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The following is the Joint Needs Assessment Report:

              Position Description

                                                                                                                     
Profile V

Skills and Knowledge Required of Ministry Personnel                                  

Profile VI

Terms and Conditions                                                                                                                

Recommendations                                                                                                                                

Introduction

The recruitment process was initiated and the Joint Needs Assessment Comrnittee (JNAC) was formed in the late spring of 2009 following Rev. Meg Illman-White's announcement that she had accepted the call to Southminster United Church in Ottawa.

The vision statement in Profile II was determined through written responses to survey questions gathered from congregation members over the summer, and information gathered at a formal workshop session with members of the congregation in September 2009.

Section 052 of the 2007 Manual of the United Church of Canada states that the JNAC is to study and report on the ministry personnel needs of the pastoral charge through an open and participatory process of information gathering and analysis. This process concludes with the adoption of a report to the church council and pastoral charge. This report includes summaries to describe:

1.       the community of the pastoral charge;

2.       the ministry of the pastoral charge;

3.       the resources of the pastoral charge;

4.       the position description;

5.       the skills and knowledge required of ministry personnel; and

6.       the terms that may be offered to implement any recommendations.

Members of the Joint Needs Assessment Committee were:

Lenna Whyte, Chair Bill Thompson Lew Ricker Ellen Huggard Ruth Willms Rick Sylvester Nancy Illman

Rev. Debbie Roi, Presbytery Clergy Ron Roe, Lay Representative - Presbytery

Grace St-Andrew's United Church 269 John Street North, Arnprior, ON, K7S 2P3 phone: 613-623-3176

PROFILE I

Community of Arnprior

Grace-St. Andrew's United Church is located in Arnprior, a pretty little town of 7,200 people, located at the confluence of the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers, at the eastern tip of Renfrew County. Being geographically adjacent to the City of Ottawa affords its residents easy access to outdoor recreational activities, a small-town atmosphere and services, and city attractions within a 45 minute drive.

Arnprior, in its early days a hub of the timber and logging industry, has transitioned to a modern community more reliant now on secondary and tertiary service industries, which employ the greatest percent of the labor force in manufacturing, business and retail trade. While the town provides services to a surrounding rural population of roughly 15,000, many commute daily to work in the City of Ottawa. Further socio-economic analysis is available through the town website at http://www.amprior.ca/pdf/tradearearpt.pdf. The majority are of Scottish, Irish and English descent, from families which settled the area three or more generations ago, with an aging demographic profile. Very few visible minorities are represented within the town's population and the francophone and aboriginal communities are small. Statistics show that the majority of recent immigrants to the area have come from the U.S.A. As a result of the above demographic characteristics, change comes slowly to Arnprior.

Arnprior enjoys a diversity of year-round social, recreational and cultural opportunities for people of all ages. Within the town and surrounding area there is a protected old-growth forest, parks, an indoor municipal swimming pool, ice rinks, a curling rink, organized soccer, baseball, bowling, and hockey leagues, ski hills, golf courses, hunting, fishing, water sports and snowmobiling. There is an amateur theatre group; community choirs and bands; children's dance, music, theatre and art programs; and many local service clubs. Ottawa itself is home to an NHL hockey team as well as the National Arts Centre, National Art Gallery, the Museum of Civilization and the War Museum.

Educational opportunities within the town itself include licensed child care centres, a government subsidized pre-school program, and two public boards of education offering a range of programs from JK through grade 12 including special education, alternate schooling, adult high school and late partial French Immersion. There is a fine public library with area archives and a local museum. The Galilee Retreat Centre offers varied programming year-round. Within an hour's drive, three universities and two community colleges, private schools and an eco-wellness centre can be accessed.

Arnprior has excellent primary health care including resident physicians and dentists, access to 24 hour emergency care, a wide range of diagnostics and therapeutics, and outpatient clinics offering services from visiting medical specialists. Secondary and tertiary care are provided at the Queensway-Carleton and the Ottawa hospitals, respectively. The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario offers specialized paediatric care. Facilities for seniors include long term care at the Grove and the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital, retirement living at the Villa and Island View Suites, and an organized support system through Seniors at Home. Arnprior is home to a L'Arche community as well as to assisted community living.

OUR STRENGTHS

Our unique ministry:  

Grace-St. Andrew's United Church values the leadership of our youth in worship, is welcoming to the L'Arche community and is developing handbell and chime choirs.

Ministry of the Pastoral Charge

Amprior is home to a dozen Christian congregations besides Grace-St. Andrew's, including a Roman Catholic church, a Pentecostal and two other charismatic congregations, three Baptist, a Presbyterian, an Anglican, a Lutheran and a Wesleyan church. The largest of these is that of St. John's Chrysostom Roman Catholic church. Member churches form an active local ministerial association which meets regularly. Its members co-operate in sharing facilities, support and staffing of community programs such as the Food Bank, NeighbourLink and the Christmas party for families with low income, as well as promoting opportunities for interfaith dialogue with churches in the City of Ottawa. Recently, an open drop-in centre sponsored by NeighbourLink began, called "The Fountain". It provides child supervision while adult members of the community gather to enjoy activities and participate in practical life-skills workshops four days a week. Grace-St. Andrew's Christian Education Centre is used by community groups during the week and opportunities exist for further community involvement. There are seven other United Church congregations within a few minutes' drive of Grace-St. Andrew's.

Our Christian Education Centre has always been a busy place. In addition to church-sponsored events, this facility was used by a co-op nursery that ran three days a week. There was a TOPS program for years and Family Focus was housed there as well as an exercise class and an A.A. Group. There were also church dinners catered by the U.C.W. Currently, it continues to be used for church-sponsored dinners and events. The Christmas party for low income families takes place there. The amateur theatre company, an exercise class and the Quilters Guild use the building. The Brownies, Sparks and Girl Guides have used it for many years, as has the town-run camp each summer. Various seniors groups book events there, for whom the U.C.W. usually caters.

Outreach needs which are not being fulfilled at present and ongoing community challenges include programs and services targeting the significant percentage of families in the area which are living below the poverty line, the underemployed, battered women and their children, school children who are being bullied, the gay community, visible minorities and our aboriginal and francophone communities.

A community need for the availability of church services outside of the traditional Sunday morning service has been expressed. Ways to attract young families in the community to our congregation need to be considered, as does an improved and increased use of Grace-St. Andrews' present properties. There is a need as well for projects and activities which would foster a greater sense of community togetherness on a larger scale.

Our Church Family

The church family of Grace - St. Andrew's United Church draws from Arnprior and its surrounding rural area, including individuals from diverse theological backgrounds who have chosen to worship in Arnprior's United Church. Our congregation at present is shrinking, due to an aging demography and to attrition through the transient nature of the work force in the area. The congregation in 2009 has fewer families with small children than it has had in the recent past. The number of households under our pastoral care, as per the annual statistics published by Presbytery, is approximately two hundred and three (203) families. This is based on the number of active, contributing members and adherents: fifty three (53) families on PAR + one hundred and thirty one (131) members receiving envelopes + approximately nineteen (19) families who contribute casually and are on our official roll. Not all families which are considered to be under our pastoral care contribute or attend, but they still feel some ties to Grace - St. Andrew's and we respond to their needs when asked. They have not been included in the above count. Attendance on an average Sunday is approximately 80- 100 people, including roughly ten (10) members of Arnprior's L'Arche community. There are also concerns that, with fewer members taking an active role on committees, there is a possibility of burn-out or disillusionment. As a pastoral charge, we are friendly, welcoming and caring, and value the gifts and talents of our members. With a diversity of theological beliefs, we are open to God's ongoing vision and our community involvement with NeighbourLink.  

At the turn of the millennium, there was an expectation that completion of the four-lane highway from Ottawa would bring about significant growth of the community. However, it seems not to have had a noticeable impact upon either the town's population or the number of adherents here at Grace - St. Andrew's.  

Grace - St. Andrew's United Church functions under a church council system, with representatives from each committee sitting on council. Council is composed of the chairperson, secretary and a representative from each committee: Ministry and Personnel, Finance/Stewardship, Worship, Christian Education, Congregational Life, Property/Manse, Strategic Planning, as well as representatives from the United Church Women, Presbytery, and the Trustees.  

Committees hold regular meetings and report back to Church Council. Council meets four times a year or at the call of the chair, as needed.  

We hold our Annual Congregational meeting in early February of each year, at which time an annual report containing reports from all the committees is presented to the congregation for its information and approval.  

In January, 2009, we held a five week stewardship campaign, our first in over 25 years. We hope to make this an annual event.

Stories from our Congregation: who we are and what we do

First and foremost, Grace St. Andrews is a community, the body of Christ in today's world. Judith Sandles feels that we are a community, a family in which some members subscribe to the traditional theology and others prefer a more modern theology. However, all are needed as each brings unique gifts to share with the body.

We are privileged, because of the hard work of many of our devoted ancestors, to be able to worship in a beautiful stone church, where people are made welcome as they come through the door. We have welcomed the L'Arche Community into our services since they first moved here to Arnprior. Maggie Sylvester says that when she and Rick first came here that they were made to feel so welcome, that that is why they kept corning back. Millie Macklem says that when she goes to church, goes in and sits down, she is happy, just happy to be there. Marg Farmer says that Grace St. Andrews is a special place of worship, with its beautiful stained glass windows, the music from the grand piano, and the Casavant organ. She says that for her, Grace St. Andrews has a host of pleasant memories: the sanctuary's peaceful beauty, a congregation that she looks forward to seeing each Sunday, the divine music and leaders whom we've come to rely on for spiritual guidance.

We have blended worship, with a diversity of musical selections sung by the choir, some soloists, and the congregation. We also have a bell choir, and some of our services are youth led. Sometimes some of our services do not go as planned, however. Marg Kemsley says that the Christmas eve service in 2007 was one of those times. The 9 p.m. service was just about to start when Lenna and Randy, arriving after a six hour drive, were met by Gail Grail as they entered. Gail asked Lenna to sing her solo: Lenna declined, wanting to know what was wrong with Gail. Gail informed her that there was a bat flying all over the church. So Lenna told Gail to sing, and that she would stand behind her with a tennis racquet and watch the bat. Gail replied that that would make things worse. Meanwhile, Randy kept his eye on the bat's flight. Then suddenly, he grabbed a lady's shawl, and with one swoop as the bat passed, caught it. Lois, at the organ, played the theme song from Batman, and the congregation cheered and clapped. Then, with great composure, Rev. Meg welcomed the congregation, and Lois and the choir led us in song. Gall, with great aplomb, sang her solo like an angel.  

In the absence of a formal pastoral care team, we have an informal network that visits people in hospital and at home to some extent. Sara Rothermel says that, while she had never been visited by the minister, two ladies from the U.C.W. visit on a regular basis. She has really appreciated their visits, and the Easter basket that they bring each year. Lenna Whyte says that Unit 5 is the catering unit of the U.C.W., and that they do a lot of projects which help earn money for the church. The Congregational Life Committee has someone who sends cards out: thinking of you cards, bereavement cards, get well cards.  

Marg Eddy says that Grace St. Andrews has exposed her to the NeighbourLink ministry, which is now a special part of her life. She says that NeighbourLink allows many volunteers a chance to show God's love in very concrete ways. NeighbourLink is an ecumenical project by several Arnprior churches which tries to fill in the gaps in the social service system for low income persons. She also loves the special mission work done by the church youth such as the water project, Tshofelong, and the You to Youth project to raise money for children in Africa who have AIDS. She enjoys being part of the annual Christmas Party for low income families that the church has sponsored for the last five years. She says that these projects have helped her to show God's love to many people whom she would not normally meet, as well as to others whom she does know.

In summary, we are the people of God: an active, vibrant, living entity trying our best to live out the life of Jesus incarnate in today's world.

PROFILE III

Resources of Grace - St. Andrew's United Church Buildings

Manse

The manse is a century-old stone house situated at 24 Ottawa Street next to the church. It has five bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a large kitchen, living room, dining room and a sitting room. The house is heated with a forced air gas furnace. The basement under the front of the house has an old concrete floor and the separate basement under the kitchen has a dirt floor. At the present time the manse is being rented. In lieu of using the manse, which was inspected and approved by the Presbytery Manse Committee in December 2009, a housing allowance of $1100.00 per month would be offered. This figure is based on estimates given to us by three (3) local real estate agencies of the rental costs of a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, manse-quality home in Arnprior. This amount was approved by Presbytery when they approved our call for Rev. Camille Lipsett, of Ottawa, for a one year supply term beginning in September, 2009. We feel that this is an appropriate housing allowance to include with our JNAC report, as Presbytery has previously approved it.

Church

The Church building, originally St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, was built in 1890. It became Grace -St. Andrew's United Church when the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches were amalgamated in 1925. A lift was installed in 2006 to provide accessibility to the main sanctuary and the offices and parlour in the lower area. The sanctuary has a high ceiling, a balcony and beautiful stained glass windows. Seating is provided on wooden pews for up to 280 people including 60 in the balcony. A pew has been removed near the right front of the sanctuary to provide wheelchair access. In 2009 the choir loft was changed from pews on three levels to one level with chairs to make it a multi-functional area at the front left of the sanctuary. The church is heated by a forced air gas furnace.  

Music is provided by a Casavant organ with carillon and a small Yamaha grand piano. There is also a three-octave set of hand bells, a two-octave set of chimes and a selection of rhythm instruments, including a 12" Djembe drum and an 18" African drum. Our present music director also uses an electronic keyboard. The services are recorded for both sound and video as well as for Cogeco cable television. Professional choirs have stated that the sanctuary's acoustics are excellent.  

Audio-visual equipment includes Boese speakers and smaller "under balcony" speakers, graphic equalizer, DVD recorder, VHS recorder, amplifier, monitor, 3 remote wireless Lavalee lapel microphones, 1 hand held wireless microphone, 4 "hard wire" microphones (2 Baringer), 4 microphone stands, 1 freestanding hard-wired monitor/player, 1 keyboard/electronic plug-in, 2 "Rona-style" Industrial lights" flood lights, l"can" spot light from balcony, 1 VHS camera/recorder, 1 Digital camcorder for visual feed to DVD, 1 tripod for camera mounting, FM Local broadcast 88.1, non licensed, broadcasting up to 1 kilometre radius, used for the hearing impaired, a small screen for overhead projection and an overhead projector.  

It has been recognized that the lighting in the sanctuary needs improvement, including additional electrical wiring to support both lighting and audio-visual requirements. These upgrades are to be addressed at an estimated cost of $25,000. A larger "daylight" projection screen is required to one side at the front of the church to accommodate electronic and digital presentations: an 8' x 8' or 10' x 10' screen would cost about $1,500. For power point presentations, a laptop computer with remote, at approximately $1000, and a PC projector of 600 -1000 watt Lumins with remote, another $1000, are required. Auxiliary lighting with filters, to replace the industrial lights presently in use, are needed for darkened recordings. Attic insulation improvements are also required.  

There are three offices in the lower area - one used by the minister, one by the administrative assistant and one that is presently unassigned. Office equipment includes a Dell Dimension 8100 computer, a Brother HL 1020 Laser Printer, a Canon Image Runner 3300 (leased) copier, a Sharp VX-510 Fax, and a Canon P23-DHV calculator. There is a Sunday school room and a room for a nursery. The Douglas lounge is a parlour/meeting room beside a small kitchenette. The downstairs has two washrooms, one of which is wheelchair accessible. There is an office for the music director located on the upper level behind the sanctuary.

Christian Education Centre (CEC)

The CEC was originally the Wesleyan Methodist Church, built around 1890, until the United Church amalgamation in 1925. The CEC.is separated from the church by our parking lot and a private residence. A lift was installed in 2006 to provide accessibility to the upper and lower levels. The upper level consists of an auditorium with an elevated stage at one end. Seating is provided by stackable chairs, and tables are stored under the stage. This area can seat 400 people for meetings and presentations, and 200 for meals.  

A large kitchen and serving area/anteroom is located at the other end. The kitchen has a commercial dishwasher. A piano is located in the anteroom. There is also a fully accessible washroom beside the kitchen.  

The downstairs area has five meeting rooms which can be used for Sunday school and youth groups. There are also storage areas, a utility/furnace room and two washrooms.  

