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Insight NewslettersNovember/December 2009 – Volume 37, Number 6Contents
President's Message
Dump Site 41 News
Furniture Bank Helps Families Create A Home
Future of Insight
Farewell from Insight Editor
From the Presbyteries
Living Waters Presbytery
Northern Waters Presbytery
South West Presbytery
Calendar of Events
November 7, 2009 – Workshop
November 7, 2009 – Brian Roman in Concert
November 8, 2009 – Richard Whiteman Quartet
President's MessageAs the fall unfolds and Pastoral Charges become ever busier with local life and events, not to mention looking ahead to times of celebration, the summer rapidly recedes from our memories. We forget about how we spent lazy days while on vacation. We forget how rainy and cool the summer was. And church life moves so quickly; we easily forget there was a General Council last August. The United Church Observer has done a truly admirable job of reviewing the Council and the issues which it dealt with and in introducing our new moderator, Mardi Tindal. But I would like to share a little of what it was like for those of us who were Commissioners to this Council. Fortunately, the agenda planning committee of General Council scheduled two times for Conferences to meet together. We were given two hours on Monday night and two hours on Saturday. For the 50 people who attended General Council from Toronto Conference, these were important times for us to check in with each other, to listen to any concerns or questions that may have been on our minds and to acknowledge that parts of the agenda affected us deeply and emotionally. These meetings provided a forum for our human needs to interact in a safe place. But we did have another place that was a great opportunity for exchange: our table groups. Table groups can be essential building blocks of large church gatherings if they work well. I can only speak for myself, but mine worked well. Table groups can be a place of sharing faith, personal experiences and finding encouragement and support that is a gift and a blessing. Besides the wide-ranging spectrum of issues that we had on our agenda, both in the plenary sessions and in our Commissions, we all shared in worship which was enlivening, in reflection that was enlightening and in inspiring music. Again, I am reminded that it was for our human relations that the Council will be remembered. At the end, all Commissioners, the General Council Executive and staff committed to each other to be in regular contact and to be mutually supportive and encouraging in the work which lies ahead and which we all share. The Commissioners of Toronto Conference met again on September 12 to continue our de-briefing and to plan how we will share the news of the Council in the next three years. We agreed to be faithful to one another and to our Presbyteries and Pastoral Charges as we carry to you the work we agreed would be our agenda for the next three years. We are willing and able to come to you, your church groups, congregations or Presbytery meetings and share this news. We are anxious to do so. Please be in touch with those in your Presbytery who went as Commissioners. And stay in touch with unfolding news on the United Church website, www.united-church.ca. As we enter soon into the season of Advent, may you be filled with anticipation for the Christ Child and may you find blessing for the fulfillment of your ministry. Peace. Carol Gierak, President of Toronto Conference Dump Site 41 News
Congregation Will Continue to Fight to Protect Water
In late August, Simcoe County Council bowed to public pressure and voted to place a one-year moratorium on the development of Dump Site 41, just north of Elmvale. In late September, the Council permanently terminated all current plans related to developing the site. It was a stunning victory for opponents of the proposed development. Since early spring opposition to the development of North Simcoe Landfill - commonly referred to as "Dump Site 41" – in Tiny Township gathered momentum. Chosen by Simcoe County Council years ago under pressure by the Ontario Government, the site was intended to accept garbage from the northern portion of Simcoe County: essentially the townships of Tay and Tiny and the municipalities of Midland and Penetanguishene. The selection and development of Site 41 had been contentious for more than 20 years. Initially it failed an environmental review assessment but was ordered back into contention by an Order in Council by the Ontario Government led by David Peterson. In addition to being in the middle of some of the finest farm land in Simcoe County, the site also sits directly on top of the Alliston Aquifer - which has been called "the purest water in the world" by Professor William Shotyk of the University of Heidelberg, Germany, who compared it favourably to core ice samples taken from the Polar Ice Cap. In the spring of 2009, Ebenezer United Church in Tay Township – now part of Living Waters Presbytery – passed a motion calling on Simcoe Presbytery, Toronto Conference and