2015-026 Vancouver South Presbytery (VSP) FULL COURT MEETING · 2015-027 Vancouver South Presbytery (VSP) FULL COURT MEETING April 21st, 2015 @ Gilmore Park United Church (UC) Motion:

2015-026

Vancouver South Presbytery (VSP) FULL COURT MEETING

April 21st, 2015 @ Gilmore Park United Church (UC)

Present: Rev. Diana Sung, Rosemary Collins, Dawna English, Susan King, Rev. Sandra Nixon,

Rev. Start Appenheimer, Stephen Fung, Rev. Richard Bott, Rhona Panton, Doug Smart,

Rev. Yoko Kihara, Rev. Neil McRae, Nora L. Shione, Rev. Everest Kao, Keiko Norisue

Rev. Gary Gaudin, Rev. Yutaka Zama, Rev. Warren McKinnon, Rev. Elizabeth Bowyer,

Rev. Ibi Chuan, Rev. Brian Thorpe, Rev. Judith Stark, Rev. Dan Kierkgaard, Sue

King

Regrets: Barb Mikulec, Maggie Hosgood, Louise Smith, Rev. James Kong, Marleen Soutar,

Cathy MacKean, Rev. Blake Field, Eric Hamlyn

Guests: Toni Fu, John Hsu, and Shan Shan Hsu

The meeting was preceded by dinner, after which we were led in worship by Rev. Liz Bowyer.

The meeting began with Joys, Concerns and Announcements

- Rev. McRae updated us on the progress of the development plans for Oakridge. He

also recommended a prayer resource, “50 Ways to Pray” by Theresa A. Blythe

- Laurel Chapman announced that Eric Hamlyn has returned from his sabbatical, but

couldn't be with us tonight because he is at Loon Lake.

- Dan Kirkegaard let us know that Marleen Soutar is home and well after undergoing

emergency surgery last week. She is under Dr.'s orders to rest for the next 6 weeks.

- Rev. Jim Short shared details of the Final Financial Report of Ladner's redevelopment.

There is a surplus of $88,000!

- Rev. McKinnon updated us on the funding for the Dramatic Discoveries Workshop. A

$3,000 Pro-Vision grant has been received and other grants are being sought.

- Rev. Kierkgaard announced that Tsawwassen United is hosting its third annual Art Fair

June 5th, 6th and 7th. Dan will send out a poster.

- Dan also reported on the success of a fundraiser for the Community Fund of Faith,

which is supported by South Delta Churches. The Fund, now in its 20th year, assists

people in need and can respond to a need in 24-48 hours.

- Doug Smart told the Court about the Pre-Conference Event “Inspired to Act”, a joint

Stewardship Team/Social Justice Circle event, featuring Dr. Kofi Hope, a community

activist, youth advocate and the Managing Director of Community Empowering

Enterprises (CEE). The focus of the event is Child Poverty in BC and how churches

might respond.

Corresponding Privileges

Motion: (Dawna English/Judith Stark) That corresponding privileges be

extended to Toni Fu, John Hsu and Shan Shan Hsu. Carried

Minutes Richard Bott amended the original information regarding Summer Stream United. The

First three services will be held at Dunbar Heights, the next four will be held at Ryerson

And the last 2 will be held at Shaughnessy Heights.

2015-027



Motion: (Doug Smart/Stuart Appenheimer) To adopt the minutes of the March 17th Full

Court meeting as amended. Carried

The minutes of the March 3rd Executive meeting were received for information.

Correspondence

The secretary read a letter from Shanna-Lee Sanchez, Spiritual Health Practitioner at St.

Vincent’s Langara Residence, in Vancouver, which was forwarded by Doug Goodwin.

The letter, which has also been forwarded to Presbyters, is enquiring as to the availability

of a minister or ministers who would be willing to do a simple service or hymn service at

Langara Residence for the United Church members who reside there. If you are able to

assist please contact Ms. Sanchez at (604) 806-9771 Ext: 69771 or at

[email protected].

