Governance and Stewardship
Governance of Glebe-St. James
Behind-the-scenes work to keep Glebe-St.James running smoothly, striving to be mindful stewards of our resources
Behind-the-scenes work to keep Glebe-St.James running smoothly,
striving to be mindful stewards of our resources
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GSJ in the Broader United Church
Glebe-St James is a community of faith in the United Church of Canada. In the nature of United Church governance, Glebe-St James is responsible for hiring and supporting its staff and for the care and maintenance of its building and property. It also supports and participates in the work of the Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Regional Council
(EOORC), which links together United Church of Canada congregations in this area. EOORC is in turn one of 16 regions in the United Church, linked together by the General Council, which meets every three years, and led by the Moderator of the United Church, who is elected by the General Council and serves until the next one.
Finances & Fundraising
Glebe-St James’s activities are entirely financed by voluntary donations, combined with contributions of volunteer time and talents. Fundraising therefore has an important role, both as a form of community building and to support the work of the community of faith.
In addition to regular givings there are a number of annual fundraising events, such as the Great Glebe Garage Sale, the Church Bazaar, Glebe-St.James Goes Out to Dinner, and many more. These events not only support the life and work of the church, but help strengthen the GSJ community.
Congregational Meetings
Starting in March 2021, as we adapted to an online or hybrid meeting style, our congregational meeting documents have been made available on the website, in addition to circulation through email. The meeting agendas, as well as circulated documents can be found in the links below.
Below you will the documents for the 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting, as circulated by email. The meeting will be held on March 17th starting at approximately 1PM in a hybrid format, with possibilities to attend both in person, or on zoom. The event will start after an in person lunch of Irish Stew (in honour of St. Patrick's Day!) Zoom Link: Join Zoom Meeting ; Meeting ID: 818 2008 4019; Passcode: 6505966 The meeting begins at 1pm; the link will open shortly before the meeting starts at 12:30pm. Linked Documents: 2023 Annual Report 2023-March Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes 2023-May Congregational Planning Meeting Notes 2023 Treasurer's Report 2024 Budget (also includes music budget, proposed M&S targets) Meeting Agenda, and linked documents: Opening Prayer Election of Chair and Secretary Attendance Approval of the Meeting Agenda Report from Council - Pam Fitch Approval of Minutes of 2023 Annual Meeting Approval of Minutes of Congregational Planning Meeting Approval of the 2023 Annual Report Board of Trustees - David Brown Nominating Committee Report - David Brown ReconciliAction - Wendy Bergeron Treasurer’s Report - Karen 2024 Music Budget - Liz Elton Mission and Service Target - Susan Palmai 2024 Budget - Karen Walker 2023-24 Community of Faith (Living Ministry) Profile Business of the Church Vote of thanks - Liz Elton Closing Prayer - Rev. Dr. Teresa Burnett-Cole
Below you will the documents for the 2023 Annual Congregational Meeting, as circulated by email. The meeting will be held on March 26th starting at 12:30PM in a hybrid format, with possibilities to attend both in person, or on zoom. Zoom Link: Join Zoom Meeting ; Meeting ID: 613 236 0617 Passcode: 6279310 The meeting link will open shortly before the meeting starts (ca. 12:20pm). Note you will start in a waiting room, to permit attendance to be taken. Linked Documents: Meeting Agenda (see below as well) 2022 Annual Report 2022 ACM Meeting Minutes - Mar 6, 2022 May Planning Meeting Minutes - May 1, 2022 July Congregational Meeting Minutes - CDPC Search - July 17, 2022 The Living Faith Story - 2023 Draft Budget Documents for 2023 2023-2025 Council Nominations 2023 Volunteer List Meeting Agenda, and linked documents: Opening Prayer (Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole) Welcome (Jenifer Aitken and Pam Fitch) Election of Chair and Secretary ( motion ) Attendance Motion to permit voting by Adherents ( motion ) Approval of the Meeting Agenda ( motion ) In Memoriam 2022 (Brad Munro) Report from Council (Jenifer Aitken) Treasurer’s Report (Karen Walker) Approval of Minutes of March 6, 2022 Annual Congregational Meeting ( motion ) Approval of Minutes of May 1, 2022 Congregational Planning Meeting ( motion ) Approval of the Minutes of the July 17, 2022 Congregational Meeting - CDPC Search Committee ( motion ) Approval of the 2022 Annual Report ( motion ) Trustees - Resignation and Election ( motion ) Nominating Committee Report and Approval of Council Members ( motion ) Stewardship Presentation (David Brown and Dudleigh Coyle) Approval of the 2023 Music Budget (Liz Elton) ( motion) Approval of 2023 Budget ( motion ) Land Use Fee ( motion ) Mission and Service Target (Susan Palmai) ( motion ) 2023-24 Community of Faith Profile ( motion ) Vote of Thanks (Crystal Maitland) Closing Prayer
