April 21, 2020

Interim Ecumenical Shared Ministry Agreement

Between: Neepawa United Church

And: St. James’ Anglican Church of Neepawa

 

Mission Statement:

 

We seek to be a caring and compassionate Christian community, open and welcoming to all people. We seek to worship and serve God in our community and in the world by following the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

1.0 PREAMBLE/PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT

In this document, the working name of this community of faith is Neepawa United-Anglican Shared Ministry, NUASM, also referred to as ESM, or Ecumenical Shared Ministry.

 

Ecumenical Shared Ministry is a reality that many rural and urban congregations across denominational boundaries are considering and/or engaged in across this country. Although it may be tempting to see such an arrangement as a diminished identity in the body of Christ, this can be something very exciting and deeply rooted in God’s originally intended purpose for the Church. Even though it may seem new to us, the sharing of space, worship, outreach, mission, fellowship, resources and spiritual enrichment is doing things just the way Jesus taught.

 

The members of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry, having the approval of two primary judicatories: The Diocese of Brandon, Anglican Church of Canada and The United Church of Canada, join together as a shared ecumenical community of faith and pledge to be governed by the provisions of this agreement, and the policies of the primary judicatories.

 

The two congregations entering into this Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement have some history of cooperation in the Neepawa faith community. For almost a century they have attended each other’s events, and for several years, have shared joint services in the summer months. The intent of this Ecumenical Shared Ministry arrangement is to bring these two congregations even closer together, recognizing their common foundation of beliefs and purposes. Even though the community of faith takes on a new identity, the individuals will still retain their original denominational affiliation as members of the Neepawa United Church or St. James’ Anglican Church.

 

Moving forward, “congregation” refers to the Neepawa United Church congregation and the St. James’ Anglican congregation while the term “Community of Faith” is used to represent the new entity, the Ecumenical Shared Ministry.

 

2. RELATIONSHIP TO PARTICIPATING DENOMINATIONS

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry agrees to support faithfully, with prayer, personal service and offerings, the work of the Church through the primary participating denominations, and recognizes that it is subject to the constitutions, bylaws and enactments of the primary judicatories.

 

The main way of relating to the primary judicatories is through the following structures:

Anglican - The Diocese of Brandon, Anglican Church of Canada and its Bishop

United – Prairie to Pine Regional Council, United Church of Canada

 

The community of faith will encourage and support the participation of its members in functions relating to the two denominations such as committees, meetings, conferences, gatherings of the National and Regional Council of the United Church of Canada and of the Diocesan, Provincial and General Synods of the Anglican Church of Canada.

 

Information received from primary judicatories will be appropriately shared within the Community of Faith.

Parishioners shall be elected to represent the Ecumenical Shared Ministry Board, and thus the two denominations in the community of faith, at meetings of the two primary judicatories. These representatives will provide minutes, reports and information as requested by the ESM Board and as required by the judicatories in which they are members.

Representatives serving as links to the primary denominations may be any member of the community of faith i.e. a member of the Anglican Church may link to the United Church judicatory and vice versa. However, requirements of the judicatories respecting qualifications for representatives attending specific denominational functions will be honoured.

3. REGISTRATION AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

Neepawa United Church and St. James’ Anglican Church will continue to use their own Charitable Numbers. The NUASM will not at this time be registered as a charitable organization.

 

4. a) MEMBERSHIP

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry welcomes all Christians, regardless of denominational affiliation or background, into their fellowship. Individuals may become Members of either the Anglican Church or Neepawa United Church by such procedures as Baptism, Confirmation, Profession of Faith, or Transfer of Membership, depending upon the requirements and procedures of their desired denomination.

 

Within the new community of faith, the congregations of Neepawa United Church and St. James’ Anglican Church retain their original denominational affiliation. Communicant Members and Friends (Anglican) or Full Members and Adherents (United) will continue to be recorded and counted in the records of the appropriate congregation. Membership in the new ESM Community of Faith will include the above and also others who may not identify with either of the founding congregations, but support the ESM with their presence and their gifts of time, talent and money. Thus, a person can be a “member of the community of faith” but is not a “Member, Friend or Adherent” of either one of the participating congregations in the NUASM community of faith.

