EOORC Community of Faith Self-Assessment Checklist

Background

The Manual 2022 sets out the responsibility for Communities of Faith to do self-assessments, as stated in G.1.2.2:

Congregations and other communities of faith are responsible for doing self- assessments of their ministry regularly. They must reflect on their understanding of their identity and their community context.

They may consider

a) their accomplishments;
b) the present opportunities and challenges; and
c) the resources required for meeting those opportunities and challenges.

They must file a report of the self-assessment with the regional council. The regional council participates as a partner in this review, offering resources and support from the wider church.

Purpose

In keeping with this responsibility, EOORC has created this checklist to assist Communities of Faith with their ministry assessment. You may find that not all items are current. If this is the case, please use this assessment as a reminder of those items you may work toward and set goals to complete. The Governing Body is responsible for overseeing that these items are reviewed annually and submitted to the region. They may also add items which are important to their context and ministry.

You can download the PDF, fill it out, scan it and send to Rev Whit Strong, Pastoral Relations Minister wstrong@united-church.ca: EOORC Community of Faith Self Assessment

You can fill out the form online (below) and when completed, it will be sent directly to Rev. Strong.

You can also print the PDF and use it as a working copy before you fill in the online form.

Background The Manual 2022 sets out the responsibility for Communities of Faith to do self-assessments, as stated in G.1.2.2: Congregations and other communities of faith are responsible for doing self- assessments of their ministry regularly. They must reflect on their understanding of their identity and their community context. They may consider a) their accomplishments; b) the present opportunities and challenges; and c) the resources required for meeting those opportunities and challenges. They must file a report of the self-assessment with the regional council. The regional council participates as a partner in this review, offering resources and support from the wider church. Purpose In keeping with this responsibility, EOORC has created this checklist to assist Communities of Faith with their ministry assessment. You may find that not all items are current. If this is the case, please use this assessment as a reminder of those items you may work toward and set goals to complete. The Governing Body is responsible for overseeing that these items are reviewed annually and submitted to the region. They may also add items which are important to their context and ministry.

Date

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Community of Faith

Contact Person

First Last

Are you in a multi-point Pastoral Charge?

Yes

If yes, what is the name of your Pastoral Charge?

United Church of Canada Polity

The Community of Faith meets at least annually

The Annual Report is published each year and uploaded to ChurchHub

The Annual Report has been sent to the Regional Office

The Governing Body for the Community of Faith meets at least quarterly

You have elected your members of Regional Council and decided about the length of their term and have informed the Regional Council

You are encouraging participation in the life and work of EOORC and the wider church

If the governing body is different from the models described in the Manual 2022, it has been reviewed and approved by EOORC

Comments about United Church Polity

Ministry

The Mission Articulation plan (Living Faith Profile) is reviewed annually with particular attention to the goals set as part of the plan

Creates, reviews and updates policies regarding requests for weddings, funerals, baptisms and membership in keeping with the Manual

Considered forming a cluster with neighbouring United Church Communities of Faith

Considered becoming an Affirming congregation

Considered developing partnerships with other organizations or faith groups

Review ways to increase accessibility

Comments about Ministry

Trustees

Board of Trustees for each Community of Faith

Pastoral Charge have a Joint Trustee Board

At least three trustees, and their appointments confirmed at the annual meeting

Land Title been reviewed and is up to date

Original Church Deed forwarded to archives and kept in vault; copy kept in secure place known to the trustees and Governing Body

If the congregation has a cemetery

There is a Cemetery Committee

Perpetual Care Funds are administered by the Governing Body through the Treasurer

Cemetery Committee provides a financial and activities report to the Governing Body annually

Comments about Trustees

Finances

Yearly budget is approved at annual meeting

Annual financial statement is approved

Receipts are issued following Revenue Canada Agency guidelines

Restrictions on bequests are recorded and monitored

Restrictions on funds are recorded and monitored

Treasurer has copy of most recent UCC Financial Handbook for Congregations and is encouraged to attend workshops related to their position

At least two unrelated people count and deposit the weekly offering

Signing authorities are reviewed and updated

T4s and T4As are issued as per Revenue Canada guidelines

Charitable Status Forms are filed annually on time

Comments about Finances

Ministry and Personnel Committee

Yearly budget is approved at annual meeting

Annual financial statement is approved

Receipts are issued following Revenue Canada Agency guidelines

Restrictions on bequests are recorded and monitored

Restrictions on funds are recorded and monitored

Treasurer has copy of most recent UCC Financial Handbook for Congregations and is encouraged to attend workshops related to their position

At least two unrelated people count and deposit the weekly offering

Signing authorities are reviewed and updated

T4s and T4As are issued as per Revenue Canada guidelines

Charitable Status Forms are filed annually on time

Comments about Ministry and Personnel

Stewardship

The Community of Faith sets a goal for Mission and Service donations each year

Contributions to Mission and Service are forwarded to the General Council Office monthly

Stewardship Committee receives information and resources provided by the United Church of Canada

Stewardship is promoted as part of faithful participation in the ministry of the Community of Faith

Stewardship is understood to be more than money and is the stewardship of all of our resources including volunteers

Comments about Stewardship

Record Keeping

Historic Roll is regularly reviewed and updated by the Governing Body

Governing Body has set the criteria for the membership list review

Governing Body has defined what it means to be adherent and maintains a record of adherents and contributing people/families

Minutes of meetings are kept and available to the Community of Faith

Registers (Baptism, Burial, Wedding) are kept up to date and in a secure location

People with access to personal information are aware of the Privacy Policy

Rental Policy: All rental fees are the same amount for members and non-members as per Canada Revenue Rules

Comments about Record Keeping

Justice, Right Relations, Interculturalism, Anti-Racism and Mission

Traditional Indigenous territory that the ministry sits on is researched and acknowledged

Familiar with the United Church 1986 Apology to First Nations Peoples and the 1988 Apology to Former Students of United Church Indian Residential Schools, and to Families and Communities, and the 2017 apology of residents of Ontario whose lives were impacted by residential schools

Familiar with and using United Church of Canada resources regarding establishing good relations with Indigenous peoples; study and response to injustices and inequities; intentionally working towards creating safe and faithful community for all people

All items on this list have been reviewed and any necessary updating or changes have been made

Are you aware of the statements and educational resources that General Council has provided for the Church’s work to be an Intercultural and Anti-Racist Church?

Comments about Justice, Right Relations, Interculturalism, Anti-Racism and Mission

ChurchHub Profiles

Annually update your financial viability, demographic, manse and real property profiles

Review and amend your Mission Articulation Plan (Living Faith Story) to reflect any changes in your ministry or vision

Upload a copy of your Annual Report

Update your contact information

Comments about ChurchHub Profiles

Have you received and updated the United Church of Canada’s Policies, including:

Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy. Date approved/revised:

All items on this checklist have been reviewed.

Yes

Are there any items you wish to discuss with the EOORC?

Yes

If yes, which one(s)?

Chair of Governing Body and Date

Secretary of Governing Body and Date

Pastoral Relations Minister and Date