The Community of First Grantham United Church Pastoral Charge 2
City Profile
First Grantham United Church is located in the north-east section of St. Catharines, a city of 131,000 people on the shore of Lake Ontario. Abutting the city on the east is the Welland Canal, an important component of the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes seaway system which allows ships from around the world to reach into the heart of North America. Surrounding St. Catharines, is farmland on which tender fruit is grown. Vegetables and flowers are grown in hundreds of greenhouses scattered throughout the area.
The health care needs are serviced by a new hospital with heart and cancer wings, a health and rehabilitation hospital, several medical centres, walk-in clinics and individual doctors in all disciplines of health care.
The arts are important to the social fabric of the community, and the Marilyn Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts is just being completed in the downtown area of the city in cooperation with Brock University. Throughout the city are many art galleries, and venues for the performing arts. Garden City Productions has been staging plays and musicals of quality for over 50 years, and the Niagara Symphony is a high quality local orchestra. The St. Catharines Museum is located on the Welland Canal near the twin flight locks, appropriately indicating the importance of the canal to the history and economy of the area. Brock University and Niagara Community College provide high quality post-secondary education at local campuses.
Arenas and other sports venues are found around the city, and the Niagara Ice Dogs have a home in the new Meridian Centre downtown. Rowing is a popular sport taking place on Martindale Pond. The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta is an annual international event. The Henley course was also a venue for several events at the 2015 Pan Am games. For golfers there are 28 golf courses in the Niagara region, and many more within an hour’s drive. For those who enjoy wine there are over 60 wineries in Niagara, making a wine tour an enjoyable part of the tourist package.
Tourism is important in the area due to the beauty of the region, the proximity of border crossings to the U.S., and because the entire Niagara region is steeped in history. Easy access to Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Buffalo airports make travelling convenient.
For further information see: www.tourismstcatharines.ca
www.brocku.ca
www.niagaracollege.ca
www.dsbn.org
www.niagarafallstourism.com/play/historic
www.stcatharines.ca
Church Profile 3
First Grantham United Church was formed in 2004 by the amalgamation of First United, a downtown church, and Grantham United, located in the city’s north end. The ministers from the two congregations worked together for a number of years to lead a very successful union. In the past year our congregation has also welcomed some former members from two other city churches (St. Andrews and Carleton Street) which have closed due to declining membership.
First Grantham, an inclusive church, is active both internally and in the community. Over the past year the congregation and council have been reviewing First Grantham’s governance model and policies.
Sundays are supported with volunteers acting as welcoming hosts, taking part in the service, taking care of the collection and hosting coffee hour. Music is an important part of church life. We have an enthusiastic choir. Occasionally, talented youth of the congregation take part in the church service and a yearly music scholarship is awarded.
With the enthusiastic work of the Coordinator of Family Ministries, we have an active and growing program for children and youth. We also have UCW, Bible study, a book club, quilters who donate their wares, a Pancake Tuesday supper and a huge spring flea market. There always seems to be something taking place and the congregation is very supportive of these ministries.
Our committees are extremely vibrant and effective. The Christian Service Committee, with congregational input, chooses local and global focus groups that are financially supported each year. These focus groups have included Red Roof, Doctors without Borders, Community Care, and FINCA (a micro loan company). In addition the congregation outreach includes Out of the Cold, a Community Supper and Food Bank Drives. We are proud that this congregation gives the highest contributions to M&S in our conference.
First Grantham is affiliated with Niagara Ina Grafton Gage Village, a senior’s housing complex, which neighbours the church. Many of the residents are active in the congregation. There are church members on their Board of Governors.
The recent Syrian refugee crisis has prompted our congregation to form a Syrian Refugee Team. They are moving along well in our desire to become a sponsor.
In 2014 there was a disagreement between our previous long term minister and some members of the congregation. Our minister decided to ask for a change of ministry and left with short notice. This left many in our congregation angry, confused and hurt. Presbytery decided that Interim Ministry would be the way to start the healing and rebuilding process.
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Through this ministry we have learned and are continuing to learn to appreciate each other, heal, have fun as a group, and work together to accomplish our ministry and mission.
Our church consists of caring and industrious members of all age ranges. Our congregation has been on a journey of renewal and healing.
Resources
We are located in a modern, recently updated facility, with a large sanctuary, various sized multi-purpose rooms, fellowship room (parlour), kitchen and kitchenette, library and offices. There are designated spaces for Nursery, Church School and Youth. There is space in the sanctuary for about 300 people. Statistics for the congregation include:
Supporting households 300
On roll 547
Sunday attendance 150
Sunday School/Youth attendance 14/13
Messy Church attendance 30
Support Staff
Office Administrator: 20 hours per week
Bookkeeper: 3 hours per week or as required
Custodian: 15 hours per week
Position Descriptions
(1) We are looking for a full time ordained United Church minister who will connect with the congregation during the highs and lows of our lives. The ministry personnel shall offer warm, loving and strengthening pastoral care as we celebrate birth, deal with empty nests, rejoice at marriages and struggle with losses. As a Preacher you will help us connect our lives to the biblical story, and celebrate the sacraments. You will support the work of church council, committees and other staff as you work in a team including both paid staff and lay people. You will support and encourage children and youth ministry, including Messy Church.
Please consider this position if you are:
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§ a team player
§ open minded
§ an effective communicator
§ engaging with children
§ energetic
§ a gifted preacher, comfortable with contemporary, traditional and progressive theology
§ prepared to be involved in congregational activities
§ good sense of humour
§ warm and inviting
§ comfortable with all age ranges
§ able to inspire us to move forward in faith and life
(2) We are also seeking a part time (20 hours) ministry personnel to focus on congregational care and pastoral visitation. A part of this position will include visitation and services in hospitals and nursing homes. Participation in worship is expected with occasional preaching. You will work with the full time minister to provide support for funerals, and ongoing bereavement visitation. Your work will complement that of the youth worker on staff. Please consider this position if you are:
§ a team player
§ compassionate
§ open minded
§ a good listener
§ good with all ages
§ energetic
§ involved in community activities
§ good sense of humour
§ warm and inviting
Terms
We offer competitive salary and benefits in accordance with UCC policy.
It is anticipated that these two positions would begin July 1, 2016.
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Recommendations of the Joint Needs Assessment Committee, First Grantham United Church Pastoral Charge November 2015
1. We request that Niagara Presbytery declare a vacancy for a full-time ordained United Church minister of word, sacrament and pastoral care.
2. We further request that Niagara Presbytery declare a vacancy for part-time (20 hours) ministry personnel to assist in word, sacrament and pastoral care.
3. We recommend that the Joint Needs assessment Report be accepted and that the Committee be disbanded.
Please send inquiries to:
First Grantham United Church
415 Linwell Road, St. Catharines ON L2M 2P3
905-935-5369
www.firstgrantham.ca