Sackville Pastoral Charge Annual Report 2019-20

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Table of Contents

Our Membership and Statistics 2 Our Leadership and Governance 3 Minister’s Report 3 Pastoral Charge Chair’s Report 4 Minutes of Pastoral Charge Meeting – see Appendix V Our Committees and Groups 6 Worship and Sanctuary 6 Music at SPC 7 Pastoral Care 7 Ministry and Personnel 8 Parents and Tots 8 Circle of Care 9 Our Property and Finances 10 Methodist Burying Ground Report 10 Rockport United Church 11 Anderson Settlement United Church 13 List of SPC Annual Report Appendices 16

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Our Membership: 2019 Members welcomed to Sackville UC: By transfer and Profession of Faith: Ruth Ann Buckinger March 10, 2019 Rebecca Aukje Houtsma June 29, 2019 Linda Anne MacDonald June 29, 2019 Janet Maureen (Poole) Geier June 29, 2019 Members removed from Sackville UC: Through Death: Mary Agnes (Carter) Pomeroy August 4, 2015 Peter McGregor Archibald September 7, 2018 Shirley Madelyn Taylor February 9, 2019 Mary Catherine Sears December 12, 2019 Marriages Performed:

Ronald Kevin Hopper and Homer Charles Noble July 16, 2019 Kathleen Penelope Mills and Jordan Daniel Bowser July 27, 2019 Hayley Madonna Wells and Troy Wayne MacLean August 17, 2019

Funerals, Memorials, and Graveside Services Registered: Date of Death: Date of Funeral: Sears, Mary Catherine December 12, 2019 December 17, 2019

Our Statistics: 2018

Total Sackville UC Confirmed members: 333 (Resident–182; Non-resident–151) Upper Sackville UC Confirmed members: 33 (Resident-23; Non-resident-10) Total Households under pastoral care: 176 Total number of financially supporting households: 92

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Our Leadership and Governance: Minister’s Report

Minister’s 2019 Report: Sackville Pastoral Charge

Last year about this time the Sackville congregation adopted the following as a Values and Vision statement: As a community seeking to following in the way of Jesus, Sackville United Church identities the following as its core values: open-minded and affirming, respectful and compassionate, honest and intellectually rigorous. Sackville United Church is a welcoming, affirming and open-minded congregation. We strive to foster respectful relations with creation and with all Peoples. We are committed to social justice and value the ongoing practice of compassionate outreach. We seek to ground our lives in the way of Jesus as we endeavour to love God, neighbour and self. As a congregation we identify the following priorities for our life together in the coming years:

1. to reduce our environmental footprint, 2. to continue to live out an affirming ministry, and 3. to remain engaged with the larger community in the areas of social justice and

community action. In the past year both congregations have made significant progress on all three of our identified priorities. Early in the spring Sackville United Church entered into a partnership with the Sackville Refugee Response Coalition and made application to sponsor an individual under the Rainbow Refugee Program. On March 14 (3.14) we held our first ever PIE (public, intentional, explicit) Day in partnership with the Queer Room as we witnessed to our ministry of affirming ALL people. The Upper Sackville United Church held their annual yard sale in the spring and contributed to reducing, reusing and recycle – raising a good bit of coin from long lost treasures! By early summer a Green Team from the Sackville United Church had been struck and soon after Rose arrived in June an Energy Audit was completed. By the end of October all the windows had been replaced and before the year was out new roof-top heat pumps had been installed. In the midst of all this activity we still gathered each Sunday for worship in both locations and the little ones gathered for Godly Play. We still visited the shut ins and sang at the Nursing Home. We gathered at meetings and study groups and we’ve spent time planning for the coming year – including, Sackville United Church, welcoming an Explorer to travel with us for three months beginning in May. It is an honour and joy to share ministry with you. I look forward to seeing where we will be called, led, dragged or pushed by the Spirit in the coming year.

