.
Katie Horricks, Chair
Kenesserie Camp
Report not submitted.
Dan Richards, Chair
Lambton United Church Centre
Our MANDATE is:
• Lambton Centre is an outdoor education and recreational facility dedicated to enriching lives
through camping in a Christian environment. Lambton Centre is a summer camp, a rental
facility, a family campground and an outdoor education facility for schools and a community
partner.
We are CELEBRATING:
• This past year Lambton Centre began a process to build the organization as a strong, vibrant
camp-based community partner that works with other non-profit organizations in SarniaLambton to address the needs of youth. Youth who may be bereaved for example or youth
who are members of the LGBTQ community can benefit greatly from the life changing
experience of camp, especially a camp with support from experts in fields, such as grief
counsellors.
• Hurdles that have presented themselves over the last year are not to be seen as a difficulty
but as a challenge. Change in staff, change in board leadership and change in a diminishing
volunteer base encourage our organization to change to meet our communities needs in a
new and innovative way!
• Lambton Centre is re-introducing itself to the community in order to engage a new generation
in its legacy. For over 50 years Lambton Centre has brought family and friends together in
nature and in faith. Bringing our strong history of community, church, and love with us, we will
engage the wider community in a place of nature, discovery and personal growth.
Kyna Patterson, Acting-Chair
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Camp McDougall
No report submitted.
Sherrill Dewar, Chair
Camp Menesetung
Our MANDATE is:
• At Camp Menesetung we believe that, through good stewardship, our camping experience
provides recreation and learning in an outdoor setting to enhance the spiritual development of all.
We are CELEBRATING:
• We provide a faith based program to children, for many of whom, this is their first encounter
with faith of any kind.
• We have a very well trained, caring staff.
• We have a dedicated, hard working board of directors who work year round to maintain the
site and support the staff.
• In a rural economy it is difficult to keep the camping experience affordable and still break even
with expenses.
• The current demographics makes it challenging - fewer children in the schools, fewer children
in the United Church, fewer pastoral charges in the United Church.
Barbara J. Knox, Board Chair
Pearce-Williams Christian Centre
Our MANDATE is:
• Pearce-Williams changes lives through the power of summer camp.
• Our mission is: To Welcome all who come. To Teach those who wish to learn. To Serve God in
all we do.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Had over 640 summer campers in the summer of 2015.
• Hosted over 100 different groups.
• Ran our Family Camp Project with support from the Westminster College Foundation for local
families on Ontario Works - a free three day family camp.
• Installed new accessible sidewalks.
• Renovated and winterized Cabin A - adding 40 more winter beds to our count - for a total of
154 winter/year round beds.
• Finished the main shop for our maintenance team.
• Hosted the Camp Counsellor Institute - funded by the Westminster College Foundation - to
help train camp counsellors from numerous camps to ensure that campers have the most
amazing summer camp experience.
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• Finding funds to make all of our ideas come to life - both programs and capital projects.
• Finding volunteers to meet our mission and goals, on the board as well as program specific help.
• Camps have so much to think about as we move forward and travel along this journey. We
are going to a future that has fewer youth in our church - but so many more youth outside of
the church who need camp in their lives, who need to connect with God in some way, shape
or form. We need to take the idea and memories of all of our great camps with us, but we also
need to streamline our resources to offer the most amazing experiences to all.
Brenda MacMain, Chair
Camp Tanner
Our MANDATE is:
• The volunteer board of directors of Camp Tanner plans and organizes six weeks of summer
camp and a long weekend camp in May. This involves hiring staff, distributing camper registration
forms, marketing camps, fundraising, planning menus and organizing volunteer cooks, UCW
and Friends of Camp Tanner, ensuring that the best possible programs are being offered, that
the staff are well trained (including CPR/First Aid Training) and all necessary policies are in
place. We also ensure the Christian component of the camping program is strong and vital.
• Our mission statement is: Small Camp, Big Spirit
We are CELEBRATING:
• Our 2015 camps were very successful - we had more campers attend camp. Many sponsored
campers enjoyed camp and grew in maturity. Our staff worked well as a unit and made camp a
memorable experience. Programming such as visits from a Raptor Group from the University of
Guelph Science Society, the Anglers and Hunters to teach fishing techniques, archery (new this
year) and low ropes. Camp Tanner nominated Sandra Schurman for the United Church Volunteer
Achievement Award and the Kiwanis Club of Tillsonburg for the Symington-Wynn Award. Both
applications were successful. We also raised over $1100 at our annual dinner auction.
• Camp Tanner is challenged with the accessibility aspect of camp. Because we rent our camp
site, it is difficult to provide the ideal accessibility for campers.
• The terrain is also challenging for some disabilities. Competition from other camps in the area
who have been established many years longer than we have is also a concern. This makes
strategic marketing even more important.
• Camp Tanner hopes to annually increase the number of campers attending camps, maintain
a high return rate of campers, continue to hire a well trained and dedicated staff, have campers
leaving camp and counting the days until they can return.
• To achieve this, we need to take with us enthusiasm, high energy, a strong faith in God, a solid
belief in what we do and a commitment to fulfill the camping dream for our youth.
Sheila Greason, Chair
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RURAL LIFE & SMALL MEMBERSHIP CHURCHES
Our MANDATE is:
• To support and encourage the rural and small membership churches of London Conference
to become progressive rural churches of the 21st century.
We are CELEBRATING:
• The rural church in London Conference offers its wisdom through learning events such as the
Rural Symposium - coming up this fall. Lay and clergy from almost a dozen denominations,
including rural, small town and inner city ministries come together to share their struggles and
especially their treasures.
• Each year we continue to find way to travel along with one another. We've heard of area
churches coming together to share worship or community events or projects. We've heard of
several denominations working together. Treasures found in rural communities are
perseverance, community support and willingness to partner with others in the community to
get things done. Many rural mission projects are founded and led by the community folks – no
clergy involved.
• The Rural Life Committee would be honoured to sponsor laypersons from London Conference,
to attend the Rural Symposium in October 2016. Folks are notified through their pastoral
charges, by their Presbytery’s email list.
• As we travel along with each other, we see similarities with life. Some rural churches will
stumble and rise up with new enthusiasm. Some will move in with their neighbours to continue
to live out their lives together and supporting each others. Other churches will die and close.
• Let us travel along with each of them offering support, encouragement and when the time
comes to say, "Goodbye," we gather to remember their life and celebrate by telling each other
stories at the social time that follows.
• Who knows where the future will find us? But one thing we know is that we are not alone. God
is always with us, and we have each other. Together we can accomplish great things.
• As we move ahead, we will meet new friends and colleagues. Each step will light up a bit more
in front of us. The journey will come together. We need each other to encourage us to take
one more step along the way. Fear can be lessened with the company of others. Wisdom will
be realized in the company of others. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Check out rural life websites, such as: www.canadianruralchurch.net and www.ruralsymposium.ca.
Come join us and ‘find rural treasures’!
Eric Skillings, Chair
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Ruth Skillings, Secretary
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DIVISION OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Our MANDATE is:
• The Division of Finance and Administration’s mandate is to establish a unified plan of finance
for meeting the needs of London Conference. The Division has oversight of the following areas:
budget, archives, property, Fairfield Museum and the overal financial health of the Conference.
We are CELEBRATING:
• a strong dedicated division, few in number, but committed to our mandate - meeting
approximately every other month to review our financial status;
• continuing with the 2011 adopted ‘new formula’ for calculating the assessment (up to 3% of
column 40) -- 2015 was year 5. (FYI -- 2013 --2.2%, 2014 -- 2%. 2015- 2.4%);
• endorsed applications for grants to be submitted to General Council;
• maintaining the Legal Contingency Fund (established in 2013) at $60,000 --reviewed and
topped up each November;
• monitoring our investments which under the careful watch of Ross Mitton continue to do well
(even in this market);
• completing our year end with a positive balance in spite of a continuing decline in grants from
General Council;
• our dedicated Presbytery treasurers, who with the Presbytery Finance and Administration
committee members, are committed to Budget Forum. In addition, the treasurers work diligently
to meet London Conference timelines for assessment payments. Thank you sincerely!
• our treasurer's expertise, commitment, and guidance. Bev Slater has been treasurer for over
20 years. What an amazing lady -- and what a wealth of information she carries in her head.
