Exploring Our Shared Future
Congregational Update
April 17, 2025
Task Force Meeting at Fort Massey
The Task Group met on April 9th at Fort Massey to discuss the Worship Consultation held
on April 6th. The meeting focused on:
• Reviewing both the design of the consultation and what was learned
• Evaluating what went well with the format and what could be improved for future
sessions
• Processing the feedback received during the worship consultation.
Worship Consultation Feedback
During the April 6th consultation, approximately 70 people with representation from all
three congregations gathered at St. Andrew's to explore worship. Some of the key themes
which emerged from these discussions were:
Common Elements Valued in Worship:
• Meaningful relationships and community based on faith.
• Variety of musical styles (but intentionally programmed).
• Relevant, challenging messages.
• Opportunities for reflection and quietude.
• Inclusivity and welcoming atmosphere.
• A feeling of being "home" and of "belonging".
Space Considerations:
• Space should function as a sanctuary first but be flexible
• Accessibility is essential
• Natural light, connection to nature, and aesthetics are important
• Iconography (cross, stained glass) helps create sacred atmosphere
• Warmth and a sense of belonging are crucial elements
All feedback from the worship consultation was shared with a Worship Working Group with
representation from all congregations. This group will provide their input to the task group
regarding key themes that emerged from the consultation.
The Task Group also discussed:
• Upcoming Congregational Survey: To be conducted by Narrative Research. The
design of this survey
will be discussed in future Task Group meetings.
• Programming Consultation: Preparations for the upcoming Programming
Consultation at Fort Massey
on April 13th were reviewed.
Programming Consultation - A Full House at Fort Massey – April 13th, 2025
Fort Massey's Lower Hall was full to the brim for our second congregational consultation
which focused on programming.
The introduction included these remarks: "Programming is a vital part of who we are as a
church. It's how we serve the needs of our congregations through faith formation, pastoral care, community life, and affirming ministries. It's an inward-facing expression of our
mission, helping us to grow spiritually, connect with one another, and support those within
our faith community. Today's consultation is designed to help us explore what programming
means to each of us. We want to hear from you about the programs and activities that have
been most meaningful in your experience, the values that should guide our programming,
and how we can envision programming that will serve us well as a unified church."
More specifically, for the purposes of the consultation programming was defined as: inward
facing, serving the needs and interests of the church community through:
• Faith formation: Bible study, Sunday School, and other educational programs
aimed at spiritual growth.
• Pastoral care
• Community life/work: Activities that foster a sense of community within the church
and may include
internal initiatives or work done by the congregation.
• Affirming: ministries focused on inclusivity and support for specific groups within or
connected to the
church
Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussion around:
• Examples of meaningful and impactful programming they've been part of
• Core principles or elements that should guide programming
• How physical space impacts or plays a role in successful programming
• What programming we could create together that we can't create alone
The output from this session will be shared with a Programming Working Group with
representation from all three congregations.
We invite all members of St. Andrew's, St. Matthew's, and Fort Massey United Churches to
attend our final open consultation session on Outreach, at St Matthew’s United Church
on April 27th, 2025, at 12pm. These sessions are an important opportunity to share your
insights, ideas, and priorities as we work together to create a vibrant, sustainable, and
unified future.
Thank You
As we move forward, we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Your voice
matters, and together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant future for our church
community. We invite you to participate fully in this journey and share your questions and
feedback as we explore the possibilities ahead.
Sincerely,
The Amalgamation Charter Task Group
Exploring Our Shared Future
Congregational Update
April 11, 2025
Task Force Meeting at Fort Massey
The Task Group met on March 19th at Fort Massey to continue the important work of
exploring our shared future. During this meeting, the group:
• Began drafting a timeline leading up to the completion of the amalgamation charter
document,
outlining key milestones and consultation sessions.
• Discussed the design and format of the upcoming worship consultation meeting.
Worship Consultation - A Successful Gathering!
On April 6th, our first consultation session was hosted by St. Andrew's United Church. Approximately
70 people attended with representation from all three congregations to explore the topic of
worship.