Faithfully, Lloyd

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Our Leadership and Governance: Chair’s Report

Chair of Sackville Pastoral Charge 2019 Annual Report Members: Chair - Jane Braedley Secretary – vacant Julien Desrochers – Chair SUC Executive Council Chrystal Schipper-Everill– Treasurer SUC Executive Council Gayle Keyes – Treasurer USUC Executive Council Bernice MacMaster – Chair USUC Executive Council Rev. Lloyd Bruce The SPC Council met once last year to review and accept the proposed SPC budget for 2019 as a working budget until it was accepted at the 2019 AGM. As chair of the SPC Council, I have reviewed and made some revisions to the JNAC document that have been sent to some members of the last committee to be reviewed. This document has not yet been loaded to Church Hub and with Jennie’s assistance that will be completed this year. Other items in need of SPC Council approval were dealt with through email such as approval for a budget vocal support for Jennie. It was recommended at the AGM that the percentage structure of shared expenses be looked at. Discussions and first steps started around this in the late fall. Respectfully,

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Our Leadership and Governance: Minutes of Pastoral Charge Meeting Please see Appendix V for Minutes of the 2018-19 Annual Meeting held on February 17, 2019 at Sackville United Church.

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Our Committees and Groups: 2019

Worship and Sanctuary Committee 2019 Annual Report Committee members: Jane Braedley Rev. Lloyd Bruce Jennie Del Motte Miranda Forstall Janet Geier Bernice MacMaster Over the past year the Worship and Sanctuary Committee has met on four occasions. These meetings revolved around ideas for worship, the liturgical seasons, the celebration of communion and requests for pulpit supply. The committee worked to support Lloyd and Jennie in providing meaningful worship experiences for both the Upper Sackville United Church and Sackville United Church. As the liturgical seasons changed throughout the calendar year, the committee members changed the banners and the communion cloth to reflect the colours that traditionally go with these seasons. The sanctuaries were decorated for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter as well as for other special occasions. This past year Miranda Forstall made and hung origami doves in the sanctuary of SUC for the season of Pentecost. Committee members prepared the elements for communion and invited congregants to be servers. Communion was observed eight times over the past year. SUC only used gluten free bread this past year. We had several guest musicians over the past year and owing to some medical issues related to Jennie’s voice we also had a voice student from MtA provide support. Lloyd and Jennie organized Cocktails and Carols. We also enjoyed several Conversation Cafes at SUC where a variety of issues were discussed by participants. Pulpit supply was arranged for Lloyd’s vacation and education leave. We are grateful to those from the congregations and others that have generously agreed to lead worship when Lloyd has been away from the pulpit. The Worship and Sanctuary Committee is grateful as well for the dedication of Lloyd and Jennie to weaving prayers, music, reflections together each Sunday that resonates with the weekly lectionary and message.

Respectfully,

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Music at SPC 2019 Annual Report It has been another wonderful music-filled year at Sackville Pastoral Charge, though not without its challenges. The ongoing injury to Jennie’s voice, which began in the summer and worsened throughout the fall, made necessary the hiring of a singer to help lead worship, particularly at Upper Sackville where there is not a regular choir. Adele Marsland, a third year Mount Allison voice major, brought her talent and bright personality to our sanctuaries from October-December and into the new year. We also welcomed a variety of other guest musicians to our pastoral charge, including oboeist Margaret Hancox, The Carter Girls, and a special May weekend visit from composer Paul Rumboldt, who shared hymns and fellowship both in concert and during our Sunday morning services. We are blessed with the musical talent of both of our congregations. We often enjoy special music from the members of our own church communities including Janet Hammock, Linda MacDonald, Ed Knuckles, Harris McSheffery, all the wonderful voices that make up the SUC, and all of the enthusiastic voices that rise up on Sunday morning from both of our congregations! I look forward to continuing our ministry and enjoyment of music and singing together – Make a joyful noise, all the earth!

