TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011
The Montreal Presbytery held its stated meeting, called by the Chair, Rev. Shaun
Fryday, to meet on Tuesday May 10, 2011 at Roxboro United Church, 116 Cartier
Street, Roxboro, Quebec. A supper was held before the meeting.
PRESENT
Ministry (25): Rev. Arlen Bonnar; Secretary, Rev. Shaun Fryday; Chair, Rev. Barbara Bryce, Rev. Kent Chown, Rev. David Clinker, Rev. Georgia Copland, Rev. Cathy Hamilton, Rev. Helen Hliaras, Rev. Cathy Hamilton, Rev. Ellie Hummel, Rev. Scott Hunter, Rev. Bill Jay, Rev. Mher Khatchikian, Rev. Tom Kurdyla, Rev. David Lefneski, Rev. Patricia Lisson, Rev. Darryl Macdonald, Rev. Marie Claude Manga, Rev. John Matheson, Rev. Alice McAlpine, Rev. Emmanuel Ofori, Rev. Phyllis Smyth, Rev. Doug Stewart, Rev. Ralph Watson, Rev. Faye Wakeling, Rev. Neil Whitehouse
Laity (38): Mr. Rod Young; Treasurer, Ms. Tsifoina Andriamanantena, Ms. Debbie Beattie, Mr. Guy Lin Beaudoin, Dr. Helen Budd Hanna, Mrs. Diane Campbell, Ms. Judy Campbell, Ms. Beverly Clark, Ms. Cindy Casey, Mr. Lloyd Coffin, , Ms. Linda Gagnon, Ms. Johanne Gendron, Mr. Gerald Gouw, Mr. Norm Haslam, Mr. Bruce Haughton, Mrs. Rosemary Hooker, Mrs. Mary Lou Hooper, Mrs. Carol Kirkpatrick, Ms. Paula Kline, Mrs. Janice Knowles, Mrs. Evelyn Marks, Ms. Lorane McKenzie, Mrs. June Millar, Mr. Peter Mundie, Mrs. Valerie Nickson, Ms. Emily Robertson, Mr. Kelly Running Wolf, Mr. Arthur Schweitzer, Mr. Rick Sheffer, Mrs. Jean Singer, Dr. Tom Smith, Mr. Roger Snelling, Ms. Gail Spence, Mrs. Shirley Stark, Mrs. Nancy Stewart, Dr. Ingrid Thompson, Dr. James P. Vanstone.
Visitors:
Mrs. Sheila Snelling
Corresponding Members: Ms. Hepta Deslandes, M. François Frenza, Ms. Tessa Ann Griffin, Mr. Joel Miller, Mr. Larry Richardson, Rev. Darla Sloan, Mr. Alwin Spence
Regrets: Rev. Janet Bisset, Ms. Lisa Byer, Mr. Don Green, Rev. Rosemary Lambie, Mr. Donald Green, Mrs. Joan Hagerman, Rev. Anne Hall, Rev. Reg Jennings, Rev. Wendy MacLean, Rev. Scott Patton, Rev. Catherine Smith, Rev. Ian Smith, Rev. Mark Rawlings,
At 7:00 p.m. the Reverend Shaun Fryday constituted the meeting in the name of Jesus Christ to conduct the business properly brought before it.
A Finance and Extension Board report, to be presented by Ms. Gail Spence, was added to the agenda.
It was agreed that the presentation on the Montreal Presbytery staff positions would be postponed until the September meeting of the Presbytery.
Motion: (Kelley Running Wolf/Darryl Macdonald) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the amended agenda.
Rev. Arlen Bonnar opened the meeting with a prayer.
Rev. Darryl Macdonald brought greetings on behalf of Roxboro United Church and welcomed the Presbytery. Rev. Macdonald outlined a brief history of the church which was founded over fifty years ago and gave an overview of the current activities of the present day congregation.
The Chair thanked the Roxboro congregation for extending an invitation to the Presbytery and providing a delicious meal.
