Who does the work of the church?

Robertson-Wesley is a Community of Faith. The term Community of Faith refers to the members and participants in the church (commonly known as congregants) under the spiritual leadership of our ministry team.

The United Church of Canada is structured in a way that puts the community of faith in charge. The volunteers you will see listed below are members of R-W (our community of faith) and are responsible for various areas of the life of Robertson-Wesley, including worship, programming, mission, building maintenance and finances, local committee work and projects. The community of faith, is also responsible for searching out and hiring church staff, including ministers, musicians and lay staff; maintenance and upkeep of property and buildings;  Faith development and education within the congregation (Kids’ Church, youth and adult classes, Bible study, etc.); outreach projects to the community and wider world; and other day-to-day functions.

Policy decisions are made by the R-W Board. Certain items, including budgets, major financial expenses, renovations, election of Board members, and changes to ministry personnel are approved at the annual meeting of the full congregation. Other decisions must be approved by or made with the support of the Regional Council.

Church Board

The board is made up of elected positions which include: Board Chair, In-coming chair, past chair, treasurer, secretary, Chair of Ministry and Personnel, Chair of Property, Ministers, and Northern Spirit Regional Reps.
• They keep the church moving in accordance with mission and ensure all groups and functions are staffed/filled and adequately empowered, while holding groups and leaders accountable.
• They facilitate the mission of the church and empower the congregation to live that mission.
• They embody servant leadership through knowledge, discernment, and living the mission while holding operations functionalities of the church in mind.

Every year at the annual meeting Robertson-Wesley United Church has an election for key leadership roles on the R-W Board. Most key leadership roles are a two year term with the possibility of renewing for another 2 years. Each year different roles become vacant after a person has served their term.
This year we are seeking the following leadership roles:

Incoming Chair of the Board
Treasurer
Chair of Ministry and Personnel
Northern Spirit Regional Rep

For more information click here.

CHAIR
Jonathan Gregory

MEMBER AT LARGE
Tom Hutchinson

CHAIR OF PROPERTY
Jack Waters

BOARD SECRETARY
Allison Poirier

NORTHERN SPIRIT REGION COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Arleen Drysdale
Lisa Lane

DEAP

DEAP is a group of people who meet monthly to discern together where the Spirit is at work in our faith community. The role of this group is to listen, and observe where there is passion in our midst as well as noticing where there are challenges. DEAP then reflects back to the congregation what they are hearing and noticing. Through this process of discernment the community of faith is able to engage in long range visioning and planning. Find out more about what they do here.

Coordinators:
Rev Karen Bridges, Rev Dirk Jessen
Members:
Sean Luyk, Robert Mah, Kay Meier, Carol Anne Inglis, Jill Lambie, J. S.

Pods

A Pod is a gathering of people who engage in conversation about specific topics or areas of ministry and mission that arise.

  • a Pod is coordinated by one person with one minister designated as staff support. A Pod conversation/gathering is by the call of the pod coordinator as needs, issues and ideas arise.
  • If a project, event, or idea emerges from the community of faith, then people who are interested are empowered to take on this work with no requirement of a set number of meetings.
  • The group gathered is encouraged by the Pod coordinator to communicate with the congregation about what they are doing.

Spiritual Formation Pod

The Spiritual Formation Pod has conversations about how we form our faith, and what programs and events will help us learn about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. How do we worship, learn, and deepen our spirituality?

Coordinator: John Fleming
Family Ministry: Tory Bachmann
Fellowship: Sylvia Duffus, Susan Hutson
Koinonia: Larry Wright
Gratitude Team: Pat Stewart
Worship: Vacant
Women’s Weekend: Jill Lambie
Ushers: Pat Stewart, Brenda Sheppard
Visiting: Vacant
Library: Neil Rutherford
Life Passages: Brenda Sheppard

Mission and Outreach Pod

The Mission and Outreach Pod has conversations about how we live out our faith in the world. This pod explores issues of social justice and oppression and seeks to find ways to address needs in our community and the world. Find out more about what they do here.
Coordinator: Julie Lovell

Groups

UCW: Margery Wright
Outreach: Brad Warkentin
Mission & Service: Sylvia Duffus
Men’s group: Jim Triscott
Food Bank: Derek Sutherland
Community Dinner: Rhonda Black

Staff

The staff of the church are a key resource to the congregation. With the leadership of our Facilities Manager and Office Administrator we strive to provide a safe, up to date, well maintained space for the congregation and the community. The Ministers provide pastoral care, worship, and spiritual leadership to the mission and ministry of the church. The Music Director enhances our worship and the music of the church through choral groups, worship and recitals.

Volunteers

  • The church needs the hands of all people to thrive.
  • People are encouraged and invited to volunteer their time.
  • There are short term commitments, and we encourage you to try different roles to fulfill your passion.
  • There is a sign-up sheet in Memorial Hall, listing the date, time and the specific volunteer roles that are available. When the task is done, you are done.
  • In the Church we have some elected leadership positions for the board, and we have other key leadership roles that help to coordinate all the programs and events that happen throughout the year. Most leadership roles are time specific (one- time event, one hour a month) or no more than a 2-year commitment.
  • When a leadership role is vacant, it will be advertised on the Website and in the R-W Report and E-news.

Committees

A Committee is a set group of people with a chair person who meet regularly (either monthly or quarterly) with a specific mandate. When a committee meets they take minutes and then review the minutes from the last meeting.
We have several Standing Committees these include: Ministry and Personnel, Property, Gratitude Team, Finance, Outreach, Worship, Family Ministries.

Regions

Robertson-Wesley is part of the Northern Spirit Region. in the wider church.

Trustees

Harry Bridges, Karen Hansen, Lorne Langman, Ray McKall, Vital Ouellette, Allison Seymour, Bud Squair, Sylvia Duffus

Nominations

The nominations team is mandated to find suitable candidates from R-W members for elected positions on the board and other leadership positions and to recommend their names to the Annual Congregational Meeting, where the general body officially votes on their appointment to the Board. The Nominations committee relies on the help of the congregation in discerning who would have the skills and gifts for the various elected leadership roles.
Members: Vacant