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Last update: November 2011
JNAC Report
Photo courtesy of Wayne Tester
MOUNTAINVIEW UNITED CHURCH
150 Glendale Avenue
St. Catharines, ON L2T 2K1
(905) 682-0944
JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
April 27, 2011
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background Page 2
Recommendations Page 3
Community, Pastoral Charge, and Resources Profiles
• Mountainview United Church’s Surrounding Community Pages 4 - 5
• The Pastoral Charge: Who We Are Pages 6 - 9
• Mountainview United Church’s Resources Pages 9 - 10
Ministry Personnel Requirements
• Past and Present Staffing Page 11
• Position Summary, Responsibilities, Accountability Page 11
• Ministerial Skills Required Page 12
• Terms Page 13
Appendices Pages 14 - 17
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BACKGROUND
Following the resignation of our Minister in June 2006, a Supply Minister was appointed, and a Joint Needs Assessment Committee elected. In February 2007 they presented their Report and recommendations to the congregation and a Joint Search Committee was elected. Unfortunately after several months it became evident that they would be unable to agree on a Candidate to call. Subsequently a 333 Review was ordered by Niagara Presbytery in June, 2008 and following their recommendations a Transition Team was elected and an Interim Minister appointed for August 1, 2009. A list of goals (Appendix A) was recommended to guide Mountainview through a period of transition (Appendix B). Much work has been done and progress made as we move forward. On December 12, 2010 a new Joint Needs Assessment Committee was elected to review and update the JNAC Report of 2007 as it relates both to changes in our Community, the congregation of Mountainview and how that will affect our ministry personnel needs. Members of the Committee: Elected by Mountainview: Don Hunter, Michael McKinley, Kathy McNeil (Secretary), Gail Price (Chair), Eleanor Stewart (Alternate).
Appointed from the Transition Team: Sue Morrison
Appointed by Niagara Presbytery: Bert Durst and Ken Pettigrew
HOW JNAC CARRIED OUT ITS MANDATE
The committee:
• held six meetings (up to April 11, 2011)
• operated by consensus and based decision-making on information gathered
• invited input from members of the congregation through a Conversation Café
• interviewed the Interim Minister and all current paid staff
• considered very thoughtfully and carefully the responses
• reviewed the list of paid staff positions and job descriptions
• communicated with the Board and congregation (verbal and written)
• reviewed the findings in the Environics Report (Appendix C)
• considered categories of eligible ministers in formulating our recommendations
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This JNAC Report utilizes six profiles:
1. Community (a review of St. Catharines)
2. Pastoral Charge (who we are as a congregation)
3. Resources (what we offer in terms of facilities and financial viability)
4. Position (our expectations for a minister)
5. Skills (what role, qualifications, experience, and personal
characteristics we think are most suitable)
6. Terms (what compensation package could be offered).
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Recommendations of this Committee are :
1. That Mountainview Church Board request Niagara Presbytery to declare a vacancy for a full-time Ordained Minister at Mountainview United Church effective July 1, 2012.
2. That Mountainview United Church establish a half time position which would focus on pastoral care and parish nursing. A task force to be established to describe the position.
3. That the JNAC be disbanded and a Joint Search Committee be formed, pending Presbytery approval.
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Community, Pastoral Charge, and Resources Profiles
MOUNTAINVIEW UNITED CHURCH’S SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
Wider Community
Location and Climate
• St. Catharines, Ontario “The Garden City”, population 132,000, is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The City of St. Catharines is the largest city in the Regional Municipality of Niagara in the Province of Ontario. St. Catharines is about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, 45 minutes from Hamilton, 1 hour from Buffalo, NY and about 1.5 hours from Toronto.
• City of St. Catharines web site www.stcatharines.ca
• Region of Niagara web site www.regional.niagara.on.ca
• St. Catharines/Niagara Falls area enjoys four seasons of differing climate. St. Catharines enjoys a unique micro-climate because of the moderating influence of Lakes Erie and Ontario and the sheltering effect of the Niagara Escarpment. As a result, the city can record a large number of frost-free days in the winter. The summer season is predominately hot and humid, with the average temperature peaking at 27°C in July, but it can feel closer to 40°C with the humidex factor.