 

Each denomination will maintain an accurate Membership Roll containing information in accordance with the requirements of the participating denominations. These records will be kept in the United Church vault. The ESM shall also maintain a Community of Faith List used for mailing and contact purposes that includes all Members, Friends, Adherents and others.

All persons on the Community of Faith List shall be encouraged to participate in the life and work of this community of faith by sharing time, talent and resources.

 

4. b) CONGREGATIONAL AND COMMUNITY OF FAITH MEETINGS

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry shall hold an Annual General Meeting of the community of faith. This meeting will be held not later than the last day of February of every year. Each founding congregation will also be expected to hold annual meetings as required by their judicatory.

 

Special meetings may also be called by the ESM Board or others in accordance with the polity of the United Church of Canada or the Diocese of Brandon, to consider official business of the NUASM or either congregation. The call for each special meeting shall specify the purpose of the meeting.

 

Notice of all congregational and community of faith meetings shall normally be announced from the pulpit at the services of worship on the preceding two Sundays prior to the date of the meeting, and will allow at least 10 days to elapse between the first notice and the meeting date.

 

At all community of faith meetings, Members, Friends, Adherents and others regularly participating in the life of the community of faith, will have the right to vote on all items.

Meetings of the NUASM do not require denominational balance. United Church and Anglican Church congregational meetings will be governed by the polity, policies, or canons and constitution of their respective denominations.

 

There must be 25 community of faith members present for a quorum at ESM community of faith meetings. Members must be present to vote.

 

Bourinot’s Rules of Order shall be employed at all congregational and community of faith meetings unless judicatory polity indicates otherwise.

 

4. c) GOVERNANCE

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry will be administered by the ESM Board. The Board is comprised of the Executive, various standing committee chairs, (or alternates) and will normally have participation from both denominations. This Board will deal with all aspects of church life except those reserved for the continuing congregations of Neepawa United Church and St. James’ Anglican Church.

 

The Board of the Neepawa United Church and the Vestry of St. James’ Anglican Church will continue to meet as outlined in their structure documents (if any) and as required by their judicatory, with the necessary officers and members, and will be responsible for receiving and receipting donations, managing property in their trust, submitting required reports and funds to judicatories and to Canada Revenue Agency, and other duties as may be assigned by the ESM Board or the judicatories. Each congregation will continue to have the trustees required by their judicatory.

 

Any Member, as described in part 4 a) is eligible to serve on the Board of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry. Incumbent clergy will not normally be elected to positions on the ESM Board. The responsibilities and duties of all Board members will be described in a Policies and Procedures Manual. While the ESM Board does not require a denominational balance between the two parties in the Ecumenical Shared Ministry, the Nominating Committee will always strive to ensure both Anglican and United Church members are included. A person may serve on the ESM board and on the Vestry or NUC Board.

ESM Board & Committees

  1. Chair – elected every two years – even years and will chair the Nominating committee

  2. Vice Chair – elected every two years and will normally become the Chair

  3. Secretary – elected for a two-year term (odd years)

  4. Treasurer – elected for a two-year term (odd years)

  5. Serving clergy (ex-officio) or a person appointed in their stead by a judicatory body

  6. The chair or a designated person from each of the following standing committees:

 

Standing Committees

All chairpersons of the following committees (or their representatives) are members of the Board and will be elected for a two-year term, but all may serve multiple terms.

  1. Stewardship Committee

  2. Worship Committee

  3. Mission and Service and Outreach Committee

  4. Pastoral Care Committee

  5. Ministry and Personnel Committee

Other Board Members

  1. Persons elected as member or representative of each of the judicatory bodies. This may be the same person that represents the judicatory body on each of the Neepawa United Church Board or St. James’ Anglican Vestry.

