Presbytery Prattle
April 20-21, 2004
Devon/Calmar Pastoral Charge

Opening Worship
The Presbytery meeting began with worship led in a Zambian style by Cecile Fausak who has recently returned from a study tour in Zambia. Worship included lots of enthusiastic singing. Cecile explained that a Zambian greeting is to welcome someone in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost followed by three claps. Betty Marlin who is working as volunteer overseas personnel with the theological school the study group members were visiting has modified this greeting to a more inclusive welcome in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer followed by three claps. This greeting became a theme of this presbytery meeting as others were welcomed throughout the two days of meeting.

Welcomes
Audrey Mitchell offered welcome on behalf of the Devon/Calmar Pastoral Charge to delegates and visitors to this meeting of Yellowhead Presbytery and then invited Bob Matthews, chair of the Devon United Church Board, who also brought welcome. Tammy Allan, chair of Yellowhead Presbytery invited Wayne Flewelling of Edmonton Presbytery to bring greetings and a letter of welcome from the Mayor of Devon was read as well.

Introductions and Regrets
A number of new delegates to Yellowhead Presbytery were introduced, along with regrets from those who were unable to attend for some or all of the meeting.

Conference President
Doug Coubrough, President of Alberta and Northwest Conference were present at this meeting. He attended with his life partner Helen. Through story, Doug reminded us that we need to know :"Why are we in business as congregations?"

Scent-Free Awareness
Audrey Mitchell introduced us to Pew-Fume - a stuffed skunk who usually sits on the pulpit during worship in Devon to remind folks about the need to avoid scented products because it will exclude those who are allergic to the scents and perfumes that are added to many different products. Audrey showed a number of unscented options for many day-to-day items such as hand lotion, soap, laundry detergent etc.

Faithlift
Denise Davis Taylor of the St. Paul's Campus Ministry through a PowerPoint presentation introduced us to her work as Campus Chaplain. She invited congregations to participate in a number of ways with the campus ministry and to make sure that connections are made between students from home congregations and the work of the Campus ministry.

Congregational Development Co-ordinator
Pat Bourque highlighted the challenges that changing demographics are having on church presence in different communities. She also spoke of Yellowhead connections at the Stewardship Event in Kananaskis and connections across the church.

Division Meetings
The work of the various divisions was described and then presbyters proceeded to the division meetings to consider the work before each group.

Division Reports
Stewardship
Members of the Stewardship Division shared resources available for Stewardship Programmes in congregations. They also quizzed us on some facts and figures about volunteerism, and provided information about Educational Events and Programmes that are coming up.

Church in the World (Bruce Jackson reporting)
GST and Hospitals
Questions have been raised about GST and hospitals. Some hospitals don't pay any, some have a partial GST rebate and some pay full GST. Investigation will continue into these discrepancies.

Medicare and the Constitution
Presbyters were alerted to a Supreme Court Challenge to the constitutionality of Medicare that is being mounted by a group of Senators. This could have far-reaching and dramatic effects on our Medicare system and Health Care. Please research this and raise issues with your MP, the Prime Minister and others.

Foodgrains Bank
Visit foodgrainsbank.ca for information on how you can contribute to the work of this organisation.

Stories of Reconciliation
Presbyters were invited to share stories of reconciliation in relationships with First Nations people. May 26 is a National Day of Healing and Reconciliation.

Breaking the Silence
Please consider ways you can use the resource material and raise awareness.

Coal Bed Methane Extraction
This is happening in Alberta and will likely increase. There are serious questions to consider with respect to what happens to freshwater supplies and long term effects of recovering coal bed methane.

Athabasca Peace Initiative
October 22, 23 and 24 in Athabasca

Division Reports (contd.)
Christian Development (Natalka Dreichel reporting)

UCW
Beatrice Moore was introduced as the new UCW Presbyterial representative. Beatrice gave news about various UCW groups within the presbytery. Unfortunately, this news was about groups that are disbanding, or whose status is not known.

Youth Rally
There will not be a bus to the Youth Rally in Calgary, but participants will be subsidized $20 each to help with travel costs. There are people from Edson, Mayerthorpe, Morinville and Jasper attending.