Economy
• Economy consists primarily of agriculture, greenhouses, wineries, tourism, manufacturing, and call centres
• Tourism Information for St. Catharines and surrounding area www.st.catharines.ca (click on Experience In)
o Niagara Escarpment—a world biosphere area
o Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site—winner (2005) in naturally sustainable
project award in the World Liveable Community
o Natural recreational opportunities (Bruce Trail, Short Hills Provincial Park, Decew
Falls, Niagara Falls, and Niagara Parkway)
o Popular areas (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Dalhousie, Downtown St. Catharines,
Welland Canal)
o Numerous golf courses
o Ice Dogs OHL Hockey
o Cycling and Hiking Trails
o Ice Skating Arenas
o Popular events and festivals (Niagara Wine festival, Canada Day in Port Dalhousie, Niagara Folk Arts Festival, Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, free summer evening concerts in Montebello Park, and Ribfest - featuring the "Blues" and Ribs!)
o Theatres (Shaw, Court House, Port Mansion and Brock University)
o Chorus Niagara (YouTube Food Court Flash Mob)
o Niagara Symphony
o Farmer’s Market
o Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and Grantham Branch Library (to open December 2011)
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Under construction to be opened in 2013: New hospital to serve the Niagara area
Downtown Performing Arts Centre
Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (part of Brock University)
Church Community
Mountainview United Church (mountvw@bellnet.ca) is one of seven United
Churches in St. Catharines and Thorold. Immediate neighbours are Trinity Thorold (3-4
km), Elm Street (2 km), Westminster (3-4 km) and Silver Spire (3-4 km).
Location:
• Mountainview United Church is located in south St. Catharines, on Glendale Avenue (a busy street with bus access), approximately 0.5 km from The Pen Centre, the largest shopping Mall in the Niagara Region (thepencentre.com)
• West St. Catharines has experienced significant growth in recent years and has a high population of young professionals. The area also includes high-rise apartments/condos with a significant number of seniors.
Mountainview is the primary United Church to serve this neighbourhood.
• Mountainview is uniquely situated near Brock University (2 km) one of Canada’s top medium-size institutions with a student population of 17,000 and a 600 person faculty.
Neighbouring Churches:
• Church of the Transfiguration (Anglican); St. Julia’s Roman Catholic Church, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Southridge Community Church (formerly Fairview Mennonite United Brethren Church)
and Brockview Bible Chapel.
Neighbouring Schools:
• The District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board operate elementary and secondary schools in the neighbourhood.
• Several private schools are also situated in the city: Ridley College, Pinehurst, Wheatley and Montessori
• Post-secondary institutions are Brock University and nearby Niagara College. McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine opened a satellite campus in September 2008
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THE PASTORAL CHARGE: WHO WE ARE
Beginnings
Our church started out in a neighbourhood school on February 22, 1959, being constituted as Mountainview United Church on May 24, 1959, with 106 members from 44 families. The early years had to focus on building. Three acres of land were provided by the Home Mission Board of the United Church of Canada and on September 30, 1962 the combination chapel/parlour, gymnasium, Sunday School rooms and offices were dedicated. As we were holding two services each Sunday morning, construction began on the next phase in September 1969 and our new sanctuary “In The Round” was dedicated on June 7, 1970. The young families became involved in midweek activities such as Explorers, C.G.I.T., Cubs, Scouts, Couples’ Club, Junior and Senior Choir. In addition, three Units of the new United Church Women were formed. Daycare, a ballet school, and bridge groups became the major renters of our facilities.
Fund Raising Activities – Past and Present
High interest rates forced us into a long period of “Land Use” and “Debt Reduction” Committees. Many money-raising events were introduced, including Geranium Teas, Fall Fairs, Rummage Sales, Car Washes and many other Ladder Climber events. It helped when we were given permission to sever three lots and sell them, enabling us to pave the parking lot (1988). More recent improvements have included completing the basement under the sanctuary; building and equipping a basement workshop; covering the brick exterior with aluminum siding; installing a dishwasher in our kitchen. Three washrooms including one for persons with disabilities have been constructed on the main floor. A variety of fund raising events were held to finance these improvements. During the past year we held some innovative and very successful fund raising events including a Classy Clutter Yard Sale, a Tisket-a-Tasket Gift Basket Sale and “An Evening in Our Sisters’ Closets” (a sale of gently used clothing and accessories).
Living the Mission
The Transition Team held an “Identity of Mountainview” Conversation Café in April 2010 and feedback from that event helped develop a new Mission Statement. The following was adopted at the Congregational Meeting held on December 12, 2010 as the Mission Statement of Mountainview United Church: “Welcome to Mountainview United Church – a spiritual family embracing diversity and offering Christian worship, fun, fellowship, and opportunities to serve our community and beyond.”
