TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011
The Montreal Presbytery held its stated meeting, called by the Chair, Rev. Phyllis Smyth, to meet on Tuesday November 8, 2011 in Webster Hall, Westmount Park United Church, 4695 de Maisonneuve West, Westmount, Quebec.
PRESENT
Ministry (32): Rev. Arlen Bonnar; Secretary, Rev. Phyllis Smyth; Chair, Rev. Jeff Barlow, Rev. Barend Biesheuvel, Rev. Barbara Bryce, Rev. Pasquale Castelluccio, Rev. Kent Chown, Rev. David Clinker, Rev. Cathy Hamilton, Rev. Helen Hliaras, Rev. Ellie Hummel, Rev. Bill Jay, Rev. Mher Khatchikian, Rev. Reg Jennings, Rev. Tom Kurdyla, Rev. Rosemary Lambie, Rev. David Lefneski, Rev. Patricia Lisson, Rev. Wendy MacLean, Rev. Marie Claude Manga, Rev. John Matheson, Rev. Alice McAlpine, Rev. Heather McClure, Rev. Joe McInnis, Sally Meyer-DM, Rev. Richard Miller, Rev. Birgit Neuschild, Rev. Catherine Smith, Rev. Doug Stewart, Rev. Fred Tees, Rev. Faye Wakeling, Rev. Neil Whitehouse
Laity (37): Mr. Rod Young; Treasurer, Ms. Tsifoina Andriamanantena, Mr. George Anthony, Mr. Han Min Bai, Mr. Guy-Lin Beaudoin, Mr. Fred Braman, Mrs. Virginia Bryce, Dr. Helen Budd Hanna, Ms. Lisa Byer, Ms. Diane Campbell, Ms. Judy Campbell, Ms. Cindy Casey, Ms. Beverly Clark, Mrs. Undeg Edwards, Mrs. Feher White, Ms. Linda Gagnon, Ms. Marcie Gibson, Mr. Marc Grenon, Mr. Gerard Gouw, Mrs. Rosemary Hooker, Mrs. Janice Knowles, Ms. Eileen Lewis, Mrs. June Millar, Mrs. Valerie Nickson, Mrs. Patricia Nielsen, Mr. Diony Delos Reyes, Ms. Emily Robertson, Mr. Kelly Running Wolf, Mr. Lou Sarka, Mrs. Heather Scheigetz, Mr. Arthur Schweitzer, Dr. Tom Smith, Mr. Roger Snelling, Ms. Gail Spence, Mr. Paul Stanfield, Mrs. Shirley Stark, Ms. Nancy Stewart, Dr. James Vanstone
Visitors: J. McNod, Mr. John Meaker,
Corresponding Members: Mr. Daniel Bastian
Regrets: Ms. Debbie Beattie, Rev. Janet Bisset, Rev. Georgia Copland, Mr. Don Green, Mrs. Joan Hagerman, Ms. Paula Kline, Rev. Darryl Macdonald, Mr. Peter Mundie, Rev. Mark Rawlings, Mr. Rick Sheffer, Rev. Ian Smith, Dr. Ingrid Thompson, Ms. Susan Wolker
At 7:00 p.m. the Reverend Phyllis Smyth constituted the meeting of the Montreal Presbytery to conduct the business properly brought before it.
Worship was led by members of the Budget Scenario Working Group and the Criteria and Priorities Working Group and based on the biblical passage of the Valley of Dry Bones.
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Cathy Hamilton) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the agenda as presented. Carried
Motion (Ellie Hummel/David Lefneski) that the Montreal Presbytery set the time of adjournment for 9:30 p.m. Carried
Ms. Cindy Casey introduced Mr. Daniel Bastian, coordinator of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transsexual Questioning Teen Center located in Beaconsfield United Church.
Motion: (Heather McClure/Jeff Barlow) that the Montreal Presbytery name Mr. Daniel Bastian as a corresponding member for the duration of the meeting. Carried
Rev. Helens Hliaras noted that she had sent her regrets for the October Presbytery meeting. The date of the Presbytery meeting was corrected.
