HANDBOOK FOR WORSHIP ASSISTANT DUTIES

 

PREPARATION OF WORSHIP SERVICE

 

Contact the Guest Worship Leader at least 4 weeks before they are to be here.

Then, proceed through the following and check off each item as it is completed.

 

·        Confirm the date they are to be here and the time our service begins.

 

·        Ask that they get there by 9:15 a.m. to get settled in.

 

·        Ask if they know the church location and if they have their own transportation. 

 

·        Tell them they have use of the minister’s parking space. 

 

·        Confirm the amount of the honorarium for GWL, get the correct spelling of their name, as we want to have a cheque ready for them after the service. 

 

·        Give the suggested Sunday theme and lectionary (see below) bible readings for the Sunday they will be leading us.  Refer to your Worship Assistants sheet for that information.

 

·        Advise the GWL that we prefer to have one or two of the lectionary readings read during the service and that we are not accustomed to hearing all four readings.  Generally, we only read the scripture that the sermon is based on. 

 

·        Let the GWL know they may preach on whatever bible scripture they choose if they do not wish to follow the lectionary, and that they may choose the theme as it speaks to them. 

(The lectionary is a predetermined set of readings from the Bible based on a 3 year cycle, called years A, B and C.  We are currently in Year B.  Most mainline churches follow the lectionary as it lays out the life and ministry of Jesus in an orderly fashion which covers all the important points over the 3 year cycle.  The lectionary also harmonizes the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Old Testament, a Psalm and an Epistle reading with the reading from the Christian Scripture, also known as the New Testament.)

·        Ask if they need sermon and liturgy resources. (The liturgy is the order of service and its content, including words to prayers).  Arrange to have Lynda email or snail mail the appropriate exegetical resources to them.  (Exegetical resources:  sources which relate to the study and interpretation of texts, especially religious writings, meant to explain and/or comment on them). 

 

·        Let them know we have books that they may borrow from our church library and my office.  These books must be signed out.   Tony Richmond can also email something from a website called SermonWriter that he subscribes to.

·        Let the GWL know that it is our custom to pray for people who have asked to be on the prayer list and that we will have that prayer list for them on Sunday morning.  Forewarn them it usually contains about 20 names.  Let them know that Betty Robertson will speak to them just before the service begins to go over the prayer list with them.

·        Tell the GWL that you will have Lynda Coote, our Administrator, email a copy of our bulletin template to them to complete and email along a previous bulletin as a guide.  Tell the GWL know they are responsible for the content of the bulletin:  the GWL provides the words for the Call to Gather in God’s Love and the Prayer for Grace.  They also advise what the Scripture reading(s) and hymns will be. (Regarding music, see Hymns and Music below.)

·        Ask them to email the completed bulletin to our Administrator, Lynda Coote at coote@telus.net and gibsonsunited.ca.

·        Advise the GWL that the Administrator needs the prayer words and reading information by the Wednesday before their allotted Sunday at the latest.

·        Ask if the GWL plans to do a Children’s Time.  We have books of Children’s Sermons in the church office if they are interested.  If so, let the GWL know that we sometimes have children in the service although it is difficult to know how many will come and what ages they will be.  If they plan to do a Children’s Time (also known as Time With the Young and Young at Heart), please let Lynda know so she can include it in the bulletin.  Likewise, if there will be no Children’s Time, please let Lynda know.

·        Let the GWL know that they may ask someone else to do the Children’s Time, but that it will be up to the GWL to find and speak to that person about it.  You may suggest Sandy Wrightman as she has offered to do this 886-2908.

·        Ask the GWL to contact the Music Co-ordinator, Mary Bittroff at 740-8123, electa@telus.net.  Our substitute is Kelly Smit at 886-3885, eksmit@telus.net.If there is a Guest Music Leader please be sure the GWL has their contact information.  (It is the Music Co-ordinator’s responsibility to find a replacement for herself if she is not able to do the music for the service. 

·        Tell the GWL that they may choose the hymns themselves, or they may choose them in consultation with the Music Co-ordinator, or have the Music Co-ordinator choose them, and to let the Music Co-ordinator know what their preference is.

·        Let the GWL know that, as there is generally no choir practice in the summer, it might be best to choose hymns that are relatively well known or easy to learn.  However, if they would like to teach the congregation a new or challenging hymn we are open to that, and ask that they let the Music Co-ordinator know what they plan to do.

 

·        Let the GWL know that we do most of our singing at the beginning of the service and refer them to the Template Bulletin.  They may consult with the Music Co-ordinator if they wish to alter that format.

