A1 THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE SECTION CATEGORY A B C D E F G H I J General Information Report of the Conference Executive Reports of Committees Reports of Networks Reports of Tasks/Task Groups and Emergent Working Groups Friends and Partners of Saskatchewan Conference Presbytery Reports Nominations Proposals Biographies K Saskatchewan Conference Budget 2018
A2 SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE 2017 Annual Gathering The Call Echoes Series of Events Date Time Event Place Wednesday to Friday, June 14-16 Friday, 1:30pm to June 16 4:40pm Friday, June 16 Saturday, June 17 7:00pm rejunevation Spiritual Retreat Paddock Wood Brewery Tour (must be over 19 years old) 9:00am to Educational Workshops 4:30pm Workshops: St. Andrew s College St. Andrew s College Paddock Wood Brewery McClure United Church Morning: - Resiliency in Ministry (ministry personnel only) - Many are One: SK and our global partners in Korea, Kenya and Palestine - Reserve 107 movie and practical reconciliation in action - Medical Assistance in Dying: gifts and dilemmas for our (faith) communities Afternoon: - I was in prison in Saskatchewan and you visited me: Saskatchewan rates of imprisonment; alternatives; and church witness. - Visit to Solar Co-op installation; discussion of solar options for churches - That We May Know Each Other: visit to the Saskatoon mosque - Why be Affirming when we re already welcoming? (To be held at Out Saskatoon) Saturday, June 17 Sunday, June 18 5:30pm 6:00pm Celebration of Ministries Banquet St. Martin s United Church 9:30am Service of Praise & Celebration Knox United Church
A3 WHAT IS CONFERENCE? Section IV of the Basis of Union describes Conference as follows: IV. The Conference 7.0 The Conference shall consist of: 7.1.1 the members of the Order of Ministry who are on the roll of the Presbyteries within its bounds; 7.1.2 the lay persons who are under appointment within its bounds as in sections 6.2.1, 6.2.2, and 6.2.3; 7.2 lay members elected as provided for in section 6.4.13, at least equal in number to the members in sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2; (2007) 7.3 the Chairpersons of Conference Committees and the President of the Conference United Church Women, who are not members of any Presbytery but who, at the discretion of the Conference, may be added to its membership; 7.4 persons who are corresponding members of Presbytery under sections 6.3.1, 6.3.2, and 6.3.3 shall be corresponding members of the Conference; 7.5 representatives of lay organizations which may be recognized by the Conference from time to time, with the number of representatives to be determined by the Conference or its Executive. 7.6 It shall be the duty of the Conference: 7.6.1 (1) to meet at least every third year, or more frequently, as determined by the Conference; (2013) (2) to appoint an Executive; (2010) 7.6.2 to determine the number and boundaries of the Presbyteries within its bounds, have oversight of them, and review their records; 7.6.3 to receive and dispose of appeals and Proposals, subject to the usual right to appeal; 7.6.4 to see that, as far as reasonably possible, every Pastoral Charge within its bounds shall have a pastorate without interruption, and that, as far as reasonably possible, every effective member of the Order of Ministry shall have a Pastoral Charge, and to effect this through a Settlement Committee; 7.6.5 to ordain or commission each Candidate for the Order of Ministry as examined and approved who has fulfilled the prescribed requirements and has been recommended by a Presbytery; 7.6.6 to admit to the Order of Ministry of the United Church a diaconal minister or the equivalent or an ordained minister from another denomination, subject to the regulations of the General Council; 7.6.7 to deal with matters referred to it by the General Council; 7.6.8 to elect to the General Council an equal number from each of two groups: (1) members of the Order of Ministry and Designated Lay Ministers, with the proportion of each being determined by their numbers; and (2007) (2) lay members other than Designated Lay Ministers; and (2007) 7.6.9 to have oversight of the religious life of the Church within its bounds, and to adopt such measures as may be judged necessary for its promotion. Saskatchewan Conference is one of thirteen Conferences of the United Church.
