Record of Proceedings 90th Annual Meeting Saskatchewan Conference Regina, SK June 2 5, 2016
Explanation: Roger Williamson is a freelance graphic designer (www.riwdesign.com) and stay-at-home dad, but not always in that order. He takes care of two imaginative girls aged 11 and 14, one busy and lovely wife, and does freelance design work when the laundry is done. He also enjoys design, photography, drawing and, of course, his family. The family attends St. Martin's United Church in Saskatoon. About the logo: While the image of a heart may seem a little simple and obvious for a theme of Loving our Neighbours, I think it can be seen in a deeper way as well. In this logo, the centre of the heart - a pure clean white - represents the love of God/Jesus. We - the varied colours and shapes surrounding this centre - intersect with God s love, changing us, and in turn connecting us to others around us - others who are different (colour, size, beliefs, abilities, etc), but all who are changed by this connectedness. In connecting to God and to others/neighbours, we create something larger than us - a manifestation of God s love in this world. It is our job to keep connecting, to find those outside, and bring them into the neighbourhood, to create something larger than ourselves. As well, one could interpret this in a more personal individual way, with the multi-coloured spheres as one s own components - heart, soul, strength, mind - bringing them all together to create and/or find a love for God.
Saskatchewan Conference A1 Regina, SK SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION A Page SECTION B SECTION C SECTION D List of Conference Meetings and Officers A 2 Members of the Executive of Saskatchewan Conference A 4 Conference Staff A 5 Officers of the Presbyteries A 6 Committees of Conference A 7 Networks of Conference A 8 Task / Tasks Groups of Conference A 9 Registrar s Report A 11 2016 Roll of Conference A 12 Minutes of the Executive and Sub-Executive of Conference, 2015-2016 B 1 Minutes of the Annual Meeting B 243 Digest of Minutes in copy circulated to delegates B 278 (Complete set of minutes in Official Copies Only) President's Report to Conference C 1 Conference Fund Audited Statement for the Year 2015 C 4 Conference Budget 2016 C 18 Pastoral Relations / Settlement Committee Report C 25 Biographies for those being Ordained C 31 Biography for those being Recognized C 32 Biographies for those being Admitted C 32 Biographies for those Retiring C 33 In Memoriam C 39 Nominations Report C 46 Proposals D 1 Index to Record of Proceedings and Docket for 2016
Saskatchewan Conference A2 Regina, SK LIST OF MEETINGS AND OFFICERS NO. DATE PLACE PRESIDENT SECRETARY 1 1925 Regina E.H. Oliver, M.A., Ph.D. A.W. Ingram 2 1926 Saskatoon E.H. Oliver, M.A., Ph.D. A.W. Ingram 3 1927 Moose Jaw C. Endicott, D.D. A.W. Ingram 4 1928 Regina J.A. Mackeigan, B.A. A.W. Ingram 5 1929 Saskatoon R.J. McDonald, M.A., B.D., D.D. A.W. Ingram 6 1930 Moose Jaw R. Lorne McTavish, D.D. A.W. Ingram 7 1931 Regina E.W. Stapleford, B.A.,D.D. A.W. Ingram 8 1932 Saskatoon A. Young, M.A., D.D. A.W. Ingram 9 1933 Moose Jaw A.W. Ingram T.H. Sendall 10 1934 Regina D.S. Dix, M.A., D.D., Ph.D. T.H. Sendall 11 1935 Saskatoon G. Dorey, B.A., D.D. T.H. Sendall 12 1936 Moose Jaw J.L. Nichol, M.A., Ph.D. T.H. Sendall 13 1937 Regina A.D. MacKenzie, M.A., B.D, D.D. T.H. Sendall 14 1938 Saskatoon G.H. Glover, B.A., D.D. T.H. Sendall 15 1939 Moose Jaw T.H. Sendall F. Passmore 16 1940 Regina Harry Joyce F. Passmore 17 1941 Saskatoon F.B. Ball, B.A. F. Passmore 18 1942 Moose Jaw S.A. Kennedy, B.A. F. Passmore 19 1943 Regina R.D. Ranns F. Passmore 20 1944 Saskatoon Geoffrey Glover, B.A., D.D. A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 21 1945 Moose Jaw F. Passmore A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 22 1946 Regina T. Bray A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 23 1947 Saskatoon R.D. Tannahill, B.A., D.D. A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 24 1948 Moose Jaw J.Y. McGookin, M.A., B.Ed. A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 25 1949 Regina A.B.B. Moore, B.A., B.D., D.D. A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 26 1950 Saskatoon H.R. Lane, B.A., B.D. A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. 27 1951 Moose Jaw A.E. Swanston, M.A., B.D. E.A. King, M.A. 28 1952 Regina Robert Hall, B.A., B.D. E.A. King, M.A. 29 1953 Saskatoon R.W.K. Elliott, B.A., B.D. E.A. King, M.A. 30 1954 Moose Jaw F.L. Myers, B.A., D.D. E.A. King, M.A. 31 1955 Regina H.A. Mutchmor, B.A., B.D. E.A. King, M.A. 32 1956 Saskatoon E.A. King, M.A. H.E. Fennell, B.A., B.D. 33 1957 Moose Jaw Duncan Wilkie, B.A., B.D. H.E. Fennell, B.A., B.D. 34 1958 Regina E.S. Dixon, B.A. G.E. Ward, B.A., B.D., D.D. 35 1959 Saskatoon R.F. Schnell, M.A., Ph.D. G.E. Ward, B.A., B.D., D.D. 36 1960 Moose Jaw A.D. Stade, B.A., B.D., D.D. G.E. Ward, B.A., B.D., D.D. 37 1961 Regina W.F. Clarke, M.A., B.D., Ed.D., D.D. G.E. Ward, B.A., B.D., D.D. 38 1962 Saskatoon J.D. McMurtry, B.A. G.E. Ward, B.A., B.D., D.D. 39 1963 Moose Jaw G.E. Ward, B.A., B.D., D.D. Reginald Fox 40 1964 Regina S.W. Anderson, B.A., B.D. Reginald Fox 41 1965 Saskatoon G.B. Wartman, B.A. Reginald Fox 42 1966 Moose Jaw W.S. Poulton, B.A. Reginald Fox 43 1967 Regina R.M. Thompson, B.A., B.D. Reginald Fox 44 1968 Saskatoon Reginald Fox W.D. Ashwin, B.E. 45 1969 Moose Jaw R.J. McLellan, B.A., B.D., D.D. W.D. Ashwin, B.E. 46 1970 Regina H.C.R. Stewart W.D. Ashwin, B.E. 47 1971 Saskatoon K.A. Wotherspoon, B.A., B.D., Th.M. Ruth J. Scoular 48 1972 Saskatoon K.J. Powers, B.A., B.D. D.F. Petrie, B.A., B.D., STM 49 1973 Regina H.K. Murphy, B.A., B.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 50 1974 Saskatoon Mary Haggart, B.A., B.D., D.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D.
Saskatchewan Conference A3 Regina, SK List of Meetings and Officers (continued): 51 1975 Saskatoon J. B. Millar, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 52 1976 Saskatoon D.W. Laing, B.A., M.Div., S.T.M., Ph.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 53 1977 Saskatoon J. Melvin Ryan, B.A., D.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 54 1978 Swift Current Patricia E. Krug R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 55 1979 Melfort Peter F. Williams, B.A., B.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 56 1980 Regina W.H. Farquharson, B.A., B.D., D.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 57 1981 Weyburn David M. Iverson, B.A., B.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 58 1982 Yorkton Paul W. Newman, B.A., B.D., Ph.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 59 1983 Moose Jaw Wendell A. Stevens, B.A., M.Div., D.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 60 1984 Prince Albert Thomas D. Powell, B.A., B.D. R.S. Harper, B.A., D.D. 61 1985 Saskatoon Joan K. McMurtry W.R. Wall 62 1986 Fort Qu'Appelle Linda Slough (now know as Anderson) W.R. Wall 63 1987 Battleford Dale Wiggins W.R. Wall 64 1988 Nipawin Dale H. Morrison W.R. Wall 65 1989 Estevan Stewart D. Robertson W.R. Wall 66 1990 Swift Current Jacqueline Andreas W.R. Wall 67 1991 Melville Donald Barss W.R. Wall 68 1992 Kindersley Ruth Bristow W.R. Wall 69 1993 Regina Sally Boyle W.R. Wall 70 1994 Melfort Bill Adamson W.R. Wall 71 1995 Saskatoon Dwaine Dornan W.R. Wall 72 1996 Moose Jaw Mary Duncan W.R. Wall 73 1997 Weyburn Darlene Goodwillie W.R. Wall 74 1998 North Battleford Sharon Davis W.R. Wall 75 1999 Regina Allan Barss W.R. Wall 76 2000 Yorkton Linsell Hurd W.R. Wall 77 2001 Kindersley Daryl Woods B.G. Faurschou 78 2002 Swift Current Barbara Dornan Bob Campbell 79 2003 Nipawin Laura Thomson Bob Campbell 80 2004 Saskatoon Nobuko Iwai Bob Campbell 81 2005 Arcola John Yeo Bob Campbell 82 2006 Preeceville Lorna King Bob Campbell 83 2007 Lumsden Moses Kanhai Bob Campbell 84 2009 Battlefords Miles Russell Joan McConnell 85 2010 Moose Jaw Faye Ford Bill Doyle 86 2011 Tisdale Deborah Laforet Bill Doyle 87 2012 Saskatoon Darrell Reine Bill Doyle 88 2013 Estevan Gayle Wensley Bill Doyle 89 2015 Lanigan John Haas Bill Doyle 90 2016 Regina Krystal Sheremeta Bill Doyle
Saskatchewan Conference A4 Regina, SK MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE 2015-2016 OFFICERS NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE President John Haas REGINA SK S4S 4J6 President-Elect Krystal Sheremeta NIPAWIN SK S0E 1E0 Executive Secretary Bill Doyle REGINA SK S4N 6E1 Minute Secretary Tricia Gerhard REGINA SK S4V 2B7 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESBYTERIES: Chinook Neil Gilbert ASSINIBOIA SK SOH 0B0 Good Spirit Ron Brandow BALCARRES SK S0G 0C0 Prairie Pine Brenda Simon EATONIA SK S0L 0Y0 River Bend Cathy Anderson SASKATOON SK S7J 4M9 (till February 2016) VACANT Tamarack Tony Thompson PRINCE ALBERT SK S6V 0Z8 Twin Valleys Marie Barr OGEMA SK S0C 1Y0 Wascana Donna Rumpel EARL GREY SK S0G 1J0 Finance and Tim Ellis MOOSE JAW SK S6H 5A8 Administration Convenor
Saskatchewan Conference A5 Regina, SK REPRESENATIVES TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE: Lay Vic Wiebe WEYBURN SK S4H 2R3 Order of Ministry Brenda Curtis HUMBOLDT SK S0K 2A0 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE: To retire 2017 Susan Reed CARNDUFF SK S0C 0S0 To retire 2017 Annette Taylor SWIFT CURRENT SK S9H 2G6 CONFERENCE STAFF: 418 A McDonald St. 306-721-3311 (SM) REGINA SK S4N 6E1 306-721-3171 (fax) General Office Inquiries: ucskco@skconf.ca Hazel Arbon (till Dec.31/16) (Program Staff for Mission and Education) harbon@skconf.ca Bev Diebert (Support Staff) bdiebert@skconf.ca Katie Curtis (Program Staff for Youth and Young Adult) katiebcurtis@gmail.com Heather Dootoff (Support Staff - Finance) hdootoff@skconf.ca Julie Graham (began Jan 2/16) Liz Mackenzie (began Sept 1/15) (Program Staff for (Program Staff for Ministry Mission and Education) Personnel and Education for Ministry) jgraham@skconf.ca emackenzie@skconf.ca Madeleine McLuhan-Myers (Conference Archivist) mmcluhan-myers@skconf.ca Rose Seifert (Support Staff) rseifert@skconf.ca Pam Thomas (till Sept 30/15) (Program Staff for Ministry Personnel and Education for Ministry) pjthomas@skconf.ca
Saskatchewan Conference A6 Regina, SK OFFICERS OF THE PRESBYTERIES 2015-2016 PRESBYTERY CHAIRPERSON CORRES. SECRETARY TREASURER CHINOOK Linda Tomlinson-Seebach Sandra Benallack Marlene Reidle ASSINIBOIA SK GULL LAKE SK SWIFT CURRENT SK S0H 0B0 S0N 1A0 S9H 4P3 GOOD SPIRIT Jen Dresser Bev Kostichuk Donna Brown YORKTON SK INSINGER SK YORKTON SK S3N 0H3 S0A 1L0 S3N 2X1 PRAIRIE PINE Jo-Ann Hills Diane Thurlow Dale Worrall ROSETOWN SK MEADOW LAKE SK KINDERSLEY SK S0L 2V0 S9X 1E6 S0L 1S1 RIVER BEND Deb Walker Bill Unger Scott Bray SASKATOON SK SASKATOON SK SASKATOON SK S7L 0W6 S7L 3V3 S7H 4S8 TAMARACK Dave Whalley Ruth Griffiths Jeanette Stevenson SHELLBROOK SK PRINCE ALBERT SK MELFORT SK S0J 2E0 S6V 1R3 S0E 1A0 TWIN VALLEYS Michael Williams Wanda Sorensen Shirley Crone STOUGHTON SK CEYLON SK RADVILLE SK S0G 4T0 S0C 0T0 S0C 2G0 WASCANA Delise Pitman Linda Anderson David Dorr REGINA SK REGINA SK REGINA SK S4S 0E5 S4S 5Z9 S4X 3B4
Saskatchewan Conference A7 Regina, SK COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE 2015 2016 COMMITTEE NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE Annual Meeting Planning Committee: Convenor: June Blau REGINA SK S4S 0G5 Committee on Internship & Educational Supervision: Convenor: Dexter van Dyke REGINA SK S4X 4K9 Conference Interview Board: Convenor: Jim Tenford MOOSE JAW SK S6H 0L2 Finance and Administration Committee: Convenor: Tim Ellis MOOSE JAW SK S6H 5A8 Interim Ministry Committee: Convenor: Linda Stumpf MORSE SK S0H 3C0 Mission Support Committee: Convenor: Leslee Whalley SHELLBROOK SK S0J 2E0 Nominations Committee: Convenor: Bev Kostichuk INSINGER SK S0A 1L0 Pastoral Relations Committee: Convenor: Darrell Reine REGINA SK S4T 1P1 Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Committee: Co-Convenor: Bob Hayes PRINCE ALBERT SK S6V 6A8 Co-Convenor: Karen Mundt MOOSE JAW SK S6H 3P1
Saskatchewan Conference A8 Regina, SK LEADERS OF NETWORKS OF CONFERENCE -- 2015 2016 All My Relations Network: Co-Convenor: Dawn Guenther SASKATOON SK S7K 6P7 Co-Convenor: Bill Wall REGINA SK S4R 7V3 Faith Formation Network: Co-Leader: Brenda Curtis HUMBOLDT SK S0K 2A0 Co-Leader: Cameron Fraser REGINA SK S4P 0S6 Intercultural Ministries Network: Co-Leader: Cindy Bourgeois- REGINA SK S4S 3Y6 Co-Leader: Yvonne Terry MILESTONE SK S0G 3L0 Local Global Advocacy Network: Co-Leader: Peter Gilmer REGINA SK S4P 0S6 Co-Leader: Sharon Wood REGINA SK Presbytery Education and Students Convenors Network: Co-Leader: Jane Jupe MEADOW LAKE SK S9X 1C1 Co-Leader: Joan Rennie-Laing MOOSOMIN SK S0G 3N0 United Church Women Network: Co-Leader: Mary Mohn BIRCH HILLS SK S0J 0G0 Co-Leader: Betty Anne Williamson INDIAN HEAD SK S0G 2K0 Youth and Young Adult Community Network: Co-Convenor: Sheldon Dugas DELISLE SK S0L 0P0 Co-Convenor: Amanda Wuchner ANNAHEIM SK S0J 0G0
Saskatchewan Conference A9 Regina, SK TASKS / TASK GROUPS OF CONFERENCE -- 2015 2016 The Brief: Bonnie Morton REGINA SK S4P 0S6 Chaplaincy: Linsell Hurd MANITOU BEACH SK S0K 4T1 Conference Global Mission Personnel Coordinator: Laura Sundberg REGINA SK S4R 4B4 Continuing Education: Corrie McLeod REGINA SK S4S 5J7 Dexter van Dyke REGINA SK S4X 4K9 Earthcare Connections Saskatchewan and Farmland Legacies Saskatchewan Representative: Duane Mohn BIRCH HILLS SK S0J 0G0 MICAH Mission Representative: Marjorie Keyser SASKATOON SK S7N 1X3 Mission & Service/Stewardship Education: Roland Legge FOAM LAKE SK S0A 1A0 Donna Nelson REGINA SK S4T 3G2 Proposals: Linda Anderson REGINA SK S4S 5Z9 Carolyn McBean REGINA SK S4S 4J6 Provincial Moderating Committee On Chaplaincy Rep. Cathy Coates SASKATOON SK S7K 2N1 Recruitment of Students: VACANT Refugee Liaison: Darren Wooff SASKATOON SK S7J 1M5
Saskatchewan Conference A10 Regina, SK Resource Pool Coordinator: Janice Edwards NOKOMIS SK S0G 3R0 Review of Presbytery Records: Karen Mitchell NIPAWIN SK S0E 1E0 Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation Representative: Sharron Bodnaryk FORT QU APPELLE SK S0G 1S0
Saskatchewan Conference A11 Regina, SK 2016 ROLL OF CONFERENCE Registrar s Report For purposes of establishing the roll of conference, 'Ministry Personnel' includes Ordained, Diaconal, Lay Pastoral ministers, Staff Associates and Interns. Laity includes all those persons duly elected by their respective presbyteries or by Conference Executive. Presbytery numbers also include youth, youth leaders and conference ministry staff. ROLL OF CONFERENCE BY PRESBYTERY: PRESBYTERY MINISTRY LAY TOTAL CHINOOK 9 16 25 GOOD SPIRIT 9 12 21 PRAIRIE PINE 12 7 19 RIVER BEND 20 19 39 TAMARACK 13 13 26 TWIN VALLEYS 14 29 43 WASCANA 23 29 52 PRESB. TOTALS 100 125 225 OTHER GROUPS: Registered Visitors/Others 10 Children at Conference 4 Guests 12 Staff 8 Total Participants (Pres + Other) 259 OTHER FACTS Youth at Conference (included above) 20
Saskatchewan Conference A12 Regina, SK 2016 ROLL OF DELEGATES TO SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE ROLL OF MINISTRY PERSONNEL DELEGATES TO 2016 SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE (For Current information, a Directory will be available through Conference and Presbytery later in the fall) CHINOOK PRESBYTERY Ellis, Tim Moose Jaw Schrag, Ken Eastend Gibson, Wendy Mossbank Takau, Salesi Abbey Gilbert, Neil Assiniboia Taylor, Annette Swift Current Leuty, Marilyn Assiniboia Tenford, Jim Moose Jaw Mohn, Lindsay Mortlach GOOD SPIRIT PRESBYTERY Bodnaryk, Sharron Fort Qu Appelle Smith, Deborah Yorkton Dresser, Jennifer Yorkton Sprong, Kevin Kamsack Janick-Grayston, Marg Canora Taylor, Rolanda Wynyard Legge, Roland Foam Lake Wudrich, Bradley Theodore Russell, Miles Preeceville PRAIRIE PINE PRESBYTERY Armstrong, Michelle Lucky Lake MacNaughton, Barbara Eston Brick, Lorna Lashburn MacNaughton, Jim Elrose Cline, Jeannine Rosetown Mooney, Helen Plenty Gossling, Cindy Outlook Patterson, Frances North Battleford Hills, Jo-Ann Rosetown Sellwood, John R. St. Walburg Johnson, Gary Unity Simon, Brenda Eatonia Jupe, Jane Meadow Lake RIVER BEND PRESBYTERY Cantwell, Jordan Moderator McConnell, Ron Saskatoon Curtis, Brenda Humboldt Obedkoff, Vicki Saskatoon Fouhse, Laura Saskatoon Ponto, Douglas Saskatoon Hall, Keith Saskatoon Shin, Karl (Jung Hyun) Watrous Harkness, Lorraine Saskatoon Unger, Bill Saskatoon Hurd, Linsell Manitou Beach Wensley, Gayle Borden Iwai, Nobuko Saskatoon Wiig, Ursula Loreburn James-Cavan, Kathleen Saskatoon Wilson, Donna Saskatoon Janzen-Ball, Jennifer Saskatoon Woods, Daryl Saskatoon Kim-Cragg, David Saskatoon Wooff, Darren Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Conference A13 Regina, SK TAMARACK PRESBYTERY Beal McKenzie, Carole Star City Samson, Jacqueline Hudson Bay Clifford, Lorelei Prince Albert Shaver, Brock Spiritwood Ferguson-Hood, Sharon Tisdale Sheremeta, Krystal Nipawin King, Lorna Nipawin Vedress, Nora Prince Albert McKenzie, Charles Star City Whalley, J. David Shellbrook Menyereye, Emmanuel Melfort Wyatt, Heather La Ronge Mohn, Duane Birch Hills TWIN VALLEYS PRESBYTERY Barr, Marie Ogema Reed, Susan Carnduff Bortolotto, Roy Wawota Rennie-Laing, Joan Moosomin Callfas, Lynette Glenavon Richards, Jason Oxbow David, Koshy Arcola Shim, Sung Carlyle Goodson, Elizabeth Stoughton Wilkins, Barbara Kennedy Hyun, Sundo Radville Williams, Michael Arcola Reed, Robert Gainsborough Young, Mary Wolseley WASCANA PRESBYTERY Bourgeois, Cindy Regina Morton, Bonnie Regina Breisch, Sue Regina Platt, Kathleen Regina Diduck, Bev Balgonie Reine, Darrell Regina Doyle, William (Bill) Regina Robinson, Diane Regina Fraser, Cam Regina Rolke, Dawn Regina Gerhard, Tricia Regina Rumpel, Donna Earl Grey Gilmer, Peter Regina Sundberg, Laura Regina Haas, John Regina Terry, Yvonne Milestone Kent, Marjorie Lumsden Thomas, Pamela Regina McKenzie, Liz Regina van Dyke, Dexter Regina McBean, Carolyn Regina Wall, Bill Regina Mitchell-Walker, Russell Regina
Saskatchewan Conference A14 Regina, SK ROLL OF LAY DELEGATES TO 2015 SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE CHINOOK PRESBYTERY Balas, Laura Aneroid Heise, Adele Swift Current Blake, Hazel McCord Karst, Allison Assiniboia Conrad, Herb Shaunavon Kirby, Linda Coronach Dokken, Susan Moose Jaw Mundt, Karen Moose Jaw Gebhart, Sheila Mankota Orr, Charlene Glentworth Gilbert, Barbara Assiniboia Rudolph, Nora Gull Lake Girard, Sharon Eastend Stewart, Darleen Moose Jaw Hecker, Andrew Maple Creek Watson, Sandra Abbey GOOD SPIRIT PRESBYTERY Barker, Wendy Fort Qu Appelle Kostichuk, Bev Insinger Brandow, Ron Balcarres Mckay, Hilary Balcarres Edwards, Janice Nokomis Miller, Elaine Melville Fredsberg, Marilyn Wynyard Patterson, Terry Leross Goodman, Cindy Wynyard Smith, Beverly Melville Ivanichko, Sheila Preeceville Tessier, Joan Fort Qu Appelle PRAIRIE PINE PRESBYTERY Archibald, Barbara Biggar Salie, Joyce North Battleford Fitzpatrick, Gloria Eatonia Thurlow, Diane Meadow Lake Kocski, Verna Unity Thurlow, George Meadow Lake Mack, Marjorie Kerrobert RIVER BEND PRESBYTERY Coulthard, Aurora Saskatoon Pike, Frank Saskatoon Dugas, Brittany Delisle Pollock, William Saskatoon Dugas, Sheldon Delisle Robertson, Victoria Saskatoon Ji, Eunkyu Saskatoon Sarauer, Allison Annaheim Kim-Cragg, Noah Saskatoon Sarauer, Diana (Dee) Annaheim Lavender, Sheila Saskatoon Sarauer, Kathryn Annaheim Mason, Lonnie Watrous Skelton, Shirley Saskatoon Murton, Tracy Saskatoon Whelan, Sheila Saskatoon Paslowski, Hope Saskatoon Wuchner, Amanda Tisdale Pike, Nancy Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Conference A15 Regina, SK TAMARACK PRESBYTERY Ashworth, CJ Prince Albert Herron, Dorothea Prince Albert Deforest, Sheila Prairie River Krantz, Judy Tisdale Ganchar, Rylee Prince Albert Mohn, Mary Birch Hills Griffiths, Ruth Prince Albert Reimer, Dylan Prince Albert Gruending, Deanna Tisdale Stevenson, Judith (Jeanette) Melfort Haluke, Skye Nipawin Whalley, Leslee Shellbrook Hayes, Robert Prince Albert TWIN VALLEYS PRESBYTERY Arthur, Emily Grenfell Karras, Margaret Welwyn Balls, Barry Maryfield Keefe, Gary Weyburn Balls, Frances Maryfield Kendall, Christine Gainsborough Bell, Cindy Weyburn Klippenstein, Joan Trossachs Callfas, Brian Glenavon Koshy, Amar Arcola Cole, Laurie Gainsborough Koshy,David Arcola Croft, Arlene Lothian, Wilma Carlyle Crone, Shirley Radville Lukey, Margaret Weyburn Cutler, Delores Carlyle MacBean,Sylvia Carnduff Dick, Dalton Schlamp, Mae Grenfell Francis, Jani Indian Head Seo, Young Carlyle Friesen, Henry Carnduff Sorensen, Wanda Ceylon Hagen, Ann Bengough Thomson, Darlene Moosomin Hookenson, Charlotte Kisbey Wiebe, Vic Weyburn Hubbard, Sharon Storthoaks WASCANA PRESBYTERY Anderson, Linda Regina Martin, Leona Regina Balfour, Taylor Regina Mayer, Deborah Regina Beach Blau, June Regina McLeod, Corrie Regina Cameron, Eurince Regina McLeod, Rod Regina Dodd, Linda Regina Mitschke, Marcia Lumsden Dornan, Barbara Regina Norman, Pamela Regina Dornan, Dwaine Regina Norman-Gray, Madison Regina Dovell, Bryan Balgonie Pitman, Delise Regina Dovell, Peggy Balgonie Riesach, Lief Regina Grosenick, Glenys Briercrest Riesach, Margaret Regina Gunningham, Linda Regina Teskey, Elizabeth Regina Hunt, Daniel Regina Tudor, Marion Regina Kanhai, Cintra Regina Urquhar, Nordeen Regina Kanhai, Moses Regina Zalinko, Barbara Regina Lambert, Norman Regina
