The Atlantic Ecumenical Council

Executive Minutes

Feb. 20, 1998

Minutes of the meeting of the Executive Directors of A.E.C.

on Feb. 20, 1998 at U.C. Offices in Sackville N.B.

Welcome by the President Ken Stright who opened the meeting with praye on the theme of freedom. John 8, Eph 2,1-6, Gal.5

Present-Ken, Jean, Terrence, David, Rowland, Wilson, Art

Regrets-Eunice, Morris, Rufus, Margaret and Edgar

The minutes of the August, 1997 meeting of the Directors were accepted as circulated. It was noted that the time of 11:00 am for this meeting was in those minutes.

In correspondence

A request to endorse the meeting June 26-28, 1998 at Mt. A. celebrating the Decade in Solidarity with Women. Moved by Art and seconded by Terrance, that we endorse this conference. Motion carried.

Concerning the Daring Hope Conference in Guelph on Aug. 26-30, 1998,

we also endorse.

We also endorse Ken Stright going to a similar meeting in Harari Zimbabwe. (Terrance-Wilson). Motion carried.

Word from the Rock. A request was received from Fr. Shawn Sampson (Anglican) for someone to come from A.E.C. to help them form a Christian Council at St. John’s. Since we call ourselves A.E.C. it seems reasonbable to try to reach out a helping hand. Accordingly on motion (Art-Jean) it was proposed that up to $500.00 would go toward expenses of Terrance, if he is able to make appropriate arrangements. Motion carried.

An associate membership fee of $20.00 from the Bay Street Ministerial has been received by the Treasurer. The fee is half the regular fee. This was sent in by Hubert Coombs.

A letter was received from the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative. It was moved and seconded (Terrance-Jean) that we agree with the principles of Jubilee Initiative. We encourage the AEJN to get behind this effort, and A.E.C. would like to be kept informed. (This letter will be included in the minutes for those not present at Sackville).

Gambling and N.S. Elections

It was decided to send the letter that was sent in 1994, "Why Churches Oppose Gambling" on our letterhead, under the signature of Philip Griffin-Allwood.(Terrance-Wilson). Motion carried.

Treasurers Report-$1979.75 on hand-moved and seconded (Rowland-Wilson). Motion carried.

We will try to get more info on the ASTE at the annual meeting.

New Business

Nominating Committee-David reporting. President for two year term. Hopefully Eunice will accept. Secretary-Jean Miller will accept. But cannot be present at annual meeting in Wolfville May 1 & 2. Treasurer-Wilson Jones accepts. For Vice-President, David has three possibilities. Rufus, Carol Goodine, Major King. He will work on this in time for the annual meeting.

Plans for the annual

Dates May 1 & 2 ~in Wolfville area. Exact location not yet determined.

Directors will meet at 2:00pm on Friday May 1st at the location which will have been clarified in time.

Registration from 4pm-6pm would be the same as last year at $20.00.

Worship at 7:00pm at the local church.

Business to follow. Program by local. We encourage them to dwell on the "Food Collective".

Sat. morning

start at 8:30am with prayer and give the floor to the local council for 1 ˝ hours.

After that, if local council reports are not finished on Friday evening they will be completed, and then the business of the annual meeting will take us to the noon lunch.

Art to do prayer at 8:30 a.m. on Sat. (Going on a wing and a prayer so to speak).

There will be material in the newsletter regarding the annual meeting.

Looking ahead to the Biennia1 in 1999, it was moved and seconded (David-Wilson)that it should be at the Agricultural College in Truro. It might be wel1 to invite the New General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, Janet Somerville. It was mentioned that the workshop format was good in the past. Some thoughts for workshops were: The Churches and Tecnhology, or Kicking habits-the church and renewal, book by Thomas Bandy. Bandy might be a presenter as well. There is an assembly of the WorldCouncil in the fall of 1998. This could provide stuff for the Biennial.

There should be a committee formed to organize the Biennial by the time the annual meeting in Wolfville is over.