Thank you, Bev. You are greatly appreciated by all!!!
• our assistant treasurer- Brent is a perfect fit. He and Bev are a dynamic duo. I also witness
Bev handing Brent more and more assignments -- calculating salaries, etc. Thanks Brent, for
joining the team!
• the team of Bev and Brent for monitoring our finances and keeping us always on the right path;
• our dedicated resource personnel, Cheryl-Ann and Krista (and occasionally still--Tanya). Thank
you sincerely for your commitment to this Division.
• declining grants from General Council. As we prepare for the changing church General Council
grants are less each year. Fortunately, London Conference continues to be in a comfortable
position. We, as a Division, know this can not continue forever but we remain positive as we
move ahead for 2016.
• a need for more members of the Division .
• President Cathy's theme is illustrated at each London Conference Executive meeting by a
lantern, compass, map, car and boots. These symbols are very significant as this division
prepares for the future. We definitely need a light to help us see the way into the future. Light
will lead us along with a map and compass to find the best possible route of recalculating and
redistributing our available monies into programs that are needed to lead us into the new
structure of the United Church. At times our boots may be very heavy as we trudge through
muddy areas trying to find the best solutions as we move ahead. Our boots may be very shiny
if we continue as a Conference to be able to move together and walk together to meet the
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•
needs that come before us as a Conference.
Let us travel on together following the path the Lord would have us choose.
Mary Anne Silverthorn
TREASURER’S REPORT
Our MANDATE is:
• The treasurer monitors the finances of the Conference but is not responsible for paying invoices
or recording income. The treasurer also helps to prepare the annual budget and is required to
attend Finance and Administration Division meetings as well as Executive meetings and sub
executive meetings. Attendance at London Conference Annual Meeting is also required.
We are CELEBRATING:
• London Conference has had another financially successful year. All staff positions, program
requests and moving expenses were funded within the allotted budget. Considerable funds
were left at the end of 2015 to augment Unrestricted Reserves. This is important as the church
and London Conference move toward the uncertainty of 2018.
• London Conference investments at the United Church Foundation and Assante Investments
provided the Conference with an extra $15,354. In 2015 $82,003 was contributed to the New
Ministries Fund for a total of $120,884.
• We celebrate the appointment of Brent Caslick, Treasurer of Huron Perth Presbytery as London
Conference Assistant Treasurer and rejoice that he will be London Conference Treasurer after
the Annual Meeting.
• We celebrate our new home at Riverside United Church. It is bright and comfortable and
everyone is happy.
• Thanks to Krista, Tanya, Cheryl-Ann, Mary Anne and Brent for all of their help. Thanks also to
the members of Budget Forum for their assistance in developing a budget for 2017.
• Thank you to London Conference for letting me hold the position of Treasurer for many, many
years. I have thoroughly enjoyed the work.
• Preparing London Conference financially for whatever transition is required by 2018. We do
know that there will be no General Council grant for staff salaries and benefits in 2018 thus
the Conference will be required to provide all funding for staff salaries and benefits.
• Traveling along, we need to support staff, divisions, committees and task groups so that we
can have a vibrant and active Conference. We need to take visions with us that will help the
United Churches in London Conference attract a new generation of vibrant people.
Bev Slater
** Please note: that the Balance Sheet, Schedule of Expenditures and Statement of Operations are
not yet available. As soon as they are they will be posted in an easily printable Appendix.
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FAIRFIELD MUSEUM
It is a pleasure for me to submit a report for Fairfield Museum for the 2015 year. Attendance was up
a bit which continues the trend over the past few years if one discounts 2013, which was special as
a commemoration of the anniversary of War Chief Tecumseh’s death. Financially we met our
commitments with the help of London Conference and very generous donations from various
congregations and individuals. How we meet our commitments every year is often a mystery until
the money actually shows up. I guess it is simply a divine show of support.
Executive Secretary, Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, is negotiating with Chief Greg Peters with the
probable result of land north of Longwoods Road being given to the Delaware/Lenape. That is the
current Foodgrains Bank field. It appears that the land on the south side of the highway will remain
as church property. Hopefully the Fairfield Committee will be given an appropriate mandate so that
we can operate the site responsibly, considering its value historically and culturally.
Did you know that Old Fairfield existed for 21 years before the War of 1812? It was a perfect example
of two diverse cultural groups who learned to work, worship and live together in harmony.
Did you know that Fairfield is on the eastern edge of the most important battle of the War of 1812?
Tecumseh’s tragic death brought an end to the Native Confederacy and allowed the European
Americans to expand their territory west of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers: a move that was
disastrous for the various First Nation communities.
Have you heard of ‘The Curse of Tecumseh?’ General Harrison and the Kentucky Militia chased
Tecumseh up the Thames River and killed him near the Tecumseh Monument. Tecumseh’s brother,
The Prophet, cursed the American presidents beginning with President Harrison: yes, that same
General. Google ‘Tecumseh’s Curse’ for more information.
Did you know that Tecumseh’s death is engraved in the ceiling of the Rotunda in Washington, D.C.?
Go to Google again for pictures.
Ken Corlett, Chair
** On April 10, 2016, The United Church of Canada and the Delaware, Moravia of the Thames
signed an agreement to transfer the land north of Longwoods Road.
INCORPORATED MINISTRIES
Our MANDATE is:
• The Committee on Incorporated Ministries (CINC) is the vehicle through which London
Conference fulfills its oversight (Manual 2013 Section D.2.12) of The United Church of Canada
corporations within its bounds.
We are CELEBRATING:
• The responsibility for oversight of corporations was transferred to London Conference by action
of the 39th General Council (2006) in hopes of standardizing the connection with and
expectations of United Church corporations. An incorporated ministry is one that has been
authorized to incorporate to give that ministry recognition and independence under the law.
These ministries include camps, outreach ministries, extension councils and housing ministries.
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The goals intended by the action of the 39th General Council have not yet been fully achieved
although they are much closer every year. The majority of corporations (with the exception of
housing) now have their by-laws updated to meet The United Church of Canada requirements.
Because housing corporations have a demanding reporting system to the government, they
were not a priority. At its November meeting, General Council Executive moved to encourage
housing ministries to move to legacy status, a state which reflects their previous tie to the United
Church but offers them independence from the church. A meeting with interested housing
ministries in London Conference was held in February to discuss this.
• There are two major challenges before the Committee. The first of these is helping corporations
to be proactive. All corporations are dealing with fiscal limitations and that sometimes occupies
their horizon. To try to help them look to the future, London Conference offered a workshop on
Strategic Planning that several corporations attended.
• The second is fulfilling the supervisory role when this creates tension with the corporations.
Many thanks to the members of the London Conference Executive who have assisted with this
responsibility.
• The work of incorporated ministries is largely a ‘behind the scenes’ role that is primarily
administration. However, it is important for the link the United Church has with these ministries.
In this time of change, General Council Executive is seeking a path that will enable key ministries
to continue to be connected to the church and that will set free ones tied by history.
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DIVISION OF MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND EDUCATION
EDUCATION AND STUDENTS (E&S)
Our MANDATE is:
• To meet 3 times each year: January - final interviews for candidates who have completed all
requirements for ordination/commissioning and make a recommendation to London
Conference that the Candidate be/not be ordained or commissioned at the upcoming Annual
Meeting. April - offer guidance interviews to candidates who are about midway through their
course work and training. This is an opportunity to flag concerns and offer support as needed.
September - a time to review and share best practices of the Presbytery Education and
Students Committees and to update the status of each candidate, identifying candidates who
will be eligible for a final interview in January and those to whom guidance interviews are
offered in April.
We are CELEBRATING:
• A highlight of meeting with candidates is the opportunity for mutual growth on our shared faith
journey. What a thrill to Celebrate Ministry at the Annual Meeting when candidates with whom
the Education & Students Committee has travelled are ordained or commissioned to the
ministries to which they have been called.
• Working with the E&S secretary, convenors, Education and Internship Committee convenor
and the London Conference staff resource is always a treat. What an AWESOME group of
people this is to work with. Each person is committed and dedicated to the mission and
mandate of the E&S Committee and all candidates in their care.
• The time has come. I have served on the Education & Students Committee of either Presbytery
or Conference since 1998. Having been convenor of the Conference E&S Committee for 8
years, it is time for me to bid, "Adieu," and make room for new leadership. I do so with gratitude
and thanks for the opportunity to have been able to serve the larger church in this capacity. In
Faith & Hope, Jane Van Patter.
