September, 2022

Ecumenical Shared Ministry Agreement

Between: Neepawa United Church

And: St. James’ Anglican Church of Neepawa

Revised September 2022

Mission Statement:

We seek to be a caring and compassionate Christian community, open and welcoming to all

people. We seek to worship and serve God in our community and in the world by following the

teaching and example of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

1.0 PREAMBLE/PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT

In this document, the working name of this community of faith is Neepawa United-Anglican

Shared Ministry, NUASM, also referred to as ESM, or Ecumenical Shared Ministry.

Ecumenical Shared Ministry is a reality that many rural and urban congregations across

denominational boundaries are considering and/or engaged in across this country.

Although it may be tempting to see such an arrangement as a diminished identity in the

body of Christ, this can be something very exciting and deeply rooted in God’s originally

intended purpose for the Church. Even though it may seem new to us, the sharing of

space, worship, outreach, mission, fellowship, resources and spiritual enrichment is doing

things just the way Jesus taught.

The members of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry, having the approval of two primary

judicatories: The Diocese of Brandon, Anglican Church of Canada and The United Church of

Canada, join together as a shared ecumenical community of faith and pledge to be

governed by the provisions of this agreement, and the policies of the primary judicatories.

The two congregations entering into this Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement have a

long history of cooperation in the Neepawa faith community. For almost a century they

have attended each other’s events, and in the past, have shared joint services in the

summer months. The intent of this Ecumenical Shared Ministry arrangement is to bring

these two congregations even closer together, recognizing their common foundation of

beliefs and purposes. Even though the community of faith takes on a new identity, the

individuals will still retain their original denominational affiliation as members of the

Neepawa United Church or St. James’ Anglican Church.

September, 2022

In this document, “congregation” refers to the Neepawa United Church congregation and the

St. James’ Anglican congregation while the term “Community of Faith” is used to represent the

new entity, the Ecumenical Shared Ministry.

2. RELATIONSHIP TO PARTICIPATING DENOMINATIONS

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry agrees to support faithfully, with prayer, personal service

and offerings, the work of the Church through the primary participating denominations,

and recognizes that it is subject to the constitutions, bylaws and enactments of the primary

judicatories.

The main way of relating to the primary judicatories is through the following structures:

Anglican - The Diocese of Brandon, and its Bishop, of the Anglican Church of Canada

United – Prairie to Pine Regional Council, United Church of Canada

The community of faith will encourage and support the participation of its members in

functions relating to the two denominations such as committees, meetings, conferences,

gatherings of the National and Regional Council of the United Church of Canada and of the

Diocesan, Provincial and General Synods of the Diocese of Brandon and the Anglican

Church of Canada.

Information received from primary judicatories will be appropriately shared within the

Community of Faith.

Parishioners shall be elected to represent the NUASM Board, and thus the two

denominations in the community of faith, at meetings of the two primary judicatories.

These representatives will provide minutes, reports and information as requested by the

NUASM Board and as required by the judicatories of which they are members.

Representatives serving as links to the primary denominations may be any member of the

community of faith i.e. a member of the Anglican Church may link to the United Church

judicatory and vice versa. However, requirements of the judicatories respecting

qualifications for representatives attending specific denominational functions will be

honoured.

3. REGISTRATION AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

Neepawa United Church and St. James’ Anglican Church will continue to use their own

Charitable Numbers. The NUASM will not at this time be registered as a charitable

organization.

September, 2022

4. a) MEMBERSHIP

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry welcomes all Christians, regardless of denominational

affiliation or background, into their fellowship. Individuals may become Members of

either the Anglican Church or Neepawa United Church by such procedures as Baptism,

Confirmation, Profession of Faith, or Transfer of Membership, depending upon the

requirements and procedures of their desired denomination.

Within the new community of faith, the congregations of Neepawa United Church and St.

James’ Anglican Church retain their original denominational affiliation. Communicant

Members and Friends (Anglican) or Full Members and Adherents (United) will continue to

be recorded and counted in the records of the appropriate congregation. Membership in

the new ESM Community of Faith will include the above and also others who may not

identify with either of the founding congregations, but support the ESM with their

presence and their gifts of time, talent and money. Thus, a person can be a “member of the

community of faith” but is not a “Member, Friend or Adherent” of either one of the

participating congregations in the NUASM community of faith.

