Here are some old news items in case you missed them.
Old News
Christmas Newsletter
The Christmas newsletter can finally be downloaded from the web site. See the list of newsletters on the right side of the Home page. Sorry it has taken so long!
Mission & Service Fund
$28,077 as of October 31st.
Our budget amount for 2009 is $42,000.
The M&S Fund is now on Facebook. To find our page type “The Mission and Service Fund” into the Facebook search engine. Happy surfing…
Note from Property & Finance
Our reconciled bank balance as of Oct 30, 2009 was -$7,673 (overdraft).
Notes from Property & Finance
• Our reconciled bank balance as of Sept. 30 2009 was -$11,545.41 (overdraft).
• An energy audit was performed on our manse and our next special project will be a new furnace for the manse.
• All primary committee budget requests are due by Nov. 15 2009.
Church Board Highlights
• On a motion put forward by the Worship and Music Committee, it has been decided that once every six weeks, time will be set aside during the worship service to highlight how the activities of our church committees reflect the vision of our Mission Statement. A different committee will be featured each time. It is our Mission Statement which guides our direction and determines the goals we set as the Body of Christ in this time and place.
• A list for the congregation is being prepared by Property of progressive renovations and building enhancements.
• Manse: A new washer, dryer & stove was placed in the manse and the UCW has purchased a new fridge. The furnace will also be replaced.
• Janitor Doug Trewartha is on a couple of weeks sick leave so Don & Ryan Jewitt are replacing him until he returns.
Sept 2009 Newsletter
The Newsletter will be distributed by email, pickup or mailed out depending how your address has been set up. Please check at the back of the church to see if yours is available. If nothing is there in your name, check your email. Notify the office if you did not receive newsletter. Extras in the coffee area.
You can also download it from the web site on the Home page or by right-clicking HERE.
News from Julia
After 1 September, I will be the minister at Strathroy United Church, 131 Front Street W. Strathroy, Ontario, N7G 1Y8
Welcome to Our New Minister
Leslie Searles is an ordained minister with 9 years experience in Grey County Presbytery, Ontario and Foothills Presbytery, Alberta. She received her Bachelor of Theology at Queen University, Kingston. Creativity has always been a part of her professional life (as she ran her own classical dance school), and spills into her approach to worship and community life. Leslie will bring to Clinton United Church her zeal for the spiritual journey, her dedication to working for the betterment of the world on our doorstep and beyond, and her commitment to the inclusivity of the Gospel. She is thrilled to be joining and living within our community as she loves this region of Ontario and hopes to indulge her love of sailing and horseback riding.
Thanks from Camp Menesetung
Camp Menesetung wishes to thank all of those Pastoral Charges and individuals who worked to clean up the cabins, the buildings and the grounds this spring. The site looks awesome!
Julia becomes Rev. Julia!
On Saturday May 23 at 7:30pm, Julia will be ordained at the Annual Meeting of London Conference during the service of Celebration of Ministry. The service will take place at the Hellenic Centre in Windsor, 1019 Hwy 3. Everyone is most welcome to attend. Contact Ross Carter if you would like to participate in a bus group to attend.
Counselling Available
On Thursday 25 April 2009, David Woodall - a former minister of Ontario Street United Church – was arrested and charged with two counts of Sexual Assault, two counts of sexual exploitation, and one count of sexual interference. Members of the Huron County OPP Criminal Investigation Unit continue to investigate and ask that if anyone has further information to please contact them at 519-524-8314.
This is indeed disturbing news for our congregation. The United Church has arranged counselling through Warren Sheppell (a counselling group) for anyone who would like to talk about this situation. People are encouraged to call Scott Fagan at 1-800-461-9722, extension 5446.
News from the Board
• Having receive a request to do a wedding at the former Wesley-Willis building, the Board reaffirmed the policy made on 14 March 2007 that all weddings and funerals for Clinton United Church take place in our Ontario Street location.
• It was decided that we would collect Loonies for Lent and that the monies raised will go to the Flying Angel’s School to help with their meal program for the children.
• The Worship and Music Committee was asked to look into contingency plans for Sunday worship and pastoral care should our new minister not be in place by 1 July 2009.
• Income for January 2009 was $13,170.14. Expenses for January were $14,361.55
• The Board affirmed its decision in January to have the Ministry and Personnel Committee have oversight of the work of our custodian with Property and Finance to develop the list of custodial duties.
• The chimes from Wesley-Willis have been removed and are now waiting the building of the frame for them to be used at Clinton United.