Saskatchewan Conference A16 Regina, SK AT 2016 SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING: GUESTS Anderson, Brenda Regina Mungal, Suzette UCRD Rep. Guenther. Dawn Saskatoon Nawaz, Zarqa Regina Hart Wasekeesikaw, Fjola All Native Circle Sanders, Nora General Council Hill, Susan Carivale Saulteaux, Bernice All Native Circle Hofley, Kathryn General Council Standingready, Lorna All Native Circle Lappano, David Centre for Christian Studies REGISTERED VISITORS & OTHERS Elenwa, Humphery (Pro-AV) Paley, Susan Meadow Lake Hornford, Alex (Pro-AV) Savoie, Chris Saskatoon Iverson, Marilee Meota Shim, Linda Carlyle Karras, Donald Welwyn Sprong, Jenny Swan River Kindopp, Don Estevan Tudor, Bryan Regina CONFERENCE LAY STAFF Curtis, Katie Regina Graham, Julie Regina McLuhan-Myers, Regina Diebert, Bev Regina Madeleine Dootoff, Heather Regina Seifert, Rose Regina
Saskatchewan Conference B-243 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE MINUTES OF THE NINETIETH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA DAY ONE SESSION ONE (Thursday, June 2, 1:50 pm) Singing: With Flamingo Friday, Music Team for the meeting Opening President John Haas, introduced himself and personally welcomed all to the meeting. He formally opened the meeting and called the court to order at 2:01 pm, with the following words: In the name of Jesus Christ, the head of the church, I declare the 90 th Annual Meeting of Saskatchewan Conference to be open. SunDo Hyun lit the Christ Candle. Acknowledgement of Traditional Lands: Lorna Standingready brought greetings to the court, honoured the traditional territories on which the court was meeting and offered words of prayer. President John Haas then read the following acknowledgment in concordance to the motion made regarding territorial lands at the 82 nd Annual Meeting in 2007 and the statement regarding the Affirming status of the Conference from the 88 th Annual meeting in 2013: We acknowledge that for thousands of years indigenous people have walked in this land, on their own country. Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives. As we open our meeting today, we acknowledge that we are gathered in the traditional territory of the Dakota and the Lakota First Nations in the area most recently defined as Treaty 4, and we acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the ages. And so we acknowledge that Saskatchewan Conferences is an Affirming Ministry of The United Church of Canada as one that embraces diversity and strive to include and be a safe place for all people regardless of age, gender, race, culture, education, ability, economic status, martial status, sexual orientations, or gender identity. 2016 Theme and Banners President John Haas noted that as a symbol of our arrival in this space and of the diversity in the life of Saskatchewan Conference, the presbyteries and other groups within Saskatchewan Conference were invited to bring their banners to be displayed at the meeting of Saskatchewan Conference.
Saskatchewan Conference B-244 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Two other banners were displayed: 1. The Saskatchewan Conference banner with the new United Church crest which was quilted by Karen Mundt of St. Andrew s United Church in Moose Jaw, and, 2. The banner for this annual meeting which had been quilted by Irene Smith of Westminster United Church in Regina based on the logo designed by Roger Williamson of St. Martin s United Church, Saskatoon. President John Haas announced the death of Joan McConnell, former interim Executive Secretary of the Conference, and the illness of Anne Van Bleak (who was to quilt the banner for this year s meeting but had a serious fall and was in care). He then led the court in prayer. Introduction of Dignitaries and Guests President John Haas began the introduction of the dignitaries joining the court throughout the weekend. It had been the tradition to invite a few dignitaries and have them bring greetings at the beginning of the meeting. This year, the planning committee broke with tradition of having all the guests speak at the start of the meeting. Rather the court would hear from them at the opening of each day of the meeting. The dignitaries who addressed the court at this time were: Lorna Standingready who had brought her greetings at the very start of the meeting. Mike O Donnell, Deputy Mayor of Regina, member of Regina City Council representing Ward 3 who was in attendance on behalf of the Mayor of Regina, His Worship Michael Fougere. President John Haas also welcomed the following people who would be present for the duration of the meeting: - The Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell, Moderator of The United Church of Canada. - Dawn Guenther and Bill Wall: Friday morning speakers. - Bonnie Morton and Peter Gilmer (Regina Anti- Poverty Ministry): Saturday afternoon theme speakers. - Brenda Anderson and Zarqa Nawaz: Saturday afternoon theme speakers
Saskatchewan Conference B-245 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk - General Secretary, Nora Sanders, representing the General Council Offices who would be present Thursday and Friday. Nora Sanders had been General Secretary since 2007 and in her career as a lawyer and public servant she focused on justice and aboriginal issues in Ontario, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan. Nora was available to answer questions as part of the General Council Executive reporting time and for conversations at any other time. - Bernice Saulteaux and Fjola Hart Waskeesikaw who were present on behalf of the All Native Circle Conference (ANCC). Bernice was from Carry the Kettle First Nation and Fjola was on staff at the ANCC in Winnipeg and was their Conference Personnel Minister. - David Lappano who was program staff at the Centre for Christian Studies. The Centre is a theological school in Winnipeg which trains diaconal minister within both the United Church and the Anglican Church. - Jennifer Janzen-Ball, the Director of the Designated Lay Ministry Program and represented St. Andrew s College. - Flamingo Friday: Laurie Cole, Susan Hill, Christine Kendall, and Rob Reed - the music leadership - Bill Unger who was responsible for worship and was ministry personnel at St. David s Trinity United Church in Saskatoon. - Suzette Mungal of the United Church Resource Distribution Centre in Toronto, and the Conference s own Joan Tessier. These women
Saskatchewan Conference B-246 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk looked after the sale of books and other merchandise. Those who would be celebrated at the Service of Praise and Celebration on Sunday: - Duane Mohn: Had been recognized as a Designated Lay Minister by Tamarack Presbytery and would be publically recognized by Saskatchewan Conference. - Lindsay Mohn and Brad Wudrich who would be considered for ordination - SunDo Hyun and Kevin Spring who were being considered for admission to the ordered ministry of the United Church from other denominations. Those whose retirement would be recognized on the weekend: o Hazel Arbon o Sharon Ferguson-Hood o Cindy Gossling o Carole Beal-McKenzie o Charles McKenzie o Dave Whalley o Donna Wilson President John Haas also introduced the following people: - Marion Tudor, Bryan Tudor, Kathy Platt: floor managers - Susan Paley, Brenda Simon: Children at Conference leaders - Roy Bortolotto, along with Bev Diebert of the Conference Staff, co-ordinated the Common Tater, the meeting newsletter. - The Youth Leaders - The Conference Staff - The Annual Meeting Planning Committee - Krystal Sheremeta: President Elect and responsible for the Celebration of Ministries Banquet - Nordeen Urquhart: coordinated the Display space - Tricia Gerhard: minute secretary - Barb MacNaughton: convenor of the scrutineers - Don Kindopp: Projectionist/Technician
Saskatchewan Conference B-247 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Opening Worship Worship was led by Bill Unger Announcements Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, June Blau, came forward to share announcements with the court. Enabling Motions Executive Secretary Bill Doyle led the court through the enabling motions: Bounds: Motion 2015-16-73 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the bounds of the Conference for the voting purposes be the floor of the meeting room defined by the table groups. Carried Quroum: Motion 2015-16-74 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the quorum of the 90 th Annual Meeting be 20% of those entitled to vote, of whom at least one third shall be members of the Ministry Personnel and one third lay persons. Carried Agenda: Motion 2015-16-75 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the agenda of the 90 th Annual Meeting be as printed in the Docket, and marked Agenda subject to such changes as may be recommended by the Flow Committee. Carried A change in the agenda was noted: the 80 th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women was moved from the marked place in the agenda to Friday morning, and the Conference Executive Report was moved to the agenda slot originally slated for the 80 th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women celebration. Flow Committee Motion 2015-16-76 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the Flow Committee consists of the President, the Convenor of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, the Floor Managers, and the Executive Secretary Carried
Saskatchewan Conference B-248 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Roll of Conference: Motion 2015-16-77 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the Roll of Conference be those delegates regularly elected by the Presbyteries, including the Youth Delegates, and registered with the Presbytery Secretaries, the Conference Committee Convenors, and such other members who are not delegates from the Presbyteries as appointed by the Conference Executive; all ministry personnel on the rolls of the Presbyteries; members of the Order of Ministry who are not members of Presbytery in Saskatchewan Conference but who are serving within its bounds; and candidates for ordination, commission and admission in attendance at the Annual Meeting. Carried Corresponding Members: Motion 2015-16-78 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the following persons be named corresponding members of the Court: General Council Office Representative, Nora Sanders; Center for Christian Studies Representative, David Lappano; ecumenical guests; and all registered visitors Carried Business Procedures: Motion 2015-16-79 Bill Doyle/June Blau: That the business procedures for the Annual Meeting be those outlines in the Docket Carried Budget Implications: Motion 2015-16-80 Tim Ellis/Bill Doyle: That motions with budget implications will be moved for approval in principle and, if approved in principle, then be referred to the Finance and Administration Committee who, if necessary, will consult with the Conference Sub-Executive, and will determine possible sources of funding which can be part of any new motions. Carried Nominations: Motion 2015-16-81 Bev Kostichuk/Bill Doyle: That nominations for President-Elect be in the hands of the Floor Manager no later than 6:00 pm, Friday, June 3, 2016 Carried
Saskatchewan Conference B-249 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Elections: Motion 2015-16-82 Bev Kostichuk/Bill Doyle: That, with regards to elections that require a ballot, these positions not be declared elected until the person has received a majority of all votes cast (a majority is defined as 50% of the votes cast plus one vote). Carried Scrutineers: Motion 2015-16-83 Bev Kostichuk/Bill Doyle: That the scrutineers for the 90 th Annual Meeting be the Convenor of Scrutineers and other persons named by the court as follows: Barb MacNaughton -convenor Barb Archibald Cindy Gossling Gloria Fitzpatrick Jo-Ann Hills Jane Jupe Jim MacNaughton Frances Patterson Carried Elections: Motion 2015-16-84 Tricia Gerhard/Bill Doyle: That the minutes, including the Minute Digest, of the Executive and Sub-Executive meetings of Saskatchewan Conference during the church year of 2014-2015, pages B-188 to B-264 of the record of Proceedings, be approved. Carried Introductions Executive Secretary Bill Doyle introduced the following people: - Linda Anderson and Carolyn McBean: Proposals Task Group - Dwaine Dornan: Parliamentarian - Lorraine Harkness and Russell Mitchell-Walker: Sexual Abuse Consultants - Doug Ponto and Jacqueline Sampson: Chaplains
Saskatchewan Conference B-250 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Table Group Time President John Haas and President Elect Krystal Sheremeta led the court in a time of table group conversation. The following questions were suggested as being the focus of the conversation: - How have you shown love to your neighbours and how have you fallen short of loving your neighbours? Singing - How does your pastoral charge show love of neighbour and how have they fallen short of doing that? President John Haas introduced Kathryn Hofley Theme Presentation: Loving Our Neighbour Who is Among the Poor and Marginalized President John Haas introduced Bonnie Morton and Peter Gilmer of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry (RAPM) who led the court in the first theme presentation.= as follows: Michael Erik Dison said: Justice is what love looks like when it speaks in public. Charity is not enough, justice and solidarity is needed. Charity is a vertical relationship. It is needed in the world, but it does continue institutional inequality. Justice is a horizontal relationship where one is responsible to the other person. Charity and justice must work hand in hand as both are important. Charity helps to heal the wounds but doesn t stop the blows that cause them. Poverty is due to systemic issues self serving policies of the economic elite. Problems need to be solved internally. RAPM has a 45 year history. Originally it was the Regina Downtown Chaplaincy (for 25 years). In 1996 the name changed and the constitution shifted to include more advocacy. The Board became ecumenical and had first voice volunteers (people who lived the experience of poverty). RAPM is rooted in God s radical love which is experienced through compassion and action, it advocates and educates with and for those seeking social and economic justice. It is the only agency working at mediating disability and social services. RAPM offers advocacy training sessions so that other people can do some of the front line coverage, some going as far as receiving an advocacy certificate. RAPM offers monthly study circles, has created a poverty anthology and offers a place for practicum for Social work and human justice students. They have had over 70 students through the years. The agency works to find out what needs must be met and work toward changing policies and structures to allow this to happen. They also work at myth busting we need to hear the stories about the reality of what people are living in order to understand what is going on.
Saskatchewan Conference B-251 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk We cannot blame those who are living in poverty for being poor, for they do not consciously choose to live in such a situation. 1 in 3 Canadians will live in poverty at some point and many more live just one pay cheque away. Bonnie and Peter laid out some of the myths that surround those who live in poverty: 1. Poor people cause their own poverty. False. Actually ½ of the low income families are working poor. 2. Income assistance programs are generous and expensive. 3. Poor people can t budget the money they do get. Actually most budget really well but you can t budget what you don t have. 4. Welfare fraud is rampant. 5. People on social assistance are exempt from taxes. A quote from one of the RAPM clients: If I am not sitting at home accepting the things I can t change, I m out trying to change the things I can Ivan, referencing the serenity prayer. People living in poverty need our voices to add to theirs. For each piece of charity work we do, we need to do a piece of justice work so that we don t need to do the charity again. Prayer Koshy David, ministry personnel in Twin Valleys Presbytery, led the court in prayer. Report on Staffing Executive Secretary Bill Doyle spoke to the Staffing Report as found in the Docket on pages B6-B7. He noted that the United Church was in the midst of a time of change and so the Conference staff was changing as well. There will continue to be a decrease in staffing across the country and so it was a time of uncertainty for the staff of Saskatchewan Conference. The current Conference Staff was introduced: - Katie Curtis Program Staff for Youth and Young Adult Ministry - Bev Diebert Administrative Support Person - Heather Dootoff Administrative Support Person - Bill Doyle Executive Secretary - Julie Graham Program Staff for Mission and Education - Liz Mackenze Program Staff for Ministry Personnel and Education for Ministry - Madeleine McLuhan-Myers Archivist - Rose Seifert Administrative Support Person Two new program staff have joined the Conference and with the new staff, a request was made for a covenanting of staff. The last covenanting that happened was with Bill in 2009. So it was an appropriate time to covenant with each of the staff and with the staff team as a whole. Executive Secretary Bill
Saskatchewan Conference B-252 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Doyle asked President John Haas to come forward to lead the covenanting between the conference staff and the conference. The symbols of covenanting were handed out: the Inclusive Bible, a copy of the docket, a road map and balloons. Hazel Arbon, past Program Staff for Mission and Education, officially retired in December 2015. At this time, Hazel and Joan Rennie-Laing came forward to mark Hazel s retirement. Joan spoke to Hazel s creativity and willingness to learn how to use the right tools but not only for fixing her house. She described Hazel s qualities: kindness, compassion, competency, visionary, insightfulness. Hazel spoke to the tribute that Joan Rennie-Laing gave. She said: look to the green personalities for they are the one that will love change and make the changes facing the church more palatable. (Colours: red, green and blue are team working styles. Red- more focused on people. Blue-structures and detailed focused. Green -oriented toward change.) Motion 2015-16-85 Bill Doyle/Gayle Wensley That the Staffing Report of Saskatchewan Conference be received for information. Carried Report from the United Church of Canada Foundation Sarah Charters offered this report. The Foundation had just finished meeting in Regina prior to the annual meeting. Its theme was: Focusing on the Future Together. Currently there are three board members on the Foundation Board from Regina. Her report included the following: The Foundation works to support all United Church members toward their futures to offer services to individuals, to organizations needing grants, and to organizations in other ways. It offers short term funds - stocks. Long term funds -endowments and trusts. It also provides service to: - grant seekers in the form of scholarships and academic awards, seeds of hope, the funding of new programs, new ministry grants, and funding of new ways to do ministry through the Edge ministries. - Organizations in the form of long term fund management and gifts of stocks and mutual funds.
