Knox Presbyterian Church Walkerton Congregational Profile

Transcription

1 Knox Presbyterian Church Walkerton Congregational Profile P.O. Box Cayley St. Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0 Interim Moderator: Rev. Owen Kim Phone:

2 Table Of Contents Our Statement Of Purpose 3 Milestones In The Journey 4 Our Leadership 5 Our Ministries 6-14 Our Location The Call 17 Congregational Profile Form Financial Statement 20 2

3 Our Statement of Purpose We are a people embraced by God s good news Joyfully connecting in our worship, Our caring and our sharing, Reaching out to others, As we seek to follow Christ. Come journey with us. 3

4 Milestones in the Journey of Knox Presbyterian Church Walkerton Called together to worship. Sent forth to serve. Knox has a lengthy history of worship and service in the Walkerton area that dates back to The original Log Church was situated on the Old Durham Road It was agreed to move to a new framed church on Willow Street 1876 The congregation moved into the present edifice at 208 Cayley Street The congregation amalgamated with another congregation in town and the church was called Knox 1958 The Educational Wing was constructed onto the east side of the sanctuary The new kitchen was built and the church and the church hall was refurbished. 4

5 Our Leadership: Session: The Session is composed of one teaching elder and 13 elected elders (spiritual Leaders). They are charged with the responsibility for the overall leadership of the congregation, with spiritual matters, oversight and planning. Elders are elected by the congregation and are set apart specifically for leadership. Board of Managers: Our Board of Managers is responsible for managing the church finances and property. Knox is committed as a registered charity to being transparent and accountable. Members of the Board are elected at the annual meeting in February. Stewardship & Finance This ministry is responsible for christian stewardship of resources within the congregation, for the advancement of God s kingdom is this world. We have skilled individuals for various areas of concern. 5

6 Our Ministries Christian Education Sunday School at Knox meets during Sunday service, with the children joining the teachers after the children s part of worship. We have been using the DWELL curriculum from Faith Alive, and find the teachers and children enjoy this program. Two volunteer teachers for each class share the time month about. Floaters take turns each week to be available to assist as needed; these volunteers leave the worship service periodically to walk to the classrooms to check, serving as a second set of eyes/hands to help ensure everyone is safe and well. We also have a volunteer list for supervision in the nursery, to provide the availability of a safe and relaxed experience for parents and little ones during worship time. Sunday School and nursery may not be used every week, but we take to heart the need to prepare well, to teach and care for families. Prayer Partners have come forward for the second year now, committing to pray for the Sunday School children and teachers by name during the week, and praying for the class on Sunday morning. If any of the partners have a special prayer request, the class will include that when they pray together too. This prayer program helps to ensure that busy teachers are upheld as they prepare to teach, and that children and families are supported through specific and ongoing prayer. For fall we have prepared a primary class (5 students, ages 4-7) and a junior class (3 students, ages 8-11) for Sunday School. Prayer partners are also matched with 9 students in grades 8-12, and 9 post secondary students. Additionally, we include for prayer 4 infants/toddlers (ages birth - 3). 6

7 Since 2011, we have enjoyed hosting three WE worship events; these are intergenerational, interactive and theme based, using program material published by Faith Alive. God Moves Into the Neighbourhood, Amazing Love, Expectations. Over the years, during Advent, our congregation has participated with the Sunday School for a special worship service and also supported a particular project of giving (different each year, example, savings socks to collect coins to support a mission project with local connections or selling cookie plates support a gift to PWSD). On Easter Sunday morning for many years, the Youth of Knox lead an early service of worship with a breakfast following; funds raised supported our foster child through World Vision. More recently, some interested adults, when able, have hosted a sunrise service (occasionally outdoors) with breakfast (in support our foster child) available prior to 10:30 worship. Rough Waves? Jesus Saves! This summer, 2013, two of our young adults and a friend, all student teachers, organized Vacation Bible School at Knox. This was a week of fun, adventure and learning for all involved. Volunteers from our church supported this with special snacks, music, and help each day with the children. Sixteen children journeyed out to the open seas to learn about how Jesus Saves! They used crafts, singing and a variety of Bible stories to illustrate how no amount of rough waves can stop Jesus love for us! And the three student teachers learned skills that they will take with them into the classrooms of the future. Our Ministries 7