Each denomination will maintain an accurate Membership Roll containing information in

accordance with the requirements of the participating denominations. These records will

be kept in the United Church vault. The ESM shall also maintain a Community of Faith List

used for mailing and contact purposes that includes all Members, Friends, Adherents and

others.

All persons on the Community of Faith List shall be encouraged to participate in the life

and work of this community of faith by sharing time, talent and resources.

4. b) CONGREGATIONAL AND COMMUNITY OF FAITH MEETINGS

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry shall hold an Annual General Meeting of the community of

faith. This meeting will be held not later than the last day of February of every year and must

follow the annual meetings of the two founding congregations.

Special meetings may also be called by the ESM Board or others in accordance with the polity of

the United Church of Canada or the Diocese of Brandon, to consider official business of the

NUASM or either congregation. The call for each special meeting shall specify the purpose of

the meeting.

Notice of all congregational and community of faith meetings shall normally be announced

from the pulpit at the services of worship on the preceding two Sundays prior to the date of the

September, 2022

meeting, and will allow at least 10 days to elapse between the first notice and the meeting

date. In addition to this, the notice for these meetings shall be posted on the main entrance

door of the church for all to see.

At all community of faith meetings, Members, Friends, Adherents and others participating in

the life of the community of faith, will have the right to vote on all items.

Meetings of the NUASM do not require denominational balance. United Church and Anglican

Church congregational meetings will be governed by the polity, policies, or canons and

constitution of their respective denominations.

There must be 25 community of faith members present for a quorum at ESM community of

faith meetings. Members must be present to vote.

Bourinot’s Rules of Order shall be employed at all congregational and community of faith

meetings unless judicatory polity indicates otherwise.

4. c) GOVERNANCE

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry will be administered by the NUASM Board. The Board is

comprised of the Executive, various standing committee chairs, (or alternates) and will normally

have participation from both denominations. This Board will deal with all aspects of church life

except those reserved for the continuing congregations of Neepawa United Church and St.

James’ Anglican Church.

The Board of the Neepawa United Church and the Vestry of St. James’ Anglican Church will

continue to meet as outlined in their structure documents (if any) and as required by their

judicatory, with the necessary officers and members, and will be responsible for receiving and

receipting donations, managing property in their trust, submitting required reports and funds

to judicatories and to Canada Revenue Agency, and other duties as may be requested by the

NUASM Board or the judicatories. Each congregation will continue to have the

trustees/wardens required by their judicatory.

Any member, as described in part 4 a) is eligible to serve on the NUASM Board. Incumbent

clergy will not normally be elected to positions on the NUASM Board. The responsibilities and

duties of all Board members will be described in a Policies and Procedures Manual. While the

NUASM Board does not require a denominational balance between the two parties in the

Ecumenical Shared Ministry, the Nominating Committee will always strive to ensure both

Anglican and United Church members are included. A person may serve on the NUASM board

and on the Vestry or NUC Board.

September, 2022

NUASM Board & Committees

(a) Chair – elected every two years – odd years and will chair the Nominating committee

(b) Vice Chair – elected every two years (odd years) and will normally become the Chair

(d) Treasurer –The elected treasurers of Neepawa United Church and St. James’ Anglican

Parish shall fill this position on the NUASM board.

(e) Serving clergy (ex-officio) or a person appointed in their stead by a judicatory body

(f) The chair or a designated person from each of the following standing committees:

Standing Committees

All chairpersons of the following committees (or their representatives) are members of the

Board and will be elected for a two-year term, but all may serve multiple terms.

(a) Stewardship Committee

(b) Worship Committee

(d) Pastoral Care Committee

(e) Ministry and Personnel Committee

Other Board Members

(a) Persons elected as member or representative of each of the judicatory bodies. This

may be the same person that represents the judicatory body on each of the Neepawa

United Church Board or St. James’ Anglican Vestry.

