2014 Annual Report - Richmond Hill United Church

We are an inclusive community of Christian people who seek to live faithfully.
In response to God’s deep and caring love,
we strive to offer that love to others,
locally and throughout creation.
In order to become this kind of community, we will:
 Gather to hear God’s word, learn about God’s purpose and offer our worship
 Offer to God and share with God’s people the gifts we have, including our time,
talents and abilities, our money and building, our compassion and caring
 Encourage all our members to share in the privileges and responsibilities of
church life
 Actively work to support one another in times of struggle or pain, to rejoice
with each other in times of celebration and to sustain and develop our
fellowship
 Welcome new members into our church and invite others to share our faith life
 Struggle to understand the needs of our local community and to respond in
appropriate and significant ways
 Share ministry with Canada’s people and people of the world
May God bless all that we offer for the benefit of all God’s people
Amen
1
As a diverse, vibrant, active and caring Christian community,
we are seeking to respond faithfully to a changing world
and to our own faith community needs.
We are challenged to live our faith every day,
in all aspects of our lives, not just on Sunday morning.
From a congregational day away some years ago, a vision statement
was developed from our mission statement.
We have been striving to live this vision
in three distinct and related areas:
God and Christ Centered
Focusing Spiritually
Worshipping together
Exploring spiritual gifts
Community Centered
Caring and Sharing
Reaching out to one another
Communicating our activities
Supporting the church financially
Beyond Ourselves
Ministering to the World
Building community ties
Responding to global issues
Let us continue to live our vision
as each new day unfolds,
and new ministry challenge lies before us.
2
Richmond Hill United Church Mission Statement ....................................................................... 1
Richmond Hill United Church Vision Statement ......................................................................... 2
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 3
Council Officers & Statistics ........................................................................................................ 4
Affirming Ministries Steering Committee .................................................................................... 5
Ministerial Team ........................................................................................................................... 7
Ministry and Personnel Committee .............................................................................................. 9
Chair of Council ............................................................................................................................ 10
Presbytery ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Engaging, Challenging and Growing Our Faith ...................................................................... 12
United Church Women ................................................................................................................. 13
UCW Financial Report ................................................................................................................. 14
Christian Development ................................................................................................................. 16
Shalom Seekers ............................................................................................................................. 17
RHUC Book Club ......................................................................................................................... 17
Special Events ............................................................................................................................... 17
Women’s Spirituality .................................................................................................................... 18
Men’s Breakfast Group and Speaker’s Forum.............................................................................. 19
Worshipping Together................................................................................................................ 20
Youth Choir .................................................................................................................................. 21
Chancel Choir (see page 9 Barry Peters/Ministerial Team) ......................................................... 9
Worship Committee ...................................................................................................................... 22
Building and Supporting Community ....................................................................................... 23
Welcome Committee .................................................................................................................... 24
Secret Friends................................................................................................................................ 25
Fellowship Committee .................................................................................................................. 26
Lay Pastoral Visitors’ Committee................................................................................................. 27
Hospitality and Working for Justice ......................................................................................... 28
Outreach Committee ..................................................................................................................... 29
Hands & Hearts for Africa ............................................................................................................ 30
Mission and Service Fund ............................................................................................................. 31
Breakfast Club .............................................................................................................................. 31
Building for Ministry .................................................................................................................. 32
Property Committee ...................................................................................................................... 33
Net Zero ........................................................................................................................................ 34
The Board of Trustees ................................................................................................................... 34
Generous Spirit ............................................................................................................................ 35
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Chair: Kathleen Crosbie
Vice Chair: Brandon Moore
Past Chair: Stephen Armstrong
Secretary: Donna DeVita
Treasurer: DJ McCready
Resident members:
385
Adherents: 393
Re-Affirmation of Faith: 3
Baptisms (Children): 5
Marriages: 5
Members Removed by Death: 6
4
AFFIRMING MINISTRY VISION KEEPERS
Julie Baker
Brian Moore
Mark Baker
Donna Smith
Terry Davies
Warren McDougall
Sandra Loughton
This is a new committee at RHUC and it came into being with our congregation’s educational year of
2013 as we discerned together if we should become an Affirming Ministry; this culminated in the Sunday
April 28, 2013 congregational meeting where we voted 94% in favour of RHUC being an Affirming
Ministry. Sunday, June 16th we celebrated by hosting the Pride York Region yearly service of worship
with visiting member organizations and had cake after worship.
A requirement of becoming an Affirming Ministry is to set up a committee to ensure that the Vision
Statement created during the process is kept. Hence, RHUC's Vision Keepers came into being with our
inaugural meeting held on February 12, 2014. The above members were all part of the Steering
Committee along with Jamie Armstrong, Nancy Hart, Anne Leyton-Brown and Jackie Spence who have
stepped down from serving on Vision Keepers. Five meetings were held in 2014.
Another requirement of becoming an Affirming Ministry is to develop an Action Plan. The Action Plan
is categorized in the following 7 areas:
Communication to the community at large
The RHUC website now displays the Affirm logo, our Vision Statement and Action Plan with links to
other support agencies. The sign at the front of the building has the Affirm logo. Other initiatives are
included below as we tell our community of our work and commitment.
Communication within RHUC
The Affirm logo is on our letterhead, orders of service and RHUC OnLine publication. Large bookmarksize cards with the Vision Statement may be found throughout the building. The first yearly
acknowledgment of and re-commitment to this program was part of worship on Sunday, June 15th when
we repeated the Vision Statement and the bookmarks were included in the orders of service to take home.
Sub-Committee of a Standing Committee
RHUC's Constitution states that all committees be part of Standing Committees thereby ensuring there is
accountability and reporting to Council. On the suggestion of Donna and Warren, Vision Keepers is a
sub-committee of the Welcome Committee of which Donna is Chair.
Working with the local community
We have a working relationship with those agencies we have identified as supporting and understanding
Affirming Ministry. One of those agencies is Pride York Region. As noted above, we hosted their yearly
worship service in June 2013. The 2014 service was held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket
on Sunday, June 15th. The second Pride York Region Parade was held on Saturday, June 21st at 3:00
p.m. on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. Donna and Sandra (with her dog) and 6 others from the
congregation, and a participant's dog, marched in this year's parade; we were encouraged by the number
of RHUC'ers who lined the route giving their support. We decided to have a sign made with the church
name and Affirm logo on it for such events and to hang on the signboard at the front of the church for
Pride Week. Toronto hosted the week-long celebration for World Pride in 2014. Donna and Warren
attended the morning service of worship at Metropolitan United on Sunday, June 29th where United
Church Moderator, Rev. Gary Patterson, was the guest preacher. In the afternoon they marched with the
United Church float and contingent in the huge parade.
