Note: The JNAC Report is prepared
whenever the congregation is seeking a full-time pastor. The
report below was prepared for the search that concluded with the call
of Dr. Daniel Bogert-O'Brien.
JNAC
Report: Squamish United Church, 2005
We, the
congregation of Squamish United Church are
wanting to present ourselves as humbly, honestly and realistically as
possible, without understating our hopes and dreams for the future of
this church
We acknowledge that
we have had significant
struggles with change over the past five to ten years. We have
worked hard in the last three years to identify, own, and seek to
remedy our difficulties. We have been working to move away from a
shepherd model of leadership. We are working toward ministry and
leadership being the joint responsibility of all members of the
congregation together with our appointed leaders. We presently
have strong leadership in the ministries of worship, music, youth,
church operations and building and property maintenance. We seek
to further develop this participatory leadership model.
We look forward to
our new minister co-creating with
us, as we accept and work through further challenges. We want our
church to become stronger and more vibrant. We want for it to be
an ever more welcoming, inclusive, and spiritually nurturing place.
Squamish
Community: The Heart of Sea to Sky
The District of
Squamish is a rapidly growing
community of over fifteen thousand people, located at the head of Howe
Sound, one hour north of Vancouver and forty-five minutes south of
Whistler. Tourism, outdoor
recreation, service sector, light
industrial, waterfront development and education are some of the
industries leading a renewed economic growth in Squamish. There are a
number of new developments along the highway which includes a business
park and a shopping plaza. Squamish has a
well-equipped education system that
strives to meet and exceed the needs of students. In addition to the
regular curriculum, the School District offers French Immersion and
International Education Programmes, with many other specialty
programmes available. Higher learning is also available in
Squamish through Capilano College, which is looking to expand its
satellite campus, to provide improved access to college courses and
programmes. As well, construction has started on the new Sea to
Sky University. This liberal arts institution will target an
international market that is sure to bring an interesting and uplifting
cultural experience to the area. Our medical
services are very good. There are
many doctors and dentists as well as alternate health care providers in
Squamish to choose from. There is an intermediate and
extended long-term health care facility attached to a modern hospital. Drawn by lifestyle
choices, there are now many
residents that commute to either the Vancouver or Whistler areas.
With substantial highway upgrades, commuters have helped drive a
healthy real estate industry. Lifestyle is an
important issue in Squamish; we
benefit from the natural beauty of Howe Sound, rivers, mountains, and
forests that are an integral part of the community. Squamish is a
recreational paradise offering hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing,
wind surfing, fishing, sailing and eagle viewing. As well, there
are a number of provincial parks and lakes close by. Squamish has a
strong community of volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts that ensure
access and maintenance of the local trails. Brennan Park
Recreational Centre provides for a
diversity of programmes, parks and facilities including swimming,
skating, soccer and ball fields. The community also has a rich
cultural life that includes community and school theatre groups, a
performing arts association and a community choir. Squamish is a town
that has and is experiencing
growing pains in it’s transition from a resource based community to one
focused on tourism and the service industry. This community and
its leaders are working hard to accept and embrace the new reality,
while endeavouring to honour the past. This is a community
that has shown it can pull together when the need arises and is truly
the “Heart of Sea to Sky Country’.
Our
Congregation
Squamish United
Church is an inclusive and welcoming
congregation ministering to the spiritual needs of the Squamish
community. Our Sunday worship service is joyful with uplifting
music by our much-appreciated choir and participation by adults and
children of all ages. We encourage family and youth
participation. Communion is celebrated approximately every six
weeks. Each Sunday, the worship service concludes with coffee,
refreshments and conversation. Our Mission
Statement is currently under review by
the congregation. Our
church has a long
and rich history that has been documented and is
entitled “A Journey in Faith: The Story of
Squamish United Church”. It is
available both in print and on our Website
(www.squamishunitedchurch.org). The church board is
the local government of Squamish
United Church. The unified board consists of nine members. Our church
trustees have a legal responsibility for transactions involving the
church property.
