TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
The Montreal Presbytery held its stated meeting, called by the Chair, Rev. Phyllis Smyth, to meet on Tuesday September 13, 2011, in the Sanctuary of Westmount Park United Church, 4695 de Maisonneuve West, Westmount, Quebec.
PRESENT
Rev. Arlen Bonnar; Secretary, Rev. Phyllis Smyth; Chair, Rev. Barend Biesheuvel, Rev. Janet Bisset, Rev. Jeff Barlow, Rev. Brenda Bell, Rev. Pasquale Castelluccio, Rev. David Clinker, Rev. Ron Coughlin, Rev. Jim Dalton, Rev. Shaun Fryday, Rev. Helen Hliaras, Rev. Ellie Hummel, Rev. Frank Giffen, Rev. Steve Gillam, Rev. Attila György, Rev. Reg Jennings, Rev. Elisabeth Jones, Rev. Mher Khatchikian, Rev. Tom Kurdyla, Rev. Rosemary Lambie, Rev. Patricia Lisson, Rev. Darryl Macdonald, Rev. Wendy MacLean, Rev. Heather McClure, Rev. Marie Claude Manga, Rev. John Matheson, Rev. Alice McAlpine, Sally Meyer-DM, Rev. Birgit Neuschild, Rev. Emmanuel K. Ofori, Rev. Ralph Watson, Rev. Faye Wakeling, Rev. Neil WhitehouseMinistry (34):
Laity (42): Mr. Rod Young; Treasurer, Ms. Tsifoina Andriamanantena, Mr. Han Min Bai, Ms. Debbie Beattie, Mr. Guy Lin Beaudoin, Mr. Fred Braman, Mrs. Virginia Bryce, Dr. Helen Budd Hanna, Mr. Stewart Burrows, Ms. Cindy Casey, Ms. Beverly Clark, Mr. Lloyd Coffin, Ms. Lisa Byer De-Weaver, Mrs. Mary Feher White, Mrs. Undeg Edwards, Ms. Johanne Gendron, Ms. Marcie Gibson, Mr. Gerald Gouw, Mr. Marc Grenon, Mrs. Joan Hagerman, Mr. Norm Haslam, Mrs. Barbara Harbert, Mrs. Phyllis Holtz, Mrs. Rosemary Hooker, Mr. Andrew Johnson, Mrs. Carol Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Janice Knowles, Ms. Lorane McKenzie, Mrs. June Millar, Mrs. Ruth Moreau, Mr. Peter Mundie, Mrs. Valerie Nickson, Diony Delos Reves, Ms. Emily Robertson, Mr. Kelly Running Wolf, Mr. Lou Sarka, Mrs. Heather Scheigetz, Mr. Arthur Schweitzer, Mr. Rick Sheffer, Mr. Roger Snelling, Ms. Gail Spence, Mrs. Shirley Stark,
Visitors: Ms. Amanda Angelus, Ms. Erene Anthony, Ms. Cassandra Bush, Ms. Megan Comeau, Ms. Jade Davis, Mr. Joel Miller, Ms. Amanda Moffat, Mr. Jim Moffat, Rev. Angelika Piché, Mr. Daniel Ramirez,
Corresponding Members: Ms. Tessa Ann Griffin, Ms. Eileen Lavigne,
Regrets: Ms. Judy Campbell, Rev. Kent Chown, Mr. Don Green, Rev. Cathy Hamilton, Rev. Elke Mehnert, Rev. Ian Smith, Rev. Tom Smith, Mr. Paul Stanfield, Mrs. Nancy Stewart.
At 7:00 p.m. the Reverend Phyllis Smyth constituted the meeting for the transaction of such business that shall properly come before it.
Motion: (Emily Robertson/Elisabeth Jones) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the agenda as printed. Carried
Motion: (Roger Snelling/Peter Mundie) that the Montreal Presbytery set the time of adjournment for 9:30 p.m. Carried
A service of covenanting was held between the Montreal Presbytery and the Reverend Phyllis Smyth, Chair of the Montreal Presbytery. Various members of the Executive participated in the service.
The Chair welcomed the return of Ms. Marcie Gibson, a candidate for diaconal ministry. Ms. Gibson will be residing in Montreal for the next while and is available to preach. Ms. Phyllis Holtz introduced Rev. Ron Coughlin who has begun a one year appointment with Beaurepaire United Church.