A4 People with whom we are Celebrating at the 2017 Annual Event of Saskatchewan Conference ORDINAND Jason Richard DESIGNATED LAY MINISTER Roy Bortolotto ADMITTAND Koshy David Those Retiring Marie Barr Janet Clarke Pat Hall Marjorie Keyser Mary Ellen Kitchen Robert Kitchen Leslie Schweitzer Sung Shim Dexter van Dyke Geraldine Watkins Michael Webster Those Celebrating Anniversaries 60 YEARS James Kirkwood 55 YEARS Larry Edwards 45 YEARS Karen Mitchell 40 YEARS Mary Brubacher Brian Walton Dale Morrison William Shank Catherine Pace 35 YEARS Alexander Gaspar Vicki Obedkoff Susan Griffith Donald Schweitzer 30 YEARS James Balfour Everett Hollis Margaret McKechney Mary Beth Nicks-Barbour Gladys Pavo-Penny Alfred Tinio Roselis Ward 25 YEARS Lori Erhardt Linsell Hurd Helen Smith-McIntyre Those for whom we mourn: Marie Swanson Joan McConnell Jack Bray Wendell Stevens Marjorie Bater Gudrun Shier Jim Trembley Bob Thompson
A5 OUR PRESIDENT KRYSTAL SHEREMETA I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. This is where my first introduction to the United church occurred. I began by teaching Sunday school and eventually leading the youth group. I moved north to Edmonton in order to study nursing where I continued volunteering for the church: teaching Sunday School, leading the Jr youth group, chairing the faith formation committee, and writing Sunday School curriculum. I also was able to act as a Junior leader of a youth mission trip, further developing my love of youth ministry and sparking my passion for mission work. Upon graduation I worked in the NICU in Edmonton. It was here working with families in some of the most difficult moments of their lives that I developed my appreciation for truth telling in difficult moments, and the need to faithfully and honestly address grief and hope. It was while nursing that I receive my call to ordained ministry within the United Church. I moved out East and attended Seminary at Emmanuel College in Toronto. I was lucky to have the opportunity to travel to the Philippines and work there for 4 ½ months for my internship. This experience is one that has been foundational to my identity as a minister and my understanding of how mission and justice work must be a part of discipleship. I was ordained in Alberta Northwest Conference in 2011 and moved to Saskatchewan. I am currently serving in my first call, a four point charge in a rural setting. Here I have been able to serve in all aspects of congregational ministry, working with youth and families and seniors and everyone in between, finding new loves in each area. In 2015 I was able to take our youth on a mission trip to Mexico. I am lucky to work with the diverse farming communities here who let me explore and try new things with them and live into my primary passion as a preacher and disciple maker. I have been honored to serve as your president over the past year, as we began to talk to one another about how we talk to one another, asking if we are having the important conversations of our souls. I look forward to serving for another year, I m excited to see where God is calling us in this time of change. PRESIDENT-ELECT BONNIE MORTON I have worked with the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry (formerly the Down Town Chaplaincy) since 1987. I am a Designated Lay Minister (DLM). During this time period I have completed a Bachelor Degree in Human Justice, from the University of Regina, taken distance education theology classes, and am presently working on completing the work required for a Master s Degree in Justice Studies. Over the past 30 years I have committed my time to the work of this ministry as an advocate for low-income and vulnerable individuals, providing public education on poverty issues, and challenging systemic discrimination. Over the years I have volunteered my time with Wascana Presbytery, Saskatchewan Conference (at present am the Convenor of the Brief which is a Task within the Conference structure, and President-Elect of Sask. Conf.), and at the General Council of the United Church. Beyond the church structure I have worked in collaboration with local, provincial, national, and international organizations in addressing the elimination of poverty. I have received the following awards in recognition of my work; the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Keith Couse Award from University of Regina, Rebel With a Cause Award from Elizabeth Fry Society, International Helen Prize Award for work of Bolder Women, Canadian Dimension Award, Saskatchewan Centennial Metal, and the Queen s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