Attendees were welcomed with these words: "Today's consultation is a vital step in this process,
specifically focused on understanding what worship means to each of our congregations and to you as
individuals. As we consider the potential of becoming one united church, it's crucial that we hear
from all of you about what elements of worship are most valued and meaningful. The insights we
gather today will be invaluable as the Task Group moves forward in drafting the sections of the
amalgamation charter related to worship. We are committed to ensuring that this potential new faith
community reflects the values and priorities of all our congregations."
Through small group conversations, participants engaged in thoughtful discussion around four key
questions:
• What makes worship meaningful to you?
• What elements or experiences might detract from meaningful worship?
• How does the physical space—beyond specific buildings—shape worship?
• How can worship help us engage with and serve our wider community?
The conversations were engaging, constructive, and animated. All input was gathered and will be
reviewed by the Task Group at their April meeting to inform the development of the worship
section of the amalgamation charter.
Upcoming Consultation Sessions
We invite all members of St. Andrew's, St. Matthew's, and Fort Massey United Churches to
participate in our remaining consultation sessions. These sessions are an important
opportunity to share your insights, ideas, and priorities as we work together to create a
vibrant, sustainable, and unified future.
Thank You
As we move forward, we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Your voice
matters, and together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant future for our church
community. We invite you to participate fully in this journey and share your questions and
feedback as we explore the possibilities ahead.
Sincerely,
The Amalgamation Charter Task Group
Exploring Our Shared Future
Congregational Update
March 3, 2025
Our First Meeting
On January 24, 2025, the Amalgamation Charter Task Group convened for the first time. This group, representing members from Fort Massey, St. Andrew’s, St. Matthew’s churches, is committed to exploring the possibility of amalgamation to strengthen and unify our collective ministry.
Who Are We?
The Amalgamation Charter Task Group is composed of representatives from each of the three churches, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences. The group is supported by input from clergy, who will be consulted as needed throughout the process.
Members of the Task Group:
Ken Burt - Saint Andrew’s, Janet Hulford - Saint Matthew’s, Darrel Johnston - Saint Andrew’s, Tim Matthews - Saint Matthew’s, Ken Moors - Saint Matthew’s, James Robertson - Fort Massey, April Stroink - Saint Andrew’s, Clay Tuck – Fort Massey, John Walter - Fort Massey
What Is Our Purpose?
Our purpose is to develop an amalgamation charter for consideration by our congregations—Fort Massey, Saint Andrew’s, and Saint Matthew’s—with the goal of uniting to form one church. This charter will outline how we might come together as one faith community to better serve our mission and vision.
What Is in the Scope of Our Work?
We are tasked with:
• Defining what amalgamation could look like, including key issues such as Worship, Social Justice, Finances, and Property.
• Consulting with congregations and clergy to gather insights and ensure all voices are heard.
• Developing a clear, consensus-based proposal that reflects the values and priorities of our congregations.
Our Vision for the Process
The aim of this initiative is to explore the possibility of creating a single, unified, vibrant, and relevant church presence in downtown Halifax that can effectively serve the community in the 21st century. This process will prioritize collaboration, transparency, and a deep understanding of the unique contexts, aspirations, and concerns of each congregation.
Commitment to Inclusivity and Engagement
This process will actively involve input from all congregations. Through regular consultations and updates, we are committed to ensuring that every member can contribute their thoughts, concerns, and hopes for the future. Your voices are central to shaping the path forward.
What Can You Expect from Us?
As part of our commitment to open communication, you can expect:
• Updates: Updates will be posted on the St. Andrew’s website and linked to other church websites. These updates will summarize the topics discussed in meetings and outline next steps.
• Opportunities for Questions and Feedback: We welcome your questions and input! Please reach out to any of the Task Group Members listed above.
Highlights from Our First Meeting
During our January 24 meeting, we:
• Reviewed and adjusted our terms of reference to clarify the scope of our work.
• Defined our work phases: Foundation Setting (Jan-Feb), Exploring Possibilities (Mar-Apr), and Charter Finalization (May-Jul).
