Local Ministry Unit Telling Our Story: Ministry and Mission Profile (LC MM)

Transcription

1

2

3 MINISTRY & MISSION PROFILE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA L EGLISE UNIE DU CANADA LONDON CONFERENCE Local Ministry Unit Telling Our Story: Ministry and Mission Profile (LC MM) ****************************************************************************** Name of Local Ministry Unit: St. Joseph Island Pastoral Charge Grace United, Hilton Beach Harmony St. Mark s United, Richards Landing Address of Local Ministry Unit: P.O. Box 216, 1176 Richards Street, Richards Landing, ON POR 1J0 Brief Description of Local Ministry (three sentences): We are a two-point rural charge striving to live out the following mission statement: We are called to be a welcoming community of faith. We are called to love one another. We respond to God s love in Christ through worship, music, service to our neighbours near and far, and responsible stewardship of God s creation. Priority (#1 to #7) Category Title #1 Worship This is who we are as a Local Ministry Unit: Worship is central to who we are as a community. Currently, it is mostly traditional, in which the laity participate in various ways: greeting, lighting the Christ candle, reading scripture, offering dramas. We follow the lectionary, and appreciate biblicallybased, accessible messages, made relevant to the time in which we live and serve. We are willing (some of us eager) to experiment with new ways to worship at the same time that long-standing and beloved traditions are honoured and celebrated. Music is a very important element of our services. Both congregations have choirs which practice weekly on Thursday evenings. We are blessed with strong voices and various instrumentalists who are willing to share their talents on a regular basis. The two choirs come together to offer Christmas and Easter cantatas. The two congregations celebrate joint services at various times during the church year, eg. at Pentecost, during Advent, at Christmas, Good Friday, etc. Despite the current lack of a viable Sunday School, children and youth have participated in worship during Advent (White Gift

4 services), and at other times reading scripture, offering dramas and music. We have joined with our Anglican sisters and brothers to worship together on Good Friday and at a mid-week Blue Christmas service during Advent. #2 Pastoral Care #3 Leadership We are a small community, and Pastoral Care has been done both formally and informally, by the Minister, the newly-formed Pastoral Care Team, and by members of the congregation on their own. Because many of our constituency are seniors, living independently or in retirement communities and long-term care facilities, we believe that the provision of effective pastoral care will become an increasingly urgent priority. The previous Minister provided several pastoral visiting training workshops, and members of both congregations attended. A visiting team has been formed, which will benefit from ministry coordination, mentoring and support to enable it to assist the clergy person to meet the charge s growing needs. We hope to attract a minister who will lead us during this exciting transitional time in our national church s history. Over the past number of years the two congregations in the charge have enjoyed collaborating and working together towards common goals, and we require a leader who will help us to continue to be relevant to the Island, and who will work with us to find new ways for the pastoral charge to take leadership roles in the community. It is important to us that the minister help folks discern their own gifts and skills for ministry, and that he/she will encourage and mentor lay leaders. We require someone with strong administrative and communication skills, who can facilitate the flow of information between committees and the Council, between congregation members and the Pastoral Care Team, and between the community and the charge. We would also like to have someone provide stewardship leadership. #4 Discipleship Currently, our discipleship manifests itself in our outreach programs, but many of us would like to explore other ways of deepening our own faith and spreading the gospel in this community. There are many on the Island who claim a relationship with The United Church of Canada, and who attend some of our social programs but never attend worship. We d like help reaching those people and building strong relationships with them. We seek to live out the gospel as we minister to those in need; a community Food Bank, open one afternoon a week, is housed in the basement of Harmony St. Mark s, and members of the Pastoral Charge sit on the Board of the Food Bank, and are regular volunteers. Ongoing financial support is provided by

5 members of the pastoral charge, and donations of food are collected each time the Pastoral Charge celebrates communion. Bible and book studies have been offered. Approximately every six weeks or so, members of both congregations participate in visiting and leading worship at Algoma Manor, a long-term care facility located in Thessalon. A number of years ago, a Scholarship Fund was started to assist anyone in the community wishing to further their education in the areas of Christian training (ordained, diaconal or lay leadership, or in any of the caring professions such as nursing, teaching), the arts, youth programming. #5 Justice and Outreach #6 Stewardship #7 Ministry Partnerships Outreach is also integral to who we are. Besides the Food Bank, financial support is provided to various projects like Good Food Boxes, sending children from the charge or the community to camp, support refugee initiatives, providing space and resources for groups such as 4-H, Morning Break (a women s group that meets twice/month for fun and support), Alcoholics Anonymous, the Island Horticultural Group, the Hospital Association etc. Both congregations have active UCW units, which do their own pastoral visiting and provide support to community members with cards and gifts. Each year at budget time, the pastoral charge sets its Mission and Outreach target and for many years, has exceeded the target. Donations are made to the National Church s special appeals. The Minister also maintains a small, discretionary benevolent fund. The Island charge is currently in a good financial position. We do not carry any debt and are able to meet our financial obligations. Our buildings are well-maintained and repairs are made as needed. A number of our families are on PAR, and this helps with cash-flow. Information is provided monthly in the Sunday bulletin about the financial situation. The Food Bank is an ecumenical venture, with members of all faith traditions in the area taking part. The Charge participates in the annual Good Friday Stations of the Cross walk with our Anglican sisters and brothers, with worship before and after the walk, finishing with a time of fellowship. We have also developed a tradition of a joint blue Christmas mid-week service during Advent.