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Congregational activities which offer ways to demonstrate our Mission Statement:
The UCW has three active units which meet regularly with planned activities and opportunities for fellowship. They contribute to the budget through several annual fundraising events and respond to requests for funeral receptions.
Prayer and study groups are important at Mountainview. The Prayer Group has been meeting each Monday for almost thirteen years to pray, build up the community, make pastoral visits, communicate concerns, and participate in and encourage others to take part in A Week of Guided Prayer and scripted morning devotions during Holy Week. The Study Group meets weekly and over the past year has studied Marcus Borg’s “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time”, “The Gospel According to Starbucks”, Petersons’ “Eat This Book”, the United Church Lenten Study “ Rising With the Morning Star” and discussed articles of interest from The Observer. The group is very conscious of the Accessibility Act and allergy issues.
A Prayer Shawl Ministry was introduced last fall and the knitters responded enthusiastically; about 20 have been delivered to date.
Cards, movie nights, Seniors’ Coffee and Conversation mornings and after church lunches offer an opportunity for fun and fellowship.
In the past we have had a student Staff Associate for one school year, participated in a ministry exchange program, and supervised an Intern on two occasions. Currently, two lay people as well our Voluntary Associate Minister are active in and serve on Niagara Presbytery and one of its committees.
Mountainview has consistently engaged in outreach projects both in the wider community and locally: sponsored two families from Kosovo, supported the Beads of Hope, Grandmothers to Grandmothers and tsunami relief campaigns. Last year our Lenten Project raised funds to purchase 8 stoves for Guatemala. We continue to be strong supporters of the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada and also sponsor a child from Uganda.
Outreach with Brock University students has been varied: soup lunches, hosting or preparing dinners, and a Brock Sunday with a Chaplain as our guest speaker followed by lunch.
Various members of the congregation assist in leadership and upkeep of Niagara Presbytery’s Cave Springs Camp—a United Church resident camp in the area. The UCW collects and distributes supplies to Gillian’s Place, RAFT (Resource Association for Teens), and Community Care. Mountainview members also volunteer for such diverse activities as Adopt-a-Road cleanup, Community Care food distribution, and serving at the Breakfast and Out of the Cold programs at two downtown churches. A shopping cart is placed in the narthex for food supplies for various programs. In addition eyeglasses, batteries, printer cartridges and grocery tapes are collected. Quest Club provides a weekly after-school place for children both from the church and the community to meet for activities based on the Bible Quest curriculum.
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Our Congregation Today—Strengths and Challenges
According to an Environics Report, approximately 70% of our congregation lives within the service area of the report (106 of 151). Therefore:
• we are a neighbourhood church
• our congregation is composed primarily of small households (singles, couples) with few children
The challenges brought to our attention by the Environics Report:
• United Church affiliation is claimed by only 10.8% of households in the service area
• more households headed by 35-45 year olds than the surrounding area
• high incidence of student population
• people are well educated with an average household income of $76,421
We are an aging congregation with many long time members; over half have attended Mountainview for more than twenty years. Our challenge is attracting new and younger members while being aware of, and caring for, the current members.
The congregation works well for social justice and is a strong supporter of M&S with a regular “Minute for Mission” presentation in Sunday services. Our annual Lenten Project raises money alternately for a local or global charity.
The greatest response to “How Can Your Spiritual Needs Best Be Met?” was meaningful worship, music, study and helping others.
Worship and Fellowship
In Sunday services, the congregation wants strong worship leadership from an ordained United Church minister, who can respond to changing circumstances. A variety of forms of worship are encouraged with strong emphasis on expository preaching.
Music is a significant part of our weekly worship service; the congregation enjoys a balance of contemporary and traditional music from both Voices United and More Voices and prefers upbeat hymns. Anthems and solos from the choir and Music Director are appreciated by the congregation.
After worship, the congregation is invited to meet in the church hall to enjoy conversation and fellowship over coffee, tea, or juice.
Structure of the Church
In December 2010 a new model of governance based on the Streamlined Board Model was adopted for Mountainview United Church. The Church Board consists of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, the Chairs of Ministry and Personnel and Trustees, our Presbytery Reps, Clergy and four elected members. There are eight Teams (Communications, Christian Development, Finance, Membership, Outreach, Pastoral Care, Property, Worship) each with several sub-teams to carry out the various duties and responsibilities.