8 Pastoral Care Visitation: This program consists of a minister and elders, who visit hospitals, nursing homes and private homes of shut-ins on a regular basis. It is designed to bring God s love, encouragement and comfort to the sick, lonely and grieving. The elders act as team members with the minister. Missions We studied missions as a congregation in March of With the help of the Bakken family who were just about to head off from training at New Tribes Mission in Durham, ON to travel on to gather more support for their calling to spread God s word and his love to a tribe who hasn t met them yet. They divided the congregation into two groups and through study and research and movies and guest speakers, we learned about the work of the Presbyterian church in Malawi and Taiwan. The weekend included a multicultural dinner and parade of nations during our Sunday service. We learned a lot and God was glorified. Members of our congregation have joined a mission team at Mission Zimbabwe as well as Fotocan in Nicaragua. We also support financially the Bakken family on their mission trip, the Arms of Jesus Mission, in memory of Molly Ann McDonald, Operation Christmas Child, Scott Mission, Sleeping Children around the World, Armaugh, the local Food Bank and local Samaritan Fund which provides food and temporary shelter for local homeless people. Annually, members from our church prepares and transports the donated dinner to Evangel Hall in Toronto and serves all who are in need of a good dinner. We cook many dinners at other times in our church and we often send food to the shut-ins that can t come out for a church supper. Missions Our Ministries 8

9 Choir: The Knox choir is a vibrant and active group. Throughout the year the choir remains focused on their mission of supporting Sunday morning worship through music. A variety of appropriate anthems, solos, choruses, instruments, etc. make each worship service unique and meaningful. Many opportunities exist for others to help with the choir s music ministry, by sharing their talents. Often, when financial needs arise, the choir is eager and successful in fundraising - for example, in 2012 when the organ bellows were in need of repair. Many extra musical services are presented by the choir, such as at Easter and Christmas Eve and of particular note, was a multi-media presentation of Into All the World celebrating the call to spread the Gospel around the world. This audio/visual enhanced cantata was presented a total of 6 times. The choir enjoys meeting weekly, sharing bonds of fellowship together and enthusiastically supporting other Knox groups/functions such as the annual Robbie Burns celebration, Valentines appreciation dinner, out-door in-thegarden services, Maundy Thursday events, to name a few. As always, the choir loft welcomes anyone who would like to share gifts of music/voice and suggestions/ideas for meaningful worship through music. Our Ministries 9

10 Singer Tree: In 1998, Mrs. Helen Singer passed away and left a generous donation to her church, the Knox Presbyterian Church, Walkerton. It was her desire, that the funds would be used to further the work of God s Kingdom in the Walkerton area. The church decided to use her funds to build a tree constructed out of plywood, scaffolding and greenery and garnish it with thousands of lights, tinsel and bows. This tree would be built to reach the top of the church in height, but would reach far beyond the walls of the church and the boundaries of the town of Walkerton, in its ministry. In this tree would stand 60 singers who would sing to the glory of God each Christmas season. With the support of many musicians and volunteers, the Singer Christmas Tree was born. The performance is shared on 5 nights every year to an overflowing and appreciative audience. Each year the ministry of the TREE is shared with over 400 people per night. During five nights, over 2000 people travel from all across the province, to share in the Good News of the Christmas season, presented in such an unique and moving manner. In 2010, a new committee containing ecumenical members was designed to help Knox continue and grow this very successful annual ministry. The Singer Tree committee works closely with session to ensure everyone is informed and comfortable with the growing and expanding ministry.. all while holding fast Our Ministries 10

11 to our mission to: Proclaim a meaningful Christmas message freely to our community Foster an ecumenical eagerness to bring glory to God Make the next presentation a fresh, inspirational, yet well grounded, worship service. The presentation takes place on the first weekend of December each year. Tickets are complimentary and there is a free will offering opportunity during each of the presentations. The funds raised are given to our local schools in the form of a Music Scholarship for students pursuing further education in music, to the Walkerton Rotary Music Festival in support of their program in our community and to other programs and missions as decided by the committee. Over the past 15 years, over $43,000. has been given back to the community, as well as supply Knox with reimbursement of related expenses, purchase a new Grand Piano and the opportunity to fund-raise through ancillary events/ projects. Pre-presentation turkey banquets are immediately sold out and enjoy a very high reputation in service and food preparation. Our Ministries 11

