Ste Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge Joint Needs Assessment · Ste. Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral...

Ste Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge

Joint Needs Assessment

April 2018

5477 Highway #1, RR#1Ste Croix, Nova Scotia

Canada B0N 2E0

Office Phone: (902) 798-3578Cell Phone: (902) 788-4444

Email: [email protected] Site: www.stecroixpc.ca

Revision 1.1(Revised based on vote of 16 May 2018)

“Blessed be the name of God,forever and ever.

God knows all, does all:God changes the seasons and guides history,

God raises up kings and also brings them down,he provides both intelligence and discernment,

God opens up the depths, tells secrets,sees in the dark—light spills out of him!

God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise!You made me wise and strong.

And now you’ve shown us what we asked for ...”(Daniel 2:20-23, The Message)

“... I am prepared togive you advice, although I know you are wise.

Know yourself, and learn to fit in with thenew ways ...”

(Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound)

THE JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (JNAC)

We thank everyone for helping us complete this important task. Your support made it enjoyable.

Ron Anderson, chairDeb Jabalee, secretary

Alvin AtwellMicheline MacKay

Dave Burgess, Representative from PresbyteryJeffro Bursey, Representative from Presbytery

This revision (R1.1) includes changes as a result of the vote on 16 May 2018. No changes weremade to Appendix I or II so only this document (main report) carries the R1.1 designation.

Chair

Ste Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge JNAC Report R1.1 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (JNAC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

TABLE OF CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

COMMUNITY and RESOURCES DESCRIPTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 of 12LOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 of 12CLIMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 of 12MEDICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 of 12SCHOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 of 12HOUSING AND ACCOMMODATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 of 12FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 of 12FINANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 of 12POST OFFICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 of 12SHOPPING, SPORTS & CULTURAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of 12INDUSTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 of 12SERVICE GROUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 of 12YOUTH GROUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 of 12SENIORS AND SPECIAL CARE HOUSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 of 12ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 of 12RESTAURANTS & FAST FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 of 12

THE CHURCHES THAT FORM THE CHARGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 of 12ARDOISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 of 12ELLERSHOUSE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 of 12STE CROIX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 of 12Membership Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 of 12

STE CROIX-ELLERSHOUSE PASTORAL CHARGE BUDGET 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 of 12

STE CROIX-ELLERSHOUSE PASTORAL CHARGE GOVERNANCE . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 of 12

JNAC CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 of 12CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY SUMMARY OF FINDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 of 12

RECOMMENDATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 of 12

APPENDIX I - The Questionnaire

APPENDIX II - Analysis of The Questionnaire

Ste Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge JNAC Report R1.1 ii

STE. CROIX-ELLERSHOUSE PASTORAL CHARGE

JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT

COMMUNITY and RESOURCES DESCRIPTION

Ste. Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge is a multiple point charge consisting of two points, Ardoiseand Ste. Croix. The charge is a rural community that stretches more than 20 kilometers from Ardoisepast Ste. Croix and includes the town of Windsor when considering where members reside. The area,once largely farming communities, now has only a few working farms remaining. A large portion ofthe population commutes to either the Halifax Metropolitan area or the Kentville/New Minas areafor work. Some work in the industrial park located near Windsor. There are, however, severalhome-based businesses. Many in the area are retired – the area has more people over the age of 65than the Provincial average. Most of the members and adherents of the Charge are retired or not inthe workforce.

LOCATION

The charge is strategically located just off Highway 101 between Halifax and the Annapolis Valley. Metropolitan Halifax and Stanfield International Airport are both within a 45 minute driving radiusfrom this community. Halifax has several universities including Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s and MountSaint Vincent. As well, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Daltech, King’s School ofJournalism and the Atlantic School of Theology are located in Halifax. Acadia University, offeringthe only Doctor of Ministry Program in Atlantic Canada, is located in the town of Wolfville, a 20minute drive from this area. (See Figure 1 next page which is an extract of the Municipality of WestHants map that also shows the Town of Windsor.)

Closer to home is the Town of Windsor, a 10-15 minute drive from the Ste Croix United Church in>the community of Ste Croix (the approximate centre of the Charge’s catchment area). Windsor, also>known as the “Birthplace of Hockey,” is the home of world-famous Howard Dill’s giant pumpkins,Mermaid Theatre (musical events and world famous puppetry) and North America’s oldestagricultural fair. Windsor also prides itself on it’s annual Avon River Days and the Pumpkin Festivalfeaturing water races in crafts made from giant pumpkins.

