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TRINITY-ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED CHURCH

AMHERST, NS

ANNUAL REPORT: JUNE 14, 2015

INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTER: Rev. Nigel Weaver

DIRECTOR of MUSIC: Jeff Joudrey

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Laura Trumble

CUSTODIAN: Terry Lawless

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Contents

In Memoriam ................................................................................................................................. 4

Contributors to the 1944-48 Endowment Fund ........................................................................ 5

Bequests from Estates...And Special Gifts ................................................................................. 5

Minister’s Report .......................................................................................................................... 6

A Message from the Church Council Chair .............................................................................. 9

Church Council Membership 2015 – 2016............................................................................... 11

Church Council Committees 2015 – 2016 ................................................................................ 12

Christian Education Committee Report .................................................................................. 13

Outreach Committee Report ..................................................................................................... 14

Property Committee Report ...................................................................................................... 14

Stewardship Committee Report ............................................................................................... 16

Worship Committee Report ...................................................................................................... 17

Ministry and Personnel Committee Report ............................................................................ 17

Board of Trustees Report ........................................................................................................... 17

IIMC Report ................................................................................................................................. 18

JNAC Report ............................................................................................................................... 19

ReGenesis Report ........................................................................................................................ 19

Director of Music Report ........................................................................................................... 19

Fundraising Committee Report ................................................................................................ 20

“Music at Trinity” Community Concert Series Committee Report ..................................... 21

Friends Unlimited ....................................................................................................................... 21

Goodtimers .................................................................................................................................. 21

Amherst Food Assistance Network ......................................................................................... 22

Open Circle Drop In ................................................................................................................... 22

Visitation Committee ................................................................................................................. 22

Parents ‘n Tots Program ............................................................................................................. 23

United Church Women (UCW) Reports .................................................................................. 23

President’s Annual Report .................................................................................................... 23

UCW General Presbyterial and Conference UCW Representative ................................. 24

UCW General Church Council Representative.................................................................. 25

UCW Nomination Report - UCW Officers for Year 2015 ................................................. 25

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Annual Membership Report ................................................................................................. 26

Annual Report of the Recording Secretary ......................................................................... 26

Corresponding Secretary Annual Report ........................................................................... 26

Press & Publicity Report ....................................................................................................... 26

Supply Report ......................................................................................................................... 27

UCW General Christian Education Report ........................................................................ 27

Literature and Communications Report ............................................................................. 28

Outreach Report ..................................................................................................................... 29

Congregational Care Report ................................................................................................. 29

Christmas Cheer Committee Report ................................................................................... 29

UCW Unit Reports ................................................................................................................. 30

Tellers and Collectors List ......................................................................................................... 33

Usher List ..................................................................................................................................... 34

Welcomers and Greeters ............................................................................................................ 34

Church Directory ........................................................................................................................ 35

Officers ......................................................................................................................................... 35

General Information ................................................................................................................... 36

2014 Statistical Information ....................................................................................................... 36

Index ............................................................................................................................................. 37

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, June 14, 2015 following the morning service

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In Memoriam

The following are the names of those whose funerals, memorial services, or committal

services were conducted by the ministers of this church or are the names of members or

adherents of this congregation who have died between June 2014 and May 2015.

Allan E. GRIFFIN

John Martin ROSE

Vernon MacKay PARRETT

Ansel Eugene SMITH

Donna Grace CLARKE

Jean Elizabeth MORRISON

Vera Annie KELLEGREW

Gilbert George COLLICOTT

Roderick Isaac BEHARRELL

Marion ‘Money’ Alward MARTIN

Harris Alden PIPES

Eva Irene WEEKS

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Contributors to the 1944-48 Endowment Fund

G. L. Angus Dr. B. E. Goodwin B. T. Pugsley

T. R. Angus E. E. Hewson J. O. Rodger

N. T. Avard Wallace Hill S. L. Sharpe

E. W. Barnes Dr. A. E. MacKintosh A. D. Smith

C. B. Chapman John W. Morrison H. N. Stevens

George T. Douglas C. D. Murdock C. S. Sutherland

Dr. David Drury Dr. G. W. O'Brien W. H. Tennant

W. L. Fillmore Estate of R. B. Beharrell

D. W. MacDonald (in memory of Mrs. MacDonald)

Mr. & Mrs. R. W. Kendall (in memory of Rev. & Mrs. William Kendall)

Bequests from Estates . . . And Special Gifts

Mrs. T. N. Campbell Mrs. Amos Pugsley Mrs. Victoria Stevens

Mrs. Eunice Embree Mrs. Hanna Bent Mrs. Jennett Mason Wood

Miss Mabel Greenfield James Chappell James Henry Hewson

Bradford B. Treen Ernest C. Phalen Cyrus E. Black

George T. Douglas Mrs. Hattie Adelia Mills Miss Mary Bacon

Mrs. Beulah Farnsworth Mrs. Jennie Black Carter Harry Black

Miss Ethel O. Roberts Eslie Harrison Miss Sadie E. Black

Dr. B. E. Goodwin Miss Louise Hewson Mrs. George H.(Ida) Purdy

Wallace & Rosena E. Hill Mrs. A. S. Currie Mrs. Lena Heartz Johnson

Murray H. Jenkins Miss Martha Gourley Mrs. Winnifred Etter

Myrtle E. Roberts Miss Ada Tufts W. T. Campbell

Mrs. E. E. Hewson B. T. Pugsley F. C. Wightman

Wylie Black Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Walker Miss Ethel Morrison

Miss Hazel M. Harper Vivian Sargent Rose Travis

Mary Pugsley Miss Gladys Bryenton Miss Helen M. Hewson

Mr. & Mrs. Carl D. Murdock Miss Mary Kimball Miss Lillian Kimball

Mrs. Isabel Tennant Mildred Buck Ivan W. G. MacCallum

Mrs. Esther I. Black Freda Bryenton Marjorie Langille

Alice L. Holmes Jeanne Lusby A. Randolph Lusby

Ralph R. Facey Ron & Lillian Estabrooks Dorothy Dickinson

May Trueman Garnet Angus Dulcie Ingram

Estate of Walter Embree Ivy Currie Russell & Helen Purdy

Alfred "Uncle Alf" Murdock W. E. “Jeff” Jefferson Ella McDonald

Frances Hennessey Toler Coates Dorothy Purdy

Ila Collett Margaret Biggs Dell Violet (Ontychuk) Entwistle

Fred Robinson Doug Trenholm Kenneth Urquhart

Bruce Lusby Gwen Smith Keith Russell

Ruth Bacon Jean Chappell Eileen Chapman

Elizabeth (Betty) Fraser Christine Barnes Dorothy M. Dickinson

Mrs. R. L. Ripley (in memory of R. L. Ripley)

Mrs. Albert P. Day (in memory of Miss Grace Black)

Miss Louise Hewson (in memory of her mother, Mrs. George Hewson)

Estate of Mrs. Ada M. Brannon (in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Beharrell, their daughters: Elizabeth, M.D. and Mary, R. N.; and

Ada & Douglas Brannon)

Douglas S. Biggs (in memory of Margaret and Douglas S. Biggs)

Elizabeth A. Day (in memory of her parents Joseph R. Black & Bessie J. Black)

Molly Stevens (in memory of parents Harold & Grace Stevens)

Mrs. Clyde MacLean (in memory of her parents, Mr. & Mrs. R. Byron Atkinson)

Garnet Parker & Gordon Forsythe (in memory of Lorraine Parker)

Bessie Fillmore Avard (in memory of Dr. Charles MacQueen Avard & Dr. Anna Law Avard)

Anonymous donation (in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Walker)

Mrs. Beatrice Park (for maintenance on Park children Memorial Window)

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Minister’s Report

A few years ago I read Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones. I read it on my e-reader.

Among other things it’s a book about memory and one passage, in particular, brought

back some vivid memories for me. It’s a description of the change that occurred in the

bulbs of the Kodak Instamatic Camera flash cubes as we took our pictures. Did you ever

own and use one of those cameras? Do you remember those flash cubes first with their

intact – then, with their spent and fused bulbs - as they rotated through their four-shot

life-span?

Yesterday afternoon, in the interval between the end of the work day and preparing

supper, I sat with a cup of tea and my tablet catching up on the day’s news. A story on

the CBC web site caught my eye: “Blacks Camera Stores across Canada closing Aug. 8.” Did

you ever drop off a roll of film to be developed at a Blacks, or similar store? Do you re-

member handing over your receipt strip, torn from the envelope in which you’d later

receive that paper folder with pouches containing your negatives and your prints? Can

you remember the wait – several days, sometimes up to week – until you could pick

them up, until you knew if you’d successfully captured the incidents, occasions, people

and scenes you’d hoped to? Can you remember how life changed once we could hand

over a roll of film and pick up our pictures only an hour later? Only an hour – imagine!

We don’t live in that world anymore. For today’s elementary school children it’s as dis-

tant and foreign as the eighteenth century. It’s all a bit disorienting, isn’t it?

In his book The Art of Pastoring: Contemplative Reflections, William C. Martin writes:

“There are two questions that need to be answered in order to move along the path to-

ward God. One could spend a lifetime just considering these two questions and answers.

The first question is, ‘What time is it?’ The second question is, ‘Where are you?’ The only

correct answer to the first is, ‘Now!’ The only correct answer to the second is, ‘Here!’’’

The Bible is full of ‘Here and Now’ stories. Many, if not all, of them are stories of dis-

orientation and re-orientation. Many, if not all, of them are stories of transformation –

changed identity, purpose, understanding, role, destiny even. Estranged from father and

brother, Jacob flees for his life and dreams his transformative dream. Trapped in the

monotony of his daily routine, Moses’ curiosity is piqued by a bush burning but not

burnt up. Standing in the Temple with, yet apart from, other worshippers Isaiah catches

a glimpse of the Holy One, and says: ‘Here I am; send me.’

Often we seem so taken with these stories’ re-orientation endings that we completely

forget about the dis-orientation that precedes them. Even when the description is graph-

ic – ‘the doorposts and thresholds quaked and the Temple kept filling with smoke’ (Isai-

ah 6. 4) – we skip it. We have a natural aversion to dis-orientation. Yet dis-orientation

increasingly characterizes our ‘Here’ and our ‘Now.’

