Lay Leaders Gathering: Governance and Good News
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 7 p.m.
This gathering will be an opportunity for lay leaders to share their experience of governance during the pandemic – what has worked for you, and to ask questions. Also to hear from congregations how they are sharing good news in their congregation and community.
It will be a conversation about governance best practices during the pandemic including the decision of the sub-Executive of General Council that congregations may defer holding their Annual Meeting (currently in place until June 2021 – see below) and about how we can share our good news stories within our congregations and the wider United Church.
Link to Join Zoom Meeting – January 28th, 7 p.m.
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/94714626553
Meeting ID: 947 1462 6553
Or join by phone, dial by your location
+1 647 374 4685 Toronto
+1 647 558 0588 Toronto
855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
GS 81 Extension of Temporary Amendment of Bylaws re: Pastoral Relations; Temporary Amendment re: Congregational Annual Meeting
At its meeting on November 26, 2020, the Sub-Executive of the General Council passed a motion to:
- temporarily suspend the requirement in section B.5.1 of The Manual for congregations or pastoral charges to hold an annual meeting; and
- temporarily amend the responsibility of the congregation or pastoral charge to make a decision on their annual draft budget by allowing the governing
- body of the congregation or pastoral charge to fulfil this responsibility where necessary, and where permitted by the regional council;
with each of the foregoing to be in effect until June 30, 2021, subject to earlier cancellation or further extension by decision of the Executive or Sub-Executive of the General Council.
On December 16, 2020, The Communities of Faith Commission of Shining Waters Regional Council decided to permit any congregations or pastoral charges in Shining Waters Region to allow the governing body of the congregation or pastoral charge to make a decision on their annual draft budget. This permission is in effect until June 30, 2021.
Please note that this does not prevent a congregation or pastoral charge from holding an annual meeting, either virtually or in-person (if allowed by provincial regulations, local health guidelines and following all required protocols) at which they may decide on their annual draft budget. These permissions are intended to support congregations and pastoral charges who do not feel able or have the capacity to hold an annual meeting during the pandemic.
If you have questions, please be in touch with Jody Maltby: jmaltby@united-church.ca or Kim Uyede-Kai: kuyedekai@united-church.ca
Annual Meetings During the Pandemic
For congregations that choose to hold their Annual Meetings via Zoom, Shining Waters has created tip sheets and tutorials based on our experience hosting the regional council meetings. They are offered HERE as our best advice towards planning your own meetings using the Zoom video conference platform.
Congregational Finances During the Pandemic
United-in-Learning is once again offering their workshops on Congregational Finances During the Pandemic. These will be held monthly this winter to keep everyone up to date on the latest news and advice for treasurers. The dates are January 27, February 24 and March 24, all at 7 p.m. Be sure you stay up to date on the things that could make a difference to your church and ministry. For January 27 the focus will be on any loose ends from 2020 including PD27 filing, whether to issue T2200 forms for employees working from home, payroll upgrade to Teampay, assessment processing and, of course, the latest on federal support programs.
There is an opportunity to submit questions prior to the workshop, and there is no need to pre-register. CLICK HERE to get the links.