 

Elections and Appointments

The ESM Board is elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Nominating Committee will present the names of candidates for election at the monthly Board Meeting preceding the Annual Meeting. The ESM Board will be empowered to appoint replacements that may occur due to the resignation of any position before their term is up. An elected member’s place on the Board will be declared vacant if the member (i) ceases to be a member of the congregation, (ii) is absent from three successive regular meetings of the ESM Board without reasonable cause. In the event of a vacancy, the Board will name another person to serve the balance of the term.

 

The members of the Board of Neepawa United Church and Vestry of St. James’ Anglican Church may be elected as usual at separately called annual meetings, or may be elected at the AGM of the ESM by members of each congregation voting separately.

 

The Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee which will include representatives from both denominations.

 

Board Meetings

The NUASM Board will meet as required, but at least quarterly. Meeting dates will be determined by the Board. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair. A quorum for a meeting shall be 50% plus one of the current active Board members and must include appointed ministry personnel or an alternate named by judicatories, and at least one member of each founding denomination.

 

4. d) CLERGY

Ordained or Diaconal clergy in good standing in either the United Church of Canada or the Anglican Church of Canada will be eligible to apply to serve in this ESM. Other candidates may be considered only with the approval of both judicatories.

 

When it becomes known that the incumbent cleric serving the congregations of St. James’ Anglican Church and Neepawa United Church in the Ecumenical Shared Ministry will be leaving that position, the ESM Board will, as soon as practical, name an ad hoc group to begin the work leading to the appointment of clergy to fill the pending vacancy. See Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook (2019), section 6, “Basis of Agreement for Clergy Appointments”, page 14.

 

The first step will be to develop a description of the ministry site, including a summary of the role of clergy and benefits being offered in the NUASM. Judicatory policies, support and guidelines will inform this work. When the description of the site and clergy role have received approval from the NUASM Board and community of faith, as well as both judicatories, the ad hoc committee moves to the selection stage.

 

The search process will follow the established policies and practices of at least one of the primary participating denominations and will not contravene the policies of either.

When a suitable candidate has been found, recommendations and requests for approval will be made to the ESM Board, the community of faith, and both judicatories. The appointment or call will be carried out according to the established practices of the candidate’s denomination of ordination / commissioning. Responsibility for oversight, correction, and discipline of the cleric will also rest with the denomination of ordination or commissioning.

 

A cleric thus chosen and called / appointed will be recognized by both The United Church of Canada and the Diocese of Brandon, Anglican Church of Canada as member of the clergy in the Neepawa ESM which is made up of both St James’ Anglican and Neepawa United Church Congregations.

In so far as it is permitted by the incumbent denomination, the clergy serving NUASM will be ex- officio members of the NUASM Board and committees, and the governing bodies of both St. James’ Anglican Church and Neepawa United Church. Clergy of either denomination serving the NUASM will be eligible to attend meetings and participate in either judicatory as if it were their own denomination.

 

A Cleric will remain subject to the provision of discipline and employment standards of their originating judicatory.

 

4. e) OTHER MINISTRY TEAM MEMBERS

Both founding congregations have fostered strong lay leaders whose contributions add value to the life and work of the community of faith. Such lay leadership will continue to be a vital and visible part of ecumenical community of faith.

 

In addition to the appointed / called clergy, the ministry team of the ESM community of faith will normally include one or more paid support staff, as well as several lay leaders who may or may not receive remuneration for their services.

 

Persons appropriately trained / licensed / appointed as vocational deacons, sacrament elders, licensed lay worship leaders, educators, musicians, pastoral care providers, etc. will serve within the scope of their training and authority, and in co-operation with the clergy and committees of the community of faith. Appropriate lines of supervision and accountability will be established for paid or volunteer lay persons serving the community of faith in roles such as those named above.

