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ANNUAL REPORTS 2021
Winfield United Church
Annual General Meeting February 27, 2022
In Memorium
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Fred Miles
† January 20, 2021
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Norreen Nielson
† August 27, 2021
Beth Elder
† October 7, 2021
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God
Joan Kessler
MINISTER'S REPORT
Change and Adaptation
I began writing this annual report just hours before Christmas, awaiting my COVID test result. And while I waited, I reflected on 2021 and the year that was for our Winfield United community. The Report before you shows our life and work together in the midst of another year of COVID restrictions. We tried new things and became increasingly more comfortable with the technology of Zoom to keep us connected with one another.
We began the year with concerns surrounding our financial viability in the wake of the Thrift Store being closed for four months in 2020 due to COVID, plus the loss of rental income. However, as a community, we rose to the challenge and were able to raise approximately $30,000.00 in addition to our regular offerings and Thrift Store revenue. We got creative with fund raising activities, starting with a plant sale in early May where many green thumbs provided a variety of plants for flower beds and gardens. This was followed by our Zoom Pizza Supper and Auction, a fun event that we really didn’t know how it would work out until we just tried it. Sofie Hartwick recorded a wonderful piano instrumental CD called, Journeys, with all proceeds graciously donated to the church. (Thank you for this generous gift, Sophie, and we look forward to your next CD release!) With COVID protocols in place to provide a safe event, we held a Fall Fair in October with baking, soups, and gift items for sale to the wider public. And we held a very successful stewardship campaign called COVID Recovery that saw financial gifts given that enabled us to carry forward without needing to access reserve funds to meet expenses.
We came back together as a community in other ways this fall. In September, we held a Tailgate Picnic in the church parking lot. For many, it was the first WUC gathering together since the winter of 2020. We enjoyed our suppers outside with family and friends close by, but socially distanced. One Sunday, a small group went on an expedition around Wood Lake to look at prominent rocks and other geological features with thanks to John Greenough for guiding and sharing his knowledge. At Thanksgiving, we opened the doors to a Community Fridge, a project initiated by concerned neighbors about food insecurity in our community and WUC was invited to become its host site.
On Sunday, November 28th, we returned to in-person services at 9:45am, followed by a Zoom service at 11am. Attendance was approximately 25-30 at each of the services. Some even attend both and I think that is a wonderful testament to the value we place on gathered life. Our music continues to be recorded in a safe manner and screen-shared at both services and many thanks to all who contribute their gifts to make this possible.
Decision making was challenging this past year. I want to thank our Council and its leadership in making hard decisions around how we gather together. In November, we surveyed the congregation and received overwhelming support for proof of vaccination for in-person services. We didn’t make this decision to divide us but rather to support our collective health priorities. To ensure that all congregants' spiritual needs were being met, we decided to provide two services options each Sunday. We long for the day when we can gather in-person without restrictions.
2021 was a year of uncertainty, yet we came together to strengthen and support our mission and ministry. An idea was shared and people were excited and willing to help. We may not have utilized our traditional committee structures to do these things which will perhaps be a lasting effect of the pandemic. What does moving away from formal structures to more organic expressions of our vision and mission look like? I believe our gatherings, learning opportunities, and fundraisers from 2021 are a testament to this new way of approaching our Spirit-led life together.
When I consider the scripture stories and reflections we have shared this past year, I am reminded of Jesus’ willingness to be open to new things. He never had his mind made up once and for all but was always present to the one he was with and valued their experiences and worldviews. May we live fully into Jesus’ example of approaching our ministry from an open-hearted and open-minded place. What is the Spirit up to? And how can I be part of this new thing that lies before us? Coming through the pandemic do we have new insights and shared interpretations on what it means to be a people on the Way? I look forward to exploring these questions with you all in the year that is to come.
Peace be with you,
(Rev.) Joan Kessler
P.S. The test result was negative :)
COUNCIL REPORT
Sandy Bogardis - Council Chair
Bending like the Willow
Council continues to meet monthly on Zoom and are very pleased to announce the formation of a finance team.
Happy 2022 to everyone. Who would have thought we would still be in a pandemic and waiting, probably not patiently, for life to return to normal? We are all probably wondering as well, what will the normal be. As the song goes, “the future is not ours to see, whatever will be, will be”. We must keep reminding ourselves that it will not be like this forever.
Looking back over the last two years I am reminded of the story of the Oak tree and the Willow tree. When the storm came the Oak fought and his branches were broken, the Willow bent and survived. So, you may be asking, what does this have to do with us at Winfield United Church? Well so far, we have survived because we have changed things; we too, are bending, like the Willow tree. We have followed all the new rules and regulations and we have come up with some creative ideas to be together safely and even to make some money. It hasn’t been easy, but we have done it. Good for us. Let’s toot our own horns.
Take a minute now and think about life without Zoom. How sad that would be. A very positive thing that we are all very thankful for.