The following is a
list of the church committees and
groups (some are not fully active and fully functional):
Finance committee
Worship committee
Ministry and Personnel committee
Property committee
Caring committee
Healing Touch Ministry
Three United Church Women’s Groups
Men’s Group
Sunday School/Youth Group
Choir
The finance
committee of Squamish United Church
undertook a congregational visitation survey in May and June of
2004. This was the first visitation of congregation members and
attendees in many years. It was prompted by a decline in both
attendance and givings and it was felt that we were long overdue for a
visitation. The purpose of the
visitation survey was to get a
sense of who we are as a congregation, what programs we support or
participate in, how attendees perceive our overall health to be, and to
seek out ideas and suggestions for improvement as we engage in a
process of renewal. A total of 67
congregation members and attendees
participated in the survey. The survey found that
➢ Female
participants (49) more than doubled the
number of men (19) ➢ Almost 2/3 of our
congregation are 50 years old and
over. ➢ Almost 2/3 of the
participants have been church
members for 10 years or more. ➢ The activity with
the highest level of interest is
our Sunday service. ➢ Our music program
was another major point of
interest. ➢ Many folks felt
that interest and participation
would improve if they had more time in their busy
lives, if they were more
spiritually nourished and motivated and if there was
more for the children to do. ➢ More people
desired a healthier Sunday school and
Youth program. ➢ It was felt that
the health of our congregation
needed improvement. A good number of responses
to improve it centered on the
Sunday service. Suggestions included “more
compelling messages”, re-energized
leadership”, and “something for young families”.
It is hoped that in five years from
now, our congregation will have
experienced a strong growth in membership, especially with young people
and families.
Resources
Squamish United
Church is located on Victoria and
Fourth Avenue in downtown Squamish. There are two buildings
situated on five lots on the church site. The first is the
original church, which is now used for Sunday School and is referred to
as Trinity Hall. It is utilized by outside groups during the
week. The second is the main church building, which was built in
1963. The manse is located about eight kilometers north of
Squamish along Highway 99, on acreage. At this time an in depth
study is being conducted by the Board of Trustees to determine the
potential for the sale of this building in recognition of prospective
use of the resulting funds, as well as solving the need for maintaining
this aging residence. These three buildings are mortgage free. The congregation
will need to come to some major
decisions regarding the long-term viability of the manse, Trinity Hall,
and the church building itself. These properties
are maintained largely through
volunteer efforts while hiring professionals when needed.
Required funds are drawn from the congregation’s Building and Property
fund. Occasionally there are fund-raisers for a specific need. Squamish United
Church facility is shared with
groups within the community – Alcoholics Anonymous, Soup Kitchen, Food
Bank, and TOPS (weight loss support group). Groups within the
Church community also utilize the buildings such as the Sunday School
and Youth Group, and the Healing Touch Ministry. In common with many
congregations financial support
is an ongoing concern. Please see the attached budget printout
for financial resources details. Outreach programmes
from Squamish United church
include Mission and Service, Food Bank, Soup Kitchen, support for First
United Mission, and Hilltop House Care Facility. During the advent
season of 2004, White Gift donations were given to Pearl’s Place, which
is a local family shelter.
Squamish United
Church has the following staff and
ministry personnel:
➢ Ordained Minister
(full time) that is currently
filled by a retired United Church supply
minister.
➢ Organist and Choir
Director who, as a team,
coordinate music with clergy person
and lead music ministry; the
choir director position is currently being
filled by congregational
volunteers.
➢ Secretary whose
main responsibilities are office
administration, daily
bookkeeping and preparation of Sunday
bulletin.
➢ Youth and Sunday
School Programme Facilitator who
initiates planning for
Programmes and events specifically for
the purpose of participation of youth
and children, as well as
coordinates Intergenerational Worship
Services and children oriented content
in worship with clergy.
➢ Webmaster:
http://www.squamishunitedchurch.org
Position
and Skills
Our congregation
requires a full time ordained
minister. Knowledge of United Church culture and governance, and an
understanding of congregational dynamics are desired.
Desired skills and
abilities include: ➢ The ability to
minister to a theologically diverse
congregation ➢ The ability to
communicate effectively/strong
interpersonal skills. ➢ The ability to
provide strong leadership for
worship with the focus being a message
that motivates, challenges and
inspires.
Remuneration
Squamish United
Church will be as responsibly
generous as we can. With that as our guiding principle, we are
able to offer:
➢ Official scale
plus 7.5 %. ➢ Up to $5,000.00
moving allowance. ➢ Book allowance of
up to 400.00 annually. ➢ Automobile travel
expenses reimbursed as per
Presbytery guidelines. ➢ Up to $1,500.00
annual extended education allowance. ➢ Up to $1,300.00
monthly housing allowance plus
residential telephone Expenses
(excluding utility costs).