Mr. Joel Miller introduced Ms. Tsifoina Andriamanantena, Ms. Cassandra Bush, Ms. Jade Davis, Mr. Andrew Johnson, and Mr. Daniel Ramirez, who had been invited to report to the Presbytery on the national youth event Rendez-Vous 2011.
The Chair introduced Ms. Eileen Lavigne, member of the Conference Stewardship Committee.
Motion: (Kelly Running Wolf/Shaun Fryday) that Ms. Eileen Lavigne be named a corresponding member of the Montreal Presbytery for the duration of the meeting. Carried
Ms. Lavigne thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the court. A Conference Stewardship event is scheduled for October 29th 2011 at Summerlea United Church.
Workshop leaders will include Barbara Fullerton, Jackie Harper, Denis Marcoux, Carolyn Ruda, Paul Sales, and Eileen Lavigne.
Rev. Reg Jennings translated into French a portion of Ms. Lavine’s report.
The Chair urged everyone to take time to fill in the questionnaire that had been circulated with the purpose of receiving feedback on the set up of the Presbytery meetings.
The Chair announced that refreshments would be available throughout the meeting and there would not be an organised break.
Ms. Shanna Bernier joined the meeting via Skype.
Ms. Lisa Byer began by thanking the Montreal and Ottawa Conference, the Trustees of the Kelly Trust Fund and the United Church Learning Circle who provided funding and made it possible for twelve individuals to experience RDVS 2011.
The following is a brief narrative of the event.
We started our journey gathering as twenty-nine from our conference in a church in downtown Montreal where English French and Spanish were the main languages our youth spoke that evening. We left Montreal and journeyed to Toronto to ponder, pray & play
While at RDVS 2011 discussion on projects ranged from environmental cleanup and interactive worship services to creating additional community centres/missions in the church communities. Youth went about the city taking part in community outreach projects. As the RDVS event came to a close we gathered as 550 plus friends in faith, singing praises in the middle of Bloor Street in Toronto.
The theme of RSVS 2011 is Going Big and Going Home. We are home as youth, young adults & leaders celebrating our faith in this 21st century reality; in our churches, communities, in social media like Facebook, twitter and blogs. We are moving with the Spirit and taking the message into the streets.
The Presbytery received a handout containing testimonials from some of the participants at RDVS 2011. It also listed an outline of Montreal Presbytery Youth Network Activities for the coming months.
The Court watched a brief video clip from You Tube highlighting the events of the fourth and final day of RDVS 2011.
Rev. Ellie Hummel informed the court that she was one of the chaplains at Rendez-Vous 2011 and it was one of the most inspiring events she has attended. The youth displayed great leadership skills. Rev. Hummel requested that the Vision and Transformation Committee in dialogue with the Executive consider the possibility of setting up a process to keep the Youth connected to the Presbytery and visa versa.
Ms. Erene Anthony spoke on behalf of the Bursary Committee. The other members of the Committee are Mr. Thierry Delay (representing the Consistoire Laurentien), Mr. William Flannery, Ms. Margaret Lynn, Mrs. Ruth Moreau, and Ms. Renate Sutherland
Presbyters were encouraged to promote the Bursary Programme in their congregations. Students attending university or GCEP are eligible to apply for a bursary. This year, the Bursary Committee awarded $16,550 to thirteen deserving students.
Recipients of the Hugh Duncan bursaries received a scholarship of $2,000 each and Institute Français Évangélique (IFE) recipients receive $650 each. Eight recipients were able to attend the Presbytery meeting. Each Recipient introduced himself/herself as follows.
Hugh Duncan Bursary Recipients
Amanda Angelus (Wesley United Church), David Joyal-Desmarais (Mount Bruno United Church), Kevin Joyal-Desmarais (Mount Bruno United Church), David McLeod (Mountainside United Church), Amanda Moffat (Montreal West United Church)
Institute Français Évangélique (IFE) Bursary Recipients
Megan Comeau (Mount Bruno United Church), Daniel Ramirez (Camino de Emaus), Amanda Rylander (St Lambert United Church), Kelsey Watt (Hemmingford Pastoral Charge).
