TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2011

Present: Rev. Phyllis Smyth Chair; Rev. Arlen J. Bonnar, Secretary; Rev. Jeff Barlow, M. Marc Grenon, Rev. David Lefneski, Rev. Patricia Lisson, Rev. Darryl Macdonald, Mrs. June Millar (alternate), Mr. Peter Mundie (alternate), Mr. Roger Snelling, Rev. Faye Wakeling Mr. Rod Young

Regrets: Mr. Fred Braman, Rev. Barbara Bryce, Rev. Shaun Fryday, Ms. Janice Knowles, Mr. Paul Stanfield

Corresponding Members: Ms. Lynda Ecott, Rev. Wendy MacLean, Mrs. Shirley Stark, Rev. Doug Stewart

Motion: (Patricia Lisson/Darryl Macdonald) that the Executive of the Montreal Presbytery approve the adoption of the minutes of its meeting held June 14, 2011. Carried

5. BUSINESS ARISING

Ecumenical Representation

Rev. Arlen Bonnar and Rev. Phyllis Smyth will speak to the director of the ecumenical centre before the next meeting.

The Presbytery has received information regarding the visit of The Dali Lama to Montreal. He will be participating in the World Religions After 9/11 conference. The Chair and Secretary will represent the Montreal Presbytery at this event. Other members of the Presbytery also plan to attend.

Sacramental Elders

The Chair has not yet had the opportunity to discuss with the Montreal and Ottawa Conference Executive the questions raised by the Montreal Presbytery Executive around how the role of sacramental elder is being practiced in the Conference. It was suggested that time be requested on the November agenda of the Conference Executive meeting.

MCM Incorporation

A report will be given under the Administration and Finance Committee.

Sabbatical

A discussion around sabbatical leave reporting is to be on the agenda of the September Executive meeting.

Report from working group leading Discussion of Criteria and Priorities

Rev. David Lefneski reported on behalf of the Criteria and Priorities working group. Rev. Lefneski, Rev. Patricia Lisson and Rev. Darryl Macdonald met prior to the Executive meeting to discuss the mandate set out before them. They agreed that the animation of the June 14^th 2011 retreat was excellent and they were very pleased with the leadership shown by Ms. Sarah Manolson. At the September Presbytery meeting, the working group will introduce an overview of the retreat day. The document entitled Holy Manners will be presented to underline the different styles of participation involved in group discussions. The working group felt that Ms. Sarah Manolson should be invited to the October Presbytery meeting (or a specially called meeting) to identify key issues and engage the Presbyters in continuing the conversation around priorities. The working group felt a budget of $6000 would be needed. The Executive recommended that the working group seek funding from the Kelley Trust.

Mr. Lefneski named two tools that may prove useful, namely, the mission statement and the manual.

The following three suggestions were put forward 1) worship is essential and fundamental to the Presbytery meetings and should be celebrated 2) the Presbytery should hold meetings at different churches on and off island 3) the Presbytery needs to build trust and should consider ending one of its meetings with communion.

The working group noted that the Presbytery, and not the Executive, should own this piece of work.

It was noted that records kept of previous retreats and decisions should be made accessible.

Motion: (Faye Wakeling/Peter Mundie) that Executive recommend the Criteria and Priorities working group pursue the possibility of engaging Ms. Sarah Manolson as a resource person and animator for the Presbytery; and that a budget of up to $6000 be made available with the understanding that the working group will investigate various sources of funding available from the Presbytery. Carried

Budget Scenario Working Group

Roger introduced the cost reduction strategies proposed by the Budget Scenario Working Group. Mr. Snelling reminded the Executive that the mandate of the working group was to look at cost saving measures. The following six recommendations of the Budget Scenario Working Group are centered purely on finding ways to save money.

1. Office Rent

Now that St. Columba House has been ruled out after an examination of space requirements, the working group suggests that the Montreal Presbytery form a Commission of three persons to review viable alternatives for Presbytery and F&E office space on the basis that Presbytery requires space for 3 offices, accounting/storage and a small committee room. If the commission judges it appropriate, it could conclude such arrangements on the basis of an overall cost of $25,000 annually (a saving of approximately $15,000 annually) and a starting date as early as March 31, 2012. The Commission is authorized but not required to include existing United Church properties in its review. It was noted that the Presbytery must give six months notice to its present landlord.

