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Fort Qu'Appelle
Pastoral Charge


Joint Needs Assessment
Report 2007


OUR COMMUNITY PROFILE

Known to the Plains Cree as the 'place where the earth meets the sky' the Qu'Appelle Valley has been a site of convergence between conflict and healing, geography and settlement, commerce and spirituality - Qu'Appelle - Past, Present and Future. Fort Qu'Appelle, nestled in this beautiful valley, has a population of approximately 2,000 which serves the surrounding lake communities, villages, towns and farming families who nearly double that figure. Fort Qu'Appelle is approximately 45 minutes north east of Regina. Lipton, a closed preaching point, which has amalgamated within the Fort Qu'Appelle Pastoral Charge, has a population of about 350 people and is about 15 minutes north of Fort Qu'Appelle. Pasqua and Echo lakes are west of town, Mission and Katepwa lakes are to the east. The historic town of Lebret is a few kilometers away. The lakes provide our community with an abundance of recreational opportunities. Swimming, boating, fishing, camping, picnicing are available in the summer, spring and fall; snowmobiling, curling, cross-country skiing and ice-fishing are available in the winter. There are two golf courses - one in the 'Fort' and the other at Katepwa. The town also has a ski hill (Mission Ridge) for snow boarding and downhill skiing. Our population increases significantly in the summer and the last few years have witnessed a significant number of summer residents making Fort Qu'Appelle their year round home.
Services*
financial institutions
grocery stores
restaurants
gas stations
drug stores
hair salons
library
post office
funeral home
hardware stores		 meat market
car dealerships
plumbers, electricians
carpenters, contractors
paper - The Fort Times
clothing stores
doctors and dentists
chiropractor
massage therapists
fitness centre		 furniture store
senior recreation center
antique shops
senior's residences
Echo Lodge care home
All Nations Hospital
911 service - ambulance
R.C.M.P. detachment
volunteer fire department
internet service
Educational opportunities
Fort Qu'Appelle Elementary Community School
        (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 7, 350 students, 40 staff)
Bert Fox Community High School
        (Grades 8 to 12, 370 students)
Play schools and child care services;
Adult education: Parkland College, the Academy of Learning, First Nations Business Management Training Centre;
Calling Lakes Centre (United Church training and conference facility);
University of Regina and SIAST are a 45 minute drive.
Recreational opportunities include:
hockey (boys/girls)
fast ball, hard ball
slow-pitch
soccer
snowmobile club
tennis
figure skating		 Junior B Hockey
skiing
curling
dancing
golf
Scouts/Guides
Sea Cadets		 Valley Players
    (performing arts group)
Summer Arts Festival
Trans Canada Trail
Horticultural Society
Museum
Service Clubs
Other religious/denominational groups in Fort Qu'Appelle*
All Saints Anglican (summer)
Bahai - a small community
Full Gospel Indian Bible School
Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witnesses
Lily of the Valley Ministries (Apostolic)
Orthodox Christian Center		 Our Lady of Sorrows RC
Our Saviour Lutheran (LCC)
Qu'Appelle House of Prayer - retreat center
Sacred Heart RC (Lebret)
St. John the Evangelist Anglican
Valley Alliance Church
Calling Lakes Center - United Church Education Center
Echo Lake Camp and numerous other church camps
Culturally unique, the Fort Qu'Appelle area is home to a large First Nations population (there are eight reserves in the immediate area) and the descendants of European settlers. In the last several years many have moved to the valley from other Canadian locations - Alberta and B.C. We have a fully staffed new hospital situated on First Nations land which is jointly funded by First Nations, the Federal Government and the local Health Region. Downtown Fort Qu'Appelle is home to an Urban Reserve and boasts some First Nations businesses, including a bank, the Peace Hills Trust. Occasionally there are differences in cultural priorities, but the community has had a history of working out its own unique solutions. The Valley is known for its many artists, potters, quilters, crafts persons and cultural activities. Life Without Borders is a local production that some may be familiar with.
Volunteer organizations and projects include:
Lions Club
Rotary Club
Ka-Pa-Chee Training Center
Friendship Centre
Royal Canadian Legion
Fort Qu'Appelle Recreation Board
Meals on Wheels
Museum Board		 Edgeley Youth Group
Tourist Information Centre
Skateboard park (developing)
Amphitheatre (developing)
the 'Fort'
Ducks Unlimited
Fort Qu'Appelle Wildlife Federation
Special annual events include:
Annual Trade ShowCharles Dickens Christmas
Echo Road 20 K Race
July 1 celebrations and parade
Lebret art show and sale
Mid Summer Arts Festival
Rotary Seniors Christmas Dinner		 Lions Seniors Christmas Dinner for Residents
Rotary Christmas Craft & Art Show
Seasonal Farmer's Market
     (We run coffee booth in co-operation with other churches)
Treaty 4 Celebrations
Valley Players Dinner Theatre


The Town web site will give you a broader idea of our area please check it out!
Fort Qu'Appelle is culturally rich in history and beauty! The people living here are friendly, kind and compassionate. Anyone moving here will instantly fall in love with the natural beauty and satisfying way of life.