Congregational Planning Meeting Below you will find some important documents for the 2022 GSJ Congregational Planning Meeting, as were also circulated by email. The meeting will be held on May 1st starting at 1 PM in a hybrid format. You can attend in person (masked) or join in on zoom (link below) as we join together to discuss the life and work of the church. While a less formal meeting than our annual congregational meeting, there will still be motions to approve the work of the council nominating committee. Zoom Link: Zoom link for ACM (Meeting ID: 842 3490 9972; Passcode: 6279310). The meeting link will open at about 12:45pm. Note you will start in a waiting room, to permit attendance to be taken. Meeting Topics: Nominations Committee: approval of congregation to fill Council vacancies (motion). Proposed Council Membership ; new members and vacancies in bold. Full Volunteer, Group and Committee List Highlights from various committees and groups on ongoing and proposed projects: Accessibility Team Outreach Refugee Ministry at Glebe-St. James - renewal and partnerships Music and the new digital organ
Below you will find some important documents for the 2022 Annual Congregational Meeting, as were also circulated by email. The meeting will be held on March 6 starting at 1 PM in a hybrid format, with possibilities to attend both in person, or on zoom. The zoom link is below. In person attendance will require proof of vaccination, masking and physical distancing. Key Documents: 2021 Annual Report (Draft) Thriving Churches Report Zoom Link: Zoom link for ACM (Meeting ID: 856 1740 7899; Passcode: 6279310). The meeting link will open at 12:45pm. Note you will start in a waiting room, to permit attendance to be taken. Meeting Agenda, and linked documnets: Opening Prayer Welcome Election of Chair and secretary - motion Attendance Motion to permit voting by Adherents - motion Approval of the Meeting Agenda - motion In Memoriam 2021 (see page 8 of the annual report) Report from Council Treasurer’s Report (see 2021 Treasurer's Report ) Approval of the 2021 Annual Report - motion Approval of Minutes of 2021 Annual Meeting - motion Approval of Minutes of the Congregational Planning Meeting - motion Report of the Task Force on Christian Development and Pastoral Care (see Task Force Report ) - motion Trustees - Resignation and Election (see Trustees Announcement ) - motion Nominating Committee Report and Approval of Chair Elect - motion Approval of 2022 Budget - motion Land Use Fee - motion Mission and Service Target - motion 2022-23 Community of Faith (Living Ministry) Profile - motion Vote of thanks Closing Prayer
Here are some important documents for the 2021 Annual Congregational Meeting which will be held on March 21 starting at 1 PM. Note these documents have also been distributed to many members by email. Agenda (see also laid out below) Annual Report Zoom connection for ACM (starting around 12:45). 0. Opening of Zoom link for sign-in (12:45 p.m.) (Meeting ID: 862 6486 1992, Passcode: 845118) 1. Opening prayer (Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole – 1:00 p.m.) 2. Welcome 3. Election of a chair and secretary (Jim Louter - motion) 4. Attendance 5. Motion to permit voting by Adherents 6. Approval of the meeting agenda (draft attached here ) 7. In memoriam: 2019 and 2020 (Jim Richardson) 8. Report from Council (David Brown) a. Developments during the COVID-19 pandemic 9. Approval of decisions taken by Council in lieu of a 2020 Annual Congregational Meeting (motions) ( background document here ) a. Council continuation b. 2019 Annual report, including minutes of the 2019 ACM and 2018 Financial Review c. 2020 Budget d. 2020 Land Use fee e. 2020 Mission and Service goal Break 10. 2019 Financial Review (motion) 11. 2020 Treasurer’s financial report (motion) 12. 2020 Financial Review (motion) 13. Approval of the 2020 Annual Report (motion) 14. Moving forward a. 2021-23 Nominations report (motion) (ai) Nominations for members of the 2021-23 Glebe-St James Council (aii) A complete list of members of Council committees, ministries and other Glebe-St James volunteer activities. b. 2021 Budget (motion) c. 2021 Land Use Fee (motion) d. 2021 Mission and Service target (motion) e. 2021-22 Living Ministry Profile (motion) f. Organ renewal (motion) g. Interim report of the Futures Task Force h. Interim report of the Governance Working Group (motion) 15. Handover to the new Council and Council chair 16. Vote of thanks (Liz Elton) 17. Close (closing prayer – Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole)
Annual Reports
As required by the United Church, Glebe-St James prepares an Annual Report, summarizing its activities in the previous calendar year. Each year it also prepares a Living Ministry Profile, which reflects on its faith-based mission and priorities.
Church Council
The work of the lay members of the Glebe-St James community of faith is led by the Church Council, which is elected for a two-year period by the Annual Congregational Meeting.
Guiding Documents
As a self-governing community of faith within the United Church of Canada, Glebe-St James works within the governance and administrative framework established by the United Church Manual, approved by the General Council. As called for by the Manual, it also has its own Constitution, which shapes the work of the Church Council.
- United Church Manual
- Glebe-St.James United Church Constitution
- Halo Report - Socio-economic impact report (Feb 21, 2020)
Stay tuned for future content!
- Document Archive
- Board of Trustees
- Building and Property
- Finance and Administration (F&A)
- Futures Task Force
- Ministry and Personnel (M&P)
- Steering Committee