2. Disposal of Church Property

The working group recommends that Montreal Presbytery confirms as policy that in any motion for the sale of church assets upon a wind-up or merger of pastoral charges a) that Extension and Survey Grants on such properties awarded in the last 10 years be repaid to the Finance and Extension Board and (b) that approximately 40% of the net proceeds be paid to the Finance and Extension Board to build up its general funds in order to be able to continue to serve the needs of Montreal Presbytery.

3. Staffing

The working group recommended that upon the termination of the position of the Communications Officer effective December 31, 2012, that the existing function of the Communications Officer be filled by the existing Staff and by volunteers and the separate position not be continued. The working group also recommended that the Chair’s honorarium of $5000 annually be discontinued in 2012 and forward. It was noted that support staff positions are shared by the Finance and Extension Board and the Presbytery. The programme staff positions are solely the responsibility of the Presbytery

4. Pastoral Charge Assessment amounts and basis

The working group recommends that Pastoral Charge assessments increase from $135,000 to $143,000 in 2012, with the concept that in future years such assessments should reflect 100% of the Conference Assessment and 50% of the costs of Program Staff, Administrative Staff and Office and Operations. This recommendation is based on the belief that there needed to be an expense basis for determining pastoral charge assessments

5. Miscellaneous

The working group proposes that the Employment Contract retainer is cancelled for 2011 forward.

6. Audit

The working group recommends that Montreal Presbytery request the Administration and Finance committee and the Treasurer to work on further reducing audit/accounting charges and authorizes a change in accountants/auditors as agreed.

Mr. Snelling explained that the above recommendations were the basic elements that needed action and a vote would be taken, most likely, in October or November.

With respect to the recommendation that the Presbytery find new premises and reduce its space requirements, the Executive questioned whether it was worth giving up so much in order to save $15,000. The Executive raised a concern that the working group was recommending that a commission rather than a committee be appointed to find new premises. The Executive questioned whether the commission would have too much power.

A question was raised regarding recommendation that approximately 40% of the net proceeds of church assets (after wind-up or merger) be paid to the Finance and Extension Board. A board member wondered if this would prevent churches from taking transformational risks.

Mr. Snelling explained that the Executive was not looking at the 2012 budget at this meeting. However, he did note that the preliminary 2012 budget showed that grants would be reduced by $30,000 and assessments increased by $8,000. The Treasurer will bring the 2012 budget forward as a draft in October for action in November.

The Executive looked at the Financial Projections: Years 2012 – 2016. The F&E Board grant to Presbytery is reduced by 150,000$ over the 5 years from 2011 - 2016. The "grant" to the F&E Board is reduced by 100,000$.

These reductions are required to have the fund maintain its capital base over the long-term, and presume a 6% annual yield on investments.

The revenue from Pastoral Charge Assessments is to be calculated on a formula that, by 2016, reflects: 100% of Conference assessments, 50% of Program (staffing) expenses, 50% of Administrative staff expenses, and 50% of Office & Operations expenses.

Mr. Snelling presented three possible options that could be phased in over five years. However, depending on the priorities named by the Presbytery, these options may change. The options underscore the need for the Presbytery to make some reductions if it is going to live within the means of the investments.

The Budget Scenario Working Group and the Criteria and Priorities Working Group will meet and come back with a report to the September Executive meeting.

Social Covenant

There was no one present to address the social covenant. The Executive supported the idea that those working on the social covenant become part of the discussion taking place with the budget scenario working group and the Criteria and Priorities working group.

6. CORRESPONDENCE

June 30, 2011 General Council

Remit No.4 Frequency and Timing of Conference Meetings

Remit No.5A Appointment of Designated Lay Ministers

Remit No 5B Presbytery Membership of Designated Lay Ministers

The above remits will be presented at the October Presbytery meeting and voted on at the November meeting. The deadline to respond is December 1, 2011.