 

·        Tell the GWL that it might be possible for the Music Co-ordinator to bring in other musicians or soloists and may do so.

 

·        Tell the GWL that we have a travelling microphone that needs to be attached to something like a belt or a waistband.

 

·        Let the GWL know that we have Powerpoint  and that they can ask the Administrator to add information on the Powerpoint (ppt) slides, or that they can suggest certain kinds of images they would like to have to complement the theme.  The GWL must contact Lynda Coote directly to discuss all Powerpoint content at coote@telus.net or gibsonsunited.ca or 886-2333.  Please do not suggest they call Lynda at home.

 

·        Tell them they may create their own presentation and bring it on a DVD to be inserted on the church Dell computer for the service.  (see Technical Support below).

 

·        Let the GWL know that we have someone designated to set up the PowerPoint and to move the slides along during the service.  Only these trained personnel are to touch the projector, please!

 

·        Ask what lay participation the GWL would like.  Would they like a lay reader to lead the Call to Gather and the Prayer for Grace, as is our custom?  Or, would they prefer to lead that and have someone read the scripture.

·        Ask the GWL if they have any questions or requests.  Respond as you are able or find out the answer and get back to them asap.

 

After you have spoken with the GWL and confirmed the date and spelling of their name, please contact the church treasurer, Ted Adnitt, and provide him with a cheque requisition (handwritten or email request for the required amount and the correct spelling of the Payee).  Ted’s email is creekertwo@dccnet.com.  You may leave a handwritten note in his mailbox at the church.

 

Lynda,

You might also put this information in a format which can be emailed to our GWLs for them to go through with a heading like Helpful Information for our Guest Worship Leaders.  It would be nice then if the Worship Assistant followed up with a phone call and asked the GWL if they have any questions about the info we sent.

 

Sandy has asked that we create a check list that can be held separately from these papers so the Worship Assistant can check off items as they are done and not mark up this doc.

Thanks!


UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

GIBSONS UNITED CHURCH

724 Trueman Road, Gibsons, B.C., V0N 1V8

Tel: (604) 886-2333; Fax: (604) 886-2344; www.gibsonunitedchurch.ca

gibsonsunited@dccnet.com or terri@gibsonsunitedchurch.ca

Month 10, 2009

Our Guest Worship Leader is ________________________

Worship theme:

 

A SPECIAL WELCOME TO ALL WHO ARE WORSHIPPING

WITH US FOR THE FIRST TIME!

We hope you sense God’s presence at work in the worship and life of our church. Thank you for joining us and may God touch your heart today.

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS & CELEBRATIONS

HYMNS     (Please remain seated)

                Voices United #

                Voices United #

                Voices United #

 

TIME WITH THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART

CHILDREN’S SONG

                Voices United #

 

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

ONE:            We light the Christ candle to remind us that Jesus’ light is within us

ALL:              We gather to give thanks for God’s Divine Light.

 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

CALL TO GATHER

ONE:  

           

ALL:  

           

           

ONE:  

 

ALL:  

           

               

WE PRAY FOR GOD’S GRACE

 

SCRIPTURE AND SERMON REFLECTIONS

 

MUSIC FOR MEDITATION

 

OFFERTORY HYMN

Voices United #

(Please remain seated during the singing of this hymn)

 

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

BENEDICTION

                “Let There Be Peace”

 

Please join us again next week! But before that join us

now for refreshments in the church hall!


 

SUNDAY MORNING CHECK LIST          

 

_______Unlock the doors, put out the disabled parking sign.

_______Turn on the lights in the sanctuary.  Please leave the top left light switch off – this allows for improved PowerPoint viewing on the wall.  Check that the ceiling fan is on low – it accelerates candle consumption otherwise.

_______Do a walkabout of the sanctuary and make sure it is tidy and that everything is in its right place.

_______Distribute the bulletins (found in the church office) leaving 10 in the Fellowship Room for the choir (if there is a choir), one in the minister’s office, one on the lectern, one on the piano, a few on the first row of chairs near the breezeway door for the people coming in from the kitchen, with the remainder going in the narthex for the Greeter to hand to people as they come in.

_______Place a glass of fresh water on the table beside the lectern for the Guest Worship Leader.

_______Turn on the sound switch on the power bar under the window.

 

_______Do a check of the microphones.  Make sure there is a spare 9 volt battery in the pulpit for the lapel mike. (Hal Burgess 886-3723 is our sound man if there are any problems.)