5
Justice education programs
Besides the literature that is available in our church and from our ministers, Vision Keepers hosted two
Lunch & Learn sessions in 2014:
 Sunday, January 26 - Jackie Spence gave a presentation on Africentric schools in Toronto.
 Sunday, May 25 - Parents, family and friends of Lesbian and Gay people (PFLAG) spoke to us
about their work.
Identify special needs around LGBTQ
There was nothing specific mentioned in the Dream Team report for action but we trust we will be made
aware of any needs.
Support for the Affirming Process
RHUC was the first Affirming Ministry in York Region and one of the first in Toronto Conference. Terry
and Warren have worked to varying degrees with no less than 6 congregations in York Region, Toronto,
London and Barrie who have contacted us to assist them as they look at the process to becoming
Affirming. Also, Terry and Warren are working with Living Waters Presbytery as they begin the
Affirming Process.
If the work of the Vision Keepers interests you, please join us as together we celebrate diversity and work
towards inclusion and justice for all of God's people.
Submitted by Donna Smith
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MINISTERIAL TEAM
Warren McDougall
Linda Butler
Barry Peters
Thank you so much to Sue Baker who serves as the Chair of the Christian Development Committee; her
commitment and support are much appreciated. And thanks also to Beth Armstrong who is our
Coordinator of Sunday Morning Programmes for Children and Youth; we celebrate her enthusiastic and
creative leadership. We continue to use the lectionary-based curriculum, “Seasons of the Spirit”.
The H.A.I.R. Group (“Heretics, Agnostics, Infidels and other Riff-Raff”) continues to meet on Monday
evenings. In 2014, we enjoyed a number of studies:
 the 21-session DVD study “Living the Questions” took much of the year, starting in January and
finishing in October
 another Living the Questions resource, “Questioning Capital Punishment” is a 5-session DVD
study which we began by viewing and discussing the movie “Dead Man Walking”
 we followed this up with a 2-session DVD called “The Power of Forgiveness”
 an evening spent with Jane Armstrong as our guest presenter, discussing the 2-part survey she
facilitated for The United Church Observer: “What Do Canadians Think About Organized
Religion?” and “What Do Canadians Think about the United Church?”
 this winter we are reading and discussing Diana Butler Bass’s book “Christianity after Religion:
The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening”
 we will follow this with another Living the Questions resource, a 5-session DVD study called
“The Jesus Fatwah: Love Your (Muslim) Neighbour as Yourself”
I have 66 names on my “H.A.I.R.” email distribution list, all people who have or are attending the study
sessions!
I am also responsible for the welcoming and integration of new members at RHUC. I try to visit all
newcomers to the congregation, and present them with a “newcomer’s package” with information about
our congregation. In 2014, we “officially” welcomed Barbara Cooper and Keith and Simone HarrisLowe by Transfer of Membership from another congregation.
I spend many hours in committee meetings – way too many hours! I provide staff support to the
following committees: Finance, Christian Development, Fellowship, Welcome, Generous Spirit
(Stewardship), Affirming Ministry, Worship and Council. I also attend all of the Outreach and Social
Justice committee meetings. I gave staff support again this year to the Generous Spirit campaign. Linda
and I also both supported the work of the Dream Team and the Mission Articulation process.
For continuing education in 2014, I attended the annual Affirm United national conference which was
held in Penticton, BC. I plan to attend the conference again this summer in Halifax, NS.
In terms of “larger church” activities, in Living Waters Presbytery, I have joined the “Ministry Support
Team”; as such, I’ve been part of “listening teams” to Wesley United Church (near Aurora) and EpsomUtica United Church (near Uxbridge). For almost two years now, I have been supervisor for a Designated
Lay Ministry student in our Presbytery, Barbara Creelman, who is serving at Lemonville United Church.
At the national level, I am a member of the Affirm United Council.
Warren McDougall, Minister of Christian Development and Community Life
7
On the worship side of things, highlights for 2014 include:
 our annual hymn sing which this time featured Celtic music
 Dominic Shelton speaking about Nelson Mandela
 our anniversary service with Gretta Vosper as our guest preacher
 an excellent Youth Choir musical
 a special evening folk peace service featuring Chuck McClelland and the Coffee House crowd
Healing services, usually on the first Sunday of the month at 12:00, provide an opportunity both to offer
and receive the laying on of hands, and prayers for wholeness and fullness of life. Thank you to Norma
Brubacher and Barry Peters for the musical accompaniment.
Lunch and Learns are held on the fourth Sunday in the Garden Room: the topics covered in 2014 included
Black-focus schools, the Krasman Centre, Out of the Cold, L'Arche, the environment, racial hatred, the
African Grandmothers' Tribunal, and the Georgina Island library. Thank you to Donna Smith who
organized the soup, bread and fruit lunches.
As part of our involvement in the wider community, I continue to lead worship on the first Friday of the
month at Elginwood, and Oak Ridges, twice a year on the first Tuesday at Delmanor and from time to
time on Friday evenings at L'Arche. In October, a service was added at Richview on the third Friday of
the month. I am very grateful to our pianists Bill Hazell and Anne Leyton-Brown, and to Lorna Grieg and
Joan Verner who offer assistance at Elginwood and Oak Ridges.
On the pastoral care front, the Webs of Friends marked their seventh anniversary. Again this year, the
Fellowship Committee facilitated a Web Extravaganza on the second Sunday in September, enabling the
26 webs to gather in Centennial Hall, the Garden Room and the Gym for grilled cheese sandwiches,
goodies and conversation after a service which this year incorporated a community building element. A
big thank you to the dedicated web weavers! Knitters and crocheters continued their good work of
producing prayer shawls either at home or during talking or silent sessions at the church during Lent.
Around 30 shawls were given out over the year.
On the Christian Development front, the Thursday Bible Study group which met from 6:30 – 8:00 in the
Chapel during the first half of the year (they studied the books of the Apocrypha and the Psalms) moved
to once a month in the second half of the year. An afternoon group was also added as the focus shifted to
Jesus' encounters in the gospel of John. In February, the Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life group
finished making its way through Karen Armstrong's book. We decided to continue meeting and in the Fall
opened the circle to new members as we once more read through the book and try to grow in compassion.
Starting in September, Tuesdays became devoted to nurturing our spirituality with opportunities to
accompany Joyce Rupp through her book May I Have This Dance, meet with other over-60-year-olds to
discuss conscious eldering and gather for meditative prayer with Joanne Scofield.
I remain active in Living Waters Presbytery by serving as pastoral charge supervisor for Lemonville, and
being part of the Local Ministry Support Team which provides pastoral charges with listening teams, and
help in formulating missional goals and preparing to declare a vacancy. While the Joint Search committee
in Newmarket came to a close with a covenanting service in September, I became part of the Transition
Team at Thornhill starting in October.