Banff Men's Conference
October 15-17, 2004 Fiftieth Anniversary www.banffmen.org

Camps
Wish lists for each camp will soon be posted on the Yellowhead Presbytery web site. Representation on Camp Boards by the presbytery has increased.

Ministry Personnel and Education (Betty Welsby reporting)
Education and Students (Kent Horsman)
Annual Interviews have taken place: Marjorie Steele - continuing as LPMiT in Westlock. This is her third and final year before recognition as a Lay Pastoral Minister. The final educational component will be completed this summer in Montreal. Leila Currie continues as a Diaconal Candidate with our presbytery although she continues to work with the Stettler Pastoral Charge. Craig Nelson is now working as an RCMP constable in Smoky Lake and will be taking some time to consider whether to request the continuance of his candidacy.

Conference Interview Board
The Conference Interview Board is moving from a Calgary base to an Edmonton base and therefore needs new members, preferably from around Edmonton. Please pass on the word and consider this opportunity to serve. Presbyteries were also asked to consider the memo that was circulated regarding Congregational Accountable Ministry and the document on Strengthening and Consolidation of Theological Education in the United Church.

Pastoral Relations (Judy Stretch, Tom Sawyer)
Motions were presented regarding Order of Ministry people who are on the retired or retained list. A one and a half time vacancy was declared at Spruce Grove and a vacancy was declared at Beaumont. An application for Settlement from Sturgeon Valley Pastoral Charge was approved.

Pastoral Oversight
Sheila Dunbar has retired from this position which she served faithfully for a number of years. A number of Pastoral Oversight visits are scheduled.

Designated Lay Ministry
Gale Glover, Personnel Administration Coordinator for Alberta and Northwest Conference was invited to speak to the presbytery about the new designation for lay persons involved in paid accountable ministry. There is a discrepancy in wording between the 2000 General Council wording of motions and understandings about "Designated Lay Ministry" and a document that was circulated more recently describing the changes. This has caused some difficulty in interpreting exactly what the changes are and how they will affect people currently serving the church in lay ministry positions (e.g. Lay Pastoral Ministry, Staff Associates) The new manual will not take effect until ninety (90) days after it is released. This is a change from previous practice. It used to be that it was effective the date it was released. Some things are still unclear. However, it is know that there will be an educational component for people in Designated Lay Ministries. The LPMiT education component will continue for three more years. It is not known whether current Staff Associate situations will be grand parented or whether there will be a sunset clause for people who are affected by the changes.

Farewell to Gale
Gale will be leaving the Conference position as Personnel Administration Coordinator to move to a new ministry of hospitality at a new house at Saratoga Beach on Vancouver Island. She will also continue with healing touch and other forms of ministry as she and her partner Bob welcome folks who come to stay at their place for rest and relaxation.

Announcements
One Hundred Years for Athabasca United Church. See the information that was mailed or GOOGLE "Athabasca United Church" for more information. The famous Josephburg Chicken Supper (a World Book of Records Record holder) is coming soon. Celtic Worship opportunities at Grace United Church in Edmonton and/or at Fort Edmonton Park. One Hundred Years for the Telfordville Pastoral Charge on June 13th.

Division Reports (contd. again!)
Communication (Peter Chynoweth reporting)
Attendance
Thanks to Jane, Beatrice, Darren, Phyllis, & Wayne who came to the Division meeting, and who helped with Records Inspection.

Records
Please check before meetings of Presbytery to see if it is your Pastoral Charge's turn to bring books and to see what you need to bring. The list is available at yellowheadpresbytery.org

Contact List
A first draft of a contact list for Pastoral Charge mailings was created. To join the email list for Yellowhead Presbytery, send a message to

yhem-subscribe@yellowheadpresbytery.org

Congregational Web Sites
See Peter for information about how you can get free web space for your congregation. An email message about this will be coming soon.

Licensing
Licensing for software and video resources was discussed. More information about what is legal, moral and ethical will be forthcoming. Check out Academic Licensing as an option for software for the church.