General Council (GC) to support a 10-year moratorium on the development of Landfill Site 41 to allow for a review of all relevant documentation and to provide time to reassess the need and viability of the site in light of contemporary waste management developments. This motion called for pressure to be applied to all appropriate agencies and particularly the Simcoe County Council and the Ontario Government. An amended motion was passed by Toronto Conference Executive in June and forwarded to GC. The proposal has gone to the General Council Executive's mid-November meeting. In the meantime, in May the Beausoleil First Nations women "keepers of the water" accompanied by men "keepers of the fire" established a peaceful vigil on land immediately across Concession Road 2 and the main entrance to the dump site, with the permission of the owner and widespread support from members of Ebenezer United Church and other local residents. The vigil continues to this day and will only end once the Provincial Certificate of Approval for use as a dump site is terminated. Also during this period a number of public rallies featuring Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians, Elizabeth May of the Green Party of Canada, and broadcaster Dale Goldhawk of "Goldhawk Fights Back" were held at the site as well as in Toronto and at the Simcoe County Council building. Following several demonstrations, rolling blockades, and work stoppages, Simcoe County sought an injunction against objectors blocking access to the work site. Keith Wood, 84, and his wife, Ina, 76, both members and elders of Ebenezer United Church and long-time objectors to Dump Site 41, were among the first of an eventual 16 who were arrested and charged with "mischief" or "mischief and intimidation" by the local detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police for allegedly disobeying terms of the court injunction. All 16 have pled not guilty and have been remanded to Nov. 3 to set a date for a trial. Ebenezer United Church has established a public fund to help all those charged finance their defence costs. Donations as of early October exceeded $10,000. In addition, a September concert with Grand Ole Opry star, George Hamilton IV, raised $2,600 and an earlier concert raised $900. Those opposing the development of this Dump Site are hoping that the County will pursue other options. They fear that unless the County surrenders the provincial Certificate of Approval, the land could be sold to private interests and a landfill developed in the future. Proposals are already beginning to be developed for appropriate alternative use for the land in question. The struggle continues. One of the most important benefits of the struggle, meanwhile, has been the growing relationship between the local community and First Nation members. Shared concern for the environment and the sacredness of creation is helping forge bonds. Rev. David Black is Minister at Ebenezer United Church.
Furniture Bank Helps Families Create a HomeNo More Sitting, Eating, and Sleeping on the Floor Furniture Bank's mission is to transfer household furnishings from donors to families and individuals referred to them by community agencies. Some of these partner agencies receive funding from the United Church Mission and Service Fund including the Fred Victor Centre and the Massey Centre for Women. Other partner agencies like North York Women's Shelter, Eva's youth shelters, and Romero House (for refugees) receive support from some local churches. Furniture Bank recently moved to a new location at 11 Peel Avenue, Toronto. About 75 volunteers assist Furniture Bank's staff to furnish 200 empty homes each month. Luz, who recently came to Furniture Bank with her son, had been staying at World Vision's Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. "I don't have anything," Luz said. "Furniture Bank is a good place for people who don't have things." Later she said, "Thank you, thank you... Now I feel comfortable and I know my family has privacy in my place." There is a secondary benefit to serving people like Luz and her family and that is an environmental issue. By re-using and recycling gently used furniture, Furniture Bank diverted over 700 metric tons from landfill sites last year. "There's an increasing demand for Furniture Bank services and we need help," says Perry Davidson, Executive Director. Items can be dropped off, or you can arrange pickup. "We also need more volunteers moving furniture, helping clients, and for fundraising. All readers can help by telling friends about Furniture Bank!" For more information about Furniture Bank and to request a speaker for your congregation, please visit www.furniturebank.org or call 416-934-1229. Submitted by Moira Mancer Future of InsightRev. David Allen, Conference executive secretary, said that the Conference Executive will make a decision about the future of INSIGHT within a few months, but the insert will be published every two months as usual until a decision is made. Allen said that the Executive's decision will be informed by the final report of the communication strategy task group which had been established as part of the Conference/Presbytery restructuring; that report was received by the Executive earlier this year. A survey in the September / October issue of INSIGHT will also be helpful to the Executive in determining the direction to go in the future. Farewell from Insight Editor
