TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

The Executive of the Montreal Presbytery held its stated meeting, called by the Chair, Rev. Phyllis Smyth, on Tuesday September 27, 2011 at the Church Centre, 301 Lansdowne Avenue, Westmount, Quebec. Quebec. Rev. Phyllis Smyth, Chair, presided.

Present: Rev. Phyllis Smyth, Chair; Rev. Arlen J. Bonnar, Secretary; Rev. Jeff Barlow, Mr. Fred Braman, Rev. Barbara Bryce, Rev. Shaun Fryday, M. Marc Grenon, Rev. David Lefneski, Rev. Patricia Lisson, Rev. Darryl Macdonald, Ms. Janice Knowles, Mr. Roger Snelling, Mr. Paul Stanfield, Mr. Rod Young

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

Regrets: Rev. Faye Wakeling, Mrs. Shirley Stark,

  1. CONSTITUTION
    2.

    At 4:00 p.m., the Rev. Phyllis Smyth constituted the meeting in the name of Jesus Christ to conduct the business properly brought before it.

  2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

    3. Motion: (Jeff Barlow/Roger Snelling) that the Executive of the Montreal Presbytery approve the adoption of the agenda and set the time of adjournment for 6:00 p.m. Carried

  3. COURTESIES
    4.

    The Chair noted that Rev. Faye Wakeling was in Barcelona, Spain and had sent her regrets.

  4. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Motion: (Darryl MacDonald/Rod Young) that the Executive of the Montreal Presbytery approve the adoption of the minutes of its meeting held August 30, 2011. Carried

  1. BUSINESS ARISING
    2.

    Rev. Patricia Lisson led the Executive in worship. Her message centred on the need for the Presbytery to work together to accomplish the tasks ahead. The symbol used in worship was a ceramic dory.

    Report from Budget Scenario/Criteria and Priorities Working Groups

    Rev. David Lefneski reported that the Budget Scenario and the Criteria and Priorities working groups had met. The Budget Scenario working group provided clarity around the financial resources available.

    Mr. Fred Braman walked the Executive through the cost reduction strategies prosed by the budget scenario working group. These measures will reduce expenditures within a short period. The Executive discussed the pros and cons of moving to new premises at this time and named its concerns. The following motion was proposed and passed.

    Motion: (Fred Braman/Roger Snelling) that the Executive recommend that Montreal Presbytery form a select committee of three persons to review viable alternatives for the Presbytery and the Finance and Extension Board office space on the basis that Presbytery requires space for three offices, accounting/storage and a small committee room and that the select committee make a recommendation to the Executive to 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 and the select committee is authorized but not required to include existing United Church properties in its review, and that such a select committee be appointed by the Executive. Carried

    The Executive discussed the second recommendation regarding the disposition of assets. The following motion was proposed and passed.

    Motion: (Fred Braman/Rod Young) that the Executive recommend that The Montreal Presbytery confirm as general policy that in any motion for the sale of church assets upon a wind-up of merger of pastoral charges (a) that Extension and Survey Grants on such property awarded in the last 10 years be repaid to the Finance and Extension Board and (b) that the Presbytery recommend to the Conference 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. Carried

    Mr. Braman reviewed the proposed disbursement formula designed to preserve the capital. Mr. Braman noted that the Presbytery had passed a motion April 12, 2011 requesting the Administration and Finance Committee to develop a disbursement formula that was responsible and sustainable. The proposed formula will require a phasing-in period.

    Mr. Roger Snelling reviewed the handout entitled Financial Projections: Years 2012 – 2016. The three scenarios depicted were designed to bring budget spending to a sustainable level. Between the years 2006 to 2008, the capital decreased by 25% resulting in a drop of approximately $250,000 in income. The three options presented may not reflect the final option chosen by the Presbytery once priorities are determined.

    The following timeline was presented for accomplishing the work. The 2012 budget would be voted on at the November Presbytery meeting. Over the next six to eight months, the Presbytery would discuss its priorities and options. A decision on the cost reduction measures should be made within the short term.

    The role of the Criteria and Priorities working group is to animate a process that provides a link between the budget and faith based decisions owned by the Presbytery. The Presbytery should be presented with as much information as possible and given ample time to discuss the options thoroughly.

    Members of the Executive raised the need for a safe environment where open and honest conversation/questions can take place about all aspects of Presbytery spending. The Presbytery needs to see a clear list of the where money is going.

    Ste-Adèle French Ministry

    The Executive reviewed the history of the Ste-Adèle French ministry project from the time of its inception in 2008 until the present. The Chair of the Faith Development noted that the Committee recently met and committed to developing, in conversation with the Montreal Presbytery, a review process for new ministries in French, with quantifiable and qualitative criteria for measuring growth, viability, and sustainability. To date new ministries in French in the Montreal Presbytery include Ste-Adèle, église unie St. Jean (Richelieu), and La Passerelle.

    Motion: (Shaun Fryday/Barbara Bryce) that the Executive request that the Chair of the Montreal Presbytery appoint a working committee to assess the future viability of the French ministry project at Ste-Adele Protestant Church and report to the Executive. Carried

    Vision and Transformation and Staff Committee

    The discussion between the Vision and Transformation Committee and the Staff Committee is ongoing.

