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Pastoral Relations Resources

Church Hub

ChurchHub is the new national database for information for every community of faith and all ministry personnel in The United Church of Canada. ChurchHub is part of a significant shift in the life of our church and how we live out our call to ministry and discipleship. It is both a policy that was passed by the General Council to be “regularized as the required process for ministry personnel and communities of faith to search for calls and appointments” and the support structure for communication between the denomination, ministry personnel, communities of faith and members who participate in regional and denominational ministry.

ChurchHub requires a login using a unique e-mail for each account to keep your data safe. We recommend community of faith administrators use an organizational address if possible, such as office[@]firstunited.on.ca or info[@]trinityunited.net, and others use their personal email.

ChurchHub now provides separate username/access to ChurchHub for Community of Faith Search Teams. As of January 2022, ONLY Search Team users will have access to the “Find a New Minister” tile and be able to view the names and profiles of Available Ministers. Search Teams - please see Searching for A New Minister section for updated ChurchHub guidance.

FOR LOG IN OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH CHURCH HUB CONTACT: ministry@united-church.ca

Training Videos

The United Church of Canada provides many training videos and downloads available to help guide you on how to use ChurchHub. Please see their ChurchHub page for relevant links.

Health and Safety

The United Church is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all staff and volunteers, and has policies in place to that effect. The following information is intended to assist all of our ministries in achieving this goal. Wherever a paid employee exists, there is an obligation to meet the provincial or territorial regulations related to health and safety. Please see the United Church Health and Safety page for more resources.

Code of Ethics for Youth Ministry The United Church of Canada 0 | PDF (9 pages) 2004 – This Code of Ethics and the accompanying commentary provide a standard for people involved in youth ministry leadership within The United Church of Canada. It may be used as a guide for education, training, screening and accountability for paid staff, volunteers, and those responsible for oversight of youth ministry

Faithful Footsteps Screening Procedures for Positions of Trust and Authority in The United Church of Canada: A Handbook.  | PDF (30 pages)  – This resource is intended to help institutions, organizations, ministries, camps and congregations understand the principles of screening, and to put these procedures into practice in the recruitment and selection of both staff and volunteers.

Police Record Checks Policies and Procedures Office of Vocation | PDF (8 pages) January 2019 – The policy about police records checks may be found under Oversight, Conflict Resolution and Discipline in section J.2.2 of The Manual. This resource includes changes to procedures that must be followed.The policy on police record checks for ministry personnel applies to members of the order of ministry, designated lay ministers, candidates, and those seeking admission or readmission to The United Church of Canada or ministry partner status.

Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy and Procedures  | PDF (36 pages) November 2020 – This resource contains policy and procedures for individuals who have experienced betrayal of trust within the United Church community because of sexual misconduct, which includes sexual harassment, pastoral sexual misconduct, sexual assault, child abuse, and sexual abuse. This resource outlines how these concerns may be addressed within the church. This policy applies to situations of sexual misconduct in the context of all sexual orientations.

United in Learning: Personal and Professional Boundary Issues for Church Leaders Webinars – These intro and refresher webinars explore some of the common boundary issues that can emerge in the practice of ministry, and discuss how to expand our repertoire of strategies for dealing with situations that can require careful judgment. The courses will be an opportunity to discuss best practices with others in church leadership across the country; find out how others cope with complicated boundary issues; and reflect on how to ensure that the church continues to be a safe and hospitable place for everyone.

United in Learning: Racial Justice Workshops – The racial justice educational sessions take place over four sessions. For sessions 1 and 2, which form the mandatory components, we will be meeting in separate groups according to our racial identities: one group are people who self-identify as Indigenous, racialized, and/or bi-racial, and another group are people who self-identify as White. Sessions 3 and 4, which are optional sessions, will be in racially mixed groups

Workplace Violence and Harrassment Policy  | PDF (2 pages) January 2019 – This policy outlines the process of making a complaint of harassment or violence toward anyone within the church—including lay employees or ministry personnel, and elected members or volunteers—will be taken seriously and dealt with in a spirit of compassion and justice. Complaints should be directed to the region’s Executive Minister.

Need a New Minister?

First Steps

Looking for a new minister for your community of faith, but not sure where to start? Contact one of our Pastoral Relations Ministers who can help get you started. If your community of faith is situated north of Hwy 7, contact Todd McDonald, and if it is located south of Hwy 7 then contact Dale Hildebrand, see Staff Support for contact details.

Pastoral Relations: Policy for a Community of Faith | PDF (18 pages) April 2020 – This resource expands on the policy found under I. Pastoral Relations in The Manual. It is specifically for communities of faith that are starting, changing, or ending a pastoral relationship. This resource contains policy and procedures that must be followed.