Imagine, for a moment, sitting together – Trinity-St. Stephen’s – in the sanctuary or the

hall. The foundations begin to tremble, walls begin to sway and just as we’re beginning

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to note the exits and plan our escape the whole place fills and refills with thick, dis-

orienting smoke. Chaos, confusion, panic – anxiety, to say the least.

There seem to be three standard responses-reactions to periods of dis-orientation:

First, to go back to the past, to a time before our dis-orientation, to a time and a place

(decidedly not ‘now’ and not ‘here’) when we knew who we were, what we were about,

why we were here, how the world worked. (We can drop off some film at Blacks, on our

way there!)

Second, to take control -- ordering chaos, organizing confusion, calming panic, easing

anxiety. Clip board in hand, we’ll rapidly check-off the steps that move us from dis-

orientation to re-orientation. We’re not so dis-oriented that we can’t figure our way for-

ward. Let’s list the necessary steps and take them. Let’s set some goals – first, we need

some extractor fans, then we need to determine the source of this smoke. Where’s it

coming from? How’s it getting in? How did the holes get there? Who’s going to plug

them? Quick, quick – we’ve got to see our way clear to the future and get there.

Third, to be in the ‘here’ and ‘now’ however dis-oriented and dis-orienting that is. To

wait for the inevitable dialogue to begin – dialogue with the Divine, as well as the inter-

nal dialogue it occasions. It’s that dialogue which moves us through dis-orientation to

re-orientation; but, it’s only inevitable if we wait and we can only guess at how long that

wait will be. In the meantime we can remind ourselves – over and over again – that God

is here. Our dis-orientation is not because of God’s absence; but, rather, it’s indicative of

God’s presence. Each of those Bible stories – Jacob, Moses, Isaiah – and others have their

‘Surely God Is Here, and I Didn’t Know It’ moments.

In my experience those three responses-reactions are present in each and every institu-

tion caught up in a changed and changing ‘here and now’. It’s true for banks, schools

and universities, service clubs, churches. It’s true both in the general and in the particu-

lar. We at Trinity-St. Stephen’s are caught up in that too and each of the responses-

reactions is present, though in differing amounts. By and large the first is there in a

small, but often vocal, minority. The second is usually the largest segment – those who

believe we could and should do something. (And we better quickly find out what that

something is.) The third is often the smallest segment and they’re usually quite quiet. As

a rule the others don’t know what to do with them – this group that’s prepared to simp-

ly be dis-oriented until re-orientation occurs.

By definition, dis-orientation begins long before we realize and admit that we no longer

know who we are, where we are, how to be. Once we name the dis-orientation we can

make some initial plans, take some initial action. Here that meant deciding for Inten-

tional Interim Ministry, establishing an Intentional Interim Ministry Transition Team,

identifying some initial goals, selecting an Intentional Interim Minister. All good and

necessary second type response-reaction stuff.

Those initial goals haven’t disappeared. They’re still important. Here’s the list:

a. Rebuild positive relationships within the congregation.

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b. Improve lines of communication within the church family.

c. Lead the congregation in a re-visioning process to identify who we are, who

we wish to become and how we can get there.

d. Develop strategies for conflict resolution within the congregation.

e. Educate our church family on stewardship i.e. finding and using gifts of the peo-

ple.

f. Review the governance structure, in light of changing demographics.

However, the primary task of any Intentional Interim – the task that comes before all

others – is the task of learning to be in and to trust the dis-orientation as we await our re-

orientation. That’s true even if, and especially when, that means we don’t feel we know

where we are or what’s happening. It’s not unusual to think and feel that we’re in the

dark.

Darkness is often an essential element of the many “orientation… dis-orientation… re-

orientation” Bible stories.

Jesus exemplifies a human life lived fully present to the ‘here’ and the ‘now.’ Many of

his stories about transformation hinge on change that occurs in darkness, change that

occurs unseen, often outside of anyone’s awareness, outside of any plotting on a time-

chart or graphed in terms of growth or progress. It’s all about undercover yeast leaven-

ing bread or ‘secret agent’ seeds growing in darkness.

In choosing an Interim of three years’ duration, Trinity-St. Stephen’s wisely decided not

to short change or subvert the dis-orientation… re-orientation process. We’re not yet a

third of the way into that. We’re learning in, from, and with the dis-orientation. One of

the things we’re learning is how to live with those three distinct reactions-responses,

with openness and trust, without suspicion, competition or rancor. Make no mistake,

living through dis-orientation isn’t easy. As your Intentional Interim Minister I know

that.

Others know that too. My colleagues, Jeff, Terry, and Laura know that. Gary and the

other members of Council know that. Members of the Intentional Interim Ministry Tran-

sition Team (both from the congregation and from Presbytery) know that. To them and

to you I offer my thanks, my encouragement, my continued commitment to the re-

orientation process.

Together, we are part of God’s transformative, redemptive, re-orienting process. Were it

not so, we’d be stuck with the advice given Blacks’ customers: “Anyone with print cards

is encouraged to use them before the stores close.” God isn’t going out of business. Even

when we’re not clear who we are, or what we’re to do, or how to be about doing it God

is here and God is now. God is with us.

Respectfully submitted, Rev. Nigel Weaver, Intentional Interim Minister

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A Message from the Church Council Chair

June 14, 2015

To the members and adherents of Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church:

I concluded my message in June 2014 with the following:

“The coming year will present a new set of challenges – and opportunities – as we embark on

what will be an ‘(intentional) interim’ phase of ministry at Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church.

It is essential that we build on the positive momentum, the real spirit of optimism that we have

enjoyed these past several months. So I am anticipating another year of enthusiastic commitment

on the part of our church family in spreading the “good news” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

In September 2014 we entered a three-year period of “intentional interim ministry” and

warmly welcomed Rev. Nigel Weaver to the position. At the conclusion of Year One, we

have greatly appreciated Rev. Nigel’s interest in, and able contribution to, all aspects of

our church’s ministry. We look forward to the direction Rev. Nigel and the Intentional

Interim Ministry Transition Team (IIMTT) propose in shaping our future, further

enabling our mission; i.e. “To provide the opportunity to come to know Christ and one

another, to grow spiritually, and to become involved with Christian concerns within as

well as beyond the congregation.”

Our ministerial leadership has once again been strongly supported in 2014-15 by

enthusiastic congregational volunteers. Various hard-working committees, along with

dedicated groups and individuals have gone “above and beyond” in helping fulfil the

mission mentioned above. We are blessed in having an exceptional church staff. In

addition to Rev. Nigel, I want to thank Jeff Joudrey, our Music Director ; Erika

Benjamin/Laura Trumble, our Administrative Assistant(s); and Terry Lawless, our

custodian, for their own special ministries among us.

We have much for which to be thankful. And while we may be experiencing volunteers

who are “stretched”, we still have a solid foundation of people power.

Having said that, we cannot view our situation through rose-coloured glasses. We have

several challenges: an aging demographic, a shrinking church population, a virtual

absence of Sunday School children, a cumbersome governance model, an uncertain

revenue stream, over-worked volunteers, etc. Some of these challenges appear

formidable, but others can be addressed with the congregation’s help.

For example: “…an uncertain revenue stream”. We’re shy about referring to the

operation of our church as a “business”. But it is. And what business can survive with

no clearly anticipated revenue stream? Or where budgets are built “hoping for the best”?

If many more of us committed to being on Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR), we could

significantly help reduce this revenue uncertainty.

Another example: “… a cumbersome governance model”. The current Church Council

model has been in place for decades. It is unwieldy and too big and bureaucratic for a

congregation of our size. The Nominations Committee is annually frustrated in

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recruiting new Council members. This governance problem could and should be

addressed in the near future with the congregation’s support.

In conclusion, I want to acknowledge the efforts of all those who, in both large and small

ways, contribute to the life and work of our church. Your commitment and devotion to

Trinity-St. Stephen’s is very much appreciated. Your good work greatly enriches our

worship, our outreach, and our ability to provide pastoral care.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve as Chair of Church Council these past two

years. I want to thank current and past members of the Council with whom I worked,

along with the congregation as a whole, for your support and encouragement.

Blessings on you and yours –

Gary A. Miller,

Church Council Chair

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Church Council Membership 2015 – 2016

Executive

Chair -

Vice-Chair -

Past Chair Gary Miller 17

Secretary Jennifer Furlong

Treasurer Wayne Bishop

Intentional Interim Minister Rev. Nigel Weaver

Retiring June 30, 2016

Wanda Bickle

Rod Gilroy

Gerry Helm

Stephanie MacAloney2

Margaret MacDonald2

Jeanne Milner

Kathy Naylor2

Jean Smith2

Retiring June 30,2017

Evelyn Bishop2

Scott Coleman2

Angus Furlong

Rod Letcher

Jonathan MacMaster2

Wanda McSorley2

Murray Pedersen

Jean Henley

Retiring June 30, 2018

Elaine Bourque2

Ron Wilson

Sandy Kane

President of U.C.W. or appointee Gloria Fraser

Lay Representatives to Chignecto Presbytery (3) Ron Patterson

Judy Jonah

-

Meetings of the Church Council normally take place at 7:30 pm on the second Tuesday of the

following months: October, December, February, April and May.

Meetings of Committees normally take place monthly (except July and August) and will be

arranged by the respective Committee Chair.