Motion: (Gerard Gouw/Dianne Campbell) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the minutes of the October 11, 2011 meeting. Carried
Motion: (Heather McClure/Roger Snelling) that the Montreal Presbytery receive for information the minutes of the September 25, 2011 Executive meeting. Carried
Social Covenant
Mr. Fred Braman introduced a document entitled A Social Covenant which had been developed to address the relationship of the Presbytery (Court) and its Executive. A copy of the covenant is attached to the minutes.
The Presbyters studied the document and time of discussion followed.
The members of Presbytery suggested that it look at the health of the covenant in a year’s time.
Motion: (Fred Braman/Barbara Bryce) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the presented text as its social covenant. Carried
Finance and Extension Board 2012
Ms. Gail Spence presented the 2012 budget of the Finance and Extension Board. After allowing a time for questions the following motion was passed.
Motion: (Gail Spence/Paul Stanfield) that the Montreal Presbytery concur with the Finance and Extension Board 2012 Budget as presented. Carried
A copy of the Finance and Extension Board 2012 Budget is attached to the minutes.
Presbytery Final Budget 2012
Mr. Rod Young reviewed the 2012 budget of the Montreal Presbytery, initially presented at the October Presbytery meeting. Mr. Young answered questions from the members of the court.
Motion: (Rod Young/Fred Braman) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the Presbytery 2012 Budget as presented. Carried
A copy of the Montreal Presbytery 2012 budget is attached to the minutes .
Motion re: Disposition of Church Property
Mr. Fred Braman re-introduced the motion initially presented at the October Presbytery meeting. Mr. Braman explained the changes to the original motion that had been agreed upon by its mover and seconder in order to follow the manual and recognize the authority of conference.
Mr. Braman read the revised motion and noted that for greater certainty, the foregoing motion did not limit or fetter in any way the rights and obligations of the pastoral charges, Presbytery and Conference under the terms of the United Church of Canada Manual.
The mover and seconder accepted another friendly amendment that changed the partial wording of the motion from "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" to "40% of the net proceeds be paid to the Finance and Extension Board in order to be able to continue to serve the mission and ministry needs of the Montreal Presbytery".
The final motion reads as follows:
Motion: (Fred Braman/Roger Snelling) that Montreal Presbytery confirm as a general guideline (subject to a case-by-case assessment of needs and resources and in consultation with the pastoral charge(s) involved) 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 property awarded in the last 10 years be repaid to the Finance and Extension Board (subject to approval of Conference where required), and
(b) that the Presbytery recommend to the Conference that approximately 40% of the net proceeds be paid to the Finance and Extension Board in order to be able to continue to serve the mission and ministry needs of the Montreal Presbytery. Carried with abstention by Rev. Rosemary Lambie
Chair
Rev. Phyllis Smyth asked the Court to keep the following people in their prayers as they mourn the loss of loved ones. They are Rev. Scott Patton on the passing of his mother; Rev. Elisabeth Jones on the unexpected death of her father-in-law; the family of Mrs. Annie McFaul, an active and long-time member of the United Church; and the family of Mrs. Margaret Boorman, a former Executive Secretary of Conference and staff person of the Montreal Presbytery.
The Chair reported that she had attended the workshop held at SouthWest Mission and led by Ms. Raheel Raza. The presentation centered on the relationship between Islam and other faiths. The event was extraordinarily well done.
The Chair reported that she had attended the Montreal and Ottawa Conference Executive retreat. Dr. Tom Sherwood, the theme speaker for the 2012 Conference Annual General Meeting, gave a brief overview of his upcoming presentation. The theme of the conference is Listening is the Language of Love. The Executive also discussed issues related to the General Council.
The Chair highlighted some of the responses from the questionnaire handed out at the September Presbytery meeting.
There was no one preference for the various options offered regarding the physical set-up. It has been decided that the physical set up will be flexible and take into account the specific needs of each meeting
An overwhelming majority of people requested that refreshments be made available throughout the meeting in lieu of a designated coffee break. In order to provide a social time coffee, will be provided before the meeting as well.
