Regional Rep

[paradox3]

Is anyone here a regional rep for their congregation? Or know anything about the role?

I have been asked to be the second rep for my congregation and I am considering it.

Although I have lost touch with what is happening in the wider church, I was very interested to learn about it back in the days of the original WC.

It seems to me there were always many complaints about the presbytery model, but it is missed now that it is gone.

Would appreciate any insights you can offer.

 

[Northwind]

I'm a new regional rep for our congregation. I just participated in the AGM by Zoom. I found it similar to Presbytery or Conference. I'm the second rep so haven't had to write a report yet. I may have to write one for this event and have to percolate on it. I attend council meetings and will participate in monthly "town halls" for the region.

 

[paradox3]

I asked today if it would involve sitting on the church board. The other rep said he could handle it. Is this correct procedure? I don't even know.

 

[paradox3]

Back in the days of presbytery, congregations were allocated a number of reps based on size. Does it still work this way?

 

[Northwind]

I believe it is still like that. We have two reps. We need an alternate badly.

Both of us sit on the council. The alternate would not. It's important to know what's happening in the congregation to bring to region if needed.

 

[GordW]

Back in the days of presbytery, congregations were allocated a number of reps based on size. Does it still work this way?

Yes it does. Using the same math I believe. In a place with more than one REgional Council Rep one should be on the Governing Body, I don't think both/all of them need to be there.

 

[paradox3]

Have agreed to take this on. Sure hope I don't regret it!

 

[JayneWonders]

I was presbytery rep at the congregation that I once attended (@Northwind also attended it)
At the time, presbytery was something that the congregation valued (or at least tried to). I found that there were people passionate about the church at presbytery, enjoyed conference. Of course, it also got bogged down.

The last church that i went to struggled with presbytery / conference / region ....more of a standalone congregation, unless they wanted something.

@paradox3 , i hope that you find people that energize you, and that your communication is welcome.

 

[Northwind]

I wonder how the more remote congregations will manage without Presbytery. Presbytery helped us tons in northern BC when we were having struggles. I don't know what would have happened if they hadn't been there to support us all.

I agree that people who like Presbytery probably liked Conference. That being said, we had a great Presbytery.

 

[Waterfall]

Have agreed to take this on. Sure hope I don't regret it!

I think you will be a great asset.

 

[Luce NDs]

Should high office be a given take ... and then they run off with a great deal ... equity?

They cry when it goes he other way and the templar collapses ...

 

[Nancy]

I'm a rep in a church that does not really value the regional council. I seem to be a forever rep as no one else wants the job. I report any news at Board meetings, sometimes include Regional Council news in the bulletin, write up a report for the Annual Report and submit the Annual Report to Regional Council. I attend meetings on line or in person, and I sometimes attend podcasts and report on them. I also send emails to individuals in the church about podcasts that they might be interested in.

 

[Mendalla]

I'm a rep in a church that does not really value the regional council.

I know a lot of UUs, including the local fellowship, are kind of blah on CUC (Canadian Unitarian Council) and CUC contributions are among the first things to be put forward when some axing is needed. However, CUC is not a governing body (UUs are congregational and all authority is local), but a coordinating and facilitating one. I thought Regional Councils still had some governance authority similar to the old conferences so whether the congregation values it or not, don't they at least have to pay attention?

 

[Luce NDs]

I know a lot of UUs, including the local fellowship, are kind of blah on CUC (Canadian Unitarian Council) and CUC contributions are among the first things to be put forward when some axing is needed. However, CUC is not a governing body (UUs are congregational and all authority is local), but a coordinating and facilitating one. I thought Regional Councils still had some governance authority similar to the old conferences so whether the congregation values it or not, don't they at least have to pay attention?

Just gather your attention around the power of denial and the disposal of thoughts ... thus elimination through yo'all ...

