It is a map of all four congregation's members' home locations. Click the map to zoom in or our for better view
|
The logo of our amalgamation process - One in Christ
|
| hamilton_lutheran_amalgamation_exploration_document_1.pdf |
| pog_colation_of_discussions.pdf |
|
A big thank you to all those who came out to the amalgamation discussion meetings at all four congregations! It was record attendance at every meeting in every congregation! The Amalgamation Working Committee (AWC) met with the consultants on June 11th and received feedback from the People of God Discussions (these are the ones you participated in) and the Joint Council Retreat. We expect a report from our consultants in early July that will give us some idea of common threads which could then become the vision and ministry of the new amalgamated congregation.
We will be planning some social activities over the summer and fall and perhaps some shared worship services over the summer. Members of the AWC will also be visiting other churches in the summer (other than Lutheran) to explore other forms of worship. All members are invited to do the same when they are on vacation and report back on what they liked about the worship they attended and what might fit with our amalgamation. |
The AWC will meet again on Monday, July 16th (7pm) at Transfiguration and then again on Sunday, September 16th (1pm) at St. John’s to discuss the report. Alternate members of AWC are invited to both meetings.
|
|
The joined council meeting held at Faith on Saturday, June 2, 2018 discussed SWOT (Strengths weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of each congregation and the future amalgamated congregation. You may find the discussion guide here.)
|
| ||
|
At the May 7th meeting, four congregational members joined Pastor Chun for prayer during the meeting proceedings. At this meeting, the Amalgamation Working Committee discussed the handout “Best Hopes, Ideas, concerns for the Future” which is a compilation of all the comments gathered from the May 6th event and organized topically. This document was created by Janet Marshall and Ron Ewart, our facilitators who were present at the service on May 6th and led the discussions afterwards. You will find this document posted on the amalgamation bulletin board at your church. You will also find a list of all the meetings scheduled at the four congregations being held between May 26 - June 10. Please plan to attend one of these very important meetings so that your voice can be heard. If you cannot attend a meeting time scheduled with your congregation, you are more than welcome to attend a meeting at another congregation.
The Amalgamation Working Committee meets again on Monday, June 11th at Faith at 7 pm.
|
People of God Discussion:
CONSIDERING OUR FUTURE Where is God calling us? (Each session will be approximately 90 minutes. Attend at your own church or come along to another. Your choice.)
All sessions will be facilitated by our consultants Janet Marshall and Ron Ewart. The results will be published for all to read. (you may find the material for the discussion below)
| ||||||
|
conversation after our joined worship service on Sunday, May 6th, 2018
| ||
|
The Amalgamation Task Force met on March 12 at Transfiguration Lutheran Church with consultant Janet Marshall from the Toronto United Church Council. There will be a Joint Council/Task Force Delegates meeting on March 24 at Wellingstone Christian Home, Hamilton. The purpose of the meeting is to ensure that all council members and delegates have a good understanding of the amalgamation work that will happen over the next 9-10 months; discuss how we will begin to work together and identify the important things that need to be considered during amalgamation including the proposed changes being put forward by the City of Hamilton; and, learn what it means to be leaders and how to provide leadership in changing times.
NOTE: There will be an Amalgamation Launch Service on Sunday, May 6 at 10:30 am at Grace Lutheran for all four congregations. A light lunch will follow and an update will be provided as well as future plans. |
Scheduled Task Force Meetings
Saturday, March 24. Joint Council/Task Force Delegate Meeting. Wellingstone Christian Home, 261 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton, ON L9B 2X3 Monday April 9 at St. John’s at 7 pm - finalize May 6 Launch Worship Service and discuss other opportunities: Social Events, Visioning Conversations, Bible Studies Monday, May 7 at Grace at 7 pm Monday, June 11 at Faith at 7 pm |
|
The process has started! The Amalgamation Task Force met with our coaches Janet Marshall and Ron Ewen from the Toronto United Church Council Centre for Church Development and Leadership. A work plan has been laid out with the goal of having a decision on amalgamation by the end of the year. As you can imagine, this will take many meetings in each congregation and together. With Janet and Ron’s guidance and leadership we will have many opportunities to explore and discuss amalgamation. All voices will be heard!