There are two structural issues with the building that have been identified. Cost estimates are in the $200,000 range. The four brick turrets on the bell tower are in poor condition. Proposed repairs include reducing the height of the tower and rebuilding the turrets to a lower height than they are now. Also, the two steel tie-bars that provide lateral bracing for the two longer outside walls are considered inadequate: new ones are required.

People

In addition to ministerial staff, there are three other paid part-time staff members at Graee-St. Andrew's: the Administrative Assistant, the Director of Music and the Custodian. Their job descriptions, along with the manner in which these intersect the job description of ministry personnel, follow on pages 11-14.  

Lay involvement in the life of the church includes the following:

•   church council along with it standing committees: Ministry and Personnel, Worship, Congregational Life, Christian Education, Finance/Stewardship, Trustees, Property/Manse, Strategic Planning, and Presbytery representatives

•   two units of United Church Women, which are very active, catering both for church functions and community requests

•   childrens' worship leaders

•   ushering teams

•   NeighbourLink ministry volunteers, both office support and field workers

•   prayer chain group

•   office supply volunteers

•   lay leaders, one of whom is licensed with other volunteers being involved in worship leadership

•   volunteer musicians for supply needs, and providing special music during services

•   area contact volunteers

•   pastoral care teams and visitation teams are being established

 It is hoped that an intentional increase in lay involvement in the pastoral care and outreach portions of the full-time ministerial position's description would permit ministry personnel to concentrate on the other priorities set out in the position description which follows.

 We also have the opportunity to engage in the United Church of Canada student internship program, as we did in 2008/2009, another way to augment the efficacy of the ministry personnel.

•      submits any needs to administrative assistant, to be passed on to custodian, including dates and times ministerial office may be in use for counselling or private meetings, to avoid interruptions

•      reports any areas that need attention to either the administrative assistant or custodian

•      is considerate when making any "additional" requests over and above the custodian's regular job description

Finances

The Finance Committee's five year projection is based on the expectation that the 2009 budget can be maintained. The success of this projection is dependent upon two factors:

1.    that attendance remains the same or increases; and

2.    that donations remain the same or increase.

Historically, Grace-St. Andrew's United Church is a congregation that has met its budget requirements and financial commitments. We have an operating account line of credit of $50,000, which we have had to access in the immediate past on a regular basis.

The Story of the Money We Spend for Ministry

In 2009, we want to invest $239,841 in

Worship                                   $121,266

Each week our lives are enriched through meaningful worship. Our minister(s), organist, and choir director prepare and lead us in Sunday worship, as well as in special worship services throughout the year.

Christian Development                                                  $42,144

Children, teens, and adults benefit from educational opportunities, our church provides.

Pastoral Care                                                                      $33,764

Our minister(s) and many volunteers care for the members of our congregation and community in times of sorrow and celebration. Hospitality is important, too!

Mission and Service and Outreach                          $42,667

We have a long tradition of supporting the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada, which allows us to participate in God's work across Canada and around the world in partnership with others.

We raise other funds for other local outreach projects throughout the year—projects that are not budgeted.

SECTION 2: Ministry Personnel Descriptions 

PROFILE IV 

Position Description

Full-time Ordained Minister

The goals of the full-time ordained minister of Grace-St. Andrew's United Church must be in line with the congregation's vision statement as outlined in Profile II of this report. It will be part of the minister's responsibility to assist in the fulfillment of our vision as well as providing leadership in its ongoing development. The following position description has been organized into live areas of responsibility:

Worship:      25%

• work in conjunction with the Worship Committee and music director, including long range planning, to:

-  plan and present weekly order of service for worship

-  plan and present special seasonal worship services (Christmas, Easter)

• continue our tradition of lively and spirit filled worship, rooted in our Biblical story

• continue to develop a reflective and meditative time within the worship service

• continue to engage children and youth in worship, including youth-led worship services

• continue to develop 'blended' worship services including a wide range of old and new traditions and styles to provide variety and flexibility

• encourage the development of our adult, children and bell choirs so that we can continue to enjoy and participate in a diverse musical repertoire

• investigate and explore other types of worship experiences in addition to regular Sunday morning worship services

• provide opportunities for administering the sacraments of holy communion and baptism

• preside over weddings and funerals as requested

• oversee membership in our congregation through confirmations and transfers

• empower and enable lay leaders to take part in the worship services, providing training where necessary for their development

