Parish Partnership in Ministry
Parishes of Greenwich, Grand Bay, Ketepec and Westfield
Diocese of Fredericton

History
Updated 13 April 2003

January 2001
EVENT: An archdeaconry commission appointed by our Bishop to explore the relationships, demographics and fiscal realities of the Parishes of Greenwich, Westfield, Grand Bay and Ketepec. The potential for working together in ministry in the lower St. John River Valley securing a future Anglican presence was intended.
RESULT: In light of information gathered by way of research and consultation with parish vestries, several options were proposed in the Commission's report dated March 2001. The Bishop met with parish clergy and wardens (09 May 2001) to discuss the Report.

April 2001
EVENT: The Bishop of Fredericton writes parish vestries with a proposal of ministry partnership for consideration requesting they respond to him by answering the following questions as a guide:

    1. Will your present situation and facilities endure for the long term and guarantee viable resources for ministry in your area?
    2. Are there signs of real growth in your present situation that would encourage you to maintain the status quo?
    3. Financially, are you able to continue with the status quo for the next ten to fifteen years?
    4. List the long term advantages of a new partnership with the neighbouring parish(es), over against the possible losses incurred.
    5. If such a new partnership was supported by your parish, what first steps would you be willing to take?

RESULT: Parish Vestries met to discuss the questions, returning the response to the Bishop before the end of June.   Vestries outlined concerns while overall were in favour of proceeding with the exploration.

September 2001
EVENT: The Bishop of Fredericton writes the Parishes of Grand Bay, Westfield and Ketepec with a proposal outlining 6 stages of continued exploration including:

    1. Exploration stage (completed by vestries Sept 2001)
    2. Structural Feasibility Stage - exploration of the current assets, resources and facilities available for use in partnering in a joint facility (church/Anglican Centre) for the Grand Bay-Westfield area.
    3. Congregational Decision Stage - Congregations of the three parishes involved, with the information on feasibility in hand, vote on proceeding with the process.
    4. Community Stage - Assuming that the feasibility study shows a positive result and agreement has been reached on proceeding, this stage involves growing together within a new community including parishioners from the three//four parishes. During this time all congregations will participate but keep their present structure.
    5. Leadership Stage - Assuming all vestries and congregations vote in favour of a joint future, the appointment of a Rector for the new parish will be made.
    6. Building Stage - Construction of a new facility for worship and educational purposes.

RESULT: Parish vestries make decisions in favour of continuing to the next proposed stage.

October 2001
EVENT:  Wardens and clergy of the four parishes meet with Archdeacon Miller at Westfield (11 October) and agree to appoint two teams to explore: 1) Property issues  2) Financial issues.
RESULT:  Property Team: W. Porter (Leader), J. Kierstead, P. Wong (or A. Morton), D. Murchison, Archdeacons Hall and Miller.

a) LAND - To study the ministry area with a view to availability, cost and location of land and possible sites for a new worship and fellowship center.
b) BUILDING - To acquire architectural proposals for new worship space: design, probable cost, construction time, and accommodation of memorials from existing churches, estimated seating capacity of 400 (single or multi-use facility).
c) ADDITIONAL RESEARCH - To visit recent new church construction in the Diocese. Two locations named at the meeting - St. James the Less, Renforth and the new church in Prince William.
d) REPORTING - To the Bishop and Diocesan Property Committee - to be determined ASAP

Finance Team: A. Logan (Leader), L. Chisholm, R. Peacock, Keith Lane, Archdeacons Hall and Miller.

a) ASSET INVENTORY
   i) Fixed - Land & Buildings (redeemable)
   ii) Cash on hand
   iii) Investments
   iv) Other
b) FINANCING (internal / external)
   i) Interim (construction phase)
   ii) Long-Term, etc
c) Financial FORCASTS
   i) Operational Projections
d) REPORTING
   i) To the Bishop and Diocesan Property Committee - to be determined          ASAP

