Septembers Announcements from London Conference

CONNECTION * WORSHIP * YOUTH A United Church National Youth Gathering * October 26 th to 28 th, 2012 A chance to connect, create, and worship together. Gather with other young people from across the United Church, for an awesome weekend retreat. We will spend time exploring what worship means to you. How does worship connect with your faith? For more information contact: mail.com Registration:

The Congregational Futures Development Ministry Survey All Congregations within the bounds of the Conference have been asked to complete a survey to help the Congregational Futures Development Ministry determine its focus and priorities. The survey form was mailed to each congregation at the beginning of summer with a request that responses be returned by 30 September If you have any questions concerning the survey or would prefer to receive an electronic copy please contact: Judith Gilliland: ext 4 Just a Reminder:

Tanya Cameron Administrative Support/Finance ext Provides administrative support to the Executive Secretary/ Personnel Minister/Youth, Young Adults, Faith Formation Minister. Facilitates Conference Executive/Sub-Executive meetings/Annual Meeting along with records and minutes. Administers Pastoral Relations Forms (MEPS) and produces Vacancy/Availability Lists. Processes requests to administer the sacraments/solemnize marriages/licenses to marry. Maintains pastoral relations. Produces Roll of Conference, and (with General Council) provides London Conference Annual Year Book statistics. Processes applications for Individual Learning Grants/Mission Support Grants/Technical Support/Capital Assistance. Budget preparation for Conference committees/staff, Conference bookkeeping, and preparation of annual charity tax returns "Tanya is detail-oriented & keeps the office on-task!" Introducing Conference Staff

Join Us For a Half-Day Stewardship Workshop, 9:30 to 12:30 Transitional Stewardship From Anxious Scarcity to Grateful Abundance October 13 th - Atwood United Church, 131 John Street, Atwood, October 20 th - Westminster United Church, 115 George Street, Thamesford, November 3 rd - Thamesville United Church, 107 Elizabeth Street, Thamesville, Please register in advance with your name, telephone number, and address at: Registrations must be received by Monday, October 1 st.

Items currently needed by most food banks Most Needed Items: Peanut Butter Canned Fruit Canned Meats Canned Pasta Pasta Sauce Coffee Cleaning Products And, of course …

London Conference is searching for a Personnel Minister! If you are interested in being part of developing and testing proposed changes to pastoral relations while resourcing the Ministry and Personnel network, please check out the Position Description posted (after September 12 th ) on the London Conference and United Church of Canada websites. Deadline for submissions for this full-time permanent position is Tuesday, October 9 th at noon.

Fairfield Museum, Kent Presbytery, has a long and proud association with London Conference. The museum commemorates the Village of Fairfield, an integrated community of Moravian and Munsee- Delaware people, destroyed by invading American troops in In support of major initiatives during the bi-centennial year, the Friends of Fairfield Museum are sponsoring a Christmas Wassail on Saturday, December 1 st, at the Ramada Inn, London. The evening includes Cocktails, Dinner, Live Entertainment, and Dancing - all for only $50.00 per ticket. Tickets can be obtained at: or: but dont delay for theyre bound to go quickly!

Dreaming of Retirement? Its always good to plan ahead: but if you intend to retire this year, please be sure to let Conference know the expected date. Reverend Rick Hawley - Acting Personnel Minister

The 9th R. Alex Sim Rural Ministry 2012 Mission- Shaped And Rural? The 2012 Rural Ministry Symposium is being held at Jacksons Point (north of Toronto) from October 22nd to 24th, 2012 at the Jacksons Point Conference Centre of the Salvation Army, on the shores of Lake Simcoe. This location offers comfortable accommodation, as well as excellent conference, worship and leisure facilities, together with 156 acres of open fields and mixed forests to roam and enjoy. The London Conference Rural Life Committee is willing to subside students or lay folks (or others who do not have Continuing Education Funding) for the cost of accommodations ($ each). To apply - reply (by September 21st) to For more information, check out:

Commissioners to the 41st General Council gave overwhelming approval to a proposal to invite Aboriginal people to become signatories to the Basis of Union and to include changes to the crest to recognize Aboriginal spirituality. The crest changes include incorporating the four colours of the Aboriginal medicine wheel and adding the Mohawk phrase Akwe NiaTetewá:neren, which means all my relations. The United Church crest, which will now include the colours yellow as a symbol of life and Asian people, black as a symbol of the south and dark-skinned people of the world, red as a symbol of the west and Aboriginal peoples, and white as the colour of the north and white-skinned people. In Case You Hadnt Heard...

WHERE YOUTH WORSHIP CHRISTMAS SERVICE Saturday, December 22 nd, 7:00 p.m. Wesley-Knox United Church London, Ontario More information online at WHERE YOUTH PLAN WORSHIP (Formerly known as November Rally) November 1 st - 4 th, 2012 Lambton United Church Centre Forest Ontario Information and registration online at

Introducing Conference Staff Betsy Exley Faith Formation, Youth & Young Adults Minister ext Resource and support to Congregations seeking to energize or enhance relations and programs with Youth & Young Adults. -Resource and support to Youth Forum, Children at Conference, Youth at Conference, YATS at Conference, YATS Retreats, etc. -Resource and support to Camping & Outdoor Ministries -Resource and support for Faith Formation initiatives -Resource and support to the Division of Mission in Canada -Resource and support to Accessibility: Welcoming Communities "Betsy's energy is refreshing and the perfect fit for the job!"

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