• An awareness is the growing number of folk who are well into an MDiv program and close to
graduating with an MDiv when they present themselves for discernment. Accommodating
Testamur requirements and the internship requirements are becoming more challenging as
the process becomes less linear and less step-by-step.
• Wherever it is we are going, I hope we never lose our sense of needing each other and wanting
to travel together in a spirit of faith and hope. Travelling together, supporting each other on the
faith journey is a hallmark of the London Conference E&S Committee.
Jane Van Patter, Chair
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Diane Macpherson, Secretary
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EDUCATION AND STUDENTS REPORT
KEY
O: Ordinand
D: Diaconal
* Recommended to Conference 2016
A: Admission
CATEGORY
NAME
ALGOMA Presbytery – NANCY FERGUSON, CONVENOR
ELGIN Presbytery - JOHN BROWN, CONVENOR
Pipes, Emma
O
RA: Re-Admission
pt: Part-time
COLLEGE/PASTORAL CHGE
III of IV Emmanuel College
ESSEX Presbytery – LAURA JO MARZEC, CONVENOR
Gilliland, Andrew
O
I of V
Presbytery – MARY STEWART, CONVENOR
Fricker, Gail
O
I of V
Atlantic School of Theology
HURON-PERTH
KENT Presbytery - JUDITH FAYTER, CONVENOR
LAMBTON Presbytery - JIM BREEN, CONVENOR
Leaver, Dan
D
I of IV
Centre of Christian Studies / Dunlop
MIDDLESEX Presbytery - LAURIE O’LEARY, CONVENOR
Bailey Splawnyk Foutner, Charmaine
D
II of IV
Exley, David
O*
IV of IV
MacDonald, Hillary
O
III of IV
Stover, Kerry
O
I of IV
Centre of Christian Studies / Bedford/Essex Pres.
Emmanuel College (Ivan, EDGE)
Huron College University
OXFORD Presbytery – JUDY CAMPBELL, CONVENOR
Crawford, Christina
D
I of IV
Centre of Christian Studies / St. David’s
Jane Van Patter, Chair
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Diane Macpherson, Secretary
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INTERIM MINISTRY (IM)
Our MANDATE is:
• To interview candidates seeking designation and continuing designation as interim ministers;
• To facilitate the implementation of interim ministry policies and procedures.
We are CELEBRATING:
• We interviewed and recommended to London Conference two ministry personnel for
designation: Sandra Fogarty and Harry Disher.
• To meet the needs of congregations for ministry personnel with interim ministry training;
• To encourage ministry personnel to consider interim ministry training;
• To meet the Interim Ministry Handbook requirement to provide training for transition
committees.
• The committee will continue to provide support and guidance for congregations and ministers
participating in an interim ministry. Lynne Dunlop resigned as chair in June and Harry Disher
has moved into this role, and will continue to be supported by members who are committed to
the importance of this ministry.
Lynne Dunlop, Past Chair
INTERNSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION (CIES)
Our MANDATE is:
The Conference Committee on Internship and Educational Supervision (CIES) is made up of
representatives from the Presbyteries in the Conference.
• CIES’s primary role is to oversee learning sites and supervisors participating in supervised
ministry education in London Conference.
• The convenor is responsible for coordinating the activities of the committee and attending the
annual national meeting at which sites and candidates for eight-month pastoral charge
placements are matched.
Supervised Ministry Education: The United Church of Canada has several forms of Supervised
Ministry Education:
• Eight-month pastoral charge placements for ordained ministry candidates, beginning either in
September or January;
• Alternative eight-month placements arranged outside the national matching process, which
include a combination of at least half-time in pastoral charge responsibilities and work in
another area or institution;
• Student supply appointments in fulfillment of internship requirement;
• Canadian/global partner placements offered in cooperation with the General Council;
• Appointments in fulfillment of the Practice of Ministry component for students in the ministrybased education programs for ordination;
• Placements in fulfillment of the community-based field education requirements for diaconal
ministry.
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Committee Responsibilities:
• To recruit appropriate sites for internships and other supervised ministry settings and
encourage potential supervisors.
• To approve educational sites and supervisors using the three-phase process as per SME
227/2010:
1. Using forms SME208: Application by a pastoral charge to Be Approved as a Supervised
Ministry Site (pages 1–4) together with SME 208(a): Application for Recognition as an
Educational Supervisor (page 5), the congregation applies to the Presbytery to be an
educational site.
The Presbytery Education and Students Committee completes SME 208(b) (pages 6–
8) and makes a recommendation to Presbytery.
2. After the Presbytery approves the request, it signs SME 208(b) and sends the whole
package to the CIES.
3. The CIES receives and completes SME 208(c) (pages 9–12), and sends it to the Human
Resources Unit as indicated on page 12 of the form.
Important: For alternative eight-month placements and student supply appointments, as
well as appointments for students in the ministry-based education programs and designated
lay ministers, CIES needs to approve the learning site and educational supervisor (SME
208 and SME 208(a)).
• To support the CIES convenor, who attends the national matching meeting for eight-month
pastoral charge placements. Before attending the matching meetings, the convenor interviews
all London Conference candidates applying for eight-month internship placements in order to
better represent their concerns.
• To provide training for lay supervision teams and orientation for interns/designated lay
ministers, supervisors, and lay supervision teams.
• To ensure that each educational site is visited at least once during the supervised ministry. At
these visits, the CIES representative asks questions about such items as: welcome and
orientation; the work of the lay supervision team; the formation of the learning covenant; and
the relationship among the supervisor, lay supervision team and intern/designated lay minister.
These visits are meant to assess the site and supervisor, not the work of the intern/designated
lay minister.
• To review evaluations (SME 225: Internship Evaluation) in order to assess the suitability of an
educational site and supervisor.
• To communicate with the site and supervisor and the site’s Presbytery/District E&S Committee
in order to extend thanks and share comments about the placement experience.
We are CELEBRATING:
• This year we celebrate the continued ministry in the many learning sites in London Conference
and the countless folks who make that possible. These learning sites support students in all
streams of ministry - from 8 month placements to 3-5 year appointments. Our thanks go out
to the volunteers who commit to being educational supervisors and lay supervision teams as
well as the site supervisors required with off-site supervision of the students.
• Additionally, the CIES team works hard to assist both students and learning sites in the
application process, orientation, training and support. We are grateful for the hard work,
knowledge and timely assistance of the Vocations Minister for London Conference, Tanya
Cameron.
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• Challenges continue with the complexity of forms and application process. We have hope that
streamlined forms will make this exciting adventure in mission and ministry more user-friendly.
• It would be ideal to have representation from all Presbyteries so that each one has an in-house
expert on the work of the CIES committee.
• We are heading into the possibilities of changes to ministry formation. We need to take what
has been gleaned as the best practices and best learning opportunities into the future.
• May we be blessed with the Spirit's wisdom and grace!
Wendy Noble, Chair
CONFERENCE INTERVIEW BOARD (CIB)
Our MANDATE is:
• The London Conference Interview Board exists to assist inquirers and others referred to it in
assessing their vocational goals and/or general suitability for membership in the order of
ministry; and to assist Presbyteries or other referring bodies in determining the suitability of
those referred to it to function as ministry personnel in the United Church. Also, to conduct the
final interview of applicants for admission to the order of ministry of The United Church of
Canada.
We are CELEBRATING:
• In the past year we fulfilled our mandate meeting several times. We appreciated the work of
Steve Hildebrand, who has now retired from our board. As a board, we value the dedicated
work of Tanya Cameron of London Conference staff.
• Our challenge, in the coming year, is to perceive our role in the structural changes in The
United Church of Canada.
• As Abraham, with faith, went to a country he had never seen, so we venture into the new
structure of The United Church of Canada. Along with our faith, we bring an openness to
change and a sense of adventure.
Olav Kitchen, Chair
SETTLEMENT
With Effective Leadership testing in process for pastoral relations work the Settlement Committee
continues to meet monthly on the second Thursday, to process requests for a change in pastoral
relations, appointments, and calls.