 

_______The church temperature can sometimes be too warm in summer and too cold in winter.  Open or close the doors and windows as necessary to make it comfortable.  If the heat does not appear to be functioning, call Bob Urquhart 886-9377 or Terry Connor 886-7040.

 

_______Light the two candles on the altar table.  Replace the candles with new ones if they are low.  The candles are found in the cabinet behind the organ.  Make sure the Christ candle is on the altar.

 

_______Make sure there is a long match (with the head burned off because the head really flares up and can scare the children) handy for the children to use when they light the Christ candle.

 

_______Designate two people to receive the offering and make sure the offering plates are at the back of the church.  If the church is very full you may designate four people and have two start at the front rows and the other two start halfway back.

 

_______When the Guest Worship Leader arrives, welcome them and settle them into minister’s office.

 

_______Take GWL for tour of altar, lectern and review procedures for the conduct of the service.

 

_______Give the GWL the travelling microphone and show them how to wear it.  If the clip at the end of the mike falls off, and there are no spares in the black vinyl pouch, a paper clip will work.  The travelling microphone is found in its black vinyl pouch on the minister’s desk.

 

_______Practice the use of the mike – make them familiar with MUTE button, especially if they can’t sing (ha-ha!) 

 

_______Introduce the GWL to Betty Robertson who will go over the prayer list with them.  If Betty will not be there she will tape the prayer list to the lectern.

 

_______If PowerPoint is used, make sure that the technical person has arrived and has hooked up the computer and projector.

 

_______At 10 am sharp, introduce the Guest Worship Leader.

 

_______If the GWL is comfortable leading the announcements (there aren’t that many in the summer) and birthdays and anniversaries, let them.  Otherwise, Mary can do that or Michele Stobie or Tony Richmond or Cathie Roy or Marilyn Richmond or any other fine disciple.

 

_______Help GWL with lighting of children’s candle if they look like they need help (or ask if they do.)

 

_______Sit in a position with visual and proximal access to GWL in case they need some direction or help.

 

_______Be flexible!  The GWL may get confused with the worship format – help them out.

 

_______Have the Treasurer make out a cheque and give it to the GWL asap after the service.


 

AFTER THE SERVICE CHECK LIST

 

_______Thank the GWL for their time with us and let them know you enjoyed their words and their presence.

_______Snuff out the candles.

_______Pick up unused bulletins and place them in the recycle basket in the church office.

_______Place the chairs and hymns books in their proper places.

_______Bring in the disabled parking sign.

_______Close all the windows and lock the doors in the sanctuary.

_______Turn off all the lights.

_______Make sure the technician has turned off the projector and computer.

 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES ON COMMUNION SUNDAY

 

_______Prior to the Communion service, set up the Communion table as seen in the picture.  The Bible, cross and candles are removed from the altar table and go on the cupboard behind the organ. 

·        Locate the liturgical items in the cupboard behind the organ.

·        Place the white altar cloth on the altar table.

·        Arrange the 3 chalices on the altar table - 2 smaller ones to be half filled with grape juice, the large one to remain empty.

·        Fill the silver jug with grape juice.  The Officiant will pour that juice into the large chalice.

·        Arrange the 3 patons (plates) – As shown in photograph:  place one half of the loaf on each plate and cover with a white napkins.  Place a bun on the large plate.  Or, alternatively, leave the two small plates empty, and place one large loaf of bread or piece of unleavened bread on the large plate.  If using a large loaf for the latter, place a slice in the middle of the bottom of the large loaf of bread to make it easier for the Officiant to break the bread.  When the Officiant breaks the bread she or he will place one half on each of the two empty patons.

·        Place a bun on the large paton with the large chalice.  This is the bread the Officiant will take to serve the people who cannot come forward. 

·        Place the Christ candle front and centre of the altar table with a long match.

 

AFTER THE COMMUNION SERVICE

·        Dispose of the remaining grape juice and bread.

·        Wash the chalices and plates.

·        Wrap all the silverware in tissue paper and return to the drawers in the cupboard behind the organ.

·        Take home any juice stained cloths or napkins home to be laundered, then return them to the storage drawers.

·        Replace the altar candles, bible, cross and Christ candle to the altar table.

 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES ON BAPTISM SUNDAY

 

·        Move the Baptismal Font to the centre of the aisle .

·        Fill the bowl with warm water.

·        After the service, empty the water and return the font to below the piano.