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Church Council Committees 2015 - 2016

Christian Education

* Wanda Bickle 16

Evelyn Bishop 2 17

Stephanie MacAloney 216

Jean Smith 216

M & P

* Margaret MacDonald 2 16

Scott Coleman 2 17

Gerry Helm 16 Kathy Naylor 2 16

Jean Henley 17

Outreach

Wanda McSorley 2 17

Friends

Judy Jonah

Heather Wilkes

Bonnie Wilkie

Property

Angus Furlong 17

Rod Gilroy 16 Rod Letcher 17

Ron Wilson 18

Rep from Trustees

Harold Farrow 2 17

Stewardship

* Jonathan MacMaster 2 17

Murray Pedersen 17

Treasurer

Wayne Bishop Rep from Trustees

Gary Wilkie 216

Friend

Mark Milner

Worship

* Elaine Bourque 182 Jeanne Milner 16

Sandy Kane 18

Director of Music Jeff Joudrey

* Chair

Friends are not voting members of Council

* * * Board of Trustees Chair: Bruce Baxter

Vice-Chair: -

Secretary: -

Treasurer: Gary Wilkie

Finance & Investment: Gordon MacGregor

Council Appointee: Harry Wilkes

Stewardship Appointee: Gary Wilkie

Property Appointee: Harold Farrow

Fort Lawrence Cemetery: Elaine Bourque

Board Members: Harold Farrow 2 17 Gordon MacGregor 2 17 Bruce Baxter 17 Ian Naylor 17 Mark Milner 18 Brian Trenholm2 18 Harry Wilkes 16 Gary Wilkie 2 16

Friends of the Trustees

Blois Hennigar

Elaine Bourque

*Friends of the Trustees are not voting members

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Christian Education Committee Report

At our September meeting we welcomed Rev. Nigel Weaver to our committee to begin

sharing ideas and planning for our programs for the coming year. Rev. Nigel presented

information on the Godly Play format for Sunday school. We held two sessions of Godly

Play led by Rev. Nigel, during the year. The committee is working to put together the

necessary equipment and supplies to create a designated Godly Play classroom for our youth.

This fall, Godly Play workshops will be presented over 3 weekends, to provide training and

certification for leaders in the Godly Play format.

Nurturing children’s spirituality was also focused on with the resources “Going Deep”, and

“Children’s Spirituality-What it is and Why it Matters”. Our Sunday school leaders this year

were Patricia Forbes, Tonia Hyslop, Shawnie Kinnear, and Kathy Wells. Nursery volunteers

were Shelley Hallman, Nancy MacAloney, Carlene Patterson, Evelyn Bishop and Wanda

Bickle. Nursery assistants were Emilie Gagné and Hannah Jolly.

Sunday school was held on a monthly basis for the fall, and was held weekly after Christmas.

Two groups were established Ages 4 – Grade 4 and Grade 5 and up. Nursery care was

available for those up to age 3. Attendance was very sporadic throughout the year. The older

children have expressed a desire for a more socially active program, so this will be

investigated in the fall. This year, the older class created loom bracelets and sold them to

raise money for the purchase of a high chair to be used for church functions.

Police checks are required for all leaders and volunteers involved with vulnerable children

and adults, and these are completed and retained by the committee as dictated by the United

Church Manual.

Rev. Nigel also gave leadership during the year to the Adult Bible Study group on Thursday

mornings.

The guidelines for the position of Sunday School Treasurer were approved.

The Wong Family in Ontario donated a box of gift toys to the church. The Sunday school

donated these items to the Christmas for Kids program, to assist children in need during the

Christmas season.

The committee presented an Advent intergenerational event on December 7 following the

White Gift Service. The children also participated in the early Christmas Eve service.

Our Lenten Project this year was in support of the Habitat for Humanity Springhill Build

project. Our congregation raised $1188 for this very worthwhile project. Pictures of the

progress can be viewed on the poster in Burgess Hall.

At the November Bethlehem Market, the Committee hosted the Sweet Treat booth realizing

$157.30. A new book sale with items from the United Church Resource Distribution Center

(UCRD) sold $364.00 worth of merchandise. In May the committee participated in the annual

Yard Sale and Bazaar with our Canteen, realizing $248.00.

In September the committee will host an event in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the

Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT). Former CGIT members will be invited to join together for

a celebration following the worship service.

Camp Ta-Wa-Si sponsorships were provided to two youth last year, and sponsorships are

available this year as well.

Sunday school concluded for the year following the worship on Pentecost Sunday May 24,

2015. Certificates were presented to the youth as well as various volunteers who have helped

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provide leadership to various activities throughout the year.

The commitment of our volunteers in support of the Christian life and growth of our

congregation is very much appreciated!

Respectfully submitted, Wanda Bickle, Chair of Christian Education

Outreach Committee Report

Committee member: Pauline McKendrick, Wanda McSorley, Shelley Hallman. Committee

Friends: Judy Jonah, Heather Wilkes, Bonnie Wilkie.

Benevolent Fund Coordinators: Heather LeMoine, Susan Haugg.

In the spring we made a decision to cancel “The Upper Room” subscription and subscribe,

instead, to “Our Daily Bread,” which is a daily devotional booklet that is of no charge to

individual congregation members.

Since the spring, our church bulletin has been available on the website the Friday prior

service.

Throughout the year our church has taken its turn at providing volunteers to work at the

Food Bank, fill birthday bags, and to cover rental costs of the building.

With the assistance of the congregation and church groups, we filled and donated backpacks

to the Cumberland County “Youth Homelessness Project”, an ongoing project for Outreach. .

We participated in the Bethlehem Market and in lieu of directly participating in the Yard Sale,

we gave a monetary donation.

A Mission Moment, “Prayer Shawl Ministry” was offered during a church service in May,

2015.

Our crew continues to take its turn on “kitchen duty” after worship.

We coordinated the Observer magazine campaign; this year thirty subscriptions were

ordered, the numbers declining yearly.

The Benevolent Fund coordinators were busy, particularly during the winter months. The

Fund Balance was boosted by generous donations from U.C.W., the Memorial Fund, and the

Christie Foundation.

Anyone interested in joining or learning more about our Outreach committee can direct their

interest to the Church Office. We welcome you! Thank you.

Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hallman, Chair of Outreach

Property Committee Report

The following items for information are the major issues that the Property Committee dealt

with over this past year.

Light repair rear entrance and electric plug repair.

Scott Rayworth completed these repairs.

Thermostat in Jeff’s office

The thermostat was not working properly and Scott Rayworth installed a new

thermostat which corrected the problem.

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Parking on Ratchford Street

I received an e-mail from Andrew Fisher, Senior Planner with the Town of Amherst,

in regards to the Town planning to paint parking stalls on Ratchford Street in front of

the Church as well as on the opposite side of Ratchford along the former Town Hall

frontage. He also notes in the e-mail that they would likely need a 2 hour limit on

parking along the front of the Church to reserve convenient parking for the Church.

This 2 hour limit would only apply during the week and not on weekends. I brought

this up at Council and they were concerned about the 2 hour limit for Funerals and

Weddings, etc. during the week. I further discussed this with the Town Planner and it

was agreed we would only need to put a couple of signs up to indicate either a

funeral, wedding or other Church function similar to what the Baptist Church has. We

will get appropriate signage made for these situations.

Musty smell in Choir room

This issue has hopefully been addressed by sealing off air vents in the choir room

which were allowing stale air to enter from the basement. This will be monitored to

ensure this has solved the problem.

Humidity issue in basement where yard sale items are stored

Property was alerted to the fact that one of the humidexes in the basement was not

working. Property has since installed a new humidex and now both humidexes are

working properly. We will also look at putting a couple of air vents in the doors to this

room.

Electrical Maintenance

Work is required to put safety chains on the many grated lights in the ceiling of the

Sanctuary. These are extremely heavy units and one became loose and caused a haz-

ardous situation. Also there are a number of lights that are burnt out in the sanctuary

ceiling. RayTech has agreed to do this work.

Efficiency Nova Scotia

It was discussed about getting an energy audit for the Church. Contact was made

with Efficiency NS however it was decided that due to the damage to the Church

entrance this request for an efficiency audit would be put off until after the Church

entrance is repaired.

Consideration to getting Eastlink Wi-Fi extenders for the building

It was brought up at Council about having greater access to Wi-Fi in other parts of the

building such as the Sanctuary, Burgess Hall, etc. This was looked into and for now

Wi-Fi extenders will be put in Burgess Hall. It was determined to be more

complicated to extend these to the sanctuary area.

Issue of better sound system in Burgess Hall

It was brought up at Council the problem of hearing in Burgess Hall with the present

speaker system. Some people find it difficult to hear the discussion at meetings or

other functions. Property is looking into this issue.

Church Entrance Repair

The damage to the Church entrance has taken longer to address than expected. The

engineering plans that we have were drawn up by a qualified Engineer and approved

by the Town of Amherst Building Inspector.

Presently we have one quote from Maritech Construction but are waiting for a second

quote before sending off to the Insurance Adjustor.

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Also when the new entrance is being constructed there will be a couple of outside

electrical plugs installed as well. Not having an outside plug on this side of the

Church has been an issue.

Capital Projects for 2014/2015.

1. Work on stonework alongside church entry steps and re-pointing sandstone walls

where required.

2. Attention needs to be done to see why the roof had a number of leaks this past

winter.

Property will look into these two major issues with a view to having this work

completed before this winter.

Respectfully submitted, Bert Seely, Chair of Property

Stewardship Committee Report

2014 was a very exciting year at Trinity-St. Stephen’s. We are laying very important

groundwork to not only manage - but hopefully overcome - the financial shortfall we are

once again faced with. It will, however, take collaboration from the congregation at all levels

to achieve this goal. Today people are asked to give to many great causes, projects, charities

and benefits. The importance of consistent, realistic giving to our church is something that we

are asking all members to pay special attention to this year.

Our operational budget for 2015 shows that as a congregation, we are forecasting a $58,000

loss. I assure you the Stewardship Committee and Church Council has taken special

consideration to budgeting each individual piece of the puzzle as carefully as the next.

Attention has not only been brought to understanding, but also to evaluating, where each

dollar is spent. We will be working closely with Rev. Nigel, staff and Church Council to

continue this throughout the coming year and take advantage of other avenues that have not

been exercised to their full potential.

We want to make consistent giving as easy as possible for each and every member and friend

of our church. There are a myriad of ways this can be done, including PAR (preauthorized

remittance), which I would ask every member to consider. As a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly

amount this is a simple and easy way for anyone to budget their givings across the calendar

year.

We have made many upgrades to office equipment this year to ensure that staff, members

and volunteers have access to helpful technology and information: to spread the good word

of our church and church community and to ensure information and events are well

communicated. If you have not already visited our new website, I encourage you to do so at

www.tssuc.com, save it in your favourites, and view it on a regular basis to see upcoming

events, schedules, bulletins and much more.