1. A devoted caring minister
2. The thrift shop team who works diligently to keep everyone safe and happy
3. Our property team who keeps our building and grounds in great repair
4. All our committees that keep our church life happening
5. Members who come up with ideas for fundraising
6. Those who bring music to our ears
7. Sharon and Suzanne
8. The community fridge
and the list goes on and on and on.
We had four fundraisers this year:
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A plant sale
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Sophie‘s CDs
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An auction
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Our fall fair
A huge thank you to everyone who made these events happen.
And we can’t forget our fun tailgate party and our Christmas open house. A time that we were able to see each other in a safe and happy way.
Well, my fellow congregants we made it through another year and as I look back on it, I hope you feel as I do, very thankful and very hopeful. Your council sends their best to each and every one of you and a sincere Thank you for all that you do to keep our community of faith functioning and strong,
And until we meet again,
May the good Lord bless and keep you.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Bogardis
Council members
plus one delegate/representative of each Ministry Team
Property - Bill Pullan
Worship - Rotating
Thrift Shop - Rotating
Spiritual Nurture - Joan Kessler
Refugee - Bev Edwards-Sawatzky
Ministry & Personnel - Eleanor Geen & Norrie Cochrane
Pastoral Care - Fran Schultz
Visioning - Don Sawatzky
MINISTRY & PERSONNEL REPORT
Our M & P team, that meets regularly, endeavours to carry out various roles for our church staff including consultation, support, supervision and building positive, trusting relationships.
We have been blessed to have Joan Kessler as our minister for the past two years. With the ever-changing pandemic situation, Joan has been a strong and outstanding leader having to engineer the successful in-person Zoom services to our church family. She has done this with patience and perseverance. This, in addition to administering all church functions and providing spiritual guidance in a calm and compassionate manner. Joan's 'Reflections' each Sunday are an inspiration to us all and we recognize the commitment and encouragement she fosters with study and discussion groups and other services offered in the church.
We're appreciative of Joan and Council having to determine the responsible initiative to either open or close the church in-services on Sundays. This is an ongoing process in uncertain times. Special thanks are extended to our musicians and ministers who have volunteered for the virtual services when needed.
On most Saturdays when the Thrift Shop is open, there's our Minister welcoming community friends dropping off items for the Thrift Shop and assisting with transporting goods to the sorting area. Joan was instrumental in facilitating the acquisition of a community fridge, which is a great benefit for those in the community in need of supplementing their daily food requirements - a wonderful outreach initiative.
During the summer, Verena Velten advised us that she would be leaving her position as Office Administrator to join her husband Spiro in his business endeavours. Verena paved the way for us in the digital world, introducing new programs enabling us to carry on with Sunday virtual services. We thank Verena for her great contributions to the church and we’re happy she will remain a member of our church community along with her family.
In the fall, we welcomed Sharon Taylor, who has kindly stepped up to the plate in the position of Office Administrator and with the guidance of Joan and Verena has become adept in the workings of Zoom Master, video editing, music recording, related audio-visual set-ups and maintaining the social media accounts. Sharon oversees the administrative operations, improving office services and implementing changing communication procedures.
Suzanne Warren, our church custodian, continues to maintain the cleanliness of our church and thrift shop, making minor repairs and carrying out the landscaping surrounding our buildings.
We, at Winfield United, are fortunate to have staff who are committed to their work and we're thankful for this work in our community of faith.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Logie
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Member
Member
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LIVING LEGACY FUND & MEMORIAL FUND REPORT
MEMBERS
LIVING LEGACY FUND
Our Living Legacy Fund was created in 2014 when a member of the Congregation donated $50,000.00 to Winfield United Church. The intention of the Living Legacy fund is that it be used to benefit the ministry of Winfield United Church. Since that time the fund has grown due to interest. There have been different applications for funding submitted to Council for various projects and approved by Council, but often other funds come forward and the Legacy Fund continues to grow.
There is $52249.17 remaining in the account.
Submitted by:
Jane Vatkin
MEMORIAL FUND
Donations to the Memorial Fund are used to purchase a plaque to be put in the entrance in memory of the deceased person.
A plaque has been placed in the front hall on the Memory Board in memory of Fred Miles who sadly died in 2021.
There is $7611.21 remaining in the Memorial Fund.
Submitted by:
Jane Vatkin
Mike Schwartzentruber
Penny Gambell
Jane Vatkin
Rev. Joan kessler (ex-officio)
TRUSTEES REPORT
From the United Church of Canada, Trustees Handbook, April 2021:
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Trustees hold all congregational property as legal owners, which means they are listed as owners on title documents for land and other kinds of congregational property.
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The trustees are accountable to and follow the directions of the governing body of the congregation.
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Trustees hold property in trust for the congregation as part of the United Church of Canada for the congregation's mission and ministry.
Trustees ensure adequate insurance is provided, mortgages are reviewed and renewed, and are aware of our investments.
The Trustees did not have a formal meeting in 2021 but did communicate a few times on relevant matters (i.e. process issues) via email exchanges. This is indicative that the trustees are doing their assigned duty of monitoring the various financial and other processes that are integral to WUC functioning.