Submitted by Jennie Del Motte

Pastoral Care 2019 Annual Report Each of us try to offer ongoing attention and support to members and friends of Sackville United Community of Faith. As followers of Christ, we are inspired with Christ's grace to live into that responsibility. Informal hellos Conversation before/after Worship Formal visits Writing greeting cards Offering rides to worship Sharing Music Telephone Tree Sitting with folks listening and encouraging Sharing meals Just "being" Celebrating milestones We respond to one another in times of crisis, times of illness, times of bereavement and times of celebration. Two of the Pastoral Care Visitors, Rev. Colin Grant and Elsie MacDonald, who have shared Communion in formal visits for the past seven years will no longer be doing formal visits.

Submitted by Elsie MacDonald

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Ministry and Personnel 2019 Annual Report The Ministry and Personnel Committee of Sackville Pastoral Charge is responsible for supporting and overseeing ministry personnel and lay staff. It strives to employ best practices on giving and receiving feedback, conducting annual performance reviews, and developing and maintaining healthy ministry teams. The committee makes recommendations to the Executive on cost of living increases for salaries and budget items for the structural needs of the minister, such as travel allotment and phone costs. This year the committee conducted annual reviews, opened a file on a workplace accident with WorkPlace NB, and arranged for Christmas gifts for staff. The committee consists of Karen Bamford and Shirley Hopkins from Sackville United Church and, until 24 February 2020, Bernice McMaster from Upper Sackville United Church. We are thankful for the time Bernice spent on the committee and appreciated her many contributions to our work.

Submitted by Shirley Hopkins

Parents & Tots 2019 Annual Report Parents & Tots continues to be a very successful outreach program that is open to the community every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., from September to May, in the basement of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. It is a wonderful opportunity for parents/grandparents/babysitters to meet and and chat and for the children to play! Twenty-one families were registered for 2019 with twenty-nine children involved with an average of ten children coming each week. We wish to thank St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for donating its space for this outreach program and also a huge thank you to our Sackville United Church’s & St. Andrew’s volunteers who help with this program Lynn Estabrooks, Margaret Anderson, Sandra Sears, Stella Dawe, Nicola Smith-Keeling and Brenda Allen.

Submitted by Brenda Allen

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Circle of Care 2019 Annual Report This past year saw the establishment of a Circle of Care, the mandate of which is to ‘be there’ for a member of our church family who might be going through some health issues and could benefit from having daily meals provided for a few weeks. I am delighted to report that the response from volunteers has been an inspiration and has made me very proud to be a part of this loving and supportive community. In addition to offering meals, volunteers have also taken time to pay visits and run errands as needed. Please do not hesitate to keep us informed of folks who could benefit in some way from this Circle of Care.

Submitted by Diane Fullerton

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Our Property and Finances: 2019

Cemetery Committee 2019 Annual Report Methodist Burying Ground Report 2019

Terry McMaster worked alone at the Methodist Burying Ground on cleanup day this

past year. It is a huge job to clear leaves and broken limbs from this site and the Pastoral Charge would like to thank Terry for all his hard work in 2019.

A tombstone, from this cemetery, that was found in the baby barn at this site of the downtown cemetery in 2018, has not been reinstalled. Hopefully this installation might occur in 2020. A good map indicates were this stone should be in the cemetery.

Submitted by Phyllis Stopps

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Rockport United Church 2019 Annual Report