CLIMATE

The climate is warm in summer and moderately cold in winter. The Bay of Fundy is only a 30 minutedrive from any valley community and is home to the World’s Highest Tides. Severe weatherextremes such as hurricanes, drought, tornadoes or extreme cold are seldom experienced.

Ste Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge JNAC Report R1.1 Page 1 of 12

Note 1. The red “x”s indicate the location of the preaching points of Ste Croix United Church and Ardoise Union Church2. Members and adherents live in the communities bounded by the red “cloud” (Windsor, Sweets Corner, Brooklyn, Ardoise,

Newport Station, Newport Corner, Ste Croix, Ellershouse etc.)


MEDICAL

Hants Community Hospital is located in Windsor and many doctors and dentists are located here. There are also dental offices in the villages of Brooklyn and Garlands Crossing. There areoptometrists, physiotherapists and osteopaths in the catchment area.

SCHOOLS

Nursery/Day Care: Several within the geographical area.

Elementary schools are located in the nearby communities of Three Mile Plains, Brooklyn, Falmouthand Windsor.

West Hants Middle School (Grades 7 - 9) is located in the community of Brooklyn.

Avon View High School (Grades 10 - 12) is located in the Town of Windsor. Avon View High wasopened in 2004.

Three private schools are also located in the Town of Windsor, Kings-Edgehill School, OakwoodAcademy, a Christian School and a Montessori School.

HOUSING AND ACCOMMODATION

The Town of Windsor has several rental properties both houses and apartments. There are housesavailable for rent outside of Windsor and in the catchment area.

There are several residential development projects where condominiums, townhouses and singlefamily homes are available. These include: Forest Lakes Country Club, Ardoise; and, The Crossinglocated in Garlands Crossing (oriented towards retirement lifestyle). There are other smaller housingdevelopments in Ellershouse, Three Mile Plains and scattered throughout the area. The resale marketis quite active with a wide range of prices and types of properties.

FIRE PROTECTION

The area has volunteer fire protection services with three fire halls in the catchment area. The Townof Windsor and part of the outlying area has town water services including fire hydrants.

FINANCE

The Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and VictoryCredit Union are located in Windsor. The Credit Union also has a branch in the village of Brooklyn.

POST OFFICES

Post Offices are located in the Town of Windsor and the villages of Brooklyn and Ellershouse.


SHOPPING, SPORTS & CULTURAL

There are many shops and services available in Windsor including two grocery stores, two drugstores,barbershops and hairdressers, two building supply stores, shoe repair, automotive supply stores, car>dealerships, music store, optician, flower shops, furniture store, ladies clothing stores, several lawoffices, motels and bed-and-breakfasts, part-time Motor Vehicle Branch, a gym and veterinarian>clinics.>

Windsor boasts an outdoor swimming pool and library. The Annapolis Valley Regional Library has aBookmobile which visits each community on a regular basis and services the area outside Windsor. Windsor has a new state-of-the-art curling facility. There are skating rinks located in Windsor and thevillage of Brooklyn.

Recreational opportunities within the catchment area include golf, camping, hockey, figure skating,skiing and ball diamonds (including one with lights). Boulderwood Stables is located in Ardoise andoffers horse riding and an indoor swimming pool. Ardoise Community Recreation Centre offers avariety of activities for all ages throughout the year, including Yoga, TOPS, card games and dancing.

There are several museums in the area such as the Shand House, Haliburton House and the FortEdward National Historic Site.

INDUSTRY

A vibrant and expanding industrial park is located in Windsor/West Hants. Service Canada has a>Client Service Centre in Windsor. There are various farm markets and u-pick farms in the area forapples, strawberries, blueberries, etc. There are also vineyards and wineries in the area. A factory thatbuilds strawberry boxes is located in the community of Newport Station. There are two windmillfarms (Ellershouse and Garlands Crossing.) CKF Inc is a paper product recycling company locatedin Hantsport near Windsor.

SERVICE GROUPS

These include Lions Club, Legion, Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, Rebekahs, Eastern Star, IOOF,gymnastics club, and Cheer (cheerleading group.)

YOUTH GROUPS

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders, Sea Cadets, Navy League, AirCadets, Stetsons & Spurs, 4-H and other youth programs are available within the surrounding area.

SENIORS AND SPECIAL CARE HOUSING

There are several seniors’ residences in Windsor and Falmouth. There are also several senior citizenapartment complexes in the area.


ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE

The rural detachment office is located in the industrial park in Windsor and the town detachment isin the Windsor town core.