Our focus is to discern ‘best practices‘ when handling employment transactions in order that we might
standardize and streamline the process across the Conference. We encourage all congregations to
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become familiar with the resources posted on the London Conference website. Handbooks and
guidelines are provided to help local ministry units work through changes in ministry as efficiently as
possible. The documents for Ministry and Miission Profiles are particularly critical for every
congregation to review and complete. These profiles are a useful tool for church boards and councils
as an ongoing barometer of ministry needs and realities.
All pastoral relations documents should be sent directly to [email protected].
Joyce Payne, Chair
Email if you have questions or input about the above rep ort.
SEXUAL ABUSE AWARENESS AND RESPONSE COMMITTEE (SAARC)
The Sexual Abuse Awareness and Response Committee of London Conference is comprised of a
leadership team of 5 headed by the Chair, Jennifer Richmond. This committee is resourced by
London Conference Personnel Minister, Dea. Michelle Owens. On average, our SAARC committee
coordinates one investigation per year under The Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Policy.
We have recently offered refresher training to our SAARC consultants so that we can maintain a
high standard of professionalism and pastoral care when a complaint is received by our office. We
have been publicly active in the past few years offering our ministry personnel Boundaries Training
courses in the areas of: Professional Boundaries, Social Media & Digital Boundaries and most
recently Maintaining Boundaries with Finances & Gifts. We have been receiving fantastic feedback
from those who have attended these events and we will be continuing to offer these day-long events
into the future with new material tailored to each topic.
Tanya Cameron, Staff Resource
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IN MEMORIAM
BURGIN, Verna
↑
1936 * 2015
Verna was married in the Kirkton United Church and through the years of work and family, continued
to be very involved with the United Church. She was a long-time member and volunteer of HuronPerth Presbytery and very involved with the Presbyterial United Church Women.
DAVID, Baalchand, BA, MTS, MDiv
1928 * 1983 * 2016
Baalchand and his wife, Indra, hail from South Africa and have spent a number of years in Essex
Presbytery.
HARGREAVES, Roston ‘Ross’ Edwin, DLM
1922 * 2016
Ross was a devoted pastor with the United Church for over 20 years. He was also a WWII veteran,
a former Grand Master of the Mercer Wilson Masonic Lodge and a dairy farmer in South West Oxford
for many years.
MACLEAN, Rollande ‘Rolly’, BA
2003 * 2016
Many people benefitted from Rolly’s work in Algoma Presbytery over the years and more recently
with Sudbury Presbytery in Manitou Conference.
McDONALD, Stanley Carl
1968 * 2016
Stan was Canadian High Chaplain for Canadian Foresters for 19 years and Canadian Chaplain for
the Canadian Games for the Physically Handicapped for 10 years. He served churches in Osage and
Regina in Saskatchewan and Londesborough, Hensall and Corunna in London Conference. After
Stan retired he was the Minister Emeritus at Siloam United Church for many years.
MOORE, Harley Jack, BA, LTh
1923 * 1966 * 2015
Harley was born in Frogmore, Ontario, but grew up in Inwood. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
where he became a Flying Officer and trained as an air bomber. Eventually he felt called to ministry
and returned to school. Throughout his career as a United Church minister he served in pastoral
charges at Saint Helen, Seabright, Beachville, Cedar Springs, Grand Bend and Merlin. After retiring,
he and his wife, Elaine, moved to Sarnia and Harley did pulpit supply work for several pastoral charges
around Lambton County.
PARK, JungHee, BA, MA, Dip CCS
1964 * 2005 * 2016
After finishing graduate studies in theology at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, JungHee
worked with labourers marginalized in the process of the industrialization of the country through
Sandol (Living Stone) Presbyterian Church and Cultural Centre for eight years. After immigrating to
Canada and preparing for ministry through the Centre for Christian Studies, she was commissioned
as a Diaconal Minister and settled into Fingal United Church in 2005. While working at Fingal, she
began a programme toward a Doctorate in Theology at the Toronto School of Theology in 2008. Her
research explored an alternative concept of diakonia as companion rather than that of servant. Her
most recent ministry was with the congregation of Trinity United Church in Grand Valley.
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IN MEMORIAM
REEVES, Lenore, BA, MA
↑
1933 * 2016
Lenore received her BA in Psychology at University of Western Ontario in 1974 and her Masters of
Education at the University of Toronto in 1979. She was a teacher for 32 years with Brant County
Board of Education as well as President of Brant Teachers Association.
Lenore held numerous leadership positions in Norwich United Church and was very active at Oxford
Presbytery and the London Conference of The United Church of Canada.
SPENCER, Donald R, BA, BD
1959 * 2015
Born, raised and educated in Toronto, Don was a Boys Work Secretary at the Toronto Central YMCA
for 5 years, followed by 10 years of service to churches in Alberta, Northern Ontario and Scarborough.
Don became a Probation Officer, retiring 26 years later as Director of Youth and Community
Corrections for the Province of Ontario. In retirement Don, and his wife, Marion, enjoyed travel,
cottaging and especially their family.
Don was also proficient canoeist, an enthusiastic birder and a lover of the outdoors - he led many
church and community activities and supported numerous charitable causes.
WHITE, Donald M, BA, BD, AS
1932 * 1965 * 2016
Donald pastored for many years at Willowgrove United Church in Algoma Presbytery.
WONFOR, Herbert Wallace, BSc, BComm, MDiv
1924 * 1952 * 2015
Herb was born in Montreal and educated in the Protestant School System in Westmount, Quebec
and at McGill University where he received degrees in Science, Commerce and Divinity. In 1952 he
was ordained a minister of The United Church of Canada and during 38 years of pastoral ministry
served congregations in Peace River, Alberta; Ottawa; Hudson, Quebec; Clinton, Maidstone, Windsor
and Durham in Ontario. He also served the United Church through his contribution on various
committees at the Presbytery, Conference and General Conference level. Upon retirement, Herb
continued to participate as a volunteer in church and community life.
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RETIREES
The following Retirees are being honoured at this Annual Meeting:
Rev. THOMAS F. BEECROFT, LTh
Rev. DAVID J. DYKE, BA, BTh, MA, MDiv, MTh
Rev. JUDITH L. FAYTER BA, BEd, MDiv
Rev. J. DON GRAHAM, BA, MDiv
JUNE M. HAWTIN
Rev. MARGARET TRAPNELL, BA, BD, DMin
JUBILANDS
The following Jubilands are being honoured at this Annual Meeting:
Rev. JOHN C. BROWN, BA, MDiv - 50 YEARS
Rev. DOUGLAS A. GREENOUGH, BA, MDiv - 65 YEARS
Rev. NORMAN E. JONES, BA, BD, ThM - 60 YEARS
Rev. ALBERT E. LOREE - 70 YEARS
Rev. GLEN E. MACPHERSON, BA - 60 YEARS
Rev. MICHAEL M. MANDICH, BA, BD, DMin - 50 YEARS
Rev. GEORGE A. MORRIS, BA, MBA - 50 YEARS
Rev. R. BRUCE SCOTT, BA, BD, ThM - 60 YEARS
Rev. BRUCE J. SMALL, BA, BD - 55 YEARS
Rev. MARJORIE J. SMITH, MA, MRE - 50 YEARS
Rev. HERBERT S. SUMMERS, BA, MDiv - 50 YEARS
Rev. T. ROSS WILLIAMS, BA, MDiv - 50 YEARS
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CANDIDATE FOR ORDINATION
EXLEY, DAVID SCOTT, MDiv
David is a candidate from Riverside United Church in London
and is recommended by Middlesex Presbytery.
He was born and raised in St. Thomas and attended Forest
Park Public School and Central Elgin Secondary School. David
continued his post-secondary education at Huron University
College and then onto Emmanuel College in Toronto.
Dave responded to a call to ministry early in his life. In 1997,
he began working for The United Church of Canada as a Staff
Associate in Kent Presbytery. After serving three years, working
with the youth of Kent and the good folks of Kenesserie Camp,
Dave worked on an interim basis with Riverside United Church
in London from 2000-2001. His ministry career took a turn in
the summer of 2001 as he left Canada to work in the United
States. During his seven years in Southeastern Pennsylvania,
Dave worked as the Director of Christian Education with St.
John’s Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Devon, PA and then
as the Director of Youth Ministries for Bryn Mawr Presbyterian
Church (PCUSA). Dave returned to Canada with his family in 2008 and served as Administrative
Director for Lambton United Church Centre before entering full-time studies at Huron University
College in 2011. He graduated with his MDiv from Emmanuel College last spring and has just
completed his Supervised Ministry Education with the Ivan pastoral charge and the EDGE Network.
