Presbytery Prattle

The first day opened with a wonderful greeting from our hosting pastoral charge, followed by the celebration of Holy Communion with Sue Hertell officiating.

What's in a name? The newly formed pastoral charge of Swan Hills and Fort Assiniboine is now known as Grizzly Trail Pastoral Charge. This name was selected after many considerations. One can't help wonder that should this charge call a minister with a better disposition, would they want to re-name it??

Division Reporting

CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT:

Looking at ways to combine Youth Coordinator at presbytery with a similar position in a pastoral charge. Four youth will be going to the Annual Meeting in May: Chris Sliworski, Constance Gallant (Junior High) and Elizabeth Gallant and Kathy Thompson (Senior High) Camps are looking for help in several areas; donations of money, food, maintenance. Campus Ministry is being revitalized. Could use financial assistance. Presbytery Life Long Learning Fund is still available for use.

VBS: Have looked at a possible program for pastoral charges who wish to do their own VBS program. Cost about $ 9.00 per child attending. 

UCW: Agnes Buchanan attended Annual Meeting in Lloydminster. Deborah Marshall guest speaker. Meeting again in spring of 2004 - Beads of Hope and HIV issues will be the agenda. Presbyterial in Stony Plain, May 3, 2003 with our own Mae McArthur speaking about her trip to China. Reminder of Farmer Awareness Sunday May 4, 2003. "There is Hope."

PRESBYTERY MISSION DESIGN:

This group was formed about three years ago with a specific time frame. This temporary "division" was disbanded with thanks to all who worked on this important part of our presbytery life. Suggestions that we find ways to keep on "doing ministry" in the seemingly impossible situations.

STEWARDSHIP:

M&S Fund is now 75 years old! Cause to celebrate. Goal last year, nationally was $ 30,500,000 and we reached $ 30,108,000 - close!  Congratulations to 22 Yellowhead pastoral charges who exceeded their M & S goals for 2002. Some "Covenanting Forms" still not received. Eight Yellowhead pastoral charges have increased their goals for 2003. "Let's pull together and celebrate 75 years of Mission and Service, giving even more this year."

COMMUNICATIONS:

Names of pastoral charges who will require books to be audited will be posted on Yellowhead Presbytery web site. There will be more links and more information on that site so please refer to it  and see what's there. www.anwc.net/yelpres

CHURCH IN THE WORLD:

African Street Kids Mission is coming to an end. Trying to make contact with this project to see if it is up and running before we send final monies raised. Foodgrains Bank is another way to help major issues in the world. Government matches four dollars to every dollar we raise though Foodgrains. Beads of Hope stressed. Video available from Spirit Connection series on this project. Pushing for more political intervention in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Encouraged to write lots of letters to anyone in elected office. Sample letters can be obtained from Athabasca Pastoral Charge. 

Justice and Reconciliation: Bruce Jackson asked for and received support in principal for holding a workshop the day prior to the February meeting of presbytery in Athabasca. Guest speakers will be called in. The University of Athabasca has many supporters of this concept of justice and reconciliation particularly among aboriginal peoples. Concern about natural gas/power prices: A motion to have individuals express concern over high energy costs for churches and other "shared community" buildings was passed.

FINANCE AND PROPERTY:

Property: Hinton Pastoral Charge was given permission to borrow funds from the manse fund in order to restructure its finances.

A "tech grant" was approved to be submitted to the Appeals and Grants division, for new technology for Athabasca Pastoral Charge.

Thorsby given permission to purchase a building lot. and approval given for the sale of land and church in Thorsby.

Treasurer: Most of the pastoral charges have paid the assessments and presbytery has paid Conference assessments. We have $ 28,846.49 in the bank to finish off the year. All funds are committed to budget accounts. (I think the treasurer is trying to say, "we have no extra money, folks!")

A comment about manse funds after sale of a manse: they must be kept in a safe fund and only interest may be used.

MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND EDUCATION:

Oversight: Visits are current. Thanks to all! Camps need to be done between July 2 and August 12th. Any takers?

Pastoral Relations: List of ministers entering the UCC was read as well as those coming off the Discontinued Service List.

Elmer Harke, Darrel Sexsmith and David Beckwith will remain on the role of presbytery.

Ardrossan Needs Assessment accepted and a vacancy was declared.

Victoria Trail continues to have the services of Earle Sharam.

David Pype given permission to perform weddings in the Barrhead area.

Education & Students: 3 Discernment committees are ongoing. Sturgeon Valley and Grand Cache have been approved as intern sites. Leila Curry is a new candidate just approved by Conference Interview Board to continue towards Diaconal Ministry. A Lay Preachers course is being planned.

NOMINATIONS REPORT:

Two commissioners to General Council were elected: Tammy Allan as paid accountable minister and Kathy Suteau as lay commissioner.

The position of Chair of Presbytery will now be a two-year term.

Adjustments were made to accommodate this change.

A new secretary was elected, Fern Klassen, from Onoway PC, who brings lots of experience. Many division convenors and co-convenors will remain but a couple of vacancies will be handled at the conference meeting of presbytery.

PETITIONS TO ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST CONFERENCE:

The court concurred with the following petitions:

1. From Leduc Pastoral Charge: a petition to not allow pastoral charges to elect/hire closely-related family members in positions of leadership.

2. From Fort McMurray: temporary license to marry be granted to lay people in emergency situations.

3. From Kathy Suteau: that pastoral charge supervisors may be granted the right to do sacraments if such a person is a lay person. 

Please see your rep or minister for more details on the above.

OTHER GOOD STUFF:

• Wonderful God Spots by Division of Stewardship
• Reports of Pat Bourque and Mervin Gallant were given.
• Great session on discerning "Gifts of the Spirit Inventory" by Pat Bourque. More info is available here.
• Cecile Fausak gave a wonderful presentation of the "Healthy Congregation Assessment Tool."  More info: Overview and Visioning Committee for Healthy Congregations and Web Weavings
• Awesome meals!

For more details of this meeting please talk to your presbytery rep or your minister.

The Prattle is only a hint of what really happened!

Ken Flanagan