 

[KayTheCurler]

I'm a rep in a church that does not really value the regional council. I seem to be a forever rep as no one else wants the job. I report any news at Board meetings, sometimes include Regional Council news in the bulletin, write up a report for the Annual Report and submit the Annual Report to Regional Council. I attend meetings on line or in person, and I sometimes attend podcasts and report on them. I also send emails to individuals in the church about podcasts that they might be interested in.

As a non church attender I am impressed. It sounds like you spend a fair bit of time and effort that isn't appreciated. What is likely to happen if you STOP?
My partner discovered that he has been the glue that held some of his clubs together. When he said he was no longer willing to be the organiser, book keeper, communication person etc the clubs basically died.

 

[Luce NDs]

As a non church attender I am impressed. It sounds like you spend a fair bit of time and effort that isn't appreciated. What is likely to happen if you STOP?
My partner discovered that he has been the glue that held some of his clubs together. When he said he was no longer willing to be the organiser, book keeper, communication person etc the clubs basically died.

It is said that such things happen ... the great "T" declares it alternate facts as he will do it all ... great collectives on air chuckle ... leading to rumors of hounds there ... like hounding conscience? Consider the bark, etc. there 's a great deal more to the mythical tree ... Magi ... some say a rabbit 'ole ... due to the tug of bunnies ... running mates? Just more innocents ... no heart in tuit? Emptied circles ...

Prerequisite: a wee bit of thinking ... in a "c" 've pas ξions ... consider things across (T) aimes ... swayed? Hanging bridges ... Kate 'n Eire transgression? 10's ...

 

[paradox3]

The regional councils have a combination of responsibilities that were held by the former presbyteries and conferences. The oversight of ministry personnel has moved to the Office of Vocation.

Much of the Region business deals with policy statements & discussion of grant money, etc, from what I can see. Our region has just struck a committee to consider reallocation of funds from congregations which close.

It's all important stuff but fairly removed from the daily lives of those in our pews.

The camaraderie of the old presbyteries seems to be missed by many.

 

[Luce NDs]

The regional councils have a combination of responsibilities that were held by the former presbyteries and conferences. The oversight of ministry personnel has moved to the Office of Vocation.

Much of the Region business deals with policy statements & discussion of grant money, etc, from what I can see. Our region has just struck a committee to consider reallocation of funds from congregations which close.

It's all important stuff but fairly removed from the daily lives of those in our pews.

The camaraderie of the old presbyteries seems to be missed by many.

Mostly a fog with those lacking care and consideration of a great spread ... mist, cloudy! Dark shades on the horizon ... there a vanishing point ...

Be prepared to begone in a whoosh ... that's Ur! The reservoir behind the khan ... a sovereign thing? Psyche over matter ... no vectors involved ... thus tensor than imagined! East of Eden ... torqued ... demo snapped!

 

[Nancy]

I forgot to mention that I am also on the Grants Committee for our region. I feel that it is important for each rep to do something for the wider church. Interesting question @KayTheCurler. I have stopped some things in my life that ended up folding. I think of a junior church choir way back when I was a young teacher in a different city. I stopped when I heard criticisms that were meant to be behind my back. I stopped being Sunday School superintendent for the same reason. The thing is...I can accept criticism to my face, if it is delivered with the genuine intention of 'let's make this better', and the criticizing individual is willing to work with me toward that end. But, I can't handle lying awake at night worrying about what I'm doing wrong that promotes criticism. When I stopped being a secretary and board member for our local, troubled church camp, they found others, but....(I have to say this)....they didn't do that great a job, and minutes are missing, and charitable status almost got lost and lots of other things went wrong. No one has said...'we miss you'...but I think circumstances speak for themselves! As for being church council rep, I don't really mind it. If I stopped, someone else would be voluntold. I stopped being a trustee and that is what happened and they found someone much better than me!

 

[Northwind]

I miss our presbytery. It was a good bunch and always good connecting along with the dry business stuff.

There's a movement for the local churches here to get together to celebrate 100 years. That may be a good way to form relationships and a good cluster where we can get to know each other better.