Current Opportunities

LEADERSHIP

Treasurer
The Church treasurer has the following duties: Attend all Board meetings (generally monthly), Finance Committee meetings (generally quarterly), the Annual Congregational Meeting, and the Clarke and Wesley Trust Funds meeting (annually), report on the monthly and year to date financial position of the Church, present the budget to the Board for approval and to the Community of Faith for final approval, liaise with Bank and Fund Managers, ensure that an adequate number of cheque signatories is maintained, liaise with Envelope Stewards and Offering Counters, including establishing Counting Schedule.
For more info click here.

Chair of Ministry and Personnel (M&P)
The role of the Chair of Ministry and Personnel is to lead the committee that provides support to church staff on employment matters, while overseeing the relationship between the staff and the congregation. The Chair of M&P attends monthly board meetings and maintains a close contact with the Northern Spirit Regional Council Pastoral Relations Committee. For more info click here.

Regional Council Representative (1 person)
Robertson-Wesley United Church belongs to the Northern Spirit Region (wider church) of The United Church of Canada. The church is structured in a similar way to the Canadian Government at this time. We have 3 courts of governance. The congregation of Robertson-Wesley sends 4 lay representatives to attend the annual meeting of our region which, in our location is the city wide level of the church. The Regional Council functions in a similar manner to the church board. We elect four lay members to this wider church decision making circle, and they report back to the congregation decision and information that pertain to our mission and ministry of the church. For more info click here.

Mission And Outreach (M&O) Pod Coordinator
The role of the M&O Pod Coordinator is to gather and engage interested members of the congregation in conversation about our current and future directions in Mission and Outreach, along with different justice issues that are emerging in the world. In keeping with our Mission statement, the Pod Coordinator will host conversations, empower others to develop, implement and evaluate ideas, events, projects, resources, and programs. As needed or requested, the Pod Coordinator will report back to the Official Board. The term for the M&O Pod Coordinator will be two years. The Coordinator, in conjunction with and with the support of ministry personnel, will set up three to four Pod meetings per year. Required skills: Facilitation and diplomacy skills, Good listener, Ability to identify skills and resources in the congregation, Communication skills, and basic computer skills. If you have questions about this position you are welcome to contact Rev. Karen Bridges.

OUTREACH

COMMUNITY DINNER
Volunteers are needed for the monthly Community Dinners.
November Dinner

December Dinner

WORSHIP

Church Renewal Team (3 more people)
Do you have experience with visioning and value statements? Do you want to help discern what God is calling us to do and be over the next 10 years? This team will work on a new statement of call and commitment. They will also help to create a strategic plan that aligns with what our community of faith values. And will have to name R-W’s brand and how we will communicate who we are to the wider community.
Key skills: Discerning, listening, communication, writing, visioning

Kids Church Team (5-6 more people)
We are seeking people who are passionate about children and toddlers ages 0-12. This team will help the children learn about Jesus, and God, through a variety of learning styles. This program happens on Sunday morning after a short time in worship. Curriculum is provided for the team. We need people to teach, and to assist the teacher.
Key skills: Listening, communication, facilitation, community building and group dynamics

Worship Committee (3-4 more people)
We are seeking a few more members for the Worship Committee, which supports the ministers and music director in ensuring that worship fits with the ethos of the United Church, as it inspires and nurtures the people of this faith community. This committee looks after ushering, scripture readers, communion servers, and the worship environment (paraments/candles etc), life passages and membership. The Worship Committee also reflects on common practices and makes decisions on when things need to be shifted or changed.
Key Skills: Administration, communication, understanding of the United Church, detailed.

Worship Planning Team (6-8 people)
We are seeking people who like to create worshipful experiences. Each month, we have a discipleship Sunday where we are looking to have more lay leadership. If you are interested in storytelling, writing prayer, drama, art, poetry, or liturgical dance music, then this is a team for you.
Key Skills: creativity, collaboration, spiritual, upfront leadership.

Honour Sunday Poinsettia Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help with the Honour Sunday Poinsettias: taking orders on Sundays after worship on Nov 3, 10 and 17. Wrapping and handing out on Nov 24, and delivering on Nov 24.

Family Ministry Team (need 4 more people)
This team helps to support the children, youth and young adult ministry programs, as well as creating some intergenerational events. This team meets quarterly and seeks to find ways for all ages to explore their faith in a variety of ways.
Key skills: Ability to organize and run events, support and encourage leaders in the various areas of this ministry, ensure that the programs have the resources needed to do this work.