I was pleased to be able to attend the annual conference of Spiritual Directors International in Santa Fe in
the Spring, and take a few days this Fall at the Hermitage at Five Oaks. Such continuing education
opportunities are greatly appreciated.
Linda Butler, Minister of Worship and Pastoral Care
8
Musical highlights from 2014 at Richmond Hill United Church included an outstanding musical evening
on a cold January evening featuring the Chancel Choir, Barry, our own beloved Allison Leyton-Brown
and a student of Allison’s from New York City, Sanford Leff. Not only did Allison give generously of
her time and talent in preparation for this event, but proceeds from the concert were generously donated to
the church. For most of us, this performance had a nostalgic element since Allison was an active member
of this church since childhood.
The Chancel Choir’s Spring Concert on May 4 featured a “Festival of Favourites” - new works and most
beloved selections chosen by both the Chancel Choir and the congregation. Our annual Spring Concert
always falls on the first Sunday in May, in celebration of Anniversary Sunday.
On a personal note, Continuing Education took me again to Kenosha, Wisconsin, but this time with Anne
Leyton-Brown in tow. This outstanding conference featured daily sessions of reading scads of choral
music, workshops presented by some of the finest choral conductors in the United States. In July, I
attended the Annual Royal Canadian College of Organists Convention which was held in London,
Ontario. This 3-day event was action packed, featuring some of North America’s most brilliant organ
recitalists, along with outstanding workshops focusing on choral and vocal techniques. The more I attend
musical conventions of this nature, the more I become aware of just how much more there is to learn.
My deepest appreciation goes out to our dedicated Chancel Choir and most of all to you wonderful
parishioners who continue to support the ongoing music ministry of this wonderful church.
Barry Peters, Director of Music
MINISTRY AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (M&P)
Brian Moore (Chair)
Helen Phillips
David Leyton-Brown (Vice-Chair)
Ruth Perratt
June Blanchette
George Moon
The Ministry and Personnel Committee is responsible for supporting relationships between all of the
members of staff and the congregation. This is carried out within a framework of confidential
consultation.
Matters of concern are dealt with confidentially and in the spirit of co-operation with the appropriate
person or persons. We are a small committee in numbers that hopes it has the support of the congregation
in our interactions. Once again, I would like to thank the members of the committee for their work
throughout the year. The committee continued to be a very amicable group working professionally and
quickly when called on to do so.
Performance reviews were conducted with the ministerial staff and copies forwarded to the Personnel
Minister for Living Waters and Northern Waters Presbyteries (Paul Stott acting Personnel Minister).
On behalf of the congregation, M&P would like to give thanks to the Ministerial Team of Linda, Warren
and Barry and also to members of staff; Deb (Office Administrator), Daniel (Custodian) and Paulette
(Sunday Custodian). We continue to be blessed with a wonderful team who work well with each other
and all of the committees of RHUC.
Brian Moore, Chair
9
CHAIR OF COUNCIL
We are very fortunate to have such dedicated leaders who chair committees and fulfill the obligations of
their positions in addition to attending and contributing to council meetings. It is an important forum
where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. We also recognize and appreciate the significant
contributions made by so many others in the congregation, and for that we are grateful.
Early in 2014 the congregation was invited to complete the Identity, Mission and Needs Analysis
(IMNA). It stemmed from a need to better understand the congregation, as having this information would
provide concrete data that would help inform planning for the future.
Also, a Dream Team was created and, with great enthusiasm, invited every member of the congregation
to examine, discuss and discern, from a place of individual spiritual abundance, the call of Spirit for a
new way of “being church”. Many wonderful ideas were shared and have been acted upon. Our church
experience has already been significantly changed as a result of the work by the Dream Team.
In conjunction with these initiatives and faced with significant financial challenges, council is exploring
the feasibility of working with EDGE - specifically the Property Redevelopment Team which is part of
the United Church of Canada’s Network for Ministry Development. Although we are in the early stages
of this work, it promises to be interesting - challenging us to be true to our mission, our history and our
future as a congregation.
We are truly blessed and are very thankful.
Kathleen Crosbie, Chair
PRESBYTERY
RHUC’s representatives to Living Waters Presbytery have played important roles. Harry is our
Presbytery’s Treasurer, while Terry is the Chair of the Vision and Church Development Commission.
David is the Acting Co-Chair of the Vision and Church Development Commission (VCD) during Terry’s
absence.
Much of Presbytery’s time and energy has been devoted this year to consultation and consideration of the
United Church of Canada’s “Comprehensive Review”, which was initiated by the current Moderator to
review the church’s organizational structure and examine whether the interests and passions of individual
church members and of local congregations could be better enabled by new models of organization. The
Comprehensive Review will be the main matter of business for the next General Council.
Our Presbytery, together with the other three Presbyteries making up Toronto Conference, took part in a
formal Property Consultation, to review the existing principles and procedures concerning the sale of
church properties (e.g. when a church closes, or two congregations merge into one) and the uses of the
proceeds from those sales of property. After three one-to-two day consultations and extensive behindthe-scenes negotiations, an important consensus document was produced and recommended on to Toronto
Conference, where it was approved. Terry and David were two of the three representatives from our
Presbytery to the Property Consultation.
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The Vision and Church Development Commission has been working, with the assistance of Edge and
others, to develop a new strategy to encourage and support congregations in the re-examination of their
missions and development of new ministries. Several new tools have been developed to assist
congregations in these efforts, and some of these tools (e.g. IMNA and the Environics survey) have been
piloted at RHUC.
Living Waters Presbytery has embarked on the process of becoming an Affirming Presbytery.
Terry Davies, Harry Ramsaran, David Leyton-Brown, Presbytery Representatives
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United Church Women
Christian Development
Women’s Spirituality
Men’s Breakfast Group and
Speaker’s Forum
12
UNITED CHURCH WOMEN
UCW Executive:
President: June Blanchette
Treasurer: Lynn Townsend
Corresponding Secretary: Marg Moon
Kitchen Supply: Stella Creasor
Evening Unit Convenor: Dorothy Low
Past President: Penny Parmenter
Recording Secretary: Joan Moon
Bereavement: Madeline Johnson
Social Convenor: Pearl Wilson
The purpose of the United Church Women is to unite the congregation for the total mission of the Church
and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in
Christian witness, study, fellowship and service.
We continue to be very active as we meet from September to June on the first Wednesday of each month.
In September we gather in the beautiful gardens of Madeline Johnson and in June we embark on an
adventurous bus trip. We had a very successful year starting with the Spring Luncheon in April and
concluded with the Holiday Tea and Bazaar in December. We continue our relationship with the Men’s
Breakfast Group as we serve breakfast at their monthly gatherings.
