Highlights of a meeting of the Toronto Conference sub-Executive May 9, 2008
the annual meeting of Toronto Conference May 30-June 1, 2008,
and a meeting of the Executive of Toronto Conference June 11, 2008

Sub-Executive meeting: The sub-Executive met by conference call on May 9 to discuss two property matters and to conclude all actions arising from a Section 363 review of a minister.

Conference annual meeting: The 84th annual meeting of Toronto Conference took place at the Toronto Congress Centre May 30-June 1. More than 500 people were present. Members heard a panel speak about the future of ministry in the church. Guest speaker Tony Robinson provided reflections on the restructuring process which is underway, and offered comments on the role of the church and its members. Decisions and actions included:

installation of president: Rev. Dr. Carol Gierak, in ministry at Mayfield United Church, Dufferin and Peel Presbytery, was installed as president at the closing worship service, succeeding Mr. Rick McKinley of York Presbytery.

Celebration of Ministries: One person was recognized as a Designated Lay Minister, one was admitted to the Order of Ministry from another denomination, and two persons were ordained. The Conference celebrated the ministries of a number of retirees, two of whom were present. Numerous people were remembered during the in memoriam part of the service.

restructuring: A number of Decisions were made arising from the restructuring of the Conference and its Presbyteries. Those Decisions included:

• term of office: The Conference agreed that the term of the president-elect will be one year with the past president serving a one-year term.
• review of new structure: The meeting voted to do a review of the new structure in 2012 instead of the original date of 2010. In the meantime the Conference Executive was charged with the task of monitoring any gaps which may exist as the new structure unfolds.
• assessment formula: The Commission on the Conference Assessment recommended a new formula for determining the Conference assessment. The formula was adopted to become effective January 1, 2010. The Conference’s finance committee will provide information to Pastoral Charges this fall explaining the formula and its impact.
• staffing: Because of anticipated savings in the new structure, the staffing complement for the new Presbyteries was increased to 1.5 program level positions and one full-time administrative assistant for each of the four Presbyteries.
• Presbytery Commissions: The four new Presbyteries met much of Saturday during the annual meeting. Commissions were named consisting of people who will assist the new Presbyteries to determine their Executive and committee structure, nominations procedures, a process for selecting a name for the Presbytery, a plan for how to nominate Commissioners to the next General Council, and plans for how the new Presbytery will be an exciting place to be.

Other Decisions: a) The meeting passed the nominations report. b) The 2009 budget was passed; details of the budget implications will be sent to all Pastoral Charges in the fall. c) The date for the 2009 meeting was set for May 29-31, 2009 at the Toronto Congress Centre. d) Unfinished business was referred to the Conference Executive.

Conference Executive: The Conference Executive met on June 11 at Humber Valley United Church in Toronto West Presbytery. Much of the meeting focused on the unfinished business from the annual meeting.

annual meeting matters: The Executive dealt with all the unfinished business from the 84th annual meeting of Conference, taking the following actions:

• Proposal 9 called for a moratorium on further cuts at the General Council level and a process of consultation regarding social justice advocacy – DEFEATED
• Proposal 10 called for a moratorium on uranium mining in Ontario and requested the Ontario government to obtain free and informed consent of First Nations people regarding mining permits and development – CARRIED
• Proposal 11 asked congregations to become more informed about the needs of Iraqi refugees, including offering sponsorships; it called on the Canadian government to increase the numbers of Iraqis to be resettled in Canada – CARRIED
• Proposal 12 asked the Conference to support the Canadian Council of Refugees statement on a Canadian response to the Iraqi refugee crisis – CARRIED.
• Proposal 13 called for the Conference to name a Holy Land week with encouragement to congregations to participate in that week – CARRIED
• Proposal 14 called for the government to develop legislation enforcing warning labels regarding the dangers of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – CARRIED
• New Business 1 requested the next General Council to create a task group to look at the role of Commissioners to a General Council - DEFEATED
• New Business 2 asked the General Council Executive to direct its agenda planning committee to include a discussion on the role and authority of the General Council and how to gather the wisdom of the Commissioners – DEFEATED
• New Business 3 asked for the new Presbyteries to have a monetary equivalent for staffing rather than the specific number of staff approved by the annual meeting – Subsequent to the annual meeting, the mover and seconder had requested that their motion be withdrawn.
• New Business 4 would have directed the Staffing Commission to limit the central Conference office’s administrative staff to one full time position – The president ruled the Proposal out of order, in keeping with similar rulings made at the annual meeting.

restructuring: The Executive a) confirmed the members of the restructuring steering group, since a number of them had changed positions at the rise of the annual meeting; and b) disbanded with thanks the Commission on Assessments.

other Decisions: The Executive a) appointed a sub-Executive and named the limitations on its powers; b) established meeting dates for the up-coming Conference year; c) passed an omnibus motion which approved directors of a number of Incorporated Ministries, gave sacraments privileges to an Intern Supply, and appointed two persons as conflict resolution facilitators.

Finally, the Executive will receive at its September meeting terms of reference for a task group on support for Ministry Personnel.