Ms. Anthony thanked Ms. Monique Harris for her administrative assistance with the Bursary programme.
Motion: (Peter Mundie/Kelly Running Wolf) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the minutes of the May 10, 2011 Presbytery meeting. Carried
It was noted that Appendix 4 of The Manual is now referred to as Section 429.
Motion: (Peter Mundie/Kelly Running Wolf) that the minutes of the June 14, 2011 Executive meeting be received for information. Carried
Philippines
Rev. Shaun Fryday began by outlining his experience as an observer for the national elections that took place in the Philippines in 2010. He was stationed in the northern part of Louzon in the Abra Province. The Cordillera region has abundant mineral reserves and mining is prevalent. There is growing opposition as to how the owners of Canadian mines conduct themselves and the fact that people are being displaced. Churches in the Philippines are asking supporters to give a voice to the voiceless and stand up to mining companies.
Rev. Fryday reported that he had returned to the Philippines in the Summer of 2011 to lay the groundwork for an exposure trip to this area, slated for early 2012. A team of people across Canada, along with the Right Rev. Bill Phipps, will work alongside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines studying human rights and environmental issues. It is hoped that eight to ten people from the Montreal region will take part with the intension of establishing a church to church partnership program.
The objectives of this partnership program are the following:
To share and promote relevant information on current mission and ministry projects between our churches;
To explore opportunities for Gospel witness and church partnership in the context of mission and ministry;
To build bonds of solidarity between the two churches for mutual support and understanding on the whole range of issues on justice and peace, integrity of creation and indigenous peoples.
The following are the areas that have been named as priorities:
1) Community Ministry Program (Human Rights,
Mining)
2) Mission and Evangelism (Seminar on Mission & Evangelism, Evangelistic
Committee
3) Stewardship (Seminars on Stewardship)
4) Church Worker’s Development (Continuing Theological Education, Seminars/
Trainings, Retreats, Participation to North Luzon Jurisdiction Church Worker’s
Fellowship)
5) Lay Leader’s Empowerment (Seminars/ Trainings)
6) Ecumenical Relations and Partnerships (Establishing partnerships with
churches, members and friends abroad, Cross-cultural exchange between church
congregations in Abra and Quebec)
7) Relief and Rehabilitation (Disaster Preparedness Seminar, Relief Program,
Rehabilitation Program, Creating a Committee on Relief and Rehabilitation)
It has been deemed necessary to focus on the following urgent programs because of the volatile socio-economic and political realities in the province. Community Ministry Program, Stewardship Program on the Rehabilitation of the Environment, and Church Worker’s Development have been earmarked as priorities.
Motion: (Shaun Fryday/David Clinker) that the Montreal Presbytery endorse the objectives as set out in the October 4, 2010 letter from the Church of Christ in the Philippines Ilocos Sur - Abra Conference and be used as guiding principles in establishing covenant for life Partnerships for those congregations, ministry sites and individuals who may wish to participate. Carried
Another initiative set out for those participating in the exposure trip will be to write a report to be presented at the upcoming 41st General Council of the United Church of Canada. A second report will be prepared to go before the House of Commons asking the government to conduct its own study on the Canadian mining industry in the Philippines.
The Chair thanked Rev. Fryday for his initiative and dedication to these causes.
Criteria and Priorities Report
Mr. Fred Braman, Ms. Gail Spence, Mr. Rod Young and Mr. Roger Snelling, members of the ad hoc budget scenario working group joined with Rev. Patricia Lisson and Rev. Darryl Macdonald, members of the Criteria and Priorities working group, for the following report.
The purpose of the report was to lift out learnings and discoveries from the Executive Retreat Day held at Centenary United Church in June 2011. The ideas generated at that retreat are the start of the conversation that the Presbytery must have around the budget and naming its priorities. The working group is here to facilitate the conversation but it is the Presbytery that must make the decisions. It was suggested that the decorum outlined in the document entitled Holy Manners should be followed.
It was noted that the Presbytery Mission Statement adopted in 2004 could be found on the website. The working group reminded the court that congregations must uphold the manual but also need to be creative when working with congregations. The manual can be found on-line at the United Church website. In order to get to know one another better it was suggested that meetings be held at different congregations around the Presbytery.
