MINISTRY PERSONNEL POSITION DESCRIPTION THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA L EGLISE UNIE DU CANADA LONDON CONFERENCE Ministry Position Description (LC PD ) Position Title: Three year Ordered Ministry Appointment Position Profile: Full time Part time If Part time, hours/week Solo Team ministry If Team, # of other Ministry Personnel: Position Summary: (2 4 sentences that summarize the position) This position is a three year, full time appointment for an ordered minister who is eager to empower a congregation which is working hard to rebuild itself after the cathartic experience of moving from an old building into rented premises. The successful candidate will work in partnership with a small but dedicated group of lay persons who are excited about being a part of vocational formation and of working with someone who is developing their current theology and practice. A part time secretary will provide clerical support and musical accompaniment will be available during worship services. Autonomy in Decision Making: The minister will take the lead in decision making for theological matters. Experimental changes in worship format, in consultation with the Worship Committee, will be welcomed. Hymn selection will be the minister s decision in order to fit the service theme, although it may be helpful to collaborate with the music leader as to the abilities of the choir. The primary task of the secretary will be to prepare worship material under the direction of the minister. The Benevolent Fund will be disbursed at the discretion of the minister. An expense budget will be allocated for the minister s use; large ticket items will be negotiated with the Church Council. Without limiting any of the forgoing, it is our hope that the relationship will be one of collaboration rather than dogmatism. Principal Areas of Responsibility and Associated Duties (in order of priority): Worship: During our weekly Sunday worship, we expect an experience which is generally, though not exclusively, lectionary based, has an evident cohesive theme, relates to life in the here and now, and provides food for further thought. Worship leaders are available to provide pulpit supply when necessary and perform services at the local nursing home. The Sunday School and the Youth Group are both autonomous. Although they follow the Whole People of God curriculum, the minister s theological support and guidance will be appreciated. Messy Church is currently based on resources from the U.K. although as experience is gained, we are tending to move away from them and ministerial support will be helpful here also. Administering the sacraments and officiating at weddings and funerals will naturally be part of ministering to the congregation of faith
Leadership: We expect our new minister to be able to work collaboratively with laity, to share leadership where appropriate and work to seek consensus around contentious issues. Specifically, we are looking for assistance in the area of stewardship. Wesley needs a minister who can assist the church council in numerically growing the congregation. Justice and Outreach: We expect our new minister to support and assist us as we work towards becoming an Affirming congregation. Empathy for the disadvantaged members of society is a theme which we wish to maintain in our outreach efforts. Therefore, the minister s involvement with community programs that complement these efforts will be beneficial to Wesley s mission. Discipleship: We expect our new minister to be a visible and active presence in the life of our wider community, an individual who demonstrates the life Jesus taught us by example rather than just by words. Stewardship: As previously mentioned, we expect our new minister to take a leading role in assisting us to develop new methods of stewardship. Pastoral/Spiritual Care: We expect our new minister to lead the pastoral care team and to assist the congregation in this task by resourcing training and providing support Ministry Partnerships: Active involvement in the life of Presbytery, London Conference and/or General Council is required. Developing collegial relationships with other United Church ministers to enable us to investigate alternative methods of being the church is expected. Our new minister will explore ways in which Wesley United can cooperate with other community groups to further our mission of helping our neighbour such as Scouting, Guides, and other non profit organizations. Personal Spirituality and Self Care: We expect our new minister to take full advantage of opportunities for self development and to be willing and able to delegate appropriate tasks to the laity. In addition, the ability to seek and accept help when appropriate is essential. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Due to the lack of public transportation, a driver s license and access to a vehicle is essential in this position. Proficiency, or a willingness to become proficient, in PowerPoint, internet and social networking is required. Other Preferred Assets: A sense of humour and a degree of risk taking will be beneficial in this position, as would some degree of musical ability. Experience in successfully interacting with children will be a definite asset.