Respectfully,
David Geen
TRUSTEES
WORSHIP MINISTRY REPORT
Elaine Towgood - Secretary
The Worship Ministry Team (WMT) met 8 times this year, 4 times on Zoom and 4 times in person. Our worship services were all held on Zoom with in-person services able to be held only on the 4 Sundays of Advent when OVID restrictions were relaxed. Services could also be viewed on YouTube.
This was our second year of working within the restrictions of the Covid pandemic. Although there were challenges with the Zoom format, there were positives, too:
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Some felt they were getting to know people at coffee time that they had never spoken to before.
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People were able to participate even when out of town.
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The slides in the background of the hymn words were a great addition.
To attend in-person services, proof of vaccination, masking and social distancing were required. The number allowed to attend was also limited to 50% of legal capacity.
Special services were all held on Zoom:
Holy Week; Good Friday and Easter Sunday at 10 AM services were held on Zoom. An Easter Sunrise resource was shared and a small gathering at the Spion Kop trailhead at 6:45 a.m. to watch the sunrise together doing it so well!
Our annual outdoor service happened in our own yards as we took our iPads / cell phones outside and participated from our lawn chairs.
We had a Christmas Eve service at 8PM. The in-person 4PM service was cancelled due to increased Covid restrictions.
worship Ministry team
Secretary
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Minister
Décor
Thank you to Jim Taylor who spearheaded the decorating of the church again this year and to members of the congregation who helped with the putting up and taking down.
Special Event
An Advent Open House was organized by the WMT and held from 3:00 – 5:00PM on Dec 19. The congregation was invited to walk through the sanctuary and view a forest of Christmas trees, and a display of nativity scenes while listening to live music provided by the WindJammers Woodwind Quintet. Hot drinks and gingerbread cookies were available to enjoy while warming by the bonfire behind the church.
Pulpit Supply
Four members of our own congregation provided pulpit supply this year: Bob Thompson, Doug Martindale, Jim Taylor, and Fran Schultz. A big thank you to you for your leadership. Technology allowed us to have Gary Paterson Zoom in from his home in Vancouver to lead us in worship one Sunday. On another Sunday, we watched a service at Peninsula United Church in White Rock and then re-joined with our congregation for coffee on Zoom. We followed a similar format and joined the Pacific Mountain Regional service held at their spring meeting. Many thanks to Jim Taylor for organizing the pulpit supply..
Music
The music was pre-recorded for the Zoom services again this year, most of it by members of our own community. We are so fortunate to have so many talented musicians willing to participate in our music. These would include our vocal leaders, Sharon Hartwick, Melanie Faber, Verena Velten, Jim Taylor, Reg Houghton, and Mike Schwartzentruber. Instrumentalists providing music for the hymns and meditations include Karen Gibbons on oboe and English horn, Sharon Hartwick on harp and piano, Sofie Hartwick, Ken Armstrong and Elaine Towgood on piano, and Mike Schwartzentruber on guitar. Thank you to all of you and an especially big thank you to Verena Velten and Karen Gibbons who were so good at putting it all together to produce the music we enjoyed on Sunday mornings.
Summary:
Some of us have found the Zoom services difficult but have continued to support WUC. Thank you for your patience. For those of you who are enjoying this format, you will be happy to know that we are planning to offer both Zoom and in person services as soon as possible while keeping everyone safe. It will be so good to be able to all be together again!
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Towgood
THRIFT SHOP MINISTRY REPORT
Jeannette Bucholz - Co-ordinator
Mandate
To help the Winfield United Church and the wider community, financially and in other supportive ways.
Current Hours of Operation:
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Mon, Wed, Fri – Sorting staff only.
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Tues, Thurs, Sat – Shop open and donations accepted from 10 AM – 2 PM.
Many extra hours are put in by the volunteers throughout the year.
Shop Closures:
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Month of January to February 9, 2021, due to Covid pandemic.
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December 24, 2021 – January 10, 2022, for Christmas break.
Thanks to the Volunteers and Custodian:
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who so cheerfully support the work of the Thrift Shop. Your time and efforts are much appreciated.
Finances for 2020
Total
Sales:
$72,398.00
Expenses:
$2,143.25
Co-ordinators
Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator
alternate Co-ordinator
altenate Co-ordinator
alternate Co-ordinator
Support Given to Groups and Organizations:
Special Thanks:
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Thanks to the members of the church Property Team, Bill Pullan, Gordon Rutherford and Dave Reid who keep our sheds repaired and do any work that needs to be done.
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Thanks to our minister, Joan Kessler, for helping the Saturday staff and for providing inspiration for all.
Monthly Staff Meetings:
We meet (usually) on the first Monday of the month to review our previous month and to bring forth suggestions and concerns. These meetings are open to anyone interested in joining the staff or those curious about our operation. Being a part of the Thrift Shop Team is a win-win situation, truly a nurturing experience for both the volunteers and for the community we support.