Please remember to keep your task force members in your prayers and, while we all need to be praying for this process, it is important to have someone from each congregation to pray while the task force is in session. Please let your pastor know if you can be part of the prayer group on March 12th. |
The Task Force will meet again on March 12th at Transfiguration plus there will be a joint council/board meeting on March 24th. At both meetings planning will take place for different dates for discussions, learning, social events, and mission visioning. This is a very exciting time! You will be receiving a lot of communication regarding the process and progress. Be on the lookout for an amalgamation launch event this spring!
|
|
The Amalgamation Task force met with Ron Ewart and Janet Marshall of the Toronto United Church Council/Centre for Church Development and Leadership. The staff of the TUCC Centre for Church Development and Leadership have extensive experience in working with congregations from all denominations who seek amalgamation with other congregations. They lead congregations through a 6-9 month process of conversations to a proposed vision for new ministry. Once a vision is accepted they then lead the congregations through the nuts and bolts of amalgamation which can take about 6-18 months. The Task Force has asked them to prepare a proposal which we expect by mid-December. The proposal will include details of the facilitative work they will do and the cost which would be shared among the congregations.
Pastor Chun Zhang discussed the parallel prayer group that will meet at the same time as the Task Force. The prayer group will join with the Task Force delegates at the beginning of each meeting for devotion and prayer and then meet separately for about 45-60 minutes for learning and prayer. Please consider being part of this group as the Task Force needs your prayers! Pastor Chun is able to provide transportation for those who need it. Please contact your pastor if God is leading you to be part of the prayer group. |
The Task Force meets again on Tuesday, January 8, 2018 at 7 pm at Faith Lutheran Church (1907 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8K 1V9)
|
|
The Amalgamation Task Force met for the first time on Monday, October 30, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church.
Task force members selected by consensus Mike Schuster (St. John's) as chair, and Cathy Calvin (Faith) as alternate chair; pastor Loretta Jaunzarins (Grace) as secretary and Cathy Tell (Grace) as alternate secretary. Task Force members thanked pastor Doug Reble, Assistant to the Bishop, for his presence and leadership at this inaugural meeting. Pastor Doug will be attending the Task Force meeting on a regular basis. A parallel prayer group will be formed to meet at the same time as the Task Force to pray for the work of the Task Force and for the direction and guidance of God's spirit. Please carefully consider being part of the important work of the prayer group and then speak to your pastor if you feel led by the Holy Spirit to be part of this ministry. The prayer group chaplain will be pastor Chun Zhang (St. John's). |
Delegates/alternates and pastor(s) from 4 congregations are:
Faith: Cathy Calvin, Ed Hoefer, Gerry Storbeck, Pr. Mertzs Grace: Jamie-Lynn Lehane, Sparrow Rabideau, Cathy Tell, Pr. Loretta Jaunzarins St John's: Mike Schuster, Mark Weingartner, Sylvia Zwick, Pr. Mertzs Transfiguration: Debbie Lindeman, Judy Lindeman, Shirley Ouellette, Pr. Doug Schweyer The second Task force meeting is on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, 7 pm at Grace. |
|
It is almost six months to the day that four congregational councils gathered to talk about what might the ministry of the four congregations of Hamilton look like if they came together to share ministry including possible amalgamation. Since that time all four congregations have met individually and gone to congregations to seek their permission to enter into meaningful and practical conversations that may lead to the amalgamation of all four of the congregations or a combination therein. All four congregations voted overwhelmingly to begin those conversations in a formal way.
As the result, an amalgamation task force team will be formed and made up of 12 people. Two lay leaders from each congregation as identified by the Councils. The task force will also include the four pastors who are under call or interim appointment. they are Pastor Loretta Jaunzarins, Pastors Thomas and Daniela Mertz, Pastor Douglas Schweyer. Hence a task force of 12 with each congregation equally represented. These people should be people who come with open minds and a vision for ministry possibilities. |
The first meeting of the Hamilton Amalgamation Task force will take place on Monday, October 30 at 7 PM at Grace Lutheran Church. Rev. Doug Reble will be present and chair this first meeting.
This first meeting will deal mainly with logistics, ie. selecting a chair and/or facilitator, minute taker, meeting schedule as to when and where,etc. |
