Future Development Initiative Group report

AugustZine
The Zine of Augustine United Church, December 2014 

One year ago, the Church Council and the Trustees began meeting to explore the possibilities of engaging a program for property redevelopment offered by the United Church of Canada.

The discussion was primarily informed by the question: “Could this be a feasible way to address
 the ever-present need for long-term planning to ensure the future viability of the church building?” The discernment process involved meetings with our Presbytery Minister and with the EDGE consultant in Winnipeg.

In March, the Council presented the EDGE process to the congregation and asked for people who were willing to participate in such a process to come forward. In June, Council, with Trustee approval, made the decision to collaborate with EDGE, a program of the United Church of Canada, offering expertise and resources in the area of church mission, development, and property redevelopment. Members of the FDI team include: Bob Gilbert (Ministry Personnel); Stuart McVey (Facility Manager and Music Director); Gareth Neufeld (Council Member); Linwood Delong (Trustees’ Rep); Richard Manley-Tannis (Presbytery Minister); Shelley Coombes (FDI contact person to EDGE consultant); Monique Vandale (FDI); Sara Regehr Neufeld (FDI); Denis Fletcher (FDI); and Keith Black (FDI).

On September 14 a Congregational Consultation was held in order to gain a deeper understanding of what Augustine means to members and why we are all a part of Augustine. We also explored our dreams for the life and work of Augustine, and explored what our priorities should be as we move forward in this process.

On September
17th, the FDI
transition team
(FDI members
and members of 
Council) met with 
Lesley Harrison,
 EDGE consultant.
During this meeting discussion was
held regarding the
history and background of the congregation, the team’s understanding of the current ministry, and the mission/identity of the congregation. From this meeting came an Intake Assessment for AUC prepared by the EDGE consultant.

The FDI group met on November 12th to review this report and begin the next steps in this process.

The FDI group will be meeting in December with Rev. Scott MacAuley, the EDGE Mission Consultant. We look forward to keeping the congregation updated on a regular basis throughout this process.

It is expected that the EDGE process will include occasions when all Augustine members/adherents will have opportunity to participate in conversation and consultation about the direction of the Future Development Initiative.

- Shelley Coombes on behalf of the Future Development Fund Initiative