Dave and Betsy celebrate fifteen years of marriage this summer. They enjoy living life to the fullest
with their two young daughters, Emma and Leah. Dave looks forward to continuing to, “Celebrating
God’s presence,” with others as this new chapter of his life begins.
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CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION
ELIAS, SYDNEY EDWARD, BA, DMin
I was born in a small farming village in the County of Demerara
in Guyana. I attended the Methodist Primary School and the
public High School in the neighbouring village. I then went on
to the University of Guyana where I did Electrical Engineering.
I became actively involved in church, going on to become a Lay
Preacher. Ministry was furthest from my mind. However, several
members of my congregation, along with our minister, felt
strongly that God was calling me to ministry and by their
encouragement, prayers and support, they helped me to
discern and affirm the call to ministry.
After completing my studies at University of the West Indies
and the United Theological College of the West Indies in
Kingston, Jamaica, I returned to Guyana in 1991, and served
as minister until my family and I left for Canada in 2004. Here,
I served at the Malvern Emmanuel United Church in Toronto a
few years before coming to Norwich.
I am thankful for the love and support of my wife, Celena, and
our three children, Dominic, Imani and Shanecia, and the many others who continue to pray for me.
LEE, EUNKYUNG GRACE, PhD
I was ordained in 2005 by the Presbyterian Church in the
Republic of Korea (PROK) and started the admission process
to The United Church of Canada.
I was born and raised in a Presbyterian family. My greatgrandfather built a church in Seoul and worked there as a
minister. That church still exists. I grew up in a strong, faithcentred family and spent my childhood at church where my
parents served as elders. Working at church and being a
minister are natural ways of life to me.
I attended Hanshin University to study Theology and focused on
Christian Education in theology school and Graduate School.
Since I wrote my final thesis for my Masters Degree of
Theology with educational ministry at church, I took a PhD with
Educational Psychology to focus more on the ministry.
I was involved in the publishing department of General Council
in PROK to publish resources for various ministries.
When I moved to Canada at 2003, I started ministry at several United Churches as a Christian
Development Coordinator and Intercultural Minister for young generation. I am now at KerwoodBethesda United Church and am involved in working on Racial/Gender Diversity Advisory Group. I
also serve at the Theology, Inter-Church and Inter-faith Committee of General Council.
I have a son, Martin Cho, who is the most supportive and loveable child.
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DIVISION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
Our MANDATE is:
• This Committee is to discern, in light of the mission of London Conference, the Christian
response to social justice concerns both locally and globally.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Mozambique project and trip
• In May/June, 8 people visited sand dams in Tété province and the PEDRA (Mozambique
Girls’ Bursary) Program in Zambezia province, Mozambique. These two projects were
featured in London Conference’s current International Mission focus for 2015 and 2016.
• Palestine/Israel Network
• Participation in the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI)
by several members of the Social Justice Division.
• A video of the interview with Jeff Halper in London during his January/February tour has
been produced and uploaded to YouTube at http://youtu.be/gyS0g3VBkzI.
• UNJPPI works closely with General Council office to support the decisions of General
Council and the Unsettling Goods Campaign.
• Media Watch campaign initiated by UNJPPI to monitor media reports of Israeli-Palestine
issues, and to respond.
• Right Relations
• Organized a group from London Conference to go to Ottawa for the presentation
ceremonies of the final Truth and Reconciliation Commission report in May/June.
• In October, at Aamjiwnaang, former TRC commissioner Marie Wilson spoke about followup action to the TRC final report.
• Poverty Working Group
• Participation by members of the division in the Social Justice Network of Ontario
Conferences and Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition.
• Our committee is small in number.
• Keeping Presbyteries and congregations informed and aware of current social justice issues
• Together we are on a journey wherever the Spirit leads us as we seek justice, love, kindness
and walk humbly with God!
Carey Wagner, Chair
GLOBAL MISSION PERSONNEL FACILITATOR
Our MANDATE is:
• Conference facilitators share information about current requests for personnel from United
Church partners and the process of discernment and application.
• It’s unclear if Faciliators will continue to function in the future configuration of the United Church.
We are CELEBRATING:
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Rob and Keiko Witmer returned to Japan in August 2015 after 35+ years of service preretirement home assignment.
• No inquiries about serving as Global Mission Personnel have been received in 2015-16.
• The national program for Partners in Mission is in the process of being re-designed.
• The future existence or role of London Conference Global Mission Personnel Facilitator is unclear.
• What is the role of the Church in Global Mission?
• How do people of faith participate in the Partners in Mission program?
• Are individuals able to continue to share in mission with Global Partners in an overseas setting?
We are working on implementing a re-designed People in Partnership Program approved by GCE in
November that offers 4 streams: The vision is of a United Church People in Partnership Program that:
• presents a robust, denominationally-coordinated program, with roles, responsibilities, and
funding accountabilities identified at all levels of the church
• moves decisively away from a program that focus on ‘sending’ and ‘receiving’ of ‘global
mission personnel’ to one that offers multiple entry points for United Church people and global
partners to engage in a broad possibility of partnership initiatives;
• offers United Church people and global partners options to participate in 4 program streams:
o
Pilgrims in Mission: short term, typically congregationally-based group experiences;
o
Companions in Mission: individuals responding to a United Church or global partner call
for specific accompaniment for 1-24 months;
o
Co-workers in Mission: : individuals responding to a United Church or global partner call
for specific accompaniment for 2 years or more;
o
Learners in Mission: individuals from the United Church and global partners
participating in leadership development, intercultural and global learning opportunities;
Each of these program streams builds on and collaborates with experience and expertise within the
United Church and among global partners. Inquiries can come to: [email protected].
Curtis Marwood, Global Mission Personnel Facilitator
RIGHT RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Our MANDATE is:
• The Right Relations Committee is committed to educating the wider church and others on the
issues that prevent reconciliation between Indigenous and dominant societies. The Committee
is dedicated to moving toward reconciliation in ways that are just and inclusive.
We are CELEBRATING:
• A group from London Conference journeyed to Ottawa in the spring to be present at the
presentation of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
• We were much honoured this fall when Commissioner Marie Wilson of the TRC accepted our
invitation to come to Aamjiwnaang and share wisdom with the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous
folks who gathered there. Over 200 people came together to learn and to build relationships.
This was an extraordinary evening; the Commissioner's presentation can be found on the
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London Conference YouTube channel.
The Blanket Exercise continues to be a valuable teaching tool; members of the Right Relations
Committee have shared it numerous times over the past year.
• Our group is small and the work is huge; we welcome any in London Conference who feel
called to this ministry to be in contact. The Elders on the Right Relations Committee have been
doing the work of educating the dominant culture much longer than there has been a committee
or a commitment by The United Church of Canada to relationships that are just.
• President Cathy's theme is especially relevant to the work and ministry of the Right Relations
Committee and to those whose deepest commitment is to right relations with Inigenous People.
It is essential that we travel the road toward reconciliation together, appreciating one another
as equals and allies.
Carolyn Wilson Wynne, Chair
DIVISION OF STEWARDSHIP
MISSION SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Our MANDATE is:
• Mission Support grants are the Mission and Service Fund resources at work within the bounds
of London Conference. The committee makes recommendations to London Conference
Executive on:
1) The criteria for awarding Mission Support Grants; and
2) Mission Support Grants
We are CELEBRATING:
• The applications for mission support grants profile the life and work of many dedicated
ministries in London Conference. To help make London Conference aware of these ministries,
each recipient of a Mission Support Grant has been asked to consider providing a display
showcasing their ministry during the 92nd Annual Meeting.
• There are two challenges before the committee: the first is that the pool of Mission and Service
Fund dollars available for this work is shrinking. It was reduced by approximately $15,000 this
year, dropping from roughly $93,000 for 2015 to $78,000 for 2016.
• The second is that the committee has been lenient with the requirements but has determined
that going forward all applications must be accompanied by reviewed/audited financial
statements as stated on the application form.
• This is one of the committees dealing with the fiscal challenges facing the church. As a result,
the committee is encouraging grant recipients to seek out other funding partners in recognition
of the limitations on the support the United Church can provide.