Elections and Appointments

The NUASM Board is elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Nominating Committee will

present the names of candidates for election at the monthly Board Meeting preceding the

Annual Meeting. The NUASM Board will be empowered to appoint replacements that may

occur due to the resignation of any position before their term is up. An elected member’s place

on the Board will be declared vacant if the member (i) ceases to be a member of the

congregation, (ii) is absent from three successive regular meetings of the NUASM Board

without reasonable cause. In the event of a vacancy, the Board will name another person to

serve the balance of the term.

The members of the Board of the Neepawa United Church and the Vestry of St. James’ Anglican

Church are elected at separately called annual meetings.

September, 2022

The Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee which will include representatives from

both denominations.

Board Meetings

The NUASM Board will meet as required, but at least quarterly. Meeting dates will be

determined by the Board. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair. A quorum

for a meeting shall be 50% plus one of the current active Board members and must include

appointed ministry personnel or an alternate named by judicatories, and at least one member

of each founding denomination.

4. d) CLERGY

Ordained or Diaconal clergy in good standing in either the United Church of Canada or the

Anglican Church of Canada will be eligible to apply to serve in this ESM. Other candidates may

be considered only with the approval of both judicatories.

When it becomes known that the incumbent cleric serving the congregations of St. James’

Anglican Church and Neepawa United Church in the Ecumenical Shared Ministry will be leaving

that position, the ESM Board will, as soon as practical, name an ad hoc group to begin the work

leading to the appointment of clergy to fill the pending vacancy. See Ecumenical Shared

Ministries Handbook (2019), section 6, “Basis of Agreement for Clergy Appointments”, page 14.

The first step will be to develop a description of the ministry site, including a summary of the

role of clergy and benefits being offered in the NUASM. Judicatory policies, support and

guidelines will inform this work. When the description of the site and clergy role have received

approval from the NUASM Board and community of faith, as well as both judicatories, the ad

hoc committee moves to the selection stage.

The search process will follow the established policies and practices of at least one of the

primary participating denominations and will not contravene the policies of either.

When a suitable candidate has been found, recommendations and requests for approval will be

made to the ESM Board, the community of faith, and both judicatories. The appointment or call

will be carried out according to the established practices of the candidate’s denomination of

ordination / commissioning. Responsibility for oversight, correction, and discipline of the cleric

will also rest with the denomination of ordination or commissioning.

A cleric thus chosen and called / appointed will be recognized by both The United Church of

Canada and the Diocese of Brandon in the Anglican Church of Canada as member of the clergy

September, 2022

in the Neepawa ESM which is made up of both St James’ Anglican and Neepawa United Church

Congregations.

In so far as it is permitted by the incumbent denomination, the clergy serving NUASM will be

ex- officio members of the NUASM Board and committees, and the governing bodies of both St.

James’ Anglican Church and Neepawa United Church. Clergy of either denomination serving the

NUASM will be eligible to attend meetings and participate in either judicatory as if it were their

own denomination.

A Cleric will remain subject to the provision of discipline and employment standards of their

originating judicatory.

4. e) OTHER MINISTRY TEAM MEMBERS

Both founding congregations have fostered strong lay leaders whose contributions add

value to the life and work of the community of faith. Such lay leadership will continue to

be a vital and visible part of ecumenical community of faith.

In addition to the appointed / called clergy, the ministry team of the ESM community of

faith will normally include one or more paid support staff, as well as several lay leaders

who may or may not receive remuneration for their services.

Persons appropriately trained / licensed / appointed as vocational deacons, sacrament

elders, licensed lay worship leaders, educators, musicians, pastoral care providers, etc.

will serve within the scope of their training and authority, and in co-operation with the

clergy and committees of the community of faith. Appropriate lines of supervision and

accountability will be established for paid or volunteer lay persons serving the community

of faith in roles such as those named above.

4. f) CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

The Ecumenical Shared Ministry primarily orders its life as a community of faith through

worship, mission and outreach, and education. The Ecumenical Shared Ministry may use

the worship and educational resources of the primary participating denominations, or

other resources acceptable to the judicatory bodies.

Worship is a shared responsibility. Individuals who are entrusted with leading worship

can use their own discretion when crafting the worship service. Worship may incorporate

resources for liturgy and hymnody from the primary participating denominations in

consultation with Clergy and Worship Committee.