There was no clear consensus on how the worship time should be structured or how long it should be. Rev. Ellie Hummel, Rev. Heather McClure, and Rev. Darryl Macdonald have agreed to lead the closing song benediction.
Secretary
The Secretary reported that he had represented the Presbytery at the reception and recital given in honor of the late American journalist Daniel Pearl and hosted by the United States Consul General in Montreal. The Consulate’s Daniel Pearl Music Days promotes tolerance and diversity.
The Secretary attended a gathering at City Hall of leaders from interfaith communities and received information of an event on anti racism taking place March 2012.
Correspondence
Remits
The Secretary thanked Rev. David Lefneski and the Faith Development Committee for organizing a workshop to discuss the background to Remit 6 Declaration of Church Doctrine. All Pastoral Charges have received the resource guide entitled
The Secretary then introduced the following General Council remits
Remit No. 4 – Frequency and Timing of Conference Meetings
The following question was put to the Court.
Does the Presbytery agree that Conferences shall be
required simply to meet at least every third year;
and that the Basis of Union shall be amended to reflect this policy?
Motion: (Heather McClure/Fred Braman) that the Montreal Presbytery concur with changes outlined in Remit no. 4 Frequency and Timing of Conference Meetings. Carried with an abstention by Rev. Ellie Hummel
Remit No. 5A – Appointment of Designated Lay Ministers
The following question was put forward to the Court.
Does the Presbytery agree that a Designated Lay
Minister shall be appointed by a Presbytery only to a Pastoral Charge or other
Presbytery Accountable Ministry;
and that the Basis of Union shall be amended to reflect this policy?
Motion: (Heather McClure/Bill Jay) that the
Montreal Presbytery concur with changes outlined in Remit no. 5A Appointment of
Designated Lay Ministers. Carried
Remit No. 5B – Presbytery Membership of Designated Lay Ministers
The following question was put forward to the Court.
Does the Presbytery agree that, when the
appointment of a Designated Lay Minister is at an end, the Presbytery may
discern together with the Designated Lay Minister the question of ongoing
Presbytery membership;
and that the Basis of Union shall be amended to reflect this policy
Motion: (Heather McClure/Fred Braman) that the Montreal Presbytery concur with changes outlined in Remit no. 5B Presbytery Membership of Designated Lay Ministers. Carried
Presentation by Mr. Daniel Bastian Re: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Centre
Mr. Daniel Bastian, co-ordinator of LGBTQ Youth Centre gave the following presentation. The Youth Centre is an initiative of Beaconsfield United Church and was started in conjunction with the congregation becoming an affirming church. It was formed in response to a lack of resources for the LGBT population on the West Island. A website has been developed that provides links to helpful information gathered from across the country, with an emphasis on resources that are easily accessible to West Island teens and young adults.
The Centre has created a welcoming environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people ages 14 to 19 can easily and safely come to meet, talk, ask questions, develop relationships, and understand themselves. This has cultivated a safe environment that promotes trust, equality, respect, diversity, openness, and honesty. It operates as a drop-in two nights a week with film screenings, discussion nights, and guest speakers.
The Centre is doing outreach with school boards to promote events in schools as well as helping to form gay straight alliances and develop workshops on homophobia.
Since its opening the Youth Centre has gained high visibility and has attracted a number of volunteers. To date the financial support has come from the United Church and the Centre will continue to work in partnership with the United Church. However, financial support is also being sought from government, community, corporate and individual sponsorships. Mr. Bastian encouraged the members of the Presbytery to become a supporter by taking out an annual membership of $25.
Letter from Rev. Dr. Ralph Watson
The Secretary read a letter of appreciation from Rev. Dr. Ralph Watson for the good wishes sent to him by the Presbytery on his 60th anniversary of ordination.
Correspondence from General Council re: Youth Forum Publicity and Process
The Montreal Presbytery is responsible for recruiting a youth delegate for the 2012 General Council Youth Forum in Ottawa Ontario, August 11 – 18, 2912. The official selection of the Youth Forum delegate needs to be processed through the Presbytery Secretary, but the recruitment and recommendation of the person to the Presbytery needs to be facilitated by the Presbytery Christian Development committee and youth networks.