Sadly, we lost several ladies this past year and we have had to close the evening unit. The ladies will now
join in the activities of the morning unit. We invite all women of the Church to join us at any of our
meetings.
I would like to thank everyone for all their support and hard work and look forward to another successful
year.
June Blanchette, President
13
RICHMOND HILL UNITED CHURCH WOMEN
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
Receipts:
Offering
Donations
Catering
Luncheon
Tea & Craft Sale
Mini-Bazaar
Christmas Stockings
Least Coin Collection
Massey Centre Loonies
Total Receipts
Expenditures:
Mission & Service Fund
York Presbyterial Dues
RHUC Special Gifts Fund
RHUC Folding Tables
Programmes
Stationery
Christmas Gifts
President's Allowance
Bank Charges
Total UCW Expenses
Camp Big Canoe
Fred Victor Centre
Massey Centre
Total Church Sponsored Groups
Yellow Brick House
Street Haven
Porter House
Bob Rumball Centre
Mackenzie Health Foundation
Camping Opportunities
Sleeping Children Around the World
Healing Fund
Least Coin
Total Non-Church Sponsored Groups
Total Expenditures
Excess/Shortfall Receipts/Expenditures
14
$
2,257.65
5,590.00
991.00
1,426.22
1,998.46
1,066.45
213.00
20.00
70.00
$ 13,632.78
$
5,000.00
330.00
300.00
439.83
510.00
50.00
441.71
100.00
121.24
1,222.95
250.00
300.00
220.00
770.00
150.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
150.00
100.00
150.00
100.00
20.00
970.00
$
Bank Account
17,782.46
General Fund
17,782.46
9,032.78
4,600.00
RICHMOND HILL UNITED CHURCH WOMEN
BUDGET
2013
Mission & Service Fund
Bursary Fund
York Presbyterial Dues
Total
$
450
5,450
350
5,350
U.C.W. Expenses
Programmes
Stationery
Bereavement Committee
Community
Christmas Gifts
President's Allowance
Total
600
100
600
300
100
1,700
600
100
600
400
100
1,800
600
100
600
400
100
1,800
Church Sponsored Groups
Camp Big Canoe
Camp Big Canoe Bursary
Fred Victor Centre
Massey Centre
Total
250
800
300
150
1,500
250
800
300
150
1,500
250
800
300
150
1,500
150
100
100
100
150
100
150
100
950
150
100
100
100
150
100
150
100
950
150
100
100
100
150
100
150
100
950
TOTAL BUDGET
15
$
9,600
$
$
5,000
2015
5,000
100
350
5,450
Non-Church Sponsored Groups
Yellow Brick House
Street Haven
Porter House
Bob Rumball School for Deaf
York Central Chaplaincy
Camping Opportunities
Sleeping Children Around the World
Healing Fund
Total
5,000
2014
9,600
$
$
$
9,700
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Discovery time this year has been capably led by Beth Armstrong as our Sunday morning co-ordinator.
The children have enjoyed her enthusiasm and creativity. Deb Fratin, our Office Administrator, continues
to ensure that all people scheduled to help out upstairs have the necessary curriculum. We are pleased to
be able to provide a meaningful program for the children of our congregation.
The youth of our church have been under the leadership of many caring individuals who have offered a
wide variety of programming. We thank them for their dedication. The youth have had an opportunity to
grow in faith together. They have been working on weaving a sleeping mat from recycled milk bags that
will be sent to a developing country for use by those in need. They have also helped with preparation of
food for the Krasman Centre lunches.
Gillian Gibbons has continued as the leader for the youth group. The young people have had the
opportunity to participate in a canoe trip with the help of Chuck McClelland, a talented trip leader. The
weather was awful, but they enjoyed the experience! They have also skated and dined on the town and
had fun at movie nights. Their lives are richer as a result.
Jennifer Townsend continues to coordinate the nursery room schedule and parents of our youngest
population are appreciative of the opportunity to join in worship knowing their infants are well cared for.
Once again CD has provided the people of RHUC with the opportunity to prepare for Advent by
organizing the crafts for our annual “Craft Dinner”. The evening is always a success and enjoyed by
those young and not so young. This past spring we also organized a “Spring Fling” craft night which did
not attract the numbers that we had hoped for. Those who attended did enjoy the crafts, food and
message.
The committee meets occasionally on Sundays after worship to plan and advise re the education of all
members of our congregation. We would welcome new ideas and new members.
Sue Baker, Chair
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ADULT EDUCATION
RHUC Book Club
The RHUC Book Club continues to grow each year with a few new members joining the fold. All are
welcome to join the group on the 4th or 5th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. We are
usually on our way home by 8:30 or 9 p.m. No previous book club experience is required and you are
welcome to just come and listen or to share your ideas about the books! The books are chosen based on
recommendations from book club members and the decisions are usually based on the availability of
specific books at the local libraries. Please look for details about meeting dates, etc. in RHUC On-Line or
on the church website.
Shalom Seekers
We have had another busy year at Shalom Seekers. We gather on Mondays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the
Chapel to discuss and explore such things as: books, DVD studies, or movies that relate to theology,
spirituality, the history of the Bible, world religions, or current world issues.
This past year we read and discussed Reclaiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World by John Spong.
We watched several short documentaries in a series called "Observer Docs" through The Observer
magazine. Through the wonders of modern technology, we watched and listened to several sermons by
noted American preachers and had lively discussions afterwards. In the fall of 2014, we started a study of
the book by Michael Dowd entitled Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion
Will Transform Your Life and Our World.
We also celebrate with a short worship service followed by a Pot Luck Lunch twice a year - in early June
and in December. We enjoy having the chance to share a meal with the church staff and to catch up with
them and each other.
New members are always warmly welcomed! Just show up some Monday morning, or speak to Dawn
Moon, Peg Hiscoke or Sandra Loughton, the group's facilitators.
Special Events
In 2014 the CD Committee organized and sponsored a free Spring Speaker Series. These were interesting
evenings and they were well received by members of the congregation and those from the wider
community who attended.
April 8 - Our guest speaker for the evening was Professor Barrie Wilson, York University. This was
Professor Wilson's second visit to RHUC. This time his topic was "The Lost Scriptures".
April 22 - We welcomed Cheri DiNovo, M.P.P. for Parkdale-High Park, author, minister and former
member of RHUC, as our guest speaker.
May 6 -Our guest speaker was author and Canadian peace activist James Loney (Author of CAPTIVITY:
118 Days in Iraq and the Struggle for a World Without War).
Sandra Loughton, Adult Education, CD Committee
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WOMEN'S SPIRITUALITY
RHUC's Women's Spirituality is a group which gathers on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month,
October to May, and one Saturday in September and June. We start at 9:45 am with light refreshments
and a time of visiting with each other. The theme presentation starts at 10:15 and we end our gatherings
at 12:00 noon.
