Spirit on the Move. Minister s Message. Goals for Interim Ministry At SBUC

Transcription

1 September 2014 South Burnaby United Church 7591 Gray Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5J 3Z4 Minister s Message Here we go! The journey of interim ministry is well underway. The transition team with your support has taken the first steps of the journey by setting goals, adopting Guidelines for Respectful Communication (posted around the church) and will determine a timeline for events that will move forward the work of discernment. 3 Things Essential for a fruitful interim prayer, courage and commitment. Let us listen together for God s leading as we journey together. God s peace is yours. Rev. Jay Olson There are 5 developmental tasks of interim ministry that will help the Transition Team discern processes by which the congregation can, as a whole, discern God s leading into the future and meet the congregation s goals. Those tasks are: 1. Coming to terms with history 2. Discovering a new identity 3. Managing shifts in leadership 4. Re-thinking denominational linkages; and 5. Commitment to new leadership and a new future. The Next Step is a joint meeting of the Transition Team, the Church Board and the Ministry and Personnel Committee. Sunday September 21 st following worship we will orient ourselves to the roles and responsibilities of each group so that the daily work of the congregation can continue while making lots of room for the interim work. An Important Step will take place at South Burnaby United Sunday evening September 21 st at 7 pm. The Covenanting Service with Rev. Jay, the congregation, the presbytery and the Conference will celebrate and bless our new relationships in ministry. Please come! We need everyone there! Goals for Interim Ministry At SBUC 1. To do some healing/reconciliation work in regard to our recent pastoral relationship and its abrupt ending. 2. To work toward amalgamation with West Burnaby United Church. 3. To create a sustainable ministry into the long-term future and determine what that might look like. 4. To improve communication within the congregation.

2 September 2014 Page 2 Amalgamation Conversations with West Burnaby United Church The amalgamation committee has been meeting on a regular basis and has developed the start of a framework for amalgamation to be presented to the Board and Congregation. We have heard a number of comments regarding the slow pace of these talks and sympathize with you. There are, however, many factors that require clarification not the least of which is the construction of a new church on the West Burnaby site. It is also important to note that input from clergy in these deliberations is critical. Now that both congregations have some stability in that regard we can progress with more authority. The other major factor requiring clarification is the status of the redevelopment of the WBUC site. As indicated in the update from the building committee, the design of the actual structure is now being formulated by the architect with input from the building committee. A number of developments are expected to be presented this fall. Amalgamation Committee members from South Burnaby: Rev. Jay Olson, Don Morse, Gary Begin, Donna Dawson, Carla Wilks Music and Worship Fall 2014 Now that we are officially back, we can think about what will be notable events over the next three months. The Choir is back and would be delighted to have you join them. Really especially if you are male. Speak to Cameron. If you are interested in reading scripture during Sunday service, please let Bev Shippam know and she will put you in the rotation. Communion is normally the first Sunday in the month. If you would be willing to help serve, Christina Burge would love to hear from you. October will have Thanksgiving and World Wide Communion. November 10 will be Remembrance Sunday, and we hope those in the congregation who have served will be willing and able to take part, especially on this anniversary year. November ends with Christ the King Sunday, St. Andrew s day and the close of the church year. December 1 st is the first Sunday in Advent, and we are into the Christmas season. Didn t that go fast? In addition to current committee members, we are hoping there are a few people who are able to meet on either the 3 rd Tuesday, or the 4 th Monday (which is best?) to help with the planning. Any volunteers, suggestions, or offers of help are welcome! Contact Helen Martin (helenmartin4@shaw.ca)

3 Page 3 September 2014 Who s Who 2014 Committee Members at SBUC Official Board Executive Don Morse, chair Ken Martin, past chair Chris Jacques, Secretary Worship and Music Helen Martin, chair Christina Burge Bob More Bev Shippam Ruby Papilla Dawn Purdy-Karkut Ministry and Personnel Andrew Burge, co-chair Dave Ellis, co-chair Gwen Morse Marcia Nottle Ruth Watt John Baird, ex officio Trustees Gary Begin Maureen Hole Lillian Peterson Don Staley John Baird Ken Martin Christian Education Bob Von Greunigen Krista Carlberg Stewards, chair Nancy Baird Dave Ellis Don Morse Bob Von Greunigen Morgan Wilks Bev Thacker (UCW) Finance Don Morse Dave Ellis Morgan Wilks Pastoral Care Margaret Turner Edie Bitcon Donna Dawson Lillian Chalmers Jim Grant Presbytery Reps Janet Babey Donna Dawson Communications Gwen Morse Andrew Burge Brenna Ellis Kathy Prasad Janet Babey Memorial Joan Baird Lillian Chalmers Phyllis Stainton Dilys Loucks Transition Team Carla Wilks, chair John Baird Gary Begin Maureen Hole Ken Martin

