Winnipeg Presbytery
The United Church is NOT built in a corporate (pyramid) format, with power held by one at the top, and the base being wide, but powerless. Rather, influence over daily affairs and doctrines resides in the middle of the church - in the local governing structures. Hence, the fold-over model at left, suggests the relationship of population and responsiblities.
These middle authorities are the Session or Council (the congregational leaders) and Presbytery (the municipal or regional gathering of clergy and lay representatives). Currently there are 90 Presbyteries of the United Church of Canada. Winnipeg Presbytery is one of the largest - with 35 congregations and 5 community ministries supported by Presbytery (Rainbow, North End-Stella, West Broadway, St. Matthew's-Maryland, and Oak Table). (Just FYI: there are about 3,300 congregations in the United Church of Canada.)
These bodies have countless opportunities for leadership and influencing the church and the world, making a difference through social service, ministry, justice, activism, fund-raising, education, administrative leadership, etc.
Manitoba and North-western Ontario Conference
There are 13 Conferences in the United Church of Canada. While these are roughly synonymous with the provincial scope of governance - (overseeing the work of the Presbyteries) the geographical boundaries differ. Our Conferences stretches from Saskatchewan to Marathon, in Northern Ontario. Toronto Conference covers only a portion of Ontario, in the greater Toronto area (GTA). Meanwhile, the All Native Circle Conference, which is the forum for First Nations members of the UC of Canada, is contiguous with Canada itself.
The Basis of Union saw only a minimal role for Conference (overseeing the creation and work of Presbyteries, and Ordaining/Ordering ministry personnel). MNWO Conference has 6 Presbyteries within it: Agassiz, Assiniboine, Cambrian, Northland, Selkirk and Winnipeg. However, the widespread nature of Canadian peoples through rural and remote areas, has led to a wide array of leadership services and support functions that require interested volunteers in several areas. These include support for Young Adults and Youth, Women's Ministries, Right Relations, Social Justice, and resources for the Conference. For Discipleship and Volunteer opportunities, follow the link.
General Council
Often called the "National" level of the Church, General Council is the overarching structure of lay people and ordered ministry personnel who coordinate services of interest to United Church folk throughout our land. There are eight working units that include Aboriginal Ministries Circle, Communications, Communities in Ministry, Finance, Ministry and Support, The Office of the Moderator and General Secretary, Partners in Mission, and Philanthopy. For more, check out the relevant UCC page.
Activities undertaken by these working units include The Mission and Service Fund (promotion and distribution of about $33 million per year); support of aid receiving congregations, 5 University seminaries, numerous retreat and camping centers, hospitals, international relief and development work, the Audio-Visual Education Library (AVEL), The Observer (our award winning national news magazine), developing and promoting educational resources, The United Church Fund, Inter-church and Inter-faith dialogues, and much more. Some of your congregational neighbours may work on General Council Committees. Ask around. You might be surprised!
Inter-church
Fort Garry United Church from its beginning has understood itself to be a "community-church." At one time, FGUC was the only church in this small town outside of Winnipeg. Now, we share the roles of faith leadership with several other denominations in the area, with whom we are happy to cooperate. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in January of each year, is one point at which we gather with our cousins in Christ.
Our nearest neighbour, St. Paul's Anglican Church, is an excellent partner in faith and community effort. We seek to work together where we can be mutually beneficial, to learn each other's ways, while maintaining and sharing our own distinctive identities. We have enjoyed both casual and formal initiatives, whether it is sharing carols and cocoa in December, leading young people through the corn maze in the fall, worshipping together in July and August, facilitating group events, hosting rustic pot-lucks for world food security, or lobbying local governments for improved civic service, and more.
Is this your passion? Speak to one of the staff about your interests.
Inter-faith
Finally, FGUC has had wide-ranging relationships, through its members and staff, with many other world religions that have become our neighbours.
The Aboriginal Friendship Committee has been a superb example of listening to, and learning from some of the Aboriginal communities with which Manitoba is so richly blessed. The bi-annual List of Aboriginal Organizations in Manitoba has been one result of these connections that has been widely distributed (about 4000 copies annually) and appreciated throughout the province.
We have also been blessed with the friendship and encouragement of Rabbi Alan Green of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Rabbi Green and his congregants have been welcome guests at FGUC, as have Dr. Taylor, and our staff and members at SZS. We have appreciated every contact, whether it has been for Shoah Remembrance, Seder instruction, instruction on Torah for Disciple or Confirmation classes, or inter-faith dialogue on current issues. This relationship played a key part in founding the Inter-faith Concert for Peace in support of The Canadian Museum of Human Rights.
Dr. Taylor regularly attends the Interfaith Round Table at the Asper Centre on a monthly basis. At these meetings, representatives of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and several branches of Christianity meet to develop relationships, share experiences, interests and concerns, and work for peace in our shared creation. Tours of other faith centers and contacts with their leaders have been well appreciated by congregants in the past. The only limit to the possibilities is our eagerness and imagination.