I'd like to thank Toronto Conference for the opportunity to work with you for the past eight years – Barbara Lloyd for her support in the past, David Allen for his expertise, the presidents who have come and gone, and the many faithful members who have sent me news or welcomed me to various meetings, worship events and celebrations. I have been impressed with so many dedicated and creative members of Toronto Conference over my years as editor. In so many ways, you manifest your deep commitment to the Gospel and the working out of it in the church and wider world. It has been a privilege. May you continue to share your stories with one another and to raise up diverse voices. Vivian Harrower Living Waters PresbyteryHistoric first meeting held at Camp Big Canoe Living Waters Presbytery held its inaugural meeting September 19 at Camp Big Canoe outside Bracebridge. Some 120 people attended, including newly elected United Church Moderator, Mardi Tindal, who spoke warmly of personal connections to the camp. Camp Big Canoe is situated on land given to the church by the Ojibway family, Big Canoe. "We are here because this is one of the places in our church to be grounded and to remember the sacred earth," the Moderator said. For her three-year term, she is inviting, "the church into covenanting for God's healing of soul, community and creation." Presbytery chair, Linda Parsons, welcomed all present. Mary Joseph of Pathways Mission led the opening worship. Members heard presentations from the four Presbytery missions: Holly, Painswick, New Hope United in Vaughan, and Pathways. The Community Connections and Right Relations Commission, which had earlier discussed a controversial proposal brought to General Council for a boycott of Israeli cultural and academic institutions, raised the topic in Presbytery. (The proposal from Toronto Conference had been rejected at General Council.) The Commission moved that Living Waters Presbytery "commit(s) itself, and encourage(s) congregations within the Presbytery, to engage in building or restoring personal and institutional relationships with our Jewish brothers and sisters including organizations like the Canadian Jewish Congress... We further encourage relationships with our Muslim brothers and sisters, again with the intention of listening and learning." The motion carried, along with one to convey the decision to the Canadian Jewish Congress and B'nai B'rith. The issue of reimbursement for travel expenses to Presbytery and Commission meetings proved thorny. The Coordinating Committee's recommendation that Pastoral Charges be responsible for the cost of travel to Executive meetings and other Presbytery functions at a rate of $.25/km was defeated. (The General Council rate is $.39/km.) In presenting the motion, the Coordinating Committee had pointed out that travel costs and telecommunications could eat up most of the $20,000 budgeted for Presbytery expenses. Opponents said some small Pastoral Charges will have a hard time covering travel costs. The motion was defeated and the Coordinating Committee was asked to bring in a new proposal. Northern Waters PresbyteryNorthern Waters Doing Things Differently "Helping people understand how the structure works and how their voice can be heard" is one of the most challenging aspects of her job, says the Rev. Kerrie Perry, Conference Minister for Program in Northern Waters Presbytery. The Presbytery will be doing things differently than in the past, as Presbytery meetings will "not be used to do the business of the Court, but for education, fellowship, to receive reports from Commissions and to worship together." About 80 people attended the first meeting of Northern Waters in September at St. John's, Alliston, where the Presbytery office is located. It was the first chance for program circles to meet. Working with Kerrie are the Rev. Todd McDonald, who holds two half-time positions of Conference Minister for Personnel Support in Northern Waters and Living Waters Presbyteries, and administrative assistant, Louise Hewson. Louise is a member of St. John's, Alliston, and for the last five years, was administrator for that congregation. People will need to get involved at the committee level, where their voices can be heard on the issues they are most passionate about, says Kerrie. "It's a very different structure." She is excited by the amount of commitment of time and finances to youth and young adult ministry. A youth event was held in October. Some plans include reaching out to seniors, training lay visitors, and offering adult Christian education for people who may not have a church background but who are interested in exploring the Christian faith. &quo;tWe