[cuc-uumoc] UUMOC Email letter from Canadian Unitarian Council/Mary Bennett

[Mary Bennett]

September 6, 2006

 

Hello to our professional ministers in Canada

(and a cc to CUC board & staff).

 

At the end of each month, I read all the newsletters of all the
congregations in Canada. I enjoy finding out what's happening and who's who
updates. 

 

There's definitely a "back to church" theme going on this month - with water
ceremonies; leadership retreats; canvass plans; new board members, staff and
ministers (welcome to those of you on this list who are newly with us!) 

 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Through our Directors of Regional Services (Sara McEwan and Linda Thomson),
we have many facilitators and programs that can help your congregation over
the coming year. Everything from appreciative inquiry to worship (sorry, no
x, y or z workshop as yet!) 

 

After four years since the "new" organizational structure of Regions and
RNG's (Regional Network Groups of volunteer service consultants and
congregational networkers), we feel we're "there".  All four regions have
good teams and connections. Call us, and see how we can help!

 

Sylvia Bass West, our Director of Lifespan Learning-for the whole
country-provides supports and resources for youth, young adult, campus
ministry and adult religious education as well as children's religious
education.  Anything you want to know about religious education, ask Syl! 

 

All CUC staff can be reached via email with their  <mailto:firstname at cuc.ca>
firstname at cuc.ca (e.g.  <mailto:sara at cuc.ca> sara at cuc.ca.,
<mailto:Linda at cuc.ca> Linda at cuc.ca, etc.) 

 

The CUC national directory was sent in last month's congregational mailing,
but if you want a "soft copy", just ask  <mailto:phil at cuc.ca> phil at cuc.ca! 

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP.

Each year, CUC distributes a worship service packet for use at a Sharing Our
Faith worship (many regularly schedule this for February, a particularly
Canadian month). 

 

This year, I'd like to suggest a theme of transition - since so many of our
congregations are in the midst of transition and as individuals we all are
always in it! 

I invite original writings by Canadians or those residing/working in Canada
on this theme-music, poetry, sermons, suggested children's stories, hymns.  

 

DEFINITIONS, ANYONE?

CUC staff and I have an interest in facilitating a discussion to result in
agreed-upon definitions of terms such as consulting, part-time and contract
ministry.  Often these are used interchangeably.  We've created a DRAFT
document. If you'd like to receive it, just ask and I'll send it along. 

 

Here are two possible definitions making a distinction between "part-time"
and "consulting" ministry. Perhaps "contract ministry" would be different
again:

 

Part-time professional ministry;

A regular ministerial 'settlement', agreed to by both parties.  The length
of the ministry anticipated by both parties is at least two years. The
amount of time, relative to a full-time position is expressed as a fraction
or percentage of full-time. Ministerial settlements of less than 80% are
supported through the CUC by the Director of Regional Services not  through
the UUA Department of Ministry & Professional Services who handle settled
ministries of 80% and over..   

 

Professional Consulting ministry;

A ministry, which may or may not be ongoing (though the contract usually is
for 1 or 2 years at a time), in which the minister usually spends
concentrated time with the congregation during an agreed upon number of
visits, over the course of the church year.   The visits usually occur over
a weekend and generally commence on Friday evening, and run through Sunday
afternoon.  During the visit the minister will focus on one or two areas of
congregational life and may work with committees or teams, providing support
for congregational development. 

 

Here's where we started - from the UUA and PNWD materials:

 

UUA Settlement website highlights and links the Pacific Northwest District
(PNWD) Consulting Handbook in their web literature. The PNWD definition for
consulting minister is used interchangeably with part-time ministry and is
the same as how we are defining part-time ministry.

 

Consulting Minister:

 A minister working part-time (one half or less) who usually serves small
congregations that are considering or who have engaged in contracting for
professional ministry.

 

What do you think? Is there a need to create definitions? Are these the
terms that need definition? How could we go about creating definitions that
all would feel appropriate? 

 

UUMOC

Steven Epperson and I had a good meeting earlier this week (removing hats of
minister-congregant and putting on CUC executive director-UUMOC president).
I look forward to supporting the evolution of CUC-UUMOC relationships.  

 

WHERE'S MARY?

Well, I'm actually on the plane, over Manitoba, I'd say - en route to two
months based in Toronto. I'm looking forward to the CUC board meeting at
Unicamp, a "road trip" to Ottawa and Montreal and then onto lead a labyrinth
retreat at Ray Drennan's retreat centre in Bouctouche.  I'll visit the Saint
John congregation and thank them yet again for hosting such a great
conference in May and then visit the Halifax church the following week.  In
the middle of that week, I plan to take a few days off and visit Cape Breton
Island, a place I've wanted to visit for a long time.  Fall's my favorite
time to be away from my wet coast roots.

 

WHAT'S MARY READING?

I just finished a "political mystery" by long-time NDP politician, Ian
Waddell, called A Thirst to Die For, published in 2002.  I'm not sure it's a
great novel, but it was an interesting read - lots of Canadian landscape and
political education in a page-turner.  

 

 

Take care,

Mary

Mary Bennett

Executive Director

 <mailto:mary at cuc.ca> mary at cuc.ca

CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL - CONSEIL UNITARIEN DU CANADA

018-1179A King Street West, Toronto ON M6K 3C5   1-888-568-5723
<http://www.cuc.ca> www.cuc.ca

 
 
PS - I've entered the "blogosphere". For my "blog" (web log) go to:
http://www.cuc.ca/whos_who/ed/blog and comment on my monthly messages and
get updates on a variety of things including: Where's Mary?