We average 10 women each Saturday with 18 on our membership list. In 2014 we studied and reflected
on many topics, all led by the membership, including:









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Psalm 23
Awe & Wonder
Empathy
Lord's Prayer
Lent-stations of the cross
9 Fruits of the Spirit
Spiritual pot luck
Dance of Life
Making space for quiet
Water
Advent
Portrayal of religion in movies
How flowers have changed the world
We started the year with a Women's Winter Retreat, Friday January 17th at 7:00 till Sunday the 19th after
lunch; 20 ladies of the church attended, some for one night, some for 2 nights and some for the day on
Saturday. This was our 4th year to be away together at Loretta Maryholme Retreat Centre, a beautiful old
estate home on the shore of Lake Simcoe just outside of Keswick. Our theme was Medieval Mystics, and
we went into depth learning about Hildegard of Bingen and Julian of Norwich, two fascinating women.
This retreat is a great way to get to know each other better with singing, walking outdoors, discussions
and time to reflect, eating and laughter.
In June we enjoyed a pot luck lunch at Donna DeVita's – it was a perfect day to enjoy her backyard peace
and garden.
In October we walked along the new path of Lake Wilcox Park. It was a beautiful autumn day and this
new walkway is beautifully done to reflect the park, history, wildlife and environment. After our walk,
we enjoyed coffee/tea and goodies at Gramma’s Oven Bakery & Cafe.
The invitation is always there for all women to join any or all of our Women's Spirituality gatherings and
activities.
Donna Smith, Coordinator
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MEN’S BREAKFAST GROUP AND SPEAKER’S FORUM
The mandate of the Men’s Breakfast Group is to foster close relationships between the men attending the
Church. To this end, the group holds a breakfast, on the first or second Saturday of each month, from
September to May, followed by a presentation by a guest speaker.
As always, we are grateful for the breakfast prepared by members of the UCW, who receive the net
proceeds of the $10 fee the group charges each month. Thanks to UCW for their continuing collaboration
- and the delicious meals! We are currently averaging around 18-25 men at each breakfast, both members
of RHUC and friends and guests from the community.
Our guest speakers in 2014 continued the tradition of mixing both “RHUC Insiders” such as Wilhelm
Bleek, David Leyton-Brown, Brian Chamberlain, and D.J. McCready; and members of the community
like Sandra Joyce (British home children historian), Jessica Kun (Richmond Hill Philharmonic
Orchestra), Greg McGovern (Metrolinx), and Lois Wilson (former Moderator and Senator). All guest
speakers are recognized with a donation to a registered charity in their name.
Thank you to everyone who attends the breakfasts, and to all members of the congregation who have
joined us for the presentations. Keep your eyes peeled to RHUC Online for announcements of upcoming
breakfasts, or contact Brandon Moore (brandonm@pathcom.com or 905.508.5253) for more information.
Brandon Moore
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Youth Choir
Worship Committee
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YOUTH CHOIR
The Youth Choir continues to be a vibrant part of the church and, as of fall 2014, has sixteen members.
With the suspension of the Junior Choir in fall 2013, it was decided that the Youth Choir would admit
interested young people in grade 6, and so this began in January 2014. The age range now is grade 6
through high school and beyond. We are always receptive to new members at any time. The Youth
Choir practises for an hour weekly after the Sunday worship service and sings in the service every second
week.
The Youth Choir, as usual, ended the year in June with a musical, and this year we presented “Rescue in
the Night”. Our annual musical is a huge project, but is always a wonderful way to close our choir year,
and we know it is very appreciated by the congregation. It is obviously also a much anticipated part of
being in the Youth Choir.
Again this year, the Youth Choir played a leadership role in the Good Friday service. During the Advent
season, the choir once again joined the Chancel Choir in providing music at the evening Carols by
Candlelight service, a very special event for us, and also sang at the family Christmas Eve service.
Our practices are always a mixture of music and fellowship. Despite the range of ages and schools, the
members of the Youth Choir are a friendly and social bunch – they love to have fun! One Sunday every
month we have a pizza lunch, providing an extended opportunity for socializing after the practice. We
also have two parties – one just before Christmas and a second in June, usually a pool party.
It is obvious that the Youth Choir is valued by our church community, and sharing their time and musical
gifts is a very meaningful way for youth to contribute to the life of our church. They are also a resource
that is often called upon to help with other activities at the church. This fall, for example, they have
begun to help with food preparation for the monthly Krasman luncheons. RHUC is truly blessed to have
so many talented, caring and committed young people – young people who are generally very busy in
other parts of their lives but who value their church involvement. The hardest part for me, however, is that
they keep graduating – this year it was Kiara Fabbro and Diana McBey. I thoroughly enjoy getting to
know and working with these wonderful young people.
Anne Leyton-Brown, Youth Choir Director
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WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Jane Armstrong
Dominick Shelton
Barry Peters
Doug Loweth
Joan Verner
Linda Butler
Anne Dunn
Lynne Saul
Warren McDougall
Anne Leyton-Brown
Ruth Campbell
This year the Worship Committee introduced some changes to the way it operates and is experimenting
with some new forms of worship. In terms of operational change, there are fewer people than before on
the committee and instead of meeting monthly, the committee now meet four times a year. In addition,
attendance at Council is now a responsibility of not just the chair but rather all members who each attend
one or two Council meetings over the church year.
In addition to supporting the ministry team and ensuring that the nuts and bolts of worship are in place,
the Worship Committee is making an effort to respond to the results of the Identity, Mission and Needs
Analysis (IMNA) survey and the recommendations of the Dream Team. This has involved some degree of
experimentation, such as a worship service in September in which we played a community building and
bonding "bingo" game instead of participating in a more traditional service of hymns, prayers and a
sermon. Plans are being made to experiment with some other non-traditional forms of worship as well.
Jane Armstrong, Chair
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Welcome Committee
Secret Friends
Fellowship Committee
Lay Pastoral Visitors Committee
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WELCOME COMMITTEE
Donna Smith, Chair
Linda Clark
Wendy Rumney
Warren McDougall, Ministerial Support
Daphne Jackson
Joan Moon
Marilyn Surti
The work of the Welcome Committee revolves around making our church a welcoming place to come, be
that a visitor or a person seeking a faith community or someone who has been coming for years.
Extending a smile and a few words of welcome will encourage others to do the same, thus making RHUC
a friendly place to be.
The fall of 2014 saw two of our committee members moving from Richmond Hill: Jill Lucas to London,
Ontario, and Wendy Rumney to Horseshoe Valley. Both were active members of our committee with
their ideas and offers to help. We wish them and their families well in their new community and church
family.