A6 GENERAL COUNCIL OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE ALAN HALL Alan, ordained by Maritime Conference of The United Church of Canada, is a graduate of Mt. Allison University and the University of Toronto (Emmanuel College). He has served in ministry positions in Saskatchewan (Wynyard), Manitoba, Ontario and East Africa. After twenty-six years in pastoral ministry Alan moved to his current position as Executive Officer Ministry and Employment (Human Resources) in the General Council Office. In this role Alan has oversight of candidacy and admission to ministry practices, pastoral relations processes, and the ministry and employment policies and services for the denomination, including compensation and benefits. He also serves as the senior Executive Officer of The United Church of Canada Pension Fund. He is a member of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy and the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches. Alan lives in the Beach neighbourhood of Toronto, travels, cycles, dabbles in photography, and lives to eat. GENERAL COUNCIL OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE PAT ELSON Pat Elson currently serves as the Team Leader, People in Partnership Programs for the Church in Mission Unit, General Council Office, The United Church of Canada. People in Partnership is a re-shaping of the way in which the United Church shares human resources. The program supports sending people of The United Church of Canada to accompany the ministry of global partners in their context, and global partners coming to Canada to share their perspectives in United Church ministries. It is an important way for the United Church to invite the whole church into global engagement. Working with the General Council Office for more than 30 years, Pat began her career with the United Church in the Division of World Outreach in Finance and Administration.
A7 Catherine Christie (Saskatchewan Conference) On Final Home Assignment after serving The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) July 2010 to present Catherine Christie was born in Bedford, Nova Scotia, leaving that province to attend Carleton University in Ottawa. She received a B.A. in Anthropology and married George Pell, who was preparing for the Anglican priesthood. When Catherine felt called to ministry, it was back to The United Church of Canada. She graduated from the Atlantic School of Theology, and was ordained by Maritime Conference in 1988. Settlement was in Redcliff, Alberta. After 5 years in Redcliff, she served as youth and outreach minister in Lethbridge. Catherine answered a call to Abbey-Lancer/Portreeve in Saskatchewan Conference in 1997. While there, she was deeply involved in rural ministry, helping to found the Canadian Rural Church Network, was a participant at International Rural Church Association quadrennial conferences in Chennai, India and Brandon, Manitoba, and participated in a Council for World Mission ministry exchange in the traditional farming area of Orissa, India. While in Saskatchewan, Catherine also had the delight of watching her family grow with birth of granddaughter, Becky. Catherine plans to resettle in Abbey, Saskatchewan after a crosscountry journey of story-telling about her experience. As Overseas Personnel appointed to serve both the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), Catherine was assigned to the PROK General Assembly office in Seoul. Among other tasks, she assisted with English-language communication work to facilitate Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea relationships with its partner churches around the world. She has participated in the life and work of a local PROK congregation in Seoul, and is involved in wider church work as well. The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea has a central focus of working for justice and peace. This is defined as justice for all, particularly for those most vulnerable and those who are marginalized, gender justice, justice for the earth, reconciliation and reunification of the divided Korean people, and peace for the Korean peninsula, Northeast Asia region and wider world. Deeply committed to the international ecumenical movement, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea works in active solidarity with some thirty partner churches and organizations around the world. The National Council of Churches in Korea joins in ecumenical commitment eight Christian denominations and numerous organizations in Korea. Its work includes efforts for church unity and ecumenical theology, for peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula, and a focus on programs that promote church participation in social movements and efforts for bringing justice to the entire society. Recently, it hosted the World Council of Churches 10th General Assembly in 2013 in Busan under the theme: God of life, lead us to justice and peace. The partnership between the PROK and the United Church began in 1955. Recent work has included a joint study group on the issue of empire and economic justice.