Association of Dundas Churches Dundas Baptist Church November 22, 2018

Transcription

1 Present: Dundas Baptist - Christ Church Flamborough - Rosemary Horsewood, Margaret Monds, Sue Nicholls Christian Science - Marjorie Verhoeven Grace Valley - Knox Presbyterian - Wayne Poole, Penny Garrison Life Community - Duane Henry St. Augustines Catholic - St. James Anglican - Peter Davison, Anne Washington St. Mark s United - St. Paul s United - Susan Laing, Mary Anne Tangney Salvation Army - Nellie Noack, Regrets: Paul VandenBrink, (Grace Valley), Lorna MacQueen, Dorothy Bartalos (St. Mark s United), Yvonne Wilson (St. Augustines Catholic), Norma Coe (St. James Anglican), Shawn Erb, Kim Gumbert, Karl Armstrong (Dundas Baptist), Karen Sobierajski (Salvation Army), Helen Prior St. Paul s United. Guests: Laurel Turnbull, Nurse Manager, Complex Care + Quality Improvement Jennifer Morritt - Nursing Coordinator + Palliative Resource Nurse Rene van der Meijden, Executive Director, Ellen Osler House 1 Opening: Nellie Noack opened our meeting with prayer at 7:07. In the absence of Chair, Shawn Erb, Past Chair, Duane Henry warmly welcomed everyone and introduced our guest speakers for the evening. Presentation: Laurel Turnbull and Jennifer Morritt informed us that the Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT) includes 2/3 of Hamilton physicians (accounting for 280,000 patients) and in Dundas, 19/21 doctors belong to this grouping. They pointed out that health is not just our physical wellbeing but mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual balance in life and involves the social determinants of health like our social relationships, income, recreation, housing, nutrition, all aspects of our lives. The HFHT recognizes our lives are complex and we are all part of a wider community. In Dundas, a pilot project funded by the Ministry of Health called Compassionate Community whereby the Family Health Team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitian, physiotherapists, working together to assess needs and building relationships, not only with individuals, but in the community as well. They have done a needs assessment in the areas of Older Adults and Youth of Dundas. They also collaborate with many agencies, service groups + businesses to bring about a more compassionate community. In particular, one fact that surprised us was that Dundas has the highest rate of suicide risk in Ontario! Therefore an intentional focus of care for youth of Dundas is being implemented with both school boards and the community resources (Routes and other). Jennifer Morritt tells us that HFHT assists in Palliative Care Coordination with doctors to assist in a positive dying experience at home if possible and if desired. - home visits are made by the health care team in conjunction with the LHIN home care providers as needed. The emphasis is on a life well-lived. They provide a program called Hello which enables family + friends to talk more freely about death and know what their loved one wants at the end of life. She also

2 educates about Advanced Care Planning, Living Wills, Power of Attorney (POA) and Wills. Many want to know more about Medical Assisted Death - Jennifer talks to those who make requests and debunks the myths that surround the topic. Many churches have statements about Medically Assisted Death. The neighbourhood project with Ellen Osler House helps women residents find a local family doctor and other services when needed. Rene van der Meijden introduced himself - He is originally from the Netherlands and trained in International Development. After many years of working overseas in various European and Asian countries, he joined Salvation Army 9 years ago in the Department of Community Ministries, first in Penticton, BC, then as Director of a Shelter in Oakville as well as Director of Ellen Osler Home in Dundas. He and his wife have 4 children, 2 of whom attend U of Guelph and his family live in Guelph. He will be a standing member of ADC and will try to attend and participate as is possible. 2 Minutes: Move that the amended minutes of the October 25, 2018 meeting be approved as distributed (Peter Davison/Susan Laing). Carried. 3 Correspondence: From the Canadian Council of Churches - 1.) Parliament of World Religions took place in Toronto in October with 80 countries attending. 2.) Canadian Forum on Interchurch Dialogue in Montreal in the summer of 2018 was a success with many participants 3.) On the 100th Anniversary of WW1 and Article was written by CCC President, Rev. Stephen Kendall and Project Ploughshares President, Rev. James Christie encouraging Canadians to renew their commitment to peace. St. Joseph s Hospice (Foundation) - request for donations 4 Business Arising: 4a 50th Anniversary of the - (Committee) - Sue Nicholls, Margaret Monds, Norma Coe, Shawn Erb - ex officio). Sue Nicholls reports that the committee is having difficulty knowing exactly what is wanted or needed for this event - the committee needs to know more about what the ADC membership expects, more suggestions needed to define what kind of event should mark our 50th Anniversary (which by the new year, 2019 is into the 51st year, however members feel this is not important. What is important is that we mark the length of time ADC has been serving the Dundas Community and make it known to the people of Dundas.) Suggestions - to go beyond Dundas..Spectator Article by Paul Wilson? Focus on another event like Canada Interfaith Dialogue? Find a project that we can celebrate who we are. Support the youth event (that HFHT spoke about) in the name of 50th Anniversary Potluck of all the churches in February (To follow up the Celebration, January Week of Prayer What does it mean to be Christian in 2019? - acknowledging our differences, celebrating who we are does not preclude those discovering the oneness of people of other traditions. Incorporate and Promote our 50th year at our Celebration of Prayer in January & f/u Potluck