December 2001
EVENT: The Finance and Property Teams and parish clergy met at St. John's Church on 18 December.  A preliminary report to the Bishop will be drafted for mid January 2002.
RESULT: The Finance Team presented the results of research by way of appraisals commissioned on St. John's and St. James' churches as well as estimated values for the other buildings concerned.  A detailed financial projection of operating costs of a new combined corporation with one new facility was presented.  Initial indications are that one parish with one facility is well within reasonable feasibility.
The Property Team reported on investigations of possible land for a new site.  Five or six options were discussed, but probably only one or two are possible.   Land in the area is scarce. The detail of exploration will continue in early January.  Some random visits have been made to newer church facilities in the area but no organized approach has been taken as of yet.  It would seem that some background work on perceived needs and expectations of a new facility by the parishes would assist those explorations.
There was discussion about the approach to developing a statement of the vision of mission of a new parish. It may be necessary to have all four parishes involved and together for progress in this goal. A map displaying the combined demographics of parish household location will be created by early January by the parish clergy.
A service to celebrate progress thus far and the spirit of co-operation between the Parishes of Greenwich, Grand Bay, Ketepec and Westfield is being planned for Sunday, 17 February (Lent 1) 3:30 p.m. followed by a meal of mixed blessings (pot luck) at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church.  The Bishop will be the preacher. The organizing group (worship, hospitality, communications) will be assembled to work with parish clergy early in the new year.

January 2002
EVENT: A meeting of Stage 2 Teams and Clergy at St. John's Church, Grand Bay on 22 January 2002 discussed the draft of the Feasibility Study (Stage 2) Report.  A review of a possible time line of further work on the Project (especially Stage 3) and a brief report on plans for the Service of Celebration, 17 February 2002 took place.
RESULT: A motion to accept the draft Report and deliver immediately to the Bishop was unanimously carried:

"The collective wisdom of the group (wardens and Stage 2 team members) is that Stage 2 of the Partnership Project is complete.  We commend the Report to the Bishop and await his dismissal of the Stage 2 working teams and his feedback and direction."

It was decided that a summary of the Report should be shared with Parish Annual Meetings on 27 January and that congregational meetings be planned for 24 February 2002 for the completion of Stage 3 (Congregational Decision Stage).

February 2002
EVENT: The Service of Celebration was held at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church at 3:30 p.m..
RESULT: Bishop Hockin was the preacher, and the Ven. Claude Miller and parish clergy participated.  Approximately 265 in attendance.  Pot luck meal followed.   Our sincere thanks to the Church of St. Matthew for their hospitality.

EVENT: Parish votes 24 February 2002 on continuing with Stage 4 (Building the Community of Grace).  The motion:

"THAT WHEREAS this parish is committed to a stronger and more secure future in relationship with our neighbouring parishes ...
    AND WHEREAS we have together successfully completed the feasibility stage and reported the same to the Bishop
    - this Vestry calls on the members of this parish to support its decision to move ahead to the "community building stage" according to the terms described."

RESULT:

March 2002
EVENT:  The Parishes held a joint Good Friday Celebration of the Passion at the River Valley Wesleyan Church. Our sincere thanks to them for their hospitality and the use of their church.
RESULT:  Over 200 worshippers were in attendance.  See the Order of Service.

APRIL 2002
EVENT:  The first meeting of the Stage 4 Steering Group was held at St. John's Church, Parish of Grand Bay on 17 April 2002.
RESULT: Items discussed were overall project goals, membership assumptions and expectations, future Steering Group meetings, and initial delegation and delineation of tasks.  A summary of the meeting can be found in the first PPM 4 News which outlines membership, areas of emphasis and membership expectations.

Continuation of progress in Stage 4 "Building the Community of Grace" may be found in regular issues of PPM Steering Group News on the PPM Homepage.

March 2003
EVENT:  A SUMMARY OF THE VISION of a proposed new parish for the Lower Saint John River Valley was mailed to parishioners 23 March 2003.   Parish and corporation meetings were called on 30 March 2003 to consider the motion:

"That the Bishop of Fredericton be petitioned to begin the three-month process of the amalgamation of the parishes of Grand Bay, Greenwich, Ketepec and Westfield according to Canon XX."

RESULT:  The results of meetings are as follows:

April 2003
EVENT:  The Bishop of Fredericton announces as of 07 April his intention to amalgamate the parishes of Grand Bay, Ketepec and Westfield.  The three month period required by Canon XX will conclude 07 July 2003 with the legal forming of the new parish and its corporation with leadership.