Respectfully submitted, Jonathan MacMaster, Chair of Stewardship

17

Worship Committee Report

The Worship Committee met many new challenges during the past year following the com-

pletion of the ministry supply period in April 2014 of Rev. Victor and Rev. Carolyn MacLeod.

During this bridge time with no minister, the services in May and June 2014 were led by sev-

eral lay persons who generously gave their time and assistance to our church. Rev. Corkham

and Rev. Miller were service leaders for the month of July during the combined summer ser-

vices with Herma Binnema leading the Sunday services for the month of August. Mary Lynn

Cameron is to be thanked for her tireless work in positioning these service leaders during this

time.

In late August, Rev. Nigel Weaver was received as an interim ministry transitional leader for

a three year period from 2014 to 2017. During the month of September, the Sunday services

were led by the worship team while Rev. Nigel familiarized himself with our church family.

This worship team further led the May 10 and 17 services while Rev. Nigel was away on a

study leave.

There were two children baptized and one marriage ceremony that took place in this past

year time frame.

Communion was observed in 2014 in October (World Communion Sunday), December

(Christmas Eve) and March and in 2015 in March (Palm Sunday) and June.

The average Sunday service attendance is 120 persons.

Work is presently being completed on updating the wedding guidelines for our church as

well as on a new welcome brochure for newcomers to our services.

Respectfully submitted, Elaine Bourque, Chair of Worship

Ministry and Personnel Committee Report

The M and P Committee provides confidential support and conflict resolution for staff,

members and adherents of Trinity-St. Stephen's United. We review any questions and con-

cerns and encourage communication with us. We ensure that your positive comments and

appreciation are passed on, too! I want to recognize the dedication shown by our staff - Rev.

Nigel, Jeff, Terry, Erika and Laura. I also want to thank my committee members for their

work this past year and look forward to working with them in the coming year.

Respectfully submitted, Margaret MacDonald, Chair of M&P

Board of Trustees Report

The Board of Trustees met in regular session on 25 September, and 4 December, 2014 and on

21 April, and 2 June, 2015. Paul Calder retired as chair and the position was (eventually)

assumed by Bruce Baxter. The Board continues to administer the Endowment Funds to

ensure minimum risk and maximum return to the church for its various purposes. The issues

presently concerning us are the complete replacement of the double set of entrance doors of

Ratchford Street (which was damaged by an out of control automobile in the winter) and the

continuing roof leaks over the back parking lot door. The door issue has required in

conjunction with the property committee, extensive consultation with engineers, insurance

adjustors and the building inspector. The roof issue is being worked on by member Harold

Farrow.

Respectfully submitted, Bruce Baxter, Chair of Board of Trustees

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IIMC Report

The Intentional Interim Ministry Committee was formed in November, 2013, and first met in

December, 2013. The committee members are Jennifer Furlong (Chair), Elaine Bourque,

Harry Wilkes, Karen Hatcher, Terry Clarke, and Chignecto Presbytery representatives Sheila

Lewis and Karen Dickinson. Rev. Beverley Daley was also a member of the committee when

it was formed until Karen Dickinson filled her spot in October, 2014. The committee met

frequently during the first six months while we familiarized ourselves with the role of the

committee and the process of searching for an Interim Minister for our congregation. As part

of this process, we developed six goals to provide a focus for during the Intentional Interim

Ministry. They are:

1. Rebuild positive relationships within the congregation.

2. Improve lines of communication within the church family.

3. Lead the congregation in a re-visioning process to identify who we are, who we wish

to become and how we can get there.

4. Develop strategies for conflict resolution within the congregation.

5. Educate our church family on stewardship i.e. finding and using gifts of the people.

6. Review the governance structure, in light of changing demographics.

We also developed a job description and an interview process, and in mid- August 2014 were

successful in securing Rev. Nigel Weaver as our Intentional Interim Minister for a three year

term, ending in August, 2017. Rev. Nigel and his wife, Rev. Jean Ward, joined us during

Sunday morning worship for the month of September while Rev. Nigel “got to know us”.

Then, on Sunday, October 5th, Rev. Nigel began to lead us in worship.

The Intentional Interim Committee became the Intentional Interim Ministry Transition Team,

and we continued to meet with Rev. Nigel bi-monthly. Our meetings have mostly consisted

of extensive discussions while we “find our way”, clarify our role, and plan our path for-

ward. We have determined that some of the goals are interrelated, such as building positive

relationships, improving communication, and developing strategies for conflict resolution.

As we work on one, the others will begin to fall into place.

The committee planned a congregational workshop for February, which was rescheduled for

March, and then was cancelled again due to storms. We are now planning a congregational

event for the fall.

Some of you may have been expecting to see major changes by now, and may be wondering

what the committee has been doing all this time. Others may have noticed small changes

and be thinking “That’s it?” Well, I would ask everyone to have patience, and give us time.

It is still early in our three years of Intentional Interim Ministry, and we hope that as we

progress along our journey, our plans will become more apparent, and that you will have

opportunities to join us as we reflect upon “who we were, who we are, and (most

importantly) who we wish to become” as a congregation.

Eternal God, you call us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet un-

trodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with courage, not knowing where

we go, but only that your hand is leading us, and your love supporting us; through Jesus

Christ, our Lord. Amen. – Eric Milner-White

Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Furlong, Chair of IIMTT

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JNAC Report

The Joint Needs Assessment Committee has not met during the past year. The Committee’s

work will remain in abeyance until mid 2016.

Respectfully submitted, Gary Miller

ReGenesis Report

The ReGenesis Committee has not met since the formation of the Joint Needs Assessment

Committee, and subsequently, the Intentional Interim Ministry Committee, which is the

process now underway.

Respectfully submitted, Kathy Curtis

Director of Music Report

It has been another lively season of music here at Trinity – St. Stephen’s United! There has

been tremendous joy, some sadness, a lot of work and much laughter as the Church Choir,

the Trinity Youth Singers, and Music at Trinity all have worked to provide inspired music for

the week to week worship services, concerts and for various special events throughout the

year.

The choirs continue to flourish – the Church Choir with 30 singers on the roll, has been well

represented on Sunday mornings despite the usual absences from week to week (or season to

season depending on how bad the winter is!) The Trinity Youth Singers (TYS) now has 18

singers on its roll and these young singers are progressing nicely in their vocal development.

The kids juggle a myriad of after school activities including the choir, and are to be

commended in rising to the occasion and performing well.

This year we were sad to say goodbye to a long time, faithful member of the choir and a

friend to us all, Gill Collicott. Gill died this past February 13 but will be missed for his quirky

sense of humour, his frog drawings, and his selfless acts of kindness to everyone he

encountered along life’s road. Rest in peace, dear friend.

The TYS produced another musical this year and I would be remiss not to extend my sincere

thanks to the many parent volunteers who helped out with the production. However, I must

single out Nancy Letcher who, in her capacity as Stage Director, gave untold volunteer hours

to help our young people rescue Daniel from the lion’s den!

Despite challenges with the sound equipment during the musical, “Rescue In The Night” was

a huge success both in Amherst and the following Sunday when we took it on the road to

Woodlawn United in Dartmouth. After some brainstorming and a little homework, the

Church Choir decided to once again host a Choir Country Breakfast this fall, with the

intention that the proceeds of the breakfast go toward the purchase of new wireless headsets.

These will be used by the TYS in their next musical but will also be available to be used by

those leading in worship on Sunday mornings.

Music at Trinity had another successful season with four concerts: Peter Allen giving the

inaugural recital on our new Yamaha concert Grand (October 2014), Karin Aurell and friends

(February 2015), The Maritime Brass Quintet (March 2015) and the Andrew Boudreau Jazz

Trio (May 2015). Financially we broke even at the end of the season – no small feat for any

concert series these days, and a few volunteers gave a significant amount of time and energy

to make this series happen.

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And then there were the worship highlights: those ordinary Sundays when the choir sang

gloriously, working through Black History Month and choosing music which highlighted and

honoured that part of our heritage plus the many guest musicians we have hosted

throughout the season. But the highlight for me was to play with my Symphony Nova Scotia

colleagues in the Maritime Brass Quintet this past Easter Sunday! What a glorious morning it

was, with the congregation, choir, brass and organ filling the church with hymns and

anthems, celebrating the Resurrection!

In closing, I would like to thank the Worship Committee under Chair Elaine Bourque and

offer my sincere appreciation to Rev. Nigel for your support of and commitment to the

Ministry of Music here at TSSUC. I also greatly appreciate your understanding when I need

to be away for other professional commitments and your latitude in allowing me to accept

those commitments. I would also like to thank Mark Milner for supplying for me at the

organ and the confidence in knowing that things will be well looked after here at home when

I am away. And to Laura in the office, you have my gratitude and thanks for your endless

patience at my multiple edits each week and to Terry, thanks for always knowing where I can

“scrounge stuff” around here and letting me in the office when I forget my keys!

But most importantly I’d like to thank the members of the choirs, with whom I have the

pleasure of working each week. Your commitment to leadership in the music of our worship

services is so much appreciated and I look forward to sharing that music with you in the

future.

Respectfully submitted, Jeff Joudrey, Director of Music

Fundraising Committee Report

The Fundraising Committee is tasked with generating $5000 towards our projected operating

deficit for the year. To this end the Fundraising committee plans for three projects each year

which are undertaken with support from the committees and the congregation. In November,

the annual Bethlehem Market realized $3204.40. In February we held the annual Supper and

Silent Auction. This realized $1891. The annual Yard sale and Bazaar held in May of 2015

realized $3099.

In addition the Fundraising Committee had two extra events to cater to this year which

realized $1022.

The Men of the Congregation held their annual Pancake supper in April and realized $2100.

The combined efforts of all these various groups, has enabled us to surpass our goal of $5,000.

All of this is possible only with the ongoing support of the congregation and for this we are

grateful!

Respectfully submitted, Wanda Bickle, for the Fundraising Committee: Evelyn Bishop, Gloria Fraser,

Shelley Hallman, Sandy Kane, Jean Thompson, and our many project workers.