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MOUNTAINVIEW UNITED CHURCH’S RESOURCES
People
The Office Administrator was hired in 2004. The office is occupied 5 mornings a week from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The Office Administrator performs a wide range of responsibilities which include but are not limited to preparing and editing church publications; booking appointments for the minister, booking and assisting with rentals of the property, and maintaining the “Calendar of Events”. The Office Administrator also does data entry for the financial records of the church.
The Music Director was hired in 2008. The Music Director works a minimum of 10 hours per week. Responsibilities include but are not limited to weekly meetings with the Minister to discuss upcoming services and hymn choices; working with the Senior Choir and attending Board / Team meetings as requested. Weekly practices are held with the choir as well as Sunday morning prior to the Service. Anthems and special music are prepared according to the Seasons of the Church. The Music Director will also work with the children of the Sunday School to assist them in preparing music selections for Special Sundays. Hymns are chosen from Voices United and More Voices.
The Christian Development Director was hired in 2010. The CD Director works 13-14 hours per week. Responsibilities include but are not limited to developing curriculum for Sunday School, recruiting teachers for Sunday School, taking part in Sunday Services once a month for Children’s Time. The CD Director also assists in running / developing programs for other areas of the Congregation and the Community – Senior’s Coffee Hour, Study Group, Quest Club. The position is vacant as of May 1, 2011 as the incumbent has resigned in order to return to school. The Board is taking action to fill this position.
The Janitorial personnel do regular interior cleaning for Mountainview on a contract basis. The exterior maintenance is contracted out for lawn cutting and snow removal. In addition, there are several dedicated volunteers from Mountainview who maintain our flower beds and the planters in the Sanctuary.
There are also many volunteers who share their talents in planning internal programs / functions, as well as the Community Outreach Programs described earlier in this report.
Facilities
The church building and property include the following features:
• unique sanctuary (“church in the round”) with seating for approximately 400 and raised areas for choir and chancel (railings were installed in 2010)
• organ and baby grand piano in sanctuary • wheelchair accessible main floor (sanctuary, washroom, hall/gymnasium, Chapel Lounge, parlour, and kitchen)
• Minister’s study, Office Administrator and meeting room are on the air conditioned second level
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• lower level office, meeting rooms, workshop, and storage (four rooms are rented by the Glendale Day Care, two rooms plus nursery are exclusively used by church school)
• office equipment includes multi-line telephones with answering machine, photocopier, and computers including Wi-Fi access
• approximately 2½ acre landscaped property
• paved parking lots on east and south sides of the church building
The church building and property are mortgage-free.
Some areas of the church are available to rent; regular renters include card clubs and training sessions. Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts use the building mid-week. The property committee and its volunteers do set-up and take-down for many of the various activities; they are also responsible for minor repairs.
Memorial Funds have recently been used for a portable Power Point system and new portable sound system. Children’s books and videos are housed in a portable cart available each Sunday and the adult library is located in the Chapel Lounge.
Financial
• Mountainview currently has 110 regular weekly envelope givers and 39 PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) givers, plus a number of special seasonal and special events givers.
• Average annual givings of envelope and PAR givers is $807.
• Mountainview is debt free in a facility insured for 3.5 million dollars.
Financial Statements are prepared annually and reviewed by an Auditor
A Financial Statement is available on request
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Ministry Personnel Requirements
Criteria for the position and skills profile are supported by the results of the Conversation Café sponsored by the Joint Needs Assessment Committee on March 27, 2010
PAST AND PRESENT STAFFING
In the past, Mountainview has had one full-time ordained Minister who works with the Worship Team, Music Director and, for the last year, with the Christian Development Director.
The committee recommends the establishment of a half-time position to focus on pastoral care and parish nursing.
POSITION
Position Summary
A full-time Minister of Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care, responsible to the Pastoral Charge through the Ministry and Personnel Committee under the oversight of Niagara Presbytery and Hamilton Conference of the United Church of Canada.
Responsibilities
In response to the question “What Skills/Gifts/Talents Do You Feel Are Most Important In a New Minister For Our Church?” The top priorities were an experienced, approachable leader, ordained in the United Church of Canada, who will:
• provide dynamic, relevant worship services using a variety of methods
• offer compassionate pastoral care and counselling
• demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with staff, volunteers, congregation
• train/enable/empower lay leadership
• provide leadership and support for mid-week study groups
Also, while not mandatory, a willingness to locate in St. Catharines is highly preferred.
Expanded community involvement and outreach were noted as important but it is vital that the new minister and congregation become settled prior to additional outreach activities being initiated.