 

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

 

For Worship:  Contact Stan Robben at 886-1940, sjrobbe@dccnet.com or Bob Miller at 886-8278, bobmmiller@dccnet.com or Sylvia Kopeck at 886-7930, dsckopeck@dccnet.com

For Movie Nights and Other Events:  Stan Robben at 886-1940, sjrobbe@dccnet.com

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

 

Our church secretary, Lynda Coote’s office hours are:

Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and

Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

She can be reached at 604 886 2333 and messages can be left on her voice mail box, which she will get when she comes in the office.  As well, Phyllis Hurschman will listen to telephone messages daily to make sure none are missed and will co-ordinate and disseminate the information appropriately. 

An excellent way to communicate with Lynda Coote is via email at coote@telus.net and gibsonsunited@dccnet.com  Please use both email addresses when sending her email.

 

Phyllis Hurschman’s telephone no is 604 886-1378 and her email is p.hurschman@eastlink.ca

Phyllis will be happy to help you with any queries when Lynda Coote is not available.

 

LOOKING FOR KEYS?

 

Terry Connor 604 886-7040 knows where the master key is.

Keys are kept in a locked box in the church office.  Please see Lynda Coote, Tony Richmond or Samantha Mills to get access to the keys or to get a copy if you need one.

 


PASTORAL CARE

 

For persons who are sick, need a home or hospital visit, contact Phyllis Hurschman at 886-1378, p.hurschman@eastlink.ca   She will contact the appropriate In-Touch person or minister or counselor from the list below.

 

For pastoral counselling, contact Rev. Linda Varin, Registered Clinical Counsellor, (c) 604-989-0533, lindavarin@hotmail.com or try her at the church office at 886-2333. 

 

For crisis counselling, if Linda Varin (above) is not available, contact

Sandy Wrightman, Registered Clinical Counsellor, at 886-2908, 741-1641, swrightman@telus.net.  Or, refer the person to

Mental Health, located next to the hospital at 885-6101. 

For psychiatric or other emergencies call 911 or refer them to St.Mary’s Emergency.

24 hour crisis telephone line:  1-866-661-3311

Or, get their name and telephone number and address, hang up and call 911 for them.

 

Other local counsellors are

Heidi Sheehan, MA,RCC, 741-1775 (Gibsons), or

Ruth Armstrong, MA, RCC (AAMFT), 740-0954 (Sechelt), or

Grant Simpson, MA, RCC, 885-9270 (Roberts Creek).

 

For support counselling (just someone to talk to, not a therapist, perhaps to hold them over until their appointment with a therapist comes up), refer them to

Lee Haffner, 886-0408.

 

For addictions or 12 Step counselling, if Linda Varin is not available, contact

Ted MacDonald, RPC, at 741-7905, pathwaystofreedom@dccnet.com or refer them to Alcoholics Anonymous, Sunshine Coast at 885-8208, or

Narcotics Anonymous at 740-3010, or

Mental Health and Addictions at 885-8678 or 885-6101, or the

Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441, or

Local Crisis Line at 740-0442 weekdays from 4:30 to 9:00pm and weekends 1:00 to 9:00pm

 

In the event that you cannot reach Linda Varin or Phyllis Hurschman and it is a church member emergency, please contact:

Betty Robertson   604 886-7314      bettyrobertson@dccnet.com

Bob Miller                             604 886-8278      bobmmiller@dccnet.com

Dawn Miller                         604 886-8278      dawnmiller@dccnet.com

Sandy Wrightman               604 886-2908      swrightman@telus.net

Jacquie Halsey                     604 886-1505      jhalsey@dccnet.com

BENEVOLENT FUND, FOOD VOUCHERS AND FOOD BANKS

 

Phyllis Hurschman will have the IGA or SuperValue food vouchers.

Linda Varin or other Gibsons United Church designated pastoral care assistants like Lee Haffner listed above will handle benevolent fund matters. 

·        The church person will have to contact Ted Adnitt, our Treasurer, and request a cheque for the amount required to be drawn from the Benevolent Fund.  The Treasurer will need to know if the cheque is to be made out to the person requiring assistance, or if it should be made out to the church person requesting it on behalf of the one in need.  (Not all persons can cash a cheque.  They may not have the money in their own account to cover it.  Or, perhaps the person wishes to remain anonymous to us.  In the latter cases the church person will have to cash the cheque as made out to them and get the cash to the person in need.  This will take more time but sometimes is the only way it can be done.)

 

We discourage giving cash unless and prefer to give food vouchers.  You may give the person a photocopy of the Homelessness Resource Sheet which gives info on where to access social services including food banks.  This resource sheet hangs beside the telephone in the breezeway.