The Rockport United Church held three services this year, two conducted by Jennie Del Motte and the third conducted by Bruce Moore. They were held on March 25, September 30, and December 15. Jennie has pre-recorded music for the services, which has worked well. We held our Annual Meeting on June 26 which was composed of the church congregation. Jennie Del Motte was not able to attend because of a sprained ankle. Events of the past year were reviewed. We are still using the portable toilet which is on loan from the Rockport Community Association. The weather sealer for the front area of the building has been purchased and was applied in the fall. Walter Read had nothing to report on a remedy to keep the squirrels out of the attic section of the building. Further investigation is necessary. It will be necessary to make sure there are no squirrels in the attic at the time repairs take place. There are still visible holes in the eaves where the animals have chewed through. There has also been some discussion concerning capping the trim along the bottom of the building with aluminum as paint will not stay on that area. Ken Tower has again kept the lawn mowed for the season and Melbourne Read has looked after cleaning and setting up for the services. Our December service had a few special readings as a memorial to Mae Read; Margaret Ann Filmore and Heather Stone played and sang some of Mae’s favourite gospel sounds. December 15ths was Mae’s birthday and it is 20 years now since she has been called home. The board of directors for the church will remain the same. However, we are very sad to have lost one of the Board members on December 29th. Alberta Harris passed away in Halifax where she had been in hospital for over three weeks following heart surgery. There was one wedding at the church this year. Kirk Read, whose ancestors had lived in Rockport, was married to Samantha Jones on June 15th. Our next church service is scheduled for Palm Sunday (April 5, 2020). Due to past difficulty in getting notices placed in the Tribune, notices are now placed on Facebook and the CFTA radio station in the hopes that people will see or hear them.

Submitted by Nancy J. Read, Trustee

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Rockport United Church 2019 Annual Financial Report

Balance on Hand January 1, 2019 $7198.22 REVENUE: Collection – church services $456.55 Donations & memorials $115.00 Fundraising Miscell. (bank interest) $1.14 $572.69 EXPENSES: Minister/Lay Preacher Minister’s Travel Expense $120.00 Worship supplies/expenses $55.33 Insurance $175.00 Building supplies/expenses $81.25 Miscell. (bank charges/advertising) $25.00 ($456.58) YEAR-END BALANCE $7314.33

GAIN $116.11

RBC Account $7210.72 Cash on Hand $103.65 Penny round down ($0.04) Grand Total $7314.33

All balances as of January 31, 2020

Submitted by Nancy J. Read, Trustee

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Anderson Settlement United Church Annual Report 2019

NOTE: Following the 2018-19 Sackville Pastoral Charge Annual Meeting we received this report on behalf of Anderson Settlement United. This 2018 report is included in this 2019 SPC report for your information following the 2019 Report below. ~ Jennie Del Motte Greetings in the Name of the Church:

Recently, while getting caught up on some of my neglected duties as Secretary of the Anderson Settlement United Church I came across some photocopies of the pages from the 1st minute book of the Methodist Church here in Anderson Settlement. The very first page wrote that on February 16th, 1886— Otho Tingley Crossman, among several others, was appointed one of the trustees of the church. At time of his death, some seventy-one years and six months later he was still serving his church in that role. Perhaps, a record in our United Church of Canada.

This reminded me of that line from Genesis 1:26, in the poetic and ancient language of

the King James Bible which goes “let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Biblical scholars tell us that in this sense, the word dominion, means to be a wise steward who takes care of things.

2019, was a quiet year for the Church. Throughout the year as always, the loyal United

Church workers mow the lawn and keep the bushes trimmed back away from the building. They do their best to right aging gravestones. They keep the bank accounts up to date and answer any correspondence that needs attention.

We met for worship once, on the last Sunday of Advent, often called the Sunday of

Love. Our lesson was taken from Luke 2: 8-20. Our reflection invited us to hopeful pondering with words from Dr. Jane Goodall and Holst’s In the Bleak Midwinter. Our turn out was poor due to the weather that evening, but our small worshiping spirit was mighty.

Though we be small in number—we still answer God’s call for us to serve others

through Christ’s Church. God’s work in the Church is not finished here in Anderson Settlement. It marches on through those of us who serve the church in this generation.