September, 2022

Sunday worship will bring both church families together at the Neepawa United Church

building. With care and attention to the core values of each congregation and their

respective traditions, the weekly worship will be a cohesive, meaningful liturgy that

speaks to both United and Anglican members of the community of faith in deep and

meaningful ways. The details of the worship services will be under the oversight of a

Worship Committee comprised of members from both traditions.

The Worship Committee will work cooperatively with the clergy to develop regular and

special worship services that include familiar procedures and traditions from both the

Anglican and United Church denominations, so that members of the ESM community of

faith will feel comfortable worshipping together.

The Worship Committee will be involved with the Clergy in planning and leading special

services (Lenten, Advent, etc.), and in preparing elements for Communion, changing the

banners and table runners in the sanctuary, and other functions as are required in the life

of the church.

Liturgies may be drawn from either Anglican or United Church to meet the needs of the

congregation. Sunday Communion services may use both wine and grape juice as the

norm. Frequency and style of communion will be discussed between clergy and Worship

Committee. Sunday communion services will follow the United Church practice of the

Open Table, in which Communion is offered to all who desire to know or experience the

gracious love of God.

For clarity, United Church Communion services will follow United Church practice and

policy. Anglican Church Communion services will follow the applicable Canon Law.

Holy Eucharist using the Anglican Rite will be offered regularly on a suitable day of the week or

month. When the incumbent clergy is not an Anglican priest, the Bishop will be responsible to

appoint someone to preside over this service.

Baptism services would normally follow the liturgical Rites of either the Diocese of Brandon,

Anglican Church of Canada or United Church of Canada or a variation suitable to the Worship

Committee and the judicatories.

Vestments may vary depending on seasons, services, and preferences of clergy.

September, 2022

4. g) PROPERTY AND ASSETS

 All assets of the Neepawa United Church [non-Trust Funds, Neepawa United Church

Memorial Fund, Neepawa United Church Building/Construction Account, investments and

the real estate (land and buildings at 475 Mountain Avenue, Neepawa, MB)] will continue to

be held in trust by the trustees of Neepawa United Church as part of the United Church of

Canada. These assets shall be maintained by the Board and Trustees of the Neepawa United

Church and used for the benefit of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry.

 Investment income from the sale of St. James’ Anglican Church and Rectory will be used to

support the Ecumenical Shared Ministry. Other St. James’ funds are held in trust in the

Diocese and are available to the St. James’ Anglican Parish upon request to and approval of

the Bishop.

 Both congregations will use their own envelopes and the United Church PAR system, and

each will issue receipts for donations received.

 Both Judicatories have Foundations or funds from which support may be requested for

special projects.

 Neepawa United Church Board and the St. James’ Anglican Vestry will continue to operate

their finances to retain their status as functioning congregations.

 Both Anglican and United Church Members / Friends/ Adherents will be expected to share

in the counting of Sunday offering and the recording of donations.

 NUASM may initiate and undertake various fund-raising activities to support the ministry of

the Community of Faith. Funds raised in this manner will be credited directly to the

Neepawa United Church General Account and be used for operating expenses including full

time ministry. NUASM has an expense line in the Neepawa United Church annual budget.

4. h) CONFLICT IN THE CHURCH

See The Diocese of Brandon Canon XV on “Disputes”, Anglican Church of Canada Canon XVIII

“On Discipline”, and the United Church Manual, section J.3” Principles of Conflict Resolution”

Conflicts may arise because of strongly held and differing ideas, violations of rights, and our

own human imperfections. Unresolved conflict causes suffering and injury to individuals and to

the body of Christ, and takes time, energy, and other resources away from our work.

When conflict does arise, it must be resolved as quickly and as fairly as possible. The church is

called to deal pastorally with the pain that conflict causes. This requires compassionate love,

forgiveness, wholeness, and humility. It also requires that justice be done, and be seen to be

done.

The likelihood of disputes may be reduced by such things as: clear position descriptions for staff

and volunteers, routine reviews of performance and working conditions, intentional

September, 2022

appreciation and support of volunteers and staff, regular and ongoing meetings among staff

and volunteers, and an engaged Ministry and Personnel Committee.

If the conflict involves the incumbent or if the dispute may be called harassment, abuse,

misconduct, etc., the judicatories of both the United and Anglican denominations will be

promptly consulted and engaged in order to bring resolution to the conflict.

