Governance
Remit 6 tool
Sun, 11/13/2011 - 13:43 — nancyillmanIn order better to understand the similarities and differences of each section of the 1925 Basis of Union, 1940 Statement of Faith, 1968 A New Creed, as revised in 1980 and 1994, and 2006 A Song of Faith, each of the above has been separated into sections which have then been arranged as they correspond across all the documents. This should accomplish the desire expressed on p. 6 of "Our Words of Faith" that "the standards would be seen to be 'in dialogue' with one another".
The 1925 and 1940 documents were already organized with sub-headings: the 2006 document was not, so this has been done in order to make comparisons between the documents more readily. Some of the sections in all three documents are not so easy to organize in a manner in which comparison can readily be made, naturally, given the concerns specific to the time in which each was written. The sections have, finally, been organized so that the 2006 Song of Faith reads in order.
Notes accompany each section pointing out some of the ways in which they compare. These notes are in square brackets. They are not exhaustive nor are they meant to be.
Colors have been used to identify similar themes across the documents for each section. There is no correspondence from one section to another between colors chosen and the theme each color represents!
Some phrases have been bolded. They articulate two things to which the larger church body continues to call us: the call to a unity which finds its strength in diversity, and the call to state our faith in the context of the generation in which we find ourselves. These we must keep foremost in mind as we consider what we have been asked to do through the remit 6 process.
It is hoped that this tool will help enliven discussion around the Remit 6 proposals at church council. Here we can see how each generation understood faith in the context of its present time. We can better note how our faith understanding has evolved over time, all the while remaining grounded in Scripture as revealed by the Spirit of God working in our hearts.
Hopefully this method of comparison will help us to note the many areas of continuity of faith with previous generations. It ought to help us to determine whether we consider each document to be a cherished, an honored or a living statement of faith. And it certainly should help us all to better understand the differences we embrace within our community of faith.
[Please note that this tool was prepared for use by my own church council, when, in conversation with my minister, it became apparent that Remit 6 may appear, at the church level, to be a complicated process. Although the "Our Words of Faith" document is quite straight-forward in articulating the intent of the Remit 6 process, it seemed that something was required to help church council members begin to grasp the content of the four faith statements. You are welcome to take this tool and use it, understanding that it was not compiled by a UCC theologian but by a lay person with a teaching background who did it for fun! Should you feel that there are things which should be added or deleted, do let me know and I will happily make revisions.]
Meeting Worksheet
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 14:14 — richard.bottAfter watching a video presentation by Merlin Mann to the staff at Twitter, I put together a worksheet to help me (and others) prepare for meetings.
The Kenora Model: More Franchises W40
Wed, 06/23/2010 - 04:58 — ckmatheson"The Kenora Model"...a name given to our 'new' governance structure in Living the Hope (Emerging Spirit). Our model includes a Leadership Team, Interest Groups and House Groups. This Constitution and handouts describe the model but we would be happy for phone conversation if desired.
A Regional Vision for The United Church in the Lougheed Corridor
Tue, 05/18/2010 - 11:29 — richard.bottThis document was created to help the eight United Church congregations along the "Lougheed Corridor" of Westminster Presbytery in BC Conference.
It lays out an exploration of possibilities, starting from a place of discernment of values and ministry.
Membership Roll Revision Letter
Mon, 05/10/2010 - 12:01 — DKS2008 marked a huge change in the method of calculation of the conference assessment in Toronto Conference. It was imperative that we revise the roll of the congregation from 500+ members of whom 25% were inactive. The attached letter, drawn from another letter used by Grace United Church, Thornbury, ON was sent out to all those we identified as being inactive in the last two years. That was defined by any one of no recorded contribution in support of the church in the last two years; living outside of the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) as defined by postal code; no recollection of attendance at worship or making use of the pastoral rites of the congregation.
About 100 letters were sent out with stamped, self addressed envelopes. This resulted in 45 letters returned indicating their desire to be retained on the roll and often including a cheque; two requests for transfer; 10 requesting to be removed from the roll; several pastoral situations which were followed up. The remainter were removed from the roll by action of the Church Council.
It has been two years since the letter first went out. It is the intention of the Membersahip Committee to send the letter again in the fall to a much smaller group. We now have 356 members, over 200 of which are active contributors to the life and work of the congregation.
How shall we serve together: a behavioural covenant
Sat, 05/08/2010 - 11:43 — richard.bottWhile this covenant was first created to help a congregation embattled by personality conflicts to be able to work together, it became a document that other congregations used as a starting place to intentionally name responses to behaviour that had previously been assumed.
This work is based on a number of other works, including Holy Manners.
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