• Agreed to form working groups to address specific areas, such as worship, social justice, and governance. Working groups will utilize the expertise of content experts within each congregation. Volunteers will be needed!!
Phased Timeline and Next Steps
To ensure a balance between efficient decision-making and inclusive engagement, we have adopted a phased approach:
• January-February 2025: Foundation setting, including a visioning session with clergy, board chairs, and key stakeholders, and task group onboarding.
• March-May 2025: Consultations on key foundational issues such as worship, social justice, programming, and governance.
• May-July 2025: Charter drafting and preparation for congregational meetings in September.
Visioning Session
On February 12, 2025, task group members came together with Clergy and Board Chairs from each church for a visioning session as part of the amalgamation charter process. This session was a significant step in imagining the future of our united church and exploring how we can best serve our faith and community.
Key Takeaways from the Visioning Session
The session focused on identifying our shared challenges, celebrating our strengths, and envisioning the possibilities for a vibrant, unified church. Some highlights include:
Recognizing Challenges as Opportunities: While we face financial strain, declining resources, and societal changes, these challenges are also opportunities to innovate and align our collective strengths.
Celebrating Strengths: We are united by our welcoming and inclusive communities, our rich musical traditions, our commitment to outreach, and the strong sense of belonging we foster, all rooted in the teachings of Christ.
Envisioning the Future: Participants imagined a church that is vibrant, accessible, inclusive, and deeply connected to the needs of the wider community.
What’s Next?
The results of the visioning session will now go to the Amalgamation Task Group. They will use this input to guide their work in shaping the charter for our potential unified church. Once the Task Group has refined these ideas, they will bring them back to all congregations for your input and feedback in the near future.
Fort Massey Information Session
On February 25, 2025, Fort Massey hosted an information session to engage their congregation in the amalgamation process. The session was facilitated by Rev. JeY Chant of Fort Massey, and Betsy
Hogan from St. Matthew’s presented on the process her congregation followed to arrive at their decision to participate in this exploration.
Following the presentation, Jeff, Betsy, and Craig Kennedy, the facilitator, answered questions from attendees. This open and transparent discussion provided an opportunity for Fort Massey members to ask questions, raise concerns, and share their thoughts about the process.
We are grateful to everyone who participated in this session. Open conversations like these are essential to ensuring that all voices are heard and that we approach this process with clarity and shared understanding.
Task Group Meeting #2
The task group met for a second time on February 26th to begin planning how consultations will proceed. Further updates will follow soon.
Thank You
As we move forward, we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Your voice matters, and together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant future for our church community. We invite you to participate fully in this journey and share your questions and feedback as we explore the possibilities ahead.
Sincerely,
The Amalgamation Charter Task Group
Discussing a Shared Future
On March 16th representatives from Brunswick Street, St. Matthew’s, Fort Massey, and St. Andrew’s United churches, along with Brunswick Street Mission and other interested guests, gathered to dream together about what it would look like to collaborate more fully in our common work. There was a spirit about the day that was empowering, deeply hopeful, and enlivening. We talked about common challenges such as: maintaining aging buildings, declining volunteer base, decreasing reserve funds, increasing need for our services, and more. We got real about the things we cling to that get in the way of finding a way forward, things like attachment to current identity, and buildings, and our way of doing things.
The day was led by facilitator Allison Rennie, they brought to our deliberations a spiritually grounded presence, rich clarity about current realities and trends, and an ability to keep the conversations moving while quickly deepening the trust required to go deep.
The day was a first step in exploring collaborative mission and ministry amongst our diverse communities. Those gathered came to a collective and resounding YES, when asked if they wanted the exploration to continue. That resounding yes will now be tested within the governing bodies of the churches and mission. Those groups who wish to pursue the conversation further will be gathered in the coming weeks and months. Collectively we will determine concrete next steps that consider financial, spiritual, material, practical and so many more aspects of our common work.
If you were not able to attend, be sure to connect with members of your community who participated in the day. Look for more information from your governing body in the coming weeks.