3 Membership is encouraged to send ideas they may have as to how to celebrate 50 years of ADC in our community to the committee members above - they will try to meet/communicate before January 24, 2019 meeting to devise a list of ideas to present to ADC membership at the January meeting. Shawn Erb is contacting Rick Spies about further details of an ADC history.and what that would look like - report at the January meeting. 4b Advent Walk - Rosemary Horsewood reports that an article has been sent on-line to the Dundas Star (will they accept or not?). The joint ad from the churches has been submitted (churches will be invoiced by treasurer). The Lions Memorial Community Centre Digital sign has been booked and flyers have been posted in some Dundas stores - more to be posted. Donations will be given to the Dundas Food Bank Cookies/sweets (by all churches) to be delivered to Knox Presbyterian (glass doors on Melville St.) between 11:30-1:00 on Sunday Dec. 9. St. James Anglican (as the starting location) will put the booklet together - each church to submit by Nov. 30! (each church is responsible for no more than 10 minutes, a reading, brief message and a carol) - pilgrimage of walkers will sing Prepare ye the way of the Lord (Godspell). More candle lighters needed at each church to get people on their way to the next church - individual churches responsible to get candle lighters! Costumes and candles - Susan Laing and Mary Anne Tangney will organize at St. Paul s United to get to St. James Anglican. Discussion of ways to engage families with young children. 4c Membership Survey - At our last meeting (Oct. 25, 2018) attending members completed a survey of ADC s membership in order to navigate a vision and direction of the ADC into the future, as well as to assess the involvement and acknowledgement of our faith communities. Surveys were sent out on line to those absent (2/6 were received.) Duane Henry stated that he is hoping more surveys come and the final tally will be given at the January, 2019 meeting. Hopefully this survey will spur some good discussion about our mission, present and future and bring some vitality into the Association of Churches. 4d Joint Prayer - Nellie Noack states that the date for our Celebration of Prayer or Dundas Churches United in Prayer (title not decided yet) will be held on Wednesday, January 23 from 7:00-8:30. The location - Nellie Noack will call Fr. Bob Love to request that the event be held at St. Augustines Church (hold the largest numbers). The Ministerial have spoken about this and suggest that that this event be central to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (thereby cancelling the annual Entertaining Angels and Bible study that we usually do). It was suggested that if members wanted to continue Entertaining Angels - it could be organized by individual members (but Clergy are not organizing this year - energy will be put into the Celebration of Prayer event). Nellie Noack states that the committee needs to know what each church is planning for their topic (handed out at the last meeting - each church has a theme to develop their form of prayer

4 around) The time allotted for each theme will be no more than 5-6 minutes at the most! the event would be followed by a time of social fellowship. Once each church has developed their short program, the committee will meet again to put it all together. 4e Bells of Peace on Nov. 11, It was acknowledged that Christ Church Flamborough St. James and St. Augustines all rang their bells 100 times at 5:00 pm on Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 marking the 100th Anniversary of the end of WW1. This was done across Hamilton, all of Ontario and across Canada and many parts of the world. 4f Free Family Portraits - A final reminder to each church about the local initiative of Dundas Amateur Photographers. On Saturday, Dec. 2 from 12-4:00 pm they will do family portraits (FREE) at the Dundas Museum for those who could not otherwise afford. Flyers were given out at each of our community dinners. Each church who would have families who might take advantage of this (Clergy/members given flyers at Oct ADC meeting) Call Keith Sharp or keithsharp27@gmail.com 5 Reports: 5a Treasurer s Report - Treasurer, Marjorie Verhoeven reports a current balance of $ Motion to accept the Treasurers Report (Marjorie Verhoeven/Sue Nicholls). Carried. 5b Communications - Rosemary Horsewood reports all the work done to promote the Advent Walk (above under item 4b.) Once more details about the Celebration of Prayer (January) are available, she will work on promoting this event. 5c Community Dinners - Anne Washington states that since the Dec. dinner lands on Christmas Eve, St. James will serve dinner at 5:30 that evening. The following week, Grace Valley will probably do the same (New Years Eve). 5d Food Bank - Any donations of food, gifts, children s and adult gifts are welcome at Salvation Army Food Bank - Volunteers are always needed especially around the Christmas Season. 5e Ellen Osler House - The Residence is full at this time - there will be residency changes in December. The Church Connector s are active in the house as usual. Coats and boots from St. James have come in very useful in this chilly weather. They have received gifts of sweaters from 2 local churches. Nellie Noack will be going to the Grand Valley Institute (first time) from where most of the women come to Ellen Osler Home - she will participate in their Christmas Program and meet the Chaplain.