The Chair welcomed Rev. Darla Sloane, General Council staff person responsible for Ministries in French; Mr. Joel Miller, Administrative assistant Montreal and Ottawa Conference (East); and Mr. Larry Richardson, Administrator Montreal and Ottawa Conference (West).
The court agreed that Rev. Darla Sloan, Mr. Joel Miller, and Mr. Larry Richardson would be made corresponding members of the Montreal Presbytery for the duration of the meeting.
It was noted in the April 12, 2011 minutes that the manual reference for the La Passerelle motion on page 4988 should read 041.1a.
Motion: (Jim Vanstone /Kelley Running Wolf) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the minutes of the April 12, 2011 Presbytery meeting. Carried
Motion: (David Clinker/Roger Snelling) that the Montreal Presbytery receive for information the minutes of the March 29, 2011 Executive meeting. Carried
Funding for Rendez-Vous 2011
At the April Presbytery meeting the court appointed a small group of individuals to look at ways the Montreal Presbytery could raise $3000 to subsidize anyone wishing to attend Rendezvous 2011. There was no one available to give an update.
It was announced that there is funding available through the Montreal and Ottawa Conference. The Presbytery was encouraged to find ways to generate excitement for the conference and encourage youth to attend.
Mr. Gerald Gouw gave regrets on behalf of Lisa Bayer, the youth co-ordinator for Ste. Genevieve United Church. The Secretary agreed to work with Rev. Cathy Hamilton and send a letter to youth groups encouraging them to attend the conference.
Secretary/Correspondence
May 1, 2011 Union United Church Official Board/Board of Trustees
The Court agreed to refer to the Administration and Finance Committee for action the request from Union United Church (Montreal) to sell its manse.
May 5, 2011 Letter from Nora Sanders
The weekly letter from the General Secretary of the General Council was received for information.
May 5, 2011 Letter from Richelieu Valley
The request from Richelieu Valley Pastoral Charge for financial assistance regarding its designation as an Internship Site was referred to the Education and Students Committee. A recommendation is to be brought to the Executive meeting in June.
April 6, 2011 c.c. on letter to David Armour from Paula Kline
The Secretary read a letter written by Ms. Paula Kline, director of the Montreal City Mission, which she sent to Mr. David Amour, Director of Philanthropy for the United Church. The Court requested that the letter be circulated and shared with the congregations in the Presbytery. The court further requested that Ms. Kline be thanked for her correspondence.
The Secretary thanked the Chair, Rev. Shaun Fryday, for his leadership over the past year. The Secretary noted that there are many demands made upon the chair and Rev. Fryday had devoted an incredible amount of time to Presbytery business. The Secretary named Rev. Fryday’s legacy as encouraging the Presbytery to question how it lived out its priorities and how it should responsibly use its financial resources.
The Secretary referred to the exciting ministry happening at Beaconsfield United Church and the upcoming inauguration of the Gay Lesbian Transgendered Questioning youth centre. As a token of appreciation, a donation of $250 was given to the youth centre to honour Rev. Fryday and his ministry within the Presbytery.
Chair
The Chair, Rev. Shaun Fryday thanked the Secretary for his kind words. Rev. Fryday noted that we do not work in isolation and so the youth centre is part of the work of the Presbytery. The Chair congratulated Rev. Ralph Watson on his 85th birthday and noted that Montreal West United Church was hosting a reception in honour of Rev. Watson’s 60th anniversary of ordination. Rev. Fryday thanked the staff of the Presbytery for their administrative support during his time in office. Rev. Fryday also thanked the Secretary, Rev. Arlen Bonnar.
The Chair announced that the Montreal and Ottawa Conference was in need of people to act as stewards at the upcoming annual general meeting.
The Chair gave a notice of motion and asked for twenty minutes on the September Presbytery agenda. The motion will address the possibility of linking congregations in Quebec with congregations in the Philippines. The Kelley Trust has been approached to sponsor ten individuals to travel to the Philippines in 2012.
The Chair reported on his attendance at the Kairos ecumenical conference on mining. The key purpose of the gathering was to develop alliances between church leaders from the North and South in their efforts to achieve mining justice around the world. Rev. Fryday pointed out that people are complacent when it comes to mining atrocities because they do not take an interest in listening to the voices of developing countries but rather are driven by consumerism.