Finance (Stephen Sparks reporting)
The treasurer, Lilley Glebe, shared the financial statements. At the direction of the Presbytery, she has created a new Personnel Emergency fund out of unspent funds from previous years.

Chair of Presbytery (Tammy Allan reporting)
Moderator Visit
The dates and places of the visit of the Moderator to ANW Conference were outlined. The Rt. Rev. Peter Short will be attending the Northern Regional Event in St. Albert on the second weekend of May. He will be making stops in other places in the Conference as well. He will be a guest on Wild Rose Forum on CBC Radio between 1 and 2 pm on May 21.

Tour of the Provincial Archives
Members of the Conference Executive were given a tour of the new Provincial Archives. The United Church of Canada has a significant place in the archives.

Conference Staff Positions
Earl Reaburn has been named to the position of Personnel Administration Coordinator beginning September 1 and due to the aforementioned retirement of Gale Glover. The search for a Leadership Resource Coordinator position was discontinued in favour of filling it on a part time contract later. Heather Marshall is currently serving in this position on a part-time basis. The reason for terminating the search process was due to concerns over the Conference Budget and an anticipated deficit.

Celebration of Ministry Service
This, along with the recognition of retirees and the installation of the incoming Conference President will take place during the Central Regional Event. The Conference Executive agreed to pay travel for one representative from each presbytery to attend. Yellowhead Presbytery also agreed to contribute $100 for accommodation. Ken DeMan was named as the Yellowhead representative.

President-Elect
Nomination forms available in Conference Mailing or at www.anw.united-church.ca Deadline: April 30

Youth Ministry Training Certificate
Has been running for three years. Conference in 1998 approved one-third time position, but has been done within an existing staff position. In October 2004 there will be a National Consultation to consider standards of training for youth and young adult ministry.

In Community Program for Ordination (ICPO)
This program ends in June. Five ANW students are ready for ordination this spring. The program will be replaced by MBOP (Ministry Based Ordination Program).

College Development Campaign
ANW Conference has approved a St. Andrew's/St. Stephen's College three-year fundraising campaign within the Conference.

Working with Edmonton Presbytery
Edmonton presbytery has invited Yellowhead Presbytery to enter into discussions with them to look at discern creative ways to share in ministry with those areas surrounding the city limits where we share common ties. Speak to Tammy Allan if you are interested!

National Day of Healing and Reconciliation (NDHR)
This is an initiative meant to effect healing and reconciliation among all races, creeds, and denominations now residing in Canada. NDHR is to be observed May 26 of every year. A group of folks in the Hinton Region have been planning events in recognition of this day. Maggie Hodgson, one of the founders of NDHR, Bishop Stephen Kristenson (ELCIC), Brian Thorpe (United Church Residential Schools Coordinator) will be some of the presenters. Several local elders will be sharing their stories, and there will be a celebration feast on the evening of the 25th. Speak to Tammy Allan for more registration forms.

The United Church of Canada and Marriage
Betty Welsby supplied some resources and information about the history of consideration of Marriage by The United Church of Canada. The current discussion of Same Gender Marriage is part of a long tradition of studies and statements by The United Church of Canada.

Nominations
A slate of position holders, some new, some continuing was presented and adopted. There is still room for more if anyone has an interest in one or more of the jobs to be done.

Conference 2005
This will be hosted by Yellowhead Presbytery and more specifically by Spruce Grove at the new Leisure Centre. A number of people volunteered to be part of the Local Arrangements group. Judy Stretch will be a local contact person.

Stretching and Singing
Thanks to Kelly Bisson for leading us on a much needed stretch in the middle of Wednesday afternoon and to Kent, Ken, Blaine, Audrey, and Natalka for leading the music at the beginning of each session.

Farewells and Thank Yous
The talking stick was passed around the room so that people could express what they needed to express about this meeting. There were many thanksgivings said and many words about the graciousness of the Devon/Calmar pastoral charge and the presence of the Spirit in many ways.

Your Presbytery Prattle Reporter,

Peter Chynoweth
 

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