F1 FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE ST. ANDREW S COLLEGE Greetings delegates to the annual meeting of Saskatchewan Conference from everyone in the community at St. Andrew s College. In this moment of change in our Church, amidst the change in our communities and world, St. Andrew s recommits to serving Church and community, and reaffirms our chosen mission of providing justice driven education for Christian leadership within an affirming community. To better achieve this mission the College in recent years has deepened the integration between academic study and ministry experience in our traditional MDiv program leading to ordination. We are piloting our new Dual Degree program with its first cohort of students. In the months ahead the College looks forward to working with the Regions of our Church to tailoring program details to harmonize with the new Candidacy Pathway model. The DMin program in rural ministry and community development is now consistently welcoming new students. The presence of the Designated Lay Ministry program at St. Andrew s has enhanced the life of the College in many important and delightful ways. To better meet the needs of our international students, and to better equip them for service among us, we have developed a MTS for International Students and have expanded our international partnership agreements. And through initiatives like the work arising from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission s Calls to Action, the Intercultural Adventure events, and Conversations in Community the faculty of St. Andrew s are engaging with Church and community far beyond the walls of the College. For a full description of the programs at St. Andrews check out our website at www.standrews.ca. St. Andrew s College is not alone in diversifying program offerings. In theological education across North America the traditional MDiv programs are everywhere being joined by a variety of program and on-line options to better serve students, the Church and our communities. Through the generous financial support of congregations, individuals, Presbyteries, and alumni/ae we have been able to stabilize some of the plumbing and electrical challenges of our College home; make the building accessible; enhance our teaching and learning technologies; renew the Campus Community Centre; and undertake window replacement for energy savings. Many challenges still exist to ensure that our campus home will continue to generate revenues in support of our programs and serve students, faculties and the College community for decades to come. For your current and future financial support, the College is very grateful. Today, with real anticipation, the College looks forward to welcoming Richard Manley-Tannis as our new Principal. Richard begins his ministry and labour among us on July 1. His passion for the Church and theological education with his understanding of the changing Church and world of which we are a part, will lead the College well in the days to come. And as I depart, it is with many happy memories of my return to the College for these past nine years; with thanks for all the support the College has received in these years; and with a renewed conviction in the importance of the preparation of well-equipped and well-educated servant leaders for our times.
F2 The Designated Lay Ministry Program From June 2017- April 2018, the DLM Program admitted four new students and celebrated two students completing the DLM Program requirements. We explored topics connected to Christian education and church history, learning styles, facilitation methods, ecclesiology, missiology, and church polity. Students continue to come from across Canada, with our heaviest concentration of students coming from rural southern and eastern Ontario and from Newfoundland; currently, we do not have any students from the prairie provinces or BC. We will admit more new students in June 2018, for the next learning circle in October 2018. Since Remit 6 ( One Order of Ministry ) did not pass, the DLM program will continue in its current form at St. Andrew s College. There is a sense that this stability will be helpful for the students in the midst of the ongoing structural changes in the church. The DLM Program Team (Marc Grenon (M&O), Kathryn McIntosh (MAR), Linda Stumpf (SK), and Mary-Jo Tracy (MAN) plus Jennifer Janzen-Ball as Director) sadly accepted the resignation of Rob Reed (SK) from the program team (in April 2017) after six years of thoughtful, creative, and generous commitment to the students and to the program. We are grateful for the time and energy that Rob has given to the DLM Program, and thankful that the pastoral charge of Gainsborough-Carievale supported him in this important ministry of the wider church. The DLM Program Team also thanks Lorne Calvert, Principal of St. Andrew s College, for his ongoing dedication to theological education in the United Church and to the DLM Program in particular. The DLM Program moved to St. Andrew s in September 2014 and has greatly appreciated the warm welcome and enthusiastic support that Lorne has provided. We will miss his commitment, insights, care, and, of course his stories and piano-playing! We wish you well in your post-st. Andrew s adventures, Lorne! Lorne Calvert, Principal CALLING LAKES CENTRE As of July 31, 2017 the Calling Lakes Centre (CLC) property buildings and remaining contents were sold to James Archer of Regina. The purchaser met all conditions in a timely way and was financially able to complete the purchase. The purchase allowed Calling Lakes Centre to repay all its obligations. This included a substantial loan at 3% interest, to General Council. With this loan we paid off a loan to the Credit Union in Fort Qu Appelle and were provided with operating capital during the three years that the property and buildings were for sale. In addition an outstanding loan to Saskatchewan Conference was paid in full with a small amount of interest due. We are grateful for the support of both General Council and Saskatchewan Conference for their support. As of May 31, 2018 Calling Lakes Centre (PCTC) will cease to exist as an entity, and the remaining balance will be donated to a United Church fund. Due to the economic slow down, the sale amount was disappointing to the CLC Board, who had a vision of a greater contribution to the wider church. Over the three years we had a number of offers, but some were lower than the sale price and others made higher offers but then were unable to provide the capital to fulfill the purchase price or were imposing conditions that would have been a significant burden financially or an unreasonable time delay.