Ushers (8 more people)
This group of people help to welcome people on Sunday morning. They pass out bulletins, monitor the doors, and ensure people know where the washrooms are. They help to collect the offering, and clean up the sanctuary after the service. It is a great way to get to know people in the church.
Key skills: Friendly, ability to help people get in and out of the building

Scripture Readers
Each Sunday, one or two scriptures are chosen by the Ministers to be read by a volunteer during worship. The scripture readings are emailed to you in advance, in case you like to practice! One of the Reverends will contact you with a date to read.

Communion Servers
we will celebrate communion, sharing Jesus’ meal. All people, all ages, are welcome to serve Communion. If this is your first time, know that someone will assist you in learning how to serve Communion. You only need to come a little earlier. We are compiling a list of people that would like to volunteer to serve communion. Please print your name in the space provided, and one of the coordinators will contact you with a date to serve.

R-W Choir (1-2 people)
We are looking for one or two new singers, and now is a great time to become a member! Membership to the senior choir is open to all high-school students and adults. Although no formal audition is required, it is requested that interested persons consult with the Director of Music, before attending their first rehearsal. Choir practices take place on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30 pm, and the choir sings at most of the Sunday services from September to June. More info here Questions? Dr. Allan Bevan at: music@rwuc.org or, let’s chat after service!

Handbell Ensembles
Nova Bells is a learning group, an all ages, ground-floor handbell and music learning experience. R-W Ringers is a performance group. A three-octave group for more experienced ringers/musicians – performs sacred and secular handbell music at church & in the community. Both groups rehearse on Thursday nights. More info here. Questions? Dr. Allan Bevan at: music@rwuc.org or, let’s chat after service!

Instrumental Ensemble
Dr. Bevan is assessing interest in developing an instrumental ensemble to perform on an occasional basis at church services and events. Do you play an instrument? (winds, strings, brass, percussion, keyboard), can you read music for your instrument? And do you have an interest in occasional music making in church with other instrumentalists? (preludes, postludes, hymn accompaniments) If so, on September 29 following the service, we will meet for an hour to look at some music for church ensemble! Please let Dr. Bevan know if you are planning on attending. Questions? Dr. Allan Bevan at: music@rwuc.org or, let’s chat after service!

FINANCIAL

Planned Giving Team (4-5 people)
We are putting together a team, that will encourage people of the congregation, to consider leaving a legacy or a special gift to Robertson-Wesley. The national church has provided congregations with some great resources to help a team of lay people host conversations and workshops to encourage people in exploring a variety of ways to share their accumulated assets. This can include: bequests in wills, life insurance, annuities, gifts of RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs, and charitable remainder trusts. Robertson-Wesley has been blessed by so many people who have left bequests and legacies, which allow this community of faith to continue to live out God’s call in the community and in the world.
Key skills: Communication and listening, basic financial understanding and comfort in planning for the future.

WELCOMING

Events Planning Team (6-8 people)
People both with the community of faith and in the community that we serve, are looking for ways to make friends and connect with others. We are looking for a team of people to host a variety of events that will bring people together.
Key skills: Organization, event planning, decoration, hospitality

Catering Ministry
The R-W Catering Group is a group of volunteers who host receptions for mostly funerals. These volunteers’ help to set-up, serve, and clean up receptions, and provide a comforting presence for guests. The Catering Group is coordinated by Colleen Ouellette, who coordinates all reception needs and contacts volunteers when an event arises. Since most of these events happen on weekdays, we hope to have a robust list of volunteers to accommodate varied availabilities. Typical shifts are about two hours each, as needed when families request a reception.

Hospitality Team (6-8 people)
New people walk through the doors every day at Robertson-Wesley, especially on Sunday. This team would help to welcome people, introduce them to people, show them around, and answer questions. This team would consider what else could be done to help people feel comfortable on Sunday and throughout the rest of the week.
Key Skills: People skills, communication, compassion and caring.

Visiting Team (6-8 more people)
The visiting team are people who are willing to visit people who are unable to attend church due to illness, or long term care concerns. There are many people who would like to stay connected with Robertson-Wesley. This team would also provide an opportunity for home communion, would take cards and sometimes flowers on their visit. Training and resources will be provided.
Key Skills: Compassion, presence, listening

Photographer For Photo Directory
We are seeking a photographer to take family and individual photos for the directory on a few Sundays before and after service. Skills: Professional photography, photo-editing, computer skills (arranging photos in layout)