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You are here: Home / Sermons / Audio Sermons / And the Leaves of the Tree Are Our Ministries

And the Leaves of the Tree Are Our Ministries

January 20, 2013 by Glen Stoudt

LEAVESWhat if Orleans United was like a tree?

That’ how OUC’s Future Directions team imagines us. And this is what they see:   It’s essential to be aware of the deep roots of OUC in United Church history and Christian belief … it’s valuable to notice how strong and sturdy the trunk has grown over 3 decades …  it’s helpful to recognize the five main branches of our tree as the main ministry areas of our church – worship, outreach, learning, care, and resources … we would be wise to observe how nutrients, both spiritual and material, flow through the membranes of the wood to feed and grow the whole tree … we’re encouraged as we harvest all the different fruit OUC has produced throughout its life so far.  But it’s the leaves that capture our imagination.

The leaves of the tree are our ministry, and the power of our many leaves (think photosynthesis here, with the sun shining on our leaves and generating the energy of life) is remarkable.   That’s what’s happening here, every day, within dozens of ministry programs, events, and actions.  Our individual “ministry leaves” make the difference.  Our ministries contribute to the wholeness of all, both within and beyond our congregation.  And through our “ministry leaves,” Orleans United is becoming a tree of life in God’s creation.

Toward a “Branch Model” of Governance

The Future Directions Team has been struck by the strength of so many of our OUC Ministry Teams.  Without those leaves, we would not be the vibrant church community that is Orleans United.  We want this to continue and do not want to add more work or responsibility to those who are Ministry Team Leaders, or to increase risk of personal burnout.  We want to “widen the circle” and “share the load.”  We want leaders who are enthusiastic about more grass roots ministry activities throughout the congregation. We want to have an ongoing governing body tasked with guiding the future directions of OUC and recommend that this become an explicit role of a new Council model.

The trunk of our tree is Council, and currently there is a motion at the Annual Congregational Meeting to restructure Council with Members-At-Large to nurture and anchor the many ministry leaves on our tree.

While Ministry Team Leaders will continue to be fully responsible for their Ministry Teams, in the new model they will no longer sit on Council.  Instead the newly elected Council Members will be tasked with establishing useful connections with Ministry Teams.  We see each new “Member-At-Large” as relating closely with a small portfolio of Ministry Teams (e.g., Elders, Property, Choir), growing relationships with those Team Leaders, supporting their work where needed, while promoting creativity and resiliency within all ministries of the congregation.

The vote on this motion is February 16, 2014, immediately following worship.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Audio Sermons, Sermons

About Glen Stoudt

Sunday Worship

Sunday Worship Celebration is at 10:00 am. During this time, OUC is livestreaming the service every Sunday at 10am. Please see more details under Virtual Sunday Service or by visiting our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnOu5yFybhiRZ6fGiMIS_9w

1111 Orléans Blvd, Orléans, ON K1C 7C8

Everyone is welcomed at OUC! Uplifting songs, sermons from the heart and great faith community.

More Ways to Give

Ways to Help Financially during the COVID-19 Pandemic E-transfers - Please use the email address (oucdonations@rogers.com) to make your e-transfer. The offering will be directly deposited into the OUC Bank Account and will be recorded for tax receipt purposes. No security question is required. On-line donations – if you wish to donate online using a credit card, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/16982 or “Click on Here to Donate Online”. Your tax receipt will be issued by Canada Helps. Mail box – envelopes/cheques can be placed in the church mail box which is checked regularly and deposited weekly. Cheques can be mailed to Orleans United Church, 1111 Orleans Blvd., Orleans, ON K1C 7C8. . Grocery cards - Interested people should email their order to Dianne Davis at (dianne.davis@bell.net) and leave a cheque in your mailbox for the amount. Dianne will exchange the cheque for the gift card order.

Contact Us

During this time, office hours have been reduced.  Tuesday to Thursday 9am to noon to only handl essential business.

Should you, or anyone you know be seeking pastoral care, please call the office number, which the Ministry Team will be monitoring regularly.

Phone: 613-837-4321

Email: orleansunited@rogers.com

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REGULAR OFFICE HOURS currently on hold
Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, and until 2:30 pm on Wednesdays

Phone: 613-837-4321

Email: orleansunited@rogers.com

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Welcome to Orleans United Church

At Orleans United Church we seek to be a place where people of all ages, stages, backgrounds, and traditions can come together to worship God and build community.

Worship takes place on Sunday mornings at 10 am, with nursery care and programs for our children and youth offered each week. We would be delighted to have you join us.

So bring a friend, invite a neighbour, spread the word – the Spirit is alive and at work at Orleans United Church and we are excited about all that God has in store for us.

1111 Orléans Blvd, Orléans, ON K1C 7C8

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Contact Us

    During this time, office hours have been reduced. Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to Noon, only handling essential business. Should you, or anyone you know be seeking pastoral care, please call the office number, which the Ministry Team will be monitoring regularly.
  • By Phone: 613-837-4321
  • By Email: orleansunited@rogers.com
  • ----
    • Regular Office Hours:
      Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, and until 2:30 pm on Wednesdays
    • By Phone: 613-837-4321
    • By Email: orleansunited@rogers.com
    • Address: 1111 Orléans Blvd, Orléans, ON K1C 7C8

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