 

Gibsons Food Bank (Salvation Army) 682 Gibsons Way (Panago Pizza plaza)  886-3860         Open Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to Noon

Free Lunch at the Salvation Army:  Tuesdays and Fridays 11:30am to 12:30pm.  886-3665

 

Sechelt Food Bank (Sunshine Coast Community Services) 5657 Lamprey Lane behind SCCS building.  885-5881    Open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm.           Open Monday to Friday for emergency food.

Social Services (Ministry for Families and Children):  886-5525

Sunshine Coast Community Services:  885-5881

FUNERALS or MEMORIAL SERVICES

 

The Rev. Linda Varin will co-ordinate all funeral or memorial services.  Please contact her first and she will follow-up with all the rest and advise you and others how they may help.

 

For funerals or memorial services, contact Rev. Linda Varin at (c) 604-989-0533, lindavarin@hotmail.com or try her at the church office at 886-2333.

The minister’s fee for a memorial service is $200.00. 

 

If Linda Varin is not available, please contact Rev. Janice Young at St. John’s United Church at 885-9822, 740-8264, janiceyoung@telus.net  She will discuss her fee with them.

 

Please also contact Phyllis Hurschman 886-1378, p.hurschman@eastlink.ca and let her know if someone has died so that she can follow up on pastoral care assistance.

 

To arrange a reception in the hall following a memorial service please contact

·        the Facilities Booking person, Samantha Mills at 212-2401, smills@dccnet.com to make sure the hall is available, or to arrange to make it available if necessary, and

·        the refreshments co-ordinator, Phyllis Hurschman, 886-1378, p.hurschman@eastlink.ca

 

For music for a service, please have the family contact our Music Co-ordinator, Mary Bittroff at 740-8123, electa@dccnet.com  Mary’s fee for service music is $100.00 for members and non-members alike.  The family may also chose to have their own musicians (may use our piano but not our organ) or use CD’s.  If they want to use CD’s make sure they bring their own.  They will also need someone to work the CD player during the service.  We do have a portable CD player which hides in the minister’s office under the corner chair if they do not have one, but it is best to suggest they bring their own.

 

If the service is in the church sanctuary, remember to rope off the first rows for family seating.

Assign someone from the congregation to be a greeter and/or to assist with chairs, etc.  The family may wish to have a family member do the greeting and ushering which is fine.

 

Find out if the family will be creating their own bulletin or if they need Lynda’s services.  If they are a member of our congregation there is no charge for this service.  If they are not, Lynda will charge the family for her time and expenses.

 

Please note:  suggested fees are different than for community events

Suggested donation for sanctuary use for a funeral/memorial:                    $80.00

Suggested donation for Hall use:                                                                   $15.00/hour

However, this donation for the hall is waived if it is a funeral/memorial of a church member.

No suggested donation for use of Fellowship Room for the family’s use before and after the service.

No suggested fee for use of the Quiet Room aka Church Library.

USUAL SUGGESTED DONATIONS FOR FACILITY USE

 

Sanctuary                    $15.00/hour, minimum 2 hours

Church Hall                 $15.00/hour, minimum 2 hours

Fellowship Room         $10.00/hour

Quiet Room/Library    $  4.00/hour

 

Please refer people to Samantha Mills to make any bookings.  Do not tell the person you will do it for them or that you will relay information to her.  Give them her contact information and leave it up to them to make the arrangements. 

Samantha Mills, 212-2401, smills@dccnet.com


WEDDINGS

 

Ask when the wedding ceremony is to take place. 

 

·        If the wedding date is after I will be back from sabbatical, tell the caller that as long as the wedding is not in August 2010 (which is when I take my vacation) I will most likely be able to do it.  If the wedding is to take place after I am back from sabbatical, take the information and let them know I will contact them in September, 2009. 

 

·        Advise the couple of the sanctuary rental costs and minister’s fee. 

 

·        My fee $200.00 unless they are church members.  If they are church members there is no charge.  Children and grandchildren of church members will be charged the fee.  You may also refer them to our website and let them know the info regarding fees and bookings is there.

 

·        If the couple wants an organist/pianist, Mary’s fee is $100.00.  Mary must be given first option as musician.  Please give them Mary Bittroff’s contact information and ask them to speak to her directly about the music.  They may have other musicians or another pianist play, but no one else may play our organ.  They may also use CD music.  Ask them to bring their own portable CD player and have them designate someone they know to operate it during the ceremony.

