York Pines United Church
Community
Profile
York Pines United Church is
located in the “green” belt of King Township, 60 kilometers north of Toronto,
on Highway # 400. King is an area of
agriculture, horse ranches, recreational outdoors conservation areas and small
towns. In many ways, it represents
‘old’ traditional Ontario. Not a single
box store to be found!
All amenities are found
nearby, however. The fast growth cities
of Newmarket and Aurora area (combined populations of approximately one hundred
fifty thousand) are a 15 minute drive and contain virtually every box store
available plus fine dining and other services.
Toronto is due south and easily accessible via Hwy 400 in thirty minutes
of non rush hour driving. Less then a
30 minute drive due north on Hwy 400 will bring you to Barrie and vacation /
sports country including skiing, cottaging and snowmobiling.
Historically, King Township
was a major conduit of commerce. Known
as Carrying Place, the fur traders would portage their canoes across the divide
in order to access Lake Simcoe, and transverse the Great Lakes to the West
beyond.
Nearby small towns Kettleby
and Pottageville took their names from early commerce settlers who built saw
mills on fast moving rivers. These were
followed by grist mills as the land was cleared for agriculture. The Holland Marsh was born as a major
producer of carrots, onions and celery by pumping the surface water into newly
built canals. In modern times, the
farms have been supplemented by greenhouses growing flowers and vegetables.
Today King Township is a low
growth, environmentally green area. The
growing urban sprawl of nearby communities including Newmarket, Aurora and
Vaughan stops at the King ‘border.’ The
area is a mix of small towns, country estates, farms and horse ranches. There are several small industrial areas
that contain mostly small manufacturing concerns. To a major extent, it is a commuter community.
Nearby major metropolitan
areas of Aurora and Newmarket provide commuter transit services to Toronto via
GO bus and train routes. In addition,
residents have their choice of two Canadian Tire, two Home Depot, two Walmarts,
two movie theatres and two Winners stores within a fifteen minute drive. The new York Mills / Vaughan shopping mall
is the largest mall in the country and is ten minutes away. Live theatre is available locally and in
Toronto. The major art gallery,
McMichael, specializes in the Group of Seven artists and is in nearby
Kleinberg.
King topography includes the
flat, soil rich Holland Marsh but is predominately rolling, heavily wooded
environmentally sensitive land. The
renown Oakridges Morraine is a predominant feature and extensive hiking trails
cover the area. The moraine acts as the
watershed for several major rivers including the Toronto bound Don River. The divide is such that water flows either
south to Lake Ontario or north to Lake Simcoe.
Abundant nature include deer, coyotes, otters and Pileated woodpeckers.
Emergency facilities are
nearby. While there are doctor offices
in King, the major hospital, Southlake is in nearby Newmarket. It is currently undergoing a major expansion
and is recognized as leader in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Another hospital, York Central, is located
in Richmond Hill and is 20 minutes distant.
Specialized care is available in Toronto such as Women’s College and
Sick Kids Hospital. King contains emergency depots including Fire and Ambulance
services.
Educational facilities are
nearby. King houses public schools and
public high schools. Separate high
schools, private schools, and community colleges are all located close by in
Aurora and Newmarket. Universities are
within commuting distance and include York University and University of
Toronto.
Recreational facilities are
extensive within King and include three community arenas that host both hockey
and curling. Most communities include
baseball and soccer fields. The area is
dotted with parks and conservation areas.
King Township historically
was predominately British in makeup with the exception of the Marsh (Dutch) but
the ethnic mix is changing. Today,
Italian, Portuguese and other ethnic groups are moving into King. The area is aging with fewer young families
with new born and young children. There
is a sizeable population of adults that grew up in King and have never left or
have subsequently returned ‘home.’ The
attached York Pines United Church Profile Report provides census statistics on
the area.
The primary target area for
York Pines United Church is centred along the Aurora Lloydtown Road and
stretches from Bathurst Street to Concession 8 (almost to Hwy 27.)
The secondary area is
defined as extending north to the north side of the Holland Marsh as defined by
the Canal Rd. It extends south to
Wellington Street which includes the town of Snowball. The western extremity is defined as
Concession 8.
The major challenge as
defined by the community will be to attract new members from an area that is
low growth.
Area Web Sites:
http://www.township.king.on.ca/public/index.cfm
http://www.yorktourism.com/Municipalities/King.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/king-ontario
http://www.oakridgestrail.org/
Attachments:
York Pines United Church
Profile Report
Profile of the Pastoral Charge
Mission Statement:
The mission of York Pines
United Church is to be an instrument to achieve God’s Plan by:
- providing an environment
that transforms lives through worship, music, learning and personal growth;
- building a vibrant,
nurturing family of faithful Christians that is inclusive of and respectful to
all;
- reaching out into our
community and the world, offering compassion and support in all ways;
- embracing change eagerly
yet sensibly as we discover new ways to be relevant to people.