Monetary
Boys and Girls Club – Lake Country $250
Community Cupboard / Refrigerator $200
CORC Refugee Support $300
GESS Bursary ($750x3) $2250
Kelowna Hospice Society $250
Kelowna Women’s Shelter $250
Lake Country Citizen’s Patrol $250
Lake Country Food Bank $1,000
Lake Country Lodge Christmas Gifts $400
Youth Counseling and Family Services $200
TOTAL $5350
OUTREACH
Canadian Diabetes Society – excess goods
Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team - blankets, towels
Lake Country Food Bank Thrift Shop
Local Schools - gift cards for families in need
Flood Relief - warm clothing and bedding
Forest fire evacuees
Habitat for Humanity - light fixtures
H.O.P.E. Outreach - warm clothing, outerwear, sleeping bags.
Lake Country Optometry – eye glasses
Mamas for Mamas, Kelowna
SUPporting the environment
We recycle the following items: cardboard, paper, plastics, glass, metal, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, batteries, electronics, electric appliances, paint.
We cut unsaleable cotton clothing into wipes, and fleece into Swiffer pads.
We buy environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.
PROPERTY TEAM REPORT
Well, another year has passed.
Work done in past year:
1. Dave Reid repaired three shed roofs at thrift shop. Thank you, Dave
2. Gravel laid on south parking lot
3. Tap fixed in Women’s washroom
4. New door handle on door leading to sanctuary from hallway
5. The four furnaces were serviced. Two of the furnaces required new parts. The furnaces will be checked yearly.
Thank you to the following people:
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Greg Faber for mowing the lawn
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Everyone who helped keep the flowerbeds weeded
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David Geen for irrigation blowouts
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Trudy Cowger and Gordon Rutherford for fire inspections
Projected projects for 2022
1. Repair wall in church
2. Repair roof at front of church where water is coming in
3. More gravel for south parking lot.
4. Garden tractor repair
5. Check water leak in cloakroom
6. Main sign
Blessings everyone from Bill, Gord and David
MEMEBERS
FIRE SAFETY TEAM REPORT
Fire alarm inspections continue to be carried out monthly to ensure the system is operating in satisfactory manner. In addition, the alarm system is thoroughly checked annually by a qualified inspection agency, “Nexus”. The Lake Country Fire Inspector also checks annually to ensure all safety measures and procedures are adhered to and that the Fire Safety Plan is in order and up to date.
Both Trudy and I would dearly welcome another volunteer to the Fire Safety Team, if anyone is so inclined. Let Trudy or Gord know if there is someone who might be interested.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordon Rutherford & Trudy Cowger
PASTORAL CARE REPORT
Fran Schulz - Coordinating team member
Our Pastoral Care of one another happens in so many different and special ways. I want to thank all in our congregation for the phone calls you made, the rides you gave, the meals you shared, the errands you ran in 2021. Living under health orders related to COVID became more familiar and routine to us and we made adjustments and adaptations that allowed us to continue to be a caring, Christ-centered community.
Here are some of the highlights from our past year:
Mae Husk continued to send beautiful cards to those in our midst celebrating a birthday or in need of some compassion and encouragement, whatever life’s challenges presented. Thank you, Mae, for your time and creativity in making these beautiful cards possible.
Many of you were busy knitting and crocheting prayer shawls in 2021. One Sunday in early March, we covered the Communion Table with all the shawls that were donated and offered a blessing to all who would receive them. If you know someone whom you would like to give the gift of our care and prayers, please contact the church office and we will be most happy to provide.
COVID restrictions ebbed and flowed over 2021 and we were able once again to visit our friends and loved ones residing at the Lake Country Lodge and Manor. We hope and pray for conditions to be favorable in 2022 so we can once again resume visiting and face-to-face contact which is so important to our health and sense of wellbeing.
We enact a ministry of Pastoral Care each Sunday when we gather together and name our Prayers of the People for that day. It has become a cherished part of our Sunday morning service time. We have prayed for members of our community through illness and personal difficulty; we have celebrated new babies, prayed for times of transition and change close to home and around our world. The naming, sharing, and voicing these petitions boosts our spiritual health and wellbeing, knowing we are heard and cared for. If ever you would like to make a prayer request to be included on our list in the Sunday Skim email or named during our prayer time, please contact the church office or myself directly.
We extend a warm thank you to Fran Schultz and Sandy Bogardis who comprise our pastoral care committee and our Area Reps: Jane Vatkin, Trudy Cowger, Elaine Towgood, Jeannette Buchholz, Sharon Hartwick, Bev Edwards-Sawatzky, and Gary Munro. If you would like to join this team, please let us know.
Respectfully submitted,
(Rev.) Joan Kessler
members
Additional Area Reps:
Jane Vatkin, Trudy Cowger,
Elaine Towgood, Jeannette Bucholz, Sharon Hartwick, Bev Edwards-Sawatsky, Gary Munro
REFUGEE MINISTRY TEAM REPORT
The report for 2021 will be brief. Due to Covid we are still awaiting news of the arrival arrangements for two new refugee families that have been approved by Canada Immigration. One family is from Iraq and the other Syria.
