Lay Leaders
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About | Opportunities | Let’s Connect Gatherings | Staff Support
About
Every year, communities of faith elect members of their church community to be Shining Waters Regional Council Elected Lay Representatives. Regional elected lay reps are called to the ministry of participating in the decision making council in which your community of faith resides and are given a responsibility to consider and discern decisions about ministry, mission and priorities for service and stewardship.
The number of elected lay reps a community of faith elects depends on the number of resident membership. You will find this number on your stats form – it is column 16-17. According to section C.1.2. in The Manual (2024), lay members of the regional council are members of The United Church of Canada who are not ministry personnel and who are:
a) elected by communities of faith on the following basis:
i) one representative from each community of faith with 100 or fewer members;
ii) two representatives from each community of faith with 101 to 200 members;
iii) three representatives from each community of faith with 201 to 300 members;
iv) four representatives from each community of faith with more than 300 resident members.
b) additional lay members as determined by the regional council if necessary to respect a balance of ministry personnel and lay members who are not ministry personnel in the membership of the regional council.
Opportunities
Opportunities for Service within the Regional Council
Submit nominations for positions on Regional Council Executive, its commissions, and committees.
Join a network or cluster that is engaged in something about which you are passionate.
Check out our Nominations page to see what current opportunities are available for you to get involved at the regional level.
Previous Lay Leader Gatherings
Let’s Connect: The United Church of Canada – The Big Picture
Gathering recorded on February 15, 2023 (video is 59:49)
Documents
- For more details about the new strategic plan please see The United Church of Canada website: https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/welcome-united-church-canada/our-call-and-our-vision
- PDF of UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2025 (24 Pages)
SWRC–A BIRD’S EYE VIEW (3:30)
Materials that are referred to in the SWRC – a bird’s eye view video
- The United Church of Canada website
- The Calls to the Church
- GC 44 Resolutions for autonomous Indigenous Church
- SWRC Find a Church Map
- The Manual, 2024 (Section 6.3.4)
- Shining Waters Regional Council Policy
- Staff List
Staff Support
EUN-JOO PARK
COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AND PASTORAL RELATIONS MINISTER
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6147
Email: EPark@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from home
Role: Eun-Joo encourages and supports both communities of faith and ministry personnel.
Contact Eun-Joo about: Conflict Resolution; Finding A New Minister; Lay Employees; M+P Committees; Licenses To Administer Sacraments; Pastoral Relationships Policy; Resources for Transition Times; Retirement; Sabbaticals; Sick Leave; Short Term Supply Ministers; Visiting Minister Options. Eun-Joo is responsible for all the Communities of Faith and ministry personnel in the region that are located south of Highway 407.
JODY MALTBY
Regional Staff Lead and Communities of Faith Minister
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6226
Direct Line: 249-489-2002
Email: jmaltby@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks and works from the Guthrie Main Office
Role: Jody coordinates the support to communities of faith, including coordinating the work of regional staff.
Contact Jody about: Conflict Resolution; Community Ministries; Congregational Finance; Covenants; Governance; Grants; Property Renovation or Sale; Transitions – amalgamations, collaboration, closures.
DIANE MATHESON-JIMENEZ
Community of Faith Support Minister
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6453
Email: dmatheson@united-church.ca
Serves in: Canadian Shield Regional Council and Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from home
Role: Diane provides support for the region by encouraging and connecting communities of faith as they adapt and experiment in changing times.
Contact Diane about: Conflict Resolution, Community Ministries, Congregational Finance, Covenants, Grants, Property, and Transitions - amalgamations, collaboration, closures.
KATHLEEN JONES
Administrative Support
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 2059
Email: kijones@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council and Canadian Shield Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from her home.
Role: Kathleen provides administrative support to Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils.