R2R ASK US
One way we keep track of what we know – and what we are working on - is by maintaining this question file. Several of the questions have purposely been grouped together when they basically are answered by the same discussion. We trust that these questions and answers are representative of what you want to know. As you can see – we don’t have all the answers – this file is truly a work-in-progress – and you can help.
If you know an answer and the question is unanswered or wrong, please let us know. If you have a question and it is not posted - please feel free to use the box on the right to contact us, or talk to any of the committee members.
The file will be updated regularly – questions and answers will be added. Some answers will change because we will occasionally err (gasp!) or be persuaded by you to change our minds.
What is our long-term vision for this church? Is this part of our ongoing spiritual focus? What services do we want to offer to the community? What is God calling us to be and do - here and now?
These questions inspired us to check our basic beliefs of what this church means to us as individuals, as a congregation of faith and in the wider community. We believe that our church can be ‘the heart’ of this community – now and into the future. We are called to continually revitalize our sense of mission in the wider community and thus create a long-term future for this church.
The R2R vision statement: We believe that the Minesing United Church has an on-going contribution to make to the health of our extended community – spiritually, culturally and through other acts of mutual support and care.
Does it make sense to put money into this facility? Is this building capable of meeting our needs going forward?
We believe so. It may be the typical rural church with its challenges to adapt to old age and 21st century needs and requirements, but an overwhelming majority of our congregation have invested their hearts (in addition to their offerings of time and money) in this building.
Are there other facilities available? Should we be building a new church?
Maybe – but see above question. In addition to that – current building code requirements for public buildings would likely make a new church a $1,000,000 + project.
Do we really have to do this accessibility project?
Yes – we are overdue! Look at our Church Mission Statement and think about what we stand for – we have a spiritual and moral obligation to do this. Recently governments have added a legal obligation to this issue.
Do you really think the government is going to force this on churches?
Yes. The County and the Province are no longer granting churches privileged status and precedents have been set for regulations to be enforced in matters of building code, labour, health, water and sewage. The County and/or the Province will close down or fine facilities that do not meet regulation.
We’ve been talking about this ‘ramp’ for years – is it ever going to happen?
Yes. We should actually be embarrassed we have not done this twenty years ago. Requirements, regulations, building codes, inspection – are all more demanding today and will be likely more demanding tomorrow. Legislation is now forcing us to finally fulfill our moral obligations.
How does the congregation feel about this? Are we certain the congregation is behind this?
We do believe that the congregation is supportive of creating ‘full accessibility’ to our church facilities – both church council and congregation have actually approved going ahead with this project. However we also recognize that many are uncertain what ’accessibility’ means and may have underestimated the scope of this project. We believe many are concerned about the financial burden this project would impose upon the congregation. Several members believe that more cost effective solutions exist and that they have not yet been found or considered
Is this accessibility project financially feasible?
Yes – with proper planning – which will be a big part of our job. History shows us time and time again that we are able to meet the challenges – despite fears and objections from the congregation. Building this church in 1867, the C.E. Wing in 1963, purchasing the Property next door in 1990 to expand our parking – all of these projects were met with this same question.
How are we going to pay for this project?
We expect this question to warrant its own page by the end of the summer.
There are many ways to raise money, including: pledge campaigns (one-time, annual or spread over time) / Bequeaths through wills / Stock donations / Special events / special tax on some of the services we provide. / borrowing money / investment income from an endowment fund to service debt financing. /several other creative methods under investigation.
All of these fit within two basic models:
a) fund each project separately as needed
b) continual funding through a perpetual endowment fund
We believe that a combination of these alternatives will be used and that we need to add an endowment fund to our financing arsenal.
What United Church funding is available?
We are looking under every rock – have not found any significant dollars yet!
I would consider working on the R2R committee – what do you actually do?
In general terms look at our R2R Mission Statement: We are the ‘READY TO RESPOND’ (R2R) Committee. Our job is to oversee the funding and construction of the church facilities needed to open our doors and hearts to all and thus secure our future role in this community.
Specifically what we are working on now is:
*Provide vision for accessibility project *promote the vision
*Investigate funding alternatives *Choose/organize funding model(s)
*Design/create endowment fund *fund it
*Stage construction priorities *build it
*Solicit participation from and educating the congregation to all of the above