June 10, 2011 General Council

Remit No. 6A, 6B, 6C – Declaration of Church Doctrine (due April 1, 2012)

Presbyteries and pastoral charges are expected to study this document and vote by April 1, 2012. The Executive felt that it would be helpful if the Chair sent out a pastoral letter to all congregations encouraging them to start working right away on the study document. It is important to note that action is taken on positive votes only. Any Pastoral Charge that does not respond will be considered a negative vote. The Executive asked the Faith Development Committee to usher this document through the Presbytery in whatever way they saw fit. It was suggested that the Presbytery use The Song of Faith in its worship each month.

Motion: (Roger Snelling/David Lefneski) that the Faith Development Committee lead the Presbytery through the remits 6A. 6B, 6C and strike a committee, if more people are needed, to deal with document and study questions. Carried

June 23, 2011 Montreal and Ottawa Conference (Presbytery c.c.’d)

Re: Mandatory Racial Justice Training and Voluntary Associate Minister

The Presbytery is responsible for ensuring that all ministry personnel coming into the Presbytery have taken the racial justice training. The naming of voluntary associate ministers will become effective July 1^st each year.

July 5, 2011 Dr. Aida Bodour Dakessian

Re: Letter raising concern of the funeral of a member of the Armenian Evangelical Church. This piece of correspondence was received for information.

August 1, 2011 Response to Dr. Aida Bodour Dakessian

A letter was sent the by Secretary of Montreal Presbytery to Dr. Aid Bodour Dakessian expressing condolences on the passing of her mother and informing her that her concerns were passed on to the pastoral charge supervisor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Montreal.

July 30, 2011 Ms. Cindy Casey

The Haiti working group is requesting fifteen minutes on the November agenda of the Presbytery. The Executive needs to clarify the relationship between the Presbytery and the working group. This discussion will be added to the September agenda of the Executive.

August 3, 2011 Rev. Ofori

Request for time on the Presbytery agenda

The Executive will look at the agenda of upcoming Presbytery meetings to allot a time.

August 3, 2011 Shawbridge United Church

The Presbytery received a thank you for the letter of good wishes sent on the 150^th anniversary of the congregation.

August 4, 2011 Richelieu Valley Pastoral Charge

The Presbytery received a thank you letter from Richelieu Valley Pastoral Charge for funds received from the Kelley Trust.

August 6, 2011 Byzantine Catholic Patriarch

Many members of the United Church received an unsolicited email from the Byzantine Catholic Patriarch. Rev. Doug Stewart gave a brief background of the self-appointed Patriarch. Rev. Stewart has sent a letter to the Ukrainian ambassador voicing concern over the safety of gays and lesbians in the Ukraine. The letter was copied to his local member of Parliament and John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

August 9, 2011 M. Jones General Council

The General Council issued a response to the email sent the by Byzantine Catholic Patriarch.

August 11, 2011 Stratford Gazette

An article in the Stratford Gazette noted that as of July 2011 same-sex marriages are now performed by Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada.

August 25, 2011 Letter from Peter Mundie (Extension and Survey Committee)

Request from Ste-Adele for financial aid for building upkeep

A letter was received from the chair of the Extension and Survey committee outlining the need for emergency funding for Ste-Adele to cover expenses incurred in the renovation of the building. The letter was referred to the Administration and Finance Committee. This issue raised the larger question of financial viability of the congregation. This will be added to the September Executive agenda. The Presbytery must decide who is responsible for the oversight of Ste-Adele and which body will conduct the evaluation slated to take place in the third year of the project.

August 29, 2011 Letter from St. James

The Executive noted the importance of the Pastoral Care and Oversight Committee to issue a report to a congregation after a visit. This practice is encouraged to happen in a timely fashion.

August 29, 2011 Announcement Re: Anne Hall Memorial Service

A memorial service for the Reverend Anne Hall will take place on September 14, 2011.

7. REPORTS

Chair

The chair did not give a report.

Secretary

The Secretary did not give a report.

Treasurer

Mr. Rod Young reported that the second quarter financial statements ending June 30, 2011 had been received but had not yet been reviewed by the Administration and Finance Committee.

8.  COMMITTEE REPORTS

Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations (JGER)

Rev. Faye Wakeling reported that the Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations Committee would be holding an all day meeting to look at long-term planning. The committee will also receive reports that day on the community ministries located in the Montreal Presbytery. The Committee continues to uphold its concerns around the Middle East Peace Process. The Committee is also concerned about the McGill Ecumenical Chaplaincy. The United Church is speaking with the Anglican Church to look at funding issues. The Right Relations Committee is sponsoring a one day meeting in the coming week.

