Members of Council include our ministers, the chairs and leaders of our committees and trustees. We meet monthly except in the summer. As well, a small advisory group meets monthly before council meetings, to provide advice to the chair and to discuss important program, financial and planning matters. Our Council previews and approves all proposals presented to the congregation, such as the membership of the Transition Team, the annual slate of leaders on council and our annual financial statements.
Your church council is responsible for the overall leadership of the congregation, ensuring that our worship, outreach, and pastoral care programs are meeting the needs of the congregation and community, and ensuring responsible stewardship of our facility and financial resources.
At our latest meeting, council agreed to offer the Maple Grove facility as one of several “Resiliency Hubs” in Oakville. This would make our facility available in the event of broad emergency situations such as major or long-term power outages, in either winter or summer, other environmental events or significant occurrences such as the train derailment that some of you will remember occurred in Mississauga in the late 70s.
We recently agreed that Maple Grove would serve as an Organizational Mentor for an organization called R4R – “Resiliency for Recovery” that helps young adults and youth living with drug and alcohol addictions, while that organization works toward full independence as a registered charity.
We are recruiting for a couple of key roles on Council:
- Regional Representative. Under the new governance structure of the United Church, Maple Grove is now part of the Horseshoe Falls Region, one of nine regions across Canada. We are permitted to designate up to three people to represent our congregation at the Regional Level. This involves attending Regional meetings and serving on the Maple Grove Council. Regions are responsible for supporting local congregations in such matters as pastoral relations, human resources, property management and leadership training.
- Chair, Building & Property. Within the congregation, we are actively looking for a chair for the Building and Property area.
- Chair, Membership. This individual will take the lead on ensuring we extend a warm welcome to visitors and newcomers, provide information about Maple Grove and connect those interested with our minister.
A very strong incentive to join council is the great group of people who serve – and who join each other at the Royal Windsor Pub at after meetings end – always promptly at 9 PM!
If you feel called to consider any of these important roles, please speak to Ross Gilmour or Rev. Harry Disher.