At each of our five meetings in 2014, we discussed, evaluated and made plans in three areas: new
members, ongoing work and new initiatives.
Keeping track of people:
We seem to have a “revolving door” of people who visit our church and express an interest in being
active with us. Between the ministers, Donna and the Welcome Table, we identify these people and keep
track of them. After someone has attended for a couple of weeks, Warren plans a home visit.
We welcomed by transfer from their former churches, on October 26th:
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Barbara Cooper
Simone & Keith Harris-Lowe and their children
The church Directory was reviewed in August with Linda Butler, Donna and several others, to identify
people who have become inactive and do follow-up as needed. This becomes the basis for Council to
send letters to members, not adherents, who have not participated for several years; we find that they
cannot be traced by their last known address or are attending another church or some who want their
name to remain on the Official Roll.
Ongoing Committee work:
Much of our work involves teams of people from the congregation who volunteer to help us be a
welcoming community. There are 7 people who take turns being the Sunday morning Greeter; 8 take
turns at the Welcome Table after the service; and 5 who replenish the pews weekly with envelopes and
welcome cards. A revised Greeter Job Description was prepared in September.
We phoned a list of about 20 families to invite them to events held by other committees, making sure they
knew about the event and to keep in touch with our families with young children. These calls were made
three times in 2014: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Spring Fling craft and pot luck supper and Advent
craft and pot luck supper.
We had a table out on the sidewalk for the Town Heritage Village Day on Saturday, June 14th.
Balloons were placed on the front steps for the celebrations of Easter and Rally Sunday on September 7th.
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Our Greeters attended a lunch with the Ushers on Sunday, June 15th to discuss and brainstorm how to
make attending our church a more welcoming experience.
There were two member families of our church who moved away in 2014 and these people were
recognized for their years at RHUC and wished well during a Sunday worship service. The families: Jill
& Jeff Lucas and Wendy & John Rumney; both families’ children grew up in our community of faith.
New initiatives:
We had two items in the pews for newer people to use, a card to complete requesting help, envelopes, etc.,
and an offering envelope. We decided to combine these and had the new envelope placed in the pews in
August. The “About RHUC” folder was updated in a new format and available for Heritage Village Day.
The recommendations for the Dream Team were discussed and followed up with:
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Donna will ensure that baptism families are kept informed about the work of the church
in an effort to keep people coming and engaged
Working on having the bell rung each Sunday before worship
We are getting prices to have a moveable and eye-catching welcome sign made which will
be placed on the front steps for services and other events
A brainstorming lunch is being planned for February to discuss the United Church's
priority of Radical Hospitality
In summary, although RHUC has an active Welcome Committee, it is important that all people of the
church be welcoming to others as they visit, seek a new church to join and feel the hand of friendship
from our community of faith. We are learning that this is Radical Hospitality!
Donna Smith, Chair
Note: The Affirming Ministry Vision Keepers Committee continues with the support of the Welcome Committee and their report
is included elsewhere.
SECRET FRIENDS
Secret Friends started September 2003 for university and college students of our church who are in their
first year of studies, usually living away from home for the first time. Each student is matched with a
volunteer from the congregation who keeps in touch with their student through the school year by mailing
cards, notes, maybe a small “care” package, all letting the student know that their church family is
concerned and interested in them and that they are in our thoughts and prayers.
The secrecy of who is the Secret Friend to which student is kept, even from parents, until the end of the
school year. During worship on Sunday, April 27th the secrets for 2013-14 were revealed:

Joan Verner was the Secret Friend for student Ashley Gibbons studying Chemistry & Con.
Ed. at Brock University

Nicole Moore was the Secret Friend for student Justin Hancock studying Medical Sciences
at Western University

Sue Baker was the Secret Friend for student Matthew Russell studying French & Con. Ed.
at University of Toronto
For the school year which began in September 2014, we have two students in this program. Secret
Friends is a good way for us to extend our fellowship and visitation ministries within our congregation.
Donna Smith, Coordinator
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FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
Lynn Townsend (Chair)
Bill Fotheringham
Janet Centa
Andrea Risk
JoAnne Fotheringham
Jennifer Townsend
Marian Dunham
The mandate of the Fellowship Committee is to co-ordinate activities that sustain and develop fellowship
within the congregation and it has been a busy year. The following are events in which we were involved:
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Fundraising concert in January
Lunch for the Annual Congregational Meeting
Pancake Supper
Easter Sunrise breakfast
May Chancel Choir Concert
Heritage Day
Usher/Welcome Committee lunch
Web Weavers Lunch
Biblical Storytelling Festival catering
Seniors’ Luncheon
Generous Spirit Lunch
Folk Remembrance Service
Congregational meeting in November
Advent Craft Dinner
Carols by Candlelight Service
In addition, our committee has organized the schedule for Sunday morning coffee teams. We would like
to thank the volunteers who serve on these teams as well as the ‘Friends of Fellowship’ who have helped
us with many of these events during the year.
Great appreciation must be expressed to the committee members. You have worked very hard this year
but maintained a spirit of true fellowship. It is such a pleasure working with you. Thanks as well to
Warren McDougall who is a source of great support.
Lynn Townsend, Chair
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LAY PASTORAL VISITORS’ COMMITTEE
Donna McErlain (Co-Chair)
Donna Byres (Co-Chair)
June Blanchette
Harvey Bosomworth
Ann Whittingham
Lorna Greig
Donna Harrison
Daphne Jackson
Kathleen Crosbie
Enid Mann
Pearl Wilson
Joan Verner
Marg Moon
We are visiting approximately 12 individuals on a regular basis. From time to time, members of this
committee also undertake short-term visits with people following surgery or during illness.
At Easter, begonias were delivered to all those whom we visit.
Our annual Seniors’ Luncheon was held in October with help from the Fellowship Committee. Our own
Doug Loweth, baritone soloist, performed for us accompanied by Barry Peters.
At our general meeting in October, Linda Ind from CHATS was our guest speaker. They have evolved to
meet the changing needs of more than 8000 York Region and Simcoe seniors and caregivers each year.
They offer several workshops with pertinent tips and suggestions to help family members plan and get
appropriate care for loved ones.
At our first council meeting in January 2014, the LPV Committee was asked to make a plan to help assure
the safety of members of our church family in the event of disastrous weather conditions like the ice
storm in December 2013. Individuals were given names of those church people who live alone in their
neighbourhood and were asked to check on them within 36 hours of a weather disaster. If a dangerous
situation is discovered the volunteer will contact Linda Butler as soon as possible. Thank you to all those
who answered our call for help.
The committee has put a plan in place for any family members who experience a personal emergency
prior to coming to church. Linda Butler will have a LPV sit with them for support and comfort during the
church service.