The Constitution was recently updated so there is no need of changes there. It should be made more available and could perhaps appear in the newsletter.

Dues for membership to remain the same at $40.00. (Rowland,Art). Motion carried.

It was moved and seconded that plaques up to $50.00 each be got for Dr. Reg. Dunn and Dr. Morris Lovesey. Motion carried. Philip will be asked to contact Dr. Lovesey and Ken will contact Dr. Dunn. Ken will make up the citation to go on on it. He has a document with both their names on it. The citations could be right on the plaques. Plaques will be presented at our annual meeting.

Terrence was authorized to seek appropriate advertising for the newsletter and he could take 75% and we take 25% -(David and Jean). Motion carried.

It was suggested that directors over the years might be invited for the 2001 Biennial.

Meeting adjourned.

Respecfully Submitted,

Rev. Art Pendergast

 

 

March 4, 1999

Place: St James Presbyterian Church, Truro, NS

In Attendance: Pres. Eunice Wonnacott, Treas. Wilson Jones, Rufus Onyewuchi, Morris McIntyre, Rowland Marshall, Carol Goodine, Kenneth Stright, and Doris McCallum.

Regrets: Terrance Trites and Jean Miller.

The meeting opened with a devotion based on ‘Jubilee 2000’ led by Eunice, followed by a prayer by Rufus.

Doris McCallum was welcomed as a representative of the Atlantic Ecumenical Justice Network. Her address is 2487 Highway 236, RR #1, Truro, NS B2N 5A9.

The meeting also expressed its appreciation to Rufus Onyewuchi for accepting the position of AEC Vice President and congratulated him on his appointment as Dean of Saint John, Diocese of Fredericton.

The agenda for the meeting was approved.

The minutes of the September 18, 1998 meeting were approved on a motion by Rowland Marshall and Morris McIntyre.

Business arising: nothing that would not be covered in regular reports.

Correspondence:

A letter from the Atlantic School of Theology announcing the reaffirming of their accreditation until the fall of 2008 was accepted for information.

A letter from the Community Health Promotion Network Atlantic concerning proposed research on child poverty was passed to the AEJN for response. Discussions of this matter produced two motions.

Motion: The AEC develop a strategy for talking to Governments in the Atlantic region. Moved by Kenneth Stright, seconded by Rufus Onyewuchi. Passed.

Motion: A strong letter be sent to the Governments of the Atlantic Provinces requesting that they not cut back on Social Assistance as a result of the increased Child Tax Credit. Moved by Rufus Onyewuchi, seconded by Morris McIntyre. Passed. It was agreed that this motion be presented to the Annual General Meeting.

A letter from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission announcing March 21, 1999, as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was received for information as it had already been widely circulated to local congregations.

A brochure announcing a spiritual renewal event to be led by Bishop David Pytches and sponsored by the Anglican Renewal Ministry, April 15-17, 1999, was received for information.

An e-mail from Terrance Trites announced that the ‘Friends" newsletter would be in the mail on Friday. He asked that Wilson complete a Canada Post form and return it to him so that application can be made for preferential postal rates for the newsletter.

Carol Goodine announced that she would be travelling to Edmonton and meeting with members of the Interfaith Centre. She was asked to bring an informal report to the AEC executive.

Treasurer’s report: Wilson Jones reported that the bank balance at the end of 1998 was $472 and with the dues received so far in 1999 the balance was now $1507. The executive agreed that dues notices would not be sent to the Lunenburg-Queens United Baptist Association or to Queens College. The treasurer’s report was accepted on a motion by Wilson and Ken.

Annual General Meeting: Scheduled for Wesley United Church, Moncton, NB, April 30-May 1, 1999. Moncton Area Council of Churches will be hosting and leading a workshop on Saturday morning. A registration form is in the ‘Friends’ newsletter.

Biennial Conference: August 27-28, 1999, AgriTECH Park, Truro, NS. Ken reported that plans are well in hand. Janet Somerville has agreed to be theme speaker and we will be responsible for her transportation, accommodation, and a $300 honorarium. The theme will be ‘Ecumenical Encounters’ and Janet will cover the international and national aspect and has asked that we cover it from a regional point of view. At Eunice’s suggestion, Ken agreed to this. Wilson will be registrar. Eunice will contact some of our former members to find a worship leader. Philip Griffin-Alwood will be asked to update our history. Some of the executive toured the AgriTECH Park following the meeting.

Millennium Plans: Ken agreed to approach Terry Prendergast re the Millennium plans and AEC’s possible participation.

Next Meeting: April 30, 1999, 2:00 pm, Wesley United Church, Moncton, NB

Adjourned: On a motion by Rufus Onyewuchi and a unison Grace.

Acting Secretary, Wilson Jones

April 30, 1999

Meeting called to order by President Eunice Wonnacott. In the absence of Jean Miller, Secretary, Terrance R. Trites agreed to take minutes.

Rufus Oneywuchi, Morris McIntyre, David Luker, Wilson Jones, Terrance R. Trites, Eunice Wonnacott.

Regrets

Ken Stright, Jean Miller, Carol Goodine, Rowland Marshall, Henry Tye

Adoption of March 4, 1999 minutes

Wilson/Rufus moved and second that the minutes be approved as circulated. Carried.
  1. Motion: The AEC develop a strategy for talking to Governments in the Atlantic region. Moved by Kenneth Stright, seconded by Rufus Onyewuchi. Passed.
  2. Motion: A strong letter be sent to the Governments of the Atlantic Provinces requesting that they not cut back on Social Assistance as a result of the increased Child Tax Credit. Moved by Rufus Onyewuchi, seconded by Morris McIntyre. Passed. It was agreed that this motion be presented to the Annual General Meeting.

Agreed that both motions be presented to the Annual General Meeting.

Interfaith Centre, Carol Goodine. Will ask that a report be made available for Friends of AEC.

BIENNIAL

August 27-28, Agri Tech Truro. Notification to Agri Tech by July 20. Agreed that Wilson, Ken and Terrance continue as the Biennial Committee with power to get the information out asap. Henry Tye has agreed to act as worship leader, but needs input from committee and others.

Theme is Ecumenical Encounters: International, National, Local.

Friends of AEC

Approved for publications mail, but not in place for this issue. Current issue is available for meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE

Resignations from Margaret Sagar and Carol Goodine.

Envoys for Ecumenism, Massachusetts Council of Churches; 19th Atlantic Theological Conference; George Turner, Peterborough ON. All received or information.

 

TREASURER

Wilson presented the audited report. Balance of $1,360 in account. Received for information.

Wilson/Rufus moved and seconded that we recommend to the Annual General Meeting that membership dues remain at $40 per representative. Carried.

Terrance/Morris moved and seconded that the Executive Committee meet twice annually, one meeting which will occur just prior to the Annual General Meeting (in an effort to reduce travel costs.) Carried.

A draft Agenda was circulated. Worship on Saturday morning added.

Next Annual Meeting

David/Morris moved and seconded that the annual general meeting for the Atlantic Ecumenical Council be May 5-6, 2000, and that we seek an invitation from the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Carried.

August 27, 1999, 2 p.m. Agri Tech, Truro.

Terrance moved adjournment.

Rev. Terrance R. Trites, Acting Secretary

Minutes for August 27, 1999

Call to Order

The President called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. in Agritech, Truro

Present: Eunice Wonnacott, Terrance Trites (acting secretary), Wilson Jones, Morris McIntyre, Rowland Marshall, Ken Stright and Janet Sommerville

Regrets: David Luker (in transition)

Not present: Jean Miller, Rugus Oneyuchi, Doris McCallum

The Agenda was circulated and approved.

Minutes of May meeting read and approved. Morris noted he did not receive them.

Correspondence: Government of Canada regarding Volnet. Information to be included in Friends of AEC as appropriate

North American Academy of Ecumenists re: "Gathered in Christ: New Companions, New Questions: conference in Harrisburg, PA. Material copied to Henry Tye.

