REPORT OF
THE
JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
ZION UNITED CHURCH
TUPPERVILLE
ONTARIO
N0P 2M0
2003
Church and Manse
Mission Statement
Zion United Church, Tupperville
We are a Christian family
United by the love of and for Jesus Christ,
Striving to follow the example of the life and teaching of our Lord
Through worship, prayer, and fellowship with one another,
Reaching out into the community
And throughout God’s world.
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Zion United Church is a one point charge, located in the village of Tupperville (Population 200) in the Municipality of Chatham – Kent in Southwestern Ontario.
Tupperville is situated on the Sydenham River between the towns of Wallaceburg (pop11,000) and Dresden ( pop 2,700) . It is 30 km from the cities of Chatham (pop 43,000) and Sarnia (60,000). It is about one hour drive to the cities of London and Windsor, and 3 hours to Toronto.
Tupperville sits in the middle of one of the richest agricultural areas in Ontario. The main commercial activity of the village is supplying services to local farmers. The majority of the residents work elsewhere.
SCHOOLS – HEALTH CARE – SOCIAL SERVICES
The newly formed Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has campuses in Chatham and Wallaceburg. Professional services are available for medical, Chiropractic, Dental, Optometry, Veterinary and Social Services in Wallaceburg, Dresden, Chatham and Sarnia.
Children living in the village and surrounding area are bussed to schools in Dresden and Wallaceburg.
In Chatham there is St. Clair Community College, Thames Campus and Lambton Community College in Sarnia. University of Guelph has a campus in Ridgetown. In Windsor, there is the University of Windsor and St. Clair Community College. The University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe Community College are located in London.
CULTURAL – SOCIAL – RECREATIONAL
The Tupperville Athletic Association maintains a ball diamond, play area, basketball court and Community Hall.
Dresden, Wallaceburg and Chatham areas have something for everyone. There are arenas for figure skating and hockey, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, many golf courses, bowling, lawn bowling, curling, soccer, and baseball. Chatham has a Y M C A and several fitness clubs. With Rondeau Provincial Park and the Great lakes so close, there is ample opportunity for sunning, fishing, camping and pleasure boating. Mitchell’s Bay Marina is fast developing and provides access to Lake St Clair. Dresden is home of a horse race track and slots and two golf courses are in the vicinity.
Most shopping is done in the cities and towns, but Tupperville does have a general convenience store which serves light lunches. Chatham has a six movie Cineplex and The Chatham Cultural Centre offers musicals and theatrical productions. Both Wallaceburg and Chatham have museums. Dresden is home to Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historical Site-a link on the Underground Railroad. A year-round ferry to the United States is only 20 minutes away. Bridges to U.S. are also close by in Sarnia and Windsor.
PASTORAL CHARGE PROFILE
Tupperville is a friendly, caring community of faith. A broad age group of worshippers attend our services. We have many leaders in our church and are especially fortunate to have a certified lay preacher in our congregation.
We are responsive to Community and World needs such as the Mission and Service Fund, Dresden and Wallaceburg food bank, Salvation Army and Operation Christmas Child. We are helping to support the Community Park.
A pastoral care team visits shut-ins regularly.
Sundays are filled with the sound of music. We have many gifted musicians. Besides our senior and junior choirs, we are fortunate to have a very talented male quartet, who has just produced their first C.D. A youth group, named Baseline Band plays when all members are home from school. More talent comes from pianists, guitarists, and a flutist.
Challenges and Opportunities
Our congregation needs to attract more youth and young adults to church services.
We need to rejuvenate our Sunday School.
Community outreach is also an important part of our church.
Like most farming communities, our population is aging and undergoing changes, farms are being sold and we are losing members.
HISTORY OF THE TUPPERVILLE CHARGE
Zion United Church in Tupperville began in 1874 as part of the Sydenham circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first parsonage was built in 1887 and still exists today. However our present manse was erected in 1918.
The Tupperville Pastoral Charge was formed in 1878 as a three point charge, Shiloh, Salem and Zion. The First brick church was constructed in Tupperville in 1902. On June 6, 1931 disaster hit the community when the church was struck by lightning and burned. With courage, faith and strong determination the Congregation didn’t hesitate in making plans to replace their church. Seating capacity is 200 plus a choir loft and balcony. A full basement has seating for 100.
The church has an organ and three pianos and necessary office equipment.
A wheelchair ramp
has been added to improve accessibility.
In 1978, as part of our centennial celebrations, the addition of Hardy Hall was built and includes washrooms, small kitchen and a room for meetings.
Tupperville has a nice, comfortable manse built in 1918 and remodeled over the years as necessary. It has a fully equipped kitchen, living room, dining room and a half bathroom on the main floor. Three bedrooms, study and full bathroom are upstairs. The basement has been newly renovated in 2003 and includes mud room, bonus room (which could be used as office or family room) and utility and storage rooms. There is also a single car detached garage.