    Needs Assessment re: Youth Worker

    The Chair of the Faith Development reported that the committee had discussed the need to support youth in the Presbytery. The Committee has decided to expand its mandate, which is to provide Lay Leadership Development and include Youth and Young Adults (YAYA) lay leadership training.

    The Executive decided to delay bringing the Needs Assessment for the Youth Worker position to the floor of the Presbytery. The members who served on the Needs Assessment committee should be informed of the reasons for the delay.

    Mission Statement

    The discussion on the Mission Statement will be postponed until October.
  2. CORRESPONDENCE
    3.

    Request from Mrs. Carolyn Ruda.

    Mrs. Ruda, the Conference Mission and Service support person will be invited to speak at the October Presbytery meeting.

    Request from Ste–Adèle Protestant Church re: Permission to administer the Sacraments.

    A letter has been received from the Church Board at Ste-Adèle Protestant Church requesting the Conference to grant Ms. Johanne Gendron the right to perform the sacraments and the right to perform marriages. It was noted that only ordered ministry personnel are licensed to marry. In order to be licenced the Presbytery must concur with a request from the congregation and then forward the request to the conference.

    Motion: (Fred Braman/Jeff Barlow) that the Montreal Presbytery send a letter to the Conference Executive concurring in the request that Johanne Gendron be licensed to perform marriages and to preside over the sacraments strictly in accordance with the rights of the United Church of Canada. Carried

    The Executive requested that Mme Gendron receives training from Calling Lakes Center in administering the sacraments if she has not already had the training.

    The Executive noted that it will formally request the Conference Executive to address the role of sacramental elders. It has been recommended that this question be directed to the Conference Education and Students Committee.

    Motion: (David Lefneski/Darryl Macdonald) that the Secretary of the Montreal Presbytery write to the Conference Executive asking for clarification of the role of Sacramental Elders and that the question be referred to the Conference Education and Students Committee for a broader discussion. Carried

    Letter of Resignation from Paula Kline from McGill Ecumenical

    The Executive received the resignation of Ms. Paula Kline from the McGill Ecumenical Chaplaincy with regret. The Secretary was asked to write a letter of appreciation to Ms. Kline. The Nominations committee is looking for a replacement. The question was raised as to the mandate of the Ecumenical Chaplaincy since the Presbyterian denomination is no longer involved. The Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations Committee is looking at the chaplaincy question.

    Letter from St Andrews United Church (Lachine) asking to disband December 31, 2011.

    Mr. Fred Braman noted that he was present at the congregational meeting when the decision was made to disband. Mr. Braman noted he had outlined all options including amalgamation with neighbouring churches.

    Motion: (Fred Braman/Shaun Fryday) that the Executive refer the request of St. Andrews United Church (Lachine) to the Administration and Finance Committee. Carried

    The Administration and Finance Committee will bring back a recommendation to the Presbytery.

    A concern was raised that pastoral support be given to the minister and the congregation. The congregation is planning a celebration of thanksgiving for its 190 years on the 18th of December 2011.

    The membership of the congregation will need to be attended to in the appropriate manner.

    Northlea United 50th Anniversary

    The Executive noted an invitation to the 50th Anniversary of Northlea United Church had been distributed throughout the Presbytery. The Executive requested that the Chair, Secretary or designate represent the Presbytery at this event.
  3. REPORTS
    4.

    Chair

    The Chair reported that fifty-five responses had been received to the questionnaire distributed. The Chair will look at the responses and bring back suggestions regarding the Presbytery meeting set up.

    Secretary

    The Secretary reported that he and the Chair had met with Mr. Anthony Mansour, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism. The Chair and Secretary highlighted the need for the United Church and all reformed churches to be included in events and to be kept informed of what was happening. Two upcoming activities are planned. The event at city hall is being repeated and participants are invited to sign a document endorsing that Christian, Jews and Muslims coexist peacefully in Montreal. The other event known as Getting to know your Neighbour affords opportunities to visit various religious sights; however, the reformed church not represented as one of the sites. The Executive noted that the Green Church project hosted through the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism originated with the United Church.
  4. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Faith Development

The Chair noted that the Executive had asked the committee to lead the study on remit 6 which proposes adding to the Doctrine Section of the Basis of Union (currently the Twenty Articles), three other United Church expressions of faith; the 1940 Statement of Faith, the New Creed and A Song of Faith.

The committee is panning a one hour study session before the November 8th Presbytery meeting followed by a discussion at the February 2012 Presbytery meeting. A vote on the remit is scheduled for the March 2012 Presbytery meeting.

Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations

The co-chair of the committee requested time on the agenda of the October Presbytery.

Rev. Patricia Lisson recommended that the study document to Moment of Truth: Kairos Palestine A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering be used as a possible advent study.
  1. NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
    2.

    Connecting with Youth in the Presbytery

    A request was made at the September Presbytery that the Executive discuss ways of connecting with youth and giving them a presence in the Presbytery. The Executive noted that the Presbytery should begin by filling the four youth membership positions. Recommendations should be submitted to the nominating committee.

  2. ADJOURNMENT

Motion: (Janice Knowles) that the Executive adjourn its meeting at 5:55 p.m.

Rev. Phyllis Smyth                                 Rev. Arlen John Bonnar

Chair                                                   Secretary

 

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