Saskatchewan Conference B-253 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Since 2007 there have been over $60,000 of grants given within the Seeds of Hope program. This has included: - Davidson United Church in 2011 for a multi-year research program. - Camp Caterpillar in Tamarack Presbytery in 2015 for a camp for gender creative children Financial gifts were also given to support students in their fourth year at St. Andrew s College. Motion 2015-16-86 Dave Whalley/Donna Rumpel That the report of The United Church of Canada Foundation be received for information. Carried Point of Personal Privilege: The Youth at Conference invited the court to coffee house on Friday evening. Announcements June Blau came forward to share announcements with the court. Supper At 5:34 pm, President John Haas declared the meeting adjourned until 6:50 pm following supper. Grace The Music Team led the court in grace. DAY ONE SESSION TWO (Thursday, June 2, 6:50 pm) Singing was led by the Music Team. Nomination Committees (1 of 3) Bev Kostichuk, Nominations Convenor, spoke to the Nominations report as found in the docket, pages C9-C10, and H1-H4 which includes a the list of people nominated for positions within the Conference structure for the 2016 2017 year. She invited nominations for President Elect and reminded the court that the deadline for President Elect nominations was Friday, June 3 at 6:00 pm. Changes to the document in Section H were announced: Local Global Advocacy Co Leader: Linda Stumpf (1) Youth and Young Adult Co Leader: Emily Whittaker (1) Current Vacancies were confirmed to be: Interim Ministry: Convenor Interview Board: Lay Member
Saskatchewan Conference B-254 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Faith Formation Network: Co-Leader Proposals: Member She also noted that based upon a decision of the Conference Executive, the Nominations Committee will also be working on nominating members of an Emergent Working Group working on solar power. Finance and Administration (1 of 2) Tim Ellis, outgoing Finance and Administration (F&A) Committee convenor, dealt with the report found in the docket on page C6. Tim introduced the members of the committee along with identifying the members of the full committee who attended its meeting in March. Executive Secretary Bill Doyle drew the court s attention to the delegates expense form. Due to the changes arising from decisions made at the Annual Conference in Estevan the price per km is $0.23 and $0.33 for carpooling. In the past year, the Property handbook was updated and re-released earlier this year. Digital copies are available on the Conference Website but if a hard copy is required contact the Conference Office. The committee is also working on updated financial guidelines for the restricted and designated funds held by Conference and hopes to have it approved in the fall. The court was asked to look at the Budget working documents found in the docket on pages K3-K5. The aim is to be as transparent as possible about the budgeting process. Tim reviewed income, commitments, and the other budget categories. He also noted that in spite of the decrease in monies that are available to the Conference, there are exciting things happening. These include: - The Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Program which was full and with sufficient people on the waiting list for another full intake, - The Vacation Bible School Caravan which was starting this year and fully booked, and, - A fund which was established to offer assistance to pastoral charges seeking to be learning sites. Two proposals would come before the Conference on Saturday: The Budget proposal and the proposal relating to the Moats Land Fund Green Initiatives Grants. Prayer Jacqueline Samson, ministry personnel in Tamarack Presbytery, led the court in prayer.
Saskatchewan Conference B-255 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Conference Interview Board (CIB) Jim Tenford, Convenor of the Conference Interview Board, reported on the activity of the Conference Interview Board. The report was in the docket on pages C5-C6. The CIB had three sessions of interviews for folk who wanted to go into ministry, and people wanting to be admitted to the United Church from other denominations. Jim thanked Liz Mackenzie for her patience and her diligence. He also thanked the committee for their time and gifts. Jim then introduced those being recognized, ordained and admitted. Each had three minutes to answer the following question: what does loving your neighbour mean to you and how will you live this out in your ministry? Introduction of Duane Mohn (Designated Lay Minister) Duane Mohn was recently recognized by Tamarack Presbytery and will be publicly recognized as a DLM by Saskatchewan Conference on Sunday. Brock Shaver, Co-Convenor of the Tamarack Presbytery Education and Students Committee, introduced Duane to the court. Duane s background information is in the docket, page J2. There was no vote as the decision was made previously by Tamarack Presbytery. Introduction of Lindsay Mohn and Brad Wudrich as candidates for ordination and voting. The ordinands background was found in the docket on page J1. Jim explained that voting would be by ballot and placed the following motions which following the distribution and counting of ballots by the scrutineers were carried: Motion 2015-16-87 Jim Tenford/Jen Dresser That Lindsay Michelle Mohn, a candidate for Ordained Ministry, having completed her studies and having been recommended for ordination by River Bend Presbytery and having satisfied the Conference Interview Board as to her fitness in life and character for the Christian Ministry, be ordained by Saskatchewan Conference of the United Church of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 5 th, 2016. Carried Motion 2015-16-88 Jim Tenford/Krystal Sheremeta That Bradley Keith Wudrich, a candidate for Ordained Ministry, having completed his studies and having been recommended
Saskatchewan Conference B-256 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk for ordination by Tamarack Presbytery, and having satisfied the Conference Interview Board as to his fitness in life and character for the Christian Ministry, be ordained by Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 5 th, 2016. Carried Introduction of SunDo Hyun and Kevin Sprong as candidates for admission and voting. The candidates background information was available in the docket on pages J2-J3. Again, voting would be by ballot and Jim Tenford placed the following motions which following the distribution and counting of ballots by the scrutineers were carried: Motion 2015-16-89 Jim Tenford/Jen Dresser That SunDo Hyun, a candidate for Admission from the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea, having satisfied the educational requirements and having been recommended by the Conference Executive, be admitted to the Order of Ministry as an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada by Saskatchewan Conference of the United Church of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 5 th, 2016. Carried Motion 2015-16-90 Jim Tenford/Krystal Sheremeta That Kevin Douglas Sprong, a candidate for Admission from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, having satisfied the educational requirements and having been recommended by the Conference Executive, be admitted to the Order of Ministry as an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada by Saskatchewan Conference of the United Church of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 5 th, 2016. Carried Motion 2015-16-91 Barb McNaughton/Jim Tenford That the ballots be destroyed. Carried
Saskatchewan Conference B-257 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Motion 2015-16-92 Jim Tenford/Krystal Sheremeta That the report of the Conference Interview Board be adopted. Carried Stewardship Game Show Roland Legge and Julie Graham introduced the Stewardship Game Show. Announcements June Blau came forward to share announcements with the court. Worship Bill Unger led the court in worship which included an In Memoriam time Adjournment President John Haas declared the meeting adjourned until 8:45 am Friday morning with singing. Benediction DAY TWO SESSION ONE (Friday, June 3, 8:45 am) Singing was led by the Music Team. The meeting commenced at 9:02 am Introduction of Dignitaries An invitation was sent to Ralph Goodale to bring greetings on behalf of the Federal Government. Unfortunately, Parliament was sitting, so Ralph was unable to attend. He did, however, send a letter which Executive Secretary Bill Doyle read to the court. The Chairperson of the Regina Multi-Faith Forum, Gagan Deep Singh, also brought greetings to the court on behalf of the inter-faith partners of the United Church. Worship Bill Unger led the court in worship 80 th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women in The United Church of Canada Pam Thomas, Loraine Harkness, Barb McNaughton, Kathy Platt plus others led the celebration of this milestone with a litany outlining the history of Rev. Lydia Gruchy, the first ordained woman. The celebration litany ended with a slide show of contemporary women in ministry in Saskatchewan Conference.
Saskatchewan Conference B-258 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Theme Presentation Loving our Indigenous Neighbours President John Haas introduced Dawn Guenther and Bill Wall, Co-Convenors of All My Relations Network (AMRN). Dawn and Bill decided to not have an indigenous person be part of their presentation because they were two non indigenous people speaking about loving the indigenous neighbour to a mostly non indigenous group of listeners. They pointed out that there is a We-They mentality that we are unaware of or don t deal with until we actually realize it. Marie Wilson said there are two solitudes on Canada: non indigenous and indigenous. Bill and Dawn also went on to say that they were not speaking on behalf of AMRN because they are a diverse group of people who can speak for themselves. Our relationship with indigenous peoples is one of the foremost issues at this time. We will be judged by future generations by how we deal with this opportunity. The population of the indigenous peoples in Canada are represented by the following percentages: 43% First Nations; 33% Metis; and 4% Inuit. Dawn and Bill pointed out the issue with the title of this theme presentation. Loving our Indigenous Neighbour betrays a sense of superiority, that we have something that they need. We need to stress a mutuality, a shared need. It s not about good feelings but rather attitudes and actions. Peck said that love is an act of will -namely both an intention and an action. Indigenous people are asking for respect and justice, to be treated as equals. An attitude of disrespect and injustice has been in place for 500 years. Originally, native people were seen as useful -guides, aiding survival, participating in wars. By the 1800 s the native peoples were seen as a hindrance to development. By the 1880 s, native people were seen as a hindrance to development and as the enemies of progress. John A. MacDonald started to contain the problem and so started the movement towards reservations, residential schools, the card system, and the denial of equal access to opportunities. We need to challenge the systems of society to overcome white privilege it isn t visible until we acknowledge its presence. We have derived power from this privilege and we have been conditioned to not notice it our lifestyles become the norm and all others need to be like us. For years, brave indigenous people have shared the impact of this privilege on their lives. They have faced monumental loses, both in individual families and as a culture. We need to take an open, honest, vulnerable look at our participation in this state of being. We need to speak out against this injustice. Wab Kinew said: None of us chooses to be a racist, but we can choose whether or not to remain one. Childhood learnings can affect adult behaviors and we
Saskatchewan Conference B-259 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk need to be aware of how that manifests itself. How do we work towards changing that? In 1986 the UCC apologized for the destruction and disrespect of native cultures. In 1998 the UCC apologized for their role in the Residential Schools, going against the advice of its lawyers. However, the language used in the apology was not that of a full and clear apology, as was pointed out in a paper Analysis of the Language of Responsibility. The apology issued should have said: we apologize because we did this wrong thing to you. Despite the wording, the apology did have an impact. Churches began a journey of understanding the wrongs done. At the last gathering of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Moderator Jordan Cantwell accepted responsibility for our active role (as a church) in this history - It was an inhuman and immoral activity in which we took part. Dawn spoke of her experience with the Nimis Kahpimotete wilderness canoe trip that brought indigenous and non indigenous women together. The past can t be undone but it can change our future. There is growing awareness within Canadians toward better education that allows us to see the hurts of the past so that we can move forward in order to build healthy and healing relationships with indigenous peoples. Prayer The Youth at Conference led the court in prayer. Pastoral Relations/Settlement Committee Report Darrell Reine, Convenor of Pastoral Relations/Settlement (PR/S) Committee presented some insights and updated about current work. The full report of the committee is found in the docket on pages C10-C11. The committee was working on a policy for retired ministers who wish to remain in the pastoral charge and how to engage with the incumbent minister in the pastoral charge. It was intended that this would come into place in the fall. The Ministry of Supervision course had not been offered since 2013. The course is a 10 day residential program that trains people interested in being a learning supervisor. It was hoped that this course would be offered again in the winter of next year. As to the new Compensation Model with a new call to a multi-staff position, the new compensation model had to be put into place as soon as the new minister arrived. Existing ministries would need to change by July 2017. Salary would also have to move to the new model with all renewals of contracts.
Saskatchewan Conference B-260 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Settlement: no one had opted for settlement this year. 32 ordained, 3 commissioned, 5 DLM for 40 new ministry personnel in total. There were 9 retirements in Saskatchewan Conference alone. ¼ of the new calls fill in the retirement positions. General Council Executive Report Brenda Curtis, General Council Executive Representative (OM) and Vic Wiebe, General Council Executive Representative (LAY) offered this report with hats and bells. The full report can be found in the docket on pages B7-B9. The report was given in the format of a game show: Who Wants to be a Billionaire? President John Haas and President Elect Krystal Sheremeta were contestants. Nora Sanders joined them as referee/score keeper. Motion 2015-16-93 Bill Unger/June Blau That the report of the General Council Executive be received for information. Carried Singing was led by the Music Team. Report of the Financial Development Officer Kathryn Hoffley, Financial Development Officer, brought highlights of her report to the court. The full report is found in the docket on page F5 and included the following The purpose of the church is to do God s mission, and we are to engage to God s mission together through the Mission and Service Fund. Last year the people of Saskatchewan Conference donated $1,479,355 to M&S. M&S Supports: Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, North and South Saskatchewan Hospital Chaplaincies, University of Saskatchewan chaplaincy, River Bend Integrated Community Ministries, La Ronge Pastoral Charge. Motion 2015-15-94 Carolyn McBean/Charles MacKenzie That the report of the Financial Development Officer be received for information. Carried Announcements June Blau came forward to share announcements with the court. Katie Curtis also announced that the Vacation Bible School Caravan had received $10,000 grant from The United Church of Canada Foundation. President John Haas declared the meeting adjourned following grace until 2:00 pm
Saskatchewan Conference B-261 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Grace The Music Team led the court in grace. Lunch Break DAY TWO SESSION TWO (Friday, June 3, 2:00 pm) Singing was led by the Music Team. Worship Bill Unger led the court in worship 30 th Anniversary of the Apology of the United Church to First Nations People The court was led in a time of prayer, song and story/history that went through the history and process that led to the official apology made 30 years ago to indigenous people by the United Church of Canada. Singing was led by the Music Team. Orientation to the Proposals Process President John Haas walked the court through the proposal process used at the Annual Meeting. These procedures are found in the docket on page A14. Point of Personal Privilege: Russell Mitchell-Walker stood on point of privilege to inform the court that Ken Powers was in hospital recovering from surgery. Stewardship Game Show Hosted by Julie Graham and Roland Legge Proposals Dwaine Dornan, Parliamentarian; Carolyn McBean and Linda Anderson, Proposals Committee members came to the stage. Proposal No. 1 Peter Gilmer introduced the Proposal that was listed in the Docket as Proposal No. 1. Title: Originating Body: Financial Implications: Staffing Implications: Source of Funding: SASKATCHEWAN ANTI-POVERTY ACT Wascana Presbytery None None Not Applicable
Saskatchewan Conference B-262 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Wascana Presbytery proposes that Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of Canada call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to implement a Saskatchewan Anti Poverty Act in order to ensure that the rights it has committed itself to protect under the United Nations International Covenant on Economical, Social and Cultural Rights are enshrined in enforceable legislation. Background: The God of our scriptures maintains the cause of those in need (Psalm 140:12) and we are called to defend the rights of the poor (Proverbs 31:9). Poverty is a human rights violation. In 1976, Canada with the approval of all provinces, signed the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Article II of this covenant recognizes the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their family including adequate food, clothing, and housing and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. Article 7 of the Covenant recognizes the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work which ensure all workers with fair wages for a decent living for themselves and their families as well as equal remuneration for work of equal value. This means that issues such as adequate income security benefits, a living wage, quality and affordable housing and childcare and pay equity are not just social policy concerns. These are basic Human Rights. When Federal and Provincial Governments do not ensure these rights, they contravene International Law. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has been very critical of Canada and the provinces for not ensuring these rights in such a wealthy nation. Saskatchewan could once again play a role in pioneering progressive social legislation that becomes a model for the rest of Canada by recognizing basic economic rights in enforceable legislation. Such legislation would not only improve the lives of low-income people but would benefit Saskatchewan as a whole. For instance, public health research consistently shows that those societies with a narrower gap between rich and poor are healthier, happier and have a better quality of life than those with greater economic inequality. Furthermore, it costs far less to deal with the roots of poverty than to be forever increasing expenditures on the symptoms of poverty in our health, justice and family service symptoms. Intermediate Court Action: not applicable
Saskatchewan Conference B-263 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Peter Gilmer spoke to the proposal put forward. There is no human rights framework and no way of knowing that things are happening there are inadequate social assistance rates, inadequate affording housing, lack of affordable childcare and far too little of the GED is being used on social programs. The government needs to offer legislative protection to make sure that the commitments under the covenant are upheld. Motion 2015-16-95 Peter Gilmer/Bonnie Morton That Saskatchewan Conference adopt proposal number 1. Carried Singing was led by the Music Team. Finance and Administration Committee Finance and Administration Convenor Tim Ellis and Executive Secretary Bill Doyle came forward to go over the budget proposal which is found in the docket on page K6. Concern was expressed that the information about the income about of the Moats Land Fund and its sharing with the All native Circle Conference was not included in the Finance and Administration Committee report. This was requested be included in the report next year. Concern was also expressed that the report does not include the audited financial statements for 2015. In response, it was confirmed that the Conference Executive dealt with the financial statements at their last meeting and that is traditionally where issues relating to the financial information has been dealt with. Members of the court were then asked to consider the following questions in table groups and to record and submit the responses received: 1. As Saskatchewan Conference moves into a new structure, if we were going to set aside our share of the Moats Land Fund for a specific purpose within the structure or region, what would you suggest that might be? 2. How can Saskatchewan Conference prepare itself for moving into a region involving a mutual relationship with another of the existing Conferences. 3. In spite of the existing financial constraints, there are exciting things happening in Saskatchewan Conference that can be carried into the new structure. What else might we do?
Saskatchewan Conference B-264 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Motion 2015-16-96 Tim Ellis/Bill Unger That the Saskatchewan Conference Budget for 2017 be as outlined on page K6 in the Saskatchewan Conference Budget Document resulting in a deficit of $91,569 which would be satisfied by a transfer from reserves. Carried Motion 2015-16-97 Tim Ellis/Bill Unger That the amount available for Green Initiative projects from the Moats Land Fund be $20,000 for the year 2017 Carried Motion 2015-16-98 Tim Ellis/Dave Whalley That the report of the Finance and Administration Committee be adopted. Carried Motion 2015-16-99 Carolyn McBean/Marilyn Leuty That the Conference request that the meeting of 2018 financial report include the summary of the cash flow through the Moats fund especially as it relates to ANCC (an annual report). Carried Prayer Jen Dresser, ministry personnel in Good Spirit Presbytery led the court in prayer. Report from St. Andrew s College. Jennifer Janzen-Ball gave highlights of the report found in the docket on pages F1-F2. Motion 2015-16-100 Darrell Reine/Lorna King That the report from St. Andrew s College be received for information. Carried Worship Bill Unger led the court in worship Announcements June Blau came forward to share announcements with the court. President John Haas declared the meeting adjourned following grace until 9:30 am Saturday morning. Grace - The worship team led the court in grace.
Saskatchewan Conference B-265 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Supper DAY THREE- SESSION ONE (Saturday, June 4, 9:15 am) Singing was led by the Music Team. Introduction of Dignitaries Tina Beaudry-Mellor, MLA for Regina University, brought greetings on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan. The Premier was invited to attend but was not able to be present. Rev. Trish McCarthy of St. Alban s Anglican Church in Moosomin brought greetings on behalf of the ecumenical partners of the United Church. Worship Bill Unger led the court in worship At this time President-Elect Krystal Sheremeta took the chair as President John Haas gave the Conference Executive Report Conference Executive Report President John Haas gave his report on the activities of the Conference Executive. The digest of minutes is located in the docket on pages B1-B5. John started his report by saying that the last three years on the Conference Executive have been enjoyable. This is a huge change from his past experience of Executive. The executive had three face to face meetings, and one special meeting regarding remits. Executive meetings were marked by the community built between members. It is able to make decisions based on consensus. All members contribute to the debate and there was no rancour between members. The decisions that the executive had to deal with were significant, but there was good communication, laughter, and trust which is especially important when dealing with difficult financial decisions. They did not choose to do the easy thing. Our grants weren t cut so our budget shortfall wasn t as big as expected. All voices were heard around the table, and when it was time to act we did so with unity and with grace. Some decisions were easy, such as the VBS Caravan. Our enthusiasm is shared with the rest of the conference. Also it was our privilege to appoint the search committee for the Program Staff for Mission and Education, which led to the hiring of Julie Graham. The Executive was thanked for the support and the wisdom they have offered. He will miss being part of them.