In other instances of conflict between any members of the Community of Faith that cannot be

settled by the parties themselves, and when such conflict is deemed injurious to the peace,

prosperity, and health of the Community of Faith, the Incumbent and members of the NUASM

Board may confer with one another and with judicatory leaders. They may call on others who

are experienced in these processes to help them with resolving the conflict. (eg, persons

trained or skilled in conflict resolution. See also the following United Church handbooks

“Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, & Violence Response Policy;” “Regional Council

Conflict Resolution Policy;” “Dispute Resolution Handbook;” “Sexual Misconduct, Prevention

and Response Policy and Procedures.”)

Early reconciliation of conflict is not always possible. Both denominations have formal

processes in which people outside the conflict decide the outcome for those who are in it.

4. i) REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS

Once the ESM Agreement is considered “final” there will continue to be community of faith and

judicatory review every three to five years thereafter, to ensure that it satisfactorily represents

the mission and purpose of the ecumenical community of faith and its primary participating

denominations. At any time, small changes may be made and tested on a trial basis. Proposals

for significant changes must be submitted to the community of faith and both judicatories for

approval. A review may be initiated at any time by one of 1) a motion from the NUASM Board,

2) the judicatory of either denomination 3) the governing body of either St. James’ Anglican

Church or Neepawa United Church or 4) the incumbent cleric. Normally, both judicatories will

be represented at a review.

Fundamental amendments to the Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement may be made at any

community of faith meeting by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance, subject to the

approvals of the judicatories. Following adoption of a proposed amendment, the secretary

shall forward a copy to the primary participating judicatories.

September, 2022

The primary participating judicatories may propose amendments to this agreement. Such

amendments shall be considered at a special community of faith meeting called for that

purpose and shall be adopted by two-thirds vote of those in attendance.

4. j) OPTING OUT

Participating denominations can choose to opt out of this agreement by giving one hundred

and eighty (180) days written notice to the other judicatories involved and to the community of

faith itself. In addition to written notice, denominations choosing to opt out of this agreement

may send representatives to a community of faith meeting to explain their decision.

Denominations opting out of this agreement are expected to detail how they will provide

pastoral care and service to members of their respective denominations in the event their

decision to opt out of the covenant becomes final.

Upon dissolution of the agreement, the property and assets described above shall be

distributed as follows:

a. The real estate (475 Mountain Avenue, Neepawa, MB) shall continue to be held in trust by

Trustees of the Neepawa United Church, as part of the United Church of Canada.

b. Unless otherwise memorialized or listed in any other way directing specific ownership to any

of the primary participating judicatories, all assets that are of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry

shall be shared proportionally between the Neepawa United Church of the United Church of

Canada and St. James Anglican Church of the Diocese of Brandon of the Anglican Church of

Canada.

Note: In matters not covered in this ESM document, please refer to the Manual of The

United Church of Canada, and related Handbooks including The Ecumenical Shared

Ministry Handbook, and the Canons of the Anglican Diocese of Brandon, the Ecclesiastical

Province of Rupert's Land, the Canons of the Anglican Church of Canada.

September, 2022

Signatories

ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH

By:

_______________________________________ ___________________

Rector’s Warden, Nancy Hunter Date:

______________________________________ ___________________

People’s Warden, Anita d’Armada Date:

NEEPAWA UNITED CHURCH

By:

_________________________________________ ___________________

Chair, Church Board Rita Friesen Date:

________________________________________ ___________________

Chair, Trustees Leona Kucher Date:

THE DIOCESE OF BRANDON, ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA

By:

_______________________________________ ___________________

The Right Reverend William Cliff Date:

The Bishop of the Diocese of Brandon

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

By:

______________________________________ ___________________

Prairie to Pine Regional Council Date:

September, 2022

Neepawa United-Anglican Ecumenical Shared Ministry

Glossary of Terms

many definitions taken from Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook

ACC - denotes common usage in the Anglican Church of Canada

UCC - denotes common usage in The United Church of Canada

ADHERENT

UCC

Someone who participates in a congregation but who is not a

formal member

ALTAR

ACC

The table on which the Eucharist is celebrated. The altar is

placed in a central position in the church as the focus of

worship, as it symbolically represents Christ’s sacrifice. Called

the Communion Table in the United Church

ASSESSMENT

UCC

Amount that congregations / communities of faith are

requested to pay to the denominational council for the work of

the wider church; the formula for determining the annual

assessment is based on income; similar to Fairshare

BAPTISM

One of two sacraments (the other is Communion) recognized

by the United Church as the entry into the Christian Church

universal, sometimes called the Holy Catholic Church. Done

with the pouring, sprinkling of water or (rarely) immersion, and

using ecumenically agreed upon words, with or without

additional words. Open to people of any age and

accompanied by commitments of faith.

BISHOP

ACC

One of the three orders of ministry (bishop, priest, deacon).

The highest order of the ordained ministry in the Anglican

Church. Bishops are elected by the diocese or by the

province, according to the particular canons of the diocese. A

diocesan bishop presides over a diocese;

CALL

UCC

The process of selecting and appointing ministry personnel to

serve in a particular congregation or ministry situation. Also

used with reference to a person’s call by God and the church

to serve in a particular way

CANON

ACC

An article of church law or regulation; also an honorary title

given by the bishop to some senior clergy or laypersons. Also

used to refer to authorized Scripture

COMMISSIONING:

UCC

The setting apart by the regional council, upon approval of the

Office of Vocation, of someone for the diaconal ministry of

education, service and pastoral care.

COMMUNITY OF

FAITH

When used in this document refers to the ecumenical group

of people gathering regularly for worship and work under the

name Neepawa United-Anglican Shared Ministry

CONFIRMATION

ACC

When a person who has been baptized is confirmed in their

faith by the laying on of hands by the bishop. Originally part of

the baptismal rite, it may be done at baptism or at any later

age. Traditional custom was as a rite of passage into

adulthood, when young people accepted their baptismal

promises for themselves, and it was a prerequisite to receive

September, 2022

UCC

communion. Some dioceses prefer that confirmation take

place in full adulthood; others keep the age of 12 to 13 years.

It is always done by a bishop as the sign of the whole church

and the agent of laying on of hands.

Reaffirmation of baptismal vows, usually with laying on of

hands by the minister and selected lay members. Confirmation

classes are usually held for young people and interested

adults. Sometimes called profession of faith.

CONGREGATION

When used in this document refers to the continuing St.

James’ Anglican congregation and the continuing Neepawa

United Church congregation, both of which have agreed to

come together and share most of their work and ministry in a

single ecumenical community of faith

CONGREGATIONAL

DESIGNATED

MINISTER

UCC

A baptized lay person employed by a community of faith in a

specified ministry position designated by the regional council

as accountable to the governing body of the community of

faith.

COUNCIL

UCC

The United Church is organized into three levels or councils

and the Office of Vocation. The three councils are the

community of faith, the regional council and the General

Council. The term is also commonly used by some

communities of faith as the name of their governing body.

COVENANTING

SERVICE

UCC

A service of worship conducted at the beginning of every new

call or appointment to celebrate the new pastoral relationship

that has been established. May involve leadership by people

appointed by the Regional Council.

Similar to induction or installation service

DESIGNATED LAY

MINISTER: (DLM)

UCC

A lay member of the United Church appointed by a regional

council to serve in paid accountable ministry for a limited time

in a particular place. A designated lay minister may be

recognized as such by the regional council when they have

completed an appropriate educational program, including

education supervision during the program, to the satisfaction

of the Office of Vocation. Upon appropriate request, the

Regional Council may license a DLM to administer the

sacraments.

DIACONAL

MINISTER

UCC

One of the two streams of the Order of Ministry; the other

stream is Ordination. see “Minister (noun).”

DIOCESE

ACC

All Anglican congregations within a given geographical area,

overseen by a bishop and organized in accordance with the

canons of the Church.

ECCLESIASTICAL

PROVINCE:

ACC

A group of dioceses under the jurisdiction of a provincial

synod, and presided over by a metropolitan. In Canada, there

are four ecclesiastical provinces: British Columbia, Rupert’s

Land, Ontario, and Canada.

ECUMENISM

Generally meaning the work towards the reconciliation of the

whole Church. Sometimes expanded to include inter-faith

work.

