July 2020
To All Members of the Westdale Congregation:
As you no doubt know, Rev. Bev has announced her retirement effective December 2020.
Thus, a Community of Faith Profile and Recruitment Team has been formed, representing a cross section of our congregation. The Team’s purpose is to engage a new minister for Westdale, who will build upon the excellent work Rev. Bev. has been accomplishing over the past six years.
This Team includes: Stephanie MacDonald (Chair), Mary-Lynn Koekkoek (Vice-Chair), Caroline deHaan, Karen Earle, Kim Fenton, Ross Fitchett, Bonnie Henson, Shelby Hosick, Paul Mitchell, Ian Moffat and Sharla Trudell. Ex officio members are; Rev. Bev, Ashley LeBel, John MacDonald, Girv Devitt and Kathy McDermid.
Periodically, we will share with you, our progress along this journey. We are also hopeful that Westdale members will contribute to our task.
There are specific United Church of Canada guidelines as to how we go about recruiting a new minister and one of several steps to be taken is to solicit and discuss collective views, needs and outlook for the future with you, the Westdale congregation.
Viewpoints on who we are, what we are all about, what is our current and future place in the broader community and our goals for the future, are all important ideas the Team will include in a Profile, or advertisement, being developed to appeal to a new minister. Your points of view, ideas and concepts about Westdale are important, and necessary.
Thus, members of our Team will gather input through a variety of ways; email, telephone, questionnaires and so on, over the next few months. We look forward to your participation in this most important time in Westdale’s history.
Thanks very much,
Stephanie MacDonald
September 2020 - “Now’s your chance to help us find a new Minister.”
With the retirement of our Rev. Bev. at the end of this year, the Community of Faith Profile & Recruitment Team that has been charged with this most important duty of finding a new minister, has now taken a key step.
A survey has just been mailed out to all members of the congregation. The purpose of this survey is to gather your thoughts, ideas and suggestions, for consideration, not just for a new spiritual leader at Westdale, but for the future of our Church and its role in the community. A children/youth survey is also included in mailings sent to families with children.
The Team would appreciate returns no later than September 30 - either by return mail to the Church, hand delivery to the Church Office by or contacting Stephanie MacDonald at 705-748-9687 for pick-up at your place of residence..
Please take some time to consider your answers and help to guide our collective future. Once the Team has the replies, a Community of Faith Profile will be developed, representing your views and opinions. This will then be placed on the United Church Hub in the hopes it will attract a number of candidates for this position and to lead us spiritually in the years ahead.
This survey is a key step - we hope you will help us. Thank you so much for your help.