Business Arising From The Minutes

Richmond Chinese United Church – Dawna English

Dawna English read the notice of Motion as well as a letter in support of the motion

Mark Paektau of Dunbar Heights. {Appendix 2015-027 A}

Neil McRae, a former Minister of Richmond Chinese United, also spoke in favour of the

motion.

Motion: (Dawna English/Susan King) That Richmond United Church be constituted as a

Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada. Carried Unanimously

Richard Bott rose on a Point of Privilege and asked the Chair to lead us in prayer for

Richmond Chinese United Church. The Chair led us in prayer in English, followed by

Rev. Everest Kao, who led us in prayer in Chinese.

The Chair announced that the next Full Court meeting on May 19th will be held at

Richmond Chinese United Church, preceded by a celebratory dinner at 5:30pm, hosted by

Richmond Chinese United Church. She asked Presbyters to RSVP via the sign-up sheet at

the sign-in table at the front of the room.

Financial Support for Students – Rhona Panton & Sandra Nixon, Convenors

Rhona Panton summarized the letter received from the BC Conference Candidates

Admissions Board regarding the potential to transfer funds budgeted for students and the

offerings collected at covenanting services to a BC Conference Fund that provides

financial support to students. {Appendix 2015-027 B}

Rhona explained that the Presbytery already has an Education and Students line item in its

budget. The funds are used to provide financial gifts and support to students.

mailto:[email protected]

2015-028



The Convenors recommended that we not participate in the Conference Fund, because the

Presbytery already budgets for the financial needs of its students. Being able to respond

directly to the financial needs of students is an important way for the Presbytery to be in

relationship with its students.

Regarding the offerings collected at Covenanting Services, the Convenors provided two

options for the court:

A) Donate the offerings received at Covenanting Services to the Vancouver School of

Theology, which is where most of our students pursue their theological studies.

B) Apply the offerings received at Covenanting Services to a Presbytery Emergency Fund

for students in need of financial assistance.

The Court discussed the Convenors' recommendations. Questions were raised regarding

the administration of a Presbytery Emergency Fund for its students and how the suitability

of requests made to the fund would be determined. The question of donating to the Centre

for Christian Studies, where our Diaconal Ministers are trained, was also raised.

After some discussion the following motion was moved:

Motion: (Jim Short/Jon Jessiman) That both questions be deferred to the next Full

Court meeting so the Convenors can bring test motions to the court for its

consideration. Carried

Property

Dan Kierkgaard presented a report from Knox United Church regarding the progress of its

property development, to the Court {Appendix 2015-028 A}

This led to a brief discussion about the role of the Property Committee and the Presbytery

in property matters.

Rev. Stuart Appenheimer confirmed that the Brighouse property is still in the hands of

Conference. Although the original development deal fell through, it was recommended

that the property remain in the hands of Conference in case another development

opportunity come up, which appears likely.

Dan Kierkgaard noted that property matters are now in the hands of the Conference team.

A new process is going forward and Dan has no updates on that process to share with the

Court.

Re-Appointment of Rev. Yutaka Zama

Keiko Norisue, Lay Representative for Vancouver Japanese (Japanese Speaking) told the

court that she has been in contact with Conference and that Rev. Zama will be re-

appointed for another 3 years from July 1st, 2015 – June 30th 2018.

2015-029



Nominations – Diana Sung, Chair

We need to nominate one more Representative to Vancouver YAYA to serve along with

Laurel Chapman.

Marleen Soutar has nominated Dan Kierkgaard to the position of Vice-Chair. The Vice-

Chair’s term begins June 1st. The Vice-Chair will be covenanted with the Executive at our

June Full Court meeting. A vote will be held at the next Full Court meeting and

nominations are still open.