September, 2022

EUCHARIST /

COMMUNION

ACC

UCC

Eucharist is the usual term for the Sacrament of the Altar,

although the term Holy Communion is also used. Some

Anglicans call it mass or divine liturgy. Normally celebrated

every Sunday, at the main service and often at additional

times on Sunday or during the week. The principal service of

worship in the Anglican Church which re-enacts the Lord's

Supper. From the Latin word meaning Thanksgiving.

Communion is the common term for the Sacrament of the

Lord’s Supper

EX OFFICIO

By virtue of their office or position

FAIRSHARE

ACC

The amount charged to the congregations in the Diocese of

Brandon to fund the annual unified budget of diocesan

expenditures.

FRIEND

ACC

someone who considers themselves attached to St. James’

Anglican in Neepawa, and may or may not be regular

communicant members.

INCUMBENT

Person currently holding office, usually referring to the minister

JUDICATORY

ACC

UCC

A term used in Ecumenical Shared Ministry situations to

describe a governing body or person(s) who has responsibility

for oversight of the ministry situation

In the Anglican Church this is the Bishop

In the United Church the Regional Council, the

Denominational Council and the Office of Vocation share

judicatory responsibility for communities of faith and ministry

personnel

LAY PERSONS

/ LAITY

ACC

UCC

Baptized members of the Church who are not ordained

Members of the Church who are not ordained or

commissioned

LAY READER

ACC

A lay member of the Anglican Church who is licensed by the

diocesan bishop to conduct prayer services in a parish, to

read scripture at public worship, lead prayers, and assist the

priest at the altar.

LICENSED LAY

WORSHIP LEADER

(LLWL)

UCC

A lay member of The United Church of Canada who has been

recommended by the governing body of their community of

faith, duly educated, and licensed by their regional council to

offer occasional worship leadership and preaching within the

bounds of their regional council.

LICENSING

ACC

UCC

All clergy (including those in ecumenical shared ministries)

need to be licensed by a bishop in order to exercise ministry in

a diocese; lay readers are also licensed for their particular

ministry

Authorizing someone to practice ministry—as in the licensing

of lay worship leaders or the licensing of lay/commissioned

diaconal ministry personnel to administer the sacraments

within a particular community of faith.

LITURGY

Both the order of service and the event of worship; The

manner, ritual and ceremonies by which we worship.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the church is of all the baptized. There may be

additional requirements to be a member of a particular

September, 2022

COMMUNICANT

MEMBER

FULL MEMBER

ACC

UCC

congregation or community of faith or to share in the

responsibilities of members of the congregation.

Any baptized person who has been admitted to the eucharist

and normally attends worship in an Anglican church.

Full member refers to a United Church member who has been

confirmed or made an adult profession of faith and is accepted

as a full member of a given congregation. Their name is

entered into the historic roll of members. A full member of one

congregation may ask to have their membership transferred to

another (usually United Church) congregation.

MINISTER

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All are ministers by virtue of their baptism, but the term is

more commonly used to refer to those set apart by ordination,

commissioning or appointment to specific ministries.

It is more common for the term “rector” or “priest” to be used if

the person is an ordained priest

MINISTRY

PERSONNEL

UCC

Used to describe those set apart for particular ministry through

ordination, commissioning, recognition and appointment,

MISSION AND

SERVICE

UCC

Name of the General Council fund to support the local,

national and global partnership work of the UCC. All

communities of faith and members of encouraged to support

this fund through donations and budgets.

MODERATOR:

UCC

The person elected by General Council to serve as Presider of

General Council and its executive. The person is considered

the spiritual leader of the denomination and serves until the

next General Council, usually held every three years.

ORDER OF

MINISTRY

UCC

There are two orders of ministry: Those commissioned to the

diaconal ministry of education, service and pastoral care and

those ordained to the ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral

care.

OFFICE OF

VOCATION

UCC

The part of the General Council that sets standards for and

accredits candidates for ministry, oversees and disciplines

ministry personnel. The Board of Vocation is an elected body

that oversees the Office of Vocation.

ORDINATION

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UCC

The service of laying-on-of-hands with prayer by the bishop

admitting someone to the order of deacon, priest or bishop.