Vision and Transformation

M. Marc Grenon, Chair of Vision and Transformation gave the following report.

Richelieu Valley United Church has started joint services with Mount Bruno United Church.

M. Grenon pointed out that all of the members on Vision and Transformation Committee are new to Presbytery and/or the United Church and he asked what kind of support the committee could expect from the Presbytery and the Executive. Rev. Smyth suggested that M. Grenon introduce the new committee members to the Executive and have the Vision and Transformation Committee tell the Presbytery what kind of support it needs. This will require an on-going dialogue.

M. Grenon noted that French Ministry is under the mandate of the Faith Development Committee the Vision and Transformation Committee will continue to work with them.

In the area of youth work M. Grenon spoke briefly on Rendez-Vous 2011, a national youth event attended by over 500 people. The theme was "Go Big and Go Home" The Vision and Transformation Committee will continue to provide moral support and help to co-ordinate events. There is a need for a paid youth worker.

The Vision and Transformation Committee will continue to work with congregations on transformational issues.

The chair of the Vision and Transformation Committee asked the Executive for a clearer understanding of where he should get his guidance in terns of priorities and the focus of the committee. He also asked for clarification of the role of the Staff Committee in connection with the Vision and Transformation Committee and Vision and Transformation Minister. He has written to the Chair of the staff Committee for information. The Executive recommended that the Vision and Transformation Committee and staff Committee have a conversation and then bring their understanding to the September Executive meeting. This will be added to the agenda.

The role of the Committee is to do the Vision and Transformational work of the Presbytery and it has a staff person at its disposal, however, that staff person is not under its supervision.

The Joint Needs assessment for the youth worker was received but never voted on. This is a piece of unfinished business to be added to the September Executive agenda.

Presbyterial

Mrs. June Millar reported that this year was the 70^th anniversary of Summer Event. The Presbyterial is planning its annual Advent Event to take place November 29, 2011.

Administration and Finance

The following are actions taken over June, July, and August 2011 while the Administration and Finance committee had the power to act on all property matters requiring a Decision.

Union United Church (Montreal)

On June 7, 2011 the administration and Finance Committee concurred with the following motion.

Motion: that the Montreal Presbytery grant permission in the first instance to the Trustees of Union United Church (Montreal) to put on the market for sale its manse located at 4620 Prince of Wales Avenue, Montreal Quebec.

The Administration and Finance Committee will address the disposition of assets when permission is given in the second instance to sell the manse.

Villa Beaurepaire

A formal offer was received from the Villa Beaurepaire not-for-profit corporation to purchase from the Beaurepaire UC Trustees the part of their lot adjoining the sanctuary. The terms were reviewed at the June 7, 2011 Administration and Finance Committee meeting. It provided for a $50,000 deposit by July 15, 2011 and the Closing around the end of October 2011 with the cash price in full ($800,000). The Offer is not assignable and as the sole object of Villa Beaurepaire is to operate seniors’ affordable housing, the Presbytery is reasonably protected on the use issue.

The Administration and Finance Committee concurred with the following motion on June 17, 2011.

Motion: That the Committee, on behalf of Montreal Presbytery, concurs in the request of the Trustees of Beaurepaire United Church to sell a part of their property adjoining the church building to OSBL Villa Beaurepaire for the sum of $ 800,000 and otherwise in accordance with an Offer dated June 10, 2011, with the proviso that all proceeds of such sale shall be retained in Trust by such Trustees until a plan of disposition is agreed by Montreal Presbytery.

Following a unanimous vote of the Administration and Finance Committee, Mr. Fred Braman, Chair, confirmed on behalf of Montreal Presbytery of the United Church of Canada that Montreal Presbytery had concurred in the request of the Trustees of Beaurepaire United Church to sell the real property described in the formal Offer in accordance with its terms.

Montreal City Mission Incorporation

The Initial motion for incorporation of Montreal city Mission was passed by Executive of the Montreal Presbyter June 14, 2011 and sent to the Executive of Montreal and Ottawa Conference for approval. The request for incorporation was sent back to the Presbytery to make changes.