21

“Music at Trinity” Community Concert Series Committee Report

Music at Trinity (MAT) is a small committee of the church whose dual purpose is to bring

varied musical performances to the congregation and the wider community and to raise

funds for church operations. MAT has no bank account of its own and retains no funds. All

expenses and income generated by each concert is handled through the Church Treasurer.

Members are Bruce Baxter (Chair), Jennifer Furlong, (Secretary), Gary Miller, Wanda

McSorley and Jeanne Milner. Sadly, Gil Collicott who has been a member since the committee

has formed, passed away on February 13, 2015.

MAT presented four concerts in the 2014 – 2015 season:

- Peter Allen, pianist, who played the inaugural concert on the Margie MacMaster

memorial piano on October 26;

- The Karin Aurell Trio (flute, piano & clarinet) which performed February 22;

- The Maritime Brass, a quintet which performed April 4 and then provided musical

accompanist for the April 5 Easter Sunday service; and

- The Andrew Boudreau Jazz Trio (piano, bass, percussion), which performed May 9.

MAT hopes to continue its work in the 2015 – 2016 season.

Respectfully submitted, Bruce Baxter, Chair of MAT

Friends Unlimited

Friends Unlimited is a group of people (couples and singles) who meet the last Saturday of

each month (except June, July and August). Approximately 40 people gather at 6:00 pm for a

potluck meal in Burgess Hall. Following the meal, most people stay for games: Dominoes,

‘Count Your Cards’, bowling (downstairs), etc. Our May get-together is a barbeque with

salads, etc. For many years, we have been decorating the sanctuary for Christmas on the

Saturday before Advent.

This is a great time for fellowship, fun and food. We invite anyone who would like to come

out and join us – don’t wait for a special invitation! You will be most welcome.

Respectfully submitted, Gloria Beaumont and Vera Faulkner

Goodtimers

The Goodtimers Men’s Group meets the last Thursday of each month from September until

June. The men gather at a local restaurant for a time of fellowship and an enjoyable meal. All

men of the congregation are invited to attend by contacting Wayne Bishop so he can notify

where we will be going as we rotate the restaurant each month.

We have approximately 20 men of our church who participate and you only attend at your

convenience.

Respectfully submitted, Wayne Bishop

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Amherst Food Assistance Network

The Amherst Food Assistance Network is a Christian based organization overseen by a Board

of Directors in conjunction with the Amherst Ministerial Association – two representatives

are appointed by each of the founding churches as well as three community representatives.

The two representatives from this church report to Church Council through the Outreach

Committee.

Trinity-St. Stephen’s has approximately 40 willing volunteers who work on rotation to fill our

commitment of operating the Food Bank every Monday in February, April, June, August,

October and December. Birthday bags are provided as required along with back packs for

couch surfers.

We also are required to supply drinks and drivers for the two Food Drives organized by the

Y’s men.

Our two representatives attend bi-monthly meetings. This past year has seen a great deal of

work invested in Policies & Procedures for the Board as well as job descriptions and

functioning sub-committees.

This Food Bank serves families in Amherst and surrounding areas with food assistance to

help meet short term requirements. 6237 clients were served in 2014.

Your donations are greatly appreciated for this most necessary outreach project.

Respectfully submitted, Evelyn Bishop and Heather Wilkes

Open Circle Drop In

Our group meets each Thursday from 1:30 pm until 4:00 pm for fun and games, tea or coffee

and ‘goodies’.

Last August, during the Blueberry Harvest Festival, the group prepared and sold turkey

salad take-outs – A very successful event.

Money donated throughout the year and the profit from the take-out was given to causes we

felt deserved our support.

Donations were made to the Benevolent Fund, to the church, to palliative care and to a friend

and member whom we felt could use a helping hand.

Come any Thursday, have some fellowship and fun with the twenty or so folks who come

regularly to ‘Open Circle’.

Respectfully submitted, Betty Duizer-Logan

Visitation Committee

The purpose of our pastoral visitation committee is to visit our church members who are not

able to get out and around on a regular basis. We meet with Rev. Nigel several times a year to

discuss issues and co-ordinate our efforts.

If you know of persons from our church who would appreciate a visit please let us know.

Members of the committee include: Gloria Fraser, Jean Henley, Mary Dickeson, Barb Wood,

Wanda McSorley, Jeannie Milner, Terry Clarke, Gordon Helm and Ron Patterson.

We can always use more volunteers so if you can spare the time to visit 3 or 4 of our shut-ins

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for a half hour every other month please contact one of our committee members

Respectfully submitted, Ron Patterson, on behalf of the Committee

Parents ‘n Tots Program

It was another good year for Parents ‘n Tots at Trinity-St. Stephen’s. We averaged about

twenty-seven children each session (not including adults).

Our core volunteers are Katherine, Olivia, Beth, Bonnie, Lyn and Kathleen. We all thank

Terry for his help setting up the chairs and larger toys and also putting them away.

Our Friday programs are unstructured but include ride-on-toys, balls, play dough, tea table

and kitchen set, etc. There are also area mats with smaller toys for children under one year

old. Highlight of the morning is snack time, when the children enjoy treats and a drink.

Meanwhile, the adults may socialize with tea or coffee.

This year, money from the “Piggy Bank” went to “Christmas for Kids” and Camp Ta-Wa-Si.

Our members are ever changing and we welcome new mothers and others every week from

10:00 am till 11:30 am on Friday.

Respectfully submitted, Lyn Estabrooks for the group

United Church Women (UCW) Reports

President’s Annual Report – UCW 2014

2014 was the first year of a new format of leadership for our UCW General. To help get this

underway I offered to chair the General meetings for one year. Looking back at 2014, I think

the split responsibility system was a success and that we should not hesitate to continue

using it. But I cannot continue as your chair. I prefer to focus on my other position on the

executive and I hope you can understand this decision.

During the year there were 10 General gatherings. One month per quarter the night was set-

aside for a program oriented evening while the other six were more focused on the business

meeting. January was the annual meeting as well as the monthly meeting where I took over

from Jean Smith. Jean has remained in the leadership of our UCW by representing us at the

Presbyterial and Conference levels of UCW. Gloria Fraser became the third person in this

new format by attending Church Council meetings and reporting their activities back to

General. A ‘thank you’ out to both of them for helping make this work. February was also a

business meeting to deal with the activities arising. We are a very busy group. One of the lists

that I have to keep close at hand is the ‘list of dates’ for 2014. March was the first of our

program nights and Heather Carter spoke about senior safety through her position as Senior

Safety Coordinator for Cumberland County. The business part of the night was kept to a

minimum but could not be excluded entirely. In April, I represented the UCW to the

congregation giving a gift to Victor and Carolyn MacLeod as they were finishing their term

as our ministerial staff. This was also a business-meeting month. May was the time to help

our local hospital foundation’s fundraiser, our own church’s fundraiser and for us to try an

event for the congregation that wasn’t a fundraiser. The business meeting helped figure out

who was doing what, where and when. June was our annual potluck meal to close out the

program year and begin our summer. Good food and fellowship helps send us out to enjoy

this break. September was a program night and Leslie Childs shared some histories of

Cumberland County found at the Cumberland Museum and asked us to not be afraid to have

vision for our town. Note – this may not be the best month to do a program as we are just

getting back from summer break, maybe October would be better. October business meeting

24

finished up the debate on how to help our members cope with the rising costs and again,

membership, as we still want to be able to give funeral receptions for members of our

congregation. The evaluation of the leadership for the year was also received. November was

focused on our largest fundraising event, the turkey dinner, that involves much of the

congregation as well and the Christmas Cheer program was started. Our last program event

was our December potluck and ‘wee stocking’ night. A fun evening that is shared with guests

is a great way to end the year. A special thank you to Jean Thompson for keeping me on the

straight and narrow…although I tend to sometimes widen things a bit...She has been an

important part of this year’s new leadership format.

Respectfully submitted, Kathy Curtis, 2014 General Meeting Chair

UCW General Presbyterial and Conference UCW Representative (2014)

Chignecto Presbyterial Representative is one of the new-created offices in our UCW for 2014,

along with that of Church Council Representative. These were established to help lighten the

load of the General President. Nothing went before as a guide to what should be mentioned

in year-end report, so I am at a bit of a loss. But this is what I’ve come up with to report. First,

I would like to thank all those who helped with the organizing, preparing, presenting and

hosting, and doing all the little and not so little extras for the 47th annual meeting of our

Presbyterial on March 22, 2014. You were wonderful welcoming hostesses for a second year

in row, and our visitors were well looked after. The Men’s Pancake Day falling on the same

day turned out in our favour, and much thanks to those who cooked for and served the

women who chose to stay here for the noon lunch. I also would like to thank the few-in-

number women from TSS-UCWs who attended the 2014 Presbyterial regular meetings here

on January 28, in St. Paul’s – Riverview on May 2 and at the Maritime Conference Centre –

Sackville, September 19. Your presence is very much noted, and appreciated. It is very

difficult to convince our UCW members here that they are welcome to be a part of

Presbyterial by attending meetings and that their suggestions and input are much welcome at

those meetings. We had two very impressive Presbyterial events this year — the UCW Fun

Day in the Park at Centennial Park in Moncton, NB, June 14, and the retreat day at Camp Ta

Wa Si September 20, both with a good representative from our church women. Nine traveled

to spend the Day in the Park; fourteen attended the Retreat (Attendance recorded at these

two events: 54 and 46). April 25-27 the Maritime Conference UCW held its biennial weekend.

Chignecto is asked to send six delegates. We managed to find four willing and able to

represent us there, all from Trinity-St. Stephen’s–Carol Bennett, Lyn Estabrooks, Betty Duizer-

Logan and Melcora Brown. Melcora woke not well on traveling day and had to send her

regrets. Her presence was missed, and although registered as a delegate, as a past-President

of the Conference UCW, she is on the special-guests list for each biennial. This weekend was

a great experience, shared with these wonderful traveling companions, and with other

United Church Women of the Maritimes and Bermuda. I would encourage our Units to look

at and make use of Bread Not Stones — Taking Action to End Child Poverty, and the

Planning Tool that has come to us from our National UCW, and that each unit will spend

some time with our Conference UCW president’s attempt to get us thinking of what we do to

help in our communities, and to share our projects with other groups by filling in the Caring

At Home Sheets. Lastly, looking ahead…Chignecto and PEI Presbyterials will be hosting the

Cookie Cottage at Berwick this coming summer. Come the last week in July why not dig out

your favourite recipes and be prepared to bake cookies if you are able, 500 dozen is needed.

