February 2023 - Newsletter

Hello Exeter United Church family,

Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Pastor Paul Vollick, retired minister. However, the word retirement is used rather loosely. I have come out of retirement once again to serve. This time I am here to serve you, the members and community of Exeter United.

Although I will be serving you part-time, my focus will be on helping you through pastoral care, worship and the day to day needs of your community until you the members of Exeter United have reviewed all of your needs for the future so that you can call a permanent minister or ministers.

I am very excited to assist and serve you while you are on this journey that will lead you into a new future and new path that will strengthen Exeter United’s work, that God has called you to do.

I look forward to meeting each and everyone of you over the course of time that I am with you.

Blessings to All,

Pastor Paul

Leadership Team Update

Greetings Everyone,

There is lots going on at Exeter United Church. With Pastor Paul Vollick’s appointment we are well on our way to resuming normal operations.

Pastor Paul is providing worship leadership two Sunday’s a month with pulpit supply being used for all other worship services.

Pastor Paul is available for visits – by phone, at the church and in homes. He is working from the church office every Wednesday.

The Choir is performing anthems 2-3 Sundays per month.

Sunday School is being held most Sundays with an occasional event offsite.

A time of refreshments and fellowship is being held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 10 am. Women gather in the parlour and men in the social hall.

The South Huron Arts Centre winter program is underway. Classes are being held in the parlour and social hall.

Our church facilities are being used by many other community groups: South Huron Community Choir, AA, Alanon, and Supervised Access to name just a few.

Lynn Alderdice, our Treasurer, is working from the church office every Monday morning.

Laurie Johnston, our Office Administrator, is working from the church office every Thursday and Friday.

The Ministry & Personnel Team continues to lead us in the work needed to update our Community of Faith profile. This process will take time but once complete, we will have confirmed our needs and be ready to start the search for a new minister.

The 2022 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday April 23 during the morning worship service. In addition to approving the 2023 budget, we will be seeking input on washroom renovations and a long term rental agreement with the South Huron Arts Centre. Please plan to attend this service to learn about our options and provide your feedback.

As a Leadership Team, we ask for your participation and ongoing support as we make important decisions about our future.

Blessings,

Shirley Hayes, Ann Johns, Alice MacLean, Stephen Platts, Larry Wein

Ministry and Personnel Team News

Nov 6/22 - Cheryl Masson posed question to congregation “What impact would it have on you, our community, and our church if our church closed in 10 years? We need the answers from you, the congregation, to avoid closure and to plan our future. We need change.

Nov 20/22 - Janice Brock informed the congregation on the idea of ‘sharing’ - sharing ministry, sharing staff, sharing physical space, programs such as Sunday School, seniors, or youth groups.

Because of declining enrolment everywhere, many other local communities have already changed and going this route.

Dec 12/22 - Lois Godbolt spoke to the Ladies Coffee and Conversation group acknowledging that we should be grateful for the many good things that we have at EUC - good facility, good Leadership Team, good people providing bake sales, Christmas decorations, Sunday School programs, pulpit supply, coffee, and conversation social times. Questions asked: Could we make this better? - What if we? - What do you think of this idea?

Exciting News for EUC! Pastor Paul Vollick appointed by the United Church of Canada and Exeter United to a 1/4 part time supply position enabling our congregation to have coverage for pastoral care, baptisms, funerals, part time pulpit supply, leadership, and meetings as applicable. We are so thankful to have his guidance to our M&P Team and others in our search for a new ministry in the next 1-2 years.

So, what can YOU do to help us?

TALK to each other and to us!

IDEAS for the future

BE OPEN to new ideas.

GIVE us your thoughts!

As Red Green used to say « we’re all in this together «

General Operating Budget Update – 2022 Full Year Results

2022 ended in the black with income exceeding expenses by approximately $4,200. This result will be reviewed at the annual meeting on Sunday April 23.

Total Income	$180,779.42

Total Expenses	$176,591.53

Excess Income/Expenses	$4,187.89

There are many ways to make a donation to Exeter United Church.

By e-transfer to exeterunitedchurch@gmail.com

Mail a cheque to the office (42 James Street Box 561 Exeter, ON N0M 1S6)

Drop off a cheque at the office any Monday morning.

Call Lynn Alderdice at 226-378-5322 to arrange a drop off time.

PAR (call or email the office to setup)

Canada Helps https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/exeter-united-church/

Capital Projects Update

James St. Doors

Both sets of external doors on James St. need to be replaced due to damaged hinges and misaligned frames. Two quotes for replacement have been received. The Trustees approved a recommendation made by the Property Team to proceed with replacement by W. H. Smith Construction. The estimated cost for this replacement is $25,000. The Trustees decided the congregation should be asked to make donations towards this project.

To donate to this capital project, please indicate your donation is for “James St Doors”.