In 2006 as part of our
Visioning process, York Pines adopted this new mission statement which we
believe more accurately reflects who we are at this time. Indeed, we are a congregation who sincerely
want to be an instrument, ready to be used by God to achieve God’s plan. We draw upon many examples in our past when
we have been a positive, even transforming environment, where lives have been
touched and individuals encouraged to grow.
We want to build our Church family and use any opportunities presented
to us to grow in our inclusiveness in spite of the sheltered rural community in
which we find ourselves. We acknowledge
that over the past few years of conflict, we have perhaps lost opportunities to
reach out to our community and the world, opportunities that we would like to
recapture. We understand the need for
change intellectually but struggle with its practical application.
York Pines was created in
1966 by the coming together of three churches Pottageville, Snowball and
Kettleby. A fourth church Glenville
had already been incorporated into this group. That, too, was a time of change and uncertainty, but it also
proved to be a time of innovation, strong leadership and hard work. Even those who have come after and did not
work through the amalgamation, feel a pride in it.
When York Pines began many
of its members worked in agriculture.
Today members who live in our
immediate community are more likely to commute to work in urban centers. A significant percentage of our members live
at a distance of more than fifteen kilometers
from the church but still retaining their membership in York Pines. Another significant group is retirees who
give considerable volunteer time to the church but are also away from the
community for significant portions of the year.
We gather at 10:30 a.m. each
Sunday from mid-August to the beginning of July for our worship services in
which music figures prominently.
Gathering after service for coffee is significant part of our communal
life. Communion is conducted four times
a year.
Since our last JNAC, the
profile of the pastoral charge has changed significantly. The struggles which lead to the dissolution
of the last pastoral relationship, resulted in a reduction of membership, and
the closing of our Sunday School as there are no young families.
We have initiated a change
in governance from official board and are currently implementing a
Congregational Council. The demands of
a multiple committee structure, under the Official Board model, could not be
met and necessitated this restructuring.
Yet within this change we remain a congregation that has traditionally
valued the role played by elders in pastoral care and hope to grow in our
ability to provide this. Rooted in the
good neighborliness of our earlier rural communities, these agents have been
every effective in helping us fulfill our Christian ministry.
Our extensive, inclusive and
sincere Visioning process led to the identification of 8 belief statements of
which we have selected two as priorities.
The first reflects our need for growth and innovation, while the second
speaks to the need to strengthen the relationships within our
congregation. Both of these require
open effective communication among the minister, congregation, the council and
the congregation as a whole.
While the Visioning process
as described above speaks to our current situation, to truly understand York
Pines we would like to share certain snapshots that have been part of our rich
history which have contributed to our spiritual growth.
- helping an autistic teen
become confirmed
-taking the Sunday school to
shop for our Christmas family
-Christmas plays and Easter
Cantatas
- After closing for 5 weeks
in the summer we joyfully reunited at the Welcome back BBQ
- Caroling in picturesque
village of Kettleby and stopping at every door.
- Turkey suppers with our
many community friends in the church basement
- Refugee sponsorship
- We are a congregation that
has made its M&S target for the past several years.
- UCW committed group.
- monthly Fellowship lunch
Our recent experience has
been one of interim ministry with the Reverend Don Bell, whose sensitive,
pro-active approach has helped us with the process of healing. The creative use he made of the year long
celebration of York Pines 40th anniversary has brought us to a point
of being ready, we believe, to proceed and seek a new pastoral relationship. We are seeking someone who is willing to
take up a challenge: who will work as part of a team to help us fulfill our
visioning goals and who will satisfy our yearning to know and love God.
York
Pines United Church
Resources
Profile
York
Pines owns one property, a large wooded lot (3 acres) where the church itself
is located, just east of Highway 400 on the Lloydtown-Aurora Road. It’s an
attractive setting which can be used to advantage. For the fortieth anniversary
celebration in May 2006, we held the service on the front lawn where three pine
trees were dedicated followed by a barbeque in the side yard under the fruit
trees.
The
sanctuary has permanent seating for 200. It has a wooden planked cathedral
ceiling. The altar is flanked by the pulpit and the organ on the right, and the
lectern and the piano on the left. There is space at the back for 50 temporary
seats. Normally, this space is used for coffee and fellowship after every
service.
Staff
consists of the church administrator who is in the office three mornings per
week. She is responsible for the book-keeping and producing the financial
reports, typing, filing and correspondence. She also carries out the duties of
the Envelope Secretary. The office is well organized and well run by the
incumbent who is very helpful and has held the position for a number of years.
The office equipment includes a computer, a fax and an aged photocopier.
The
organist/choir director position is currently filled through semi-permanent
supply. This was done to maintain flexibility until the JNAC process is
completed and the direction for the church is determined. The incumbent is a
skilled performer at both the organ and the piano. His leadership is respected
by the choir and much appreciated by the congregation.
