St. Paul's U.C. News

The amalgamation service for St. Paul's and Victoria Avenue took place on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
Hi Barry,
Attached, please find a letter of congratulations to the congregation of St.Paul's-Victoria Avenue United Church recognizing the amalgamation SPUC and VAUC effective January 1, 2023.  All the very best as you celebrate this amalgamation during the worship service on Sunday January 22, 2023.

Take Care!
In Faith & Hope,
~ Jane  
Rev. Jane Van Patter
President, Antler River Watershed Regional Council
The contents of our 'mitten line' will be going to R.O.C.K. Missions
to keep those in need warm.
At the Pastoral Charge meeting on November 30,
the congregations approved the appointment of 
the Rev. Martin Mwale as our new congregational minister effective March 1, 2023.
Looking forward to this, we’re also creating a Transition / Welcoming Committee to assist the family in getting settled here.
Each congregation is invited to identify, by December 15, 3-5 individuals to work on this committee.
If interested, speak with Chuck.
St. Paul's UCW had a fun time at their Christmas Lunch at Casa Bella
on Monday, December 5, 2022,
especially after Santa made his appearance.
Session is very excited to say, for the first time in a few years,
that St. Paul's will be having a Christmas Eve Service. It will start at 7:00 p.m..
We will tell the Christmas Story and sing Carols.
​We hope you can join us for this wonderful time of the celebration of Jesus' birth.
St. Paul's UCW is collecting
adult hats, gloves and socks
on the Mitten Line during Advent
for R.O.C.K. Missions
​who provide help for the homeless
​in our community.
St. Paul's UCW is sponsoring
the collection of
Instant Coffee
in December to donate to
​Victoria Avenue's Pantry Program.
You can leave your donations in the wooden box in the entry.
Victoria Avenue is in need of
500 g plastic containers
in which you purchase sour cream, margarine, etc. 
Please leave them in the box in the entryway .


A Chili Lunch was held at St. Paul's
on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
$10 bought a bowl of chili, a bun,
a dessert and a can of pop.
It was bought out to you
so that you didn't even have to
get out of your car.
ARW Regional Council Meeting
October 28 & 29, 2022
 
As St. Paul’s representative to ARW Regional Council, I attended the Friday night and Saturday morning sessions on Zoom. President Jane Van Patter chaired the meeting. Less than 50% of Communities of Faith have a representative to the Regional Council.
 
Friday evening ran from 6:30 to 8:30 and included welcomes, introductions and opening and procedural motions. We heard about Hope Council, the HUB Housing Justice Podcasts, Tri-Region Governance Review update, and GC44 reports. There will be a remit in 2023 with regards to the Indigenous Church within the United Church. You can read the details here by clicking on Remit.
Also from GC44, Zoom meetings are here to stay as the Church seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by cutting down on driving to meetings. The evening closed with music and worship.
 
Saturday started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 1:00 p.m. with a couple of short breaks.
 
We heard/learned many things on Saturday.
  • great music and worship provided by Greg Simpson and Marque ??
  • an introduction to Brenna Baker, new to the Community of Faith Stewardship Support Team
  • an introduction to UCC Protect which is an insurance plan run by the United Church. It will use $3 million from reserves for full self-insurance. By assuming some of the risk, it will reduce commissions and premiums for participating Communities of Faith. Chuck Scott has already presented some of this information to Official Board.
  • that the Covenant Commission has eleven Congregational Support Toolkits that can be found on the Antler River Watershed Regional Council website at https://arwrcucc.ca/congregational-support-mission/congregational-support-toolkits. They include -
             • Covenanting and a liturgy to use with the Regional
             • All about Community of Faith Profiles and the Search Process                                             
             • Working with ChurchHub for ministry personnel & communities of faith                    
             • Property matters, policy and transactions                                                                          
             • Amalgamating and Disbanding                                                                                          
             • Pastoral Charge Supervisors                                                                                              
             • Annual Self-Assessment Checklist                                                                                    
             • Maintaining the Historic Roll                                                                                              
            • Collaborative Covenants or Shared Ministry Agreements                                                  
            • Accessibility Policy and Privacy Policy                                                                       
            • Annual Meetings – Information and Best Practices!
  • that the Human Resources Commission encourages each Community of Faith to update its profile every year and have it passed at its annual congregational meeting. The Commission also has a new program called United Fresh Start which is a curriculum with 24 modules that teach ministers and congregational leaders critical strategies for working effectively together.
  • that fourteen applicants applied for Mission Support Grants through the Mission & Discipleship Commission. $150,000 was granted to area charities including Kenesserie Camp.
  • acknowledgement of those ministers who have passed away, Community of Faiths which have closed or amalgamated, and Rev. Wanda Burse’s retirement.
  • that the Office of Vocation has been dealing with instances of former ministers returning to Communities of Faith to perform funerals, weddings, baptisms, etc. which undermines the present minister’s position. This is clearly dealt with in the Manual 1.2.5.3 and 1.2.5.4. There is also a program called Leaving Well which guides retiring ministers.
  • that there are many people involved in putting this meeting together who deserve to be thanked
  • the next meeting will take place on May 12 & 13, 2023 on-line
 
Wendy Kempster
The votes to approve the amalgamation agreement between St. Paul's and Victoria Avenue congregations
were strongly in favour and, while there are still a few activities to complete,
amalgamation will become effective on January 1, 2023
when we become St. Paul's - Victoria Avenue United Church.
Current plans are to recognize and celebrate the amalgamation at our worship service on Sunday, January 22.
First day of making 200 of 600 pies.
Set-up complete to make apple pies.
Congratulations
to Linda McDougall and Marianne Willson
who were married
on Saturday, October 1, 2022,
​at their home.
A Letter from Session, September 6, 2022
I (Sarah Charters, Director of Philanthropy) am writing to express my deepest gratitude to you for your support of the people of Ukraine. Without your gift, we wouldn’t be able to touch so many lives. Thank you! 

Here’s an update on some of the ways your generosity is helping to provide life-saving support through key partners working hard within and beyond Ukraine: 
These photos are of Rev. Wanda's last service at St. Paul's on July 24, 2022.
We wish her well in her retirement.
St Paul’s United Church
Board of Stewards Meeting
Thursday July 14th, 2022
Tonight’s meeting is taking place in lieu of the originally scheduled meeting of June 23rd.

Attendance: Barry Fraser (chairman), Bill Park, Larry Thurston, Darrel Stewart, Jim Smith, Kennon Lawton, Mike Houston (Secretary)

Absent/Regrets: Brian Ball, Moira Kerr (UCW Rep), Jennifer Coffin (Treasurer).

Call To Order: Chairman Fraser opened the meeting at 7:30 pm with an inspection of the building exterior and grounds.

Agenda: Copies of the current agenda were emailed to the stewards in advance of tonight’s meeting.

Secretary’s Report: No errors or omissions were reported from the November 21st minutes.

Treasurers’ Report: Jennifer was unable to attend but provided a financial statement current to June 30th.
During her temporary absence offering cheques may be given to Gail Scott at 9107 Indian Creek Line, Chatham, ON, N7M 0L5.

Old Business:
  • Martha Marshall will continue on as cleaner.
  • Shingle damage has been repaired.
  • Pumphouse filters have been changed.
New Business:
  • Ken will undertake water tests.
  • Mike will consult with a masonry contractor for repointing mortar joints where necessary.
  • Larry is attending to the leaking drain under the kitchen sink at the south end.
  • Rear entry siding and door to basement is in need of upgrade and repairs.
  • New lapel microphones are being sought for the PA system.
  • The previously delayed application of sealants to the Sunday school flat-roof is now scheduled for the second week of August… Tree limbs at the entry to the rear parking lot will be trimmed at that time.
  • The Fraser’s have invited the Stewards for refreshments Tue. Aug. 8th at 7pm. This date will be confirmed as it comes closer.
Thank you to all the faithful members of this committee who do so many things in order to keep the building in good condition. Shirley Clark

Adjournment: Meeting concluded at 8:45 pm.

Next Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday October 27th at 7:30 pm.

Going forward, the minutes of Steward Meetings will be posted on the St Paul’s website.
Barry Fraser (Chairman)
                                                    Mike Houston (Secretary)
The St. Paul's community sends sympathy
to the family of Paul Campbell
who passed away on July 8, 2022
at the age of 54.
​The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance unveiled a Pride-themed bench this past week.
Shown from left are Marianne Willson, CK Pride board chair, Janet Johnston, retired CKHA pharmacist,
Dr. Ian Johnston, and Lori Marshall, CKHA president and CEO.
​The bench is a gift from the Johnstons.
Chatham This Week, June 23, 2022
​ARW Regional Council Meeting
June 10 and 11, 2022
As St. Paul’s representative to Regional Council, I attended the Friday night session on Zoom and the all-day session Saturday in person at the Guelph Campus in Ridgetown. President Jane Van Patter is a very good Chair and kept things moving with grace and humour.
 
Friday evening included welcomes, greetings from various levels, updates and reminders. Micol Cottrell was introduced as Diane Blanchard’s replacement and two candidates for ordination were introduced, Sharon Campbell Rayment and Charmain Bailey. The closing worship dealt with bullying by acting out various scenarios that could happen in any Community of Faith and describing how they could be handled.
 
Saturday ran fairly smoothly considering that some attendees were in person and some were on Zoom. There were the usual Zoom glitches which made me appreciate being there in person.
 