Saskatchewan Conference B-266 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Otherwise, the reporting time as included: - The requested information in relation to the Moats Land Fund and the monies sent to the All Native Circle Conference; that is $153,262.37 in June of 2015 being 50% of the Moats Land Fund and $11,373.74 in January of 2016 being ½ of the further income. The plan was to send a cheque in July and January of every year, representing half of the further income. However, it was also noted from the floor that unaudited financial statements are sent to the Executive for each meeting and are therefore part of the minutes and accessible to the Conference on the website. - A question was asked from the floor about whether there will be evaluations of the Conference structure and the budget process so that we will know what the Conference we are taking as our offering into the regions as part of the new structure. The decision was made by the Executive not to evaluate the structure and the budget process with so little time before changes take place but that can be reconsidered by the Executive at is November meeting. Motion 2015-16-101 Gayle Wensley/Dwaine Dornan That the report of the Conference Executive be received for information. Carried Laughter Yoga was led by Marilyn Fredsberg Children at Conference Susan Paley and Brenda Simon, co-leaders of the Children at Conference program, along with children at conference participants, Joshua Bell, Sophia Gerhard, Pam Sundberg, and Hannah Kim-Cragg gave their report letting the court know what they have been doing during Conference. The highlights included: - The food - A dice game called beetle - Making dioramas - Playing outside - Meals with my friends - Laughter yoga - Discussions we took part in - Enjoyed getting to know everyone and having all of the kids together - They did a fantastic job in the 30 th Anniversary of the Apology litany and the prayer moments (which they wrote)
Saskatchewan Conference B-267 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk - Having Bonnie and Peter come speak to them - Playing with the youth - Going swimming The children presented their dioramas which represented the Good Samaritan story. Motion 2015-26-102 Brenda Simon/Tracy Murton That the report of the Children at Conference be received for information. Carried Nominations Bev Kostichuk convenor of the Nominations Committee brought forth the name of the nominee for President Elect: Bonnie Morton. At this time Bonnie Morton spoke to her nomination, answering two questions 1. What do you offer this position: I don t do things in the normal way you should, or follow proper structure. Five years ago, I was recognized as a DLM. The theme at that time was: Called to make a difference. I have been called to make a difference since my first breath. I can bring to the position the ability to stand beyond structures, challenge things that aren t right, and to collaborate. 2. What is the main issue in Saskatchewan: there isn t ONE main issue. It s a combination of things, and what they create in us is fear of the unknown. But I do believe we will see a light at the end of the tunnel soon. We are restructuring and that s the fear. We think we might be losing our identity. In the lives of the impoverished, they have fear and they have no choice but to move forward. In structural change there doesn t have to be a loss of identity. We are afraid that we are going to lose family, connections. We are a church of a whole, and we are a people of justice. Motion 2015-16-103 Darrell Reine/Bill Unger That Bonnie Morton be elected as President Elect for Saskatchewan Conference. Carried Bev Kostichuk continued her report by reminded people that there were Skills and Ability sheets on the tables. She asked that those folk with terms ending or not on committees to please fill it out and noted that there are congregational members who are not known in the wider church and the committee contacts presbyteries through secretaries to find folk who have skills/gifts. The Committee asked two people to speak about how conference work has impacted their work in the congregations where they worship. Karen Mundt and Sheila Ivanchenko offered their thoughts.
Saskatchewan Conference B-268 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Prayer The Children at Conference led the court in prayer. Pastoral Relations/Settlement (PR/S) Committee Darrell Reine, Convenor, continued his report. He drew attention to the Settlement report found in Section L of the docket which is received as information. One change to note: Cindy Gossling is retiring August 1, 2016 not July 1, 2016. Motion 2015-16-104 Darrell Reine/Marj Kent That the Saskatchewan Conference Pastoral Relations/Settlement Committee Report for 2015-2016 be received for information. Carried Motion 2015-16-105 Darrell Reine/Barb McNaughton That the report of the Pastoral Relations/Settlement Committee be adopted. Carried Report from the Women of the United Church Network Mary Mohn, co-covenor, spoke to the report found in the docket on pages D6-D7 and included the following: The website connection is the best way for the women of Saskatchewan Conference to stay connected. The newsletter is updated once a month. There is womens retreat at Camp Tapawingo from August 27-29 th which is for all women of the church. No meetings, just an opportunity to be still and be with God. Many women are involved in Women s Interchurch Council of Canada network. This represents 10 church partners and is celebrating its 100 th anniversary in 2018. Provides funding for women s projects around the world. The purchase of Awaking art prints ($140 each) has raised money for indigenous women s projects. One example is the Sisters of the Sun counselling center in Regina. $9000 has been raised so far. The UCW is part of the network. We are the only conference without a UCW Executive. Betty Anne and Mary Mohn are part of the national gathering and have a vote there. The UCW is the largest structure in the UCC and will celebrate its 55 th Anniversary at UBC, in July 2017. The Saskatchewan Conference UCW donated $59,732 and nationally the UCW donate $1,383,014 to M&S. The UCW bursary fund is also available for Saskatchewan Conference folk who are participating in education at recognized theological education institutions.
Saskatchewan Conference B-269 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk The Bread Not Stones Campaign works at raising awareness about the elimination of child poverty in Canada. Contact Linda Woods and Laurel Kenney at wecanendchildpoverty@gmail.com. This movement presents government leaders with rag dolls to draw their attention to the issue. Motion 2015-16-106 Mary Mohn/Beth Teskey That the report from the Women of the United Church Network be received for information. Carried Stewardship Game Show Katie Curtis and Katherine Sarauer led this part of the game show with the title: I Upped My Givings.Up Yours! The table groups were challenged to answer various questions. Table Group Time President John Haas and President Elect Krystal Sheremeta led the court in table time focusing on: How is the meeting going? What s been good so far? What are you looking forward to? What s bad? Singing was led by the Music Team. Report from Calling Lakes Centre Board Bill Unger, Saskatchewan Conference Rep to the Board, spoke to the court directing folk to the report in the docket on pages F2-F4. He noted that the land was still on the market and maintaining the building currently costs $77,000 a year and so the Centre is still accepting donations.. Motion 2015-26-107 Bill Unger/Tim Ellis That the report from the Calling Lakes Center Board be received for information. Carried Youth and Young Adult Community (YAYAC) Network Sheldon Dugas and Emily Whitakker, Co-convenors, led this time of reporting. The full report is in the docket on page D8. The youth present at the court shared their experiences and why they attend YAYAC events. The youth also shared a series of tableaux based on the Good Samaritan story. They had performed this at the Coffee House Friday night.
Saskatchewan Conference B-270 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Motion 2015-16-108 Sheldon Dugas/Emily Whitaker That the report of the Youth and Young Adult Community Network be received for information. Carried Report from the Centre for Christian Studies (CCS) David Lappano, program staff at CCS, shared his reflections. The full report is found in the docket on pages F7-F8. As part of his report, David highlighted the educational method of the CCS. The students engage in the Spiral Model of Theological Reflection which is made up of four stages. 1. Concrete experience what did we see, experience, who is involved, what s the environment. 2. Look into self how did I feel, emotions, thoughts, what knowledge do I already have of me and how I would react. 3. Abstract Conceptualization take theories/theologies and work with them. Invisible forces that have impact on our experiences. 4. Strategic Plans active experiments, plan something we can do in the community, either church or broader community. Help to learn more. David also gave an example of spiral reflection based on the Good Samaritan story. Motion 2015-16-109 Rob Reed/Jennifer Janzen-Ball That the report from the Center for Christian Studies be received for information. Carried Announcements June Blau came forward to share announcements with the court President John Haas declared the meeting adjourned following grace until 2:00 pm Grace was led by the Music Team Lunch Break DAY THREE SESSION TWO (Saturday, June 6, 2:00 pm) Singing was led by the Music Team.
Saskatchewan Conference B-271 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Theme Presentation Loving our Neighbour Who is of Another Faith President John Haas introduced Brenda Anderson and Zarqa Nawaz (Muslim writer, film director). Their presentation included the following comments: There are four typical ways of having interreligious dialogue: exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism and dialogical. We need many of these paths in order to get us to the Good News. Religion is part of our public space. There are diverse ways to practice faith. It s not about dealing with faith but rather teaching about religion which is about figuring out how we think and act. We need to find common goals and ways of working towards those goals. In 2011 there were one million Muslims in Canada In 1946 India and Pakistan split. Colonialism was the cause of the split and the Muslim population found themselves becoming refugees in their own country. Early Islam was relatively peaceful as it spread. Women saw more equality and feminism was active. Unfortunately Victorian ethos invaded the Muslim faith during colonialism. As Christianity rose in popularity during the 1100 s, the crusades began and European issues were being projected on the other. This resulted in church conflict, economic hardship, joblessness, and famine the crusades were the perfect way to keep people busy. Muslims were identified as violent and were the focus of projected fears. Jihad history is rooted in the Russian invasion of Afghanistan during the cold war. Americans feared the USSR taking over countries. The Americans funded right wing Muslims to recruit and talk up Jihad culture. This is the root of the issues we face now. When the Russians left -they left militaristic ideas behind. Generations were raised on this culture and this flourishes in the current situation. Jihad was not a principle of faith until the 1970 s and now the young people of today are confused and not feeling as if they belong. It is a clash of civilizations. In Europe, girls wearing head scarves are removed from school because it is seen as Islamic -fear of being extremists. Canada is a pluralistic bubble where people can express their faith as long as it doesn t hurt anyone else. There is an attitude of accommodation giving freedom that is not seen in other places and allowing people to belong while being fully self. Some societies such as Europe, don t do this which leads to being easier targets for recruitment to violence.
Saskatchewan Conference B-272 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Little Mosque on the Prairie opened up the opportunity for other minority focused TV Shows to be made. How can we view murder as a result of a culture, religious beliefs while other murders are sanitized dependant on culture? We are not turning the lens towards our own culture. For example we don t examine sexism in the western cultures because modesty has become demonized due to its role in the Muslim Faith. Where are the moderate voices? If you ever have a concern about news you hear on line check out snopes.com for information about if the media is accurate or not. Prayer Salesi Takau, ministry personnel in Prairie Pine Presbytery led the court in prayer. Laughter Yoga was again led by Marilyn Fredsberg Singing was led by the Music Team. Words from the Moderator Moderator Jordan Cantwell was introduced by Roland Legge. Jordan spoke about the various Mission and Service (M&S) sponsored global trips that she has been on during her term as Moderator. She noted the United Church understands itself better through these global relationships which are funded through M&S Funds which as a result are put to work both here in Canada and around the world. Youth and Young Adult Ministry is often funded through M&S funds/grants. Events, staff, programs get money through the fun and we benefit from this support. The energy, the fervor for Jesus we let them know that they matter, belong and are loved. We are enriched by their presence. Youth and Young Adults are very present in congregations/conferences where this ministry is made a priority. She concluded that the support we give to M&S makes a difference in our lives and in the lives of people around the world. When you give, you make a huge difference, and you are working toward changing the world. Nominations - Elections and Motions Bev Kostichuk, Convenor of the Nominations Committee, concluded the committee s report. This is the final report and contains the nominations report in it s final form which is found in the docket on page H1.
Saskatchewan Conference B-273 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Motion 2015-16-110 Bev Kostichuk/Linda Gunningham That Tricia Gerhard be elected Minute Secretary for Saskatchewan Conference and its Executive for 2016-17 Carried Motion 2015-16-111 Bev Kostichuk/Linda Gunningham That Ian Wallace be named as Auditor for Saskatchewan Conference for the year 2016-17 Carried Motion 2015-16-112 Bev Kostichuk/Gayle Wensley That the following persons, listed on docket pages H1-4 be named to the positions listed for the Conference year 2016-2017, as listed with the changes made. Carried Motion 2015-16-113 Bev Kostichuk/Bonnie Morton That the report of the Nominations Committee be adopted. Carried Covenanting with the Members of the Conference Executive President John Haas introduced this action, stating that the covenanting usually takes place during the Service of Praise and Celebration, but this year is taking place in the Conference Meeting so that all members of the Executive can take part and all members of Saskatchewan Conference can serve as witnesses. While not all of the Presbyteries have made decisions as to who their representatives will be to the Executive, this convenanting will include all those who have been elected as part of the Conference Nominations process and those who have been named by their Presbytery or expect to be named. President John Haas spoke the following words of Covenant: President: Executive Members: Sisters and Brothers who are members of the Conference Executive, do you covenant to work together, in the name of God, to do whatever is required as you discharge the duties and responsibilities of the Saskatchewan Conference Executive? We do so covenant. Thanks and praise to God. Love and joy to the people of God. Prayer Moses Kanhai of Wascana Presbytery led the court in prayer.
Saskatchewan Conference B-274 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Announcements June Blau came forward to share announcements with the court Unfinished Business The Krystal Sheremeta as President Facebook Challenge: The Facebook page had received 90 likes and raised $705 for M&S. As such, the head table donned Avengers masks, a dance party took place and Krystal received a pie in the face. Fun ensued. Proposal No. 2 Vicki Obedkoff Introduced the proposal that had come from the floor of the meeting as Proposal No. 2. Title: Originating Body: Financial Implications: Staffing Implications: Source of Funding: GLYPHOSATE HEALTH CONCERN Saskatchewan Conference None Unknown Not applicable That Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of Canada communicate with all pastoral charges and mission units to: 1) provide sources of information about the substance glyphosate (which is sold under various trade names, including Roundup): and, 2) raise awareness of the global campaign to stop its usage because of its danger to public health. And, to communicate this concern to the Government of Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan Conference Annual Brief. Background: We believe that God calls us to partner in care for Creation, and to love our neighbours. We show care for Creation by voicing our concern about the health of our environment and our neighbours suffering from cancers linked to environmental contaminants. The State of California and other jurisdictions have declared glyphosate a probable carcinogen. A growing number of jurisdictions globally, such as the European Union, are acting to protect the health of their citizens from exposure to glyphosate. Paragraph 2) was deleted from the Proposal by a friend amendment with the agreement of the makers of the Proposal.
Saskatchewan Conference B-275 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Motion 2015-16-114 Vicky Obtencoff/Cindy Bourgeois That Saskatchewan Conference adopt proposal No. 2. Defeated Registration Report June Blau, Convenor of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, gave the report using information provided by Rose Seifert. PRESBYTERY LAITY LAITY MINISTRY MINISTRY TOTAL FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE Chinook 14 2 4 5 25 Good Spirit 9 3 5 4 21 Prairie Pine 6 1 9 3 19 River Bend 14 5 10 10 39 Tamarack 12 1 8 5 26 Twin Valleys 20 9 8 6 43 Wascana 22 7 16 7 52 PRESBYTERY 98 28 60 41 225 TOTAL Reg. 9 1 10 Visitors/Others Youth 8 4 12 Youth Leaders 6 2 8 Children 3 1 4 Guests 9 3 12 Staff 7 1 8 GRAND TOTAL 257 Adding the totals of each line does not result in the Grand Total as some of those included in the categories at the bottom are also included as Presbytery delegates. It was also noted by the court that the information presented contained binary genders and that this needs to be remedied for the next Annual Meeting. Motion 2015-16-115 Lorna King/Frank Pike That the Registration Report be received for information Carried Courtesies Kathryn Sarauer and Katie Curtis thanked all of those people associated with the annual meeting.
Saskatchewan Conference B-276 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk Closing Motions Executive Secretary Bill Doyle made the closing motions. He pointed out that the Conference Executive has decided that there will not be an annual meeting in 2017. This is reflected in the budget that was presented to the Annual Meeting. The next Annual Meeting will be in 2018 and arrangements to choose the site in Prairie Pine Presbytery for the 2018 Annual Meeting will happen sometime in the next year. Motion 2015-16-116 Bill Doyle/Fran Ball That Saskatchewan Conference authorize Conference Executive to appoint a Commission to make decision regarding the approval of candidates for ordained and commissioned ministry in Saskatchewan Conference in the pastoral year 2016-2017; and prepare a Service of Praise and Celebration of Ministries at which time any retirees will be honoured, candidates ordained and commissioned and Designated Lay Ministers recognized. Carried Motion 2015-16-117 Bill Doyle/Nancy Pike That Saskatchewan Conference approve Prairie Pine Presbytery as the meeting place for the 91 st General Meeting of Saskatchewan Conference at a place and time to be determined by Conference Executive. Carried Motion 2015-16-118 Bill Doyle/Linda Anderson That the Saskatchewan Conference Executive be empowered to all routine and emergent business which the Conference itself may do, except those things which are, according to the Manual, beyond the power of the Executive. Carried Motion 2015-16-119 Bill Doyle/Andrew Hecker That the minutes of the 90 th Annual Meeting of Saskatchewan Conference be printed in the Record of Proceedings after being reviewed by the Executive Secretary. Carried Worship Bill Unger led the court in worship Adjournment President John Haas declared the meeting adjourned until the Service of Praise and Celebration which is Sunday, June 5, at 10:00 am at Westminster United Church in Regina followed by a reception at 12 noon.
Saskatchewan Conference B-277 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk A Benediction was led by the Music Team. DAY THREE SESSION THREE (Saturday, June 6, 6:00 pm) Celebration of Ministry Dinner John Haas gave his President s Address and the retirees were honoured with Hazel Arbon, Sharon Ferguson-Hood, and Donna Wilson speaking; significant anniversaries of ministry were acknowledged as were those entering into new ministries. DAY FOUR (Sunday, June 5, 10:00 am) Service of Praise and Celebration of Ministries The court, visitors, and guests gathered at Westminster United Church, Regina. Retirees: During the service, retirees Hazel Arbon, Carole Beal McKenzie, Sharon Ferguson-Hood, Cindy Gossling, Rick McCorrister, Charles McKenzie, Dave Whalley, and Donna Wilson were presented with certificates and thanks for their years of service to the United Church of Canada. Ordination: Lindsay Michelle Mohn, and Bradley Keith Wudrich were ordained Recognition: Duane Mohn was recognized as a Designated Lay Minister Admissions: SunDo Hyun and Kevin Sprong were admitted into Ministry in The United Church of Canada from other denominations. Preacher: Moderator, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell Installation of President: John Haas installed Krystal Sheremeta as President of Conference, presenting her with the cane and stole, symbols of the office of President. Past President s Pin: Gayle Wenlsey presented John Haas with the Past- President s pin. Closing of the Conference With the closing of the Service of Praise and Celebration, the 90 th Annual Meeting of Saskatchewan Conference was closed until the sitting of the next annual meeting of Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of Canada in Saskatchewan to meet in Prairie Pine Presbytery in 2018. President, John Haas Executive Secretary, Bill Doyle Minute Secretary, Tricia Gerhard
Saskatchewan Conference B-278 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk DIGEST OF MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE AND SUB-EXECUTIVE MEETINGS 2015 2016 At the June 30 th, 2015, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 1. Named Laura Fouhse, Susan Reed, and Kathy Anderson to the Sub-Executive to be ratified by the Executive at its next meeting. 2. Named Marilyn Fredsberg as a Member at Large to the Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Committee. 3. Approved the request for licenses to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for each of: Sharon Girard of the Eastend Congregation, within the bounds of the Pine Cree Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Karen Messer of the Grace United Church Congregation, within the bounds of the Swift Current: Grace United Church Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Charlene Orr of the Glentworth Congregation, within the bounds of the Grasslands Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Elaine Little of the Hazlet Congregation, within the bounds of the Cabri, Hazlet, Pennant Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Neil Colmin of the Minto United Church Congregation, within the bounds of the Moose Jaw: Minto United Church Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Eleanor Bowie of the Maple Creek Congregation, within the bounds of the Maple Creek Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Sandra Bennallack of the Knox United Church Congregation, within the bounds of the Gull Lake: Knox United Church Pastoral Charge of Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, Diane Schmidt of the Milden Congregation, within the bounds of the Prairie Spirit Pastoral Charge of Prairie Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016, and, Paulette Halliday of the St. John s United Church Congregation, within the bounds of the Luseland Pastoral Charge of Prairie Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2016. 4. Approved the request for a license to administer the sacraments for Deborah Springer, DM, within the bounds of the Chinook Presbytery or within the bounds of any Presbytery of Saskatchewan Conference where she is subsequently called or appointed. At the September 16 th, 2015, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 5. Approved the position description of the Conference Program Staff for Mission and Ministry to be used in the search process. 6. Confirmed Executive Secretary, Bill Doyle, Diane Collier of the Human Resources Dept. of the Ministry and Employment Unit of the General Council, Mary Anderson as someone who is familiar with the Pastoral Relations / Settlement processes of the Conference, and Sheila Lavender and Dawn Rolke as members of Saskatchewan Conference who have been involved in mission within the Conference to be the search committee, and established a budget for the search committee for 2015 and 2016. 7. Heard a report of the Executive Secretary that on a trial basis, Rose Seifert, Saskatchewan Conference administrative staff, will assume the duties associated with the position of the corresponding secretary of the Pastoral Relations/Settlement Committee, and that if the trail proves successful, Rose s position description will be amended.