At the beginning of the New Year 2021 Fiacre Ngabire was able to reunite with his family from Burundi. It was a joyous reunion with his wife Evelyne and their three sons, Jack, Josh and Elisha. On November 9, 2021, Evelyne and Fiacre welcomed their fourth child, a beautiful baby boy, named Ethan. This family is doing well, as is their extended family of sisters and Evelyne’s parents. Fiacre has a full-time job with a security company doing installations. They have a lovely three-bedroom apartment in a subsidized housing complex on Benvoulin. Nadia is now working as a health care aide and living with a colleague. Both Dielha and Carine are thriving in high school.
On September 21, 2021, our newest refugee family arrived. Eyhem Hammad and his wife Ensam Alshaoud and their three children, Meryem (7), Beylesen (5), and Gazi (3) where welcomed by CORC and the extended Al Shahoud family. There are now four Al Shahoud families that have been reunited with their parents and younger siblings here in the Okanagan. Being able to be a part of assisting the reunification of this family has been amazing. They all are working hard to support their family and certainly are incredibly supportive and helpful to each other and to the growing Syrian community in the central Okanagan.
All fundraising activities for CORC had to be cancelled again for this year. Private donations and the generous $74,000 bequest from Carol Taylor’s estate has ensured CORC’s ability to support the two families we are still awaiting.
Winfield United continues to support CORC in so many ways financially, warmly welcoming newcomers, furnishing their homes and providing a new community where they can feel safe and cared about. The Thrift Store is amazing in finding and supplying so many of their material needs. Thank you to each and every one of you for your involvement and support of the Refugee Ministry Team.
Please find attached the 2021 CORC year-end treasurer’s report. The financial statement has been presented to WUC Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Refugee Ministry Team
Gordon Rutherford & Bev Edwards-Sawatzky
Bev Edwards-Sawatzky
Team member
Gord Rutherford
Team member
Community Fridge Report
“Community fridges'' have been showing up in neighborhoods across the country this past year as a response to food insecurity arising from the reality of COVID-19. They provide access to fresh food, non-perishable items, and hygiene products, and are typically found outdoors for easy 24/7 access. There is no policing and no judgment.
Back in the late spring, Jackie Goode, a concerned citizen, approached the congregation about hosting a community fridge for Lake Country. We gave the request much thought and discernment. Sandy Bogardis and I visited the Community Fridge at the Unitarian Church in Kelowna and gleaned a lot of helpful information. A site was selected on the west side of the church building. An application was also made to the District of Lake Country, and we were successful in receiving $2000.00 in grant funding. Jackie’s husband Josh and his business, Goode Properties, organized the quick construction of a small structure that was divided into two spaces: one to accommodate a fridge and the other to hold shelving for dry goods. A fridge was generously donated by Coast Appliances in Kelowna. Funds are held in a separate account, administered by Jackie.
We opened the doors to the Community Fridge Thanksgiving weekend. With the ease of social media to get the word out, people began arriving with grocery bags of items to donate. And soon others followed to collect the food they needed.
Take what you need, leave what you can is the simple premise. Community fridges are a mutual aid initiative in which neighbors work together to help ensure everyone’s needs are met. Our congregation pays for the power and our members donate items to the Fridge and pantry as moved to do so. The Community Fridge was also the recipient of a generous food drive organized by Peter Greer School.
Thank you all for your generous support of this new project.
Respectfully submitted,
(Rev.) Joan Kessler
SPIRITUAL NURTURE MINISTRY TEAM REPORT
GOALS and Mandate
In conjunction with Ministerial leadership, the Spiritual Nurture Ministry Team fosters an environment where all ages can explore their faith, discern their spiritual gifts, and share them.
2021 saw our Spiritual Nurture opportunities impacted by COVID restrictions on gathering in-person. We used Zoom to the best of our ability but recognize that some of the things we used to do that nurtured our spirituality and community are on pause until we can safely gather in the church building. We miss our children’s and family programming, Circle of Peace and Aramaic prayer and we look forward to the time they can resume in person and deepen our connections when we see one another face to face.
The discovery of unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Residential School was a formative event that will mark 2021 as the year we began to consider our role in Truth and Reconciliation. On July 1st, Canada Day took on new meaning. With our thanks to Fran Jasiura and Doug Martindale for organizing, we placed orange shirts along the street to commemorate all who attended residential schools and those who didn’t return home. We also had a time of circle prayer and reflection. In the afternoon, we gathered on Zoom to share in a reading of the 94 Calls to Action. It was a Canada Day to pause and remember the legacy of Residential Schools. If you would like to be part of a dedicated team to explore and offer events and learning opportunities about this part of our history, please let me know.
AD-HOC TEAM MEMBERS
Rev. Joan Kesler and the members of the Ad Hoc Spiritual Nurture Team are open to new ideas, feedback and discussion. Please contact any member of the team if you would like to be involved in any way.