• The vestry carpet will be removed and replaced with carpet we already have on hand.
• The Transition Committee will be hosting a Lenten Mystery Lunch Theatre on 22 March immediately following worship that day.
• On Easter Sunday, everyone will be encouraged to wear an Easter Bonnet.
• The World Day of Prayer Service will take place at Heartland Community Church this year.
• The Artifacts Committee has recommended that we have better signage for our church building so that people know where rooms and washrooms are located.
• Historic pictures will be hung in the Elevator Room with the vestry to act as the room for holding archival material.
• If anyone has questions about what was decided at the Board meeting, please contact our chair, Ross Carter.
New Committee Volunteers
At the Annual Meeting on Feb. 1, 6 volunteers were nominated to join the following committees.
Chair of Official Board: Ross Carter
Christian Education: June Johns
Ministry & Personnel: Shirley Mills
Mission & Outreach: Chris Guetter
Pastoral Care: Betty Lockhart, Carol Finch
The following people are retiring from church committees:
Steve Hearn, Ron Jewitt, Pat Newington, Linda Dunford, Donna Wood-Parrott, Kay Wise, Nacy Wise, Helen Bartliff, Case Buffinga, June Howse, Ann Lavis. Doug Bartliff will be retiring from the Trustees.
Joint Search Committee Report
The Joint Search Committee had their initial meeting this week.
Members of the committee are:
Chris Beaumont -- Huron-Perth Presbytery Rep
Elizabeth Thorpe-Hearn -- Chairperson
Lori Lear -- Secretary
Don Squires and Nancy Parker
We will meet weekly during the month of January in order to facilitate our mission and will report to the congregation every third week in the bulletin and web site on our progress.
M&S Update
Congratulations! – Thanks to everyone who has donated to the Mission and Service Fund this year. Because of your faithful generosity, we have already reached our goal for this year.
Sanctuary Cross
On behalf of our congregation, Property and Finance committee extends a heartfelt thanks to Gary black and his assistants Merv Kumm, Paul Dockstader & Bob Mann in the construction of the beautiful Cross adorning our sanctuary.
Bicycles for Humanity Fundraiser
Thanks to everyone who donated, assisted and supported the Bicycles for Humanity Fundraiser. We raised $317.00 which will go towards shipping a crate of 400 bicycles to Africa. This is an important means of transportation for children and adults in Africa. Thank you again for contributing to this important cause.
Parlour Fireplace
You may have noticed a new gas fireplace in the parlour. This has been donated by a member of the church and will be dedicated during an upcoming service.
Check out the NEW LIBRARY!
Come check out the NEW LIBRARY – BOOKS FOR ALL AGES! Located across the hall from the Minister's office.
African Education Project Update
The project continues, and donations are sent monthly to Zambia through the use of bank cards. In May, $600 was raised at the church yard sale. The money has gone to off-set the rising cost of grain, so that our little friends continue to be able to eat. Thanks to all who assisted in the yard sale and also to those who attended and purchased some of our "treasures".
Approximately 700 orphans and vulnerable children attend Flying Angels School. Thanks to Canadian donations, the children receive one meal at school each day. Three teen-agers are being sponsored to pursue higher levels of education at another facility. Pastor Benard Sakala and his team of teachers are very grateful for our donations and our interest.
Dr. Brian Kongolo is running the Flying Angels Mobile Clinic with the assistance of three health care workers. This involves a lot of palliative care with HIV/AIDS victims and their families. On the wish list for the clinic is a vehicle so that they can transport the bodies to the morgue in a dignified manner!
The Kondwa Pre-school continues to feed and shelter 90 children each day. Angela Malik, the organizer, has identified a number of young girls who have no family support at all. In the Fall, these children will be housed in a new building, just behind Kondwa, called Seko House (Seko means "hope"). Seko house will provide parenting, food and shelter to these very vulnerable girls.
Plans are coming along for the construction of another primary school, with funding from a Texan group and another from New England. Angela has recently reached an agreement with the Texan group, and hopes to begin construction of a few classrooms in the late Fall. Meanwhile, the empty building lot has been used to grow vegetables to feed the pupils at Kondwa.
We continue to be delighted to receive donations for these projects. If you wish to honor a loved one, or celebrate a birthday or special anniversary, please remember the African Education Project. Donations can be made out to Clinton United Church with "African Project" in the memo line.
"...for whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me". Matt 25. v.40 (NIV)