Saskatchewan Conference B-279 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk 8. Approved the request for a license to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for Dale George Worrall of the St. Paul s Congregation, within the bounds of the Kindersley: St. Paul s Pastoral Charge of Prairie Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2015. At the October 1 st, 2015, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 9. Named Vic Wiebe to the Sub-Executive as one of the Saskatchewan Conference representatives to the General Council Executive to replace Laura Fouhse who had resigned. This would be ratified by the Executive at its next meeting. 10. Named Brenda Curtis as the ordered ministry representative to the General Council Executive to complete the existing term of Laura Fouhse which is to continue until 2018. At the November 6 th, 2015, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Executive 11. Received reports from Wascana Presbytery, the President, the Refugee Liaison, the Mission Support Committee, the Women of the United Church Network, the Commission established in response to the request from River Bend Presbytery, and the Supervision Team established by the Commission. 12. Adopted a report from the Finance and Administration Committee and received the most recent financial statements for information. 13. Received a report from the Nominations Committee, named Lindsay Mohn as the person responsible for the Recruitment of Student s Task as included in the Conference s Structure Document, ratified the decision of the Sub-Executive in naming Laura Fouhse, Cathy Anderson, and Susan Reed as members of the Sub-Executive, and ratified the decision of the Sub-Executive in naming Vic Wiebe to the Sub-Executive to replace Laura Fouhse who had resigned. 14. Received information from the Executive Secretary of the Notice of Retirement of each of Mary Irene Young, Richard McCorrister, and Hazel Arbon. 15. Received updates about the search process to fill the position of the Conference Staff for Mission and Education, the ongoing work in relation to the proposed Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Program, the on-going work of the Children s and Families Ministry Emergent Working Group, minimizing meeting costs and our carbon footprint, the thanking of volunteers, and Proposal No. 2 from the annual meeting relating to missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls. 16. Decided that, given the restructuring of the United Church and the anticipated end of the Conferences, not to reassess program staff responsibilities or review the Conference structure due to the time and energy that both would require. 17. Heard a proposal that the Structure Document be amended to include Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice as a task and decided to table the proposal until further enquiries were made. 18. Received a report from the Youth and Young Adult Community Network and gave approval in principle to the proposal for a Vacation Bible School Caravan to allow the network to continue to develop the vision and to apply for funding. 19. Adopted Proposal No. 1 regarding free vision, dental, hearing and pharmacare for seniors with the addition of the definition of a senior to be a person 65 years and older. 20. Approved the Brief Prepared for the Government of Saskatchewan. 21. Decided that Saskatchewan Conference would hold an annual meeting in 2017.
Saskatchewan Conference B-280 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk 22. Spent time considering information received from the General Council Office about the scheduling of GC43 in 2018 and the Conference annual meeting that year and discussed the number of regions in the new structure of the United Church without coming to a decision. At the November 26 th, 2015, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 23. Received the report of the search committee for the Conference Program Staff for Mission and Education, accepted the recommendation that Julie Graham be offered the position with a start date of January 1 st, 2016, and discharged the search committee with thanks. At the December 15 th, 2015, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 24. Approved the proposal for a Licensed Lay Worship Leader (LLWL) Program and that funding for 2016 be taken from the contingency fund and for 2017 and 2018 be budgeted up to the total grant amount of $18,270 and that any part of the grant for the program which is unspent at the end of each year be returned to the Conference. At the February 5 th, 2016, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Executive 25. Received reports from Prairie Pine Presbytery, Twin Valleys Presbytery, the President, the Supervision Team established by the Commission in response to the request from River Bend Presbytery, and of the November meeting of the General Council Executive. 26. Appointed lay people as delegates to the 2016 annual meeting because of their being staff, members of the annual meeting planning committee or responsible for some of its work, past-presidents, committee convenors, network leaders, or those responsible for tasks or task groups, or members of the Conference Executive. 27. Received information from the Executive Secretary of the Notice of Retirement of Donna Wilson. 28. Received information from the Executive Secretary about specific plans that have been made for the Moderator to visit Saskatchewan Conference and the intentions in relation to the week that has been set aside for the Moderator s Visit during the week of October 22 nd to 29 th, 2017. 29. Received updates as to the ongoing work in relation to minimizing meeting costs and our carbon footprint, the sharing of the Moats Land Fund with the All Native Circle Conference, the letters of support to progressive evangelical congregations in Canada and the US, the thanking of volunteers, the lack of consensus in the updating of the Conference Structure Document to include reconciliation and indigenous justice liaison as a task, the work of the Children s and Families Ministry Emergent Working Group, and from the General Council Executive. 30. Adopted a report from the Finance and Administration Committee and received the most recent financial statements for information. 31. Approved the correspondence sent on January 6 th, 2016, by the Executive Secretary to Ian Wallace who is the auditor for Saskatchewan Conference in response to the auditor s constructive service letter confirming the results of the 2014 audit and existing deficiencies for resolution. 32. Received information about the financial situation of the United Church, the minimum reserve fund policy, and the budget process, and made decisions in response to questions that were raised by the Convenor of the Finance and Administration Committee and the Executive Secretary which decisions were to serve as the basis for
Saskatchewan Conference B-281 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk further decision making of The Finance and Administration Committee at its march meeting. 33. Decided to reduce the global budgets for 2017 for the Conference Executive, committees and tasks, and networks by the average of 25% of the figures presented, to reduce the global budget for Conference grants in 2017 to $15,000, to reverse its previous decision and to not hold an annual meeting in 2017 and to budget $10,000 to be spent on an alternative to the annual meeting, and to direct the Executive Secretary to explore a reduction in staffing costs through shared staff with other Conferences and reduced staffing for report back to the Executive at its may meeting. 34. Received an update on the work on the Vacation Bible School Caravan and gave formal approval to the proposal and the budget presented and agreed to assume responsibility for all expenses incurred to a maximum of $25,000 which would allow the YAYAC Network to proceed with arranging for bookings, applying for grants, and hiring staff. At the April 12 th, 2016, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 35. Named Neil Gilbert to the Sub-Executive as one of the Presbytery Rep s to the Saskatchewan Conference Executive to replace Cathy Anderson who had resigned. This would be ratified by the Executive at its next meeting. 36. Approved the requests for a license to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for each of Margot Heggstrom of the Turtle River (Good Shepherd) Congregation, and of Faye Schick of the Glaslyn (Bissell Memorial) Congregation, within the bounds of the Turtle River Parish Pastoral Charge, of Prairie Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017, or until the date that the currently settled ministry personnel returns from medical leave. 37. Approved the requests for a license to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for each of Kathleen Alexandersen of the Crystal Springs United Church within the bounds of the Crystal Springs United Church Pastoral Charge, and of Gladys M. Court of the St. Andrews United Church Congregation in Kinistino within the bounds of the Kinstino Pastoral Charge, of Tamarack Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017. At the May 6 th and 7 th, 2016, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 38. Received reports from Good Spirit Presbytery, Tamarack Presbytery, Chinook Presbytery, River Bend Presbytery, the meeting of the General Council Executive dated April 30 th, 2016, the Women of the UC Network, and the All My Relations Network. 39. Approved the request for a license to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for each of: - Hilda M. Dale of the Craik United Church, within the bounds of the Craik Pastoral Charge, Wascana Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017, - Eleanor Bowie of the Maple Creek Congregation within the bounds of the Maple Creek Pastoral Charge, Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017, - Charlene Orr of the Glentworth Congregation, within the bounds of the Grasslands Pastoral Charge, Chinook Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017, and, - Elaine Little of the Hazlet Congregation, within the bounds of the Cabri, Hazlet, Pennant Pastoral Charge, Chinook Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017. 40. Received the final reports of the Supervision Team established by the Commission in relation to the Review of St. Paul s UC in Saskatoon and Marjorie Keyser and disbanded the Commission and the Supervision Team with thanks.
Saskatchewan Conference B-282 Annual Meeting June 2 to June 5, 2016 Turvey Center, Regina, Sk 41. Amended the Conference Structure Document as to the task of the representative to Earthcare Connections to also include Farmland Legacies Saskatchewan. 42. Amended the terms of reference for the Counseling Assistance Fund. 43. Received a report from the Interim Ministry Committee and designated Lorna King as an interim minister on the condition that she complete interim ministry training. 44. Ratified the decision of the Sub-Executive in naming Neil Gilbert as the Presbytery Representative to the Sub-Executive. 45. Recommended Sun-Do Hyun and Kevin Douglas Sprong to Saskatchewan Conference for admission to the Order of Ministry at the annual meeting in June. 46. Received an update in relation to: - the Remits and the role of the Conference in the process, - the Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Program, - the preparation of the video montage of pictures to thank the volunteers of the Conference, and, - the Vacation Bible School Caravan. 47. Received a report from the Finance and Administration Committee and reviewed the most recent financial statements. 48. Approved the draft Audited Financial Statements for 2015. 49. Approved the Policy about Church Properties and the Saskatchewan Heritage Act in relation to heritage properties and recommended it to the Presbyteries of Saskatchewan Conference. 50. Authorized the donation of up to $1,500 from the contingency fund for expenses incurred for a blanket exercise as a public indigenous rights event. 51. Received the recommendations of the Finance and Administration Committee as to the 2017 Budget and made decisions about the Budget to be presented to the 2016 Saskatchewan Conference Annual Meeting. 52. Established an emergent working group to investigate the feasibility of establishing or investing in a solar farm with the monies from the Moats Land Fund and to approach both St. Andrew s College and the All Native Circle Conference to discern their interest in being involved in the conversation. 53. Received a report from the President and expressed gratitude and thanks to him for his leadership over the last year. At the May 31 st, 2016, meeting of the Saskatchewan Conference Sub-Executive 54. Approved the request for a license to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for Marjorie Mack of the Kerrobert United Church within the bounds of the Kerrobert Pastoral Charge, Prairie Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017. 55. Approved the request for a license to administer the sacraments as a sacraments elder for Dale George Worrall of the St. Paul s congregation within the bounds of the Kindersley: St. Paul s Pastoral Charge, Prairie Pine Presbytery to June 30 th, 2017. 56. Approved the request for a license to administer the sacraments for Gayle Wensley, DLM(R) within the bounds of the River Bend Presbytery for the duration of her pastoral relationship with the Speers Pastoral Charge and the Borden Pastoral Charge, and within the bounds of the Prairie Pine Presbytery for the duration of her pastoral relationship with the Battleford Pastoral Charge. 57. Received recommendations and reports from the Conference Interview Board and confirmed that Mizeki Mndola, Amos Ndhlumbi, and Grace Mazhandu are suitable candidates for admission to the Order of Ministry within The United Church of Canada.
Saskatchewan Conference C1 President's Report to Conference Regina, SK I come to you feeling that I may have been one of the most fortunate of Conference Presidents. Not only did I have what must have been the best weather for visiting Presbyteries in the past 90 years, but I have had a great time being your President. Everyone I asked to be a theme speaker, said yes. I hoped Jordan (Cantwell, the Moderator) could be with us and she is. It has all worked out. Perhaps I got off on the right foot within minutes of being installed. I made my first mistake. I was supposed to have all the Past-Presidents of Saskatchewan Conference stand up when the Past-President s pin was presented to Gayle Wensley. I didn t. And more than one of our Past- Presidents called me on it. I decided it was good to have gotten my first mistake out of the way so soon and I didn t have to worry about when I would make it. In the fall I was told by a member of the church where Carolyn and I worship, that she and her husband had prayed for me every other Sunday. I probed for further information about such an unusual statement and was told that where they have a summer home the United Church and the Anglican Church join for services during the summer, one week in one and one week in the other. In any event, the Anglicans pray each week for the leaders of the various churches in Saskatchewan the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Bishops, the Presbyterian Moderator and the President of Saskatchewan Conference of the United Church. I felt a little strange to go through the rest of the year knowing that the Anglicans were praying for me, but likely the United Church was not! I don t think the President is even on the Prayer list. If it weren t for the Anglicans, the President wouldn t have a prayer! When I was installed, I asked Bill Doyle what I could do as President. He said, Anything you want. I said, Can I do this? He said, No. So you see, the President really hasn t got a prayer and he or she hasn t got any power, either. My term was filled with events and experiences that were both good and bad perhaps more sad than bad. Within a few days of my taking office, Bill Doyle would be away and he warned me that I was going to be the one to speak to the media about our Conference s Press Release on the decision to share the capital and income from the Moat s Fund with the All-Native Circle Conference. I quickly did my homework so that I would be ready. After all, the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was coming down that same week and it appeared to me to be a natural tie-in. I made sure my cell phone was charged and on and with me wherever I went those first days of my Presidency. And nothing. No one called. It could be the time in which we live the media is undergoing a change that makes our United Church changes look simple. Or, it could be that The United Church of Canada no longer carries the same weight it once did with the media and the nation. I was sorry no one seemed interested in what we had done at our Conference last year. I had the privilege of leading the Conference Commissioners in our Orientation to the 42 nd meeting of General Council. It was good to have the opportunity to meet everyone prior to going to Corner Brook and helped us to connect with each other while we were there.
Saskatchewan Conference C2 Regina, SK One of the tasks that fell to the President and several others as well was being part of a Commission on behalf of River Bend Presbytery to deal with the review of a congregation and its ministry personnel. That work turned out to be not quite as onerous as I had expected and I gained new respect for the others who were part of the Commission with me. Things did get better. It was, for the most part, a quiet summer and then there was Corner Brook and the 42 nd meeting of the General Council. A week packed with work and worship and community building. I came away with a sense of the love for our church that is shared by those across the country in every Conference and Presbytery and Pastoral Charge. It is a great love and there is a great desire to keep our church at the forefront of those calling for justice, inclusivity and reconciliation both within and without our church and our nation. But it was also where I saw that there is a frustration across the church that we have lost generations who in the past would have been in the leadership of the church. We are an aging institution and we are tired. This was reflected in my Presbytery visits throughout the year. We love our church, but we are running out of energy and we don t know from where our leadership especially our lay leadership is going to come. I ve already reported on how much I enjoyed working with our Executive and how well we worked together to accomplish the work we had before us. There was also a special meeting of the Executive and representatives of all the Presbyteries to respond to the General Secretary s request for input as to how many regions there should be in our new structure should it make it past the remit process. I recall leaving that meeting feeling very good about how well the United Church in Saskatchewan is able to work together. I have had a great time serving as President, but I m concerned as well. I remember when I was being interviewed for the first call I received. One of the questions asked was what did I see as my goal in ministry. I remember making some kind of naïve response like I wanted to be the senior minister of a large church when I retired. That, apparently was a good answer because I got that call. And for several years after that I pictured myself retiring as one of the older members of the church and being a kind of elder statesman. As the years have gone on, I realized that I was always among the younger members of the congregation no matter what my age. I say again, we are an aging institution and we are tired. I do not know if the solutions offered in the remits that are before us as a church are going to give renewed life to The United Church of Canada or not. I do not have a clue as to what the church is going to look like in five or ten years, particularly here in Saskatchewan where many of our Pastoral Charges are now at great distances from their nearest United Church neighbour. I do know I want to be a part of this church and I hope and pray that it will still want me. I very much enjoyed my visits to the seven Presbyteries of our Conference. It was most interesting to see them at work and the fact that we all seem to share the same problems and have the same weaknesses and the same strengths. It was when I was visiting my home Presbytery Wascana that Past-President Dwaine Dornan
Saskatchewan Conference C3 Regina, SK told me that when he was President, a mutual friend, the late Walter Logan told him that he remembered a time that when the President of Saskatchewan Conference entered a room, everyone stood up. Alas, such perks of the office have long since been abandoned. I have seen a photograph of a meeting of Saskatchewan Conference that came from that era when the President was recognized with such honour. All of the participants are male and they all are dressed in dark suits and about half of them have clerical collars. There is a stern expression on every face. What a jolly bunch! I can t image what such meetings were like. Can you imagine The Stewardship Game with that group? Or laughter yoga! I m glad things changed. There might be some wisdom there as we look to the future of our church. We can t go back and we can t stay the same. We need to move forward no matter where it may take us. Over the course of the year I have tried to thank so many people who have done such great work on behalf of the Conference, work that has made my job so much easier. But there is one person whom I have not thanked enough publicly and that is my partner, Carolyn McBean. Carolyn has been with me on every visit to the seven Presbyteries and she has read and commented on everything I wrote for publication. I could have done it without her, but it would not have been as easy or as enjoyable and there would have been a lot more mistakes. Thank you Carolyn! I also want to thank Bill Doyle for all he has done to make my year go so smoothly. Prior to being installed, I went to President s School at the General Council Office. There I was told that it was the job of the Executive Secretary to make the President look good. If I have, it s all been Bill, and if I have not, the fault is mine. Thank you, Bill. And thank you, the members of Saskatchewan Conference and the members of the Executive for the confidence you have had in me and for all the work you have done this year and for all the work you, and we, will continue to do in the coming year. On the day of the Service of Praise at the 89 th Annual Meeting of Conference in Lanigan a year ago, I was sitting at the back of the meeting room early in the morning as the Conference Choir practiced for the service. Carolyn was singing in the choir and I was listening. Our soon-to-be- Moderator, Jordan Cantwell came into the room and greeted me. This is a big day for you, she said. I swear I told her that she was likely going to have a big day like it very soon. Then I told her I had been thinking of something a good friend of mine had said many years ago. He was a boater and he told me the two best days of a boater s life were the day he bought his boat and the day he sold his boat. I said to Jordan, I think I ve just bought a boat. Well, that boat has served me well this year and I have enjoyed it but, tomorrow I m going to sell my boat and I ve got a buyer. Krystal (Sheremeta), the price is right. It s all yours and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Thank you! John Haas
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Saskatchewan Conference C18 Regina, SK Saskatchewan Conference Budget Document This document is intended to be an overview of the steps taken as part of the Budget process and an explanation of each of the elements included within the Budget motions. These motions are the end result of the decisions made at a number of meetings. Summary of the Process The Budget was first considered by the Conference Executive in February when it was asked to respond to various policy questions before The Finance and Administration Committee considered the actual budget. This was because over the next 2 budget years the Conference will be experiencing a great reduction in income as a result of the end of the grant that the Conferences has received annually from the General Council. The Finance and Administration Committee then considered the Budget at its meeting on March 4 th and 5 th with someone from all 7 Presbyteries in attendance. After the meeting, a report of the decisions made was then sent by email on April 11 th to each of the Presbyteries and to the convenors of the committees, the co-ordinators of the networks, and those responsible for tasks / task groups. This was to allow them an opportunity for questions or comments either through the Finance and Administration Committee or a member of the Conference Executive. The Budget was then discussed at the Conference Executive meeting of May 6 th and 7 th resulting in the recommendations that appear in this document for presentation to the annual meeting. Details of the Process and the Recommendations Being Made for the 2017 Budget 1. When the Conference Executive met in February, it was thought that the Conference Grant from the General Council would be reduced for 2017. For discussion purposes a reduction of 25% or $54,097 to $162,292 was assumed. 2. As a result of a number of questions that were raised, the Conference Executive made the following decisions: - That the global budgets for 2017 for the Conference Executive, Committees and Tasks, and Networks be reduced by the average amount of 25% of what was presented. - That, after considering the total amount of Conference grants awarded from 2011 to 2016 to our partners in ministry other than Calling Lakes Centre, the budget for grants be reduced to $15,000. This amount would be less than what it had been in 2014, 2015, and 2016 but still higher than the amount granted to recipients other than Calling Lakes Centre in 2011, 2012, and 2013. - That the previous decision to hold an annual meeting in 2017 be reversed and the amount of $10,000 be budgeted to spend on an alternative to the annual meeting. This would be similar to what happened in 2014. - That the Executive Secretary explores a reduction in the budget commitment for staffing through both the sharing of staff with other Conferences and staff reductions. 3. The Budget was next considered by the Finance and Administration Committee at its meeting in March. As usual, it reviewed the list of commitments considering past spending and the spending that is anticipated in 2017. It also made the following recommendations to the Conference Executive:
Saskatchewan Conference C19 Regina, SK - After considering a motion to reduce Presbytery assessments for 2017, that assessments be maintained at the level where they have been since 2014. - That the global budget for each of the Conference Executive, Committees and Tasks, and Networks be reduced below what was indicated by the Conference Executive. This reduction is reflected in the Budget motions which follow. - That the amount allowed for contingencies be reduced to $10,000. - When considering staffing changes, that the following be the order of priority: - the reduction in the archivist position to 1/4 time - the cutting of one of the administrative staff positions - the sharing of the Executive Secretary position with another Conference 4. The Budget was then considered at the May Conference Executive meeting. However, before that meeting it was confirmed that: - while the Conference Grant from the General Council will be reduced in 2018 to $0, the anticipated reduction in 2017 (which was assumed for discussion purposes to be 25% or $54,097) would not happen, - the "target date" for the changeover to the new region (if the remit passes) and the new staffing complement (which will happen whether the remit passes or not) is December 31 st, 2018. This information allows the Conference to Budget knowing what funds will be needed to that date, and, - the Executive Secretary for Alberta Northwest Conference, Lynn Maki, gave notice of her retirement effective September 1 st, 2015. 5. The Conference Executive heard the recommendations made by the Finance and Administration Committee as well as the additional information outlined in paragraph #4, and the information arising from the research directed of the Executive Secretary about staffing. 6. The result of the conversation at the Conference Executive meeting were the following decisions: - to maintain Presbytery Assessments at the same level as they have been since 2014, - to accept the recommendation of the Finance and Administration Committee about the budgets for the Executive, the Committees and Tasks, and the Networks, - to maintain the budget for contingencies at $20,000, and, - to budget for total income of $663,122, expenses of $754,691 (including the previous commitments for the Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Program and the contribution to the Fund for Learning Sites) and a deficit of $91,569 to be satisfied by a transfer from reserves. 7. The Executive Secretary will continue to have conversations about the sharing of staff and staff reductions but because of the uncertainty of the results of those conversations and their timing, staff sharing and reductions are not included in the within Budget.