Anne Whittingham and Enid Mann continue to plan the services which are held regularly on the third
Sunday of each month in the Continuing Care Unit at Mackenzie Health Hospital. This year, communion
services were offered. Many thanks to Esther Collier, Lynne Saul, Bruce Roffey and Linda Butler
who led the worship. Patients enjoyed the music which featured Bill Hazell or Lynn Townsend at the
piano and a guest soloist recommended by Marg Rumney. A special thanks to all the faithful volunteers
who brought the patients from their rooms to be part of the service.
Linda Butler conducted worship services on a regular basis at Elginwood, Oak Ridges Seniors Residence
and Richview Manor. Lorna Greig and Joan Verner assisted with services at Elginwood Seniors’
Residence and Oak Ridges Seniors’ Residence. Bill Hazell or Anne Leyton-Brown played the keyboard.
Services are held on a rotational basis at Delmanor Seniors’ Residence and L'Arche Daybreak. Daphne
Jackson supported Linda at the services held at Delmanor.
Special thanks to Linda Butler and our committee members for all their support during the year.
Donna McErlain & Donna Byres, Co-Chairs
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Outreach Committee
Hands & Hearts for Africa
Mission & Service Fund
Breakfast Club
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OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Our committee acts on behalf of the congregation to flag important local and global issues and to respond
to concerns brought forward by members of our congregation. We have many community partnerships
that put us in touch with the needs of people locally. Here are some of the activities we engaged in this
past year:
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We continued our tradition of holding a monthly lunch with members and staff of the Krasman
Centre (a drop-in for survivors of the mental health system). The lunches are very popular and
often produce enough food to send back to the Centre to share with people too shy to come out.
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Once again we collected back-packs with daily necessities (warm clothing, socks, mitts and hats,
toiletries, and treats) which we supplied to the Krasman Centre, the Domiciliary Hostels and
Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold program.
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We further supported the Out of the Cold program, hosted at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, by
preparing 5 meals for up to 50 people per sitting.
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We supported projects both here and abroad through RHUC’s Advent and Lenten offerings.
Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold received the Lenten offering and the Advent offering went to
the Chippewa library users of the Georgina Island Public Library who will enjoy reading current
“best sellers” as part of the one-year book leasing program we have funded.
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We continue our presence as community advocates on the Community Liaison Committee for the
Richmond Hill Housing and Community Hub which is scheduled to open in 2016. The Hub is to
be a multi-service complex to support youth through the entire transition from homelessness to
independent living.
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Once again we report that we are still waiting for concrete developments on the refugee
sponsorship we filed ten years ago for Maryann Abdi and her son to come to Canada. We have
had some recent contact from government representatives which suggests their arrival may be
imminent.
We welcome your ideas, involvement and feedback.
Magdalena Vander Kooy, Chair, Outreach and Social Action Committee
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HANDS AND HEARTS FOR AFRICA
In 2014 Hands and Hearts for Africa celebrated its seventh year as a part of the Grandmother to
Grandmother Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. It was a year when the world seemed to forget
African grandmothers and the AIDs pandemic. According to the Foundation, funding dropped off and
although accessibility to treatment improved in sub-Saharan Africa, there was still an alarming increase in
the number of new infections. In fact, since we began our support seven years ago, the number of children
orphaned by AIDS has climbed from 15 million to 17 million. As Stephen Lewis reminds us, the
pandemic is far from over and the need for more community-based support is staggering! That is why our
efforts as a Grandmother Group continue.
In 2014, we hosted several fundraising and information events, including our February Jazz-Pasta Night,
our 13000 kms Virtual Walk to South Africa, a November Artisan Show, and a Lunch and Learn featuring
the new DVD Grandmothers on the Frontlines. We also provide the Grassroots magazine and other
Stephen Lewis Foundation resources for the Welcome Table.
Looking ahead to 2015, we are already busy preparing for our February 27 evening, a 50s-60s SOCK
HOP, featuring a band called Little Peter and the Elegants. This band has a following in Toronto and a
huge repertoire of music of the 50s-60s era. Along with our wonderful pasta dinner and silent auction, we
promise you an evening to remember! For those who missed seeing our new DVD, we will be featuring a
short excerpt from the DVD at our Sock Hop event. It is an inspiring story of six African grandmothers
who were invited to Vancouver in 2013 to tell their stories of battling with the AIDS pandemic. What
comes through is their courage and resilience as they devote themselves to caregiving and becoming
activists in their home communities. For those who would like to see the entire DVD, we are open to
sharing this DVD with other groups.
If you are interested in helping at one event or becoming more involved, please contact us at
handsandhearts@live.ca or speak to Donna Harrison or myself. If you are a teen and need community
hours, we would love to have your help at our events.
On behalf of the entire Hands and Hearts for Africa group, I would like to thank our staff and the
congregation for your ongoing and generous support. Together, in 2014, we were able to raise an amazing
$12,000. What a huge difference that will make in the lives of African AIDS families!
Peg Hiscoke
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MISSION & SERVICE (M&S) FUND
Mission. And Service. It's what we do. It's the work of the church. It's what Jesus asked us to do.
Since the United Church of Canada began in 1925, generous Canadians have contributed hundreds of
millions of dollars to their local church to keep their faith community going. We have also contributed
hundreds of millions of dollars to the national M&S Fund, a pool of money which finances programs and
services across Canada and around the world. Money is given by individuals, families and through a
myriad of fund-raising ideas and events at local churches.
At RHUC we have an operating budget and an M&S Fund budget. Each year at the Annual Meeting of
the congregation, we vote on the goal we as a congregation hope to be able to forward to General Council
of the United Church of Canada where this fund is administered. They in turn forward the money to the
many projects, about 450, in Canada and throughout the world, which have been approved by a
committee of people in the United Church.
RHUC's goal for 2014 was to be able to donate $55,000 (actually, our United Church Women's group
gave $5,000 towards that goal – that's a lot of fund-raising!). The M&S Fund knew this was our goal and
also knew the goal of all United Churches. That final figure enabled them to make decisions about what
projects they/we would be able to support financially, and those projects had the figure they could budget
towards. When everything works well, there are no disappointments and we can celebrate that we have
been able to meet our goal and that no project will have to be scaled back.
How did RHUC do in 2014? Very well and we can celebrate that level of awareness and giving by our
congregation. We fell short of the goal by $146.91 and if we had known this before the books were
closed, I'm sure an appeal would have brought in this small amount.
Yes, it's what we do. It's the work of the church. It's what Jesus asked us to do. Thanks be to God.
Donna Smith, M&S Enthusiast
BREAKFAST CLUB
The RHUC Breakfast Club had another successful year serving about 160 kids in our two schools –
Walter Scott Public School and 16th Ave. Public School - each day.