We are always looking for new support, ideas for fundraisers, and financial support to

help keep this Mission Church alive, and your prayers are always accepted! In Christ,

Secretary

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Anderson Settlement United Church Building Fund

Comparative Statement of Financial Position For the Years (Indicated) Ended December 31st

(2019) (2018) (2017) (2016) Revenues Regular Collections $325.00 $195.00 $385.00 $205.00 Donations General 100.00 75.00 165.00 10.00 Memorials - 322.18 75.00 70.00 Interest Paid on Robert Wells Bequest ( - )1 10.33 10.33 10.33 Paid on Bank Account (RBC) 0.42 0.48 0.36 0.24 Fundraisers ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) 600.50 Total Revenues 425.42 602.99 635.69 896.07 Expenses Liability Insurance 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 Bank Fees 2.00 2.00 2.00 22.00 Total Expenditures 302.00 302.00 302.00 322.00 Excess of Revenues over Expenses $123.42 $300.99 $333.69 $574.07

1. Historically, the interest on the Robert Wells bequest was payable yearly. However, a suggestion

was made by the Fundy-St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council that this amount be accrued and paid to the church when it reaches $50.00. This will be investigated. In order to maintain accounting standards, the amount has been noted in the ledger, but is not included in this statement at this time. An adjustment will be made in the future.

Nettie A. Wells, Treasurer

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Anderson Settlement United Church- Annual Report

December 31st, 2018

The 2018 church year was quiet for the small group of Christians in Anderson Settlement who still call the Anderson Settlement United Church (or as one member used to call it “the old Methodist meeting house”) our religious home. The trustees continue to see that the property is insured for liability, while we strongly lament that we live in a society where the potential exists for Churches to be sued! Through the spring, summer and into early fall Kyle Wells and Richard Wells keep the lawn mowed and do their best to keep any wayward bushes trimmed back. They dedicate of their precious time for the labour and money to pay for the gas and oil. Early in the year Roland Wells and Kyle Wells did some work in the grave yard to re-set a couple of the gravestones which had fallen over. This work contributed greatly to the beautification of the church grounds. Roland donated his time in labour, and several buckets of gravel, and the use of his wheelbarrow to this project. Our friends and neighbours have commented on how things are looking so neat and tidy there. In July, Kyle offered words of comfort and benediction at the Internment of Ashes for church member Mrs. Mary Wells. Here he reminded those present that their” sorrow will turn to Joy” in fulfillment of God’s promise. Due to a myriad of factors (mostly being the secretary being very busy with school and work) we met for worship only once on August 19th. Kyle Wells led those who were present in worship. He spoke from verses 35-41 of chapter 4 of Mark’s gospel. The message was entitled “Lord don’t you care”, and it spoke about how to best make it through the inevitable storms that one must face in life. At this service we made a joyful noise in an acapella fashion! Following the service, refreshments were served, and the Annual Meeting was held. Our appreciation is extended to the loyal “United Church Workers”, who organized the lunch after the service, and who keep the bank accounts updated throughout the year. Whenever anything needs to get done, they see that it happens. Without them none of this would be possible. We also sincerely would like to thank all of the people who take the time to participate in our services and contribute financially. Because of this we can continue to make our United Church presence known in this countryside. With our humble gratitude, Shirley Smart, Chair (Board of Trustees) Kyle Wells, Secretary Anderson Settlement United Church Financial Statement

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Balance Forwarded December 31st, 2017 3920.02

Revenue Interest Paid on Bank Account 0.47 Donations in Memory of Mary F. Wells (2018) 232.18 Donations in Memory of D. Margaret Oulton (2018) 70.00 Donation in Memory of Monique Hicks- December 27th 2018 20.00 General Donations 75.00 Collection (Service August 19th, 2018) 195.00 Interest Paid on Robert Wells Estate Bequest- September 21st, 2018 10.33

4523.00 Expenses Liability Insurance on Church- May 10th 2018 300.00 Counter Cheque Fee- May 10th 2018 2.00

Balance Fowarded December 31st 2018 4221.00 -Submitted by Nettie Wells, Treasurer Anderson Settlement United Church

Appendix I – SPC 2020 Budget Appendix II – SPC Balance Sheet at 31 Dec 2019 Appendix III – SPC 2019 Comparative Income Statement Appendix IV – SPC Notes on 2019 Financial Statements Appendix V – Minutes from SPC 2018-19 Annual Meeting held February 17 2019