no longer live in a society where people are immersed in Christianity," says the Rev. Kerrie Perry, full-time Conference Minister for Program in Northern Waters. A Presbytery-wide confirmation class for youth is a major priority, as is camping. The Presbytery may put together teams of people to serve as resource to Sunday School teachers, and there will be an emphasis around Vacation Bible Camps or Schools. Ordained in 2006, Kerrie previously served Unity United Church in Simcoe Presbytery and Trinity United in Collingwood. Environmental issues are a major concern within the Peace and Justice and Rural Life Circles. Members voiced the desire to be more proactive around these concerns by addressing the question of consumerism and wasteful practices that fuel the need for large landfill sites, most of which are situated in rural areas. "We are hoping the church will take a formative role around the need for dump sites" by concrete strategies and be "a voice in confronting the underlying issues around the dumpsite," Kerrie says. Another environmental issue within the Presbytery is a proposed incinerator at Horning's Mills in the Caledon area. Vivian Harrower
South West PresbeterySupport for Ministers High Priority for South West Conference Minister
The half-time position of Conference Minister for Program and Public Witness position remains unfilled at this time. A candidate chosen earlier this year had to withdraw. Administrative Assistant for South West is Elaine Eve, a member of Richview United Church. Elaine previously served as administrative secretary of Toronto West Presbytery, so has a head start on knowing many of the people she'll connect with in the new Presbytery. Ethnic Congregations The majority of the ethnic congregations in Toronto Conference are in South West Presbytery. They include Korean, Japanese, two African-Canadian groups, and a Taiwanese congregation. Some of these churches are growing faster than traditional congregations. The ethno-specific churches are "relatively strong churches, but without a lot of resources," says Ken. The relationship of these groups to The United Church of Canada (UCC) is not always straightforward. Historically, some of the ethnic churches are linked to the Presbyterian or Methodist denomination in their homeland, two of the founding denominations of the UCC. For example, the current minister of Ghana Calvary, the Rev. Peter Acheampong, was appointed by a bishop in Africa under an agreement with the United Church. Generally, ministers from other denominations have to be admitted to the UCC, but "for reasons such as language some non-United Church ministers are being appointed to ethnic-specific congregations without admission as an exception under Section 31of The Manual," Ken explains. In the case of the Ugandan Martyrs Church, the congregation is made up of people from various denominational backgrounds, but they are all Ugandan. Working with ethnic congregations can pose challenges in terms of the United Church's stance on some issues. For instance, Ken says, "They just don't talk about equal marriage." Support for Ministers Ordained in 1974, Ken's first placement was at Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba. He subsequently served pastorates there and in Ontario, including Regent Park-Forest Home United in Orillia. He brings experience from a variety of churches, having served as an Interim Minister for 12 years in six different congregations, the last two in Hamilton Conference. "In a way, I'm one who's been outside the restructuring process. I like the model of empowerment for Presbyteries." He feels that providing staff at the Presbytery level will help ministers and congregations do the work required of them and that his experience dealing with conflict as an Interim Minister will be an asset. One of the issues facing many Ordered Ministry is isolation. Some of Ken's work in committees will be determining how to help ministers connect with one another, perhaps through lectionary study groups or online support. The Conference staff are educators. "We're here to help volunteers and ministers do their work. Coaching is one of the models I like to use in working with ministers," says Ken. He also believes organizations need to learn how to adapt to change. Years ago he heard a lecture by someone in the Armed Forces after Canadian soldiers stationed in Somali killed a young local. The speaker said the Armed Forces had to look back to five years earlier to see if there were clues they'd missed about trouble to come. Similarly, the church needs to be aware of any practices or situations that could produce problems in the future and turn them around. Ken is excited by the possibilities for doing new things at the Presbytery level. "We have all our traditional committees, but I hope we can do some innovative things as well, plus giving support to ministers." To reach the Toronto Conference office or a Presbytery office, dial 416.241.2677 or 1.800.446.4729 and follow the prompts. |
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