We applied for a grant from York Region Food for Learning. The first installment came in the fall and the
balance will come in the New Year. The Grocery Foundation Voucher Program that we were using to buy
milk and bread etc., was discontinued. However, a new plan for buying bread products, to begin in 2015,
has been set up by Food For Learning with Canada Bread.
St. Urbain Bagel continues to donate bagels to our program and we are grateful to them for their support.
Bagels are served at least once a week in both schools. We share these bagels with Crosby Public School.
I want to thank all our dedicated volunteers, past and present, who make my job easy. Thank you to Enid
Mann and Janet Centa, the school Coordinators - couldn’t do it without you. And if anyone is thinking
about volunteering somewhere, please come and check us out!!
Marilyn Hancey, Director and one of the “Originals”
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Property Committee
Net Zero Committee
The Board of Trustees
Generous Spirit
Finance Committee
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PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The mandate of the Property Committee is to maintain the building in good working order within the
budget and oversee the work of the custodians. Regular property meetings were not held in the interest of
everyone’s time. Folks were contacted on an as-needed basis. Some heavy or high level work has had to
be deferred due to lack of available, able-bodied people.
With an eye on the budget, which was strained due to tenant demand and a brutal winter, 2014 was spent
doing basic maintenance and minor repairs to the building and manse. It took many months to fully
analyse and recover from the damage done during the ice storm that left us with no control over the heat
upstairs. Thank you to long-time tenant, Claire Pigott of Bravo Dance, for her patience.
Minor drywall repair and painting was done and minor plumbing issues were dealt with at the manse.
Repair to the manse gutters is yet to be done.
Dan spent considerable time and effort painting the church office walls and cupboards.
Many thanks to Peter DeVita and the Net Zero group for installing LED lighting with the steeple left to
do.
We of course did our annual purge of “collectables” from the pit and workshop to make room for next
year’s crop!
Thank you to Donna Smith and her helpers for all her work on the beautiful gardens.
We have been unable to definitively identify and repair the source of wall leaks in the upper Northwest
sanctuary and West CD building stair-well. This will be a major capital expense requiring replacement of
the gutters which is specialized due to the vintage and height of the building.
Going forward will present some major challenges with work that has been deferred. Pending long term
plans as a result of the work with EDGE, we will need to consider such major capital expenses as:
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the aforementioned wall and gutter work
new carpet in the parlour and sanctuary, wood floor refinishing, and new hall tile
updated accessible washrooms on the main floor
Once again, a thank you to Dan for work done above and beyond the call of duty.
Chuck McClelland, Chair
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NET ZERO
The original goal of this committee was to move the church to a net zero production of greenhouse gas
emissions by the year 2015. We report that we have not met that goal.
The way forward to that goal is clear and has been delineated in past annual reports. In summary, it
involves a three-pronged approach (conservation through building enhancements and the use of alternate
and sustainable energy sources such as solar and geothermal). Funding sources have been researched
and there are ways (such as through TUCC’s interest-free loans or the sale of debentures) to cover
installation costs and use minimal church-funding to initiate projects that will then return our investment
within a reasonable time-frame. This data is available on request (many thanks to the expertise of our
resident professional engineer, Peter DeVita, and his team at Centennial College).
We made some progress towards conservation in 2014, through the installation of LEDs in the chapel,
parlour, garden room, sanctuary, and ESL educational room. We wish to thank those who helped out on
the two installation days in the spring.
In a reassessment of the path needed to attain the mandated goals, we have chosen to redirect our focus
towards education and awareness. To this end, we organized a Sustaining Creation service in September
with a Lunch-and-Learn to follow. The service included the sometimes hidden voices in the congregation
as fourteen people shared their passions and stimulated conversation. Brian Chamberlain initiated further
discussion in the Lunch-and-Learn. The service attracted a variety of new faces from the community.
We have also been using RHUC Online and the new RHUC blog to share information about Net Zero
goals and other environmental initiatives.
We have asked that Net Zero have a member on the Property Committee as it explores opportunities with
EDGE to make changes to property. Peter DeVita will serve that role. We recommend initiating
photovoltaics and geothermal energy installations during any upcoming property changes – and installing
insulation during any property changes that allow for easy access to non-insulated walls.
Esther Collier, Chair, Net Zero Committee
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Steve Armstrong
Peter May
Stuart Coxford
Rod McBey
Lloyd Dunham
Kathleen Crosbie
Judy Langstaff
The Board of Trustees meets as necessary when there are matters of property to consider. In 2014 there
were no matters as such to address.
Lloyd Dunham
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GENEROUS SPIRIT (STEWARDSHIP) 2014
This committee is responsible for encouraging the congregation’s stewardship of time, talents and
treasure. We focused our activities and time around three key areas: Education, Time & Talent and the
Fall Fundraising initiative.
Education
Sandra Loughton energetically took on the responsibility of ensuring information was included in RHUC
Online to maintain awareness of our initiatives.
A Legacy Giving Seminar initially planned for early October was delayed until March 22, 2015. Deb
Hopper from Toronto Conference will be preaching that day, followed by a Legacy Giving Seminar over
lunch.
We have also been active with the Finance Committee to ensure the congregation has an ongoing
awareness of the financials of the church.
Time & Talent
Data has been collected at various times to document the wide-ranging talents of our congregation. We
have a wealth of very talented and energetic members who are willing to help out with the array of
activities and initiatives at Richmond Hill United Church.
Fall Fundraising
This year’s activities focused around the testimonials of four members speaking during a service, about
“What Richmond Hill United Church Means to Me”. That led us into our Generous Spirit Luncheon on
November 2nd. At the luncheon everyone received an individual package containing necessary financial
and pledge information for the coming year. Those unable to attend received their packages after the
luncheon.
An increase in pledges from the majority of the congregation indicates an ongoing commitment to RHUC.
Positive results were somewhat dampened by the fact that a number of long-time members of the
congregation have re-located due to retirement, etc. As with many United Churches, the reality is that our
congregation is aging.
Ongoing overall projected deficits continue to be of major concern, which are being partially addressed
through the “EDGE” initiative. We are looking forward to ideas from their report.
Let’s not forget the home-baked stratas and great discussions that we enjoyed at the Luncheon.
We would like to thank our other committee members: Brandon Moore, Sandra Loughton, Larry Jeffers,
Penny Fabbro, Esther Collier, Brian Chamberlain, and Mark Baker for their time and talent over this past
year and look forward continuing to work together this year.
Nancy Hart, Don Thomson, Co-Chairs,
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FINANCE COMMITTEE
Jane Ridout (Chair)
Dianne McLeod `
Don Thomson
D.J. McCready (Treasurer)
Gordon Saul
Lloyd Dunham
Bill Warrick
Special thanks to Editor, Sandra Loughton.
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