4 September 2014 Page 4 A.O.T.S. The AOTS Mens Club has reluctantly suspended operations since the club is without either a president or a treasurer. This means that there is a suspension of AOTS organized events such as the Garage Sales and Pancake Breakfasts. Sufficient men have expressed a desire to continue to make sandwiches once a month for First United Church in Vancouver. So, this activity and the annual Robbie Burns Supper are planned to continue for the coming year. If there is another group of people in the church willing to continue the decades-old Garage Sales and/or traditional Pancake Breakfasts, then they should contact Don Morse, chair of the Official Board, or Dave Ellis, past actingpresident of AOTS. However, it is quite likely that there would be some men of the former AOTS club that would be willing to assist with either of these outreach activities. (The [same] men could be approached to assist with a Coffee Sunday, if needed, on occasion!). If the demand is there, we sincerely hope that a reorganization of resources can enable the continuance of these events. D. Ellis Things you Never Hear in Church - Hey! Its MY turn to sit on the front pew! - I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes. - I love it when we sing hymns I;ve never heard before! - Pastor, we d like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas. Travels of Helen and Ken Martin Aachen and Hamburg Charlemagne s capitol was at Aachen and the Carolingian hand was developed by his imperial scribes. This is the 1200 th anniversary of his death so it seemed a good time to visit. You re met outside the railway station by a group of life sized horse statues, cheery horses that almost seem to laugh. The chief place to visit was the cathedral, built around Charlemagne s palace chapel. The ceilings are covered with mosaic tiles in red and gold, swirling patterns and pictures of Christ the King and saints and angels. There is a gigantic chandelier given to Charlemagne by Barbarossa and the whole effect is one of Byzantine splendour. The altar is covered in gold, as is the pulpit, which is studded with gems. Behind the altar is the gold covered reliquary, shaped like a large building, and containing Charlemagne s remains. There are several chapels within the complex as well, and this central protion isn t large but it is high ceilinged and full of stained glass (much of it is fairly new) but you can feel the age and the continuity of worship here. On one wall I found the letter from Rome which authorized the consecration of the church. At Hamburg, we visited the Ballinstadt at the old harbour. This is where the ships sailed from to bring immigrants to North and South America. There was a whole city within the walls, with a huge dining hall, sleeping rooms, two schools, and church, a synagogue, and medical and travel services. Some rooms have been renovated, and a huge display showing what happened to the people who arrived here has been installed. We stayed just a half block from where the Star Club was located, the place where the Beatles started. The club is gone, but there is a memorial with life sized metal outlines of the Fab Four.

5 Page 5 September 2014 Respectful Communication Guidelines For SBUC Transition Team by Eric H.F. Law All are accepted as children of God and deserve to be treated that way R = take Responsibility for what you say and feel without blaming others E = use Empathetic listening S = be Sensitive to differences in communication styles P = Ponder what you hear and feel before you speak E = Examine your own assumptions and perceptions C = keep Confidentiality T = Trust ambiguity, because we are not here to debate who is right or wrong West Burnaby UC Building Update West Burnaby United, together with BC Conference, has entered into a development process to subdivide their property which will involve building a multi-storey residential tower on the southern portion and a new church building on the northern side. Through a request for proposals, the developer Townline Properties was selected to undertake this project. South Burnaby was invited to participate in the planning for the new building and Don Morse, Gary Begin and have been able to attend a number of meetings, both with West Burnaby, independently and with the developer, over the past few months. The project still has many hurdles to cross, including the rezoning of the site from the City of Burnaby. Current discussions involve meeting with the development architect to consider the potential design issues for the new church building. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22 nd and it is hoped that a preliminary design can be completed by December 1 st. Both congregations will have the opportunity for input into the design as the project evolves. As well, future uses for the existing South Burnaby properties will be part of this conversation. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available. September Rev. Jay s Covenanting service, 7 pm 21 Official Board, M&P, Transition team meet after worship 22 Breast Cancer Prevention Seminar, 7-9 Church hall, Free 25 Men sandwich making for First United, 9am church hall 25 L Arche Social Tea, 1:30-3:00pm in church hall 28 Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Covenanting service for Rev. Graham at WBUC 7pm 30 UCW General Meeting in the June Burritt 10am October UCW Sandwich making 6 Seekers Fairhaven, 7pm, Sally Kitching hosting 8 Stewards Mtg. in Memorial 7:30pm 14 UCW Hillside Unit Mtg. in June Burritt 10am 21 Official Board, Memorial 7:30pm 22 UCW Fall Thankoffering Event 23 Men - Sandwich making 28 UCW General Meeting in the June Burritt 10am 30 L Arche Social Tea, 1:30-3:00pm in the hall Respectfully submitted,