MINISTRY & MISSION PROFILE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA L EGLISE UNIE DU CANADA LONDON CONFERENCE Local Ministry Unit Telling Our Story: Ministry and Mission Profile (LC MM) PURPOSE: To enable a Local Ministry Unit to honestly and boldly tell its story. Who Uses it: Governing Body develops the profile in consultation with congregation. When to use: When you are amending a current call or appointment; seeking new Ministry Personnel whether for a call or appointment or can be used for a regular review of priorities for purposes of assessment and goal setting. How to use: Follow the instructions in the Handbook: Declaring/Changing Ministry Positions. Make sure that an electronic copy is available to send to the Conference office for posting once the Presbytery approves the Vacancy. ****************************************************************************** Name of Local Ministry Unit: Wesley United Church (WUC) Amherstburg Address of Local Ministry Unit: 580 Middle Side Road Brief Description of Local Ministry (three sentences): WUC is a faith community that is accepting of everyone and affords each individual the opportunity to enhance their relationship with God. Through innovative, diverse and meaningful worship experiences we are learning to live, living the life Jesus taught us. We are known throughout our community for feeding the hungry and reaching out to the youth. Priority Category This is who we are as a Local Ministry Unit: (#1 to #7) Title 4 Discipleship Goal: To be a faith community that affords the opportunity for each individual to develop their relationship with God. At Wesley discipleship means gathering for fellowship and encouragement to live our lives as Jesus taught. This is important to our congregation because it provides an opportunity for all to grow in faith whether leader or participant. We offer Sunday school every week and use the Whole People of God curriculum which ties with the lectionary readings. Our youth group meets every second Wednesday; average attendance is 6 12.
They also use the Whole People of God curriculum. This group is financially self supporting (see Stewardship ). For families, we hold an intergenerational Messy Church once a month (see also Outreach ). Attendance is around 30 35 and growing. This is financed through donations and Youth activities. The youth group and Messy Church seem to be effective, as attendance although sporadic, shows a generally increasing trend. Our lay worship leaders also lead monthly services in our local Longterm Care facility, Richmond Nursing Home. We meet for Christmas decorating with worship and crafts for kids and families. On Maundy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper with a meagre meal. In general, leadership is provided by lay members with arms length support by the minister. 3 Justice and Outreach Goal: To feed the hungry and care for children. This is a continuing goal into our new location. We are an open and accepting congregation. We are currently exploring the possibility of becoming an Affirming Church as it seems an obvious fit and the LGBTQ community (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer) is not well served in the western part of the Presbytery. Wesley operates a Youth Group; they are community based most of the young people are not members of Wesley. The programme is consciously open to all. Youth Dances are an outreach activity of the Youth Group. They are also community based and provide a place for children to socialize in a safe and supervised environment. We have been doing the dances for 12 years and the community regards us as the Dance Church Over the past several years, we have also become identified within the community as the Church that serves free meals. Messy Church is an enhancement of this programme. With additional resources, we have added fun activities and a worship component, all related to a common theme based on scripture. Currently we hold a loose change offering each Sunday to support a series of randomly selected projects through Gifts With Vision. We have built a partnership with Community Living, and share our building with them. We help each other they clean some of the building and prepare dishes for community meals we provide a place for and support their activities such as art, cooking and drumming. Wesley is the sponsor to 2 nd Amherstburg Scouting. Due to our move to a smaller location, the Scouts currently meet elsewhere, but we
plan to provide services for Scouting in the future. Wesley offers non profit organizations free meeting space. 2 Leadership Goal: To find a minister that can share leadership. Wesley is looking for a minister that can share leadership and be able to work in a collaborative and negotiating partnership with laity. Through past experiences, Wesley has come to realize that an effective community of faith exists where ministers and laity work together as a team. Wesley is looking at new beginnings. We are looking for someone who is creative and flexible to try new things, a visionary, someone to walk with us to help us find our path, and someone who can see the potential in others and can empower them to achieve that potential. Thus we are searching for a minister who can sense, and be in essential agreement with, the theology of the congregation, can help us develop a greater understanding of the nature of God, and can identify when to take the lead and when to step back. Through past experience we have recognized the value of Lay leadership, both within the congregation and within the Presbytery. We are therefore eager to work with Presbytery on this project and to devote funds, within our means, to assist this to happen. We have deliberately limited our programs to those we can effectively support with our current congregation. As we expand, we expect to increase our leadership training by appointing mentors. We will then be able to add to our programs. 7 Ministry Partnerships Goal: To work as a team to provide support for individuals working on their education and preparation for leadership positions within the church. As a relatively small congregation which is searching for new ways to be the church, we see ourselves as an ideal environment for an individual who is engaged in a similar search. We believe that such a situation would rely on guidance and support from Presbytery for both our minister and lay representative and that therefore attendance at Presbytery meetings would be essential. There is also the opportunity for partnerships to be developed with outside agencies through the medium of the Messy Church program.
