Ministry Personnel Retreat
“Developing Competencies for Collaborative Ministry”
With Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson
Thursday, May 2 to Friday, May 3, 2024
at Willowgrove United Church in Sault Ste. Marie
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Guest Speaker | Location | Registration
Join Us!
Ministry personnel from across Canadian Shield Regional Council are invited to gather in-person for our retreat before our regional meeting at Willowgrove United Church in Sault Ste. Marie. It is an opportunity to come together and build a collegial relationship. This retreat is open to all ministry personnel including those who are retired. Check in Wednesdaay afternoon at the Quattro Hotel and Conference Center across the street from Willowgrove United Church. We will begin on Thursday, May 2 at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with lunch on Friday May 3 in time for us to attend our regional meeting.
“Developing Competencies for Collaborative Ministry” is the theme with our facilitator the Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson. Andrew will lead us through times of worship, connecting and conversation. Read more about Andrew in his bio below.
The cost for this retreat is $100 which covers lunch both days and supper Thursday night at Willowgrove UC during the retreat. As well we will reimburse you up to $350 for your accommodation, simply submit your hotel receipt to us at the regioinal meeting reception desk. You will be mailed your reimbursement after the regional meeting. See below for more info on accommodations.
Space is limited so register soon! We hope to see you there!
Guest Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson
Rev. Dr Andrew Richardson works for the General Council of the United Church of Canada as Vocational Minister for the Maritime Region. He has responsibility for the oversight of clergy and ministry students in the region. As part of the General Council’s new operation plan, he is the lead on collaborative ministry and mentoring. Before accepting the position of Vocational Minister in 2019, Andrew was a congregational minister for 31 years with communities of faith across the Maritimes, including 14 years as minister at Trinity Summerside. He is graduate of Dalhousie University, the Atlantic School of Theology and was ordained in 1988. He received his doctorate from Columbia Theological Seminary (Atlanta) in 2007.
Andrew has been actively involved in the wider community; Andrew is a popular instructor at University of PEI’s Seniors College and has taught courses at Atlantic School of Theology, Vancouver School of Theology and Crandall University. Most recently he was adjunct faculty at Queens College where he taught Missional Theology.
He has been involved at all levels of the church including serving as Chair of the Boundaries Commission, which designed the regional council boundaries.
He has been the chair of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee for the city of Summerside, a member of the Premier’s action committee on Family Violence, the Premier’s Advisory Committee on Immigration and the City of Summerside Planning Advisory Committee, the City of Summerside Housing Strategy Task Force and served two terms on the Board of Regents at Mount Allison University, as well as chair of the largest school district in New Brunswick. He has a keen interest in community mobilization and collaborative leadership.
Andrew lives in Summerside, PEI and is married to Janet Surette, who works with special needs students as an educational assistant. Janet and Andrew have three grown children, Alexander, Olivia and Noah, and a standard poodle Margot.
Ministry Personnel Retreat Accommodation
People who are attending both the Ministry Personnel Retreat AND the Regional Council Meeting will book and pay for their own rooms. Check in Wednesday afternoon and stay in the same hotel room all weekend! Call in to book and pay for your own room quoting ‘UCC – Ministry Retreat’ to access that saved block of rooms. Canadian Shield Regional Council will reimburse you up to $350 for your accommodation, simply submit your hotel receipt to us.
The deadline to book a hotel room at Quattro is April 2, 2024.
Accommodations List
If you would rather not stay at Quattro, here is the accommodation list of other hotels available in Sault Ste. Marie. Canadian Shield Regional Council will reimburse you up to $350 for your accommodation, simply submit your hotel receipt to us.
Please note: there is another large conference in town the same weekend and hotel space may be limited, so we encourage you to book as soon as possible to ensure you have accommodation.
Staff Support for this event:
Robert Smith
Pastoral Relations Minister
Phone: 1-833-236-0281 Ext. 3
Email: rsmith@united-church.ca
Serves in: Canadian Shield Regional Council
Location: Teleworks and works in the Thunder Bay Office.
Role: Rob encourages and supports ministry personnel toward health, joy, and excellence in ministry practice.
Contact Rob about: Conflict Resolution; Finding A New Minister; Licensed Lay Worship Leaders; Licenses To Administer Sacraments; Pastoral Relationships Policy; Resources for Transition Times; Retirement; Sabbaticals; Sick Leave; Short Term Supply Ministers; Visiting Minister Options.
More about Rob...
Registion for Retreat
Registration for this event is now closed. Thank you for your interest we hope you can join us next time!