Present: 24 people attended via Zoom:
Co-Chairs: Douglas Scott and Richard Dalton
Karen Scott, Carolyn Kelly, Margaret Pare, Beverly Haggins,
Marie Santos, David Clifford, Robert Pare, Emily Rumbles,
Bonnie Monminie, Dick Sharp, Lottie Sharp, Jim Jensen,
Sandie Hutchinson, Robert Pare, Jana Blair, Tyler Hicks,
Barbara Whittle, Deanna Reid, Rob Pettapiece,
Rev. Olav Kitchen (Minister), Brenda Miller (Secretary)
Absent:
Richard Hicks, Phyllis Hicks, Bill Kelly, Reenie Nash, Cliff Balkwill,
Stan Johnson, Bernard Nelson, Mary Margaret Russelo, Richard Hicks,
John Krey, Trevor Hedge, Mary Maedel, Marg Fittler Marilyn Hedge,
Ethan Rumbles, Maggie Lapoint
Call to Order: The co-chair Doug called the meeting together at 7:02pm
Welcome and Prayer
After welcoming everyone he opened the meeting with prayer.
Agenda:
Motion: Moved and Seconded The draft agenda was approved and
Carried.
Minutes:
Motion: M/S the Draft Minutes of the last Meeting, September 22nd,
2020
be approved as sent out. Cd.
Unfinished Business: Photo Directory
David Clifford thanked everyone. It was a good turn out for
the pictures, and they received it on November 2. Waiting to
hear back from them.
Correspondence Received a letter and certificate of Appreciation
from the Canada Revenue Agency for letting Brenda Jones
do income tax at the church.
RPC Official Board Minutes November 24, 2020 Page. 1
Pastoral Charge Reports/Updates:
Minister's Report
As you know we are still in Covid Times and facing a rise in Covid cases which may put us into another lock down. Our pastoral charge has been touched by a covid death --in September one of our members, Larry Hostine died---in the Windsor Essex Health report,
he was number 75.
In these Covid times where we are all affected, as a
Pastoral Charge we continue to be the church of Jesus Christ, providing worship and reaching out with our Circuit Rider-- as a contact and with a message of hope. We are reminded that the
church is not a building or several buildingsthe church is the
family of Gods people.
As minister I continue to be active with worship and pastoral
ministry and outreach into the community especially to veterans.
Kicking and screaming, I continue to learn new technology as it is the way of the future. Zoom has been (and is) of great benefit, with meetings and personal face to face contact with people.
As we move into Advent and the Christmas Season, it is very different from previous years as the Covid restrictions continue limiting our opportunities to meet and worship in person.
However, we hope that our Pastoral Charge will help spread a little hope and joy during these dark days. May God bless us as we serve our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Ministry & Personnel Com: Barb Whittle
The committee meet on November the 10 via zoom and at Olinda-Ruthven. Olav will be taking vacation from December 26 to January 5. He will be attending an online course offered by the Calvin Institute of Worship.
It is the recommendation of the Ministry & Personnel Committee that the Ministers salary for the year 2021 be raised 2.2% as outlined in the United Church of Canada Minimum Salaries & Remunerations for Ministry Personnel, 2021. Also the Minister will receive Continuing Education and Learning Resources and a Travel Allowance of $0.41per kilometre.
It is the recommendation of the Ministry & Personnel Committee that the Administrator Salary for 2021 be raised by $200.00 in 2021 with $400.00 for education purposes.
RPC Official Board Minutes November 24, 2020 Page. 2
Pastoral Charge Accountant - Tyler Hicks
Tyler presented the Statement and for 2020 and 2021 Budget.
Tyler reminded everyone that the payment for the November
and December had been waved.
Tyler has increased the budget for 2021 to a 1.8 % increase.
Tyler gave us the bank balance of $25,203.
Plus GIC of $10,000.
Motion: M/S That the Budget for 2021 be approved. Cd.
Congregational Treasurers (for information)
Olinda Ruthven David Clifford
Revenue is down from projects, Donations are up. M&S is down.
A letter will be sent out to the congregation December 1.
Trinity Marie Santos
Revenue is down as well, expenses are down.
She feels they should be fine going into the New Year.
Mission and Service (for Information)
Olinda Ruthven Congregation: $6,419.50; UCW $2,500.00; Trinity Congregation: $3,606.25; UCW $1,500.00 = $5,106.25
58% of 2020 Pledge of $8,750.00 (Nov 19)
Reopening Task Groups Update - Richard Dalton/Bill Kelly
Zoom is working well with Services continuing every other Sunday at the two Churches. This will continue till December 24. Services will then be only on zoom for the time being. Having Church in person will be announced at a later day. Carolyn will still be the contact person for registration to worship in person or any other in house activities.
Worship Committee Karen Scott
The Comfort and Joy Service will be held at Trinity on December 6 at 2pm. This is a special afternoon of remembrance and celebration, giving people the opportunity to offer thanks for joys that we have and to remember those who have been special to us but are no longer with us.
RPC Official Board Minutes November 24, 2020 Page. 3
At this service, people are invited to celebrate the life, actions and events of a family member, relative, a friend; anyone who has touched your life in a special way, or just to give thanks for life itself by sponsoring a musical piece.
There will be several people doing music.
Money collected will go to each Congregation's Mission and Service
Fund. There will be more information to come in the Circuit Rider.
White Gift Service December 6 in the morning at Olinda-Ruthven,
Canned goods can will go the Kingsville Food Bank and Toys, etc. ill
go the Kingsville Goodfellows. Goods can be dropped off at each
Church or the office.
Christmas Eve will be at 7pm at Olinda-Ruthven registration to attend
in person required. Christmas morning Olav will have a simple Zoom
Service from his home.
No Service December 27 or January 3.
Starting January 10 all Services will be on Zoom involving people
from the congregation. Ash Wednesday will be a Zoom Service.
Return to regular in person Services TBA.
Regional Report: Richard Dalton, Marie Santos, David Clifford, Lottie Sharp
Richard mentioned the retirement of President Joyce Payne. The new President of Regional Conference is Rev. Jane van Patter. The Region is now an Affirming Regional Council. Remit approved Changing the Order of Ministry, from 'Men and Women' to all persons of all gender identities. Marie reported on the Regional Mission and Service, there is a drop in grants of 17% for 2021.
Bev asked if we can use monies that have been restricted. Marie said it was opened up for salaries and insurance. It will be available till December 31. It may be opened for 2021.
Motion: M/S to accept all reports. Cd.
New Business
Annual Meetings: It was agreed to have Congregational Annual Meetings following proper Covid Protocol-- dates to be announced. Reports are needed and to be submitted to the Office, by January 25, 2021.
RPC Official Board Minutes November 24, 2020 Page. 4
Request from Brenda Jones - to use Pastoral Charge property to do tax for those Assistance:
Motion: M/S that Brenda Jones be approved to do taxes for people at Olinda-Ruthven depending on regulations with Covid. Cd.
Next Regular Meeting - TBA
Adjournment Motion: M/S to Adjourn. Cd.
Closing Prayer: Olav offered a prayer from Voices United page 915
At the close of a meeting:
Eternal God, you call us to ventures
of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden,
through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with courage,
not knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is leading us;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
RPC Official Board Minutes November 24, 2020 Page. 5