 

4. f) CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry primarily orders its life as a community of faith through worship, outreach and education. The Ecumenical Shared Ministry may use the worship and educational resources of the primary participating denominations, or other resources acceptable to the judicatory bodies.

 

Worship is a shared responsibility. Individuals who are entrusted with leading worship can use their own discretion when crafting the worship service. Worship may incorporate resources for liturgy and hymnody from the primary participating denominations in consultation with Clergy and Worship Committee.  

 

Sunday worship will bring both church families together at the Neepawa United Church building. With care and attention to the core values of each congregation and their respective traditions, the weekly worship will be a cohesive, meaningful liturgy that speaks to both United and Anglican members of the community of faith in deep and meaningful ways. The details of the worship services will be under the oversight of a Worship Committee comprised of members from both traditions.

 

The Worship Committee will work cooperatively with the clergy to develop regular and special worship services that include familiar procedures and traditions from both the Anglican and United Church denominations, so that members of the ESM community of faith will feel comfortable worshipping together.

 

The Worship Committee will be involved with the Clergy in planning and leading special services (Lenten, Blue Christmas, etc.), and in preparing elements for Communion, changing the banners and table runners in the sanctuary, and other functions as are required in the life of the church.

 

Liturgies may be drawn from either Anglican or United Church to meet the needs of the congregation. Sunday Communion services may use both wine and grape juice as the norm. Frequency and style of communion will be discussed between clergy and Worship Committee. Sunday communion services will follow the United Church practice of the Open Table, in which Communion is offered to all who desire to know or experience the gracious love of God.

 

For clarity, United Church Communion services will follow United Church practice and policy. Anglican Church Communion services will follow the applicable Canon Law.

 

Holy Eucharist using the Anglican Rite will be offered regularly on a suitable day of the week or month. When the incumbent clergy is not an Anglican priest, the Bishop will be responsible to appoint someone to preside over this service.

 

Baptism services would normally follow the liturgical Rites of either the Diocese of Brandon, Anglican Church of Canada or United Church of Canada or a variation suitable to the Worship Committee and the judicatories.

 

Vestments may vary depending on seasons, services, and preferences of clergy.

 

 

4. g) PROPERTY AND ASSETS

 

4. h) CONFLICT IN THE CHURCH

See The Diocese of Brandon Canon XV on “Disputes”, Anglican Church of Canada Canon XVIII “On Discipline”, and the United Church Manual, section J.3” Principles of Conflict Resolution”

Conflicts may arise because of strongly held and differing ideas, violations of rights, and our own human imperfections. Unresolved conflict causes suffering and injury to individuals and to the body of Christ, and takes time, energy, and other resources away from our work.

When conflict does arise, it must be resolved as quickly and as fairly as possible. The church is called to deal pastorally with the pain that conflict causes. This requires compassionate love, forgiveness, wholeness, and humility. It also requires that justice be done, and be seen to be done.

 

The likelihood of disputes may be reduced by such things as: clear position descriptions for staff and volunteers, routine reviews of performance and working conditions, intentional appreciation and support of volunteers and staff, regular and ongoing meetings among staff and volunteers, and an engaged Ministry and Personnel Committee.

 

If the conflict involves the incumbent or if the dispute may be called harassment, abuse, misconduct, etc., the judicatories of both the United and Anglican denominations will be promptly consulted and engaged in order to bring resolution to the conflict. 

 

In other instances of conflict between any members of the Community of Faith that cannot be settled by the parties themselves, and when such conflict is deemed injurious to the peace, prosperity, and health of the Community of Faith, the Incumbent and members of the NUASM Board may confer with one another and with judicatory leaders. They may call on others who are experienced in these processes to help them with resolving the conflict. (eg, persons trained or skilled in conflict resolution. See also the following United Church handbooks “Workplace, Violence & Harassment Policy;” “Regional Council Conflict Resolution Policy;” “Dispute Resolution Handbook;” “Sexual Misconduct, Prevention and Response Policy and Procedures.”)