PASTORAL CHARGE PROFILE

MISSION STATEMENT
We are a people who believe in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit.
We are part of the United Church and the global Christian community, and our mission is to keep the church alive and significant.
We come together to worship, to serve and to accept one another on our faith journeys.
Our ministry goes beyond church members to all who are in need.
Sunday services bring out an average attendance of about 50-70 and there are about 100 identifiable givers with 133 households under pastoral care. In the past several years there have been 6 to 10 funerals and about 2 or 3 weddings each year. The congregation includes people who have moved into Fort Qu'Appelle from outlying areas such as Edgeley, Dysart, Abernethy and whose experience has been primarily 'small church'; others who have more recently relocated to the area from larger churches in Regina; summer lakeside residents; semi retired people who continue to commute into Regina; and a few young families. The past couple of years a few retirees from Alberta and B.C. have made St.Andrew's their church home. Although we live in the midst of a large native population regretfully they are not a part of our United Church Fellowship and this is mainly historical. We often have visitors from the Calling Lakes Center on Sunday mornings and there are a number of friends and occasional attendees who participate in fundraising or social activities. We have a small choir who do the occasional anthem and we have a fine, classically trained musician. About once a month we have potluck meals or coffee and muffins. We enjoy a good working relationship, which includes some joint activities, with the Anglican congregation across the street. Also important to us is the relationship with the Edgeley Pastoral Charge with whom we worship, and they with us, once or twice per year.
Board and committee responsibilities were recently reviewed and a new constitution was approved this past year. The M&P Committee meets regularly and has recently reviewed and revised the job descriptions for all staff. Paid staff positions, in addition to the minister, are a part time secretary-treasurer, a part time caretaker, and the organist.
Pastoral care is done by both the minister and by members of the congregation. We visit and send cards to members who are sick, hospitalized, bereaved or lonely. We hold church services once a month at Echo Lodge Nursing Home and provide entertainment during the month of January.
Christian Education is most visible in the Sunday School which has 8-10 children enrolled. The children usually participate meaningfully in the Sunday service and our outreach programs. Recently we implemented a Vacation Bible School for a week during July for ages 4-13. This was open to everyone in our community. We did this jointly with our Anglican neighbours and we will be doing it again next year. A group meets weekly for Bible study and discussion at the church and sometimes book or video studies have been offered. There is an active UCW group, which raises funds through teas and rummage sales.

Vacation Bible School 2007

Outreach activities happen both formally and through individual participation. The Sunday school is responsible for the Mitten Tree and the food hamper collection box during the Christmas Season. They also do an Annual Lenten Fundraiser with the funds going to a Third World country. Last year we raised money for the Heifer Project. As a congregation we provide support and help for the Friendship Center's John Davies Christmas Hamper distribution project each year. Some of our members participate in the local Kairos movement, some in All Nations Healing Hospital Auxiliary, some assist with Meals on Wheels in both Fort Qu'Appelle and Lipton, and some in the Teddy Bear project, many serve on local town boards. We collect used eyeglasses for the Lions' Club, and Canadian Tire money for Lumsden Beach Camp, magazines and books for the local hospital. Our church holds teas, suppers, rummage sales, serves lunch at funerals and sells coffee and goodies at the Farmer's Market during the summer months. Each year we make donations to the Mission and Service Fund, Echo Lodge Auxiliary, Calling Lakes Centre (PCTC), St. Andrew's Bursary Fund, and other outreach agencies. Our minister participates in both the Fort Qu'Appelle Ministerial and CLIFF the interfaith group. Through that participation we have been involved in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Blue Christmas- Longest Night service held at the R.C. church.
Ministry leadership is very important to us and we deliberately sought an Interim Minister two year appointment to help us clarify our vision and purpose for the future. We know that there are two target groups (young families and recently retired people who have relocated to the recreational opportunities) in our communities who could be part of our congregation but who are not presently here. We came to understand that we needed a higher profile in the community to encourage people to "try us out." We have erected a sign in the sign corridor, planned for new signage in front of the church, distributed activity calendars at special events, instituted a quarterly newsletter and intend to continue to develop a visible United Church presence in this area.

RESOURCES PROFILE

Our budget is met through weekly, monthly, and yearly offerings, as well as some special offerings and memorial donations. In 2007 we introduced PAR to the congregation with good results. Patterns of giving are generally lower over the summer months and higher at year-end. Revenue is also generated through fund-raising events such as the annual fall supper and lunches after some Sunday services. The UCW generously contributes to our budget each year. When requests for help with various fund-raising projects are made, there is a strong supportive volunteer base. Many non-attendees who are on our membership/adherents roster can be counted on for financial donations and help at our annual fall supper. Copies of our most recent budget are attached to provide a financial overview.
Round Robin is our annual stewardship campaign. It was developed in 2005 and now a letter is sent in November to receive pledges enabling us to set our budget. This canvass has been very successful and the increase in donations demonstrates that the church is important to the members even if they aren't always in attendance.
Property includes the church building and attached C.E. hall. There is currently a manse trust fund in place, which uses the interest from the proceeds of the manse sale toward paying the monthly ministerial housing allowance. The church building is a sound structure with a full basement and was built in 1921 as a Union church. The Christian Education hall was added in 1964. The church building had a major face-lift approximately ten years ago with the entire roof being replaced. The C.E. hall houses the minister's office, secretary's office, choir and Sunday school rooms (with moveable walls) and the kitchen. New doors and a ramp were added to the front entrance this year. The church building, as well as the new washrooms and the C.E. hall are wheelchair accessible. The building is used by various community groups including the Girl Guides, AA, Al-anon, a non-denominational Christian group.
We have an enthusiastic and committed Board who chair the various committees and additional committee members who may also attend board meetings. Congregational members volunteer their time as C.E. leaders, scripture and Minute for Mission readers, greeters, choir members, and helpers at Echo Lodge Nursing Home activities, hospital and shut-in visitors, music leaders, and 'kitchen ladies'.
Rental property in Fort Qu'Appelle is limited and rental rates range from $600 to $700 per month. Housing purchase prices for similar accommodation would range from $75,000 to $150,000 and up. Housing would also be available in the smaller surrounding communities at a substantially lower cost.

POSITION PROFILE

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

REGULAR DUTIES:

OCCASIONAL DUTIES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ordained, Commissioned, or Designated Lay Minister and valid driver's license is an asset.

SKILLS PROFILE

St Andrews United Church is looking for an enthusiastic individual to inspire, energize and revitalize the congregation in the pews and in the periphery.
Our ideal candidate needs to be compassionate, creative, and energetic with strong interpersonal and church management skills.
We are seeking a minister who understands and can lead and inspire us toward an United Church outreach effort in our community among young, old and new residents.

These are some of the qualities in a minister that we think are important: These are some of the skills we would like to see in our minister: Our church has been here for 80 years and as stated in our mission statement our goal is to keep the church alive and significant for years to come. We require a leader to help us achieve this goal.

TERMS PROFILE

The following terms are based on our current situation and some of them may be adjusted or re-negotiated with a new incumbent to this ministry position.
Position:Full-time Ordained, Commissioned or Designated Lay Minister
Salary:Based on current United Church of Canada Salary and Allowance Schedules per qualifications and years of service.
Housing:No manse is available in the pastoral charge. Housing is paid at 20% of Salary.
Travel Expenses:Travel is paid as per General Council rate.
Continuing Education:Book Allowance and Continuing Education funding of $1200 per year.
Vacation Leave:Five weeks per year.
All other terms in accordance with The Manual.
Secretary/Treasurer assistance, defined as paid part-time, is normally 6 -8 hours per week.

BUDGET 2007

Please contact us for budget details.

Recommendations of the
Joint Needs Assessment Committee:

  1. That the Official Board of St. Andrew's United Church, Fort Qu'Appelle, receive the report of the Joint Needs Assessment Committee and recommend it to the Pastoral Charge.
  2. That the Fort Qu'Appelle Pastoral Charge receive the report of the Joint Needs Assessment Committee and request Good Spirit Presbytery to declare a vacancy for a full time minister position effective July 1, 2008.
Contact Information
Burns Barlow
email burns.barlow@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-332-1550

Sandra Schlamp
Phone: 306-332-6904

A full printer friendly version of this report in pdf format can be found here.