RESTAURANTS & FAST FOOD

There are numerous restaurants and/or fast food places in Windsor and the surrounding area.



THE CHURCHES THAT FORM THE CHARGE

Ste. Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge finds its beginnings in 1873. The following is a summary ofeach of the two points and the related communities. One of these churches is a "Union" church andis not owned by the United Church. Any denomination can have a service in these churches. TheArdoise Church currently has both United & Baptist services. Ste Louise Union Church, Ellershouse used to have United Church services, but as of January 2017 regular services there werediscontinued. All points use Voices United as their major hymnal. More Voices is being introduced>predominantly in the form of benedictions, prayer calls and choir anthems.

In January 2018 the Ellershouse United Church that sometimes met at Ste Louise Union Church,Ellershouse, and the Ste Croix United Church, including members at Ardoise, formed onecommunity of faith now called Ste Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge that meets at Ste Croix UnitedChurch and Ardoise Union Church.

The following is a description of the resources in each of the main communities within the Chargecatchment area.

ARDOISE

Union Church(alternates United Churchand Baptist services byarrangement)

• owned by the community and managed by a trust• constructed about 1830• oil heat• seats approximately 60• wheel chair access• no washroom• digital piano(in sanctuary)>• currently a pianist and guitarist play each Sunday>• choir


Newport Community Hall • owned by the community• operated by community club• kitchen• equipment includes fridge, stove, microwave (all owned

by ladies aid)• wheel chair access• 2 bathrooms (wheel chair access)• seats approximately 125•

ELLERSHOUSE

Ste Louise Union Church • the Charge stopped regular use of this church in 2017,however, Remembrance Day Service may be held thereand at the War Memorial in Ellershouse

• owned by the community• constructed about 1870• requires repairs• oil heat• seats approximately 150• wheel chair access• organ (in sanctuary)• piano (in sanctuary)• sound system

Community Hall • owned by community• operated by community group• kitchen equipment includes 3 normal fridges, 1 walk in

cooler 4 normal stoves, 2 commercial stoves, 4microwaves, 1 wall oven, 1 built-in steamer/warmer, 1portable steamer/warmer

• wheel chair access• seats approximately 100• bathroom


STE CROIX

United Church • constructed about 1864• oil heat• seats approximately 150, including balcony and basement• wheel chair access to first floor sanctuary• digital piano (in sanctuary)• Ste Croix-Ellershouse choir• taped music/sound system, loud speakers• Christian Education Centre in basement (not wheelchair

accessible)• washroom in basement (not wheelchair accessible)• church office which includes computer & printer,

photocopier, 2 filing cabinets, desk & chair, telephonewith answering machine, fire proof file cabenet

• AA meetings are held in the Christian Education Centre• chair yoga offered periodically by outside group

United Church ChristianEducation Centre (churchhall)

• owned and operated by the congregation• not wheelchair accessible• kitchen equipment includes 2 fridges, 2 stoves and

microwave• seats about 100• bathroom

Membership Statistics (as of 31 Dec 17)

Members Adherents

Ste Croix United Church 46 15

Ellershouse United Church 20 5

Total for Charge 66 20

Some changes

Baptisms Burials

2 8

transfer out

1


STE CROIX-ELLERSHOUSE PASTORAL CHARGE BUDGET 2018


Financial Reserves. As of December 2017 the Charge has financial reserves of about $150,000which is in the form of bank certificates.


STE CROIX-ELLERSHOUSE PASTORAL CHARGE GOVERNANCE

The Charge has created a Governance Guide which describes the governance structure includingdescription of responsibilities of various boards, committees and positions. This guide also includesan up-to-date position description for the paid ministry staff (the minister.)

JNAC CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY

The Joint Needs Assessment Committee conducted a survey of the congregation of the Charge toassess various opinions. Previous surveys were consulted to prepare the questionnaire. Appendix Ito this Report is the survey and Appendix II is a detailed analysis of the survey’s result.

There was a very high return rate for the survey with 39 surveys returned of which 37 were useable. It seems that 2 individuals had some difficulty with the format of the survey and those surveys weredeemed spoiled. Given the large number who had no difficulty with the survey, the remainingfindings should be good indicators of the opinions of the congregation. Some individuals chose notto answer some questions. The graphic analysis in Appendix II illustrates the opinions of all whoanswered. Percentages were used to keep the graphic presentation consistent using diverging stackedbar charts. Some comments were received but none would modify interpretation of results.

CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY - SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

It must be noted that there was variation in every question which illustrates that we are diverse in ourviews. This is normal and should be celebrated. Even when considering our readiness for change itis valuable to know what things will help us navigate the changing world around us. Some things maymake adjusting a little harder.

The purpose of the initial section of the survey was to help individuals get used to the style of thequestionnaire and provide some hints about some thoughts about the area. Most individuals feel likethey belong to the area and most like living in a small community. The majority of respondents thinkWindsor is important to the area but a large minority discount Windsor’s importance.

Concerning the Character of the Charge. Respondents have very strong views that the Charge islike a family and, as a community, it works well together. Most think the Charge is special to them.

Charge as Part of The United Church. The vast majority of respondents felt that they belongmore to the Charge and are more proud of what it does than of UC of C. Respondents had a strongtendency to think both the Charge and the UC of C represent what the Bible teaches. A largeminority of respondents say they do not understand what the UC of C stands for.


Opportunities to Share Experiences of God With Others. About a third of the respondentswished there were more opportunities to share and about a half would participate in a Bible Study. Most felt that they were able to share with one another during or after Sunday services.

The Charge as Part of The Community Around Us. Most of the respondents thought the Chargedoes a good job caring for others outside of the membership, and almost all respondents thought theCharge does a good job caring for people within the membership. Most were happy with the amountof money planned to aid local organizations.

Worship. Most of the respondents thought that their spiritual needs were met and believed(although more tentatively) that the needs of others were also being met . It should be noted thatwhen a similar question was asked several years ago the respondents in that survey were not so surethat the needs of others were being met. The vast majority of respondents think that services areoriented to people inside the membership. The most controversial question seems to have beenaround our willingness to change our worship style in order to attract more people to the Charge. The Charge is divided on this issue (62% were willing the change and 38% were reluctant.) However,very few would take an extremely negative view of changing our music style to accommodateattracting new people and many were strongly in favour of such changes should they be warranted. The majority of respondents think we give newcomers a good impression. Almost all respondentsare concerned that we don’t have many young families in the membership.

Minister. A very important finding is that 51.7% of the respondents think we should have a three-quarters time minister. Just 20.7% thought we should have a full-time minister and 27.6% of therespondents thought we should keep the position at half-time. So a conclusion must be that thecongregation should consider increasing from half-time to at least three-quarter time and perhapsfull-time minister. This survey did not consider attitudes to financial implications of such a choice.

Facilities. All respondents thought that we keep our two locations clean and presentable most of thetime. The vast majority think we have done a satisfactory job making our parking safe for members.A minority of respondents had a strong opinion that more should be done to accommodate handicapaccess to the Ste Croix UC washroom. Of those who thought we have done enough, most weretentative in that opinion. While the proportions of opinions concerning the washroom situation atArdoise Union Church were similar to the opinions of the Ste Croix situation, the respondents weremore strongly in favour of saying that enough had been done. The respondents who thought moreshould be done at our second preaching point were more tentative in that opinion. It should benoted that a comment was received pointing out that the lack of access to water at Ardoise presents abarrier to correcting the washroom situation.

Divided on a Change Issue. It should be noted that the Charge’s willingness to change its worshipstyle was examined further and this result will be found at the end of Appendix II. When thisdivision was noted the respondent data was divided between those in favour of change and thosewho would tend to resist it. For some questions the difference on the change question seems to alsobe associated with responses to other questions. The most obvious one is that all of the respondentswho were willing to change worship style would also be willing to change music style – this findingwould have been expected. There are other areas of difference that may provide useful information


for the Charge as it moves into the future and considers issues related to increasing membership orincreasing our Christian influence in the area. It is worth quoting Jesus: Knowing their thoughts, He toldthem: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. ...’ (Matt6:17, Holman Christian Standard Bible). But, we should also remember that there is more that unitesus than divides us – let’s hold on to that fact.



RECOMMENDATIONS

1. It is recommended that the Charge request that the Valley Presbytery declare a vacancy for apaid accountable ministry position to be filled through call, appointment or settlement.

2. It is recommended that the Charge form a Joint Search Committee

3. It is recommended that Presbytery appoint a short-term supply minister commencing 1 July.

4. It is recommended that the Charge keep the terms of call as half-time paid minister. The>Charge Governance Guide details the duties and responsibilities for the paid ministry position. Adjustment to the hours to be determined at a future date.

5. It is recommended that the Chair of the Board send a letter to the membership of the Chargedetailing the adopted recommendations of this report.


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