
About the Pastoral Relations Commission
The Pastoral Relations Commission sets policy and gives direction within their mandate. The Pastoral Relations Commission provides support for ministry personnel throughout their ministry, including equipping, covenanting, pastoral relationships and retirement.
Equity Goal Research Project




Final Report
The results of the Equity Goal Research Project were shared at a joint meeting of the Pastoral Relations Commission, Communities of Faith Commission and the Executive held on June 15, 2021.
Read the report : Equity Goal Research Project Final Report – PDF (64 pages)
Policies
- Pastoral Relations Commission Policy (November 2018) – This policy outlines the authority, membership and responsibilities of the Pastoral Relations Commission and the relationship with the Communities of Faith Commission.
- Appointments and Short Term Appointments Policy (updated December 2021) The purpose of this policy is to guide decision-making by the Pastoral Relations Commission when considering a request for an Appointment.
- Congregational Designated Ministry Policy (February 2019) This policy outlines the process whereby Congregational Designated Minister position descriptions re reviewed and categorized.
- Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Committee Policy (updated November 2021) – This policy outlines the purpose, accountability, authority, membership and responsibilities of the Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Committee and the relationship with the Pastoral Relations Commission.
- Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Policy (November 2021) – This policy provides oversight to the Licensed Lay Worship Leaders within Shining Waters Regional Council. This authority is given to the Pastoral Relations Commission.
- Ministry Personnel Marriage Policy (Updated June 2022) – This policy outlines the regulations regarding marriage licences for Ministry Personnel in Shining Waters Regional Council.
- Pulpit Supply Policy (January 2022) – This policy and best practice statement is to guide communities of faith in considering options for pulpit supply
- Telephone Allowance Policy (updated December 2021) – This policy outlines the minimum telephone allowance for Shining Waters Ministry Personnel.
- Voluntary Associate Minister (VAM) Policy (updated February 2022) – This policy outlines the regulations regarding Voluntary Associate Ministers (VAMs) in Shining Waters Regional Council. Also see the Online VAM Application Form, for new VAMs to be approved by the region.
- Voluntary Associate Minister Marriage Policy (December 2018) – This policy outlines the regulations regarding marriage licenses for Voluntary Associate Ministers (VAMs) in Shining Waters Regional Council.
Members
- Donna Bowman-Woodall (Chair)
- Andy Comar
- William Haughton
- Barbara Hendren
- Sung Ran Kim
- Deirdre Lawrence
- Elizabeth Mackenzie
- Beth Moore
- Lawrence Nyarko
- Robin Pilkey
- Paul Stott
Staff Support: Todd McDonald and Dale Hildebrand
Minutes
This is where final approved commission minutes will be posted for up to 12 months and then archived. If you require access to regional minutes that are older than 12 months ago, please see the archived minutes below or the Shining Waters Record of Proceedings. Please contact Donna Rutz at drutz@united-church.ca if you need further assistance. Thank you.
2022 – 2023
- June 13, 2023 (pending next meeting approval)
- May 9, 2023
- April 25, 2023
- March 28, 2023
- February 28, 2023
- January 31, 2023
- December 13, 2022
- November 29, 2022
- October 25, 2022
- September 27, 2022
- September 8, 2022
- August 30, 2022
- June 14, 2022
- May 10, 2022
- April 26, 2022
- March 29, 2022
Archived Pastoral Relations Commission (PRC) Minutes
2022 PRC minutes – (PDF | 59 pages) – a compilation of the approved minutes from August 2022 to December 2022.
2021 – 2022 PRC minutes – (PDF |112 pages) – a compilation of PRC minutes from August 31, 2021 to June 14, 2022.
2020 – 2021 PRC minutes – (PDF | 97 pages) – a compilation of PRC minutes from August 25, 2020 to June 15, 2021.
2019 – 2020 PRC minutes – (PDF | 72 pages) – a compilation of PRC minutes from June 18, 2019 to June 2, 2020.
2019 PRC minutes – (PDF | 31 pages) – a compilation of PRC minutes from January 9, 2019 to May 28, 2019.
Staff Support

DALE HILDEBRAND
Pastoral Relations Minister
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6261
Email: dhildebrand@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks (part-time) from home in Toronto, Tuesday to Thursday.
Role: Dale encourages and supports ministry personnel toward health, joy, and excellence in ministry practice.
Contact Dale 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. Dale is responsible for all the Communities of Faith and ministry personnel in the region that are located south of Highway 407.

TODD MCDONALD
Pastoral Relations Minister
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6235
Email: tmcdonald@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks and works in the Guthrie Office.
Role: Todd encourages and supports ministry personnel toward health, joy, and excellence in ministry practice.
Contact Todd about: Conflict Resolution; Finding A New Minister; Licensed Lay Worship Leaders; Licenses To Administer Sacraments; Pastoral Relationships Policy; Resources for Transition Times; Retirement; Sabbaticals; Sick Leave; Short Term Supply Ministers; Visiting Minister Options. Todd is responsible for all the Communities of Faith and ministry personnel in the region that are located north of Highway 407.

DONNA RUTZ
Communications and Administrative Support
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6145
Email: drutz@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from her home in Toronto
Role: Donna provides administrative support to the region as a whole including communications, record-keeping, event planning, office management, and reception.
Contact Donna about: General Inquiries; Community Events; Communication Oversite; Covenanting Services; General Inquiries; Records Management; Regional Events; Social Media; Updating Contact/Subscription Information; Website.