Pastoral Relations: Guidelines for Search and Selection | PDF (51 pages) April 2020

Completing a Call/Appointment Form Using ChurchHub | PDF (3 pages) April 7, 2020

2023 Minimum Salaries and Reimbursements for Ministry Personnel | PDF (10 pages) January 2023

Pulpit Supply

Looking for info on who’s available for guest Sunday preaching pulpit supply?  Please contact the regional office by emailing Donna Rutz at drutz@united-church.ca or speak with the Pastoral Relations Minister for your area (see below for contact information).

How much should we pay our guest preacher?

Visiting ministry personnel are paid a daily rate of $232, plus mileage of $.55 per kilometer, as outlined in the 2023 Minimum Salaries for Ministry Personnel. Please note that this is a minimum to be paid. When leading worship on a multi-point community of faith, it is intended that the guest preacher would receive above the minimum for one Sunday, but not necessarily the full rate for each worship service.

United Fresh Start

What is United Fresh Start?

Fresh Start is an educational program for ministry personnel and lay leaders serving congregations that are in transition. It offers the best insights and strategies developed over the last 25 years.

What are the modules?

There are 22 separate modules comprising the Fresh Start Program. The models focus on transition, leadership, organizational development, conflict management and other key topics.

United Fresh Start (June 2019 |PDF | 2 pg) An overview of modules

New: E-modules!

As a result of the pandemic, United Fresh Start has begun to develop “e-modules”—modules that can be delivered virtually via Zoom. Two e-modules are available through a Shining Waters Fresh Start facilitator:

  1. Entering a New System: The purpose for this module is to help participants understand that communities of faith are living systems and that the way new people enter the system can have a substantial impact on their ministry. This module provides some tools for new leaders and their communities of faith to get to know each other, and learn about the community of faith’s history, culture and expectations.

  2. Transition: Understanding the difference between change and transition will help participants recognize individual and group dynamics in times of change and equip them to respond accordingly.

Handouts for Transition module:

Reflection 1: Experience with Transitions
Reflection 2: Self in Transitions
Reflection 3: Community of Faith in Transitions

How can we get started?

Several Fresh Start Facilitators are being trained throughout the United Church and are available to lead groups of both ministry personnel and lay people as they increase their knowledge and skills.

For more information visit the United Fresh Start website 

Voluntary Associate Ministers

A Voluntary Associate Minister (VAM) is a recognized ordered minister in good standing of The United Church of Canada who is retired or between calls or appointment. A community of faith and the called or appointed minister must request approval by the Pastoral Relations Commission for the appointment of a VAM.

The Process

An ordered minister may enter into an agreement with a community of faith and the incumbent minister(s) to serve as a Voluntary Associate Minister. The VAM application form is available on the Shining Waters Regional Council website, see link below. The on-line form requires the agreement of the Pastoral Charge, the called or appointed Ministry Personnel, and the Voluntary Associate Minister. By hitting submit, the completed form will be sent to Shining Waters Regional Council and forwarded to the next Pastoral Relations Commission for consideration and approval.

Once the request has been approved, Shining Waters Regional Council will retain a copy and provide an emailed copy to the community of faith Secretary or Board/Session (or equivalent), the called or appointed Ministry Personnel, and the Voluntary Associate Minister.

If the request is not approved, Shining Waters Regional Council will contact all parties.

Online VAM Application Form  | February 2022 – Link to online application form for new VAMs to be approved by the region.

Voluntary Associate Minister (VAM) Policy | PDF  (2 pages) February 2022 – This policy outlines the regulations regarding Voluntary Associate Ministers (VAMs) in Shining Waters Regional Council. Also see the VAM Application Form above, for new VAMs to be approved by the region.

Staff Support

 TODD MCDONALD

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.

EUN-JOO PARK

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 and generally east of Yonge St.

ROBERT SMITH

ROBERT SMITH

Pastoral Relations Minister

Phone: 1-833-236-0281 Ext. 3
Email: rsmith@united-church.ca

Serves in: Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils

Location: Teleworks and works in the Thunder Bay Office.

Role: Rob encourages and supports ministry personnel toward health, joy, and excellence in ministry practice.

Contact Rob 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. Rob is responsible for all the Communities of Faith and ministry personnel in the region that are located south of Highway 407 and generally west of Yonge.

KIM UYEDE-KAI

KIM UYEDE-KAI

COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AND PASTORAL RELATIONS MINISTER; Intercultural Diversity, Anti-Racism and Right Relations Minister

Phone: 416-231-7680  |  1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6173
Email: KUyedeKai@united-church.ca

Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council

Location: Teleworks from her home in Toronto

Role: Kim encourages and connects both ministry personnel and communities of faith in their work and supports indigenous ministries in their relationship with the region and promotes and supports racial justice.

Contact Kim about: Anti-Racism; Conflict Resolution; Covenants; Governance; Intercultural Ministry; Right Relations; Vision and Mission. Kim is responsible for those congregations and ministry personnel in the region that consider themselves to be an ethnic-cultural Community of Faith, often associated with the country of origin or language of members or members’ ancestors.