Saskatchewan Conference C20 Regina, SK Effect of the Proposed Budget on our Reserve Funds Reserve funds are generally established to smooth the impact of a fluctuation in operating income and to have enough funds to affect an orderly closure or transition if funding sources disappear. Conventional wisdom for non-profit organizations is to have 2-6 months operating reserve depending on how secure the revenue streams are. As a result of these insights, the Finance and Administration Committee decided in 2013 that: The minimum balance in Saskatchewan Conference Reserves (including the Reserve Fund and the Moats Fund) in any year be [at least] thirty per cent (30%) of the Conference s annual budgeted expenses of that year. Even with a transfer of $91,569 from our reserves to balance our budget in 2017, we are still well over the minimum amount established by the previous decision. The Budget recommendations appear in the following pages together with a detailed explanation. 2015 Approved 2016 Approved 2017 Recommended INCOME Presbytery Assessments 439,732 439,732 439,732 Grants Salary Grant from General Council 309,128 216,390 216,390 Other Income Interest 7,000 7,000 7,000 Total Income 755,860 663,122 663,122 COMMITMENTS Memberships/Insurance/Commitments to Other Conferences: Memberships: 100 100 100 o Affirm United Institutional Membership o The Avenue Community Centre 50 50 o Camping SK Camping Association 75 75 75 Membership o Rainbow Wellness Resource Centre/ in 2016 50 50 50 - Transask and University of Regina Pride Memberships o SK Assn of Spiritual Care Practitioners in 50 50 50 Health Care o SK Council for International Co-op (SCIC) 300 300 50 o SK Council of Archives Membership 100 100 100 Archival Insurance 175 225 225 Ministry of Supervision Commitment to 1500 1500 0 other Conferences (in 2017 to come from the Contingency Fund as required) Total 2350 2450 700
Saskatchewan Conference C21 Regina, SK Staffing and Office Operations: 2015 Approved 2016 Approved 2017 Recommended Staffing Costs: o Continuing Education Funding 3960 3996 4077 o Professional Development for Admin Staff 500 500 500 o Salaries and Benefits and Workers Compensation 512625 458386 473924 Rent/Parking/Taxes 72000 72000 80000 Equipment (Lease/Servicing) *includes 8000 5700 6400 computer technical service from PC Place Telephone 5000 5000 4500 Utilities 6200 6200 6200 Janitor 4000 4000 4000 Items that F&A Committee would oversee through the Conference staff o Staff Resources 400 400 100 o Staff and President s Travel 25000 20000 20000 o Stationery and Supplies 3000 3000 4000 o Postage 2000 1000 1000 o Computer Maintenance/Supplies *7500 *4000 *4000 o Facility Maintenance * * * o Computer Purchase/Program upgrade * * * o Furnishings Replacement * * * o Directory (Communications) 1500 0 0 o Cemeteries 0 0 600 o General Office Supply (Paper towel, toilet paper, coffee) 650 800 800 Subscriptions/Licence renewals (Observer, Briar 820 820 900 Patch, Alban Institute, Adobe Connect, Survey Monkey) Total 653155 585802 611001 Outside Contracts: 2015 Approved 2016 Approved 2017 Recommended Audit 4650 4650 5000 Investment Fee/Bank charges & supplies 0 200 50 Legal 500 500 500 Total 5150 5350 5550 Total Commitments 660655 593602 617251
Saskatchewan Conference C22 Regina, SK Budget Category 2013 Actual $ 2014 Actual $ 2015 Actual $ Average for 13/14/15 2016 Approved 2017 Recommended Total Commitments 598,409 597,027 632,886 609,441 593,602 617,251 Annual Meeting 41,938 39,323 36,708 39,323 40,423 10,000 Conference Executive 8,820 8,143 7,295 8,086 24,100 7,000 Committees and Tasks 39,570 45,636 38,901 41,369 56,220 35,000 Networks 24,190 21,447 24,190 23,276 24,190 20,000 Grants 53,160 49,173 35,000 45,778 23,450 15,000 Contingencies (including Emergent 9,779 Work) 12,258 7,494 9,585 20,000 20,000 Grant to the Licensed Lay Worship Leader Program 10,440 Less contribution to the Fund for Learning Sites 20,000 778,345 768,243 784,565 777,052 781,985 754,691 The following are the explanatory notes which will help you review the above: 1. The 3 columns on the left include the historical data that is used in our budget process as we calculate based upon averages over the last 3 years. 2. The 4th column from the left is the average of the expenses for each category (Commitments, Annual Meeting, etc.) over the 3 years. 3. The 5th column from the left is what we approved for 2016 for comparison purposes. 4. In our process every year we have separated out the amount for commitments (as calculated), and contingencies (as determined for each year). 5. For the 2014 and 2015 Budgets, we also separated out the annual meeting which we indicated would be $21,000 for each Budget year. However, for this calculation we have indicated the 2014 expense for the annual meeting to be the average of the annual meeting expenses for 2013 and 2015. 6. For the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Budgets, we also separated out the amount budgeted for Saskatchewan Conference Grants to our partners in ministry. 7. The amount for Contingencies (Emergent Work) is indicated to be $20,000 as it has been for 2014, 2015, and 2016. 8. The amount for Saskatchewan Conference Grants to our partners in ministry was reduced after considering what was granted in previous years to our partners in ministry other than Calling Lakes Centre. 10. The amount for commitments includes the same staffing as for 2016. Conversations are on-going for staff sharing and staff reductions but because of the uncertainty of the results of those conversations and their timing, no resulting reductions are included in the within Budget. 11. The result is a deficit of $91,569. Such a deficit, if it occurred, would be covered by a transfer from reserves. For comparison purposes, the Budgeted deficit for 2014 was $105,232, for 2015 was $85,305, and for 2016 was $118,363.
Saskatchewan Conference C23 Regina, SK Saskatchewan Conference 2017 Budget Proposal That the Saskatchewan Conference Budget for 2017 be (as outlined in Saskatchewan Conference Budget Document): Revenue including: Presbytery Assessments $439,732 Salary Grant from General $216,390 Council Interest $7,000 Total Revenue: $663,122 Expenses including: Commitments $617,251 Annual Meeting $10,000 Conference Executive $7,000 Committees & Tasks/Task $35,000 Groups Networks $20,000 Grants $15,000 Contingencies $20,000 Grant to the Licensed Lay $10,440 Worship Leader Program Contribution to the Fund for $20,000 Learning Sites Total Expenses: $754,691 The result is a deficit of $91,569 which would be satisfied by a transfer from reserves.
Saskatchewan Conference C24 Regina, SK MOATS LAND FUND (Established at Conference Executive Meeting, May 4-5, 2012) 1) The Purpose of the Fund: To honour the wishes of Ethel Moats and other donors to use for the purposes of Saskatchewan Conference by: a) Supporting the Budget of Saskatchewan Conference b) Supporting Emergent Needs beyond the capacity of the Contingency Funds for Saskatchewan Conference c) Supporting Green Initiatives The amounts available for the various purposes would be determined by the Annual Meeting of Conference on recommendation of the Finance and Administration Committee. 2) How will the money be collected? The money will be collected through royalties, both oil and surface rights, and rent and future income from other resource revenue that might come to the Saskatchewan Conference. 3) Who will have the authority to disburse or expend the fund? a) Budget of Saskatchewan Conference The Delegates to the Saskatchewan Conference Annual Meeting based on recommendations from Conference Executive and the Finance and Administration Committee b) Emergent Needs of Saskatchewan Conference - Conference Executive in consultation with Finance and Administration Committee c) Green initiatives Mission Support Committee 4) Who will be able to receive monies from the fund? a) Budget and Emergent Needs i. Saskatchewan Conference b) For Green Initiatives: i. Congregations/Pastoral Charges ii. Incorporated Ministries iii. Outreach Ministries iv. Presbyteries v. Camps vi. Saskatchewan Conference 5) How will application for monies be made? a) Budget: through Annual Budget Process b) Emergent Needs: through decisions of Conference Executive in consultation with the Finance and Administration Committee c) Green Initiatives: through forms to the Mission Support Committee 6) The duration of the fund and how the fund will be closed. The Finance and Administration Committee sees this fund as ongoing until the money runs out. The Finance and Administration Committee will establish parameters on an annual basis as to how much is available for disbursement. Moats Land Fund Green Initiative Proposal That the amount available for Green Initiative projects from the Moats Land Fund be $20,000 for the year 2017.
Saskatchewan Conference Pastoral Relations / Settlement Committee Report to Saskatchewan Conference 11/05/2015 05/20/2016 PASTORAL RELATIONS/SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE, SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE: Temporary/Developing Report 2015 2016 LEGEND Dates: Listed as month/day/year * = part time + = indicates change in Call/Appointment Ministry Abbreviations used in this report: OM = Ordained Minister DM = Diaconal Minister DLM = Designated Lay Minister Recognized DLM# = Designated Lay Minister Not yet recognized RS = Retired Supply Minister US = United Supply Minister IM = Interim Minister CS = Candidate Supply (Candidate whose education and field requirements are complete) SS = Student Supply (Candidate whose education and/or field requirements are in process) IS = Intern Supply (Candidate who has completed all OM/DM requirements except internship) OS = Ordained Supply (from another denomination, in admission process with United Church) DS = Diaconal Supply (from another denomination, in admission process with United Church) GC = General Council Appointment SM = Shared Ministry (pastoral charge in ministry with one or more other denominations) C = Call PR = Provisional Call C25 Regina, SK COMPLETED CALLS, SETTLEMENTS, AND SPECIAL MINISTRIES Presbytery & Pastoral Charge Action Name Effective Date Chinook C Linda Tomlinson-Seebach(OM) 01/01/16 Good Spirit River Bend -Langham C Kathleen James-Cavan (OM)* 01/01/16 Wascana -Whitmore Park (Change in Call) +=C Tricia Gerhard (OM) 02/20/16 (Hours increased from 20 to 30) CALLS, SETTLEMENTS AND SPECIAL MINISTRIES IN PROCESS Presbytery & Pastoral Charge Action Name Effective Date COMPLETED APPOINTMENTS Presbytery & Pastoral Charge Name Effective Date Chinook -Climax (approve long term appt) Shelby Kinrade (DLM) 01/08/16-06/30/19 -Lafleche-Limerick Neil Gilbert (DLM, RS)* 01/01/16-06/30/17 -Gull Lake Kenneth Schrag (OM, RS)* 01/15/16-06/30/16 -Mossbank Wendy Gibson (DLM)* 01/07/16-06/30/17
Saskatchewan Conference C26 Regina, SK Pastoral June 2 - Relations 5, 2016 / Settlement Committee Report to Saskatchewan Conference 11/05/2015 05/20/2016 Good Spirit -Crossroads Sherran Schick (OM, RS)* 07/01/15-06/30/16 -Esterhazy Catherine Pace (DM, RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Four Town Sarah Beth Giles (CS)* 05/01/16-06/30/16 -Kamsack Kevin Sprong (OS)* 07/01/15-06/30/16 -Theodore-Springside Bradley Keith Wudrich (SS)* 07/01/15-04/30/16 -Theodore-Springside Bradley Keith Wudrich (CS)* 05/01/16-06/30/16 Prairie Pine -Cut Knife Linda Emberley (DLM, RS)* 07/01/15-06/30/16 -Wilkie, Scott Linda Emberley (DLM, RS)* 07/01/15-06/30/16 River Bend -Asquith/Perdue Joan Brown (DM RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Delisle-Vanscoy Brian Ast (OM, RS)* 09/01/15-04/30/16 -Delisle-Vanscoy Lindsay Mohn (CS*) 05/01/16-06/30/16 -Delisle-Vanscoy (approve long term appt) Lindsay Mohn (OM*) 07/01/16-06/30/18 -Dundurn Hanley Andrew Appledore (OM)* -Imperial (change in completion date) Kathleen James-Cavan (OM) 07/01/15-12/31/15 -Mount Royal Emmanuel Dale Morrison (OM RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Mount Royal Emmanuel Joan Brown (DM RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Northern Hospital Chaplaincy Joan Brown (DM RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -St. Martin s Saskatoon Keith Hall (SS) 07/01/15-06/30/16 -Third Ave. Saskatoon Donna Wilson (OM,RS) 01/01/16-06/30/17 Tamarack -Bridging Waters Lorna King (DLM) 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Carrot River/Arborfield Jamie Bushell (OM, IM) 07/01/15-06/30/17 Twin Valleys -Alameda Katherine Kyle (OM)* 09/01/15-06/30/16 -Alameda Jason Richards (SS)* 09/01/15-06/30/16 -Arcola-Kisbey Koshy David (OS) 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Glenavon Lynette Callfas (DLM)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Crossroads Roy Bortolotto (DLM)# 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Ogema-Bengough-Pangman Marie Barr (DLM)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 -Oxbow, Glen-Ewen Katherine Kyle (OM)* 09/01/15-06/30/16 -Oxbow, Glen-Ewen Jason Richards (SS)* 09/01/15-06/30/16 -Stoughton (approve long term appt) Elizabeth Goodson (DLM,RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/19 -Wolesley Mary Young (DM, RS)* 07/01/16-06/30/17 Wascana
Saskatchewan Conference C27 Regina, SK Pastoral Relations / Settlement Committee Report to Saskatchewan Conference 11/05/2015 05/20/2016 PRESBYTERY APPOINTMENTS IN PROCESS Presbytery & Pastoral Charge Name Dates Effective TRANSFERS WITHIN SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE Name From To Date Raymond Purdie (OM) (without appointment - RS) River Bend Good Spirit 02/27/16 Linsell Hurd (OM) (without appointment - RS) Prairie Pine River Bend 01/01/16 Sharon Ferguson-Hood (without appointment - RS) Tamarack River Bend 07/01/16 TRANSFERS WITHIN SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE Name From To Date TRANSFERS OUT OF SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE Name To Date TRANSFERS INTO SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE Name From Date RETIREMENTS Presbytery Name Date Chinook Earla McKinnell (DLM) 07/01/16 Good Spirit Prairie Pine Cindy Gossling (OM) 08/01/16 River Bend Donna Wilson (OM) 01/01/16 Tamarack Sharon Ferguson-Hood (OM) 07/01/16 Carole Beal McKenzie (OM) 07/01/16 Charles McKenzie (OM) 07/01/16 Dave Whalley (DLM) 07/01/16 Twin Valleys Hazel Arbon (OM) 01/01/16 Wascana ORDER OF MINISTRY DISCONTINUED SERVICE LIST (DISCIPLINARY) Presbytery Name Date Effective ORDER OF MINISTRY DISCONTINUED SERVICE LIST (VOLUNTARY) Presbytery Name Date Effective
Saskatchewan Conference C28 Regina, SK Pastoral Relations / Settlement Committee Report to Saskatchewan Conference 11/05/2015 05/20/2016 PASTORAL CHARGES/SPEC. MIN VACANT FOR CALL OR APPOINTMENT Presbytery Pastoral Charge Date Vacant Chinook Pine Cree 09/27/14 Cabri-Hazlet-Pennant* 07/01/15 Grasslands (McCord/Mankota/ Glentworth) 09/10/15 Gull Lake 07/01/15 Leader/Sceptre* 01/01/16 Maple Creek 05/01/15 Good Spirit Foam Lake/Leslie* 03/01/16 Four Town* 09/14/14 Kelrose (Kelvington-Lintlaw, Rose Valley) 03/01/16 Melville: First 07/01/14 Spirit of Hope* 07/01/16 Prairie Pine Battleford* 07/01/15 Kindersley: St. Paul s 07/01/15 Prairie Spirit* 04/01/14 River Bend Tamarack Big River* 05/01/16 Prince Albert: Calvary 09/01/16 Shellbrook-Leask* 07/01/16 Tisdale: St. Paul s 07/01/16 Twin Valleys Kipling* 02/01/16 Prairie Points 07/01/15 Rocanville 05/01/15 St. Paul s International Estevan 01/01/16 PASTORAL CHARGES TECHNICALLY or OTHERWISE VACANT Chinook Gravelbourg Sunday Supply Lake Valley Served from Spirit Hills Tompkins SM: Anglican; Occasion/Serv, Herbert/Morse/Chaplin Ceased Worship Good Spirit Balcarres Sunday Supply Edgeley Sunday Supply Ituna Sunday Supply Pelly Occasional services Kelliher Sunday Supply Lemberg/AbernethySunday Supply Little Cutarm (Atwater)Sunday Supply Tantallon Served from Esterhazy
Saskatchewan Conference C29 Regina, SK Pastoral Relations / Settlement Committee Report to Saskatchewan Conference 11/05/2015 05/20/2016 Prairie Pine Brock Occasional Supply Kerrobert Sunday Supply Landis Occasional Supply Luseland Sunday Supply Plenty Dodsland Sunday Supply Kelfield/Ruthilda Occasional Supply Smiley Occasional Supply Alsask Occasional Supply Laverna Occasional Supply Goose Lake Sunday Supply River Bend Bradwell: Knox Occasional Supply Maymont Cong. Accountable Minister Wakaw Occasional Supply Tamarack Crystal Springs Occasional Supply Kinistino Occasional Supply Colleston, Steep Creek Served- Prince Albert: Wesley Shell Lake Partners in Worship SM: Lutheran [vacant 07/01/15] Big River Served from Shellbrook Twin Valleys St. Paul s International SM: Presbyterian Round Lake Occasional Services at Sakimay Wapella Occasional Services Wascana Craik Sunday Supply Gray Sunday Supply Silton Occasional Services Plainsview Sunday & Weekend Supply Earl Grey Occasional Services Avonlea, Blue Hill Sunday & Weekend Supply MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF MINISTRY RETAINED BY ACTION OF COMMITTEE Presbytery Date Most Recent Retention Ends Chinook Mark Wartman (OM) 06/30/16 Good Spirit Brian Robert Mee (OM) 06/30/17 Jennifer Ann Irving (OM) 06/30/17 Roland Legge (DM) 06/30/17 Prairie Pine Jan Coffey-Olson (OM) 06/30/16 Jeannine Cline (OM) 06/30/16 River Bend Heather Hedlin (OM) 06/30/17 David Kim-Cragg 06/30/17 Leslie Schweitzer (OM) 06/30/17 Brian Walton (OM) 06/30/17
Saskatchewan Conference C30 Regina, SK Pastoral Relations / Settlement Committee Report to Saskatchewan Conference 11/05/2015 05/20/2016 Tamarack Charles McKenzie (OM) 06/30/16 Twin Valleys Geraldine Watkins (OM) 06/30/16 Lori Erhardt (OM) 06/30/16 Wascana Mary Brubacher (OM) 06/30/16 Christa Eidsness (OM) 06/30/16 Darilyn A. Grigg (DM) David Jones (OM) 06/30/16 Flor Linantud (OM) Jan Temple-Jones (OM) 06/30/16 Kim Antosh (DLM) DATE OF SETTLEMENT/CALLS/APPOINTMENTS AND VACATION PROVISIONS July 1, 2016 is the date that Calls/Appointments take effect, except where noted. Ministry Personnel moving to a new Call/Appointment must negotiate vacation with the M&P Committee of the Pastoral Charge.