Sources
of revenue are givings, the manse fund, the occasional fundraiser and rent. The
receipts are expended on personnel, operating expenses and committee needs. The
current minister is in the highest category. Three-quarters of the budget is
dedicated to personnel expenses. Currently, there is no manse, but there is a
significant fund (balance is approximately $390,000) which is used to finance
the housing allowance for the current minister.
|
|
2006
Dec. 31 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
Receipts |
$126,215 |
$114,351 |
$112,035 |
$106,984 |
$112,573 |
|
Expenditures |
$124,910 |
$117,987 |
$114,348 |
$115,278 |
$112,325 |
|
Surplus
(Deficit) |
1,305 |
($3,636) |
($2,313) |
($8294) |
$248 |
The
church building is just over forty years old and requires the usual repairs for
a building of this age. The roof was reshingled in 1994. The basement windows,
the chimney and the furnace burner have been replaced in the past year.
Replacement of the furnace itself comes under periodic discussion. Major repairs
like this are financed by the capital development fund (current balance is
$16,884) with the exception of the windows which were donated.
The
maintenance of the church is contracted out including custodial care, lawn care
and snow removal. Other needs are addressed by the skilled volunteers of the
Property Committee, but they are currently operating without a chairman. Aside
from church functions, the building is also used by the Kettleby Girl Guides,
by the Kettleby Co-op Nursery School and for meetings of local organizations.
Our
congregation does not hold stewardship drives. Givings used to significantly
increase in fourth quarter after Thanksgiving. We were able to meet our
budgeted receipts and Mission and Service goal and had small surplus until 2001.
We have been running deficits since then (accumulated total is $13,626) and no
longer see the fourth quarter influx. There has been an improvement in givings
in the past two years. Givings in 2006 have been consistent throughout the
year.
York Pines United Church
Position Description
York Pines United Church is
a full time single point charge arrangement suitable for an experienced
Ordained Minister (Sermons, Sacrament & Pastoral Care)
Position:
Full time Ordained Minister
Summary Statement
Full time ministry position
is charged with leading the congregation in service, Christian education, care
and outreach. She or he will be charged
with primary responsibility for the various church functions. In addition, the incumbent is expected to
play a prominent role in team rebuilding within the congregation and to spear
head outreach programs. The position
will work closely with the Music Director to ensure the ongoing high quality of
the church choir and music program.
Worship and Sacraments
Responsibility for the
overall direction and planning of worship services. Traditional Sunday services are generally followed by a social
fellowship time over coffee. Music has
traditionally been an important component of most services.
Christian Education
Develop and deliver
Christian education programs targeted to the existing congregation.
Successful pilot programs
have been delivered in the past several years through the efforts of the
interim Minister and lay leaders.
Pastoral Care
Visitation programs are an
important part of the role, given the older congregation age skew. This includes visits to congregational
members at home, in nearby regional hospitals and facilities. Counseling and funerals are a by product of
the above. Weddings and baptisms are
conducted as required.
Outreach
Outreach programs should be
designed to maintain and expand our presence in the community. While community service is an important
issue, York Pines United Church would also encourage programs to reach out to
prospective new congregational members.
Sunday School
At this time there is no
Sunday School program, although the facilities are present should the need
arise in the future.
Administration
Work with the administrative
assistant and the Official Board to ensure the efficient administration of York
Pines United Church. In addition, the incumbent will work with Presbytery and
the United Church to ensure that York Pines is professionally represented at
all levels of the hierarchy.
York Pines United Church
Skills Profile
York Pines United Church is looking for a full time ordained
United Church minister for Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care. They will deliver a sermon that is
spiritually and intellectually challenging and is relevant to day to day
life. A strong speaking voice, of
course, helps to deliver the message as well.
We appreciate a good sense of humor and someone with a strong sense of
fairness.
Pastoral Care is very important to our church family. With our new governance, we have a pastoral
care committee and are hoping to have some guidance in the development of this
committee.
We need someone with good team building skills to work well
with our administrative assistant and the music director. This person needs to be sensitive,
perceptive about people needs, compassionate and welcoming. We would like someone who wants to be
involved in all parts of our church and community life.
Having good communication skills is necessary, especially
through a time of transition, so the committees and congregation are all aware
of what is going on or coming up. We
need someone who is organized and punctual.
York Pines is looking for a shepherd for our flock.
TERMS
PROFILE
*
40 hr work week
*
United Church standard salary (somewhat negotiable above if qualifications
warrant)
*
Housing allowance according to York Presbytery standard plus low-rate
mortgage/down payment assistance
*
Standard benefits (group insurance, EAP, RCP)
*
Travel allowance
*
Basic telephone service
*
Study leave (3 weeks)
*
4 weeks vacation (5 Sundays)
*
Study allowance