Accountability
The position is accountable to Niagara Presbytery for the general conduct of the ministry and to Mountainview United Church Board for the programs and goals of the congregation. Mutual assessment of the ministry will be conducted by the Ministry and Personnel Committee, at least once a year.
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MINISTERIAL SKILLS REQUIRED
Preaching Skills
Sunday worship is a key part of congregational life at Mountainview. The minister must have strong preaching skills with a captivating and dynamic delivery and the ability to relate the words of scripture to present day situations. In addition, the minister is encouraged to use a variety of worship formats that would utilize our unique worship space. We require a leader who inspires the congregation and conveys warmth. (S)He must be able to communicate with all ages recognizing that people are at different points along their faith journeys.
Leadership Skills
Music plays an important part of Sunday worship. The minister must work as part of a team (Music Director and Worship Team) to enhance the worship experience and to plan a variety of types of services over the course of the year. (S)He must have the ability to build and sustain relationships, work collegially with paid staff and lay people, and encourage creativity that will translate into spiritually uplifting worship.
The congregation requires someone who can be a strong leader, who honours diverse opinions, and who can be open and supportive to help us deal openly with disagreements and conflicts. The minister will therefore need excellent spoken and written communication skills in order to connect with the entire community and an understanding of group dynamics in congregations. (S)He will also have the ability to help the congregation work through change when change is identified as being needed.
Pastoral Care Skills
The minister’s pastoral care giving should demonstrate respect for the diversity of needs and situations in the congregation and wider community. The minister should have strong skills to deal with conflicting viewpoints on some of the contentious issues facing the United Church today. The minister should have skills for personal counselling, but also the judgement to know when referrals are necessary. (S)He should enable lay people to assist in visitation and facilitate the congregation’s responses to needs in their midst, but also be with families and individuals at significant life-moments.
Technological Skills
The minister should have experience in the use of computer technology and visual projection techniques for use in worship, administration and communication.
Personal Skills
The minister should enjoy working with people of various backgrounds and theological stances. (S)He should be patient, flexible, have a sense of humour and the capacity to learn and grow through personal experience. Overall, (s)he must be welcoming and inviting, with the ability to encourage and support staff and lay people. The minister should be a well-rounded person who in caring for others also knows the value of self-care.
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TERMS
The position is regular full-time (40 hours a week), with one month (5 Sundays) vacation time and three weeks (including Sundays) of study leave each year to be arranged in consultation with the M & P Committee. All requirements of the United Church manual should be met or exceeded in determining appropriate salary, housing allowance, and incidentals.
In addition to financial remuneration, Mountainview United Church will support the person called by:
• providing administrative support (5 mornings a week)
• providing a suitable office, computer, and program resources
• providing access to the Ministry and Personnel Committee, as well as annual reviews
• offering our loving and prayerful support
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APPENDIX A
Goals for the Transition Time at Mountainview United Church
2009-2011
The goals for the period of transition shall include but are not limited to the following:
1. A review of the history of the Mountainview Pastoral Charge with a view to coming to terms with that history and its implications for the future ministry and mission of the Pastoral Charge.
2. The enabling of conversations and understanding between those of different experiences with the purpose of developing a common vision.
3. An elaboration upon the current mission statement, with consideration to the recently completed Joint Needs Assessment to create a mission strategy with measurable and time specific objectives, and with assigned responsibilities.
4. A restructuring of the Mountainview Council and its committees, to reflect the demographics of the congregation and the mission strategy.
5. A review of policy and procedures to ensure that they are responsive to and consistent with the overall objectives of the Pastoral Charge.
6. The guiding of the Ministry and Personnel Committee in consultation with staff and relevant committees of the church, in a review of position descriptions for all staff of the congregation to clarify relationships, supervision and accountability.
7. The provision of opportunities for healing among current and past leadership and between congregation and Presbytery.
8. The congregation, those serving on Council and its committees and those otherwise exercising leadership within the congregation become familiar with the language and practices of spiritual discernment.
9. The education of all those in positions of leadership within the life of the congregation in the policies and procedures of the United Church of Canada and the respective roles and responsibilities of their position.
10. Any other goals identified by the Interim Minister and the Interim Ministry Transition Committee.
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APPENDIX B
Transition Time
On the recommendation of the 333 Review completed for Niagara Presbytery, August 2008, an Interim Transition Committee was formed to work as a communication vehicle with and between the Minister, the Board and the congregation. Suitable goals were recommended to guide Mountainview through a period of transition.