An application to be a Chaplain at Youth Forum was also included.
Letter from St. Lambert
St. Lambert United Church has submitted its Joint Needs Assessment to the Montreal Presbytery for approval.
Consensus Motion
Motion: (Heather McClure/Fred Braman) that the Presbytery adopt these motions, each and every one, as part of this single action. Carried
Erskine and American Trust Fund
Motion: (Fred Braman/Heather McClure) that upon the recommendation of the Erskine and American Trust Committee, a $1000 grant be made to Mid Laurentian United Church (Rawdon) for half of the annual cost of its outreach project to bring Waseskun Healing Center residents (assisting aboriginal men on their healing journeys) to Sunday worship and church activities.
Pastoral Relations
Motion: (Heather McClure/Georgia Copland)
that the Montreal Presbytery receive and approve the Joint Needs Assessment report from St. Lambert United Church and disband the Joint Needs Assessment Committee with thanks, and
that a Vacancy be declared for a full-time minister at St. Lambert United Church, effective July 1, 2012, and
that the Montreal Presbytery establish a Joint Search Committee at St. Lambert United Church and appoint Mr. George Anthony as the Presbytery representative.
Joint Sabbatical Committee
Motion: (Arthur Schweitzer/Gail Spence)
that the Joint Sabbatical Committee recommends to the Montreal Presbytery the requests for a Joint 2012 Sabbatical Leave of Rev. Vicki Cowan, Minister of Union United Church and Rev. John Forster, Mountainside United Church for a time of reflection, renewal and new perspectives for ministry. Both Sabbatical Leaves are for a period of three months May-June-July 2012, and do not include the regular time of vacation. The submitted joint budget proposal includes an anticipated amount of up to $ 12,000, dividedly equally, which covers personal expenses, travel, contingencies, and replacement costs at Union United Church and Mountainside United Church, respectively.
End of consensus motion
Justice Global and Ecumenical
Rev. Patricia Lisson encouraged the members of the Presbytery to pick up a copy of the Kairos Palestine Study Guide Moment Of Truth and recommended its use as an Advent study.
Ms. Ingrid Thomson was unable to attend the meeting and share her experience of the recent Right Relations conference.
Rev. Faye Wakeling introduced the following motion requesting the Government of Canada to reverse its decision to impose sanctions on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a result of the recent decision to grant Palestine a membership in the agency; and to vote in favour of the upcoming motion that Palestinians be accepted into full membership of the United Nations.
Whereas the member Countries of United Nations agency UNESCO (UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) granted the Palestinians full membership on Monday Oct 31 by a strong majority of 107 countries voting "yes" and 14 countries voting "no"(including Canada);
Whereas the Government of Canada announced on November 2 that sanctions will be taken against UNESCO as a result of the membership of Palestine, by cutting any future funding beyond the obligatory fixed funding (note: Canada has contributed $1.3 million in voluntary contributions to date for this year);
Whereas the United Church of Canada is committed to the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security with their neighbours, within internationally recognized borders as described by UN resolutions, and "to take appropriate action toward ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory" (as in Resolutions of Montreal Presbytery, Montreal & Ottawa Conference and United Church of Canada General Council 40);
Whereas a motion is before the United Nations to consider Palestinians as full members of the United Nations;
Whereas the Palestinians merit membership in the United Nations – not only on the basis of international law and basic fairness – but to help preserve a multi-religious holy land that includes Palestinian Christians and Muslims.
Motion: (Faye Wakeling/Roger Snelling)
that the Montreal Presbytery request, by means of a letter sent by the Chair to the Prime Minister, that the Government of Canada
(a.) reverse its decision to impose sanctions on the vital, significant work of the UNESCO agency of the United Nations, and
(b.) vote in favour of the upcoming motion that Palestinians be accepted into full membership of the United Nations;
that this complete Motion be sent to the leader of the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, the Bloc Party and the Green Party of Canada, requesting that their voices be heard and their influence be used to seek the above actions;
that Presbyters inform their faith communities of this motion and request that we, as members of the United Church of Canada consider taking action, such as communicating with our government representatives to let these requests be known and discussed publicly. Carried and opposed by Jim Vanstone, Gail Spence, Kelly Running Wolf
The United Church of Canada has not sent out an official response to the sanctions imposed by the Canadian Government on UNESCO.
