Wooler United Church 2020 Annual Report
To view a specific section simply click on the section name in the Table of Contents
Section
Ministers Report
Poem “If This Time
Clerk of Session Report
In Memoriam
Memorial Fund
Baptisms
Men’s Breakfast
Meat-Pie & Can – Fund Raiser
Soup & Sandwich Program
Wooler Board of Stewards
Ministry and Personnel
UCW Report
UCW Financial Report
Mission & Service Report
Bell Tower Repair Fund
Trustees Financial Report
Wooler SPE 2020 Financial Report
Wooler United Church 2020 Financial Report
Contact Information
Ministers Report Submitted by
Rev. Dr. Kathy Edmison
Several years ago, my professional association (The Canadian Association for Spiritual Care), engaged with our American partners to plan a shared conference in Cleveland for May 2020. Back then, the planning committee was looking for a theme and I suggested “20/20 Vision.” As it turned out, this idea was accepted, and an amazing conference was planned. I booked my continuing education leave, made my hotel reservations, and then…
Undoubtedly, it has been a distressful year for everyone as the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to shake our world. Although filled with much more distress than usual, however, this past year also holds out many important insights. Perhaps we are seeing more clearly some of the social issues that might easily have been overlooked in the past: mass killings, racial injustice, police brutality, and violence that tears at our very social fabric. The events of 2020 most certainly raise extremely difficult questions: What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be Christian? What does God desire amid such seeming upheaval? What does it mean to be Wooler United Church today?
Have you ever gone for a nature hike and found yourself facing an unexpected uphill battle? The year 2020 felt like that to me (and, unfortunately, 2021 shows no signs of easing up, at least in my personal life). Our church year began with the loss of life-long member, Jim Dorland. This was preceded by the very unexpected death of Dennis Dorland. I am so grateful that we were able to celebrate these lives before the Pandemic forced our doors closed. And thankfully, we were able to host the Chuckwagon Dinner in February, an event that played such an important role in Jim’s life! He would be proud.
In March, the path took another sudden rise as we learned how the Pandemic would impact our church life. In mid-March, public worship ceased as well as all community events such as Soup and Sandwich. For several months, worship resources were provided online, but we learned that not everyone has access to the Internet.
At the Annual Meeting in March 2020, I provided an update regarding my precarious health situation. At that time, I felt I could continue in ministry and would consider continuing my appointment through 2021, but as we know, that changed rapidly as my health declined sharply. I have learned that growing older brings its challenges! That said, however, the neurological damage in my neck affects my voice, especially when under stress. I also lose the feeling in my legs if I stand in one place for more than a few minutes. In essence, my body feels undependable and unpredictable. Following a conversation with David Dorland, I decided that I could not, in good conscience, renew my appointment in July 2020. Since that decision, the congregation has begun a search process to find a replacement. As well, I have been granted Voluntary Associate Minister status. This means that I will make myself available for urgent pastoral care as I am able.
In April, we learned the sad news that Victor Smith had died peacefully at Seasons, at the grand age of 92. I have been in contact with his family, and they would like to plan a memorial service when this is possible. Wooler United Church became especially important to Vic and Mary following the closure of King Street United in Trenton. We are so glad they felt spiritually nurtured with us.
In May, we learned the shocking news that Rodney Lowe, Roxie’s brother had died unexpectedly at home. I conducted a graveside service for the family at Carman in July.
In October, my housekeeper, Gail Wirth, asked if I would baptize her. This request was cleared by the Session and on October 30, we gathered at the church to conduct a baptism under COVID restrictions. Thanks to Linda and Joan for making sure we complied with the orders of the health unit.
In December, a modest Christmas Eve service was offered by Karen Bates, our secretary, and Licensed Lay Worship Leader.
As we move into a future that still seems unpredictable, the work of the search committee continues with the hope of securing a new minister in the next few months.
I regret deeply that my decision to leave ministry happened during a time when we have not been able to celebrate the amazing ministries we have shared since I began in September 2012. Looking forward, I hope we can find a time to honour our time together.
