Annual General Meeting on February 23, 2025
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on Sunday February 23, 2025 in the basement after the 11:00 am bilingual service with Holy Communion, led by Vicar Alice Rothgordt. 2024 Reports were available to read two weeks ahead of time in both English and German.
Members approved an amendment to the Mission Fund By-law, which was changed to a Policy and its text updated to better describe the processes by which funds can be withdrawn in the event they are needed for extraordinary circumstances. While the trustees of the Mission Fund (Sylvia and Trevor) are technically at the end of their term, they have agreed to stay on for 2025 while we seek replacements.
A separate congregational meeting will be called in the near future to vote on the new Constitution. Please stay tuned for this date.
Dan revealed the church storage room which was completed just in time for the AGM. Many thanks to Dan and Gisela for their work!
Two new members of Council were elected by the congregation – Sonja Schweiger and Emma Latham – thereby bringing the total number of Council members to 11. The installation service for Council will be held on March 23, 2025.
The priorities for 2025-2026 are as follows:
1. Support the Rental Committee in renting out our church spaces. For example, through updating rental agreements, appointing a Rental Coordinator, and a dedicated webpage on our website. Rental income is a valuable source of revenue for our Church, especially now with overall diminishing donations in PAR and regular Sunday worship, and our goal is to continue maximizing the use of our spaces (while still keeping in mind the mission and ministry, and traditional values of our church).
2. Foster a welcoming culture for people of all ages and life stages. Offer worship services and events that are interactive, intercultural, and intergenerational, and which continue to meet the needs of our congregation. Empower volunteers to lead activities and groups that serve the community and neighbourhood by the 2026 AGM.
3. Improve the visibility of our church to our surrounding neighbourhood. Budget and/or fundraise for a new sign out front to better advertise our services and events to the community. Updated signage may help reach those without access to our website, social media, etc., and therefore may improve outreach initiatives and grow our congregation.
4. Celebrate the history of our church. Create a committee to plan and execute a celebration for our 70th Anniversary on November 20, 2025, perhaps with a photo book and party. Purchase a large photo album to place the confirmation photos that previously hung on our basement walls (which were removed after the flood and are safely stored), and add any missing photos, to be ready by our 70th anniversary.
5. Utilize the grants we receive effectively. Improve the accessibility and security of our church by a) updating the accessible washroom in the basement to meet current standards, b) repairing the automatic door at the front entrance), and c) installing two cameras for the backyard and front of the church.
6. Research (and perhaps implement) ways to improve the areas in and around our Church and 5 Superior Ave to reduce the danger of flooding in the future.
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