We will also be looking for cottage workers for at least five days of camp week—no

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experience necessary. Winter and Annual meetings will be taking place at Sackville United

Church this Jan. 16 and March 21. Each UCW group is to send four delegates to annual,

doing the math…four times four is sixteen women from Trinity-St. Stephen’s, not counting

officers of which we have four—Carol Bennett, Timmy Howatt, Judy Jonah and Jean Smith.

Let’s try to reach our quota of delegates to these meetings. And we are looking for ideas for

our June gathering and September Retreat, an incoming Chairperson and Vice-Chair…. if you

can help, don’t be shy. The time may be right for you to be more active in Presbyterial at the

UCW level.

Respectfully submitted, Jean Smith, Chignecto Presbyterial and Maritime Conference UCW

UCW General Church Council Representative (2014)

The year 2014 saw us adopt a different approach for the Chair position of UCW General.

With the three-person approach, I agreed to attend the full Church Council meetings. These

meetings have also taken on a new look. Standing committees meet each month, and Full

Council only meets five times a year – February, April, May, October and December. All

committees are required to have members at the meeting, which begin at 7:30 p.m. and only

go until 9:00 p.m. I have attended these meetings and taken reports of UCW happenings and

activities. In return, I bring back information for the various standing committees regarding

their activities, projects or concerns. This has allowed all to keep up with what is taking place.

From my perspective of the divided chair position, it has worked well.

Respectfully submitted, Gloria Fraser, Church Council Representative

UCW Nomination Report - UCW Officers for Year 2015

UCW General Officers: March 2015 – January 2016

Past Chair & Nominations Kathy Curtis 667-8017

Team Leader – Meeting Chair Jean Smith 667-8748

Team Leader – Vice Chair Vacant

Team Leader – Presbyterial Judy Jonah 661-0492

Team Leader – Church Council Gloria Fraser 667-9298

Recording Secretary Jean Thompson 667-7829

Assistant Recording Secretary Gloria Fraser 667-9298

Corresponding Secretary Betty Duizer-Logan 660-2254

Treasurer Kathy Curtis 667-8017

Christian Development Evelyn Bishop 667-2908

Literature Mary Dickeson 661-4255

Membership Gloria Dickinson 667-2556

Press & Publicity/Archives Marina Russell 667-8350

Reflections & Programs Units in Rotation

Social Coordinator Sandy Burke 667-8422

Social Coordinator Vera Faulkner 667-3255

Supply Carol Bennett 667-7086

Action Letter Writers/Amnesty Timmy Howatt 667-7478

Outreach/Gifts & Giving Judy Jonah 661-0492

UCW Congregational Care Kathy Curtis 667-8017

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UNIT LEADERS:

Unit One Lyn Estabrooks 660-2660

Betty Duizer-Logan 660-2254

Unit Two Bonnie Wilkie 661-1130

Unit Three Gloria Fraser 667-9298

Unit Four Judy Jonah 661-0492

Annual Membership Report – UCW 2014

Unit membership:

Unit One – 19 members plus 4 Associate Members (12 have Life Membership)

Unit Two – 16 members (10 have Life Membership)

Unit Three – 19 members plus 4 Associate Members (7 have Life Membership)

Unit Four – 18 members plus 2 Associate Member (17 have Live Membership)

2014 Statistic Summary:

Total UCW members – 72 members and 10 Associates

Life Memberships – 46 (including Associate members)

Deceased in 2014 – 4 members (Sharon Bugley, Muriel Wightman, Audrey Simpson, Hilda

Atkinson)

Moved in 2014 – 1 (Grace Scott)

New Life Members in 2014 – 2 (Jean Henley, Barbara McAloney)

Respectfully submitted, Gloria Dickinson, Membership Chair

Annual Report of the Recording Secretary – UCW 2014

Once again I have tried to keep a fairly accurate record of the activities of the General and the

Executive meetings throughout the year, and have forwarded the minutes to members of the

Executive by e-mail or have given out hard copies. For November and December I also left a

copy in the UCW box in the office for anyone to read, and will continue to do this in 2015.

Our UCW General held 10 regularly scheduled meetings during 2014. Of this number there

were six meetings mainly for business with an average attendance of 19, two meetings with a

program and a light lunch with an average attendance of 18 and two meetings with a purely

social purpose in June and December with 33 and 66 attending respectively.

Respectfully submitted, Jean Thompson, General UCW Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary Annual Report – UCW 2014

As Corresponding Secretary, I once again sent thank-you cards, card of condolences and get-

well cards at appropriate times throughout the year. We continue to receive words of praise

and thanks for the hospitality our members provide in catering to various functions of our

church and community and for the financial contributions we make here at home and abroad.

Respectfully submitted, Betty Duizer-Logan, General UCW Corresponding Secretary

Press & Publicity Report – UCW 2014

In 2014 it was my task to see that the local paper received a write-up of our monthly general

meetings. I am pleased to report the editor, and the staff at the News Office, were very

27

obliging in the timing and printing of our reports in the Amherst News. I made a real effort

to advertise our two Rummage Sales and Turkey Dinner via posters, which were placed at

strategic locations about town. These fundraisers were successful project, but to be honest the

success did not really reflect my efforts…so I hope posters will be someone else’s game in

2015.

Respectfully submitted, Marina Russell, UCW General Press & Publicity

Supply Report – UCW 2014

As Supply Secretary, I collected and delivered the following: Several bags of pop tabs and 41

pair of glasses went to the Lions Club. The glasses are sent to Edmonton, Alberta for

Operation Eyesight. Money from the sale of pop tabs buys wheelchairs. I collected card

fronts and took them to Maggie’s Place. They use them to make crafts. The stamps I collected

are given to the Bible Society (NB Branch) at the Crandall University (Murray Building), 33

Gorge Rd., Moncton. The Campbell soup can labels are given to an elementary school in

Tantallon, NS. I took 229 finger puppets to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. On

White Gift Sunday the following articles were collected and given to children in the

Christmas for Kids program: 13 stuffed toys, six pair of slippers, 14 scarves, three head bands,

107 pair of mittens, one hat and mitten set, five pair of socks and 52 toques.

Respectfully submitted, Carol Bennett, UCW Supply Secretary

UCW General Christian Education Report for 2014

The Christian Education Committee had a very active 2014. Guidelines were developed for

the chair, secretary and treasurer positions. Sunday School continued with a roll of

approximately 20 children, while four adults rotated leadership responsibilities until June.

Five children attended nursery care with five adults rotating each Sunday. Police checks for

leaders and volunteers are in place for everyone as dictated by the United Church Manual.

January 12, the children learned how the Spirit of God descended to Jesus in the shape of a

dove and following worship the children passed out doves to the congregation. In February

we celebrated Black History Month and passed out pretzels to the congregation following

worship. Sunday School children made cards for the Pastoral Care Team to take with them on

visits. A Bible Study group met on Thursdays lead by Rev. Carolyn MacLeod, which

concluded in April. The children participated in several intergeneration worship services,

Palm Sunday Parade, as well as conducting the Christian Family Service in May. With help

from the congregation, support for the Sunflower Seed Project for High River, Alberta,

realized 107 seed packets sent. The Sunday School Lenten Project was also well supported by

the congregation with an abundance of food donated to the Amherst Food Assistance

Network. We were able to place purple ribbons on all the pews downstairs. The Christian

Education prepared a very meaningful Ash Wednesday Service March 5. The committee was

asked, by council, to develop the application form and award the bursaries with the money

donated by the Wong Families. We were pleased to present the bursaries to Stephen Bradford

and Emily Ripley at the morning worship on June 22. The committee hosted the canteen for

the annual Yard Sale in May. June 6 – Pentecost Sunday – Voices of Victory Choir presented

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Following the service lunch was shared.

Gifts of appreciation were presented to our children, youth and volunteers for commitment

to the life and work of our church. Two youth were sponsored to Camp Ta-Wa-Si from the

interest generated by the Lorraine Parker Memorial Fund. A note of interest was the passing

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of Garnet Parker in March, the generous presenter of this fund to our congregation. Bible

study began again in October under the leadership of Rev. Nigel Weaver. Two age levels of

Sunday school classes began in October on a once-a-month basis. Rev. Nigel is giving

guidance to the leaders of these groups. The older class is making elastic bracelets to sell as a

fundraiser for a highchair for the nursery. Three volunteers are rotating nursery duty.

Christian Education Committee was responsible for the Candy Table at Bethlehem market as

well as bringing in the UCRD book sale. The children and youth took part in the White Gift

Service on Dec. 7 and the early Christmas Eve Service. An advent Event following the

morning worship was well attended. Centers were available for those wishing to make the

symbols of the Jesse Tree. A very full year for this committee.

Respectfully submitted, Evelyn Bishop, Christian Education Representative

Literature and Communications Report – UCW 2014

This year we received 13 subscriptions for the Maritime Conference newsletter and 36

subscriptions to the Chignecto Presbyterial Newsletter, Now Events We Share. We also have

12 subscriptions for the mission magazine Mandate, for a two-year period. I delivered the

N.E.W.S. and the Mandate to our members when they come out. I would like to thank our

UCW members for supporting our United Church publications.

Respectfully submitted, Mary C. Dickeson, General UCW Literature and Communications

Annual Social Report – UCW 2014

Funeral receptions in 2014:

Sharon Bugley (March 31), Muriel Wightman (April 2), Creighton Marney (April 13), Hilda

Atkinson (April 16), Marnie LeMoine (April 28), Brenda VanZoost (June 21), Rose

Weatherbee (August 22), Rev. Allan Griffin (Aug. 25), Martin Rose (September 8), Ruth

Nichols (September 13, shared with CWL), Vern Parrett (October 4), Ansel Smith (October 24),

Donna Dernier Clark (October 27), Jean Morrison (November 2)

Other Social Events/Activities:

April 12 – Spring Tea

April 14 – Kitchen Clean-Up

May 10 – CHCA’s Highland Fling (General Store Booth)

May 24 – Congregational Yard Sale (Bake Table)

May 31 – Muffin Morning (UCW Outreach to Seniors’ Group)

June 1 – Reception following Grand Piano Dedication Service in Memory of Margaret

McMaster

October 26 – Anniversary Service (assisted in the kitchen)

October 28 – Financial Services (Maritime Conference) Luncheon

November 8 – Turkey Dinner

November 13 – Covenanting Service for Rev. Nigel Weaver (made sandwiches and assisted in

kitchen)

November 22 – Bethlehem Market (Bake Table & Purse/Scarf Table)

December 2 – Christmas Stocking / Potluck Dinner Party

Thanks to all the UCW members as well as congregational members who assisted in making

our various projects and events such a success. It is only with your help that these activities

are possible.