12 Bible Study: This is an open group held by a dedicated group of ladies every Tuesday morning throughout the year. The new curriculum being studied is: When life & beliefs collide; how knowing God makes a difference. Friendship Prayer: Throughout the year, Monday evening is set aside to gather together for prayer, for individuals and also for the church. God continues to bless us with the fellowship that is enjoyed weekly. Knox Service Club: The ladies of Knox are a dedicated group that are involved in many areas of ministry. They cater lunches for funerals, birthdays, anniversaries and help host the Singer Christmas Tree banquets. The ladies contribute to mission projects, as well as supporting the local food bank. The Worship Committee: This committee was set up to deal with the development, preparation and presentation of worship at Knox. Its composition was originally drawn from Session but now includes additional personal from the congregation at large. Principal among these would be the minister and representatives from the music team. They seek new avenues in which to encourage prayer, fellowship and spiritual growth within the congregation. Natural Church Development As did other congregations in our presbytery, in winter 2014 Knox Walkerton participated in a survey from Natural Church Development Canada. A number of our church family answered the standard questions on the survey form; these anonymous responses were charted using the tools provided by NCD Canada. Our session was provided assistance from a resource person within presbytery to begin to understand the information that was generated. Our Ministries 12

13 The survey told us that the things that come most naturally to our church family are joy, affirmation and welcoming. Intimacy, prayer and reconciliation do not come as naturally to us. The survey has been conducted only once (Feb. 2014) and the results are recognized as a snapshot of the eight quality characteristics outlined. We look forward to working with a new minister as we continue to grow with a good balance of service, fellowship and faith. Worship at Knox We use a blended combination of old and new to conduct a relaxed, comfortable worship service here at Knox. We embrace both traditional and contemporary styles of music as chosen by our worship committee, comprised of various individuals from the congregation and it is thematic to the sermon and church season. Music centres around our Cassavant Freres pipe organ, Pramberger grand piano, Yamaha keyboard, Pearl drums, congos and various percussion instruments and Malmark 4 octave chimes. We are quite often joined by various guitarists, violinists, horns and flutes. We are blessed with a bounty of musicians that often join us in worship. All of this comes together through our church sound system which includes a 12 Channel Mixing Console, personal mic, a lectern mic, a selection of vocal/instrument mics and a monitoring system for the choir. We have CD and BlueRay capabilities for audio and video which enable us to project the words of songs, insert Power Point slides, message outline slides and project the words of Scripture lessons and movie clips. We have wireless internet at Knox. We can also run video clips from outside as well as movies. This is all done by laptop at the sound booth and projected on a twelve foot retractable screen stored behind the choir loft. Perking with Presbyterians Fellowship time is held downstairs each Sunday after worship. This is an opportunity for members of the congregation and visitors to get to know each other. Socializing is very important to our congregation. We are Presbyterians, Our Ministries 13

14 and fully embrace our Celtic heritage as shown by our love of traditions and celebration as well as prayer. We are a family. We acknowledge our church family and are a quite close and caring group. We miss each other when we are not together. We socialize a lot over our love of food and cooking and we minister to each other by listening. We respect that we are not all the same and we each have different skills and interests and troubles in this world. We like to find joy and share that joy with each other. You can usually find a large gathering in our kitchen before service on Sunday mornings chatting and enjoying a coffee and some delicious foods before we are quieted to pray before we go upstairs. We officially meet in our fellowship hall after our morning worship, but if you want to stop and find out what is up with all your friends, it seems the kitchen is the place to be! Library Ministry The resource center at Knox has a good collection of Christian Literature, fiction, non-fiction, Children s Bible Studies and Devotionals. The resource room is located next to the choir room. Divorce Care Divorce care seminars and support groups are led by a friendly caring group of people, who will walk along beside you, through one of life s most difficult experiences. Prayer Garden: For a quiet time alone in your thoughts; you are welcome to spend some time in our prayer garden. It is located behind our church at Knox. Our Ministries 14