Vote on Quorum – Doug Smart

Motion: (Doug Smart/ Richard Bott) That for the 2015-2016 pastoral year the

quorum for a full court meeting of Vancouver South Presbytery be established as:

(1) at least 1/5 (20%) of the members of Presbytery who are entitled to

vote must be present;

(2) at least 1/3 of the members present must be members of the Order of

Ministry or designated lay ministers; and

(3) at least 1/3 of the members present must be lay members on the roll of

the Presbytery other than those appointed as designated lay ministers.

Carried

June Pensioners' Dinner & Full Court Meeting

There was a brief discussion of the pensioners’ dinner. The Secretary will work with the

Pensioner Convenor, Maggie Hosgood, to ensure that pensioners who need a ride will be

accommodated. There is a sign-up sheet for the dinner, which costs $15.00. Please only

RSVP if you are able to attend.

Nomination for Moderator – Jim Short

Debra Bowman was approached by a number of people, with whom she discerned

whether or not to accept a nomination as a candidate for Moderator. Jim has also been in

conversation with her and she is willing to accept the nomination.

Debra has been ordained and served in congregational ministry for 20 years. She also

served a term as President of BC Conference. Jim is confident that the people of Ryerson

have the strength to continue while she may be serving as Moderator. The next

Moderator needs to have a good grasp of church polity and governance. The next few

years will have us wading through a lot of deep waters and we will need these skills. If

we nominate Debra we need to pray for her, her family and her church.

Motion: (Jim Short/Richard Bott) That the Rev. Debra Bowman be nominated as

a candidate for Moderator of the United Church of Canada at the 42nd General

Council. Carried

2015-030



Election of Lay Members to Conference

Motion: (Jim Short/Sandra Nixon) That all lay members on the roll of Vancouver

South Presbytery be elected as lay members of BC Conference. Carried

Proposal From Purpose Task Group – Richard Bott and Maggie Watts-Hammond

The Proposal was introduced to the Court. {Appendix 2015-030 A}

The presenters asked the Court to discuss and vote on the proposal section by section.

Motion: (Maggie Watts-Hammond/Richard Bott) That Vancouver South

Presbytery meet three (3) times each year (with a fourth, luncheon meeting, at the

Conference meeting when BC Conference meets) and a meal for retirees as we

have done in the past.

a. that the meetings of Presbytery be one (1) day events, held on a Saturday in

September, November and June;

b. that the meetings include:

i. time for communal worship;

ii. time for communal faith study;

iii. time for communal meals;

iv. time for congregational sharing of both “best practices” and “needed

support”;

v. time for education;

vi. time for any business that the Executive believes needs either the

guidance or the direction of the full body of Presbytery.

c. that the Presbytery Executive be directed to act on all Presbytery business

except for:

i. the approval of congregational allocations and Presbytery

budget;

ii. responding to remits;

iii. Any other matters which The Manual requires the response of

the full court;

d. That a “Presbytery Agenda and Planning” team be named to oversee this work.

Carried

With three other sections to the proposal remaining and many concerns raised regarding whether or not

the proposal addressed the needs of lay members of the court as well as the amount of time between Full

Court meetings. the following was moved:

Motion: (Sandra Nixon/Stuart Appenheimer) That the voting on Sections B

through D be deferred until the next full court meeting and that we only move

forward with Sections B, C, and D or a recommendation to be named later unless

there is an adequate expression of interest in serving on the teams named in the

proposals by September. Carried

2015-031



Jim Short asked that his opposition to the motion be recorded in the minutes.

Maggie Watts-Hammond closed us in prayer.