Throughout the interim time, Transition Team members have been easily identified in the congregation by their yellow name tags, in order to encourage and facilitate communication of concerns from the congregation. Such communications have been valued and helpful and continue to be encouraged.
The Transition Team attended two events to learn more about congregational renewal. The first was a conference held in Hamilton entitled, “Spirit Filled Paths” led by Dr. Alice Mann of the Alban Institute. The second was a workshop, directed by Hamilton Conference and held at Mountainview in November 2010, entitled “From the Dance Floor to the Balcony....and back again.” This event included fifteen members from Mountainview. On March 5, 2011, eleven representatives from both the new Board and Transition Team attended the seminar led by Tom Bandy, “More Than Management.” The Transition Team has assisted Reverend Margaret in organizing a number of events with the Board and for the congregation either in the form of Conversation Cafés as part of the morning worship service, or workshops following the service. These events included:
2009
• Workshop “Reinventing Leadership for Board Members and Transition Team” - September 27, 2009
• Pin Maps -where individuals in the congregation reside and History Event - “Naming Our Reality” : creating a Wall of Wonder (1959-2009) – and memories – October 28 through November 29, 2009.
• Worship - “Celebration of our History, the Ritual of Releasing the Past, and the Beginning of Embracing the Future” December 13, 2009
2010
• Workshop : “Healthy Communication” - January 10, 2010
• Workshop : “Anxious and Responsible Congregations”- February 14, 2010
• Worship : Identity of Mountainview – part 1 -Time of Reflection and Sharing of the Environics Report - March 7, 2010
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• Conversation Café : “Identity of Mountainview “ - part 2 - Who are We? Who are our neighbours? What is God calling us to do? - April 11, 2010
• The Board and Transition team meet to discuss congregational feedback from April 11 Conversation Café- April 18 and 21, 2010
• Transition Team Report to congregation with summary of the their feedback – May 2, 2010
• Retreat for Board and Transition Team to determine Mission, Vision for Mountainview and Vision Path – May 29, 2010
• Transition Team Report to Presbytery – informing Presbytery of goals completed in the first year – June, 2010
• Workshops – “The Once and Future Church” – October 24 & 31, 2010
• Board and Transition Team – Governance Retreat – formulating a new Board Model – October 30, 2010
• Congregational Meeting – December 12, 2010
o new Mission Statement adopted
o interim period for Mountainview United Church extended to June 2012
o Reverend Margaret Bain reappointed for this continued period
o adoption of new Board Structure
o Joint Needs Assessment Committee established
2011
• Conversation Café – January 16, 2011 -“Bringing Our Mission Statement to Life”
• Annual Meeting – February 13, 2011 - new Board begins office
• Introductory Seminar “Marriage Policy” presented by Judith Johnson from the Hamilton Conference Office – April 10, 2011
At the time of this report, much work has been done and progress made. During the interim period's final year, we expect to accomplish even more with the help of Rev. Margaret Bain, so that the forward movement achieved may be continued through the Joint Needs Assessment Committee (JNAC) and Joint Search Committee process.
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APPENDIX C
The Environics Report
We were very fortunate to be able to opt into a United Church initiative with Environics research to get detailed and specific data on our community. The objective of the report is described as information to help the congregation understand more about itself and its local community in order to develop programs and mission strategies that are faithful and effective.
Defining the Service Area
Environics Analytics used the 2009 congregation data to define the size and shape of the local service area. The total file contained 151 members. The service area was defined by capturing a minimum of 70% of the congregation.
Mountainview Profiles
• 70% of our congregation live within the Service Area (106 out of 151) (we are a neighbourhood church – one of the very few churches in the Niagara Presbytery having so many members and adherents living so close)
• congregation heavily concentrated in six lifestyle clusters
• United Church affiliation claimed by only 10.8% of households in the area
• area just south of the church seems to demonstrate >20% persons of no religion
• service area has higher number of visible minorities than the Benchmark area of St. Catharines - Niagara
• mainly 2 person families (few children)
• more households headed by 35-44 year olds than in the surrounding area
• people are well educated
• average household income $76,421
Hard Data Facts:
• we are a more well-to-do community
• we have an educated community
• we have lots of “people energy” available
• there are few children in the area – many single or two member households
The Environics Analysis provides an indepth description of our catchment area. The report will remain of great assistance to us as we continue to reflect on our Identity, our Mission, Vision, and Vision Path.
*A copy of the Environics report is available on loan from the church office.
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