When Two Become NewAmalgamation Proposal of

Central and St. John’s United Churches

April 12, 2015

Our Recommendations

1. Fifty percent plus one at each church is necessary for proceeding with the amalgamation.

2. That our congregation join in an amalgamation of Central and St. John’s United Churches, as outlined in the amalgamation proposal, When Two Become New: Amalgamation Proposal of Central and St. John’s United Churches, with timelines and details for proceeding to be decided at a subsequent joint congregational meeting.

Background

Both buildings are quite large and differ in style. Both are busy during the week.

Over the past decade, attendance, regular givings, including M&S, have been declining in both churches.

Both churches depend on trustee funds to help them with financial issues.

Both churches are currently in interim ministry.

Many activities at both churches have been somewhat curtailed as a result of lack of participants (i.e. Junior choir, youth groups, various small groups etc.).

The histories of both churches have had periods of growth reflecting energy, commitment, and mission.

“Without amalgamation, we will watch one or both churches struggle to keep the doors open at the expense of one or both church’s mission and outreach.”

Vision and Mission Subcommittee

Appendix A: A Time for Sharing: A summary of Results from the Survey

Taken from the survey results, it was recognized that as a new congregation moving into the future, we need to continually reassess:

Our VISION (where we want to be). We want to be a vibrant Christian faith community with shared values and with the capacity to make a difference in our community and world.

Our MISSION (how we get there). We need to love and serve all generations and to provide a safe space for all to question, seek understanding, and take risks. We need to take and give support, nurturing others as well as the self.

Our VALUES

o Inclusiveness, openness, and welcoming to all

o Social justice

o Care of creation

Worship and Fellowship Subcommittee We examined all current church related activities

and meetings at Central and St. John's Churches including: worship, education, outreach, and fellowship. 

We found many similarities between both congregations, and some differences. 

We recommend the following:1. As much as possible, maintain and blend current activities and traditions of Central and St. John's Churches.2. Choose a local outreach focus that might be a unifying force for the new congregation.3. Look at introducing new possibilities and programs when the new congregation is more settled (perhaps 12-16 months).

Staffing Subcommittee Recommendations

Ministerial One full-time ordained

minister

One part-time pastoral care minister (.25)

One part-time Ministry of Outreach and Development position (.75)

One part-time (.5) ministerial position for future needs

Non-Ministerial Director of music (20

hours per week) – employee position

Office Administrator – full-time employee position

Custodian – full-time employee position

Governance Subcommittee

Proposed Teams Reporting to

Council

Faith and Formation

Worship

Pastoral Care

Outreach

Congregational Life and Work

Stewardship and Finance

Property

Council Executive

Chair

1st Vice Chair

2nd Vice Chair

Council Secretary

Treasurer

Associated Bodies

Board of Trustees

Ministry of Personnel

U.C.W.

Chancel Team

Rent Review Team

Presbytery Rep

Governance SubcommitteeTerms of Office

Each term of office consists of 2 years

A member of council can serve 3 consecutive terms of office and then needs to take a 1 year leave of absence

Any member can go into the executive level at anytime (if called upon) during their time on council

The Chair(s) of council will serve one year terms. Moving up a level at the beginning of a new council year

The Chair must take a one year leave of absence before taking up any other position on council

Governance SubcommitteeProposed Constitution

The proposed constitution consists of the following guidelines:

1. Mission Statement (to be still written)

2. Council Structure

3. Council Members (who can serve)

4. Duties and Responsibilities of council members

5. Church Council Membership (terms of office)

6. Officers of the Council (Secretary, Treasurer)

7. Leadership Track

8. Teams and Associated Bodies of Council

9. Constitution of the Council

10. Meeting Format

Community Group Subcommittee

Our mandate was to look at current community use of the two buildings - rentals, scouts, nursery schools, Kiwanis, choirs etc., and communicate with these groups about the possibility of an amalgamation.

Decisions about further actions with reference to these groups need to be made after the congregational vote.

Heritage Subcommittee

We completed the following tasks:

Compiled an historic inventory of donations for each church

Discovered the most important items: stained glass panels, musical instruments

Compared and expanded Memorial books

Surveyed the congregations to find a new church name (Name That Church)

Building Subcommittee

As background we examined:

Renting A new building Inherent value of

current properties Architectural and

engineering reports Reality assessments

We concluded:

The building at 194 Avondale Ave. should be extensively renovated as the home of the new congregation

During the renovations, the 175 Waterloo St. building should be used for all activities

When renovations are complete, the Waterloo St. property should be sold

Finance Subcommittee

Reduced projected disbursements as a single entity compared to two separate church budgets, approximately $160,000 less

Total staff and benefits of $253,622, approximately $101,000 less

Total building of $57,775, approximately $43,000 less

Total office of $19,375, approximately $6,000 less

Total general expenses of $40,966, approximately $10,000 less

Estimated Total Receipts $401,468 - require 88.5% general receipts to balance budget

Trustee transfer $29,000 as per respective budget

Combined Board of Trustees would administer a healthy reserve

Our Recommendations

1. Fifty percent plus one at each church is necessary for proceeding with the amalgamation.

2. That our congregation join in an amalgamation of Central and St. John’s United Churches, as outlined in the amalgamation proposal, When Two Become New: Amalgamation Proposal of Central and St. John’s United Churches, with timelines and details for proceeding to be decided at a subsequent joint congregational meeting.