Newfoundland and Labrador Conference Spring Meeting
May 29-31, 2009
Memorial United Church and Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium
Grand Falls-Windsor

 “Moving Forward In Joy - How To Be The Church Now” 

Submitted by Ms. Gloria Myles (Fortune United Church) Chair, East District Communications Committee & Member, The Connector Editorial Board

 This was definitely a moving forward event for our churches in Newfoundland and Labrador.  The information and activities kept all participants moving in “fast” forward during the entire Conference.

 The tremendous organization was evident from the very beginning.  The Business Table group was up and running and certainly had all the necessities covered for a smooth, efficient gathering.  President Rev. Kathy Brett extended welcomes and introductions to the group.  Approximately 250 delegates were in attendance.  There was also a large group of youth, performers and guests participating throughout the weekend.  She made special mention of our current Chairs, incoming Chairs, special presenters, Conference staff and the youth group entertainers.

 Hallett Winter, Chair of the Local Arrangements Host Committee, brought greetings from Memorial United Church.  He commended Rev. Royden Reynolds, the United Church Women, the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor, and the stadium staff for their contributions to this pleasant venue and suitable environment for our Conference.

 During the opening worship led by Rev. Wendy Cronhelm, a procession of art work and banners moved throughout the court - the beautiful items were placed on display.  Rev. Faith March-MacCuish presented the “In Memoriam” list for the past year.  Then the presentations for business and information began:

•         Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy presented for the Stella Burry Community Services.  The SBCS is going strong - the Hungry Heart Café is on St. John’s top-10 list; Director Jocelyn Greene is recipient of MUN Alumni Award and SBCS received the National Universal City Award.  We viewed their great video “Hope Works.”

•         Derek Winsor is the Program Director for Bridges to Hope.  He reviewed the Home Smart Program, Healthy Living Education, Toy Lending Library and the Food Pantry.  He referred to other community partnership programs where we participated.  The motto is “A hand up and not a hand out.”

•         Rev. Ian March-MacCuish highlighted new resources at the bookstore.  There was a fantastic array of materials by our Resource Centre.  The staff were super busy taking orders and helping customers find what they were looking for.

•         Rev. Dr. Kate Crawford presented the report from the Conference Coordinating Committee on Sexual Abuse.

•         Rev. Paula Gale spoke for the Internship, Education and Supervision Committee.  Learning Sites, Supervised Ministry Education and Residential Programs are prime concerns now.

•         Dr. Roy West presented the Council of Finance and Administration Committee report.  He spoke of the Mission Support cuts and the Church Modernization Fund used for 2009.  He introduced Ecclesiastical Insurance representatives who informed us of Third Party Facility Use Agreements and their importance.

•         Fannie Hudson and Rev. Andrew Wright gave reports of General Council concerns.  There’s a lot of changes happening - centralized payroll system, General Council office structure, candidacy and admissions and much more.  There are 48 people from Newfoundland and Labrador Conference serving on General Council committees.

•         John Elliot explained the Conference Chaplaincy Committee serving St. John’s, Gander, Grand Fall-Windsor and Corner Brook.  Rev. Paula Gale of Herring Neck challenged other charges to participate when she presented a $1,000.00 check to Conference Chaplaincy Fund.

•         President Rev. Kathy Brett showed a slide presentation of her year’s activities.  The highlight of her year was the visit from The United Church of Canada Moderator Rev. David Giuliano’s visit.

•         The performance by the Gospel Steps, a liturgical dance-singing group from First United in Mount Pearl, helped ease the flow of information into our brains for the evening.  We thanked the leaders Peter MacDonald and Rev. Ian March-MacCuish for bringing these talented young ladies.

•         We concluded with a beautiful vespers led by Inez Penney using “On Eagle Wings” sung between beautiful prayers.

SO ENDED THE 1^ST DAY

Saturday morning came very quick.  We gathered with the music of St. James’ United Church Youth Group.  President Kathy welcomed guests and wished Mervie Snook a happy birthday.  And then the business began.                 

•      Records, Archives and History Report is in the docket but did not present.

•      Rev. Canon Eric Beresford spoke for AST.  It’s a valuable facility for training and needs our support.

•      Rev Dr. Wayne Cole presented the Future Directions Task Group Report.  Very thought provoking discussions.  Rev. Ian March-MacCuish spoke of process, rural ministry and population change.  Changes are coming.