 

Early reconciliation of conflict is not always possible. Both denominations have formal processes in which people outside of the conflict decide the outcome for those who are in it.

 

4. i) REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS This Interim Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement shall be reviewed by the community of faith and its primary participating denominations, within the first 18 months after the ESM begins. During this time, small changes may be made and tested on a trial basis. Proposals for significant changes must be submitted to the community of faith and both judicatories for approval. Once the ESM Agreement is considered “final” there will continue to be community of faith and judicatory review every three to five years thereafter, to ensure that it satisfactorily represents the mission and purpose of the ecumenical community of faith and its primary participating denominations. A review may be initiated at any time by one of 1) a motion from the NUASM Board, 2) the judicatory of either denomination 3) the governing body of either St. James’ Anglican Church or Neepawa United Church or 4) the incumbent cleric. Normally, both judicatories will be represented at a review.

Fundamental amendments to the Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement may be made at any community of faith meeting by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance, subject to the approvals of the judicatories. Following adoption of a proposed amendment, the secretary shall forward a copy to the primary participating judicatories.

 

The primary participating judicatories may propose amendments to this agreement. Such amendments shall be considered at a special community of faith meeting called for that purpose and shall be adopted by two-thirds vote of those in attendance.

4. j) OPTING OUT

Participating denominations can choose to opt out of this agreement by giving one hundred and eighty (180) days written notice to the other judicatories involved and to the community of faith itself. In addition to written notice, denominations choosing to opt out of this agreement may send representatives to a community of faith meeting to explain their decision.

 

Denominations opting out of this agreement are expected to detail how they will provide pastoral care and service to members of their respective denominations in the event their decision to opt out of the covenant becomes final.

 

Upon dissolution of the agreement, the property and assets described above shall be distributed as follows:

a. The real estate (475 Mountain Avenue, Neepawa, MB) shall continue to be held in trust by Trustees of the Neepawa United Church, as part of the United Church of Canada. b. Unless otherwise memorialized or listed in any other way directing specific ownership to any of the primary participating judicatories, all assets that are of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry shall be shared proportionally between the Neepawa United Church of the United Church of Canada and St. James Anglican Church of the Diocese of Brandon of the Anglican Church of Canada.

 

Note: In matters not covered in this ESM document, please refer to the Manual of The United Church of Canada, and related Handbooks including The Ecumenical Shared Ministry Handbook, and the Canons of the Anglican Diocese of Brandon, the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land, the Canons of the Anglican Church of Canada. 

 


Signatories

ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH

By:

_______________________________________ ___________________ Warden Nancy Hunter Date:

 

______________________________________ ___________________

Warden Anita d’Armada Date:

 

 

NEEPAWA UNITED CHURCH

By:

 

_________________________________________ ___________________

Chair, Church Board Jane Goudie Date:

 

 

________________________________________ ___________________

Chair, Trustees John Forke Date:

 

 

THE DIOCESE OF BRANDON, ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA

By:

_______________________________________ ___________________

The Right Reverend William Cliff

The Bishop of the Diocese of Brandon Date:

 

 

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

By:

______________________________________ ___________________

 

Prairie to Pine Regional Council Date:

 

 


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Neepawa United-Anglican Ecumenical Shared Ministry

Glossary of Terms

many definitions taken from Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook

 

ACC - denotes common usage in the Anglican Church of Canada

UCC - denotes common usage in The United Church of Canada

 

ADHERENT

UCC

Someone who participates in a congregation but who is not a formal member

ALTAR

ACC

The table on which the Eucharist is celebrated. The altar is placed in a central position in the church as the focus of worship, as it symbolically represents Christ’s sacrifice. Called the Communion Table in the United Church

ASSESSMENT

UCC

Amount that congregations / communities of faith are requested to pay to the denominational council for the work of the wider church; the formula for determining the annual assessment is based on income; similar to Fairshare

BAPTISM

 

One of two sacraments (the other is Communion) recognized by the United Church as the entry into the Christian Church universal, sometimes called the Holy Catholic Church. Done with the pouring, sprinkling of water or (rarely) immersion, and using ecumenically agreed upon words, with or without additional words. Open to people of any age and accompanied by commitments of faith.

