WESTMINSTER UNITED CHURCH 2020 - Westminster United Church - Thamesford, ON
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2020 WESTMINSTER UNITED CHURCH IMPACT
WESTMINSTER
UNITED CHURCH
IS
MAKING CONNEXIONS
WITH
OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS
AND OPEN ARMS —
WE ARE OPEN FOR DISCUSSION!
MESSAGE
from Rev. Mark
‘Unprecedented’ – the most overused and yet
accurate word of 2020. To say 2020 was unprecedented
for Westminster is actually quite an understatement. Within
one week back in March, we shifted worship to online,
cancelled Camp that we’d already begun, shuttered
programs and began learning to do without physical
contact – no more hugs, handshakes, pats on the back – our
community looked very di erent.
2020 was unprecedented – unprecedented in our
creativity, our ingenuity, our resolve to stay connected,
even when we couldn’t be together in-person. We have
seen unprecedented generosity, engagement, and
compassion. Phone calls and porch drops, along with
grocery and pharmacy runs have become the new way to
provide pastoral care. We’ve discovered people’s resolve to
keep o ering what we can to our community. We’ve
discovered, again, in a new way, that “we are not alone.”
We’ve discovered we are community even when we’re apart
– a community that is making an impact – on each other,
those beyond our doors, and the world, as we’ve been
called to do. That’s what this report celebrates – the
unprecedented impact of a connected community in
unprecedented times.
Thanks be to God!
Rev. Mark Marshall
Ordained Minister
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IMPACT
The shifts the pandemic have required of
us have had some unexpected bene its. Our
views on YouTube and Facebook, for example, far
exceed the numbers we would normally see in
worship, averaging 354 views per week. We
know that not every view means full participation
in the service, but it is exposure, and higher than
many larger churches we know. We’ve been
hearing from folks who’ve been loosely
connected who are now watching every week.
We’ve reconnected with others who had moved
away and now able to take part again over the
internet. We know there are family members
watching around the world. We are hearing from
them, and often our services are helping them
get through lockdown – what a blessing! The
easiest and best thing you can do is share our
service with others – it’s the new evangelism!
Calling Connexions & pastoral care are a
light to many in the darkness. Kids’ Connexion
online is reaching many families looking for some
faith formation at home. We are still helping folks
with issues of grief, and still gathering online for
Connexions Café, meetings, and groups. Our
commitment to the world is also still ongoing
through the Mission & Service Fund, having
donated $8,743.00 in 2020. Westminster is
making an impact. You are making an impact!
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MINISTRIES
PASTORAL CARE
Without the opportunity for face-to-face visits, pastoral care
has pivoted to physically distanced options. Porch drops and
visits, phone calls, and emails have replaced how we connect.
Gerard has been making hundreds of phone calls, along with
some grocery and prescription runs for those unable to get
out. We’ve even developed and trained a new Calling
Connexions team who are regularly checking in on folks,
according to their need/desire. If you would like a call or some
other form of connexion from the church, please let us know.
GREETING CARDS FOR LTC
Westminster has been working with three other local churches
to write uplifting greeting cards to people currently living in
long-term care homes. At Thanksgiving, Westminster wrote
200 cards, with all churches involved writing 400 cards.
Westminster also contributed 500 Christmas cards to help
make the season a little brighter. All churches involved
collected a total of 800 Christmas cards!
GRIEF SUPPORT
Edu-Grief TherapyTM Specialist, Catherine Cannon,
provided virtual support to individuals experiencing grief
and loss during the pandemic. The Grief Workshop has
been a vital part of the church’s pastoral care work and
helped many people learn tools to reframe their thoughts to
ind their purpose again.
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ONLINE GROUPS
& resources during COVID-19.
CONNEXIONS CAFÉ - On the irst Sunday of
the month, all are welcome to join on Zoom to check-in with
each other.
KEEPIN’ IT ‘REEL’ - This group met over the
summer months to watch a speci ic movie on Net lix before
joining Rev. Mark on Zoom to discuss themes, thoughts and
theology relevant to life in today’s society.
FITNESS SERIES - As part of our “Wait Lifting”
series for online worship, “Building the Body of Christ” was
designed to get people moving their body, safely in their
own home during the lockdown. Fitness instructors from
the local community lead their routines with volunteers
from Westminster to help demonstrate the exercises in the
YouTube videos to participate in at home.
KATE’S TAKE - On Wednesday mornings
throughout the Advent season, Kate shared her take on Rev.
Mark’s most recent sermon, and challenged others to use
his message in their every day lives.
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Non-perishable food
donations were in support
of the Salvation Army food
Bank in Woodstock. These
pictures are representing
the irst 100 items that
were donated. There were
too many items to it them
all in one picture! See it in
action on our YouTube/
Facebook page!