       Then nominations for Newfoundland Labrador Conference began:

 •         Rev. Scott Parsons - Chair - Conference Interview Board

•         Rev. Grant Stuckless - Chair – Conference Coordinating Committee on Sexual Abuse

•         Cal Best, Brian Colbourne, Charles Cameron – Records, Archives and History Committee

•         Rev. Marion Davis, Rev. Kathy Brett – Conference Global Mission

•         Rev. Betty Parrell - Chair – Conference Committee on Internship & Educational Supervision

•         Claude Hender - Conference Lay Delegate General Council Executive.

•         Rev. Florence Sanna - Conference Order of Ministry, East District, to General Council Executive

•         Rev. Linda Burt is approved for the Holy Land Visit

       Rev. Stephanie McClellan - Worship Matters to Youth, introduced 4 youth who expressed their opinions.  She also introduced Michelle Obey - Awareness Walker for Crones and Colitis.

       After lunch East District remained in the Stadium and West District moved to Memorial United Church.  East District session was chaired by Dr. Roy West.  Mr. Lloyd Brown led the constitution of the court.  The reports were:

 •         Rev. Eric Hillier - Ministry Personnel & Education

•         Rev. Don Stiles - Bookstore

•         Rev. Graham Cook - Christian Development (Rev. Wayne Cole gave a presentation on the  Lay Preaching Program)

•         Cecil Noseworthy - Burry Heights

•         Gary Ross with AOTS - spoke on the Angola Project

•         Dr. Roy West - Finance & Administration (Central Payroll needs some work)

•         Gloria Myles - Communications (Need more Pastoral Charge representatives)

•         Rev. Dr. Kate Crawford - Pastoral Oversight (will visit six Charges this year)

•         Rev. Elsie Squires - Stewardship

•         Ruby Giles - Nominations (Most positions filled)

       The events of the West District meeting were:

 ·        The approval of the coming together of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Pastoral Charge and the Eastern Labrador Pastoral Charge.

·        The coming off of mission support by the Pasadena-Howley Pastoral Charge.

·        Rev. Harry Templeman was voted as Chair-Elect.

·        Rev. Paul Vardy was installed as the Chair of the West District in a moving service.

       All delegates and guests returned to the arena at 6:00 pm for Milestones in Ministry Banquet.  The food was fantastic, the company great and an absolutely wonderful evening.  Rev. Faith March-MacCuish was the Master of Ceremonies.  (She showed her technical skills as she mastered the microphone usage.)  Several of our ministers were honoured with Anniversaries of Ordination.  Our ordinand, George Stockley, spoke to the group.  

      Our Youth Forum hosted a social later in the evening and graciously invited all the delegates to join in their fun. 

 SO ENDED THE 2^ND DAY

      Sunday morning also came very fast.  We gathered to the music of UC5 from the host church.

 •      Patti Talbot from General Council brought greetings from Right Rev. David Giuliano and General Secretary Nora Saunders.  She then spoke on the accountability report of the United Church for Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations.  She addressed the United for Peace Campaign and the three areas of focus.

•      Rob Dalgleish and Anne Martin from General Council spoke on the Environics Ministry Report Program - a 9-month study with 100 congregations (urban & rural) from across Canada.

•      Kathryn Eddy of the Bay St. George Native Circle spoke of Right Relations.  We’re moving in a good direction and support each other.

•      Voting for our President-Elect took place.  The candidates were Rev. Grant Stuckless, Rev. Kathryn Eddy, Rev. Calvin Ginn and Rev. Andrew Wright.  Rev. Calvin Ginn is the new President Elect.

•      And then the power went off - OH DEAR!!!  But we continued with the help of a mega-phone and flashlights.

•      Doreen Whalen presented the Staff Committee report and explained that Rev. Bill Bartlett is on full-time medical leave.

•      Rev. Ian March-MacCuish spoke to the Settlement Committee work

•      Rev. Mary Harris reported on Interim Ministry

•      Rev. Dr. Wayne Cole addressed the Future Direction Task Group report but due to lack of power, business ENDED.  Unfinished business will be referred back to Conference Executive.

       The Ordination Service was just beautiful - most inspiring.  Rev. George Stockley was ordained and Rev. Russell Small was welcomed as the new Conference President

       As we moved forward and left Grand Fall-Windsor Sunday around 4:00 p.m. to all parts of our province, I’m sure there was much joy but I’m sure many felt overloaded with the information, decisions, non-decisions and thoughts that such a gathering invokes.  We indeed need to call on our Lord for direction and understanding during these important times.

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