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Mission Support Grants
2015 Grant Period:
2015 Grant
2014 Grant
2013 Grant
4,400
7,000
7,500
St. Paul’s UC, Manitouwadge
n/a
7,000
Bruce Mines Pastoral Charge
n/a
7,000
4,700
n/a
n/a
Windsor Downtown Mission
3,700
4,000
4,500
Windsor Youth Centre
10,200
12,000
12,000
2,000
2,000
7,254
5,000
5,000
4,700
n/a
n/a
27,700
20,000
30,000
London Community Chaplaincy
10,200
14,000
11,000
UWO Chaplaincy
6,200
10,000
10,000
East London United Church Outreach
9,200
12,000
9,000
5,200
7,500
10,000
93,454
93,500
115,000
ALGOMA
First United Church Wawa
Welcome Friend/Rainbow Camp
ESSEX
HURON-PERTH
Huron-Perth Traveling Summer Day Camp
St. John’s United Church, Stratford GO Project
KENT
Ridgetown Chaplaincy
LAMBTON
St. Clair United Church
MIDDLESEX
OXFORD
Meeting Place Operation Sharing
Uncommitted Balance
TOTALS:
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UNITED CHURCH WOMEN, (UCW)
Our MANDATE is:
• To unite the women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a
medium through which we may express our loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian
witness, study, fellowship and service.
We are CELEBRATING:
• The Christian witness, study and fellowship that happens among the women of the United
Church;
• Fundraising and support for local congregations, church camps, community groups and the
national church Mission & Service Fund;
• Since its founding in 1962, the UCW has contributed over $130 million to the M&S fund;
• Support of the Medical Electives Overseas Program (MEOP) through the Schulich School of
Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Western Ontario;
• The ‘Bread Not Stones’ 5 year project to encourage all levels of Government to bring an end
to child and youth poverty in London Conference and across Canada.
• Declining membership and how to encourage the busy, younger church women to become
part of the fellowship of UCW.
• UCW are moving toward the eradication of child and youth poverty in London Conference and
across Canada; I carry my poverty doll, ‘Spark’, to every event that I attend as a reminder of
how many children and youth live in poverty in Canada.
Sandra Stock, President
CORPORATIONS & RELATED BODIES
CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES, (CCS)
www.ccsonline.ca
Our MANDATE is:
• to provide learning opportunities for students from across Canada consistent with our mission:
educating leaders for justice, compassion and transformation. The Centre for Christian Studies
is a national theological school of the Anglican and United Churches. The United Church of
Canada has granted CCS a testamur designation, in recognition that students who have
completed our program are qualified to be commissioned to diaconal ministry.
We are CELEBRATING:
• the commissioning of CCS graduate, Jim Hatt, to diaconal ministry at the London Conference
Annual Meeting in June 2015. Jim, who is past retirement age, graduated in April along with
Mark Laird who is a young parent. Though they belong to different generations, they both
exemplify the core values of diakonia that we seek to instill in all our students at CCS and we
are proud to see them move into full time ministry.
• welcoming Irene Rainey as a Companion of the Centre, a retired diaconal minister living in
Winnipeg and formed in the Western Field-Based program, who truly exemplifies leadership
that is justice-seeking, compassionate, and transformative.
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•
•
•
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twenty students completed the Leadership Development Module (LDM), two weeks of intensive
learning in leadership and ministry skills, offered last year in Peterborough, Ontario, Montreal,
Quebec, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Participants included Karlene Kimber and Barbara McGill
from London Conference. The ‘LDM’ is a prerequisite for students entering the CCS diploma
program. It is also open to students in the Designated Lay Ministry program, and anyone looking
for the chance to explore ministry or a continuing education opportunity. (Look on our website
www.ccsonline.ca for this year’s new and updated version: Learning on Purpose – Changing
Leadership for a Changing World, June 13-25, 2016 in Toronto, August 15-27, 2016 in Winnipeg)
Nineteen students completed the Pastoral Care Theme Year, including Charmain Bailey Foutner
from London Conference. During a theme year, our students learn in community in the Fall and
Spring for two and half weeks of intensive learning at CCS in Winnipeg. In consultation with
CCS program staff, they set up a field placement where they are closely supported by a learning
facilitator, a vocational mentor, and a local committee. In the Fall, eighteen students registered
for the Social Ministry Year, and three for the final, Integrating Year.
the addition to our program staff team of Janet Ross and David Lappano, two outstanding
educators who found CCS just as we were searching for the right people to supplement and
fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Ted Dodd, and to help CCS grow into a new future.
In January 2016, Janet and David joined Ann Naylor, Scott Douglas and Principal Maylanne
Maybee to form the program team at CCS. Scott Douglas also manages the CCS website and
edits Common Threads, our monthly newsletter. Lori Stewart is our Development Coordinator,
and in 2015 Cheryl Thiessen joined us as Office Administrator.
the people who volunteer years of service and talent on CCS’s Committees and Central
Council, people like Kathy Douglas, a diaconal minister in London Conference who serves on
the Program Committee, and Carolynne Bouey Shank, who ended her six year term as our
United Church co-chair. We give thanks for Kathy Platt of Saskatchewan Conference, incoming
United Church co-chair, who will join Anglican co-chair Penelope Cummine.
and we give thanks for the mentors and learning facilitators from London Conference
congregations, who helped guide and support our students through their learning journey.
• discerning, deciding, searching for and hiring two new full-time program staff members, to
make it possible to deepen our educational approach, broaden our reach and raise our profile;
• undertaking a full review and redesign of our program, supported in part by a grant from the
Anglican Foundation, with the goal of finding ways to meet the needs of people seeking
formation and education for ministry through a diaconal lens;
• finding ways to respond to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
and integrating them into our Theme Years (Social Ministry, Pastoral Care, Education and
Worship), Integrating Year, Global Perspectives Experience and community projects. From
January to May 2015, in partnership with the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, our lunch and
learn program, Second Fridays, presentations from key Aboriginal leaders and allies in the
community. The Fall Learning Circle included three full days on the TRC theme: students
reflected on a film about residential schools, participated in a Blanket Exercise about land,
Indigenous peoples, and settlers and spent time with Indigenous people and sites in Winnipeg.
• digging for talent of many kinds, including financial, to live out our mission of educating leaders
who will bring skill, vision and depth to their ministry;
• awaiting the decisions and directions arising from the 42nd General Council, especially those
relating to the structure of Conferences, Presbyteries, and pastoral charges, and to the move
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to a competency-based model of theological education;
facing an unknown future – unpredictable patterns and numbers in student enrolment, lower
grants from the United Church, changing expectations for theological education and formation,
ongoing efforts of The United Church of Canada to clarify streams and distinctions in ministry;
the complex and significant implications for CCS of the One Ministry proposal.
• The Centre for Christian Studies is alive and well. We are mighty, though small. In a context
where theological schools and programs are fluctuating, we are showing strength and vitality
not only as theological educators but as a diaconal movement across the wider Church. We
are beckoned by a vision of ministry that is collaborative, compassionate, and justice-seeking,
and we want to take with us others who are going in that direction regardless of uncertainties,
who want to learn new skills, awaken latent gifts, and bring life to all the corners God’s world.
Maylanne Maybee, Principal
EAST LONDON UNITED CHURCH OUTREACH (ELUCO)
•
November marked the fifth anniversary for Nancy Howard as ELUCO’s Community Outreach
worker. Women from the Marconi community hosted a surprise party to celebrate this
milestone. Nancy told the board, “It is a humbling experience to share their (the Marconi
residents) love and their lives each and every day and I feel truly blessed.” We, the board, feel
truly blessed to have Nancy on the front line caring and sharing with the folks in the Marconi
and Huron communities.
•
‘The Unit’ was a busy place this year as Nancy and her many volunteers worked on the many
programs that the community has requested to help build the skills they need to live
successfully in society. Breakfast programs are providing children with a nutritious start to their
day in a nurturing and caring environment. The lunch program has a new twist this year – a
small group of children are learning new culinary skills as they prepare the dessert each week
for the lunch program. An afterschool program provides a variety activities for children to
participate in – games, crafts, reading, physical activity etc. The younger teens were able to
develop their culinary skills twice a month for three months through the Growing Chefs program
and a Red Cross babysitting program equipped a group of young people with the skills they
need to start earning some money.
•
London Intercommunity Health partnered with us to bring a collective kitchen to one of the
women’s groups. Each session the women made five dishes they could take home and freeze.