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fCOMMUNITY
CONNEXIONS
Our mission is to host free community events, open to all
ages, to raise awareness about issues such as overcoming
obstacles, being accepting of others, and emphasize the
importance of community.
IAN TYSON - Positively Speaking: Hooray for
Everything! Community Connexions hosted speaker and
author, Ian Tyson, to help us frame our thoughts in a
positive way. The event was held in September and more
than 95 guests attended on YouTube.
PRE-ADVENT REVERSE FOOD DRIVE
Thamesford and the surrounding community pulled
together to donate over 3,972 non-perishable food items
and $1,938 in cash and gift cards.
People who live
farther away still
participated by
following the Pre-
Advent Calendar
and donating to
their nearest food
bank. Together,
we made a
di erence and
gave hope to
people who need
it most!
ffKIDS DATE NIGHTS - Kids JK-Grade 5 could come to the church once a month for a drop-in night full of games, snacks, crafts, movies, free play and pizza! This is a chance for parents to get some much needed time to themselves! RELIEF CARE & PA DAYS - Camp Connect was able to provide childcare for PA Days, along with a new program we call “Relief Care”. This past year there were multiple days when schools were closed and we were able to provide child care to relieve parents. ONLINE KIDS CONNEXION ONLINE - Each month our Kids Connexions videos had a new theme which included Determination, Focus, Gratitude & our Christmas theme ‘Simply Christmas’. Check out our videos online for songs, games and bible stories with cartoons! VIRTUAL VBS - Rocky Railway VBS was available online for families every Sunday throughout the summer. The theme was “Rocky Railway - Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through.” We delivered 22 porch-dropped packages with all of the supplies for crafts and activities throughout the summer. Families were also able to act out the bible story and have their photos included online!
YOUTH
CONFIRMATION - Starting with twelve con irmands,
one teen observer, seven mentors and two leaders, we were able to
get the ball rolling in person, but eventually had to meet via Zoom.
Each con irmand received a study bible from the church at the
beginning of the program to use throughout our discussions about
the church, scripture, faith, social justice, discipleship, and
membership. The experience wasn’t quite the same as usual, but we
had a good time, learned a lot, and eventually nine teens were
baptized and/or made professions of faith to become members of
Westminster in a special in-person service that was shown online the
following week.
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fCONFIRMANDS MENTORS THANKS FOR Jaden Mallette Mary Baigent JOINING US Lydia Marshall Greg Goodall Molly Handy Sierra McCorquodale Joan Houston Zoë Handy Kausha Nicholls Kate Lockhart Gavin Marshall Kaidince Sweeney Elizabeth Marshall Pippa van Beek- Justice Sweeney Eric Ostenbrug Paterson Finn van Beek-Paterson Wendy Porter Jack Woods Shannon Woods GRADUATES OF 2020 Graduation packages were sent to youth who were graduating during the lockdown. To everyone who graduated in 2020, congratulations on your achievements!
FUNDRAISING
LEAP YEAR JAZZ COFFEE HOUSE
Attempting to re-imagine the Pancake Supper and add
some arts and entertainment to the community, the Leap
Year Jazz Co ee House was born. Po ertjes (tiny pancake-
like pastries served with icing sugar and whipped cream)
were served with Kintore co ee at small tables in the
sanctuary while Kevin Williams’ jazz band illed the church
with song – a very positive event that raised a few funds for
the church.
TRIVIA NIGHT - This was one of the last events
held in Westminster Hall on March 7th, 2020 and a full
house with 14 teams. It was an excellent night of trivia and
friendly competition, all while raising funds for our
Benevolent Fund, which helps people in our community
when they need a hand up.
VIRTUAL EUCHRE TOURNAMENT
A virtual euchre tournament took place early in the
pandemic. There were three tables playing in a progressive
rotation for ten rounds. We had 12 participants with a
couple of spares to ill in when needed. The three tables
were named Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy. It was a
close race with Hendrika Matheson winning the
tournament!
FUNDSCRIP - Fundscrip is a successful fundraiser
where people buy gift cards through Westminster from
places they regularly shop like grocery and retail stores, gas
stations, etc. The buyer receives the full amount they
purchased on the card and the church receives a
percentage back as well. The totals earnings Westminster
made through Fundscrip in 2020 was $1,839.45.
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fYOUR GENEROSITY
& Financial Support
I would like to take this opportunity to express thanks
on behalf of the Connexions Council for your ongoing
inancial support of Westminster. Your generosity through
these unprecedented times has ensured the ministry at
Westminster has continued at the standard we've come to
expect. Additionally, we were able to repair the bell tower
roof and we are well on our way to reaching our goal of
$19,000 required to repair the north side of the roof. Thank
you and God's blessings to each and every one of you.