Saskatchewan Conference C31 CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHY ORDINAND LINDSAY MOHN Regina, SK In Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger, a group of middle-schoolers form a Rebel Alliance to fight for better education in their school. The hero of this book is the mysterious Princess Labelmaker, who sends cryptic messages written on label-maker tapes. Like Princess Labelmaker, Lindsay Mohn uses this handy little gadget to take control of situations whether it is wrangling a room of theological books into appropriate shelving or creating manuals for a worship committee. Lindsay has always had a strong penchant for organization; as a small child she had a specific binder dedicated to collecting information about her vast Barbie collection. Her first experience in the courts of the United Church began at age 14 when Lindsay brought her skills in planning and coordination to chair the River Bend Presbytery Youth Committee. Growing up in the United Church meant that Lindsay spent countless nights sleeping on church floors, playing sardines, and selling hot dogs. It also meant that she was encouraged and nurtured in her faith and her leadership skills while participating in the life of the church at all levels. She continues to be supported by her church family at McClure United Church in Saskatoon. Following graduation from high school Lindsay decided to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant, a profession where organization and spreadsheets would be a daily delight. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting and went on to the first year of training and articling for her CA designation. It was at this time that Lindsay was also heavily involved in music ministry; singing with a worship band at one church and beginning a worship band at McClure was a wonderful opportunity to continue her leadership role in the church and spend more time planning worship. It was when she realized that she wanted to do this all the time that she made the decision to begin discernment for ministry and enrolled in classes at St. Andrew s College. Lindsay s time at St. Andrew s has progressed much in the same way her other projects always have with many binders, labels, lists, and of course a great spreadsheet to track hymns and worship music. She spent her ministry residency with the wonderful congregation of Mortlach United Church. Lindsay continues to occasionally sing with the McClure worship band, heads up a Conference task group for ministry recruitment, and sits on the General Council Audit Committee. She is delighted to be serving in ministry in Delisle and Vanscoy and is looking forward to her time there! BRADLEY WUDRICH In fall of 2009, I started university classes to begin my journey into ministry, after being in grocery retail for close to 30 years. I was a single full-time father and when my youngest daughter joined the Melfort Junior Choir at the Melfort United Church; I joined the Senior Choir the following year. This started a renewed life within the church, and a discernment for ministry two years later. Recently re-married, I have experienced God s boundless love by being a part of two blended families in my adult life. I now have an extended family that include many friends, family members, in-laws and outlaws who have all supported me in this new journey into ministry. Growing up in Southern Saskatchewan, I am a Saskatchewan boy and always appreciated the opportunity to grow up in rural Saskatchewan and raise my daughters here. So deciding to attend St. Andrew s Theological College was a natural fit for me. A special thank you to the board, faculty, staff and fellow students for sojourning with me on this amazing journey. Also thank-you to Valerie, my
Saskatchewan Conference C32 Regina, SK love, for joining me on this life journey, and all of my immediate family members for their love and support. RECOGNITION DUANE MOHN Paul McCartney's "Long and Winding Road" came to mind when I began thinking about my history with the United Church. The road began in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan in 1958. I was 13, and our family had just moved into the town from a small farm six miles out. My father's Multiple Sclerosis was becoming more severe, and my mother had taken on full-time employment at the local hospital. Birch Hills United Church became our church home, and ministers like Ray Heffelfinger and Bob Shank became our friends. I was baptized and confirmed there, and after I had the usual falling away from church in my late teens, Mary and I were married there in 1968. Over the years, we attended Melfort United Church, First United at Melville, Shuswap United at Salmon Arm, BC, then settled into Rosemont United in Regina. While at Rosemont, we taught in church school and worked at Lumsden Beach camp on Last Mountain Lake. Mary was part of the "Tots in Tow" women's group while I served on the church board, represented Rosemont on the United Church Housing Corporation, and did occasional worship assistance. I retired in 2000, and we followed the road back to a property near Birch Hills, built a home and settled back into Birch Hills United. Like so many rural charges, it was struggling. The old church building was demolished in 2006, just a year short of its hundredth, and our congregation moved into a rental agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. When we found ourselves without ministry personnel, I began three years of volunteer - and untrained - worship leadership, leading to a realization that this was how and where I was being called to serve. Discernment, acceptance into the Designated Lay Ministry program, and three more years of searching and growth, and I am where I was in 1958, doing what I feel God is calling me to do. Truly a "Long and Winding Road." ADMISSIONS SUN DO HYUN Born and raised in a conservative Presbyterian family in South Korea, I was taught to be faithful to God and be humble in my relationships with others. In University, I studied Social Work and was part of the Student Christian Movement (SCM) that helped me enrich my Christian faith with progressive theological perspectives and social activities. I worked at local congregations during my theological training and ordination process. My ministry experience also includes working at the General Assembly Office of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) as a program staff of the PROK Peace Community Movement Centre and the PROK National Peace and Reunification Committee. I became an ordained minister in April 2008 and moved to Canada when I began my study at St. Andrew s College in Saskatoon in September 2009. Following my graduation, I decided to continue my ministry vocation in The United Church of Canada because I found the UCC s vision and commitments to social justice, Truth and Reconciliation process in Canada, Affirming Ministries and Intercultural Ministries resonate with my own perspectives on Christian faith and ministry. I m currently serving Radville Pastoral Charge (Ceylon, Minton-Gladmar, Radville) in Southern Saskatchewan. I m
Saskatchewan Conference C33 Regina, SK so grateful that my admission process has been done well with a lot of support, blessing, and guidance from many friends, congregations, St. Andrew s College, Twin Valleys Presbytery, Saskatchewan Conference, and the national church body. Thank you. KEVIN SPRONG Everyone has several stories that guide the scripts of their lives. My stories include some of the following. My first love has always been preaching, teaching and pastoral care in Pastoral Ministry and any wider ecumenical or Conference committee work has been done as a volunteer. When I have been asked to work at levels wider than the local pastoral charge it has been in some of the following areas. Ecumenical and interfaith relationships was my last District (more or less equivalent to UCC conference level) portfolio. I have also served in Mission and Justice portfolios in several Districts as well as Secretary of District and deputy Chairman of District. My passions have evolved over the years as I have served as retreat leader for several contemplative retreats, and Spiritual Director for the national Walk to Emmaus movement in South Africa. My South African journey into social activism focused primarily on the right of people to have representation in government, to live where they prefer and to work at any occupation they wish to pursue. Rights that were previously reserved for a privileged few based on skin colour. Social activism is not in my blood, though. I am a mystic at heart, with a deep belief that God is personal, active and can be known in relationship. This mystic relationship is what led me to believe in the sacredness of every person and that systems or practices that discriminate against people because of race, gender, sexual orientation or social standing are wrong. Social activism arises out of my faith in God. It has been my enormous privilege to be guided in this exciting exploration of hope and courage that is the thrilling history and theology of The United Church of Canada. RETIREES BIOGRAPHIES HAZEL ARBON Hazel Arbon was a cradle member of St Andrew s United Church in Lachine, Que. She grew up in LaSalle, a suburb of Montreal and took secretarial training out of high school. In her twenties she worked in clerical jobs at Manchester Liners Ltd and at Clark Transport Canada Inc. She moved with her job to Edmonton in 1980 to be closer to family who had moved to BC in the mid 70 s. Not long after moving to Edmonton, Hazel felt the call to ministry within the United Church and became a candidate for ordained ministry from Alberta and Northwest Conference. Hazel got her Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology at the University of Alberta and decided to attend St Andrew s College, Saskatoon for her MDiv degree. She was ordained to further study in 1989 returning to St Andrew s to do an STM degree. After two years of doing the course work, she was settled in Provost/Macklin pastoral charge in Alberta & Northwest Conference and over the next 4 years fit the thesis work around her work in the congregations. In 1995, she was awarded an STM in Christology and Church History. Also in 1995, Hazel accepted a call to Maymont Larger Parish returning to Saskatchewan at a time when it seemed everyone else was heading out of the province. Hazel loved her time with these congregations, but sadly, they were facing what so many small congregations struggle with, not having
Saskatchewan Conference C34 Regina, SK the resources to maintain the clergy structure they want and need, so after 2 and a half years she had to move on and let the charge make the hard decisions they needed to make. It was during her time here that she discovered her artistic side through the medium of watercolour. In 1997, she accepted a call to Battleford United Church and bought herself a pink house in Battleford where she lived and worked for the next 4 years until she accepted a call to Grace United Church in Weyburn. In Weyburn she discovered scratchboard art which allowed her to express her love of animals through this art medium. In 2000, Hazel began the Pacific Jubilee program in Spiritual Direction and during the next couple of years of the training developed an interest in Reiki and Healing Pathways as well. In 2007, Hazel accepted a call to work in Saskatchewan Conference Office as Program Staff for Ministry Vocations. Over the next 8 years her portfolio changed a couple of times and for the past 4 years she has worked as the Program Staff for Mission and Education. After accepting the position at Conference Office, Hazel purchased a home in the Village of Vibank, southeast of Regina, and over the next five years, her creative endeavours were focused on renovating this hundred year old house. Upon retiring at the end of 2015, Hazel has settled into enjoying the harvest of her renovating labours and is beginning to pick up her other creative interests that have been pushed to the back burner in recent years. CAROLE BEAL MCKENZIE I was born an Anglais, July 20 th, 1947 in the old Sherbrooke Hospital, Sherbrooke Quebec. (Yes, I speak French, a wee bit, or I did at one time). I was living on my own at age almost 17, attending Bishop s University Lennoxville, about three miles from Sherbrooke. I remember thinking how very odd those Bishop s Divinity students were. Though I protested, like most students I was compelled to take two Divinity classes. I did notice how friendly, caring, nonthreatening, and gracious both the Old Testament and Comparative Religions professors were. After graduation in 1968, with a four year BA, Sociology/ Psychology degree (after switching from sciences at the end of my 2nd year) I took a fifth year at McGill earning a Class One Teacher s certificate, enabling me to teach grades K to 12. Later I took several additional graduate courses. For 6 years I taught at John Rennie High School, Pointe Claire, Quebec, a school of about 2000 students, and over 130 staff. Overwhelming for a beginning teacher to teach very large classes in a large school, but I grew to increasingly love teaching, especially I loved the students. I left teaching and became Mommy for a few years, moving close to Ottawa, then to Saskatoon in 1997. Out West was a new experience - deer were called jumpers, swamps were slews/sloughs, bluffs were trees not embankments, there were no wild sugar maples so did the Canadian flag really apply? My own children were gifts and teachers from God. As they grew I increasingly found time to develop my art skills, soon I was teaching art lessons and showing my paintings in galleries, and later using art to facilitate Healing and Growing workshops. The call to ministry seemed to begin before age 3 when I remember talking with what/who I now call God, and who continued speaking to me through those Divinity professors years before, and then persisting in shining with loud and subtle colours through my art and the participants during the many years of workshop retreats I facilitated. Through amazing Spiritual Intervention I entered St Andrew s College, applying first and having faith the money would come later. I received my MTS, 1991, then MDiv. in 2001.
Saskatchewan Conference C35 Regina, SK Before my real Internship in Yorkton, I filled in as ¾ time minister for 9 months with St Paul s United Church in Kindersley, filling - in before two new team ministers were hired. I have many fond memories of my learning experiences with the people of this generous congregation. Being in ministry for two years with the UC congregation in Cut Knife, SK, opened my eyes further to First Nation situations and issues. There are several reserves near Cut Knife, and Poundmaker Reserve was I believe only about a half mile from the town. Famous Aboriginal people (eg actor, Gordon Tootoosis) picked up mail at the Cut knife Post office. I became friends with Métis and Aboriginal people and still have connections there. I answered the ministry call to St Paul s United Church in Tisdale and Star City United Church in Star City, and Charles was settled there as well. How fabulous it was for us to be not only living together but also working together as a team, after living apart intermittently for 4 years while our processes through ministry synchronized themselves. For 7 years we were together in team ministry, and then I continued on as half time ministry with Star City Pastoral Charge for another 6 years, and with the addition of the previous years, making it for me a grand total of 15 years and 9 months in ministry. God s time flies. Each moment is sacred, precious. As I look back, It has been for sure an incredible and amazing journey, so far. I am blessed. In retirement, I look forward to being more active as Grandma, and to putting a lot more time into covering canvases with paint. SHARON FERGUSON-HOOD I was ordained in 1995 at Third Avenue United Church, in Saskatoon, at Saskatchewan Conference. I was settled on the Kelvington-Lintlaw Pastoral Charge, where I spent the next five years. And then, thanks to Mary Anderson I accepted a call to the Haida Gwaii Pastoral Charge, in British Columbia Conference, where I played and worked for seven years. I took my first sabbatical while there in 2006. I went on an 18 day pilgrimage to Crete, Greece with a group led by Carol Christ. Following the pilgrimage I lived on the island of Aegina in Vigia. In 2007, I worked at my first appointment to Interim Ministry at Meewasin Valley United Church in Saskatoon. Then on to Vernon, BC for another Interim, and then to First Avenue in Swift Current for a three year Interim. At the end of my second year in Swift Current I had my second sabbatical. I walked the Camino Trail in Spain, 780 kilometers, forty days, and forty nights. After a week of rest in Kathmandu I spent a month in India, in West Sikkim and in Darjeeling. My last working stop is in Tisdale, Saskatchewan where I am presently completing a two year Interim. I took five individual groups to Nepal on spiritual Pilgrimages. Perhaps a highlight is the education piece at St. Andrew s College, and the Arts degree, that made all these experience possible. CINDY GOSSLING My ministry began in 1989. My minister at the time, Gordon Stevenson, asked me to lead worship on one of the four points that made up the charge of Rocanville United, and so with a great deal of who me? You re talking to me! I accepted the challenge. And what a challenge it was! Soon I was being asked to do pulpit supply in other places and was quite willing to go and share in worship. Then my own pastoral charge was looking for someone to do half-time ministry with the full
Saskatchewan Conference C36 Regina, SK time minister. They approached me to see if I would be interested. In 1991 I became what was then called a staff associate. I did that for eight years and then decided that if I was doing all this ministry then some training would be a good thing and I entered into discernment. Together with a group of volunteers we discerned that I was indeed called and to diaconal ministry. In 1999 I enrolled in the Centre for Christian Studies, who had just moved to Winnipeg, and began my studies. I accepted a half time position with the Little Cutarm Pastoral Charge and served as student supply while I finished my education with CCS. In 2005 I was commissioned and settled in the Coteau Hills Pastoral Charge. In 2010 I accepted a call to the Outlook Pastoral Charge. In the past 26 years I have served as recording secretary in Qu Appelle and Prairie Pine presbyteries. I have served on the presbytery Pastoral Relations committee in three presbyteries and on the Division of Mission in two. I had the pleasure of serving for a couple of terms with the Conference settlement committee as a Diaconal Representative. I also served two terms on the Conference Interview Board. I was also a consultant for the Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Committee. It has been a joy and challenge, blessing and curse to have served in pastoral ministry all these years. My partner and I plan to travel. I look forward to some time to just be and see where the Spirit leads RICK McCORRISTER I was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. After receiving my B.Comm (Hons) in Accounting I headed to Toronto and area before returning to Manitoba to live and work in Portage la Prairie as an Accountant. In 1987 we moved to Saskatoon so that I could begin studies at St. Andrew s College. I graduated in 1991 and was settled in the Russell-Inglis Pastoral Charge in Manitoba. After 5 years we relocated to Winnipeg where I accepted a call to Fort Garry United Church. Five years later I felt the call to return to rural ministry. At the time I was also working a ¼ time contract with the Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Resource Centre and needed to be there for 1 to 2 weeks every 1 to 2 months. Therefore, I needed a place that would be interested in part-time ministry in blocks of time. Tugaske-Eyebrow was this place, and it also fit the criteria of being within an 8 hour drive to Beausejour just! The Pastoral Charge and I thought we would try it out for two years. Thirteen years later my partner Catherine Barnsley and I made the difficult decision to leave Tugaske-Eyebrow, which by this time included Central Butte and the Riverhurst area (now known as the Spirit Hills Pastoral Charge). For the next 7 months Catherine and I shared the Executive Director position at Callings Lakes Centre with the sad task of overseeing the winding down of the Centre. I have been blessed with being able to serve with some wonderful people, congregations, and institutions over these last 25 years. They have all taught me about what it means to be a paid accountable minister within The United Church of Canada; and I am a better person because of those experiences. Most importantly, as I have offered ministry to them, they in turn have all been supportive and caring of me as their minister and as a person. I give thanks for each of you and bless you for who you are and for the ministry that you offer to your communities. In addition, it has been a delight and a pleasure to work with the staff of each of those places. Thank you to each of you! You were a gift to me as we worked together in ministry and you continue to be a blessing and gift to the church in many ways. Retirement means that I am no longer involved in congregational leadership on a permanent basis and instead I fill my time with work at the Qu Appelle House of Prayer (where we also live), family visits (especially the grand children in Winnipeg), my spiritual direction work and spiritual formation workshops, as well limited pulpit supply and Presbytery work. Life is full and good!
Saskatchewan Conference C37 CHARLES McKENZIE Regina, SK Here it is June 2016, retirement (for the second, and hopefully final time). I was ordained on June 1, 2003 in Nipawin. I was fortunate to have served all my time in team ministry. My team mates (Linda Stumpf, Carole Beal McKenzie, Judy MacGillivray) in my journey have been compassionate and caring teachers and mentors. We are not alone. Saskatchewan has been my home for my entire life; almost evenly split between urban and rural. Each setting has gifts to offer, and visions to see. Through it all, I rejoice in the many people who are part of the spiritual landscape of Saskatchewan. As I enter another phase of life I look forward to the many opportunities I will be presented with by the spirit. This journey has not been boring, and has not been lonely. I expect to be continually surprised. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey so far, and I look forward to meeting many new friends in the future. EARLA McKINNELL I was born in Cobourg Ontario, the second daughter of Earl & Betty Carter. I spent the first seventeen years of adult life as a wife and mother. I have three children, Matthew, Christa and Jason as well as one step child named Jonathan. It was after raising my children, that I felt the need to discover who I was beyond this role. I went back to High School to earn my accreditation to University. I then enrolled at The Centre for Training for Psychotherapy where I studied for four years. It was during the last year that I realized I was called to Ministry. After my year of discernment I felt called to Lay Pastoral Ministry (as it was then called). I trained in Montreal for this designation and took course for Intentional Interim Ministry as well. I served as the Belleville Presbytery Secretary (first paid position in the Conference) and also served alongside my husband The Reverend David McKinnell at Marmara Pastoral Charge in Ontario. We served for two years in this Interim Ministry. I moved on to Arcola Pastoral Charge in Saskatchewan where I was blessed to serve. Along the way I have served the church in many capacities (Chair of Twin Valleys Presbytery, the committee on Interim Ministry, The Faith and Theology Committee and the Long Term Disability Committee of the National Church) to name a few. I also served in an Interim Ministry at St. Andrew s United Church in Moose Jaw. It was after this experience that I ended up on Long Term Disability. During the next year I moved back to my home town of Bowmanville, Ontario to be with family. Now six years later I am still recovering from Post Traumatic Stress and looking forward to my Daughter s wedding in June of this year. Ministry has been a very bumpy road for me and with all the changes within the National Church, I am now retiring as a Designated Lay Minister. DAVE WHALLEY Dave was born in Nottingham, England in a Canadian Military Hospital. His father was serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the time. At the age of 3 months the Canadian Government evacuated him from that war zone as the Blitzkrieg was on. Dave was raised in and attended school in the Battleford area. Dave became a Saskatchewan Land Surveyor which took him to Alaska and the Yukon. The Yukon is still dear to his heart today. Then he surveyed for the City of Saskatoon before becoming a Service Representative and later an Education Representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees. He served in virtually every part of this great country. He also became the first employee of the City of Saskatoon to ever serve as a councilor for that city. Those life experiences gave him strengths and gifts to reach out to all people. During Dave's approximately 10 years in the ministry, he served in Eatonia, Shellbrook and Big River. One special area of interest for Dave for over 16 years has been restorative justice. He has visited and escorted many prison inmates over the years and that will be his passion in retirement. After retirement, Dave will be serving First United Church in Big River part-time. He and his partner, Leslee,
Saskatchewan Conference C38 Regina, SK live in Holbein and will be spending time hunting, fishing, gardening, and traveling, as well as visiting those in prison. Dave has two children; Cara and Ryan and four grandchildren; Royce, Osborne, Liam, and Riley. DONNA WILSON I was born into the United Church and have wonderful memories of Sunday School in the basement of the church in Humboldt Sk. I have vivid memories of my baptism at the age of 5 and memories of being guided by my parents who were long time members and very active lay people. That was, I suppose, the beginning of my life long relationship to our church that eventually led to my pursuing ministry as a second career. I had resisted that call for many years and was truly discerned into pursuing this by my lay experience as a leader in two wonderful congregations in Saskatoon and Bonnyville Alberta. My first ministry was with the Tsimshian People of Lax Kw Alaams, BC. My relationship to that village and the amazing people there has continued since 1997 and eventually led me to the writing of my doctorate dissertation on their very unfortunate experience of over 100 years of residential school involvement. Learning that history has had a profound influence on me and my relationship to our church. It has led me to a deep passion on trying to understand the past so that we might as a church make the future better through reconciliation and acknowledgment of our past failures. My friends of the village and I consider that this will be part of who we are for the rest of our lives. My second ministry was in a rural ranching community and the pastoral charge of Mannville, Minburn and Innisfree. The wonderful folks there taught me about faithful living and resiliency during difficult times. They were a truly loving people who even taught me the art of vaccinating calves while someone else did another task at the other end of the baby cattle. My final ministry has been for the last 11 years with the folks at Third Avenue United in Saskatoon. This congregation has been tenacious and inventive as they dealt with the reality of our place as church in a mostly secular society. I am thankful for all the people who I have met along the way. I am thankful for my family of origin, my brothers and their families who have sustained me with their love over the years. I am thankful for my beautiful children and grandchildren who are looking forward to having more of my time in retirement. I have many dreams in my bucket list and look forward to what the future holds. I hope to spend time in Italy with my family there and do some service in Israel and Palestine. There are so many connections around the world that will continue to teach me about living in a good way.