The initial group has branched out and is running its own kitchen so that another group can
work with London Intercommunity Health. There is a coffee group that meets regularly and of
course Nancy’s door is always open to help with the challenges people are facing.
•
Cheryl Bolton completed the final four months of her internship in April. She was able to provide
leadership and support to the community while Nancy was away in January. Cheryl made a
huge impact on the families and individuals in both Marconi and Huron. Matthew Burns a
student at B. Davison Secondary School did a two week co-op placement with Nancy in the
spring and a second one in the fall. Matthew is well received by the community and he is hoping
to work with children in the future.
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The board was pleased to welcome a new member this year – Amanda Woods. Amanda has a
background in HR management and, as well as many other skills, a boundless supply of
enthusiasm and energy. Fundraising was a once again a major thrust of the board. Board and
community members under the direction of Elma Johnston and Linda De Clerc spent most
Monday mornings in February and March making cinnamon buns for our annual fundraiser. In
April ELUCO sponsored their 2nd Annual Voices of Broadway Show Choir Concert at First St.
Andrews United Church. Although attendance was not as high as we had hoped, the Choir
captivated the audience with their music and choreography. The annual Rock and Roll for Families
in Springbank Park was held the last Sunday in September and was a very successful fundraiser
for ELUCO. The weather was great and everyone enjoyed a brisk/leisurely walk (depending on
their state of health) through the park followed by a time of fellowship and ‘goodies.’
•
Welcome Wednesday Hospitality Lunch held weekly at the Huron Street Salvation Army Citadel
continues to be well attended. Each Wednesday, a hot meal is provided by volunteer groups
from Knollwood Baptist Church, Rowntree United Church, Siloam United Church, Valleyview
Mennonite and ELUCO, to the 80 plus folks who attend. The doors open early so people can
socialize over coffee, play games or meet with a worker to sort out their problems. The annual
Christmas dinner with turkey and fixings had over 150 in attendance. We want to thank all the
volunteers who are instrumental in keeping this program running.
•
The ELUCO Foodbank situated at the new Gethsemane Gardens complex is open to area
residents every Wednesday and Friday morning till noon. A great group of volunteers greet
clients and see to their needs as they shop and stock the shelves with the multitude of groceries
supplied by our donors through cash or in-kind donations. In 2015 the food cupboard served
674 families which translated to 1165 adults and 609 children. The number of families was
down by 13 from 2014 but the number of adults was up by 87 and the number of children up
23. Thank you to all the donors and volunteers who make this program possible.
•
The Christmas Share program this year was an overwhelming success with 75 families being
served. Our donors were churches, school children, organizations, families and individuals.
Each donor had their choice of methods –some provided gift cards, some provided gifts, some
sponsored a child and still others sponsored a family. Individuals helped with wrapping and
others took over the delivery of boxes to the families. Whatever you did we thank you one and
all for making this a joyous season for our Marconi families!
•
Our Glen Eagle Scholarship Fund was set up a number of years ago in memory of Susan
Eagle’s father to provide assistance to financially challenged young people within our
community, pursuing post-secondary education. These funds have purchased books or helped
with tuition costs at community colleges or universities. A portion of a sizeable donation from
the Grace United Trustees will enable us to continue this very worthwhile program.
•
Lastly, I would like to thank all our donors over the past year. No matter what size your gift, we
wouldn’t have been able as an organization, to carry out our mandate, “To work with and
advocate for the most vulnerable in our communities,” without you. Thank you and may God
bless each and every one of you as we strive to create a more just and equitable society for all.
Sharon Ashton, Coordinator
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www.emmanuel.utoronto.ca
EMMANUEL COLLEGE, (EC)
Our MANDATE is:
• Emmanuel College is the largest theological school associated with The United Church of
Canada. Informed by its Christian heritage, relationship with both church and university, and
its Canadian, urban, and pluralistic location, Emmanuel College provides an education
characterized by rigorous theological inquiry, contextual analysis, commitment to justice and
inclusive practice.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Emmanuel College is in the midst of two faculty searches in Winter 2016, a Professor of
Practical Theology, with specialization in Spiritual Care; and a faculty member to hold our new
position, the Shi Wu De Professor of Chinese Buddhism.
• Emmanuel College is developing, along with the Toronto School of Theology, a new stream in
our Master of Pastoral Studies program called the ‘Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy’ stream.
This new program (20 courses) will prepare students (across all religious traditions) to meet
the competency requirements for licensure under the new Ontario College of Registered
Psychotherapists. The program should be ready to receive new students this Fall of 2016.
• Emmanuel College has set aside funds to establish a new pilot project for 2016-2017 called
the ‘Entering Theological Education Grant.’ This grant will provide up to 50% tuition the first
year for all new domestic students entering our Basic Degree programs (MDiv, MPS, MTS,
MSMus). This is definitely the year to enter theological education.
• Buddhist and Muslim programs have proven to be strong additions to Emmanuel College, and
the value of significant inter-religious engagement is providing benefit for the entire student
body as they prepare for their various vocations.
• It is always a challenge to continue building our enrolment numbers. For now, enrolment at
Emmanuel College remains consistent, in the 160-170 range, in line with average enrolments
over the last ten years or so. This remains true in spite of the challenges facing both theological
education and churches like The United Church of Canada all across North America. We
possess capacity to grow, however, and continue to work toward that end.
• Emmanuel College continues to travel with the church, and hopes to continue to nurture the
important ways Church and School can work together to create partnerships. On April 16-17,
2015 Emmanuel College faculty met in consultation with representatives from five Conferences
(Bay of Quinte, Hamilton, London, Manitou and Toronto) at the college to discuss contemporary
connections and challenges, professional development within the church and the future of
theological education. The purpose of the conference was threefold: (1) to nurture conversation
and communication between the college and the Conferences, (2) provide opportunity for the
faculty at Emmanuel College to hear about issues of interest to the leadership in the five
Conferences, and (3) to create a forum for discussion concerning the content and structure of
curricular offerings within theological education. A summary of these discussions is available
upon request made to the main office at Emmanuel College.
The Rev. Dr. Mark G. Toulouse, Principal
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FIVE OAKS EDUCATION AND RETREAT CENTRE
↑
www.fiveoaks.on.ca
Our MANDATE is:
• Five Oaks provides education for faith formation and leadership development within The United
Church of Canada and other denominations. Programs and retreats at Five Oaks inspire
connection to self, to Spirit, to each other and to nature while attending to the physical,
emotional, spiritual and intellectual well-being of all.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Blessed are we to have served just over 6,700 people in 2015 here at Five Oaks. Although
only a slight increase from 2014, we are still reminded of the need for such a sacred space
and look forward to welcoming all those who find their way to Five Oaks in 2016.
• In 2015 the following programs were offered and well-attended:
Spiritual Nurture and Renewal Programs:
Music & Spirituality Series
Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat
2 Silent Retreats
Summer Solstice Labyrinth
Male Spirituality Circle
Work Camp
Taste of Jubilee
Day Away
Winter Yoga Retreat
6 Courage & Renewal® Retreats
Ontario Jubilee: Certificate Program in
Spiritual Deepening & Spiritual Direction
Labyrinth & Mandala: Transformative Tools
for the Helping Professions
•
Christian Faith Formation and Lay Leadership Programs:
Missional Youth Ministry – Neos
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Orientation
Spiritual Journey Groups for Clergy
Connect to Wholeness: Freedom from Blame & Judgment
Godly Play Ministry with Children
Hand in Hand: Equipping Congregations for Pastoral Care
Essential Nuts & Bolts of Youth Ministry
Lay Foundations: Certificate Program in Theology & Bible
LLWL: Learning Weekend
Children & Youth Ministry and Right Relations Programs:
Avodah: Youth Work & Worship Experience
Confirmation Retreat
WAMPUM: Aboriginal & Non-Aboriginal Youth Experience
and WAMPUM Junior Leaders
In late 2015, we also introduced the Oaten Institute for Lay Leadership & the Practice of
Ministry, knowing that lay people are longing to be equipped and empowered to minister in
their church and in the world.
• In honour of the founding director of Five Oaks, Bev Oaten, the Oaten Institute will serve
The United Church of Canada as we strive to enliven mission, deepen faith and follow the
Spirit’s leading. We seek to provide learning opportunities for ministry personnel in
partnership with Emmanuel College and other partners to strengthen a Canadian
perspective in continuing education.