F3 It has been hard work with many many meetings. I am thankful to: Anna Stewart, David Barrows and Karen Kuzek of Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Conference, Sharon Hurd, Gladys Pavo, Dexter Van Dyke and Pat Hall of Saskatchewan Conference. To all who have loved Calling Lakes and found their lives changed, enriched, and their soul deepened at this place you are now the spirit of Calling Lakes being lived out. Thanks for the journey we have shared together Rev. Margaret McKechney, Chairperson, Calling Lakes Board (PCTC) CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES 125 Years of Educating Students for Ministry The Centre for Christian Studies had a year full of changes! We launched a new logo, concluded a major review of our program, celebrated the retirement of Principal Maylanne Maybee, welcomed new Principal Michelle Owens, and launched a redesigned program! All while our students (including Alison Brooks-Starks and Keith Hall from Saskatchewan Conference) learned: in field placements, with learning facilitators, local support committees, mentors, and gather in learning circles. We continued to celebrate the generosity of our donors, who make education accessible to students by supporting our operating costs and contributing to bursary funds. As we transitioned staff and program design in the same year, we often found ourselves saying "This much we know..." and working from there. From admission policy to tuition structure, we have been working out the details of putting new visions into practice. Committed to educating leaders for a changing world, we engaged in the work, as a learning institution, of changing ourselves. Our new program is more accessible to United Church diaconal ministry candidates, Anglican deacon postulates and clergy looking for a week of excellent continuing education. The Centre for Christian Studies remains firmly planted in diakonia, and our students and graduates continue to change the way we do church. "Planted" 125 years ago in Toronto with the establishment of the first Canadian deaconess training schools, the Centre for Christian Studies has grown and adapted, and even been transplanted to Manitoba as the landscape of ministry in Canada has evolved. With our integrated action/reflection model of education, our students serve in local field placements while they study theology through academic courses and ask hard questions in learning circles. This community oriented learning builds capacity in students, congregations and outreach ministries as they learn together, being brave, bold and standing tall. Michelle Owens Principal
F4 ATLANTIC SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Atlantic School of Theology, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has had another wonderful year of seeking truth and compassion through the deep gifts of our shared Christian heritage and through the opportunities of the world that God is shaping. Our ecumenical learning community both on campus and throughout Canada via internet-based study is continually engaged in our shared mission: Atlantic School of Theology serves Christ s mission by shaping effective and faithful ordained and lay leaders and understanding among communities of faith. We celebrate the good news and hopeful sign that our students and graduates are up to the challenge of serving God s people wherever they are, both within and beyond the church s four walls. The rich resources of the Bible, pastoral studies, ethics, theology, and Christian history continuously interact, as we discover the needs of the world and refine our responses to them. In addition to our Master of Divinity and Master of Arts programs, we have a generous range of certificate, diploma, and continuing education opportunities, both full-time and part-time, for lay folks as well as ordered ministers. I d be delighted to hear from you if you might be interested in discovering more about what we have to offer; or check out our website at www.astheology.ns.ca. (Don t forget: candidates for ordered ministry studying at AST receive a full tuition bursary, regardless of the location of their home or ministry base.) As we look ahead to the many changes sweeping through The United Church of Canada, both structural and otherwise, please be assured of our continued partnership with you, and of our prayers for the health, well-being, and faithfulness of the church. As a theological school of the United Church, our lives are closely intertwined with yours, and we value this relationship very much. Yours in