The Presbytery noted that it would be helpful to have motions distributed in advance allowing enough time for individuals to study the issue before them.
Rev. Ellie Hummel suggested that a copy of the motion be sent to the Montreal and Ottawa Conference and the General Council.
Nominations
Motion: (Ellie Hummel/Barbara Bryce) that the Montreal Presbytery appoint Ms. Nancy Stewart to the Education and Students Committee and that Ms. Renate Sutherland be named as the Montreal Presbytery representative to the McGill Ecumenical Chaplaincy Support Committee. Carried
The Nominations Committee has developed a new process for finding members for committees. The responsibility no longer lies with the individual committees but with nominations. There is an intentional effort to balance lay/clergy, gender, and age. It was noted that committee members do not have to be a member of the Presbytery to serve.
The Committee is looking for youth representatives for Presbytery and for additional members to sit on the Administration and Finance Committee.
The 41st General Council is meeting in Ottawa in August 2012 and the Montreal and Ottawa Conference must name its commissioners to that gathering. The Montreal Presbytery is allowed to submit the names of two lay representatives and two ordered representatives and it is encouraged that one of the delegates be under the age of thirty. The nominating form for Commissioner to the 41st General Council will be available on-line or from the Presbytery office.
Mission Support
Mr. Roger Snelling presented the final 2012 Mission Support recommendations. The Presbytery requested $169,000 from the Conference Mission Support and received $160,000. Seven applicants to Mission Support have had their grants reduced to reflect the shortfall. The conference portion of the Mission Support was approved by the Conference Executive. The Presbytery portion of the Mission Support totals $350,000. The 2012 mission support grants have been reduced by 22% from 2008 levels.
The Mission Support report contains a new line labelled "general" This line is intended to show much of the money received from the Finance and Extension Board grant is allocated to congregations; highlighting the shortfall not covered by revenues from Pastoral Charge assessments.
Motion: (Roger Snelling /Helen Hanna) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the Mission Support 2012 grants as outlined in the proposal of November 8, 2012 and contained in the column "Presbytery" which totals $350,000. Carried.
A copy of the 2012 Mission Support Grants (November 8, 2011 proposal) is attached to the minutes.
Rev. Faye Wakeling said it would be helpful to know concrete consequences to congregations and mission sites with respect to the shortfall in Mission Support. This information may be helpful to the Presbytery when setting its priorities.
Motion: (Tom Kurdyla/Kelly Running Wolf) that the Presbytery meeting be extended by 10 minutes.
Administration and Finance
The Chair of the Administration and Finance Committee introduced the 2012 Presbytery Assessments. Assessments are based on income statistics submitted by the Pastoral charges. For 2012 the Presbytery has budgeted $143,000 as revenue from assessments. The Administration and Finance Committee presented two options for calculating assessments.
Option one (1) is based on statistics gathered in the fall 2011 and using the following formula = (Total givings + money raised by United Church Women for congregational support + fundraisers + rental income + investment income) – (M&S + paid out for appeals + paid out for other purposes + investment income used for capital) x 2.7% This option resulted in a wide variation of percentage increases for many congregations.
Option two (2) provides a more even approach and applies a fixed 10% increase to the 2011 assessments.
The Presbytery was asked to choose which option they preferred.
Motion: (Cindy Casey/Lisa Byer) that the Montreal Presbytery table the vote on the 2012 Presbytery assessment to the December Presbytery meeting. Carried
(Ellie Hummel) that the Presbytery meeting be adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The meeting closed with a sung blessingMotion:
Rev. Phyllis Smyth Rev. Arlen Bonnar
Chair Secretary
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