_________________________ ________________________

Diana Sung, Chair Rosemary Collins, Secretary

Appendix 2015-027 A

April 8th 2015 Rev. Diana Sung Chair, Vancouver South Presbytery 1296 West 67th Ave. Vancouver, BC V6P 2T2 Diana: At our March council meeting members were pleased to celebrate the news that Richmond Chinese United Church has applied to the Presbytery to become a full pastoral charge. We unanimously moved to express our support for this important change from mission status. We ask God's blessing on the members of Richmond Chinese United Church and on you and colleagues who serve so faithfully on Vancouver South Presbytery. Thank you. Yours very truly, Mark L. Paetkau Council Chair, Dunbar Heights United Church (h) 604.730.9035 (m) 604.805.5796 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Appendix 2015-027 B

\

Appendix 2015-028 A

Appendix 2015-030 A

Proposal for the Work of Vancouver South Presbytery Having heard from both the ministry personnel and lay presbyters regarding the needs which Presbytery might fulfill, we

propose the following:

a) that Vancouver South Presbytery meet three (3) times each year (with a fourth, luncheon meeting, at the

Conference meeting when BC Conference meets), and a meal for the retirees as we have done in the past.

a. that the meetings of Presbytery be one (1) day events, held on a Saturday in September, November and

June;

b. that the meetings include:

i. time for communal worship;

ii. time for communal faith study;

iii. time for communal meals;

iv. time for congregational sharing of both “best practice” and “needed support”;

v. time for education;

vi. time for any business that the Executive believes needs either the guidance or the direction of the

full body of Presbytery.

c. that the Presbytery Executive be directed to act on all Presbytery business except for:

i. the approval of congregational allocations and Presbytery budget;

ii. responding to remits;

iii. any other matters which The Manual requires the response of the full court.

d. that an “Presbytery Agenda and Planning” team be named to oversee this work.

b) that Vancouver South Presbytery name a “Ministry Personnel Care and Feeding” team, who will:

a. take each ministry personnel in the Presbytery out for lunch at least once during the year, and be in contact

by telephone at least two other times during the year, with the primary task of checking in with ministry

personnel to ensure that:

i. they are alive and breathing;

ii. they have in place the supports that they need to feel confident about their ministry leadership;

iii. they know, in a tangible way, that there are people who care about their ministry.

c) that Vancouver South Presbytery name a “Beverage and Banter” team, who will:

a. at least four times a year gather ministry personnel in the Presbytery for a facilitated “theologians’ café”

where:

i. a theological topic will be named and a speaker (either from inside or outside of the Presbytery)

will speak on the topic;

ii. facilitated small group format discussions will follow, in which ministry personnel will be invited to

share their own reflections on the topic, both as an educational process and as a way for ministry

personnel to get to know one another;

b. support the development of small group gatherings of ministry personnel.

c. that Vancouver South Presbytery name a team who will develop ONE BIG, JOYFUL, SPIRIT CENTRED annual

Presbytery-wide all-ages worship celebration between September and June, in which all congregations in

the Presbytery will be asked to bring their membership for participation. The hope is that such an event will

help our own membership to recognize that The United Church of Canada continues to be a vibrant

Christian community. This event will include:

i. worship and Christian nurture;

ii. intentional ways for members of different congregations to mingle and get to know one another;

iii. food.

d) that Vancouver South Presbytery name six teams of “Presbytery Listeners.” The listeners will divide the

congregations in the Presbytery into six groups. The teams will be asked, annually, to:

a. contact each congregation in their group and ask to attend a meeting of the Governing Body;

b. attend the meeting of the Governing Body of the congregation and ask the following questions:

i. What is God doing here at __________ United Church?

ii. What do you love about this congregation?

iii. What is one thing that you could teach the other congregations in the Presbytery? (This could be

anything from best practice around meeting, to how to get re-zoned, to a new recipe for gluten-

free communion bread, to… whatever.)

iv. What is one area in which you would appreciate some kind of tangible support?

c. the teams would share the responses to these questions with the rest of the Presbytery, and ask them to

be the basis upon which the other teams and the Presbytery Executive, focus their work.

Draft April 2015

Prepared by Richard Bott

and Maggie Watts-Hammond

Documents

2015-026 Vancouver South Presbytery (VSP) FULL COURT MEETING · 2015-027 Vancouver South Presbytery (VSP) FULL COURT MEETING April 21st, 2015 @ Gilmore Park United Church (UC) Motion: