On Sunday, there are Two Opportunities to Hear Bill Chambre! Worship @ 10 AM and/or Brown Bag Lunch & Learn @ 12. Bill Chambre recently returned to Canada after a 3-month stint as a volunteer in Israel/Palestine doing human rights monitoring through http://www.eappi.org (Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel). With the situation in Israel/Palestine on our hearts/minds, come and hear some of what doesn’t get reported.
What I’m up to this week!
When I think about my work week and what it entails, I try to see whether it fits into the goals of the interim Ministry and/or the Tag Line we developed: United by Faith, Strengthened by Friendship, Building a Community of Love and Justice.
Sometimes my ministry is all about communication, for instance, this week, I have spent some time with the organizers of Christmas Magic, working on a marketing strategy for that. And then developing marketing material for Advent and Christmas; I’ve hope to get the Behavioural Covenant posters hung tomorrow. The intent is to use them at the start of every meeting. I also wrote an anniversary letter which will be distributed at the end of the week.
I spent some time with the members of the UCW, planning our Anniversary Service on November 19th, where we will celebrate their ministry and formally mark the end of it.
I participated in a Stewards Meeting, where we discussed our financial statements, rental update, sanctuary audio-visual project, maintenance items, office computer, development project updates, etc.
The Transition Team is meeting Wednesday evening, where we will review the material from the Listening Circles Presentation, thank you all for your participation on Sunday; I look forward to seeing where it takes us. We will also look at a draft governance model from the team that’s been working on that and a Spirit Given Gifts Inventory. This is a helpful tool when exploring where your gifts can best serve the church.
As always, I ‘tithe’ some time for work in the wider church, on Wednesday, I head to Truro for an afternoon meeting in my role as Treasurer to the Association of United Church Clergy. Part of my responsibility as clergy to take an active role in the ministry of the wider church. On Thursday, I am headed to the Atlantic School of Theology for the installation of the Rev. Dr. Heather McCance as President; she is the first woman president in their history.
Sunday afternoon I’m leading worship at Oakwood Terrace; I do that two or three times a year.
Many phone calls, many emails, many encounters… blessings to all of you.
St. James United Church Dartmouth 