15 Our Location: Walkerton Knox Presbyterian Church is located in the town of Walkerton Ontario. Located within Bruce County and the municipality of Brockton on the Saugeen River, Walkerton is the home of nearly 5000 people and boasts a variety of activities and amenities for the young and the old alike. Walkerton has a variety of unique shops and dining establishments to suit every need. Our community spirit can t be beat, with a variety of community events happening all year round including: the Brockton Buskers Festival, Walkerton Fall Fair, Christmas parade and Farmers Market. Victoria Jubilee Hall is a beautiful heritage building which holds a variety of community functions including concerts and theatrical performances. Being located on the Saugeen River offers a variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, fishing, canoeing and camping are all available just a few blocks from our churches front door. Walkerton has a variety of amenities to choose from. The Walkerton Community Center is home to an arena as well as an auditorium for social gatherings and community events. Centennial Park houses an outdoor pool, tennis courts and lots of outdoor space. Walkerton has multiple soccer and baseball fields, a golf course and a curling club. There are two high schools in the town of Walkerton; Sacred Heart High School 15

16 and Walkerton District Community School. The latter is a brand new kindergarden to grade twelve school that opened in September of There are multiple elementary Schools in and around the Walkerton area, with the option of French emersion if you desire. Dedicated to competent, personalized care, the Walkerton Hospital and Brucelea Haven serves our community and the surrounding area. The area surrounding Walkerton has many things to offer. The Lake Huron shoreline offers beautiful sandy beaches and wonderful scenery within a 35 minute drive. If theatre is something you enjoy there are multiple play houses within an hour drive including the Drayton Festival Theater, and the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. For more information on what this area has to offer visit the Explore the Bruce website. This is a wonderful resource and highlights everything this county has to offer. From museums and lighthouse tours, to exploring caves and diving for ship wrecks Bruce County has something for everyone. Our Location 16

17 The Call We are searching for someone that wants to not only lead us in worship, but grow with us in the progression of faith within our church family. We would like that certain individual to join us in times of crisis, so that we grow stronger in our faith; to guide us through in times of trouble and strife and counsel with us. We want that person to enjoy working with us in mission outreach in our ecumenical community and beyond. We are searching for someone that will enjoy and inspire interaction with youth as well as with seniors as we strive to learn more in God s love. Our congregational self-analysis survey revealed that the prospective candidate should possess pastoral skills to perform the following: Leading worship and preaching (planning and conducting worship services). Personal and spiritual development (providing resources and guidance for people s devotional lives and prayer groups, retreats and other small group experiences), as well as. Equipping church members for integrating Christian faith with life. Provide crisis visiting while maintaining and enhancing the Pastoral Care Ministry at Knox. Administration (to manage and balance the needs of the church and congregation). Leadership development (planning for and sharing in the training of leaders for the church s programs). We pray for God s continued discernment and guidance as you consider pastoring among us at Knox Presbyterian Church. 17

18 PASTORAL SKILLS AND INTEREST INVENTORY Leading Worship and Preaching (Planning and conducting worship services) Equipping Church Members (For integrating Christian faith with life) Personal and Spiritual Development (Providing resources and guidance for people's devotional life, and for prayer groups, retreats and other small group experiences) 1 Work with Seniors and Youth 2 Crisis Visiting (Serving people at times of illness, death, trauma, family crisis, job loss) 2 Leadership Development (Planning for and sharing in the training of leaders for the church's program) 2 Mission Outreach (Evangelism and social justice in the community, the country, and the world) 2 3 Inter-Church Co-operation (Working in inter-denominational programs and activities) Community Leadership (In areas like drug problems, schools, community organizations) 3 Counselling (On a regular basis) Program Development (Establishing goals, and organizing programs in church and community) Evangelism (Relating the gospel to people outside the church and helping the congregation to do the same) Christian Education (Writing or selecting appropriate curricula for the educational ministry, and planning activities for groups of all ages) Denominational Service (Sharing in the work of all the courts of the church) 5 Home Visiting (On a regular basis) 5 6 Stewardship (Faithful use of our time, gifts and money in response to the generosity of God in Christ) Administration (Managing the affairs of the congregation and other 18

19 Congregational Profile Form Knox Presbyterian Church 208 Cayley Street, P.O. Box 1632 Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V Year Congregation Organized: 1850 Presbytery - Grey-Bruce-Maitland CHURCH INFORMATION AVERAGE WEEKLY ATTENDANCE at Sunday Worship 70 Church School 8 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Age Group Enrollment Curriculum Used No. of Teachers DWELL from Faith Alive 2 Volunteers (alt. months) DWELL from Faith Alive 2 Volunteers (alt. months) FINANCIAL STATEMENT for last year Income from Expenses Offerings/Gifts $108, Operating Expenses $ 89, Investments $ 7, Debt Payment $ - Rentals $ 11, Benevolences $ 14, (Presbyterians Sharing, Synod, Presbytery, WMS, PWS&D) Other $ 12, Other $ 16, Total Income $140, Total Expenses $119, APPROVED BUDGET for the current year $156, "PRESBYTERIANS SHARING..." ALLOCATION for current year $ 10, Interim Moderator Chair, Search Committee Reverend Owen Kim Carolyn Meyer P.O. Box 526 P.O. Box 1094 Teeswater, ON N0G 2S0 Walkerton, ON N0G 2V maplemissions@gmail.com cmeyer@wightman.ca Congregational Profile also available on Knox Presbyterian Church, Walkerton website: 19