Respectfully submitted, Sandy Burke and Vera Faulkner, General UCW Social Co-Conveners

29

Outreach Report – UCW 2014

As your representative I attended all of the Outreach Committee meetings. It was a very busy

year taking part in so many projects. We supported the Couch Surfers program, supplied

buckets for Autumn House, Coats for Cumberland, Camp Ta-Wa-Si, Amherst Food Bank and

Food Drives and many were assisted by the Benevolent Fund. Thank you all for your support.

Respectfully submitted, Judith A Jonah, UCW Outreach Representative

Congregational Care Report – UCW 2014

This newly formed committee is composed of representatives from each unit and is intended

to give additional contact to members of the congregation that are not regularly seen out in

the community. Members for 2014 were Gloria Beaumont (Unit 3), Jean Car (Unit 4), Marina

Russell (Unit 4), Jean Smith (Unit 4) and Jean Thompson (Unit 2). Our first project was to

send out personal invitations to the planned Easter Tea that was happening on April 12. We

targeted women who wouldn’t necessarily see the bulletin or posters around the church. We

ensured that 18 cards were sent out and about nine of these women attended the event. We

then set out to do Easter cards to all the members of last year’s Christmas Cheer list (with

updates). With the help of the Pastoral Care people all cards were delivered before Easter. We

noticed at the Easter Tea that not many men are willing to come to this type of event, so we

planned to do a May Muffin Morning to encourage all of the congregation regardless of

gender or age to come out to socialize with each other. This was held on May 31, with the

muffins being purchased instead of donated by UCW members. This event was promising

and this group hoped to be able to do a second one in the fall but we ran out of time to plan

and execute a repeat. It is hoped that the Easter cards and at least one muffin morning will be

planned for 2015, but it will depend on the representatives in the next group.

Respectfully submitted, Kathy Curtis, Chair General UCW Congregational Care Committee

Christmas Cheer Committee Report – UCW 2014

The Christmas Cheer Committee and the four UCW units worked through the months of

October, November and December collecting boxes, monetary donations and sorting food

items. Items were picked up as required from the Feed Nova Scotia Truck and the pickups for

bread, eggs, margarine, turkeys and hams were completed. A number of men from the

congregation helped with the pickups. We were fortunate to have the Amherst Army Cadets,

under the leadership of Kathy Lawrence, bring the food items up from the basement for

packing. This year we packed and delivered 77 boxes in Amherst. This included 46 families

and 31 single people covering a total of 101 adults and 79 children. There were 31 single

people, eight boxes covering two adults per box, 28 boxes covering families consisting of 2-4

persons, 7 boxes cover 5-6 per household and one box for a family of 10. A number of UCW

looked after and delivered some 60 plants, calendars and cards to shut-in members of our

congregation. A notice has been placed in the bulletin thanking all those involved. Thank you

for all your help and support—a job well done by everyone.

Respectfully submitted, Margaret Archibald, Treasurer, and Evelyn Bishop, Chair – Christmas Cheer

Committee

Early in December 2014, we received our order of poinsettia plants and promptly, these were

delivered by UCW volunteers to our 36 friends in local nursing homes and to 23 church

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friends who are virtually housebound over the holidays. UCW members Mary Dickeson and

Gloria Beaumont helped address greeting cards to accompany the plants, and they, with

other volunteers, saw that the plants were taken to the recipients. All of the mini poinsettia

plants were in full bloom. The blooms were red. This was our seventh year for remembering

our senior shut-ins with a plant at Christmas. The joy in visiting our senior shut-ins is seeing

the pleasure it gives the recipients to be remembered by their friends at Trinity-St. Stephen’s

United Church.

Respectfully submitted, Marina Russell, Christmas Poinsettia Gifts

UCW Unit Annual Reports 2014

UNIT ONE meets every third Tuesday of the month in Kimball Lounge. Like every other unit

we have great fellowship (or ladyship) and delicious food, and like every other unit we work

our little ‘butts’ off and enjoy every minute of it — or nearly every minute. Lyn Estabrooks

and Betty Duizer-Logan are our leaders. Joan Smith and Treva Hebb are our treasurers.

Gloria Dickinson is our social representative. Mary Atwell and Muriel Steel are our callers.

We have 18 faithful members, and trouble seeing and lameness doesn’t keep them away. Our

new member is Kathleen Woodworth. We try to do our share by having bring and buy sales,

thankoffering, buying flowers for the sanctuary, writing letters, baking for sales and helping

with rummage sales, funerals and the turkey dinner. All in all we enjoy getting out to visit

with one another and to get the latest news.

Respectfully submitted, Olivia Williams, Unit One Recording Secretary

UNIT TWO had a busy and enjoyable year in 2014 with a variety of interesting programs

including: Wearing and sharing memories on a favorite piece of jewelry; A presentation on

the personal lives of both Nelson Rhodes and Nathaniel Currie in Amherst and Amherst

Shore; At one meeting our brains were racked with biblical quizzes; Fun times with good

food in May at the Marshlands Inn and in September with a potluck at Kaye’s cottage; Sharon

Bristol gave an interesting program on early cancer detection; Gloria Fraser spoke about the

Christmas for Kids program; Marilyn Farrow gave a very informative talk on The Shriners

and how they support hospitals for sick children; Christmas celebrations with a gift exchange

and Chinese food and special guests Rev. Nigel Weaver, Rev. Jean Ward and Erika Benjamin.

The meeting included a visit from Santa who brought best wishes from the North Pole. We

helped with funeral receptions, Christmas cheer, kitchen cleanup, poinsettia delivery to shut-

in members of our congregation, Bethlehem Market, church yard sale and the spring and fall

rummage sales. Among our 16 members we had nine life members, two members on church

council, two choir members and one member of Presbytery, one Sunday school teacher, two

nursery supervisors and three food bank workers. As the New Year begins we will be losing

a very valuable member in Mary Lynn Cameron who is moving to Fredericton. We will miss

her meaningful contributions and bubbly personality and wish her the best in her new

community. We look forward to 2015, with our executive including: Unit Leader – Bonnie

Wilkie, Secretary – Carlene Patterson, Treasurer – Barb Wood, Brownie Rep – Margaret

MacDonald, Calling – Kaye Wood and Etta Briand, Supply – Nancy McAloney.

Respectfully submitted, Carlene Patterson, Unit Two Recording Secretary

UNIT THREE presently has 17 regular members and five associate members. We hold eight

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meetings a year; the regular meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month in the

Kimball Lounge. Last January’s Annual meeting was held at the Woo’s Kitchen with 12

members in attendance. Guests were UCW General Chair Kathy Curtis and the Rev’s Carolyn

and Victor MacLeod. Following the meal and fellowship, the annual and regular meetings

were held. The May meeting was held at the Marshlands Inn in Sackville, NB, with 11

members in attendance and the September meeting was held at Gloria Fraser’s cottage at

Jackson’s Point with 12 members in attendance. 2014 was a busy year, as usual, starting with

the Christmas stocking and letter assembly in January. Our February meeting was cancelled,

due to a snowstorm and the Bring and Buy Sale was held at the March meeting. In March,

several members attended the Chignecto Presbyterial Annual meeting, which was held at

Trinity-St. Stephen’s. Several members worked at the annual kitchen clean up and at the

UCW booth at the Hospital Auxiliary Annual Highland Fling. Members donated and worked

at the annual spring and fall rummage sales, the yard sale, the Bethlehem Market, the annual

Turkey Dinner and the Christmas Cheer program. As well, Unit Three also supplied food and

workers for several funeral receptions as well as taking our turn for worship and program at

the UCW General meetings. All officers chose to remain in their current positions for 2015,

and they are as follows: President – Gloria Fraser, Past President – Dianne Chitty, Secretary –

Gloria Beaumont, Treasurer – Marg Archibald, Friendship – Vera Faulkner, Social – Dianne

Chitty, Supply – Sarah Downing, Letter Writing – Vera Faulkner, Congregational Care –

Gloria Beaumont; Telephone conveners – Lillian Brown, Gloria Beaumont and Barbara

Ralston.

Respectfully submitted, Gloria Beaumont, Unit Three Recording Secretary

UNIT FOUR meets at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The meetings are in the

church meeting rooms or at members’ homes. We open meetings with worship and the UCW

Purpose. Worships have included spiritual readings, prayers, Bible readings, stories and

poems. We follow with concerns, business, roll call, minutes, treasurer and friendship fund,

social, archives, shawl ministry and supply reports. Worship duties for each month are

chosen following the roll call register. Lunch duties are determined in the same manner. We

sing “Happy Birthday’’ each month to our celebrating birthday gals. We close each meeting

with the UCW Prayer. Each meeting we enjoy a program followed by lunch served by our

members. We enjoyed a group meal out in June and also December as well as potluck in

October. Programs have included bring and buy auction as well as a secret brown bag bring

and buy to raise funds for our friendship fund. Some programs have been sharing of best,

worst and funny experiences. We had a program on the history of dreams and their

interpretation, as well as a program about the history of Valentine’s Day. We donated to the

church piano fund and the benevolent fund. The unit ended the year with 20 members on the

roll, 16 life members and one associate life member. Member Grace Scott left the group this

year, having left the area. Members Barbara McAloney and Jean Henley received their UCW

life memberships this year. We donated and worked for the congregational Yard and Bake

Sale and Rummage Sales, worked at the Highland Fling Booth, Kitchen Clean up, worked at

and donated items to the Shining Star Bakery for Bethlehem Market and the Christmas Cheer

Boxes, attended Camp Ta-Wa-Si retreat, participated in entertainment for the December

General UCW potluck meeting, sold church calendars, donated food and worked at funeral

receptions, donated and cooked food for the annual turkey diner where our members

worked and coordinated the take out and home deliveries. We purchased flowers for the

sanctuary for Easter and Christmas, worked on the Christmas Cheer committee, made shut-

in visitations and did communion clean up duties. On the whole we enjoyed another year of

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fellowship, worship, good friends, good food and good fun. Unit officers for 2015 are: Unit

Leader – Judy Jonah, Recording Secretary – Carolyn Seaman, Treasurer – Evelyn Bishop,

Visiting and Friendship – Marina Russell, Social Officer and Shawl Ministry – Mary Dickeson,

Supply Officer – Carol Bennett, Program – Jean Henley, Callers – Carol Bennett, Nancy Parlee,

Sandy Burke.

Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Seaman, Unit Four Recording Secretary

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Tellers and Collectors List

First name in each list is the Head Teller, and is responsible for:

1. Phone your tellers prior to the first Sunday of the month, to see if they will be present or

notify you if they cannot be present.

2. Give each teller a specific aisle for the month, in case of an emergency evacuation, the

teller can assist people to nearest exit. (See map on bulletin board.)

3. If one of the tellers is going to be absent choose a replacement from the substitute list and

put them in the same aisle.

4. Tellers collect from the pews, balcony, choir loft, and are on duty for special services that

fall during their month.

5. See there are 2 collection plates on the organ for the choir.

6. Wait until the organist has finished the postlude music before going forward to pick up

the offering.

7. July & August are Stewardship Committee's responsibility.

September

Stan Williams 667-7569

Geoff McAloney 667-4799

Roger Russell 660-2065

Catherine Aquino-Russell

October

Wayne Bishop 667-2908

John Dickinson 667-3080

Beth Dickinson 667-3080

Ron Estabrooks 667-8387

Brian Jones 667-3531

Jim Rodger 667-5741

Gary Wilkie 667-1130

November

James Ayres 661-4509

Robert Barnes 667-2733

Paul Calder 667-4778

Blake Daley 667-2546

Bill Kane 667-7010

Paul MacEachern 667-5677

Harry Wilkes 667-7335

December

Ron Patterson 667-9513

Allan Chapman 667-1820

Marilyn Chapman 667-9987

Carlene Patterson 667-9513

Elspeth Wilson 667-7418

Ron Wilson 667-7418

January

Gloria Fraser 667-9298

Jean Henley 667-9617

Blois Hennigar 661-2566

Charles Smith 667-8748

Jean Smith 667-8748

February

Rod Gilroy 667-5863

Marg Archibald 667-8238

Wanda Bickle 667-8214

Keith Quinn 660-2004

Barbara Wood 667-9589

March

John Covert 667-3216

Diane Chitty 667-7080

Vera Faulkner 667-3255

Jean Henley 667-9617

Ivan Macdonald 667-4040

Harold McAloney 667-2134

Roy Parlee 667-2879

April

Gordon MacGregor 667-9774

Harold Farrow 667-3294

Lawrence Harrison 667-2021

Jim Hatheway 667-3107

Gordon Helm 661-7502

Ben Pitman 667-5447

May

Don Trenholm 661-2203

Etta Briand 667-9135

Gerry Helm 661-7502

Bill McAloney 667-1348

Nancy McAloney 667-1348

Ruth Trenholm 661-2203

June

Kathy Curtis 667-8017

Charles Smith 667-8748

Jean Smith

Substitutes

Bart Butler 667-1616

Jean Henley 667-9617

Sandy Fairbanks 667-2846

Vern Short 667-3479

Richard Van Snick 667-0942

Barbara Hood 667-3559

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Usher List from Worship Committee

Duties

To be an usher for the month assigned and find a replacement if not able to be present.

To be familiar with building, the location of rooms and the emergency tools.

Help greet the members and visitors and pass out bulletins.

Remain at the back of the sanctuary during the worship services offering assistance and

directions to any in need.

Be available to assist with collection of offering.

Attend to any emergencies that arise.

Provide leadership in the event of a building evacuation.

January Gordon & Gerry Helm 667-7502

February John Covert 667-3216 / Garth Rayner 667-9702

March Stan Williams 667-7569 / Gary Wilkie 667-1130

April Ron & Lillian Estabrooks 660-2660

May Barry Helm 667-8299 / Paul Calder 667-4778

June Charles & Jean Smith 667-8748

Summer Beth Dickinson 667-3080 / Ollie Williams 667-7569

September Chris & John Bradford 667- 5871 / Bert Seely 667-0335

October Weldon Travis 667-7708 / Jean Henley 667-9617

November Brian Trenholm 667-9288 / Wayne Bishop 667-2908

December (2 teams) Scott Coleman 667-0852 / Ivan Macdonald 667-4040

Blake Daley 667-2546 / Marg Archibald 667-8238

Ben Pitman 667-5447 / Rod Gilroy 667-5863

Substitute Ushers List: Austen Rose 667-8993, Gloria Fraser 667-9298,

Betty Duizer Logan 667-2254, Connie Rose 667-2206,

Harry Wilkes 667-7335

Welcomers and Greeters

Welcomers

Pairs are placed at the hall entrances (Heartz Hall and Parking Lot doors); they

welcome people as they enter the building (hugging allowed); only in place before the

service

Greeters

Only in place before the service at the sanctuary entrances

Pass out the bulletins

May be the candle lighters - lights the Christ Candle at the beginning of worship

service and extinguishes it at the end

Often a ‘family’

Greeters and Welcomers are allocated on a weekly basis and are found by a “recruiter” who

will have a month at a time to find people for each Sunday. If you wish to be involved in one or

both of these activities please contact one of the persons responsible for the recruiting.

Recruiters: These are the people who will fill the above positions. Don’t wait for a call -

contact one of the following if you would like to be a Greeter or Welcomer: Alice Harrison

667-2021, Ron Estabrooks 660-2660, Beth Dickenson 667-3080, Betty Duizer 667-2254, and

Gerry/Gordon Helm 661-7502.

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2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6

Church Directory

Trinity-St. Stephen's United Church Office (902) 667-8483

Ministers’ Study (902) 667-8443

Heartz Hall (902) 667-7731

Fax: (902) 667-4785

E-mail: tssuc@eastlink.ca

Website: www.tssuc.com

Minister:

Rev. Nigel Weaver nigel.tssuc@gmail.com

Intentional Interim Minister

Director of Music:

Jeff Joudrey jeffjoudrey@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant:

Laura Trumble, term position tssuc@eastlink.ca

Custodian:

Terry Lawless

Officers

Chairperson of Church Council: Vacancy

Vice-Chairperson of Church Council: Vacancy

Secretary of Church Council: Jennifer Furlong (902) 667-0915

Chairperson of Stewardship: Jonathan MacMaster (902)669-0025

Chairperson of Board of Trustees: Bruce Baxter (902) 667-0888

Church Treasurer: Wayne Bishop (902) 667-2908

President of United Church Women: Meeting Chair Jean Smith (902) 667-8748

Presbyterial Judy Jonah (902) 661-0492

Council Gloria Fraser (902) 667-9298

Church School Contact: Wanda Bickle (902) 667-8214

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General Information: June 2014 – June 2015

Marriages Performed

Joseph Henry LEFURGEY and Darlene Audrey DAVIDSON

Douglas Hubert MARCHBANK and Peggy Leigh-Anne GILROY

Baptisms

Caroline Margaret MACMASTER

Matthew Vernon SIGUT

New Members Received

By Profession of Faith

none

By Reaffirmation of Faith

none

Membership Transfer In

Wayne MACLEAN

2 0 1 4 Statistical Information

As submitted to the United Church of Canada 2014 Year Book Report (for the 2014 Calendar Year)

Number of Households under Pastoral Care 362

Members

Received by a) Profession of Faith 0

b) Certificate of Transfer 1 Removed by a) Death 7

b) Certificate of Transfer 1 Number on Historic Roll

(Resident) 376

(Non-Resident) 32 Number in Sunday School 22 Number of Identifiable Givers - Local 230

- M. & S. 134 Number of Baptisms (infants or small children) 2 Number of Marriages performed 2

Number of Funerals (and Memorial Services) conducted 12

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Index

2014 Statistical Information ....................................................................................................... 36

A Message from the Church Council Chair .............................................................................. 9

Amherst Food Assistance Network ......................................................................................... 22

Bequests from Estates...And Special Gifts ................................................................................. 5

Board of Trustees Report ........................................................................................................... 17

Christian Education Committee Report .................................................................................. 13

Church Council Committees 2015 – 2016 ................................................................................ 12

Church Council Membership 2015 – 2016............................................................................... 11

Church Directory ........................................................................................................................ 35

Contributors to the 1944-48 Endowment Fund ........................................................................ 5

Director of Music Report ........................................................................................................... 19

Friends Unlimited ....................................................................................................................... 21

Fundraising Committee Report ................................................................................................ 20

General Information ................................................................................................................... 36

Goodtimers .................................................................................................................................. 21

IIMC Report ................................................................................................................................. 18

In Memoriam ................................................................................................................................. 4

JNAC Report ............................................................................................................................... 19

Minister’s Report .......................................................................................................................... 6

Ministry and Personnel Committee Report ............................................................................ 17

“Music at Trinity” Community Concert Series Committee Report ..................................... 21

Officers ......................................................................................................................................... 35

Open Circle Drop In ................................................................................................................... 22

Outreach Committee Report ..................................................................................................... 14

Parents ‘n Tots Program ............................................................................................................. 23

Property Committee Report ...................................................................................................... 14

ReGenesis Report ........................................................................................................................ 19

Stewardship Committee Report ............................................................................................... 16

Tellers and Collectors List ......................................................................................................... 33

United Church Women (UCW) Reports .................................................................................. 23

Usher List ..................................................................................................................................... 34

Visitation Committee ................................................................................................................. 22

Welcomers and Greeters ............................................................................................................ 34

Worship Committee Report ...................................................................................................... 17