Igeja de Deus Vivo em Angloa Departament – Social. Appears to be a letter of information and request for support. Referred to Rufus for clarification.

Business Arising

Letters to provincial governments re: proposed cut backs in Social Assistance related to increase in Child Tax credit. Responses were received from Newfoundland, PEI, Nova Scotia.

Agreed that the secretary would send another copy to Bernard Lord of New Brunswick if no response within the next 30 days.

Treasurer: $2,245 balance.

Friends of AEC: Terrance reported that the next issue, a report on the Biennial, would be mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail at signficant savings. Wilson, the treasurer almost cheered.

Other: Change of Address for David Luker, effective September 12, 1999 was distributed by Terrance. It appears on this letterhead. Card of support to be sent to Carol Goodine whose father is not responding well to medical care.

Next Meeting: May 5, 2000, 2 p.m. Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Adjournment moved by Terrance R. Trites.

Rev. Terrance R. Trites, Acting Secretary

September 29, 2000

OPENING: Rev. Rufus Onyewuchi, President, opened the meeting with prayer.

PRESENT: Those present were Rev. Rufus Onyewuchi, Rev. Neil Bergman, Lt. Col. Dorothy-Jean Gogan, Morris McIntyre, Edward Pearson, Eunice Wonnacott

REGRETS: Jean Miller, Rev. Terrance Trites

MINUTES: The Minutes of the May 05, 2000 Executive Meeting were read. On motion of Morris/Neil the minutes were approved, with the correction in the final signature to be that of the then President, Eunice Wonnacott.

BUSINESS ARISING:

Annual Meeting - April 27-28, 2001 - The President read a letter of invitation from The Charlottetown Christian Council to hold the annual Meeting in 2001 in Charlottetown, PE. ON Motion of Morris McIntyre/Dorothy Gogan this invitation was accepted. Tentative planning noted that there will be an EXECUTIVE MEETING on Friday April 27, 2000 at 2:00 p m. Registration would be from 4:00 p m to 5:30 p m. Morris reported that the Rev. Henry Tye has agreed to provide the Friday evening Worship. The Charlottetown council will be responsible for a workshop for Saturday morning.

ITEMS FROM TODAY’S AGENDA:
  1. Biennial Conference time schedule - Several times and dates were discussed. It was Moved by Neil and seconded by Morris that "Due to the time required to arrange the Biennial Conference, the next one should be in the third week of June of 2002 CARRTED There followed a great deal of discussion regarding the focus of the next Biennial Conference It was moved by Morris, seconded by Neil that" We recommend to the Annual General Meeting that Member councils and other member bodies, look at their perspectives on the Native - Non Native rights in regard to Natural resources, and be prepared to present these at our next Biennial. CARRIED
  2. Strategies for dealing with governments - A committee to formulate such guidelines was named as Rev. Kenneth Stright. to chair this committee, Neil Bergman and Dorothy Gogan
  3. RE - Welfare cutbacks in light of increased child tax credits in the last Federal Budget (letters written to four Atlantic Provinces governments) - R. Onyewuchi will investigate whether there has been a "claw back" in New Brunswick. He will also approach Ed Laldin (one of our corresponding members)to inquire as to the situation in Newfoundland. R will report to the 2001 annual Meeting.
  4. Dealt with in Business Arising from Minutes.
  5. Information re a Human rights Jubilee to be held at Tatamagouche, N. S., November 24- 26~ 2000. Speaker will be the Rev. Hon. Lois Wilson. Cost: $l25.00 per person.

 

TREASURER’ S REPORT:

Current Bank Balance is $1123.95 Outstanding expenses will be today’s travel costs.

NEXT MEETING OF EXECUTIVE: April 27,200 1 at 2:00 p m

ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Dorothy - Jean Gogan

BENEDICTION: Rev. Neil Bergman

Rev. Rufus Onyewuchi, President Eunice Wonnacott, Secretary pro tem