Christ, Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell Academic Dean FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER REPORT Financial Stewardship - Financial Development Officer I am a member of the Philanthropy Unit, also known as the Giving and Generosity Team. We provide consulting, resources and support for individuals and congregations and other communities of faith in the areas of congregational stewardship, Mission & Service, planned and major giving, and the work of The United Church of Canada Foundation. Working with others like you, we invite people to make generous use of all the gifts God has given us our time, our talent, our money to make a difference in the world by helping to carry out God s mission of loving, forgiving, healing, evangelism, justice and peace. There are many ways to measure how we make a difference. By the smiles of guests at our outreach ministries. Or how many people our Mission & Service partner ACT Alliance helps during emergencies like earthquakes, famines and floods. Here s another. Philip Milley from the Canadian Council of Christian Charities has commented on the Phase 1 report of The
F5 Halo Project: Valuing Toronto s Faith Communities noting that the study of ten congregations in Toronto contributed a total of $45 million of economic value to the city based on a combined budget of only $10 million. In simple terms, the dollar value of having a church in a community is about 4.5 times its annual budget. The difference is called the halo effect, which is due to the church s contributions to social capital and infrastructure, its programs for individual impact and community development, and other activities which add value. Rather than being a drain on the community in terms of lost property tax revenue, or a drain on Canadian taxpayers because of the donation tax credit, churches are net economic contributors to Canada and their local communities. To read the study go to http://www.haloproject.ca/phase-1-toronto#methodology. I began my 2015 report referencing Bob Dylan s song The times they are a-changin. Now, to paraphrase the Bachman-Turner Overdrive classic, we ain t seen nothin yet! No matter the changes our denomination is embarking upon, one of the things we can be sure of is that God s mission does not change. And our work must and will continue. You will find the Mission & Service report elsewhere in this Docket so let me simply and sincerely say thank you for your past, current, and future gifts for Mission & Service. I end my final Conference Report with more gratitude thank you for your generous support of all the work of our Church. thank you for inviting me into your congregations and homes, and for all the faithful conversations. thank you to the many, many people with whom I have billeted. thank you to Ellinor Townend, Marilyn Penfound and Irene Onuch who were the Prairie Region Conference reps on the Search Committee that hired me in 1999. This work has been lifechanging. Respectfully submitted, Kathryn Hofley Financial Development Officer for the Prairie Region
SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE We give thanks to you for your enormous generosity and continued support of local mission and ministry AND Mission & Service! OUR GIFTS FOR MISSION & SERVICE IN 2017 SUPPORTED: Funding to all 13 Conferences through Mission support grants and operating grants for 11 Conferences 11 Healing Fund projects 63 Community Ministries across Canada 19 Justice and Reconciliation projects 36 Chaplaincies on campus and in hospitals 81 Vision Fund projects with youth Theological Education at 7 Theological Colleges and 3 Education Centres 20 Canadian ecumenical networks Grants for 86 congregations 197 Embracing the Spirit Innovation Grants 87 Mission & Service global partners in 21 countries An Initial review of 2017 giving indicates: Contributions to the Mission & Service Unified Fund in 2017: 1. $23.145 M Annual giving by congregations, UCW and individuals 2. $ 1.831 M Giving through wills and planning giving 3. $.964 M Giving from donors through the United Church of Canada Foundation 4. $26.000 M Total gifts to Mission & Service unified fund in 2017 Contributions to Mission & Service Partners And Other Mission And Ministries in 2017: 5. $ 2.134 M Additional specific and emergency gifts to Mission & Service partners 6. $. 800 M Additional gifts designated to other work of the denomination 7. $ 2.934 M Total Designated Gifts in 2017 Total Contributions Received in General Council Office: $28.934 M OUR CONFERENCE MADE AN IMPACT: Mission & Service Contributions Amount For World Development and Relief 7,199.87 From UCW 49,525.00 From Special or One Time Gifts 41,990.27 From Congregational Giving 1,063,636.47 TOTAL MISSION & SERVICE GIVING 1,162,351.61