Universal Washroom / Washrooms

For our church building to continue to be used, a universal washroom must be in place by 2025, mandated by provincial law. Alan Avis Architects has completed a design and construction documents needed to obtain a construction estimate. This full design includes the creation of a janitor's closet, universal washroom, minor changes to the men's washroom and an upgrade to the women’s washroom. An estimate for construction has been received from W.H. Smith Construction. Due to the high cost, the Trustees have recommended this project be brought forward to the annual meeting for review, discussion, and other options to ensure that we are compliant with provincial law.

Considering we will need a universal washroom by 2025 and we will need to raise the funds for this washroom, you may wish to help in the fundraising now. To donate to the completed design phase of this capital project, please indicate your donation is for “Washrooms”.

Questions about these projects can be directed to Ken Coates.

South Huron Arts Centre Partnership

The South Huron Arts Centre started operations last fall with 17 programs running successfully. Their winter programs are underway with classes running from January through to April.

The South Huron Community Theatre group will be using our facilities to present Nunsense in April. Evening performances are planned for Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22.

Our facilities have proven to work well for the Arts Centre, and we have a positive overall working relationship. Some minor scheduling conflicts have occurred, but we are learning how to share our space.

The Arts Centre has their own insurance in place. Approved minor facilities renovations are complete with a kiln, counter and sink installed in the social hall. All costs were borne by the Arts Centre.

The Arts Centre has requested approval to put a pottery studio in the west side of the basement. The kiln would remain in the social hall. The advantage of having a pottery studio in the basement is that dust could be confined to one space and all equipment could be set up permanently. They would like to work towards creating a pottery guild (masters/apprentices) in the longer term. The Arts Centre has the opportunity to apply for grants to finance this and expects it to be a 3 year plan. The proposal in principle has been provided to the Leadership Team and Trustees. This proposal would be conditional on a long-term rental agreement being in place as well as a way to prevent dust from being tracked into the rest of the facilities.

For the first 12 months of operation, we agreed to support the Arts Centre as an outreach project of Exeter United Church with no rent/utilities charged. The Arts Centre is seeking to have a long-term tenant agreement with us. With the start-up success and planned growth of the Arts Centre, we are now working together to come up with a mutually beneficial long-term rental agreement. We plan to present possible options for feedback at the April 23 annual meeting.

Questions about this partnership can be directed to Ann Johns.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

February 26 - continuing with our Bible Hero Theme.

March 5 - soup and beef on a bun - donations will be split between the Sunday School and the Earthquake relief in Türkiye and Syria after expenses.

March 12 & 19 - no Sunday School

March 26 - Bible Hero Theme / Lent

April 2 - Palm Parade

April 9 - Easter

April 16 - May 8 - Bible Heroes and more. The more to be decided upon.

UCW UPDATE:

Although formal meetings of the UCW have not yet resumed, the ladies of our church have been gathering for a time of fellowship and refreshments on the second Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the parlour. These casual get-togethers have been so well received and will be continued for the foreseeable future. Please consider this your invitation to join us for coffee, tea, treats and great conversations. “Save the date” reminders will be included in the weekly Church updates.

Next gathering will take place on Monday March 13th at 10:00 a.m.

FARMERS MARKET:

The UCW is planning to participate in the upcoming 2023 Farmers Market season and will host its

familiar “Homemade Market” at the September and October market events. Details of what will be sold

at the UCW booth will be shared with the congregation once the dates for monthly Markets have been

determined by the BIA. Stay tuned!!

SOUP SALES

Once again, the UCW will be offering their delicious Hamburger Vegetable Soup for sale in March. If you have any quart / litre jars with lids that are in good shape, please drop them off to the church kitchen by March 12th.

Worship Schedule – Feb 26 to June 2023

Service Date & Time	Worship Leader
Sunday Feb.26 @ 10:30 AM	Kate Monk
Sunday Mar 5 @ 10:30 AM	Paul Vollick
Sunday Mar 12 @ 10:30 AM	Kate Monk
Sunday Mar 19 @ 10:30 AM	Paul Vollick
Sunday Mar 26 @ 10:30 AM	Kate Monk
Sunday Apr 2 @ 10:30 AM Palm Sunday	Paul Vollick
Sunday Apr 9 @ 10:30 AM Easter	Paul Vollick
Sunday Apr 16 @ 10:30 AM Food Grains	Kate Monk
Sunday Apr 23 @ 10:30 AM Annual Meeting	Paul Vollick
Sunday Apr 30 @ 10:30 AM	Kate Monk
Sunday May 7 @ 10:30 AM	David Burghardt
Sunday May 14 @ 10:30 AM	Lauri Ladd
Sunday May 21 @ 10:30 AM	Paul Vollick
Sunday May 28 @ 10:30 AM	Trish MacGregor
Sunday June 4 @10:30 AM	David Burghardt
Sunday June 11 @ 10:30 AM	Paul Vollick
Sunday June 18 @ 10:30 AM	Kate Monk
Sunday June 25 @ 10:30 AM	Paul Vollick

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Lynn Alderdice

2023-02-24