Rev. Fryday invited everyone to attend the upcoming Affirming service at Beaconsfield.
Treasurer
2010 Financial Statements
Mr. Rod Young, Treasurer of the Montreal Presbytery, noted that there had been no changes to the draft 2010 financial statements presented at the April Presbytery meeting.
Motion: (Rod Young/Gail Spence) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the financial statements ending December 31, 2010. Carried
To ensure that any Administration and Finance business concerning the Montreal Presbytery continued over the summer months, the following motion was proposed.
Motion: (Rod Young / Jim Vanstone) that all property matters requiring a Decision be delegated to the Administration and Finance Committee of the Montreal Presbytery immediately following the June 14, 2011 Executive meeting until the rise of the Presbytery Executive meeting to be held August 30 2011; furthermore, in reference to the possible sale of any church buildings the Executive would be consulted. Carried abstention by Rick Sheffer
Finance and Extension Board
Ms. Gail Spence reported that the Finance and Extension Board had approved its draft 2010 financial statements and that the annual report would be approved at the end of May. At that time the annual report will be available to anyone who requests a copy.
The court requested that large documents, such as financial statements, be made available in pdf version instead of paper copy.
Nominations Report
Rev. Ellie Hummel, co-chair of Nominations reported on behalf of the committee. The other members of the committee are Rev. Barbara Bryce (co-chair), Ms. Debbie Beattie and Rev. Cathy Hamilton. The committee has met on two occasions and discussed the theology and vision of the work of nominations.
Rev. Hummel reminded the members of Presbytery that it is a gift to serve on a committee and a chance to offer new ideas, new vision and develop new skills. It is important to seek balance on the committee regarding age, gender, lay/ordered and urban/rural.
Rev. Hummel raised the concern that not all congregations had lay representatives.
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Barbara Bryce) that the Montreal Presbytery name Rev. Jennings to be a member of the Stewardship Committee. Carried
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Cathy Hamilton) that Rev. Reg Jennings and Rev. Debbie Poirier be named to the Montreal and Ottawa Conference Ministry in French Committee. Carried
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/ Debbie Beattie) that the Montreal Presbytery name Rev. Steve Gillam to be a member of the Education and Students Committee. Carried
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Debbie Beattie) that the Montreal Presbytery name Ms. Lisa Byer to be a member of the Vision and Transformation Committee. Carried
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Cathy Hamilton) that the Montreal Presbytery elect the Executive and name them appointed officers of the Montreal Presbytery. Carried
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Debbie Beattie) that the Montreal Presbytery re-elect Rev. Arlen Bonnar as Secretary of the Montreal Presbytery from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Carried
Rev. Hummel presented the list of members of standing committees. The following corrections were noted. The name of Mr. Courtney Sewell is to be removed. Ms. Janice Knowles is the United Church Women representative and has a seat on the Executive. Ms. Lisa Byer is a member of the Vision and Transformation Committee.
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Barbara Bryce) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the 2011–2012 list of standing Committees and Members with corrections. Carried. Copy attached to the minutes.
Montreal Presbytery’s proposed list of appointments for the Montreal and Ottawa Conference Committees 2011 – 2012 is as follows:
Conference Executive – Chair of Presbytery
Phyllis Smyth
Conference Executive Montreal Rep Helen Hliaras
Archives Judy Campbell
Communications Network Shirley Stark
Continuing Education Barbara Bryce
Finance Committee Rod Young, Jim Vanstone
Interview Board Sally Meyer
Mission Support Roger Snelling, Rick Sheffer
Settlement Committee Darryl Macdonald, Susan Wolker
Stewardship Network June Millar, Reg Jennings
Education and Students Rev. Jeff Barlow
Motion: (Ellie/Debbie) that the proposed list of Montreal Presbytery appointments to the Montreal and Ottawa Conference 2011 – 2012 Committees be accepted. Carried
Roll of Presbytery
Motion: (Arlen Bonnar/Georgia Copland) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the Roll of the Montreal Presbytery with any corrections and forward a copy to the Montreal and Ottawa Conference for its Annual General Meeting. Carried. Copy attached to the minutes.
