NEWS FROM THE CHALMERS COMMISSION – AUGUST 5, 2022
Having received and reviewed my 2021/2022 Commission Report (a copy of which is available upon request to david@narrowgate.ca), the Assembly of Elders for the East
Central Ontario Region of The United Church of Canada has extended the term of my office until July 31, 2023. This extension is intended to provide the Chalmers community
with both needed operational oversight and time to continue development of its capacity, shared sense of mission, and governance structure.
The furthering of the Commission’s mandate recognizes the noteworthy progress made by the congregation over the last 18 months in righting relationships, notwithstanding
there being no resident ministry personnel to assist in the process, and the adverse impacts of the pandemic. It further affirms and celebrates the congregation’s efforts at
having continuous, uninterrupted worship, and its embrace of Restorative Practice as a way to re-establish the opportunity for independent decision making, per our
denominational polity.
With this in mind, and within the next 12 months, I anticipate that the people of Chalmers will:
- continue their commitment to, and use of, Restorative Practice
- generally attend to such matters that will further determine and define the faith community’s identity and missional emphasis
- design and endorse a new governance model (the way of allocating resources and making decisions) that supports implementation of its identity and missional
emphasis - subsequently propose an initial slate of candidates for a governance body (all to be concurred with by this Commission).
Consideration of my recommendations respecting interim future staffing arrangements have been deferred by the Elders pending further discussion with me. This said, the Reference Team joins me in the sincere hope that you are experiencing the reawakening of Chalmers, and the progress made to date in becoming a more restorative community of faith.
To move forward with congregational conversation about future needs and possibilities, the Reference Team and I are scheduling three facilitated in-person gatherings on the
following dates and times:
• August 31st @ 1:00 p.m.
• September 7th @ 7:00 p.m.
• September 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
Each of these meetings will provide a similar opportunity for contributing to next steps; that is to say, each will ask the same questions and have the same format. Please
attend the session most convenient to you! And lastly, I wish to advise that one of the factors that will inform my subsequent report and recommendations to the Region as to Chalmers’ vitality and viability regards the degree of congregational participation in gatherings, especially those designed to consider/plan for Chalmer’s future. I encourage you to attend, to add your voice, and to demonstrate your interest in/commitment to this faith community life. Who, how, and what Chalmers United Church is, or is not, very much depends on the nature and number of those who are engaged in its work, worship, and witness.
Walking alongside you at this opportunity-filled time, I remain,
G. David King, B.A., M. Div., O.M. (U.C.C.), C.G.R.S.
Commissioner