BISHOP

ACC

One of the three orders of ministry (bishop, priest, deacon). The highest order of the ordained ministry in the Anglican Church. Bishops are elected by the diocese or by the province, according to the particular canons of the diocese. A diocesan bishop presides over a diocese;

CALL

UCC

The process of selecting and appointing ministry personnel to serve in a particular congregation or ministry situation. Also used with reference to a person’s call by God and the church to serve in a particular way

CANON

ACC

An article of church law or regulation; also an honorary title given by the bishop to some senior clergy or laypersons. Also used to refer to authorized Scripture

COMMISSIONING:

UCC

The setting apart by the regional council, upon approval of the Office of Vocation, of someone for the diaconal ministry of education, service and pastoral care.

COMMUNITY OF FAITH

 

When used in this document refers to the ecumenical group of people gathering regularly for worship and work under the name Neepawa United-Anglican Ecumenical Shared Ministry

CONFIRMATION

ACC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCC

When a person who has been baptized is confirmed in their faith by the laying on of hands by the bishop. Originally part of the baptismal rite, it may be done at baptism or at any later age. Traditional custom was as a rite of passage into adulthood, when young people accepted their baptismal promises for themselves, and it was a prerequisite to receive communion. Some dioceses prefer that confirmation take place in full adulthood; others keep the age of 12 to 13 years. It is always done by a bishop as the sign of the whole church and the agent of laying on of hands.

Reaffirmation of baptismal vows, usually with laying on of hands by the minister and selected lay members. Confirmation classes are usually held for young people and interested adults. Sometimes called profession of faith.

CONGREGATION

 

When used in this document refers to the continuing St. James’ Anglican congregation and the continuing Neepawa United Church congregation, both of which have agreed to come together and share most of their work and ministry in a single ecumenical community of faith

CONGREGATIONAL DESIGNATED MINISTER

UCC

A baptized lay person employed by a community of faith in a specified ministry position designated by the regional council as accountable to the governing body of the community of faith.

COUNCIL

UCC

The United Church is organized into three levels or councils and the Office of Vocation. The three councils are the community of faith, the regional council and the General Council. The term is also commonly used by some communities of faith as the name of their governing body.

COVENANTING SERVICE

UCC

A service of worship conducted at the beginning of every new call or appointment to celebrate the new pastoral relationship that has been established. May involve leadership by people appointed by the Regional Council.

Similar to induction or installation service

DESIGNATED LAY MINISTER: (DLM)

UCC

A lay member of the United Church appointed by a regional council to serve in paid accountable ministry for a limited time in a particular place. A designated lay minister may be recognized as such by the regional council when they have completed an appropriate educational program, including education supervision during the program, to the satisfaction of the Office of Vocation. Upon appropriate request, the Regional Council may license a DLM to administer the sacraments.

DIACONAL MINISTER

UCC

One of the two streams of the Order of Ministry; the other stream is Ordination. see “Minister (noun).”

DIOCESE

ACC

All Anglican congregations within a given geographical area, overseen by a bishop and organized in accordance with the canons of the Church.

ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCE:

ACC

A group of dioceses under the jurisdiction of a provincial synod, and presided over by a metropolitan. In Canada, there are four ecclesiastical provinces: British Columbia, Rupert’s Land, Ontario, and Canada.

ECUMENISM

 

Generally meaning the work towards the reconciliation of the whole Church. Sometimes expanded to include inter-faith work.