We heard/learned many things on Saturday.
  • great music except that we had no words to the hymns
  • an introduction to the UCC “Then Let Us Sing” project​
  • the fact that over 200 churches are searching for ministers
  • there is a Pastoral Relations – Ministry Personnel Handbook available
  • everyone attending/watching received a USB key which contains lots of stewardship information
                    Stewardship Resources Links FIXED               
                        Due to technical difficulties, the links to the Stewardship Resources which were distributed at the Spring Meeting
                       (to some on a USB drive), and noted in the June 27 newsletter were not working. To get these resources, please go
                        to the website and use the link on the Stewardship & Gifts page under the Resources tab. This can be found here
.
  • the fact that M&S received $19.6 million in 2020 but $20.2 million in 2021
  • that $750,000 has been given to Covid Relief
  • that Gifts with Vision now includes ways to help Ukraine
  • that an on-line monthly newsletter is available called God’s Mission – Our Gifts ​ Click here for link to subscribe.
  • a short service to honour those ministers who have passed away, those celebrating anniversaries, and Jubilands
  • to reconsider the word “mission” as it has a negative connotation for our Indigenous members
  • an election to chose a President Elect who will work with President Jane for a year before becoming President. His name is Abiel Khalema. 
  • a presentation on the Korea Peace Appeal
  • about how networks or clusters can work to draw Communities of Faith together
  • covenanted with Licensed Lay Worship Leaders, one of whom was our own Betty Stirling. Each one received a dark blue tippet to be worn when they are leading a service.
  • the next meeting will take place on October 28 and 29, 2022, on-line
  • and a lot more
 
The Celebration of Ministries Service was held at Erie Street United in the evening on Saturday.
 
Wendy Kempster
St. Paul's observed 60 years of UCW at the service on June 5, 2022.
​ 60th Anniversary Celebration of St Paul’s UCW
June 5, 2022.
We are not able to attend the National UCW in Halifax in July so decided to honour and celebrate our women for  work done in the past,  present and hopefully the future! They all were willing to participate.

National UCW provided us with some ideas for special Services which could be  to adapted it to our needs. We highlighted various prayers and music that had been included in past anniversary celebrations. We also had a female choir to sing special meaningful music selections for the occasion.

We were able to recognize and appreciate Wendy for being treasurer in various levels of UCW since 2002 and still serving. The books are in very capable hands.   Also Jane,  was honoured as a very active senior member who is mentor to us all with her many varied shared skills.

We also had a chance to recognize Marjorie and Judy with a Life Membership in UCW.  They are willing to sharing their many talents to help make our group successful. They both took on leadership in projects in many areas. We asked a special guest Marg a former President of the former London Conference UCW to make the presentations. 

By recognizing these women we donated $60.00 to Women for Change which helped with education for girls in Zambia. Purchasing a National Membership certificate and pin provided a donation to Mission and Service.

Hearing all the friendly chatter at lunch time was a welcome change after such a long break due to Covid. It was good to have a chance to visit face to face. It was great  to celebrate the contributions of our women.

President Carolyn
St. Paul's UCW made 318 rhubarb pies on May 24 and 26 at the church.
​Thanks to the many people who came out to assist.
Bruce Ross has written a new book about his journey with depression. Read his interview with The Chatham Daily News, March 8, 2022, here.
Sympathy is sent to the family of
Gertrude Pickering who passed away
on Friday, February 22, 2022, at the age of 97.
The St. Paul's community was saddened to learn of the death
of Angie Allen on Friday, February 18, 2022.
We send our sympathy and prayers to David.
Carolyn was housecleaning and found these old pictures taken when we had dark hair.
Picture
Enid Taylor, Joyce Ward, Ruth Anne Rhea, Wendy Kempster, Verna Lowes, and Linda Slegers making apple pies.
Picture
Lorne Russell, Mary Kerr, Carolyn Fraser, Lawrence Kerr, Margaret and Ian Maynard 1994
Picture
Couple's Club 1997 - Bonnie Sloan, Linda Slegers, Wendy and Jim Kempster, Florence and Robert Arnold, Gini and Bud McKellar, Ralph Sloan, Helen and John Masterson, Gail Scott
Please save -
- eye glasses (Darrel Stewart)
- dry, clean outer milk bags (Sharon Ball)
- pop cans (transfer station or Masonic Temple)
- used batteries (Battery Boy)
​Currently at St. Paul’s we have monthly cards being sent to
12 students, 11 shut-ins and “Any Canadian Soldier”.  
If you know of anyone that you think should be added to our list please contact Martha and they can be added.  
​“A quick little note can go a long way
​to brightening someone’s day”.
FundScrip forms for Turin U.C. and 
St. Paul's U.C.