• support student internship programs as applicable

Christian Education:                   20%

Work in conjunction with the Christian Education Committee to:

• encourage the engagement of our children and youth in the whole life of the congregation by supporting the various youth and children's church school programs through advisory or active involvement

• facilitate, encourage and/or develop small groups (inquiry, men's, couples, Bible study, book study, women's retreats) with caring, sharing and socializing opportunities

• continue to empower and enable lay leadership in areas of spiritual growth

•  continue the development and training of an intentional pastoral care team

•  continue the development and training of a members' visitation team

•  support and encourage the continuation of the prayer chain

•  support our vision of being a congregation that deeply cares about its members by:

                                - developing a regular visitation program by the minister, supported by the pastoral care team and the                                       visitation team, to those  in hospital, shut-ins and inactive members

- continue to develop a strong grief support program

-  develop a more intentional welcoming system for new families and individuals 

Community Outreach:       15%

Work in conjunction with the Congregational Life Committee to:

•  support, encourage and empower lay members in the various ongoing outreach ministries already in existence

•  encourage congregational support of the Mission and Service Fund

-  Minutes for Mission during worship services

-  special Mission and Service Sundays

• be aware of our community outreach projects and programs and be alert to any needs within our community, nation and world, keeping the membership informed

Administration:      15%

•  work as a team member in conjunction with other paid staff members and with established committees

•  be aware of the job descriptions of other staff members

- work with them to enable them to complete their tasks and fulfill their duties

•  provide the administrative assistant with the order of worship for all services no later than Wednesday noon for typing and copying for the Sunday bulletin

•  provide the music director with all pertinent musical needs for Sunday services no later than Wednesday noon in preparation for choir practices and Sunday services

•  keep up to date with all required forms and documents related to church records (marriages, baptisms, transfer certificates) which the administrative assistant prepares for signatures

•  be an active participant on church council, lead a short devotion and present the minister's report

•  be an ex-officio member of all committees in an advisor}' capacity or active role as required, with the exception of the Ministry and Personnel Committee

•  be an active member of the worship committee and an advisor or active member of the Christian Education Committee when needed

•  support student internship programs approved by council

•  organize and /or present training sessions for lay leadership as required

•  enable members of the faith community to acknowledge and exercise their gifts

•  attend Presbytery and Conference meetings

•  participate in the local ministerial association, supporting and promoting interdenominational projects and events

•  organize and lead a weekly staff meeting including all other staff members

Ministry personnel are accountable to Grace-St. Andrew's church council through the Ministry and Personnel Committee, and to Renfrew Presbytery as well as the Bay of Quinte Conference.

PROFILE V

Skills and Knowledge Required of Ministry Personnel

In Profile II of this report, our vision statement, strengths and opportunities were presented, along with ways in which ministry personnel can help to fulfill this vision. It is noted in our "opportunities" that there are a number of priorities which we would wish to focus on in reaching our goals in the five areas identified. We would expect our minister to focus on these priorities, thereby helping us to meet our goals.

In summary, our priorities are:

•   visitation

•   intentional welcoming

•   lay leadership: empowerment and training

•   inclusivity: that church-related events and opportunities be inclusive of all ages, minorities and socio-economic levels. Please note that Grace-St. Andrew's is not at present an affirming congregation.

•   communication with the membership via e-mail, phone and mail

•   reflective and meditative time in worship

•   balanced, blended worship

•   alternative worship times and styles

•   small group opportunities in a variety of areas

•   outreach: develop an awareness of needs and encourage action

•   use of gifts: opportunities for the people of God to use and share their time and talents

Below is the skill-set required of the minister to address these priorities in the five identified areas: Visitation

-  is comfortable visiting all members of the congregation, making this a regular scheduling priority

-  has an outgoing personality

-  works in conjunction with pastoral care team and visiting teams

-  does follow-up after baptisms and funerals, implementing a strong grief support program

-  develops an intentional welcoming system for new families & individuals

Delegation

- helps to empower and equip lay people within the congregation who can serve in assistance to the minister, supporting our vision of deep care for one another and utilizing our spiritual gifts:

•   pastoral care

•   visitation

•   leadership roles (youth, children, adult learning groups)