Several weeks ago, I came across this poem that has helped me gather strength as we struggle up the COVID hill in this marathon. I share it here in the hopes that it will bring hope and strength to you, too.
Blessings,
Kathy
Rev. Kathy Edmison, D. Min.
Voluntary Associate Minister
Wooler United Church
“If This Time"
A reflection during the COVID 19 restrictions
Written by Kevin McCormack. (Mindfulness and Meditation teacher in Cork, Ireland)
If you would like to listen to Kevin narrating his poem with beautiful background music and photos, here is a YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG072aRoknw
The Session of the Wooler United Church met in a traditional format once during 2020. While the pandemic certainly adjusted our ability to meet in person, and to hold services in our sanctuary, the Session continued to operate in modified fashion throughout the balance of 2020. We held several votes via email for baptism approvals, service dates when we could meet, policies for safely resuming services when allowed by provincial and regional health guidelines.
Our committee has also had changes in its membership over this year. Roxie Dorland, and Bob and Diane Whillans resigned their positions on the Session, leaving vacancies that we would love to see filled once again.
Going forward, we are hopeful that we will resume services again soon, and that we approach our faith with renewed spirits.
C
lerk of Session Gwen Olson
Date of Death Date of Funeral
Betty June MacDonald February 20, 2020 February 25, 2020
Dennis James Dorland February 15, 2020 February 28, 2020
James Edwin Dorland February 7, 2020 March 7, 2020
William Charles Bugg January 21, 2020 April 18, 2020
Betty MacDonald February 20, 2020 July 23, 2020
Rodney Burton Lowe May 25, 2020 July 25, 2020
Nancy Jean Harrington Adams June 5, 2019 August 29, 2020
Edgar Lebow November 21, 2020 December 2, 2020
MEMORIAL FUND
Memorial Fund Donations were received in memory of:
Art Dorland Dennis Dorland Murray German
Glenn Lalonde James Dorland Rodney Lowe
Lorna Dorland Doug Dorland Betty MacDonald
Doris Kleist Vic Smith
Memorial Fund Financial
Jan. 1, 2020 Bank Balance $2,919.99
Donations $5,818.23
Interest $1.24
Expenses (stamps etc.) __ -$67.33
Dec 31, End of year Bank Balance $8,672.13
Memorial Fund GIC Investment
Opening value 1st Jan. 2020: $15,000.00
Interest: $285.00
Closing value 31st Dec. 2020: $15,285.00
Submitted by Linda Walt
Patricia Gail Wirth on October 30, 2020
daughter of
Stanley Shortt and Vera Cox
CLUB
We continued until March with 16 – 18 men eating a hearty breakfast. They laugh loudly and always leave with a feeling of fellowship. They supplied the handicapped equipment for the washrooms.
Submitted by Bob Walt
Meat Pie & Can – Fund Raiser
Quite a successful year. Have carried on as people still buy the pies and donate cans etc. Still use this money to buy smaller items as needed by the church. In June and Dec. made a total deposit of $1200.00 to the general fund. As of December, there was a balance of $271.85 in Petty Cash. Thanks to all.
Submitted by Roxie Dorland
A difficult year for all. Jan., Feb. & March were the only months this was held. The total handed in to the general account amounted to $1465.00. {including petty cash}. Have closed out this event completely to better times ahead.
Submitted by Roxie Dorland
Wooler Board of Stewards
New dishes have arrived and strategically placed in the cupboards. They not only look good but clean well. A new shed has been constructed and put in place by Dean Milligan. This eliminated any liability with the old structure. New computers for the church have been purchased, and, as the old printer has died, a new laser printer is being considered.
To comply with security concerns and to add to existing storage cabinetry, a new filing cabinet will be purchased.
Donal Gray is the new treasurer and has spent countless hours setting up new accounting practices as required by CRA and the new church council.
Hopefully, we will be able to swing wide the doors of Wooler United Church welcoming all into our space again.
Submitted by Bob Walt
We met twice this year. Topics of discussion included staff layoffs due to Covid and Kathy’s involvement with Wooler United taking in concerns regarding her health.
We are trying to set the description for our office administrator. Some discussion was held as to the pulpit supply and congregational support.
Submitted by Bob Walt
Due to Covid restrictions only 4 meetings were held in 2020 with an average attendance of 9. Despite the circumstances, we did support Mission and Service, MADD, Almost Home, Three Oaks, Old Hay Bay Methodist Church, Adopt a child and Quin-Mo-lac.
At the February meeting, we heard from Lisa McMurter from the Regional Hospice of Quinte concerning the construction of the Quinte Hospice. We decided to contribute $2000 toward this wonderful project.
We provided for two funeral receptions, Jim Dorland, and Dennis Dorland.
Our cookie project for the year was cancelled and the women each contributed money instead of baking.
The year 2021 hopefully will allow us to share our time and efforts together for the work of the United Church.
Linda Walt,
President
This has also been an exceedingly difficult year for everyone.
With only a few meetings held we carried on with some of our obligations and donated $2,000.00 to Hospice Quinte. Sadly, we had 2 funerals to cater to & our cookie trays “fund raiser” was held with a different type of procedure.
We will start 2021 with a balance of $2,350.29 and hope to get back to normal sometime.
Wooler UCW 2020 Financial Report
Opening Bank Balance 1 Jan 2020: $4241.61
Income
Dues collected from members: $460.00
Funeral Luncheons: $1,200.00
Funeral Luncheon expenses: -$158.70
Cookie Sales $1,777.50
Total Income $3,278.80
Expenses
Roto Static – Rugs in church cleaned $755.12
Presbyterial travel expenses $80.00
UCW Dues $100.00
Bursary donation $48.00
Donation to Church Memorial Fund _$25.00
Total expenses $1020.12
Donations to other charities
Adapt-a-Child $200.00
Almost Home $100.00
MADD Canada $100.00
Old Hay Bay Church $200.00
Regional Hospice of Quinte Inc. $2,000.00
The Bay of Quinte Conference Camp Corp. $250.00
Three Oaks Foundation $100.00
The United Church of Canada – M&S Fund $1,200.00
Total Donations $4.150.00
Closing Bank Balance 31 Dec 2020 $2350.29
Roxie Dorland
UCW Treasurer
Amount by Envelop and Par offering in 2020: $4005.00
Amount by U.C.W.: $1,200.00
Total Mission & Service donation transfer: $5,205.00
Donations collected on behalf of The United Church of Canada.
Total donations to date: $2825.00
Bell Tower repair expenses to date: - $508.50
Available Funds for Repair as of 31 Dec 2020: $2316.50
Dedicated funds for the Bell Tower Repair Fund are kept in the TD chequing account.
The trustees met once to discuss and be updated on the Church investments. No other concerns were brought forward.