Activities and events:
Small Group Practices
In 2021, small groups continued to meet weekly on Zoom to share a time of reflection and meditation with one another. We held a Circle of Peace on Tuesday afternoons, Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings, and Holy Conversations on Wednesday afternoons. Special thanks to Sharon Hartwick for keeping our Circle of Peace group organized and leading us in heart breathing each week, a practice that Sharon is skilled in, bringing our spiritual energies closer together despite the physical distance of COVID. Further to this, Sharon and Sandy Bogardis offered Healing Pathway treatments remotely to members of our community who were experiencing serious illness this past year. These sessions were greatly appreciated and made a positive impact on physical and spiritual wellbeing. Thank you, Sharon and Sandy, for continuing to make this practice available to us.
Tailgate picnic
A warm September Saturday afternoon saw approximately 50 of us come together in the church parking lot. We visited and got reacquainted with one another. We ate our picnic suppers at our tailgates, played games and sang songs. It was a wonderful time, and we look forward to nice weather to return so we can gather again outside.
listening well study
In November, Fran Jasiura and myself co-facilitated a group of 13 in the exploration of empathic listening and deepening the practice of what it means to be a good listener. We were thrilled by the positive response! This study was very different from studies of the past in that participants had the opportunity to practice the skills and techniques outlined in Listening Well: The Art of Empathic Understanding by William R. Miller. A special thank you to Fran for bringing this study to life and providing a framework in which we could explore this important and relevant topic as a community. The group plans to do a check-in and decide a future path with continuing to develop deep listening skills in the new year.
curriculum
We continue to use Seasons of the Spirit All Ages curriculum for worship planning. This will also be available as a resource once children’s programming resumes. Two small group studies prepared by The Prayer Bench were offered this fall: Autumn Rambles as an email retreat and Waking Up: an Advent Study focusing on the Gospel of Thomas. Our budget also provided the Advent/Christmas magazine, Belove, curated by the First Third youth and children’s ministry unit of the Pacific Mountain Region to our families with school-aged children.
christmas open house
On Sunday, December 19th, we hosted our first Christmas Open House. We set out nativity scenes provided by the congregation, 33 in total, each unique and special. We also had a Christmas tree “forest” with 15 trees brought in with a variety of decorations and festive lights. One of the highlights of the event was a musical performance by local quintet, The Wind Jammers, which created the perfect ambience. Thank you, Karen Gibbons and friends for sharing your music with us. Guests also enjoyed hot apple cider and gingerbread cookies outside by a bonfire.
A warm thank you to Arlene Erickson, Sharon Hartwick, Verena Velten, Marg Kyle, and Fran Jasiura for being our ad hoc Spiritual Nurture committee. I extend a word of thanks to all those who contribute to dreaming, planning, and carrying out activities and learning opportunities to our diverse Winfield United community. When the building is more available to us and COVID restrictions eased, we look forward to resuming more fully the work of this committee. If you have ideas to share, I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully submitted,
(Rev.) Joan Kessler
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
For several years, members of WUC expressed concern that we had no identified process to proactively monitor our Church’s ongoing financial situations. In Spring 2021 Lynn Lemp and myself put forth our names and shortly thereafter Council voted us as co-Chairs of the Financial Committee. We had our first meeting on June 8 and have been gradually learning the ropes since!
Mike accepted the encouragement to join the Committee, bringing his years of experience handling WUC’s budget presentations. Mae Husk agreed to continue in her dedication as Treasurer. Arlene Erho, as WUC’s Envelope Secretary, is also automatically a Finance Committee member, as is of course, our Minister Joan Kessler.
We started 2021 anticipating a deficit of almost $59,000. It was with considerable effort and hard work by our committees, volunteers and donations from individuals (through the COVID Recovery Stewardship Campaign) that we were able to overcome our anticipated deficit and achieve a positive balance. In the end, our 2021 receipts were about $26,000 more than disbursements.
This was achieved by:
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additional income from:
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$20,000 from Federal Government COVID-Aid
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$20,000 Congregant’s response to special request
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$10,000 from fundraisers
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trimming expenditures by $17,000 and keeping our Disbursements to bare necessities.
Budget 2022
Again for 2022, we have prepared a negative budget. We anticipate disbursements $50,000 greater than receipts. Some of the increased expenditures associated with promoting WUC’s 2022 mission that we expect this year include:
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Begin saving $1,200 per year (for 2025) to support Sabbatical coverage
-
$400 to Sanctuary Décor expecting resumption of in-person services.
We feel there are areas where our Disbursement expectations will be tightened:
-
roof leak/wall repair is $500 less than estimate (and much less than feared)
-
Spiritual Nurture Children’s Program (and like programs promoting WUC’s presence in the Community) could be accepted by the Legacy Fund, though not changing WUC’s monetary value, does lessen the 2022 deficit
-
Estimates for Church sign and shed repair might be postponed.
members
ENVELOPE SECRETARY REPORT
This is an annual snapshot of those donors who receive tax receipts of their monetary support for our church. This is but one reflection of the monetary stewardship that happens to keep our doors open. There are many who give anonymously and many who donate without recompense i.e. supplies and labour to support our mission and vision. The tracking of the taxable donations is the role of the Envelope Secretary who works with the Treasurer to arrange or ensure the following areas are well planned, tracked and executed in a confidential manner.