Secretary
The Secretary informed the court that Church of Canada Overseas Personnel Chris and Susan Ferguson have been reassigned and will depart for Colombia before the end of September 2011. Previously appointed as U.C.C. overseas personnel to the World Council of Churches, the Fergusons will take up an appointment to the Methodist Church of Colombia. However, Rev. Ferguson will be seconded to the Latin America Council of Churches (CLAI) as it works with the World Council of Churches and others to set up an Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Colombia. Ms. Ferguson will provide program support in the Methodist Church national office. Their overseas mission appointment is for four years (2011-2015), with a mid-term home assignment of not less than two months planned for 2013. The Secretary of the Presbytery was asked to write a letter of support and thanks to Chris and Susan Ferguson.
The Secretary reminded everyone that the Presbytery would hold its meeting in St. Lambert in October and encouraged everyone to sign up to reserve a place for supper.
Chair
The Chair, Rev. Phyllis Smyth, gave the following report. The Chair presided at the August 30th Executive meeting. The Chair attended the welcome back barbeque at the United Theological College on September 6th.
On September 7th the Chair, along with other members of the Presbytery, attended the Second Global Conference on World's Religions After 9/11. His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke in the morning session. Speakers Dr Deepak Chopra, Professors Gregory Baum, Robert Thurman, Tariq Ramadan and Steven T. Katz participated in a panel discussion in the afternoon. Notes taken at the event by Ms. Paula Kline were made available to the Presbytery.
On September 10th the Chair was invited to attend the ordination of two auxiliary bishops at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte ordained Bishops Christian Lépine and Thomas Dowd.
On September 11th the Chair presided at the covenanting service of Rev. Elisabeth Jones and the congregation of Cedar Park United Church.
The Chair has participated in two Conference Executive meetings and there are exciting things happening in the conference.
June 30, 2011 General Council
Remit No.4 the Frequency and Timing of Conference Meetings Remit No.5A the Appointment of Designated Lay Ministers and Remit No 5B Presbytery Membership of Designated Lay Ministers will be presented at the October Presbytery and voted on at the November Presbytery
August 3, 2011 Shawbridge United Church
An acknowledgement of appreciation was received from Shawbridge United Church for the letter sent from the Presbytery marking the 150th of the pastoral charge.
August 4, 2011 Richelieu Valley Pastoral Charge
A letter of appreciation was received from Richelieu Valley Pastoral Charge for funds received from the Kelley Trust Fund.
August 29, 2011 Announcement Re: Anne Hall Memorial Service
A Celebration of the Life of Anne Hall will be held at the Church of St. James the Apostle in downtown Montreal in the form of Choral Evensong at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, September 14th.
Consensus Motion
The Chair of the Pastoral Relations Committee requested that two motions regarding Richelieu Valley Pastoral Charge be removed from the Consensus packet.
Motion: (Fred Braman/ John Matheson) that the Montreal Presbytery adopt the motions, each and every one, as part of this single action. Carried
Pastoral Relations
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Heather McClure) that the Montreal Presbytery approve the appointment of Mme Johanne Gendron as a Designated Lay Minister Applicant to Ste-Adèle Protestant Church from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 with the terms of the appointment being 20 hours per week, an annual salary of $15,266, a housing allowance of $7,350 per annum, study and book allowance of $625 per annum, travel of $1200 and phone expenses of $480. Carried
Motion: (Darryl Macdonald/Heather McClure) that the Montreal Presbytery concur in the request for the transfer of membership for Rev. Edward Barbezat from the Consistoire Laurentien, Montreal and Ottawa Conference to the Montreal Presbytery effective January 1, 2011. Carried
Finance and Extension Board Report of the Nominating Committee
Mr. John Coffin who has been a member since 1999 will not stand for re-election. We thank him for his service to the Board and in particular as its representative to the Investment and Chair of the Staff Committee.