EUCHARIST / COMMUNION

ACC

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCC

Eucharist is the usual term for the Sacrament of the Altar, although the term Holy Communion is also used. Some Anglicans call it mass or divine liturgy. Normally celebrated every Sunday, at the main service and often at additional times on Sunday or during the week. The principal service of worship in the Anglican Church which re-enacts the Lord's Supper. From the Latin word meaning Thanksgiving.
Communion is the common term for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

EX OFFICIO

 

By virtue of their office or position

FAIRSHARE

ACC

The amount charged to the congregations in the Diocese of Brandon to fund the annual unified budget of diocesan expenditures.

FRIEND

ACC

someone who considers themselves attached to St. James’ Anglican in Neepawa, and may or may not be regular communicant members.

INCUMBENT

 

Person currently holding office, usually referring to the minister

JUDICATORY

 

 

 

ACC

UCC

A term used in Ecumenical Shared Ministry situations to describe a governing body or person(s) who has responsibility for oversight of the ministry situation

In the Anglican Church this is the Bishop

In the United Church the Regional Council, the Denominational Council and the Office of Vocation share judicatory responsibility for communities of faith and ministry personnel

LAY PERSONS

/ LAITY

ACC

UCC

Baptized members of the Church who are not ordained

Members of the Church who are not ordained or commissioned

LAY READER

ACC

A lay member of the Anglican Church who is licensed by the diocesan bishop to conduct prayer services in a parish, to read scripture at public worship, lead prayers, and assist the priest at the altar.

LICENSED LAY WORSHIP LEADER (LLWL)

UCC

A lay member of The United Church of Canada who has been recommended by the governing body of their community of faith, duly educated, and licensed by their regional council to offer occasional worship leadership and preaching within the bounds of their regional council.

LICENSING

ACC

 

 

 

UCC

All clergy (including those in ecumenical shared ministries) need to be licensed by a bishop in order to exercise ministry in a diocese; lay readers are also licensed for their particular ministry

Authorizing someone to practice ministry—as in the licensing of lay worship leaders or the licensing of lay/commissioned diaconal ministry personnel to administer the sacraments within a particular community of faith.

LITURGY

 

Both the order of service and the event of worship; The manner, ritual and ceremonies by which we worship.

MEMBERSHIP

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICANT MEMBER

 

FULL MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

ACC

 

UCC

Membership in the church is of all the baptized. There may be additional requirements to be a member of a particular congregation or community of faith or to share in the responsibilities of members of the congregation.

 

Any baptized person who has been admitted to the eucharist and normally attends worship in an Anglican church.

 

Full member refers to a United Church member who has been confirmed or made an adult profession of faith and is accepted as a full member of a given congregation. Their name is entered into the historic roll of members. A full member of one congregation may ask to have their membership transferred to another (usually United Church) congregation.

MINISTER

 

 

 

ACC

All are ministers by virtue of their baptism, but the term is more commonly used to refer to those set apart by ordination, commissioning or appointment to specific ministries.

It is more common for the term “rector” or “priest” to be used if the person is an ordained priest

MINISTRY PERSONNEL

UCC

Used to describe those set apart for particular ministry through ordination, commissioning, recognition and appointment,

MISSION AND SERVICE

UCC

Name of the General Council fund to support the local, national and global partnership work of the UCC. All communities of faith and members of encouraged to support this fund through donations and budgets.

MODERATOR:

UCC

The person elected by General Council to serve as Presider of General Council and its executive. The person is considered the spiritual leader of the denomination and serves until the next General Council, usually held every three years.

ORDER OF MINISTRY

UCC

There are two orders of ministry: Those commissioned to the diaconal ministry of education, service and pastoral care and those ordained to the ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral care.

OFFICE OF VOCATION

UCC

The part of the General Council that sets standards for and accredits candidates for ministry, oversees and disciplines ministry personnel. The Board of Vocation is an elected body that oversees the Office of Vocation.

ORDINATION

ACC

 

UCC

The service of laying-on-of-hands with prayer by the bishop admitting someone to the order of deacon, priest or bishop.