6 MINISTRY PERSONNEL POSITION DESCRIPTION THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA L EGLISE UNIE DU CANADA LONDON CONFERENCE Ministry Position Description (LC PD ) Position Title: Minister Position Profile: Full time Part time If Part time, hours/week Solo Team ministry If Team, # of other Ministry Personnel: Position Summary: (2 4 sentences that summarize the position) The Island Pastoral Charge hopes to attract a minister of word, sacrament and pastoral care who is motivated by love for a triune God and who will lovingly pastor the people of the two congregations. The position requires an incumbent with strong relevant preaching, collegial leadership and organized administrative skills. While the Minister is responsible for coordinating and administering the program of the Charge, he/she is a co worker with all other paid and/or volunteer staff members. Autonomy in Decision Making: The Minister is accountable to the Charge through Island Council and the Ministry and Personnel Committee for day to day issues, to Algoma Presbytery for support and collegiality, and to London Conference for oversight and discipline. The Minister collaborates with the organists on weekly hymn selection, but leaves the selection of special music with the musicians. The Minister decides on the purchase of worship resources in conjunction with the Worship Committee, and discusses new Christian Development programs and resources with the Faith, Life and Fun group. The Minister has a small discretionary benevolent fund. The Minister provides pastoral care, but mentors and collaborates with the Pastoral Visiting Team and Prayer Chain members. Principal Areas of Responsibility and Associated Duties: 1. Worship: Plans and leads dynamic and engaging biblically based worship, encouraging congregational participation and lay leadership. Writes and delivers engaging, biblically based messages relevant for this place and time. Collaborates with the Worship Committee to plan services, and communicates the selection of hymns to the Music Director in each congregation. Introduces new worship elements and styles where possible. Celebrates the sacraments of communion and baptism. Explores opportunities for ecumenical worship. Encourages the pastoral charge s music ministry.

7 2. Pastoral/Spiritual Care: Provides pastoral care, particularly to those grieving or in crisis, and visits parishioners at home, in hospital or long term care facilities, taking communion as appropriate. Refers individuals to appropriate professional counsellors as necessary. Meets with the Pastoral Care Team on a regular basis to provide support and to exchange information, maintaining confidentiality. Conducts wedding, funeral and memorial services. Administers a benevolent fund. Acts as the point of contact for the Prayer Chain members. 3. Leadership: As the only full time paid staff person, provides strong collaborative leadership and administrative skills, facilitating the flow of information between the Council and various committees, between parishioners and the Pastoral Care Visiting Team, and between the charge and the community. Helps laity discern their own gifts and skills for ministry, whether worship leadership, or ministry of hospitality, pastoral care, outreach etc.; encourages and mentors lay leaders. Leads study and discussion groups. Provides on going training and support to the Pastoral Care Team. Provides stewardship leadership. 4. Discipleship: Provides opportunities for individuals to grow spiritually through Bible study, small group ministries, book studies, etc. Develops strategies to help us become more intentional in our service (welcoming, visiting, praying) and in our worship. Encourages the congregations to become comfortable speaking about their faith, and encourages them to explore new ways of living the gospel. 5. Justice and Outreach: From an interest in and understanding of local needs and concerns, develops a knowledge of available community resources. Supports on going projects. Informs the charge about social justice issues critical to the wider church and to the world. 6. Stewardship: Encourages a celebration of responsible stewardship and spirit of generosity within the charge. Recognizes the richness of resources (finances, time, gifts and skills, etc.) within the community, and encourages and enables on going discussions of the best uses of those resources. 7. Ministry Partnerships: Continues to build relationships with members of other faith traditions on the Island and in Algoma, and encourages on going participation in ecumenical initiatives.

8 Personal Spirituality and Self Care: Takes time for professional development and ongoing learning. Models good self care and a balanced life style. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ordained or diaconal minister, or eligible for ordination, or in process of admission from another denomination Excellent preaching and worship leadership skills Strong communication skills, including ability to listen actively and to build consensus Comfortable with technology and computer literate Driver s licence and reliable vehicle Current police records check Other Preferred Assets: Willingness to integrate into the life of the Island community Musical knowledge (at least a love of/appreciation for music) Well developed sense of humour

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23