Monetary donations can be made via eTransfer, cheque or cash (weekly or monthly offering envelopes are available so donations can be tracked for taxable purposes) or Pre-authorized Remittance (PAR) which come directly from your bank account as you stipulate with a PAR form that is given to the treasurer. To make arrangements for PAR please contact the office at 250-766-4458 or email to winfieldunitedchurch@shaw.ca.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene Erho, Envelope Secretary
Donations can be made by cheque or cash or e-transfer (weekly or monthly). Also available is the PAR (Pre- Authorized Remittance ) which comes directly from your bank account as you stipulate through a PAR form that is then given to the Treasurer. To have your donations automatically withdrawn from your bank account (PAR) or to make a change to PAR please contact the office
winfieldunitedchurch@shaw.ca or 250-766-4458
Budget 2022
Again for 2022, we have prepared a negative budget. We anticipate disbursements $50,000 greater than receipts. Some of the increased expenditures associated with promoting WUC’s 2022 mission that we expect this year include:
-
Begin saving $1,200 per year (for 2025) to support Sabbatical coverage
-
$400 to Sanctuary Décor expecting resumption of in-person services.
We feel there are areas where our Disbursement expectations will be tightened:
-
roof leak/wall repair is $500 less than estimate (and much less than feared)
-
Spiritual Nurture Children’s Program (and like programs promoting WUC’s presence in the Community) could be accepted by the Legacy Fund, though not changing WUC’s monetary value, does lessen the 2022 deficit
-
Estimates for Church sign and shed repair might be postponed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
For several years, members of WUC expressed concern that we had no identified process to proactively monitor our Church’s ongoing financial situations. In Spring 2021 Lynn Lemp and myself put forth our names and shortly thereafter Council voted us as co-Chairs of the Financial Committee. We had our first meeting on June 8 and have been gradually learning the ropes since!
Mike accepted the encouragement to join the Committee, bringing his years of experience handling WUC’s budget presentations. Mae Husk agreed to continue in her dedication as Treasurer. Arlene Erho, as WUC’s Envelope Secretary, is also automatically a Finance Committee member, as is of course, our Minister Joan Kessler.
We started 2021 anticipating a deficit of almost $59,000. It was with considerable effort and hard work by our committees, volunteers and donations from individuals (through the COVID Recovery Stewardship Campaign) that we were able to overcome our anticipated deficit and achieve a positive balance. In the end, our 2021 receipts were about $26,000 more than disbursements.
This was achieved by:
-
additional income from:
-
$20,000 from Federal Government COVID-Aid
-
-
$20,000 Congregant’s response to special request
-
$10,000 from fundraisers
-
trimming expenditures by $17,000 and keeping our Disbursements to bare necessities.
Budget 2022
Again for 2022, we have prepared a negative budget. We anticipate disbursements $50,000 greater than receipts. Some of the increased expenditures associated with promoting WUC’s 2022 mission that we expect this year include:
-
Begin saving $1,200 per year (for 2025) to support Sabbatical coverage
-
$400 to Sanctuary Décor expecting resumption of in-person services.
We feel there are areas where our Disbursement expectations will be tightened:
-
roof leak/wall repair is $500 less than estimate (and much less than feared)
-
Spiritual Nurture Children’s Program (and like programs promoting WUC’s presence in the Community) could be accepted by the Legacy Fund, though not changing WUC’s monetary value, does lessen the 2022 deficit
-
Estimates for Church sign and shed repair might be postponed.
members
ENVELOPE SECRETARY REPORT
This is an annual snapshot of those donors who receive tax receipts of their monetary support for our church. This is but one reflection of the monetary stewardship that happens to keep our doors open. There are many who give anonymously and many who donate without recompense i.e. supplies and labour to support our mission and vision. The tracking of the taxable donations is the role of the Envelope Secretary who works with the Treasurer to arrange or ensure the following areas are well planned, tracked and executed in a confidential manner.
Monetary donations can be made via eTransfer, cheque or cash (weekly or monthly offering envelopes are available so donations can be tracked for taxable purposes) or Pre-authorized Remittance (PAR) which come directly from your bank account as you stipulate with a PAR form that is given to the treasurer. To make arrangements for PAR please contact the office at 250-766-4458 or email to winfieldunitedchurch@shaw.ca.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene Erho, Envelope Secretary
Donations can be made by cheque or cash or e-transfer (weekly or monthly). Also available is the PAR (Pre- Authorized Remittance ) which comes directly from your bank account as you stipulate through a PAR form that is then given to the Treasurer. To have your donations automatically withdrawn from your bank account (PAR) or to make a change to PAR please contact the office
winfieldunitedchurch@shaw.ca or 250-766-4458
Budget 2022
Again for 2022, we have prepared a negative budget. We anticipate disbursements $50,000 greater than receipts. Some of the increased expenditures associated with promoting WUC’s 2022 mission that we expect this year include:
-
Begin saving $1,200 per year (for 2025) to support Sabbatical coverage
-
$400 to Sanctuary Décor expecting resumption of in-person services.