Wendy Brown
Chair of Council
2020 Donation Statistics
50
Number of Contributors
40
30
20
10
0
K K K +
e r $50 - $10
0
$ 50
0
- $1 K - $2 - $5 $5K
d - 0 $1 K
Un $50 0 $50 $2
$10
For detailed inancials for 2020 and the proposed 2021
budget, please see makingconnexions.com/impact or
contact the o ice at 519-285-3212.
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ffTHE FUTURE OF
WESTMINSTER
The Futures Team
While we always work on the day-to-day operation of
the church, we are called to look to the future as a
demonstration of our faith. Vital churches honour their
past, work in the present, and dream of what the future
could be. Everything is considered – worship, programs,
sta ing, the building, etc. – with good stewardship and
God’s purpose for us in mind.
The Futures Committee is working behind the scenes
during the pandemic to come up with new plans for the
building that better respond to the social changes of
behaviour in our society. The pandemic has actually taught
us a lot about how communities will work and their need.
We are responding.
Working with a new engineer and architect, the
building is being looked at with fresh eyes in order to
determine how to best use the space we have and what
additions will be needed to pull it all together. Our irst
priority has shifted to the sanctuary, especially because of
the need to be ready to be back in-person and still be able
to livestream to those worshipping online. Renovations
would open and update the hall, move storage with the
o ices in the basement under the sanctuary, and make
updates to the kitchen/servery and include studio space for
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frecording. An addition at the front would create a more
inviting entry and gathering area with easy access to both
the sanctuary and the hall.
We thought we had “2020 Vision,” but 2020 was not
the kind of year we thought it would be. We are renaming
the fund “Future Vision Fund.”
God has called the Westminster community to serve
and worship. We are answering the call. 2020 taught
Westminster several hard lessons that have given us pause
and strength. Through all of the twists and tears of 2020,
we have made plans on how to equip Westminster. This last
year we have answered the call in new ways. God is ever-
present, even digitally. We have heard from members of the
community that misses Camp Connect. Our plan includes
all generations and ages and continues to focus on family
needs. And families come in all shapes and sizes and that
includes you as a member of the Westminster family.
Westminster is planning to serve God for a very very long
time with open hearts, open minds, open arms, open doors,
and open networks… and, as always, open for discussion.
2020 Vision
is now
“Future Vision Fund"LEADERSHIP
CONNEXIONS COUNCIL FINANCE
Wendy Brown, Chair Marjorie de Boer, Chair
Michelle Connors Dave Leslie, Trustee
Marjorie de Boer, Finance Lisa Morris, Bookkeeper
Francine Overeem Wade Schae er
Karen Payne Lindsay Timmers
Carla van Beek-Paterson
Rev. Mark Marshall PROPERTY
Elizabeth Marshall, Corresponding Linda Pike
Kathy Finch
MINISTRY & PERSONNEL
Hollie Kerr, Chair Thank you to Dave
Tom Loghrin Woods for his work and
Phil van Beek-Paterson dedication as the Chair,
and Bob Fisher for hard
Thank you to Judy Ballantyne for work on the Committee.
her assistance on the M&P Another thank you to
committee. Matt Young for assisting
on the Committee as
FUTURES well.
Eric Oostenbrug, Chair
Wendy Brown TRUSTEES
Joan Houston Dave Leslie, Chair
Rev. Mark Marshall Larry Binning, Secretary
Jamie Overeem Lorne Matheson
Al Payne Eric Oostenbrug
Rev. Mark Marshall
Thank you to Mark Woods for his
contributions to the Futures Team
over the last year.
ffSTAFF
Rev. Mark Marshall - Ordained Minister, Music Coordinator
revmarkconnexions@gmail.com
Gerard Hamoen - Pastoral Care Minister
pastoralcareconnexions@gmail.com
Elizabeth Marshall - Church Life Coordinator, NextGen
Minister, Camp Director
makingconnexions@gmail.com
Lisa Morris - Bookkeeper
inanceconnexions@gmail.com
Joel Wallman - NextGen Minister, Camp Supervisor
surgeconnexions@gmail.com
Cheryl Marshall - Music Coordinator, Pianist
Deanne Sleeper - Custodian
Thank you to Miranda Secord for her dedicated work as the
Bookkeeper, and to Jess Young for her work as the church
custodian.
fWHY DOES WESTMINSTER
MAKE AN IMPACT?
Because of you! You are making an
impact and we are so grateful for all that
you do, give, and support.
TOGETHER, WE’VE GOT THIS!
Westminster United Church
115 George St. Thamesford
519-285-3212
makingconnexions@gmail.com
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