Review of 2017 Giving Dear Friends, We Give Thanks For All Gifts in 2017: We make great things happen through Mission & Service and through the ministry of our local church. Thank you for generous giving for Mission & Service that changes the world. Thank you for $23.205 M in giving by UCW, Congregations and individuals to the Mission & Service of the church! Generosity continues with giving from congregations, UCW and individuals decreasing quite slowly $-474,000 (-2.00%) as the church continues to experience decreased numbers of members and adherents (-2.94% in 2016). We note with thanks that this is close to half of the previously budgeted decrease for 2017. In 2017 as in 2015, a significant increase in gifts from wills and planned giving has offset other decreases and resulted in total gifts of $26.000 M a small increase of $75,000 in total giving to the Mission & Service unified fund over 2016! Contributions To the Mission & Service Unified Fund: 1. $23.205 M Annual giving by congregations, UCW and individuals 2. $ 1.831 M Giving through wills and planned giving 3. $.964 M Giving from donors through the United Church of Canada Foundation 4. $26.000 M Total gifts to Mission & Service unified fund in 2017 Contributions To Mission & Service Partners And Other Mission And Ministries: 5. $ 1.085 M Specific designations and catalog gifts to Mission & Service partners 6. $ 1.049 M Emergency Appeals gifts 7. $. 800 M Specific designations to other work of the denomination 8. $ 2.934 M Total Designated Gifts in 2017 9. $28.934 M Total Contributions received in General Council Office As we look forward into 2018 and 2019, there remains significant opportunity to increase participation in congregational and Mission & Service giving through: Articulating the strengthened role of the Mission & Service of the Church with: o the addition of Embracing the Spirit to the Mission & Service of the Church o the clarified role of Mission & Service in Mission & Ministry as proposed in remits Resourcing, coaching and mentoring congregational and Mission & Service giving program leaders with strong and proven resources and staff. Thank you all for your generous gifts. David Armour, Director of Philanthropy The United Church of Canada
Mission & Service giving, year over year comparison 2016 2017 $ change % change GIVING TO MISSION & SERVICE UNIFIED FUND Congregational Giving 21,796,000 21,360,000-436,000-2.00% Individual Giving 580,000 625,000 45,000 7.76% UCW Giving 1,303,000 1,220,000-83,000-6.37% SUB TOTAL 23,679,000 23,205,000-474,000-2.00% Wills and Planned Giving 1,025,000 1,831,000 806,000 78.63% United Church Foundation 1,221,000 964,000-257,000-21.05% TOTAL TO MISSION & SERVICE 25,925,000 26,000,000 75,000 0.29% DESIGNATED TO MISSION & SERVICE PARTNERS Designated Giving and Gifts with Vision Catalog 1,235,000 1,085,000-150,000-12.15% Emergency Response Giving 571,000 1,049,000 478,000 83.71% TOTAL GIVING 27,731,000 28,134,000 403,000 1.45% Sources of Contributions to the Mission & Service "Unified" Fund $26,000,000 Congregations $21,860,000 Wills and Life Insurance $1,831,000 UCW $1,220,000 United Church Foundation $964,000 Individuals $625,000 Mission & Service Results attributed by Conference This Includes congregational giving, UCW giving and some Individual giving attributed to congregations. 2014 2015 2016 2017 $ Difference 2016-2017 % 2016-2017 Difference Alberta and Northwest Conference 2,557,707 2,455,214 2,498,246 2,289,892.34-258,704-10.2 All Native Circle Conference 4,885 4,502 1,966 3,967.68 2,002 101.9 Bay of Quinte Conference 2,527,910 2,476,548 2,401,270 2,262,842.75-138,428-5.8 British Columbia Conference 2,100,454 1,929,497 1,909,626 1,960,022.07 47,946 2.5 Hamilton Conference 3,024,070 2,943,187 2,874,101 2,913,033.01 14,901 0.5 London Conference 2,478,632 2,394,875 2,326,359 2,282,951.96-42,383-1.8 Manitoba and NW Ontario Conference 1,638,704 1,593,556 1,518,198 1,592,562.67 74,364 4.9 Manitou Conference 376,378 363,289 394,962 349,362.38-45,600-11.5 Maritime Conference 2,949,826 2,808,871 2,761,238 2,809,249.26 46,849 1.7 Montreal and Ottawa Conference 1,494,600 1,435,293 1,388,553 1,364,855.66-23,698-1.7 Newfoundland and Labrador Conf. 697,245 662,353 662,398 631,149.89-31,248-4.7 Saskatchewan Conference 1,349,977 1,479,355 1,244,292 1,162,351.61-86,294-6.9 Toronto Conference 3,382,423 3,250,104 3,192,229 3,122,449.48-69,780-2.2