We feel there are areas where our Disbursement expectations will be tightened:
-
roof leak/wall repair is $500 less than estimate (and much less than feared)
-
Spiritual Nurture Children’s Program (and like programs promoting WUC’s presence in the Community) could be accepted by the Legacy Fund, though not changing WUC’s monetary value, does lessen the 2022 deficit
-
Estimates for Church sign and shed repair might be postponed.
Increasing Receipts?
These last two COVID years have been difficult. In 2022, we will not get another Government gift. As COVID rescinds, the Thrift Shop could possibly gain $10,000 in revenues as they approach their pre-COVID numbers.
In 2021 we had 56 families contributing $102,649 through Local Donations. The Special Request in the Spring accounted for approximately $20,000 of this total and is distributed through the higher contributors in the following breakdown provided by our Envelope Secretary.
A second Congregant request would be difficult, but a 10% increase in local donation would possibly provide a further $10,000. That would still leave WUC short at least $30,000.
Additional sources of income are contingent of resumption of community activities in a post-COVID world. Church rentals might be a modest source of funds if community activities burst forth. Congregants’ efforts to introduce new community members to Winfield United Church are important to broaden our base!
I'm still optimistic that WUC will be sustained, at least in the intermediate period, and don't want our 2022 presentation to further hamper our ability to have a successful 2022.
Respectfully submitted,
David Geen
VISIONING TEAM REPORT
In May 2020, the pandemic had forced our church to shut its doors. With no Thrift Shop operating, no worship services to gather people together, and income dropping, the Church Council initiated the setting up of a team to reevaluate our mission in light of the challenges and opportunities presented by COVID 19.
The rationale for rethinking our mission was well expressed in this quotation from Broadview magazine published near the beginning of the pandemic: “People of faith may someday gather again but this pandemic has irrevocably changed the way we think, feel and worship. This is an opportunity for us to rethink mission and retool for it.”.
A team, representing different segments of the church community, was put together including the following: Eleanor Geen, Karen Gibbons, Christina Grant, Adam Jones, Joan Kessler, Margaret Kyle, Doug Martindale, Gary Munro, Don Sawatzky, Fran Schultz, and Verena Velten.
The Transition/Visioning Team met intermittently and reported to the congregation in March 2021. It became increasingly apparent that issues related church building reentry were being well handled by a safety team and by Council. Consequently, our focus was on Visioning. This change in designation was formalized at a Council meeting on Jan.18, 2022. Our mandate will be to continue to initiate possible directions, and report to Council and the Congregation.
This report focuses on initiatives still in process following our report to the Congregation in March 2021. We have continued with directions that we believe will re-energize our church community, contribute to the larger community, and address some of the financial concerns we are experiencing. These three focal points have been central to our thinking about possibilities. The following summarizes some of our thinking:
members
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The “United Coffeehouse” Project continues as a work in progress. COVID restrictions made it impossible to proceed as planned. The project team consists of Christina Grant, Margaret Kyle, and Adam Jones.
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We believe it is important to keep issues related to residential schools in focus. A working group chaired by Fran Shultz has agreed to recommend ways in which residential school concerns are kept alive.
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How to best use our church property south of the building has been the subject of considerable discussion. Proposals have included:
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Affordable housing - Doug Martindale has done extensive research on this initiative and will continue his discussions with members of the church community, members of Council, and with the District of Lake Country.
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Other ideas have included:
· stopping off point for the Rail Trail (Rail Trail Oasis)
· a community garden
· a labyrinth.
Evidently the space is currently well used by neighbourhood children as a playground. Clearly, any decision made about this land will need to be thoroughly discussed by Council and the entire Church Community.
4. Making our church building more visible from the Rail Trail. Ideas have ranged from murals on the north wall to memorial plantings on the grounds.
5. Church Rentals. We have a space that could be usable for many functions post COVID. We are proposing that a working group be established to prepare for the eventual opening of our space. The church sanctuary is an expensive asset which is used less than 25% of the time. Some of the possibilities mentioned include weddings, funerals for non-members, piano recitals, support groups such as AA, Lifelong learners programs, presentations by members of the congregation, concert series, before and after school programs, as well as preschool programs. A labyrinth on the floor could also attract interest in our building.
6. We recommend the continued use of Zoom for some church functions. We have shown that worship can be effective in a virtual format. At the same time, we miss the person-to-person contact that is only possible with in-person worship. Perhaps we could adopt a hybrid model where we use both.
7. We have discussed the possible merits of a name change. We believe that in order for this church to be sustainable past the current generation we need to appeal to a broader community. Younger generations are as interested in spiritual pursuits as our generation of 60-, 70-, and 80-year-olds. We might become Winfield United Church and Centre for Spiritual Development or something like Winfield United-On the Way. The second possibility would capitalize on our proximity to the Rail Trail and possibly appeal to those who have not had any history with the institutional church.
We invite feedback on the aforementioned possibilities.
Don Sawatzky
Chair, Visioning Committee