Meeting Notes from Presbytery

Apart from overseeing the usual comings and goings of what's going on with churches and ministers in the area, a few items of note:

Division of World Outreach
• Appeal for specific help and support for new refugees has yielded few responses. Gloves, hats and scarves needed at Cross Cultural Learning Centre (505 Dundas St. London)
• Proposed exchange with Mozambique in the new year: invitation from the Christian Council of Mozambique seeking a long term partnering of the people of both churches, in faith and justice. People from each Presbytery desired for a 14-day trip planned August 2008 for 10(?) people, seeking pastors, youth and women. Information will be posted on Conference website. Applications due January 15, each participant required to provide own funding $4500.

Mission and Service Fund
• Mission and Service pledge forms sent directly to the pastoral charge by General Council Office, instead of through a local facilitator
• Concern expressed at this change of procedure, a letter will be sent by Presbytery

New Business
• Feasibility of Major Funding Campaign ($200 million for Mission and Service, local churches, overseas ministry) questionnaire sent out to ministers.
• UWO Chaplaincy update: seeking input from pastoral charges for students attending UWO and/or passing along her email; seeking to speak to churches about the work she’s doing
• Implementation of Centralized Payroll expected to be delayed, pending evaluation of Saskatchewan’s experience
• United Church considering denominational self-insurance program, 25% savings possible, report in 2008 (likely a $50 000 deductible, requiring 100% church participation)