5 5f Routes Youth Centre - The Youth Council is trying to raise $ various fund raising initiatives. Christmas Ornaments have been made to raise money - orders being taken. A Christmas Dinner will be made by the Board of Directors for the youth - each youth will be given a gift - donations welcome! Motion: In light of what we ve heard from the Hamilton Family Health Team, that Dundas has the highest rate of youth suicide risk in Ontario, that we, the contribute $ to Routes Youth Centre. (Anne Washington/Penny Garrison). Carried. ADC Secretary will send a letter of acknowledgement of the important work of Routes Youth Centre expressing our on-going support and prayers. 5g Dundas Community Services - On Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 there will be a reception and tea for Grace Dumayne (Christ Church Flamborough) who is retiring after VOLUNTEERING for 43 years as an Information Counsellor at the Dundas Community Services - all are welcome to drop by to congratulate Grace from 10:00-12:00 noon. 5h EcoWham - Wayne Poole reports that EcoWham is sponsoring a Workshop Consuming Less, Better for You, Better for the Planet featuring D.r Lynda Lukas, Executive Director, Environment Hamilton at St. Paul s United Church on Friday Nov. 23 at 7:00 PM - All are welcome! Also EcoWHam is planning another workshop in the new year - TBA 5j Truth and Reconciliation Committee - Rosemary Horsewood announced the up coming events around Indigenous Issues - Nov. 26, 2018 at 7:30 Going Deeper Toward Truth and Reconciliation (Stephen Paquette) at First Unitarian Church, 170 Dundurn St. S. Hamilton Dec. 3, :00-8:30 PM - Hamilton Urban Indigenous Strategy (Hamilton Survey will be presented) - 21 Rosedene Ave. Hamilton Feb. 16, :00-9:00 Come and Discuss All Our Relations by Tanya Talaga (Sponsored by Truth and Reconciliation Moving Forward Together) 6 New Business: 6a Dundas Provides various forms of recreation for seniors in Dundas and area. Dundas 55 + have been working with the City of Hamilton, however the city is needing more space therefore Dundas 55 + is looking for more space to offer their programs - An audit is being done as to what facilities are available in Dundas during the day - Susan Laing is doing the audit - cost pricing and investigating what is available during the day/evenings. Dundas Community Services is providing a database on their website - activities of the various churches will be included - this is fine with all churches present. 7 Announcements: Penny Garrison thanks the ADC members for the support, love and outreach to her and her family at the time of her father s death. Peter Davison handed out St. James Newsletter to all present

6 Sat. Nov. 24/18 - Christ Church Flamborough Cookie Walk 10:00 til gone! Sat. Nov. 24/18 - St. Paul s United Time Apart 9:30-12 (a mini retreat) Sat. Nov. 24/18 - Knox Christmas Bazaar 10:00-2:00 pm Tues. Nov. 27/18 - See Specator - Lovely Christmas story of a Good Neighbour. Dec. 1/18 - St. James Anglican - Holiday House Tour Dec. 16/18 - Christmas Noel - St. Paul s United - 7:30 pm Dec. 20/18 - Christ Church Flamborough Quiet Christmas Night - 7:00 pm 8 Courtesies and Adjourn: Rosemary Horsewood moved that the meeting be adjourned at 9:16 PM. Sue Nicholls closed our meeting with prayer. Thank you to Christ Church Flamborough for their hospitality! NEXT MEETING - January 24, 7:00 PM at St. Augustines R.C. Church - 58 Sydenham (Church Hall)