Saskatchewan Conference C39 IN MEMORIAM IRIS DELORES TAYLOR May 16, 2015 Regina, SK It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Iris Delores Taylor (Nightingale) on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at the age of 83. Iris was predeceased by her parents Alfred and Marjorie; her sisters Bessie and Ethel; her brothers Dennis, Walter, Larry and Wilfred. She leaves to mourn her loving, devoted husband of 61 years, Bill; sisters June, Barbara and Nancy; sisters-in-law Peggy, Anne, Dianne and Ernestine; children Kerry (Heather), Beryl (Rob Madden), Randall (Andrea), Kevin (Sherrill); grandchildren Chad (Bernadette), Madeleine, Simone (Jay), Josh, Christopher (Kathryn), Nigel (Erica), Jennifer (John), Paul (Maraya), Quinci, Martin and Amalja; five greatgrandchildren and cherished family members; Diane Taylor-Neale, Art Neale, Rachelle Chiasson-Taylor and Chandra Logan. Iris was born at Okla, Saskatchewan in the log house of her parents' homestead and raised on that farm. After grade eleven she was a study-supervisor near the Porcupine Forest and south of Okla, later teaching near Imperial, Saskatchewan and in Regina for more than seventeen years. She was a devoted and active member of Rosemont United Church for more than half a century, taking a leadership role in all aspects of church life. Iris was a passionate gardener and long-time amateur musician. She was also a tireless volunteer for numerous causes including literacy outreach, assisting inner-city children, meals-on-wheels, UNICEF, and performing in the Good Shepherd's Band. Family was of great importance to Iris. Her idea of family was inclusive and she took every opportunity to nurture those bonds. We remember Iris for her generosity, kindness, joyful outlook and empathy for others as she lived her faith. BILL CHAPMAN May 6, 1027 May 22, 2015 It is with sadness that the family announces Bill Chapman passed away at St. Paul's Hospital on Friday May 22, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Mary; daughters Audrey (Gerry) Greves, Gwen Chapman (Mary-Ellen Kish), Anne (Robert) Heinemeyer; grandchildren Devon, Whitney and Andrew Greves, Chris Heinemeyer, and Ben Chapman-Kish; brother Harold, sister Alice (Gene) Bader, sisters-in-law Yvonne Chapman, Peggy Ulland and Anne (Jack) McCracken, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Will and Gertrude Chapman, brothers Jack, Earl and Charlie and sister Gladys Dexter. Bill was born in Saskatoon and raised on farms in Floral and Meskanaw districts. He graduated from Ethelton High School in 1944 and the University of Saskatchewan School of Agriculture in 1948. He was a founding member of the Laurel Co-op Farm until he changed vocations in 1951 to become a United Church minister. He completed his B.A. at the University of Saskatchewan (1954) and graduated from St. Andrew's College (1957). While he was a student, Bill met Mary Morgan and they were married in December 1955. Bill spent 35 years in ministry serving congregations at Rockglen, Quill Lake, Three Hills (Alberta), Grace-Westminster (Saskatoon), and Elrose, as well as contributing to church committees at regional, provincial and national levels. Family life was very important to Bill, including family camping trips,
Saskatchewan Conference C40 Regina, SK games nights, supporting his children's educational and musical pursuits, and visiting extended family. Following retirement in 1992, Bill and Mary returned to Saskatoon where Bill enjoyed spending time with family - particularly his grandchildren, took up bird carving and writing family and church histories, and continued to be a church volunteer. Since 2005, Bill appreciated being part of the McClure Place community where he was involved in the Writers' Circle, the Choristers, playing cards, and the Residents' Association, including serving on the executive. Bill was a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed. He is remembered by many as a caring pastor and mentor, and as a gentle, humble, and compassionate person whose life exemplified the values that were important to him. DONALD SERVISS LEITCH March 27, 1933 May 27, 2015 We are sad to announce the death of our beloved Don, husband and father and grandfather and friend, preacher, singer, story-teller and schmoozer extraordinaire. He was born in Pathlow, Sask. on March 27, 1933 and passed away May 27, 2015, age 82. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Louise Robson; daughters Chris Bowers (Randy Nicifori), Jacquie Leitch (Kevin Murphy), granddaughters Maya and Niamh Williams-Murphy; his sister Isabel McLeod and brother Mac Leitch, and many nephews, nieces and cousins. On Louise's side he was stepdad to Gordon Kozroski (Clare) and 'Papa Don' to Gina, Leah and Alex; and stepdad to Kathy Kozroski. He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Robert and Isabel Leitch; his son Robbie Leitch; brother-in-law Colin McLeod and sisterin-law Joan Leitch. Don had an amazingly varied work life, being ordained in 1959 into United Church ministry. He was a TV host and anchor and communications professional; he worked with Indian Affairs, with Credit Union Central, with Saskatchewan Potash Corporation and the Potash and Phosphate Institute. In the meantime he continued to be involved in ministry and figured he had preached in over 30 congregations. He was a regular at Knox United Church in Saskatoon. He participated in many community organizations, including the Regina Ski Club, Regina's Centennial Auditorium and Symphony Orchestra, Regina and Saskatoon YMCA's, Canadian Institute for Society and Humanity (U of S,) and the MidLakes Community Coalition. He was a member of Moose Jaw-Thunder Creek Health Region Board of Directors, plus SAHO and the Sask. Cancer Agency, and later Heartland Health Region Board of Directors. He sang with church choirs, the Elizabethan Singers, the University Chorus (Saskatoon) and the Gallery Singers (the Battlefords). In his earlier years he was an athlete, water- and downhill skiing, and he ran 13 marathons. He also loved recreational motorbikes. His disability slowed him down in recent years but he was a scholar all his life, reading history, politics and theology. His devotion to the church never waned. His delight in the grandkids seemed to grow daily. He was a collector of interesting friends, loved meeting people, and would instantly step into the role of mentor or guide for anyone who would let him. Many deeply loved him for this. Faith, music, the Roughriders, and anything with wheels and a motor-many blessings enriched his life. SUSAN MANNING July 5, 2015 Susan was born in Saint John, N.B. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church before joining The United Church of Canada. The Observer Magazine was the most important influence in drawing her to the United Church. She taught school for many years and worked overseas in Peru. She completed degrees at the University of N.B., Newman Theological College in Edmonton, MA in Scripture at the University of Ottawa, and studies for ordination at Emmanual College.
Saskatchewan Conference C41 Regina, SK Ordained in 1988, she served as United Church Chaplain at the Toronto General Hospital and at Saint John s Rehabilitation Center. She ministered with the churches of the Lake of Bays Pastoral Charge in Muskoka Presbytery, and at First United Church Melville. In Toronto Conference she chaired the Christian Education Committee, was a member of the Jewish Christian Dialogue, and Rural Life Committee. She served Muskoka Presbytery as President, Secretary, Chair of Pastoral Relations and taught preaching and Scripture in the Licensed Lay preacher program. In Good Spirit Presbytery in Saskatchewan she worked as chair of communications, and treasurer. Other activities include padre of Huntsville and Melville Legions, president of Community Living Huntsville, and member of board of Fairvern Nursing home. As chair of Chaplaincy committee at Huntsville Hospital, she initiated an interfaith chaplaincy model. HAROLD GEORGE BENJAMIN September 7, 1093 - August 3, 2015 Reverend Harold George Benjamin, age 83, of Swift Current, SK passed away August 3, 2015 at Cypress Regional Hospital. Harold is survived by his daughters Michelle and Jody; sons William and Raymond; stepchildren Sandra, Sherry and Richard; and grandchildren Jackson, Emma, Janelle, Megan, Shauna, Xander and Crosby. He was predeceased by his parents Herb and Anne Benjamin, his spouses Beverly Benjamin (nee: Rowe) and Viola Benjamin (nee: Stobe), and sister Marian Kettner. Harold was born on the farm in the Webb District on September 7, 1931. He attended school at Blessum School, Lloyd School, Rosetown School and then the University of Saskatchewan. Harold was married to Beverly Rowe on June 25, 1955, divorcing in 1965. He married Donelda McIntyre on August 26, 1965, divorcing in 1985. Following that he married Viola Anton (nee: Stobe) on July 11, 1987. During his life, Harold worked as a farmer, Wheat Pool agent, teacher and a minister. He spent 27 years as a minister for the United Church. He was a member of the Prairie Pioneers Kiwanis Club. As an infant, Harold was giving the nickname "Howie" by his sister. When she tried to say "Harold", it came out "Howie". This nickname stuck with him all of his life. In his spare time, Harold enjoyed gardening, was an avid reader, enjoyed making wine and took up motorcycling when he was 71. SANDRA MAY SELLARS October 15, 2015 It is with hearts full of love and memories that we announce that Sandra May Sellars (née Patience), wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, ended her cancer journey on Thursday, October 15, 2015. Sandra will be forever remembered by her husband and best friend, George; their sons, Jared (Fancy) and Jay (Jackie); grandchildren, Nichole and Parker; sister, Sharon (Gordon) Larsen; niece, Amber (Art) Merideth; and great-niece, Olivia Block. She will also be forever remembered by extended family, too numerous to mention, and multitudes of dear friends. She is now united with her mother, Ruth; father, Alex and step-mother, Shirley. Sandra served as ministry personnel at Herbert-Morse-Chaplin Pastoral Charge and Leader-Sceptre Pastoral Charge, both in Chinook Presbytery.
Saskatchewan Conference C42 JAMES RALPH JIM JOWSEY October 24, 1925 November 17, 2015 Regina, SK Dr. James R. Jowsey (Jim) well known and passionate naturalist and a founding member of YFBTA and long-standing member of Nature Sask died November 17 at Aspen Bluffs Care Home, Yorkton after suffering a stroke the previous day. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday. For many years Jim was Four Town Pastoral Charge representative to presbytery (and occasionally Conference). He served on several presbytery and conference committees and at one time was on the St. Andrew's College Senate. He and his wife Shirley led several programs at Calling Lakes (PCTC) dealing with appreciation of the natural world. He was one of the authors of Wildflowers Across the Prairies, an amazing resource to which he and Shirley both made significant contributions. Shirley predeceased him in Feb 2014. RON FLETCHER October 24, 2015 Ron passed away October 24, 2015, at Pioneer Village in Regina, Saskatchewan. He had a stroke in 2013. He was predeceased by his father Bert, wife Ruth (Pear) and sister Linda. He is fondly remembered by children Elizabeth and brother-in-law Mike McCall, Jon Pear, mother Isobel (Dolly) and sister Heather as well as aunt Joyce and uncle Richard Merrill, cousin Wanda and husband Tom Murphy in Winnipeg, niece Patricia, nephew Thomas, brother-in-law John Cochrane and many cousins and friends. Ron graduated from the University of Winnipeg and was ordained with The United Church of Canada. He was a minister at the University of Manitoba for over ten years. Then he and his wonderful wife Ruth moved the family to charges throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. Ruth passed away in 1993. Ron married his second wife, Kathy Edmison. He returned for a year to Holland United Church in Manitoba. He retired in Regina. Ron was full of life and was passionate about his faith and belief in social justice. He was a member of the N.D.P. and enjoyed social gatherings and lively discussions. Ron was cremated in Regina. WILLA ALBERTA KERNEN August 7, 1926 December 7, 2015 Dr. Willa Alberta Kernen was born at Girvin, SK and lived on the family farm until moving to Saskatoon at the age of 10 years. She attended Wilson School and City Park Collegiate, followed by a secretarial course at Tech. Willa was a member of Third Avenue United Church and active in the choir, young people's group, CGIT and later UCW. Her interests led her to a career in church work. She attended the United Church Training School in Toronto 1951-53. Upon completion of her studies here, she became a missionary Korea was her choice. Willa studied Korean languages at Yale University for one year previous to moving to Korea in 1954. She worked with the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) in many capacities including lay training of Korean women, later in the General Assembly Office in Seoul doing all work that entailed English language. She and other missionaries became deeply involved in Human Rights and aiding the Korean people in their struggles with Democracy, often putting
Saskatchewan Conference C43 Regina, SK themselves in danger from the Korean authorities. Willa dearly loved the Korean people, and they returned her love and gratitude. Willa retired in 1990 and returned to Saskatoon, continuing to work for the church and community. She received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Montreal University in 2003. Willa suffered a severe stroke in 2006 and spent her last years in Oliver Lodge. She was predeceased by her parents, Herman and Ferne Kernen; and brother, Herman Jr. Left to mourn are her sister, Jewel Reid and Jewel's sons, Doug (Joanne), Rod (Heather), Ken (Kris) and their children Jonathan and Breann Reid; a special cousin, Shirley Haid; and many friends here and in Korea. Our grateful thanks to the staff of Oliver Lodge for their loving care especially in her final days. CLARENCE RONALD RON KASHA August 5, 1931 December 26, 2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Ron Kasha on December 26, 2015 at the age of 84 years after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He will always be remembered by his loving family, daughter Karolee (Larry) Zawislak; sons Keith, Kent (Linda), and Kevin (Kim); grandchildren Zachary, Kristof, Antonia, Kaitlyn and Kieran; brother Ken (Marion); as well as extended family and many friends. He was predeceased by Marion, his wife of 54 years, a son Dale, his parents Clarence and Mary, and sister Nina. Born in Lacombe August 5, 1931, Dad was raised on the family farm. He went on to obtain his CA designation and a certificate in Business Administration and worked primarily for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, where he ultimately was appointed Chief Financial Officer. Dad valued giving back to his community and was active in his church and in the Lions Clubs, in Regina, Lacombe and ultimately with the Edmonton Host Lions Club. He was an avid golfer, scoring two holes in one. He enjoyed bowling and was an enthusiastic sports fan. H is caring, and honourable nature will be remembered by all he met. Ron served Saskatchewan Conference on the executive as Treasurer and Convenor of Finance between the years of 1981 and 1987. ALLAN JOHN ARTHUR DRIVER June 12, 1954 January 4, 2016 Al, of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, January 4, 2016, from colon cancer. Al is survived by his soulmate and loving wife of 40 years, Deana; son Dave (Kelli) Driver; daughter Lisa (Kyle) Kosolofski; daughter Dani Driver (Stephen Folnovic); three beautiful grandsons Cooper, Easton, and Titan Driver; mother Ellen Driver; sister Linda (Jack) Malagride; sisters-in-law Karyn Elliott, Barb (Wayne) Robinson, Leanne Pacholok; brother-in-law Alan Pacholok (Melody Coulombe); and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Al was predeceased by his father Bill Driver; father-in-law Alex Pacholok, and mother-inlaw Sabinka Agnes Pacholok. Al was born on June 12, 1954, in Regina, SK and attended Coronation Park School and Thom Collegiate. He lived in Regina for all but two years of his life (1973-1975), when he attended journalism school at SAIT in Calgary (where he met Deana). From the age of 14, he worked at the Regina Leader-Post, first as a part-time copyboy, then full-time in the sports department and news department, taking early retirement in February 2008 from the position of news editor. Since 2010, Al worked with his partner Deana in their book publishing company, DriverWorks Ink, and enjoyed travelling all over the Prairie provinces, meeting new people and sharing his love of the written word. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother,
Saskatchewan Conference C44 Regina, SK and uncle. Family always came first for Al. He was a committed volunteer in the community as a Scout leader, soccer coach and more. He loved the United Church of Canada and was active at the regional and provincial levels and as Council chairperson, committee and choir member, and much more at Heritage United Church in Regina. Al was an avid sports fan and lover of the Detroit Red Wings, Regina Pats, and any team on which his children and grandchildren played. He loved travelling and, with Deana, explored much of Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Belize, and parts of Europe. Al's kindness and generosity were evident in all he did, including giving big hugs often and assisting his friend Rob Vanstone with the Leader-Post's annual Sports Memorabilia Sale to benefit literacy. Al's sense of humour and big personality will be greatly missed by all. ELIZA ANNE MESS February 13, 1917 February 12, 2016 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Eliza Ann, better known as Anne Mess, on February 12, 2016, one day shy of her 99th birthday. Annie is predeceased by her husband, Andrew (1995); daughter-in-law, Mabel; her brother, Henry and sister, Amelia (John); brothers-in-law, William and Robert (Bob) and sister-in-law, Susanna (Anna) and numerous nieces and nephews. Annie is survived by her daughters, Lillian (Arni) and Milli and her son, Andrew; her grandchildren, Pearl (Harry), Gayelene, Lynn (Calvin) and their children, Tayla and Kaylie, Dwayne (Dawn) and their children, Ben and Avery, Kim (Troy) and their children, Kristen and Haley, D'Arcy (Merle) and their children, Sesselia and Joshau, as well as her sister, Violet (Lloyd) and numerous nieces and nephews, great and greatgreat nieces and nephews. Anne was born on February 13, 1917 in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan. She grew up in the Saltcoats area and attended the Meadowvale District school. She was married to Andrew Mess on April 5, 1939. They lived in the Saltcoats and Bredenbury areas and raised their family on the family farm North East of Bredenbury. Annie was active in the United Church, over the years participating in Castleton Church, then Knox in Bredenbury, and latterly in Saltcoats United Church. She was Secretary for the Four Town Pastoral Charge and of the Saltcoats UCW for many years. For many years she was pastoral charge representative to Good Spirit Presbytery and attended numerous meetings of Saskatchewan Conference. With Andrew, Annie was a staunch and hard-working supporter of Camp MacKay as long as the camp operated. Her involvement in United Church Women included holding office in the UCW Presbyterial and attending several national gatherings of UCW. These meetings enabled her to make lifelong friends during her travels across Canada. These events, such as the gathering in Newfoundland, she named as among the highlights of her life. Through telephone calls and letters she maintained contact with many of her treasured friends. In later years she travelled extensively though Canada from Coast to Coast and into the Eastern States, Seattle, Washington and Mount Baker, she also toured Yukon and Alaska. Thank you to all the special ladies and staff at the Langenburg Centennial Care Home for your kind words and caring, particularly in the last three months when she was injured in a fall, you were sincerely appreciated by Annie.
Saskatchewan Conference C45 ALISON C. D. WEST June 2, 1937 March 5, 2016 Regina, SK The death of The Rev. Alison West (nee Wilson) of Watrous, SK occurred Saturday, March 5, 2016 at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, with her family by her side. NORMA MARION LINDSTROM October 22, 1925 April 25, 2016 Norma Marion Lindstrom (nee Schwindt) of Regina passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016 at the age of 90 years. Norma was born on the family farm near Parry, Saskatchewan and lived and farmed with her husband Bennie in the Parry community for many years before moving to Regina. She was predeceased by her husband Bennie; parents Clara and Ted Schwindt; daughter Suzanne; brother Lorne, and sister Joan. Norma is survived by three children Larry (Mona) of Calgary, AB. Randi (Greg) of Gray, SK and Paul (Ann) of Willowbunch, SK; six grandchildren Jeremy (Megan), Amy (Jeffery), Jeffrey, Michael (Kyla), Kimberly and Jason (Angela); thirteen great-grandchildren Brooke, Brett, Avary, Campbell, Cooper, Jake, Andrew, Carter, Matthew, Hayden, Anna, Eva and Clara; brother-in-law Wendell Lindstrom; and numerous nieces and nephews. Norma was a long time excellent educator in the United Church local congregations, presbytery and Conference.