Support and Encouragement

- facilitates:

•   lay members working with youth, children and adult groups

•   committees working on specific projects

•   small groups, developing their spiritual growth

•   social functions within the church community In support of our vision of utilizing the gifts of our members

Organization

-  maintains an organized work space and calendar of daily events

-  prepares effectively for daily tasks

-  delegates well, and accepts assistance from others

Time Management

- develops long-term plans for the year's regular worship sen-ices and special services in conjunction with worship committee and music director

- prepares balanced Sunday worship services

- starts and ends worship services in a timely fashion

- maintains a healthy balance in areas of job priorities and personal commitments Group Dynamics

-  is a member of the church staff team, and considers all members to be equal partners

-  is respectful of other staff members' time and duties

-  works with the Worship Committee, Christian Education Committee and music director in preparation for worship programming

-  is open to suggestions and new ideas

- is comfortable playing a supportive role to others in leadership Communication

-  promotes and initiates regular staff meetings to maintain good communication in all areas involving church staff

-  encourages direct problem-solving communication

-  refers issues to appropriate person or group

-  participates in and is aware of activities associated with various church standing committees

Spiritually Based Preaching

- ties biblical teaching to life today, in the continual development of our vision for spiritual growth for all ages

                    Profile VI

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Grace St. Andrew's United Church complies with the United Church of Canada's Minimum Salary and Allowances for Ministry Personnel, offering the following terms:

•      a salary which exceeds the minimum standard for all salary categories by 10%

•      a 5 bedroom manse or appropriate housing allowance

•      continuing education and learning resources allowance of $1500.00

•      minimum study leave of three weeks (21 days), including 5 Sundays

•      basic telephone for manse or home

•      automobile travel reimbursement at the going rate, set at $0.41 per kilometre for 2010

•      moving costs and reasonable expenditures incurred for travel, lodging and food while en route to Arnprior

•      additional compensation including:

-  secretarial services up to 20 hours per week

-  pension and group insurance payment

-  vacation of one month, including 5 Sundays

-  internet accessibility in the church building

-  private minister's phone line, in the church building

• sabbatical leave is acknowledged in accordance with the policy of the United Church of

Canada

Recommendations

The JNAC of September 2000 requested an increase to 1.5 full time positions in an attempt to encourage growth within our church family and to provide for expansion in our style, types and frequency of services. This was a new experience for us as, up to this point, we had always employed 1.0 ministry personnel, with the exception of one term with a resident Deaconess. After five (5) years of dual leadership, Rev. David Illman-White resigned from the 0.5 ministerial position due to personal and professional concerns. An attempt by a JNAC team to investigate the continued need for this position faltered and we continued on with only our one full time minister, until Rev. Meg Illman-White accepted a new call in March of 2009.

During the time when we had 1.5 full time ministers some growth was apparent, especially in the youth and children's worship area and some new families were added to our numbers. However, over the past three years, we have noticed a decline in attendance by families with young children. An active pastoral care team which had been led by lay member of the church ceased to operate when its leadership was taken over by the ministerial staff. Visitation was not accorded as high a priority as it was apparent given the information gathered by the JNAC team of November 2009 that our members wanted and needed. With an aging congregational membership, a shrinking United Church of Canada membership and adherent base, a declining financial base and a declining number of young families, our church council and congregation recognizes the financial liability and costs of 1.5 ministerial staff, at this time. They approved the JNAC recommendation for 1.0 full time ministerial staffing as a sound, and financially viable way to proceed. We are blessed with an active volunteer base; a capable and organized church council and committee structure and an involved, supportive congregation. We are financially viable and fiscally responsible, but recognized that having 1.5 full time ministerial staff was straining our financial viability. Our last few annual reports have addressed the call, the number of ministers, and our finances, and the congregation members are informed supporters and are aware of the decision to change our call back to ONE full time minister, at this time.

The JNAC recommends that the Search Committee advertise for and interview ministry personnel candidates who are Ordained Ministers to fill this 1.0 full time position.

The JNAC recommends that the Ministry personnel candidate called by the Search Committee possess the skills outlined in Profile V, as well as the desire to advance our vision (Profile II) and to work to achieve our identified priorities.