The setting apart by the regional council, upon approval by the Office of Vocation, of someone for the ordained ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral care. Usually includes laying on of hands and prayer

PARISH

 

A geographical area in which a priest, deacon or lay person is licensed to serve the church. A parish may be made up of one or more congregations.

POLITY

 

As used in ecclesiastical terms, is the operational and governance structure of a church or of a Christian denomination. It also denotes the ministerial structure of a church and the authority relationships between churches. Contained in Canons and the Manual, and other.

PRIEST

ACC

A person ordained by a bishop to be a servant of the Church through Word and Sacrament. Prior to ordination, a priest has served for a period of time as a Deacon.

PRIMATE

ACC

The spiritual head of the national church. This is always an archbishop, who is elected by the General Synod and may serve until 70 years of age. The chair of the General Synod.

PROVINCE

ACC

A group of dioceses in a region. Also called ecclesiastical province. The national church is a Province (with a capital p) of the Anglican Communion. It contains four ecclesiastical provinces (lowercase), each led by an archbishop.

PWRDF

ACC

Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund: Anglican fund and program for disaster relief, development work and education.

QUORUM

 

The people required at a meeting to legally make decisions.

REGIONAL COUNCIL

UCC

The council of the church that provides support to ministry personnel and support to and oversight of communities of faith. There are 16 regional councils. We are in Prairie to Pine Reginal Council which includes all of Manitoba and the portion of NW Ontario in the Central time zone

SACRAMENT

ACC

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCC

Sacraments are traditionally understood as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.” The Anglican tradition recognizes two primary or “Gospel” sacraments, namely baptism and eucharist. Many Anglicans hold that there are other sacramental rites as well, including confirmation, confession and absolution, marriage, ordination, and anointing of the sick.

A holy act instituted by Jesus; uses visible elements and promises a spiritual blessing. A means of grace. Two recognized: baptism and communion.

SACRAMENT ELDER

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A lay member of the congregation trained and authorized to administer sacraments in the absence of appointed ministry personnel

SANCTUARY

 

 

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The word sometimes refers to the ancient custom of providing safe space (sanctuary) to fugitives

The part of the church building surrounding the altar

The part of the church building where people normally gather for worship.

STANDING COMMITTEE

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Ongoing committees of the community of faith’s governing body. They differ from an ad hoc committee which may be named to do a particular, time-limited task.

STEWARDSHIP

 

Use of time, talent and treasure in responsible ways for the sake of the world, often with a focus on the work of the church.

SYNOD

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The governing body of a diocese made up of all the licensed clergy, lay representatives of all the parishes, ex officio members and the bishop. It meets at designated intervals to conduct the business of the diocese.

TRUSTEE

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The board of the congregation/community of faith that holds in trust the property, both real and personal, of the congregation/community of faith. Their role is carefully proscribed in the Manual.

VESTMENTS

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The distinctive clothing reserved for use in the liturgy, worn by the clergy and those serving at the altar. Variations in style and colour denote the office of the wearer and the season or festival being celebrated. For the eucharist, usually an alb and stole, often covered by a chasuble. For Services of the Word, cassock and surplice, with a black preaching scarf and possibly a university hood.

Distinctive clothing worn by ministry personnel who are presiding at a worship service. Often a gown or alb and stole for the season, or regular business attire, perhaps with a stole, and with or without a clerical collar

VESTRY

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The decision-making body of a congregation, elected from the lay members.

VOCATIONAL DEACON

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is a person who enters holy orders of the diaconate and is called to remain a deacon, rather than entering the diaconate transitionally on the path to the priesthood.

WARDENS

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Wardens: A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish or congregation of the Anglican Church. The churchwardens together with the incumbent form the corporation of a parish and by virtue thereof, are included as signing officers for the parish or mission.
Rector’s Warden-appointed by the incumbent to share the mutual responsibility in fulfilling the total ministry of the parish.
People’s Warden-elected by the members of the parish at the annual general meeting to confer with the incumbent about the concerns and needs of the congregation.