• The Oaten Institute Mission: The Oaten Institute equips, empowers and encourages all
God’s people to minister in the church and in the world.
• The Oaten Institute Goals: As a Ministry of Five Oaks, The Oaten Institute is a valuable
resource that provides education for faith formation and leadership development within The
United Church of Canada and other denominations. Rooted in a profound belief in the
ministry of all people and in the conviction that the future of the church rests in a strong and
empowered laity, the primary focus of the Oaten Institute is to equip and empower lay
leaders for ministry in the Church and for the healing of the world.
• It is within the Oaten Institute that exciting work is being done to expand our current mission
to allow programs to serve the national church through online engagement and regional
gatherings. In fact, we have already formed a group of Youth Ministry Consultants who are
available to provide youth ministry training around the nation and have work underway to
promote this work through webinars as well.
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Strong partnerships with Emmanuel College Continuing Education, United in Learning and the
Haliburton School of the Arts have all taken place, furthering our ability to strengthen our
mission and making education more accessible to those who hunger for it most.
• With the closing of sister education centres and the restructuring of the United Church, Five
Oaks continues to adapt to meet the needs of the church while trying to establish a sustainable
operating model within the centre.
• As we look forward to 2016, the Five Oaks board and management continue to develop a fresh
emergence of mission and ministry. The focus includes experiences related to spirituality,
ecology, First Nations teachings and Christian leadership and faith formation. An external
consultant group has been engaged and are tasked with developing a sustainable business
plan for Five Oaks. This plan is scheduled to be completed in early March. Redevelopment
plans continue to evolve within the same scope of this work and we expect to engage a green
engineer, architect and builder for the preliminary drawings for the new building in the spring.
• Once again we wish to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to London Conference for your
continued love and support as we embark on this journey of renewal.
• Please keep Five Oaks in your prayers and know that with each stepping stone laid, we are
listening to the voice of wisdom and trusting were we are being led.
Melissa Connor, Executive Director
** It was with sadness that London Conference received the news on April 11, 2016 that the
Five Oaks Board has determined that it will be necessary to close the Centre.
IONA COLLEGE
No report submitted.
Marilyn Farough, President
** At its October 2015 Annual Meeting, Iona College decided to move to legacy status and is in
the process of doing this. This means it will be a former United Church corporation not a
current one.
UNITED CHURCH COUNCIL OF MIDDLESEX PRESBYTERY
Our MANDATE is:
• The mandate of the United Church Council of Middlesex Presbytery is to support the work of
Middlesex Presbytery and its churches which includes assisting financially by helping to back
new and exciting forms of ministry. We are an incorporated body within The United Church of
Canada answerable to the Incorporated Ministries Committee of London Conference.
We are CELEBRATING:
• Approved $3,000 for the Middlesex UCW Presbyterial ‘Bread not Stones’ project.
• Sold Hyatt Avenue United Church for $110,000 to the Egyptian Community Centre of Ontario.
• $3,000 in assistance to a student to attend the Leadership Development Module at the Centre
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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for Christian Studies in Winnipeg.
Approved $4,870 for assistance for the London Community Chaplaincy project.
Approved $7,500 for Siloam United Church for Youth and Young Adult ministries.
Approved $800 for Wesley-Knox United Church for their GO project.
Approved $10,779.58 for the Riverside Summer Adventure Leadership Training (SALT) program.
Approved $2,400 for the Symmetry Project headed up through Arva United Church and a
number of neighbouring United Churches.
Approved $50,000 to be earmarked in support of Middlesex Presbytery United Churches as
regards Refugee Sponsorship - $5,000 per application per church. As of February 26, 2016
grants to Byron United, Lambeth United, Calvary United and Wesley-Knox United Churches
have been approved and a number of families have arrived.
• For a goodly portion of the year our chief concern was around the sale of Hyatt Avenue United
Church, which was concluded at the end of August.
• Currently our greatest challenge is interesting people, both clergy and lay, with the gifts needed
(financial management, property management, insight as to the value of programming and a
burning desire to make this United Church of ours vital to Middlesex Presbytery as well as
London, Middlesex County and Canada) to serve on our Board of Directors.
• Having United Churches dream of new and exciting ministries that, with our help, helps them
to grow. We’re revising our grant application form to make it more user-friendly.
• Wondering what the future will bring for the United Church Council of Middlesex Presbytery
as London Conference proceeds as a test site for the Three Council Model.
• We are helping United Church communities of faith fulfill Jesus’ commandment to love God
and to love your neighbour as yourself as we assist multiple congregations with refugee
sponsorship (to include all refugees not only Syrians). We are ready to help them financially
as they try new and different things to provide ministry within their communities.
• What we need is the prayerful support and direction of London Conference and The United
Church of Canada as a whole as we live out our ministry in a Presbytery which may cease to
exist, as such, in the next few years, and as we seek to find our new role and purpose with
those who we will be travelling along with in the years to come.
Richard Golden, President
RULES OF DEBATE & ORDER
Comprehensive procedures for proposals are set out in The Manual, 2013 in a nine page
section titlled ‘Initiating Action and Change’ starting on page 116.
PROPOSALS
The Rules of Debate and Order are found in The Manual, 2013 in the Appendix on page 211.
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notes, questions, thoughts, important, remember, contacts, ask,
92nd Annual Meeting of London Conference
Thursday, May 26, 2016
10:00
- 3:00
10:00
- 3:00
6:00
May 27 - 29, 2016
Hellenic Community Centre
London, Ontario
Fishing Tips with John Pentland Stoneridge Inn, London
Photo Directory Drop In - Hellenic Centre
Dinner Theatre: Maybe One? - Westminster
United Church, Thamesford
Friday, May 27, 2016
7:00 Golf Tournament Breakfast at Office
8:00 Golfing Fore God M&S 9-Hole Tournament
9:00 Orientation - First Timers Club - Hellenic Ctre
Registration Opens
10:45 Photo Directory Drop In
11:00 Gather with Singing
Consent Docket, Opening Motions, etc.
Welcome from Essex Presbytery
Open Nominations for President-Elect
Worship with Table Group time
11:45 Book Room Presentation
12:00 Grace and Lunch
12:45
1:00
2:15
2:45
2:55
3:05
Gather with Singing
Theme Presentation - John Pentland
Introduction to Candidates
Vote on Candidates
Announcements
Downtown Mission & Windsor Youth Centre
3:15 Energizer Break
3:30
3:45
4:15
4:30
4:50
4:55
Greetings from Moderator Jordan Cantwell
Truth & Reconciliation & CAIRN
Social Justice
Effective Leadership Update
Nominations
Announcements
5:00 Grace and Dinner - Diakonia
5:45
6:00
6:15
6:20
6:30
7:00
7:15
7:30
↑
Return with Singing
Rural Life Presentation
Vocations - Designated Lay Ministry
Financial Report for 2015
Remit 1
General Council Executive
Theological Reflection
Campfire & Vespers
Saturday, May 28, 2016
8:15
8:45
9:00
9:15
Smudging Ceremony
Gathering with Music
Opening and Worship
Theme Presentation - John Pentland
10:30 Break
10:45 Celebration of Retirees
12:00 Grace and Retiree Banquet
12:45
1:00
1:20
1:30
1:45
2:30
2:50
3:10
Gathering with Music
Nominations close for President-Elect, Speeches
Ballot for President-Elect
United Church Women
Budget 2017
Business
Remit 4
Learning Grace for Children @ Conference
3:15 Break
3:15
3:40
4:10
4:20
4:30
4:45
Dave Jagger - Stewardship Promotion
Affirm Presentation
Vocations - Diaconal Ministry
Farewell to Elaine Graham
Theological Reflection
Announcements and Grace
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Celebration of Ministry at
Colborne Street United Church, London
Sunday, May 29, 2016
8:15 Smudging of Outside Space
8:45 Gathering with Music
9:00 Opening Prayer
Remits 2 & 3, Unfinished Business
Nomination Report - Planning Committee
Thanks to President
10:15 Break
10:30 Installation of President-Designate
Rise of Conference
The Report Book 2015-2016 is produced by London Conference of The United Church of Canada
and The Mission & Service Fund of The United Church of Canada

Most Recent Report Book 2016_Layout 1

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