As a result of the new General Council directives on incorporating entities within the United Church of Canada, The Presbytery was asked by General Council staff to make certain changes to the Bylaws and proposed charter of Montreal City Mission. The suggested changes involve adding a few protections for the Church in new Article 19 of the Bylaws and clarifying Article 3 to indicate that the supervising court will always constitute a minority of Members of the new Corporation. (As Montreal Presbytery counts as only one person, this should not be difficult.)  There is no change in the rule that permits Montreal Presbytery to name a majority of the directors and veto any change to the bylaws. The most problematic issue concerned the "remaining property" rule and the compromise (in Article 19.10) was that these assets (if any) would vest in the United Church of Canada, but that there would be direct consultation with Montreal Presbytery on their disposition.

The changes were incorporated into the by-laws and the following motion was passed by the Administration and Finance Committee on July 21, 2011 and forwarded to the Montreal and Ottawa Conference on July 22, 2011.

Motion: "That Montreal Presbytery approve the Montreal City Mission bylaw amendments of July 19, 2011 indicated in the attached draft as well as a change in its application for incorporation to indicate that any remaining property of the corporation upon dissolution etc. would vest in the United Church of Canada and that Montreal Presbytery recommend to Montreal and Ottawa Conference that the  Request for Incorporation for Montreal City Mission/Mission Communautaire de Montreal (MCM), including its Draft Articles and Bylaws as so amended on July 19, 2011, be approved and that, in keeping with MCM’s longstanding relationship of support and accountability with Montreal Presbytery, the Conference delegate back to Montreal Presbytery the continued supervision and oversight of MCM in corporate form."

The request was passed by M&O Conference and administrative approval given by General Council August 18, 2011

Mid Laurentian – Lac Cloutier offer

A number of potential offers for the Lac Cloutier property have collapsed as the title documents make buyers wary and as there are a number of servitudes over the property by surrounding cottagers.

A new offer was received from a neighbour for $100,000 where the Buyer accepted, at his expense, to seek a Court Order to permit the sale of the property and deal with the servitudes. The Offer is conditional on the Court Order, and the Buyer has six months to seek that, extendable by a further six months if the Order is being pursued diligently and a last six months if the Trustees agree. As there have been quite a number of recent concerns that the property is being misused by passers-by, the Buyer agrees to maintain supervision and insurance in the interim.

The Trustees of Mid-Laurentian unanimously requested Presbytery’s concurrence in this transaction.

The Administration and Finance Committee concurred with the following motion on August 16, 2011.

Motion: That Montreal Presbytery concur in the request from the Trustees of Mid-Laurentian Pastoral Charge to sell the Lac Cloutier property to Charles Jolicoeur et al. for the sum of $100,000 and otherwise in accordance with the Offer to Purchase accepted on August 14, 2011.

Following a unanimous vote of the Administration and Finance Committee, Mr. Fred Braman, Chair, confirmed with notary Me Jacques Raymond on behalf of Montreal Presbytery of the United Church of Canada that Montreal Presbytery had concurred in the request of the Trustees of Mid Laurentian Pastoral Charge to sell the real property described in the formal Offer in accordance with its terms.

Beaconsfield

June 15, 2011 Mr. Fred Braman responded to the letter sent by Rev. Shaun Fryday to the Executive June 13, 2011. On June 15, 2011 a response was received from Rev. Fryday. On July 5, 2011 the officers of the Finance and Extension Board approved a further $15,000 to be loaned to Beaconsfield United Church. The total loan for 2011 was $25,000, the amount requested by Beaconsfield.

9.  NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

The discussion on the Mission Statement will be tabled to the September Executive meeting.

The Chair will remind the Presbyters that the October Presbytery meeting will be held at St. Lambert.

The Executive must deal with outstanding issues regarding the Armenian Evangelical Church. The 2009 audit is still ongoing. This will be added to the September Executive agenda.

 

10. PRESBYTERY AGENDA

The following requests were made for time on the agenda

Report from Rendez Vous 2011 - 10 minutes

Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations – 15 minutes

Vision and Transformation – 5 minutes

11. ADJOURNMENT

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