Following the departure of Rev. Christopher White who was minister of Westminster for 18 years, our congregation has embarked on process of transition to lead us to new leadership. Rev. Bill Service was appointed as retired supply minister at Westminster effective November 1, 2010. His last Sunday sermon with us will be March 4th. We have been blessed to have "Rev. Bill", as well as his wife Kathy, serve here at Westminster over the past 16 months.

A Joint Needs Assessment Committee (JNAC) was formed October 2010. Their work was completed in March 2011and the final Joint Needs Assessment Report is posted below.

This Joint Needs Assessment Report was approved by the Board of Management March 22nd, the Congregation April 3rd and Oshawa Presbytery May 17th (when vacancies were also declared).
At the Westminster United Church Congregational meeting on April 3rd, a Joint Search Committee (JSC) was selected. Here are the minutes of that special meeting ----- WUC Congregational Meeting (April 3, 2011)

The Joint Search Committee (JSC) has been hard at work and provided periodic updates to the congregation. This email address can be used to forward any congregation comments ---- jsc@westminster-uc.ca.

Update
A congregational meeting held December 4th unanimously confirmed calling Rev. Michelle Robinson for the fulltime Ordained Minister position effective March 2012. This confirmation was subsequently approved by Oshawa Presbytery early January 2012. Westminster’s JSC is thrilled that Michelle has accepted the position. Rev. Robinson is currently the minister at Richview United Church in Etobicoke. Her first Sunday service at Westminster will be March 18th. Rev. Robinson and her husband Jake will be relocating to a newly purchased home in Oshawa on Feb. 27th.

The JSC is now moving ahead to fill the halftime (.5) Formation Leader – Christian Education & Leadership Development position at Westminster. At the same time, a transition group has been struck by JSC to liaise with Rev. Robinson over the next few months.

Applicants ---- Our corresponding secretary, Bob Neil, would be pleased to confidentially receive applications and any supporting materials for the .5 (half time) Formation Leader position. The current deadline for applications is March 15th. Please use this email address to correspond with the Joint Search Committee:bob.neil@westminster-uc.ca OR mail to Bob Neil, 27 Ribblesdale Drive, Whitby, ON L1N 6Z3.


Joint Needs Assessment Report:

Joint Needs Assessment Report – Westminster United Church (March 2011)

Other background documents:

Westminster United Church - 2010 Annual Report

Westminster United Church - Strategic Plan (September, 2010)

Westminster United Church – Constitution (last revised 2005)



Joint Search Committee members: Joanne MacPherson (Chair), Lorraine Joynt (Vice-Chair), Eileen Whitney (Recording Secretary), Bob Neil (Corresponding Secretary), Iain Beaumont, Ashley Edwards, Paul Kneebone, Maisie Morrison, Teena Morrow, Paul Pierson and Joan Sanderson. Susan Robinson and Sharon Goulding are the two Presbytery representatives.