 

·        If they want to book the sanctuary now, give them Terry Connor’s tel no. 886-7040 and tell them they must book it through him.  Do not offer to do that for them as it is best to keep direct lines of communication.

 

·        If the couple wants me to officiate when I get back, the Administrator can email the wedding doc to the couple to get them started on working on the service.  This document has several different wordings of wedding ceremonies for them to chose from and gives them an idea of what the service will look like.  It has instructions for the couple in it.

 

·        Yes, we happily do same sex marriages. 

 

·        Yes, I do outdoor or offsite weddings. 

 

·        No, we do not require marriage preparation.  Linda Varin is a qualified Marriage Preparation specialist and she may offer her services as such.  But it is not our church policy that marriage prep is required.  Our regular church minister, Terri Scallon, will be happy to provide counselling to the couple after the marriage at no cost or at reasonable rates.

 

·        Yes, a Marriage Commissioner may use the church sanctuary.  Please have them co-ordinate the service with a Worship Assistant.

 

·        Yes, we can do a bulletin/order of service for the ceremony if they wish.  Lynda will charge for her time and resources unless the couple is a member of our church.

 

If the wedding date is when I will be away on sabbatical, refer them to Rev. Janice Young at St. John’s United Church at 885-9822, 740-8264, janiceyoung@telus.net  Their marriage policy is different from ours and they will have to find out what it is.  If Janice cannot do it, refer them to other local churches or ask them to contact the Government Agent’s Office in Sechelt for a list of Commissioners names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


BAPTISMS                                                                                  

 

Advise the person that I am away and will be happy to baptize their child (or them) when I get back in September.  We baptize anyone who wishes to be baptized and all we ask is that I get a chance to meet and talk with the person or family before the Baptism so that I can try to make the ceremony personal and memorable for them.  Some churches only do baptisms once or twice a year so waiting is not unusual. 

 

If the person does not want to wait til I get back, refer them to Rev. Janice Young at St. John’s United.  Their baptism policy has more stipulations and asks more commitment but they may be ok with that and can see if it is suitable for their family.

 

 

COMMUNION

 

We celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of each month.  While I am away on sabbatical, the Rev. Esther North will celebrate Communion with us on the first Sunday of each month.

 

If someone would like to receive Communion at the hospital, in a care home or in their home, please contact Ordained Deacon Linda Varin, who can obtain blessed Communion elements (bread and grape juice) and serve them communion. 

BIRTHDAY CALENDAR

 

Upcoming 90 th birthday celebrations:

 

Jean Clarke:   September 4th, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT IDEAS – THE DISCIPLESHIP MODEL

 

All ideas that aim to serve another are Great Ideas.  All ideas that bring us closer to the vision that our church congregation holds are Great Ideas.  Any act of kindness that you wish to share in the Spirit of the One who said, “I am the Light of the world” and who also said to his disciples, “You are the Light of the world” is a Great Idea, no matter how big or small an act you consider it to be.  An act of service in loving-kindness is a Great Idea and we want to enable you to serve others.

 

To that end, Gibsons United Church operates under the Discipleship Model.  We refer you to a book called Power Surge by Michael W. Foss.  There are several copies in our church library.  Essentially, under the discipleship model, if anyone has a Great Idea for ministering to the congregation or to the community or to the world or to creation or to the universe (it is a Great Idea after all!) they approach the minister and share their brainchild.  Then the minister talks it over with them and with some other appropriate church folk to discern if this act of service enables and moves us toward our vision as a congregation.  If it does, then the minister suggests to the person some others who might be interested and of assistance to them and, together, they create a team to bring this Great Idea to life.  This new team will check in from time to time with the minister to let her know how it is going and to ask for help or guidance if they need it. 

 

So please bring us your Great Ideas.  We want to enable you to grow in your discipleship!

 

(Lynda Coote:  please include here the GUC Vision and Mission statement)

 

 

 

 

 


 

This part goes under policy, Ministry and Personnel

Fees for taking a Sunday service:

1.1  The fee for service is set by the United Church of Canada (UCC) as a guideline.  The following information comes the UCC Manual, the official policy book of all United Churches.

1.1.1        Ordained ministers                                                             Fee:

1.1.2        Designated ministers (Lay Pastoral Ministers, Diaconal Ministers, Deacons in other denominations, etc, who have completed a course of studies and who have been confirmed in a ministry role by their national church organization.)                                          Fee:

1.1.3        Lay leaders (congregation members, others who may have completed some theological training but who are not sanctioned ministry leaders by their governing church body.)                                     Fee: