Options for our Future: Meeting November 6

Those who attended (or watched) the service last Sunday heard Dennis Brown enumerate what he sees as the four options facing us as a congregation following the sale of the church. Below you will find a ballot for your input on those options. If you are receiving this newsletter, we consider that you get to vote. There will be a meeting following the service on Sunday November 6th at which all votes received  will be tallied. Because time is so tight, if you are not able to attend the meeting, we ask that you call in or email your responses to the office at 514 768-6231, or southwestunited@gmail.com. There are four Yes/No questions. It is possible to say yes to more than one.

As a point of information, we are still looking into other spaces to rent in Verdun and Lasalle but have so far come up empty handed for our preferred time of 10:00 on Sunday. When we speak of renting from, or merging with, another church, the offer that we have is from Summerlea United in Lachine.

SouthWest United Church

Options after the sale

Basic impacts

Staff: 3 positions.   Congregation.                     Finances.

1.      Stay together as a worshiping community. Rent space for worship any location (store front, Boys and girls club etc.)

Pros – Retain staff, Worship time controlled by us, retain most of the funds

Cons – Both renting a full time space and renting just worship time would require much effort.

I vote:    YES        I vote     NO

2.      Stay together as a worshiping community. Rent space for worship at another church.

Pros – Retain staff and retain most of the funds. Mostly low effort on our part, other than transportation.

Cons – Worship time not controlled by us. The one time we have been offered is 11:30

I vote:    YES        I vote     NO

3.      Merge with an existing United church.

Pros – Retain some funding, worship time blended with hosting church. Little effort on our part.

Cons – Staff terminated. (Minister to end of contract, Office and music 6 months’ severance package) Pastoral charge is closed.

I vote:    YES        I vote     NO

4.      Close Pastoral Charge.

Pros - We all pick where and when to worship. Little or no effort.

(over)

Cons - Staff terminated. (Minister to end of contract, Office and music 6 months’ severance package) Pastoral charge is closed. Funds distributed by regional council.

I vote:    YES        I vote     NO

We will count the votes for each option and try to come to a consensus.