The setting apart by the regional council, upon approval by the

Office of Vocation, of someone for the ordained ministry of

word, sacrament and pastoral care. Usually includes laying on

of hands and prayer

PARISH

A geographical area in which a priest, deacon or lay person is

licensed to serve the church. A parish may be made up of one

or more congregations.

POLITY

As used in ecclesiastical terms, is the operational and

governance structure of a church or of a Christian

denomination. It also denotes the ministerial structure of a

church and the authority relationships between churches.

Contained in Canons and the Manual, and other.

September, 2022

PRIEST

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A person ordained by a bishop to be a servant of the Church

through Word and Sacrament. Prior to ordination, a priest has

served for a period of time as a Deacon.

PRIMATE

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The spiritual head of the national church. This is always an

archbishop, who is elected by the General Synod and may

serve until 70 years of age. The chair of the General Synod.

PROVINCE

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A group of dioceses in a region. Also called ecclesiastical

province. The national church is a Province (with a capital p)

of the Anglican Communion. It contains four ecclesiastical

provinces (lowercase), each led by an archbishop.

PWRDF

ACC

Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund: Anglican fund

and program for disaster relief, development work and

education.

QUORUM

The people required at a meeting to legally make decisions.

REGIONAL

COUNCIL

UCC

The council of the church that provides support to ministry

personnel and support to and oversight of communities of

faith. There are 16 regional councils. We are in Prairie to Pine

Reginal Council which includes all of Manitoba and the portion

of NW Ontario in the Central time zone

SACRAMENT

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UCC

Sacraments are traditionally understood as “outward and

visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.” The Anglican

tradition recognizes two primary or “Gospel” sacraments,

namely baptism and eucharist. Many Anglicans hold that there

are other sacramental rites as well, including confirmation,

confession and absolution, marriage, ordination, and anointing

of the sick.

A holy act instituted by Jesus; uses visible elements and

promises a spiritual blessing. A means of grace. Two

recognized: baptism and communion.

SACRAMENT

ELDER

UCC

A lay member of the congregation trained and authorized to

administer sacraments in the absence of appointed ministry

personnel

SANCTUARY

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UCC

The word sometimes refers to the ancient custom of providing

safe space (sanctuary) to fugitives

The part of the church building surrounding the altar

The part of the church building where people normally gather

for worship.

STANDING

COMMITTEE

UCC

Ongoing committees of the community of faith’s governing

body. They differ from an ad hoc committee which may be

named to do a particular, time-limited task.

STEWARDSHIP

Use of time, talent and treasure in responsible ways for the

sake of the world, often with a focus on the work of the church.

SYNOD

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The governing body of a diocese made up of all the licensed

clergy, lay representatives of all the parishes, ex officio

members and the bishop. It meets at designated intervals to

conduct the business of the diocese.

TRUSTEE

UCC

The board of the congregation/community of faith that holds in

trust the property, both real and personal, of the

congregation/community of faith. Their role is carefully

proscribed in the Manual.

September, 2022

VESTMENTS

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UCC

The distinctive clothing reserved for use in the liturgy, worn by

the clergy and those serving at the altar. Variations in style

and colour denote the office of the wearer and the season or

festival being celebrated. For the eucharist, usually an alb and

stole, often covered by a chasuble. For Services of the Word,

cassock and surplice, with a black preaching scarf and

possibly a university hood.

Distinctive clothing worn by ministry personnel who are

presiding at a worship service. Often a gown or alb and stole

for the season, or regular business attire, perhaps with a stole,

and with or without a clerical collar

VESTRY

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The decision-making body of a congregation, elected from the

lay members.

VOCATIONAL

DEACON

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is a person who enters holy orders of the diaconate and is

called to remain a deacon, rather than entering the diaconate

transitionally on the path to the priesthood.

WARDENS

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Wardens: A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish or

congregation of the Anglican Church. The churchwardens

together with the incumbent form the corporation of a parish

and by virtue thereof, are included as signing officers for the

parish or mission.

Rector’s Warden-appointed by the incumbent to share the

mutual responsibility in fulfilling the total ministry of the parish.

People’s Warden-elected by the members of the parish at the

annual general meeting to confer with the incumbent about the

concerns and needs of the congregation.