In last week’s letter Eva mentioned some of the books she is reading for her study leave and her holiday time. That got me to thinking. Maybe you’d be interested in knowing some of the Bible passages we’ve read during our Praying with Scripture times together. This week we read and reflected on Psalm 32. Wow, I realized that the psalms really pack a punch! They speak very much to the times we’re living right now and how God is just waiting for us to enter into relationship. What’s drying up our lives and what’s helping keep our lives juicy? Have I whetted your appetite? Check it out or here’s the zoom link to join us on Tues. and Thurs. mornings at 9am.
On another note, today’s pictures show some of God’s creatures who've been visiting the church recently!
July 19 - Catherine Stewart Savage with Kathleen King-Martin with special musical guest Autumn Debassige July 26 - Kathleen King-Martin with special musical guests Nathan Martin and Isabella Giuliano August 2 - Lead by Westminster United August 9 - Lead by Westminster United August 16 - TBD August 23 - TBD August 30 -TBD September 6 - Eva Mezo with Kathleen King-Martin
If you would be interested in leading a worship service or in participating in some way please let me know at gregjcase@gmail.com.
Pastoral Care during the summer: Current to Jul 31: Rev. Andrea Allan, Westminster United Church, 519-301-7864 rev.andrea.allan@gmail.com
Aug 16-30: Rev. Jenn Hind-Urquhart, Emmanuel United Church, 519-635-2184 pastorjenn11@gmail.com
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July 2020 - A Report on the Search for New Ministers The board met on Friday July 3 to discuss the resignation of Eva Mezo and how to move forward with ministry at First United.
Eva will be with us until the beginning of September and we need to be working now to have as seamless a change as possible.
While we recognize that these are very different times for all of us, we also have committed to a time of Intentional Interim Ministry and the decision of the board is that we need to continue on that same path with the same complement of paid ministry. We know that this will be a financial strain on us, but the work is important if we want to move into the future together as a congregation.
The job description for the Intentional Interim Minister is based on having a part-time minister as a member of the ministry team, and the successful candidate for the Intentional Interim position will need that support to be able to devote the 30% time needed to help us discern the future of our ministry here in Waterloo.
Since we do not want to guess at the outcome of our discernment process, this part-time position will also be an appointment. We cannot in good conscious call a minister to a position that could be very short and could change direction considerably from what it is now.
The Transition Team was asked to expand their search to also find a part-time minister of worship and pastoral care. This made a great deal of sense for a couple of reasons:
The process of search is the same for all ministry positions, so there is no point in having two groups doing essentially the same work.
It would take more time to find people to serve on a separate search team.
The two new ministers will need to be compatible and having the same people interviewing will make that a bit easier to accomplish
Your Transition Team is up and running. The members from first are Mary Joan Brooker, Greg Case, Shirley Irish, Debora Smith (secretary) and Cathie Stewart Savage (chair) and we are joined by Carol Stephenson from Western Ontario Waterways Region. Our first, and most pressing task is to find a full-time, Intentional Interim Minister, and now, also a part-time minister of worship and pastoral care. The Intentional Interim Minister position has been posted to the United Church HUB and we have had applications. We will have the part-time position posted soon.
The members of the Transition Team ask for your support and prayers as they do this work for the congregation. Cathie
FurtherInformationabout the Board Decision The Board's decision to continue at 1.5 ministers was based on the fact that there were previously two positions:
Minister of Faith Formation and Spiritual Development (Kellie – Full-time 40 hours) Minister of Worship and Pastoral Care (Eva – Half-Time 20 hours) 60 hours total
Minister of Faith Formation and Spiritual Development will now become an Intentional Interim Minister (IIM) of Faith and Spiritual Development/Renewal (this also includes preaching 2 weeks out of 4)
There was a recognition by the Board that 1.5 time was currently a full and busy schedule for ministerial staff. Given that 35% of the IIM position is working on congregational redevelopment (additional work - 14 hours a week - we are asking that this person help with the implementation of the Betty Pries report, among other things).
That leaves 46 hours to do what was being done previously. Based on that the Board decided on keeping the 1.5 staffing.
We also would like to be clear that any minister can apply for the half-time position (it is not an intentional interim position), and that it will be subject to an annual renewal.
I will be posting the position descriptions on the church website by Monday
Thanks Greg Case Interim Board Chair
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CONTRIBUTE NOW Just a reminder about offering during this time of physical distance.
To get your offering to the office you can use PAR, e transfer, website donationwww.firstunitedchurch.caor send a cheque. Checks can be dropped off at the church mailbox which is located at the Entrance on the William Street side of the building.
Also you may send your cheque to First United Church 16 William St. West Waterloo ON N2L 1J3
Reminder, credit card companies have a fee of around 3-5%. If you wish First to get the full amount, then please add that percentage to your contribution.
AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION NEEDED If anyone knows of an apartment or part of a house that would be available for the Badr family (3 people) to rent please call Bryan Kirkham 519-888-7117 or Sheena in the church office 519-745-8487. Prefer 2-bedroom.