6 Pastoral Care Short term Goal: To complete a Visitation Program. Long term Goal: To establish a Pastoral Care Team on which the minister is an integral member. It is recognized that pastoral care training is very important. We are currently planning a visitation program for the fall, directed at members and adherents who have drifted away from the congregation. Being a small congregation makes it somewhat easier to keep in touch with current active members. We have a lay person who sends out cards, makes phone calls, and does a great job of this. The pastoral care team has the task to keep in touch with the congregation. 8 Spirituality and Self-care Goals: To choose with care the programs we offer to avoid burnout of our leadership To balance our programs and resources so that we achieve our aims and everyone grows spiritually At this time at Wesley, spiritual life focuses on Sunday morning worship and Wednesday night worship (Messy Church). The Youth Programme also is a focus of Spiritual life. Since our move and the consequent loss of members, those who are left have become a much closer community. As most of us wear many hats, we have developed a rapport and an appreciation of each other s strengths and weaknesses that is not always possible in a large group setting. The downside of this is a very real danger of burn out. Fortunately, our Church Council members all have outside interests that allow them to de stress on a fairly regular basis. We have started a Fellowship night out, Wesley Wanderers when the congregation is invited to go to a restaurant for a night out together. 5 Stewardship Goal: To organize a membership drive, a stewardship awareness series and increased fundraising efforts. The proceeds of the sale of our former building are invested and provide a moderate income but our annual budget is running at a deficit. This is currently being met by accessing our investments. Right now, we are actively trying to grow our congregation. Our outreach programmes and Messy Church are self sustaining. 1 Worship Goal: To provide worship experiences for this community of faith that are innovative, diverse in nature and meaningful. Worship is an important, if not central, part of life at Wesley. We take the Bible seriously, but not literally, consulting teachings from
sources other than the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Rather than concentrating on the differences between various religious beliefs, Wesley welcomes exploring the truths found in other religions in order to enrich our personal beliefs. We use the NRSV bible in our worship services. Our music has been exclusively from Voices United although we are increasingly using More Voices, and our choir director often selects anthems from the work of Emily Kierstead. Wesley is open to experimenting with new and different means and formats of worship. This past year a great deal of work has been done to learn about how other churches conduct worship and its many forms. Such things as learning to pray and incorporating prayer into worship, a ministry of music, contemporary orders of service, and more are being actively explored and discussed within the congregation. Wesley s theological point of view tends to follow Modern scholarship. Our theology tends towards the liberal, and our worship style currently is contemporary liturgical and is led by the minister. Hebrew scripture is generally read by lay members, with the minister reading from the gospel. Wesley incorporates technology when able. Our order of service, including prayers and hymns is displayed using PowerPoint. Approved by the congregation of Wesley United Church Ian Phillips Chair of Congregation Date Lucille Thrasher Secretary Date
DEMOGRAPHIC, FINANCIAL & COMMUNITY PROFILE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA L EGLISE UNIE DU CANADA LONDON CONFERENCE Financial and Demographic Profile (LC FD ) PURPOSE: To collect information about the local ministry and community If you are preparing a vacancy for an outreach or other non congregational ministry; please contact the Conference Personnel Minister regarding a more appropriate Demographic, Financial and Community Profile. For multipoint charges, please complete this profile for each point. PART A: ABOUT OUR PEOPLE: Number of congregations: X 1 2 3 Other Wesley United Church 55 25 (Name of Congregation) ( # on roll) (Avg. Sunday attendance) We think of ourselves MAINLY as: Rural Remote X Small town Suburban Urban Inner City Other Most of us live (check only one): In apartments X In single family homes In retirement homes On working farms In long term care homes On rural retirement properties The rest of us live (check all that apply): X In apartments In single family homes In retirement homes On working farms In long term care homes On rural retirement properties Our congregation includes (approx. number in each group) Infants and pre school Children (5 12) 2 Teens (13 19) 2 Young adults (20 30) 4 Adults (35 50) 5 Adults (51+) Young retirees (51 64) 8 Older Retirees (65 70) 5 Seniors (over 70) 10
Most of us : (choose one) Grew up in this area Moved to this area for work X Moved here to be close to family or other resources Moved here for other reasons Many of us work in the following industries or sectors: (check all that apply) X Health or social services X Education Manufacturing Transportation Agriculture and food production X Tourism/Hospitality Retail Environment Mining/Forestry Information Technology Government Professional Services Other (specify): Our congregation is like: (choose one that best applies) X A family where we all know each other, many members are related to each other. A medium sized church with some people very involved and others participate mostly by attending worship. A church with an ethnic identity or diverse inter cultural mix. A big church with a staff team and lots of different programmes and small groups. Other description: We think of our local ministry unit as in the following way: (choose one that best applies): X We have a new vision and are really excited; still working out how to live into that vision. We are clear about our vision and purpose and have/are developing the skills and gifts to bring it about; we are excited and optimistic about our vision. Our congregation is changing and it is clear that we can no longer continue as we have been; we don t know how to go forward and have some anxiety. We believe that we have a future but can t quite see it. We see that the ministry within this community is probably winding down after many positive and productive years of faithful ministry, mission and service; we want to celebrate what we have been as we intentionally and graciously end this ministry. PART B: ABOUT OUR TANGIBLE ASSETS Governance structure: How many people are on your Governing Body? 7