Submitted by Bob Walt
2020 Wooler United Church –Trustee Investment Summary 31 December 2020
IA Financial Group
Trustee Investment Summary
Opening Balance 1 January 2020: $152,350.63
Net Transactions (Withdrawals): -$7200.00
Variation in market value: -$1,364.41
Value as 31 December 2020: $143,786.41
Trustee Bank Account Summary
Opening Balance 1 Jan 2020: $1654.14
Closing Balance 31 Dec 2020: $1654.14
Balance Forward Jan. 1, 2020 $4,671.66
Income
Student Registrations $8,400.00
Total Income $8,400.00
Expenses
Bank Charges $111.00
Honorariums $900.00
Fees $1,750.00
Student Registration Refund $1,000.00
Facilitator $3,409.00
Total Expenses $7,170.08
Balance Dec. 31, 2020 $5901.58
Wooler United Church 2020 Financial Report
INCOME
Fund Raiser Net Income
Canada Helps $2,000.00
Chuck Wagon Dinner $1,904.70
Fundraiser Expenses -$509.70
Meat Pies and Recycling $1,200.00
Soup and Sandwich $1,625.00
TOTAL Fund Raiser Net Income $6,220.00
Rental Income and Expenses
Rent overpayment return – Elections Canada -$536.75
TOTAL Rental Income and Expenses -$536.75
Church Revenue
Bank Interest $10.78
Cash Donations No Name $168.75
Donations – Canada Helps $2,000.00
Envelope General Offerings $19,058.00
Envelope M&S Donations $1,310.00
HST $804.06
Investment Transfer $7,200.00
PAR General Offering $8,340.00
PAR M&S Donations $2,150.00
TOTAL Church Revenue $41,041.59
TOTAL INCOME $46,724.84
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
Donee Transfers and Expenses
Admin Expenses for Taking Donations $113.50
M&S Fund Transfers $4,005.00
TOTAL Donee transfers and expenses $4118.50
Employment Compensation
ADP Payroll $24,750.60
Mileage Compensation $437.97
Pulpit Supply $442.25
Telephone Compensation $368.00
TOTAL Employment Compensation $25,998.82
Licenses and Fees
Bank Fees $36.75
One License $252.50
Edge License $190.00
Council Liaison Representative Fee – Search
Committee $150.00
United Church of Canada Yearly Fee $2,309.00
TOTAL Fees & Charges $2,938.25
Occupancy Costs
Building Insurance $5438.18
Enbridge Natural Gas $2,736.72
Hydro One $2,531.27
Lawn Care $60.00
Maintenance Costs $160.00
Phone and Internet $839.40
Snow Removal $1,100.00
Water Test $350.00
TOTAL Occupancy Costs $13,216.21
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Office Supply Purchases $512.00
OSM Website______________________________ $406.00
TOTAL Office Supplies $918.12
PURCHASES
Church Operational Purchases $1840.76
Refunds on purchases______________________ -$110.05
TOTAL Purchases $1,730.71
TOTAL CHURCH EXPENSES IN 2020 $48,920.61
TRANSFERS
From TD Saving to TD chequing $10,000.00
TOTAL Bank Transfers $10,000.00
Church TD Bank Accounts Reconciliation
TD Chequing Account
Opening Balance 1 Jan. 2020: $14,971.09
Closing Balance 31 Dec. 2020: $22,773.54
TD Savings Account
Opening Balance 1 Jan. 2020: $10,011.23
Closing Balance 31 Dec 2020: $13.01
All financial statements are based on the “Cash” bookkeeping format.
We have examined the Wooler United Church 2020 Financial Books and found them to be in order:
Audited by: Linda Walt
Audited by: Grant Southwell
Date: 2 March 2021
Congregational Chairperson David Dorland
Congregational Secretary Joan Dorland
Treasurer Donal Gray
Administrative Assistant Karen Bates
Council Representative Linda Walt
Clerk of Session Gwen Olson
Envelope Steward Bob Walt
Christian Education Coordinator Stephanie Richards
UCW President Linda Walt
UCW Treasurer Roxie Dorland
Elders
Bob Walt (Chair) Linda Walt
David Dorland Joan Dorland
Doug DeMille Gwen Olson (Clerk)
Stewards
Bob Walt (Chair) George Klem
Dean Milligan Susan Milligan (Secretary)
David Dorland Joan Dorland
Donal Gray Roxie Dorland
Carol Lalonde
Trustees
David Dorland (Chair) Peter Richards
Bob Walt Dean Milligan
Ministry and Personnel
David Dorland (Chair) Bob Walt
Carol Lalonde
Mission & Service
Linda Walt Gerri Wilson
Worship Committee
Gwen Olson Gerri Wilson
Brenda Gray
Christian Education
Susan Milligan Stephanie Richards
Search Committee
Donal Gray (Chair) Joan Dorland
Gerrie Wilson Carol Lalonde
Brenda Gray
Soup & Sandwich Fund Raiser 
Sunday Service: 10:30 AM
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