The Secretary asked that Presbyters inform the office of any corrections to the roll as soon as possible.
Consensus Motion
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Barbara Bruce) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the motions, each and every one, as part of this single action. Carried
Vacancy
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) in accordance with the manual 041.1 (a) that the Montreal Presbytery declare a half-time vacancy for a designated lay ministry position at Shawbridge Pastoral Charge retroactive to July 1, 2010. Carried
Retained on the Roll
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery concurs that Carl Triskle of the Order of Ministry be Retained on the Roll of the Presbytery for the Pastoral Year July 1, 211 to June 30, 2012 for the reason of long term disability. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery concurs with the request of Yao-Hau Lesley Chen of the Order of Ministry to be retained on the Roll of the Presbytery for the Pastoral Year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 for the reason of other employment. Carried
Joint Needs Assessment
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery, receive the Joint Needs Assessment Report dated April 12, 2011 from St. Columba House and adopt the recommendations that a vacancy be declared for the position of a full-time Director and that a Joint Search Committee be appointed and the Joint Needs Assessment Committee be disbanded with thanks. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery name Rev. Janet Bisset as its representative to sit on the Joint Search Committee for St. Columba House. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery, receive the Joint Needs Assessment Report for the position of Congregational Designated Minister for Mount Royal United Church and adopt the recommendation that a vacancy be declared for a half-time Congregational Designated Minister position effective July 1, 2011. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery, receive the Joint Needs Assessment Report for the position of Congregational Designated Minister for Union United Church and adopt the recommendation that a vacancy be declared for a full-time Congregational Designated Minister position effective May 10, 2011. Carried
Transfer of Membership
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery concurs in the request for the transfer of membership for Rev. Howard Clark from the Montreal Presbytery, Montreal and Ottawa Conference to the Ottawa Presbytery, Montreal and Ottawa Conference effective May 10, 2011. Carried
Appointments
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the re-appointment of Ms. Paula Kline as Designated Lay Minister not yet recognized (director) of the Montreal City Mission from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 with the terms of the appointment being 40 hours per week, an annual salary of $47,750, housing allowance of $12,000 per annum, and book/study allowance of $1,250. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the re-appointment of Ms. Debbie Poirier as Designated Lay Minister to the Mid Laurentian Pastoral Charge from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 with the terms of the appointment being 40 hours per week, an annual salary of $35,436 housing allowance of $9,000 per annum, telephone costs of $612 and Study and Book Allowance of $1250. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the re-appointment of Rev. Georgia Copland as Retired Supply to the Argenteuil Pastoral Charge from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 with the terms of the appointment being 30 hours per week, an annual salary of $31,121, housing allowance of $9,600 per annum, and book/study allowance of $937.50. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the re-appointment of Ms. Yolanda Maradiaga as Designated Lay Minister not yet recognized to Mount Royal United Church from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 with the terms of the appointment being 25 hours per week, an annual salary of $23,785, housing allowance of $4,970 per annum, and book/study allowance of $795. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the re-appointment of the Rev. Mark Rawlings as United Supply to St. George's United Church, from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, with the terms of the appointment being 20 hours per week, a monthly salary of $1,628.87, a housing allowance of $583.33 per month, and a book and study allowance of $52.50 per month and travel allowance of $41 per month. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the re-appointment of Rev. Jin Sik Kim as ordained supply (non-United) to Montreal Korean United Church from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 with the terms of the appointment being 40 hours per week, an annual salary of $40,000, housing allowance of $18,000 per annum, book/study allowance of $1250 and basic telephone of $1,200 per annum. Carried
Dorval Strathmore Fund
The Dorval Strathmore Fund had $8,000 to disburse in 2011. The following organizations received grants in 2011:
Family Resource Centre $ 750
Arthritis West Island $1,000
Family Life Centre (Roxboro) $1,000
LGBTQ (Beaconsfield) $1,500
Omega $1,000
Perspective in Mental Health $ 750
Vision Lakeside Academy $1,000
West Island Citizen Advocacy $1,000
Motion: (Ruth Moreau/Kent Chown) that the Montreal Presbytery accept the report of the Dorval Strathmore Fund Committee. Carried
Union Building Update
Rev. Ofori updated the Presbytery on the progress of the re-building of Union United Church (located on Delisle Street). A Building Committee has been set up to work with an architect. A proposal has been submitted by the architect and approved by the Official Board.