20 CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY Type of Congregation: Self Supporting Type of Community: Town - with many members from the surrounding rural communities Congregation Community Size Now 5 Yrs. Ago Now Active Members 124 ~same Total Population 4967 Radius of area in kilometers 8.74 km Total number of churches in this area 8 Presbyterian churches in this area 1 Congregation Community Age (Estimate) Now 5 Yrs. Ago Now 0-5 Years 4 % n a _% 5% 6-14 Years 10 % n a _% 10% Years 10 % n a _% 13% Years 9 % n a _% 22% Years 12 % n a _% 30% 65+ Years 55% n a _% 20% Living Patterns Adult(s) with at least one child 11 % 45 % Single Persons 48 % 2 % Two or more adults 41 % 53 % Housing Patterns Apartments 18 % 26 % Private homes 79 % 74 % Total number of households Other Nursing Homes 3 % n a % OCCUPATIONS WITHIN THE CONGREGATION Now 5 Yrs. Ago College/University Students 3 % n a _% Elementary/Secondary Students 3 % n a _% Farmers 7 % n a _% Professional/Business/Technicians 24 % n a _% Retired 52 % n a _% Other 11 % n a _% 20

21 Financial Statement ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT - JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2014 INCOME EXPENSES (cont) 01 ENVELOPE 3 CHURCH 1 CONGREGATIONAL WORK 67, HEATING 5, PRESBYTERIAN SHARING 10, WESTERIO POWER 2, RENOVATIONS REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE 5, OPEN PLATE 1, DEPOSIT STEEL ROOF FOR , YOUTH MISSION TELEPHONE INITIAL OFFERING INTERNET TOTAL 01 ENVELOPE 80, WATER & SEWAGE SPECIAL TOTAL 3 CHURCH 28, INDIVIDUALS 4, MANSE 11 SUNDAY SCHOOL REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE PWS 1, TAXES 3, SINGER TREE BANQUET 8, TOTAL 4 MANSE 3, SAMARITAN FUND 1, ADMINISTRATION 71 NTM BAKKENS OFFICE SUPPLIES CAMP FUND BULLETINS SINGER TREE MINISTRY 14, PRESBYTERIAN RECORD OTHER 1, INSURANCE 3, PRESBYTERIAN RECORD BANK CHARGES ROOF GST FOSTER CHILD COMMUNICATION EXPENSE 1, TOTAL 03 SPECIAL 34, PST REBATE MISC TOTAL 5 ADMINISTRATION 5, INVESTMENT INTEREST 7, MISCELLANEOUS 2 SERVICE CLUB 2, PULPIT SUPPLY 12, NEW MILLENIUM QUILTERS SYNOD DUES 2, OTHER CUSTODIAN SUPPLY MANSE RENTAL 11, PIANO & ORGAN MAINTENANCE MEMORIAL DONATIONS CHOIR ALLOWANCE TOTAL 04 MISC 24, ELEVATOR INSPECTION ORGANIST TRAVEL & TRAINING BEQUESTS 2, CONTINGENCIES SUNDAY SCHOOL TOTAL INCOME 140, SAMARITAN FUND YOUTH MISSION EXPENSES 18 SINGER TREE MINISTRY 14, MINISTER 20 NTM - BAKKENS HEALTH PLAN CAMP FUND CHURCH PENSION 9, TOTAL 6 MISCELLANEOUS 34, TOTAL 1 MINISTER 10, SHARING 2 STAFF PWS 1, ORGANIST 15, SHARING 10, CUSTODIAN 4, TOTAL 7 SHARING 12, SECRETARY 2, ENVELOPE SECRETARY 1, TOTAL EXPENSES 119, TREASURER 2, TOTAL 2 STAFF 26, OVERALL TOTAL 20,