Motion: (Peter Mundie/Ruth Moreau) with respect to Fred Braman, Bill Flannery, Elwyn Llewelyn, John Maxwell, Arthur Schweitzer, Renate Sutherland and Rod Young, in accordance with the Board’s By-Laws an exemption from the ten-year membership limit is sought "to maintain the proper balance of skills and experience on the Board," the contribution of each of these members being greatly appreciated and valued. Carried
Motion: (Peter Mundie/Ruth Moreau) the term of the following eleven members is ending, and they are nominated to serve for a further two-year term beginning May 2011: Fred Braman (Montreal West United Church), Rev. Jim Dalton (Greenfield Park U. C.), Bill Flannery (Cedar Park U. C.), Elwyn Llewelyn (St. Lambert U. C.), John Maxwell (Ste. Genevieve U. C.), Edward Rutherford (St. Johns U. C.), Arthur Schweitzer (Wesley U.C.), Rick Sheffer (Beaconsfield U.C.), Paul Stanfield (Mount Royal U.C.), Renate Sutherland (Cedar Park U.C.) Rod Young (Cedar Park U.C.) Carried
End of Consensus motions
Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations
Rev Faye Wakeling reported on behalf of the committee. Ms. Ingrid Thompson was unavailable to speak about the Seeking Right Relations Conference held recently. The reconciliation commission is currently in Nova Scotia but is not scheduled to come to Quebec.
Mr. Roger Snelling spoke of
Ramzi Zananiri, executive director of the Near East Council of Churches and the International Christian Committee-Jerusalem. He is the head of a Church World Service partner agency providing emergency and development assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank It was hoped that Mr. Zananiri would be able to visit Montreal as part of his tour but the Canadian government would not issue a visa in time and so the first part of his visit was cancelled. It is hoped that he will be able to attend events in Ottawa and Toronto. Rev. Patricia Lisson described the Committee’s oversight/support relationship with the outreach and community ministries and the review process that is undertaken in order to make recommendations regarding Mission Support.The General Council has changed the name of the Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations unit to Partners in Mission (PIM). Montreal Presbytery has no plans to follow suit.
Administration and Finance
The Chair of The Administration and Finance Committee referred the members of the Presbytery to the August 30th 2011 Executive minutes for a detailed report of the actions and Decisions made by the Committee during the months June, July and August. The Committee was given power to act over the summer months in matters relating to property.
The Chair presented a request from Ste. Adèle Protestant Church for emergency funding to cover costs incurred in the maintenance of the church building.
Whereas there been a miscommunication between Ste-Adele Protestant Church and the Extension and Survey Committee of the Finance and Extension Board
Whereas the contractor ACR Inc. has completed his work on the church building
Whereas this work does not fall under the mandate of the Extension and Survey Committee
Whereas Ste-Adele Protestant Church requires financial assistance to pay the contractor
Motion: (Fred Braman/Peter Mundie) the Administration and Finance Committee recommend that the Montreal Presbytery approve an extraordinary loan of $11,530 (net of GST and PST to be recovered) to Ste-Adele Protestant Church with said loan to be repaid when circumstances allow.
Furthermore no further capital expenditures will be made without prior authorized in writing by the Administration and Finance Committee. Carried
Vision and Transformation
M. Marc Grenon, Chair of the Vision and transformation Committee named the following members of the committee and gave a brief overview of their background.
Lisa Byers from Ste. Genevieve United Church; Pat Spensley, from St. James United Church; Marc Umbra; Rick Sheffer; Angelika Piche, the Director of Lay Education at United Theological College; Rev Catherine Smith, minister Bedford Pastoral Charge; Peter Mundie, Wyman United Church; and Rev Wendy Maclean, Vision and Transformation Minister.M. Grenon outlined the mandate of the Vision and Transformation Committee as follows: to
explore clustering and opportunities to cooperate; to respond to requests from congregations/community ministries for help with transformation; to empower ministries; to work in collegial partnership with the Transformational Minister with oversight for that position remaining with Staff Committee; to foster opportunities for ministry in French; to foster opportunities for Youth ministry; to increase visibility; network with the wider church; to explore new models of ministries.The whole committee, by the grace of God and the movement of the Spirit, will function together as a kind of "Task Force" to initiate educational workshops, to augment the pool of ideas and opportunities for those committed to "Vision and Transformation."
(Ellie Hummel) that the Presbytery meeting be adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The meeting closed with a sung benediction.Motion:
Rev. Phyllis Smyth Rev. Arlen Bonnar
Chair Secretary
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