How many are typically present at a meeting of your Governing Body? 7 Our Church Building(s): (include information for each building if more than one) We don t have a church building. (if you check this one, please comment briefly on where you worship and what other spaces you use for your ministry.) Is your church fully wheelchair accessible? one level and washrooms are accessible. X Yes Tell us how: We have automated doors, are on No Is it partly accessible? Yes Tell us how: What other measures of accessibility do you provide? (e. g. Assistive Hearing Devices, Large Print) No We have the service projected in large, easily read print. Do you have plans for improving accessibility? audio aids. X Yes Tell us how: We are looking into how we can add No Sanctuary holds 90 people Seating/set up in sanctuary (pews, chairs, choir loft etc) We set up chairs for the choir and congregation. Is the sanctuary used other than for Sunday Worship? If so, how? Youth group and dances, Messy Church, Dinners, Community Living Are there meeting rooms? X Yes No What are they used for? Sunday school, Youth group and church meetings Is there a nursery? Yes X No Are the nursery toys/furniture compliant with current safety standards? Yes No Are there Sunday School rooms? X Yes No How many? Are they also multipurpose use? One room and it is multipurpose Are there activity rooms? (i.e. quilting, gym, library) Yes X No Brief descriptions:
Where is the office located for the minister? Is it shared? It is located on site and is not shared. Describe it: Positioned between the secretary and meeting room, about 9 X9 opens to the sanctuary, has its own lock What computers/telephones are provided at the church? There are desktops in the secretary and minister s office, laptop for the sanctuary. Our phones are landlines. Is internet provided at the church? X Yes No if yes X High Speed Dial up What Social Media accounts and Webpages does the church hold? Who maintains, updates them? We have a website and facebook page that is maintained by designated church members. Is there a photocopier in the church? X Yes No Is the building used by outside groups as well as ministry activities? X Yes No Brief descriptions (tenants, occasional rentals, frequency of use) Aside from the activities of the church, we have the occasional rental and community living uses it once monthly. Administrative Support: What administrative support is provided? We have an office administrator that handles scheduling of the space, preparing the weekly service in Power Point and the bulletin, and all the reception duties. How many hours per week? 12 hrs Is this X paid or volunteer? Ministry and Personnel Committee: How many members? 2 How often does the committee meet? As required Has one or more of the committee members attended a M&P Committee Training event in the last three years? Yes X No PART C: ABOUT OUR FINANCES Attach the previous two years financial information, including:
Balance Sheets (assets and liabilities) Revenues and Expenditures Charity Tax Returns (T3013) Also include the current year s budget. The word or phrase that best describes our current financial situation is: Abundant Adequate Not meeting expenses but optimistic X Not meeting expenses and relying on bequests and reserves to fund operating budget. Other (describe) Our Revenue Sources are (please indicate approximate percentage of your current operating budget that comes from each source: Congregational givings 21% Rental of building/services 0.4% Congregational Fundraising Activities 4% Bequests/Reserves/Investments 74.6% Other (please briefly describe): Our Financial Reserves: We have sufficient reserves in the bank that we could cover three months of expenses if we had an emergency. X Yes No Our Financial Accountability: Our financial statements are reviewed by an external person each year: Yes: a formal third party review. X No.
Our Statistics from the last five years of submissions to the United Church of Canada show: Average weekly attendance Sunday Identifiable givers (local) $ expended for pastoral charge operations # households under pastoral care Line # in the Yearbook Current year One year ago Two years ago Three years ago 20 17 27 35 30 35 18 22 37 40 35 37 Four years ago 40 83,650 74,528 81,871 74,435 65,859 5 29 43 46 52 115 PART D: ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY This is what we love about our community. This is what makes it unique. We are a historical town that attracts tourists. Throughout the year, we have many festivals supported by many volunteers. We are close to water ways and have attractive parks that are accessible. We are in close proximity to the United States. Amherstburg has been named the Safest Community two years running. The three economic, demographic or political challenges facing our area are: We have recently lost some industries, our town is in debt and there is currently a lack of leadership with council. Here are two or three websites that offer detailed information about our community: www.rivertowntimes.com www.amherstburg.ca www.soewinefestival.com www.wesleyinamherstburg.ca Other faith communities represented in our community/region are: Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Jehovah Witness, Pentecostal Alliance, Community of Christ We have close ties with the following faith communities: None. We have reached out several times to the other churches but had a lack of interest.