Rideau Park United Church - Council Updates

At Council’s meeting on June 16th we received an update from Stewards regarding our financial position, which is similar to what it was last year. Stewards will continue to keep the congregation informed.

Trustees reported that the probate of the Hancock Estate is moving forward. When the funds are received they will be placed in the Endowment Fund.

Rideau Park will be hosting Presbytery on October 12th.

Council also approved sharing our 11:15 Sunday service with Emmanuel United Church, staring in September. They are currently moving their worship and programs over to St. Aidan’s Anglican Church where they will worship during the summer.

On September 12th they will begin worshipping at 11:15 at Rideau Park, until the end of November when they hope to be back in their building. Their office and all their programmes will continue at St. Aidan’s. We did meet with Rideau Park members who attend the 11:15 service and they were in agreement that Emmanuel worship with them.

Steve and Elizabeth will participate in the service with Emmanuel’s minister, Peter Lougheed. Our members will receive the RPUC Sunday bulletin each week. Worship details have not been worked out but there may be some sharing of preachers and music.

On September 12th, our service will start at 9:30 a.m. followed by the picnic, so that Emmanuel may join us for a time of fellowship, then hold their service at 11:15. They will also host their own fellowship time after 11:15 services.

We will keep you advised during the summer as things progress. Most importantly, we welcome Emmanuel’s congregation here and hope their time with us will be blessed and happy.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Chair, Marilyn Law or the Vice-Chair Wayne Bond. Council’s next meeting will be on September 15th at 7:30 p.m.

Council Update: April 21, 2010 (Report revised May 14)

Council approved the sabbatical leave for Rev. Elizabeth Bryce from July 1 to September 30, 2011 to include her annual leave, on the recommendation of the Ministry and Personnel Committee. This is in accordance with the United Church policies and procedure. The M & P Committee will prepare a plan to cover Elizabeth’s responsibilities during her absence.

Council accepted the recommendation of the Trustees that an Endowment Fund be set up to provide prudent management and investment of unrestricted gifts and bequests. The investment earnings are to be used to further ministry and programs of the church as determined by Council. The Fund will be managed by the Trustees.

Stewards reported that they will be more diligent in keeping the congregation informed throughout the year regarding Rideau Park’s financial status. Stewards will also be looking at fund raising, privacy issues, security of information collected and drafting fundraising guidelines.

The Administration Committee is updating and expanding the congregational e-mail list. The Session will assist by conducting a congregational survey at the upcoming Elder visits.

The Communication Task Group, among other actions, has distributed a communications check list and media contact list to congregational communicators, advertised church events in EMC, Ottawa South and the Citizen “Our Town”, set up a writers group to draft articles for VISTA, introduced a Twitter platform and as well has been instrumental in having a Live-Feed of the 9:30 Sunday morning service made available via the Internet.

The Congregational Development Task Group is beginning its work under Greig Scott and was granted $1,000.00 from the Foundation to fund research and update the Environics Survey on the demographics of the congregational service area.

The next Council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Marilyn Law, Chair of Council, Wayne Bond, Vice-Chair or Sandra Weedmark, Member at Large.

Council Update: January 20, 2010

A note of thanks was received from Ben Lim a member of our youth group who received a grant of $1,000.00 from the Rideau Park Foundation Fund to assist in his work with aboriginals in James Bay.

A letter from the Heron Road Emergency Food Bank was received thanking Rideau Park Church for their assistance in 2009, by providing food and cash donations.

Session presented the final design of the Stained Glass window which will be installed in the Chapel. It is hoped that the dedication of the window will take place on Father’s Day.

Stewards presented an overview of the 2009 year end financial situation which included a small but manageable deficit. They also presented the 2010 budget for approval to take to the Congregational meeting on February 7th. The Property Committee presented a plan for 2010 projects, which was included in the 2010 budget package.

UCW reported that a Fellowship Day will be held at Rideau Park on Monday, February 15, 2010.

Presbytery is looking for local churches to host their fall meetings. Rideau Park will offer to host a dinner in September.

The Communications Task Group continues to move along by submitting ads and articles on church events to local papers. The Task Group is also recruiting “reporters” to write articles. A set of communication initiatives for 2010 was presented to Council. Research on improvement/replacement of the outdoor sign will be started with the Property Committee.

Greig Scott has agreed to lead the Congregational Task Group. Draft guidelines for the Task Group will be presented at the next Council meeting.

Council will meet next on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Marilyn Law, Chair of Council, Wayne Bond, Vice Chair, or Sandra Weedmark, Member at Large.