Highlights of the meeting of the Executive of Toronto Conference
November 8, 2006
and meetings of the sub-Executive meetings held October 11, 12 and November 3, 2006
and a meeting of a Commission held October 26, 2006

The Executive of Toronto Conference met at Mayfield United Church in Dufferin and Peel Presbytery on November 8.  In June the Executive had agreed to meet five times per year and to focus on the “bigger picture”.

1.  installation of president:  The Executive was joined by a number of guests as it covenanted with Mr. Rick McKinley as Conference president.  Rick has been acting president since June (copy of the installation service available upon request).

2.  visioning task groups:  The Executive heard preliminary reports from two task groups which had been established to review governance and Presbytery concerns.  The task groups’ initial recommendations include moving from nine Presbyteries to three, hiring Presbytery staff with a minimal number of staff at the Conference office, eliminating Conference committees, reducing the size of the Conference Executive, and having a three-year presidency.  The Executive discussed these issues, identifying the areas where they think the task groups are on the right track and naming concerns and questions.  The task groups will visit all Presbyteries between November and March, will consult with Conference committees upon request, and will report again to the Executive in March prior to providing a final report with recommendations to the annual meeting June 1-3.  (excerpt from the minutes available)

3.  extra appeals:  The Executive gave permission for two groups to raise funds throughout the Conference.  The Green Phoenix Project in Toronto West Presbytery will attempt to raise $1,000,051 to build and retrofit low-income housing.  The Working Group on Refugee Resettlement (WGRR) has permission to solicit $40,000 annually for regular budget support.

4.  other matters:  The Executive confirmed that the General Council policy on ethical investment in the Middle East is the policy of the Conference.  As a matter of policy the travel rate for Conference travel will be the same rate as the General Council. Mission support grants for 2007 were approved (spreadsheet available upon request).  And the Executive established a fund for social ministry; the mission support committee will disburse the interest on 15 percent of any money that comes to the Conference through the sale of church property.

5.  sub-Executive:  The main action of the sub-Executive in this period was to remove the president from office on a permanent basis.  There was much reaction to this Decision, and on November 8 the full Executive engaged in an information and accountability session on this matter. 

6.  other sub-Executive matters:  The sub-Executive established a task group to plan for the visit of the moderator to Toronto Conference in 2007 and 2008.  Sacramental privileges were granted to three Ministry Personnel; one person was approved as an Interim Minister; six people were appointed to Conference committees.  A director of the Toronto United Church Council was approved, and a promissory note was approved for Hillcrest Lodge Corporation in Orillia.

7.  Commission:  Arising from a Section 363 review, a Commission of the Conference made Decisions for directed study for and supervision of a minister.

The Executive of Conference will meet again on January 13.  The sub-Executive will meet as required.

To receive excerpts from the minutes as noted above, please contact Larysa Kazyeva at lkazyeva@torontoconference.ca.