The task force set up by the Presbytery to help Union is working with congregation and will to bring full report to Presbytery at a later date. The congregation is embarking on a capital campaign which will be launched in the fall. Presently the campaign is in the quiet phase.
The congregation has relocated to the Rosedale Queen Mary building in the meantime.
Faith Development
An interview committee consisting of Rev. Phyllis Smyth (representing the Education and Students Committee), along with Rev. Birgit Neuschild and Rev. David Lefneski from the Faith Development Committee interviewed the Licensed Lay Worship Leaders and the following motion was presented.
Motion: (David Lefneski/David Clinker) that the following names are recommended for re-licensing as Lay Worship Leaders 2011 – 2012 to the Montreal Presbytery Beverly Clark Santana, Beryl Barraclough, Deborah Beattie, Grace Cawley, Hepta Deslandes, Francois Frenza, Nancy Garbish, Tessa Ann Griffin, Helen Budd Hanna, Norman Haslam, Evelyn Kerr, Carol Kirkpatrick, Donna Leduc, Lorane McKenzie, Libby Laurie Monaco, Valerie Nickson, Rick Sheffer, Thomas Smith, Alwin Spence, Velma Symington, Nelson Weippert and Donald Wood. Carried
Ms. Kelley Molloy is available to preach. She has been accepted into the Designated Lay Minister programme so it is not necessary to re-license her.
Education and Students
Rev. Phyllis Smyth, Chair, reported that the Education and Students Committee has studied the request of SouthWest United Church to be named a Supervised Ministry Education site for a Designated Lay Ministry Appointment. Rev. Smyth noted that the Committee had read and discussed the outline of the French ministry project known as La Passerelle.
Motion: (Phyllis Smyth/Kelley Running Wolf) be it resolved that based on the recommendation of its Education and Students Committee, the Montreal Presbytery approve SouthWest United Church as a Supervised Ministry Education site for a Designated Lay Ministry Appointment and forwarded its approval to the Montreal and Ottawa Conference Internship and Educational Supervision Committee. Carried
Vision and Transformation
The Chair read a report submitted by the Vision and Transformation Minister who is away on a continuing education course.
The report read in part that "the Montreal Presbytery has been committed to the support and development of ministry in French, and the Vision and Transformation Committee has worked to help bring this vision into action. Montreal Presbytery has supported the transition of two English congregations to French congregations. The Erskine American Fund has been a source of support and encouragement for these new ministries.
This year, we have worked to develop a new French ministry in the Verdun-Delson region. This project has been a collaborative effort involving Consistoire Laurentien, Southwest UC and Mission, St. Andrew’s Delson UC, Faith Development Committee, Executive of Montreal Presbytery, Montreal Presbytery, Pastoral Relations, Education and Students, Montreal Ottawa Conference Working Group for French, and Vision and Transformation. We have been committed to a transparent process with consistent updates as we work together."
Rev. Darla Sloan, General Council staff person responsible for Ministries in French was invited to come forward to bring an announcement concerning the new Ministries in French La Passerelle project. La Passerelle is the first Ministries in French project to be funded by the General Council’s French fund. The initial amount awarded for first year is $75,000 with stable funding continuing for five years. The project is supported by the General Council, Montreal Presbytery, and Consistoire Laurentien. It is hoped that the partners will work together so the ministry will grow, develop, and thrive. The Rev. David Lefneski was congratulated for his hard work with the project.
Motion: (Kelley Running Wolf) that the Presbytery meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The meeting closed with a sung blessing led by the Rev. Darryl Macdonald.
Rev. Shaun Fryday Rev. Arlen Bonnar
Chair Secretary
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