In 1963 with congregation dwindling, Shiloh decided to amalgamate. In 2001, after much consideration Salem congregation decided it would be best to amalgamate with Zion. Final service was July 29, 2001 and celebrated our joining to become one family.
Over the years Tupperville Zion United Church has demonstrated its faith and dedication through the fundraising efforts of the Choir with their Music Nights, the UCW with their fabulous beef suppers, and fall canvass to keep the church financially stable.
Today, Tupperville Zion United Church is an active church with 171 members and 192 households. Most adherents are not from the village but from the surrounding area. Average weekly attendance is 60. An
Official Board consisting of Session, Stewards, Trustees, Sunday School, U.C.W., Ministry and Personnel Committees.
SESSION
The Session is responsible for worship. Tupperville is a friendly church, open minded and willing to try new approaches to worship including music and drama. Involvement by children, youth and adults is appreciated. Communion is served both in the pews and at the rail and is open to children at the parents’discretion. We encourage a strong emphasis on spirituality and the experience of God.
STEWARDS
The Stewards look after the finances, the manse and the Church property. They serve breakfast after our Sunrise service, host a B.B.Q. during our outdoor service in June, and spearhead the fall canvass.
UNITED CHURCH WOMEN
The U.C.W. is a group of very busy women. The beef suppers that are a major fundraiser are held twice a year, and serve around 300 people each time. In 2000 the great cookbook was created with 1550 copies sold. Every June the U.C.W. participates in the annual village yard sale, selling everything from glassware to hotdogs. Always available when asked, they provide help at after church lunches and funeral receptions.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School is active with 25 on the roll. Intergenerational services with both children and adults are always a hit. The Sunday School is also in charge of the White Gift service in Advent.
PASTORAL CARE TEAM
The Pastoral Care Team makes visits to the sick and shut in of our church family and extended community.
With the help of the Zion Link on the internet many are informed of the happenings of our members.
CHOIR
We are fortunate here at Zion to have many musically gifted people. Our senior choir has a membership of 12, which includes the male quartet. We are also favored to have a children’s choir called “Kids Under Construction”. The choir director plays either the Rodgers organ or the piano.
THE TUPPERVILLE FRIDAY NIGHTERS
The Friday Nighters are a group of highly sociable people around the age of 38. They gather together about 6 times a year to have fun and fellowship doing such thing as pool parties, BBQ”s or even a night of bowling. They are often seen helping at fundraisers.
DECORATING COMMITTEE
Eleven groups of four or five families take turns decorating the sanctuary on a monthly basis.
RESOURCE PROFILE
We operate on a budget of about $80,000. The Board of Stewards conduct an annual fall canvas and the remainder is raised and donated by groups like our U.C.W. Our congregation is very responsive to specific appeals like our pew pad program. The congregation raised $3,000. within three weeks.
Zion United Church Tupperville owns and maintains a very comfortable manse. Our manse is located in the village of Tupperville.
More details of the manse and church building can be found in the History of the Tupperville Charge- Page 7.
A copy of the 2002 Financial Statement is available. .
The church is equipped with Computer, TV and VCR.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
We prefer an Ordained or Diaconal Minister working full-time but we are open to creative ministerial alternatives which could include Part-time Ordained/Diaconal Minister (minimum 75%) or Lay Pastoral Minister.
We need someone who is able to plan and conduct meaningful worship services where scripturally-based sermons and both traditional and contemporary music are integral parts. The ability to deliver meaningful pastoral care and to provide effective support to Sunday School program, Session, Stewards and multi-generational fellowship is essential.
In our desire to promote community involvement, we require the minister to live in our manse located in Tupperville.
Since we are a single point charge, we are actively seeking a partner church for another point and we are open to discussions. We require a Minister who is open to new ideas and able to help in promoting and guiding our church into a new phase.
The desired candidate will strive to grow in personal and professional development through workshops and study leave. He/she will be responsive to the congregation in partnership with the consultative and supportive agency of the Ministry and Personnel Committee of the pastoral charge, and is under the ultimate authority and discipline of Kent Presbytery.
SKILLS
As a result of a recent survey conducted within our Congregation, we felt our needs are (Listed in order of importance)
1. One who has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scriptures and the sacraments and has skills in pastoral care.
2. Warm Friendly personality
3. Leadership relating to all ages- One who is able to identify the needs of individuals and groups within the congregation and has the ability to develop solutions, programs and ministry to respond to those needs directly or by use of pastoral care team.
4. Strong Preaching skills –One who has a passion for preaching the work of God, a bible centered message and who understands that the sermon and the pastoral prayer are important to the life of the congregation.
5. Enthusiasm for visitation – one who is able to communicate with all people, young and old and sees visitation is not only to the home-bound or those in the hospital but to the whole congregation and has the skills to deal with, support and provide solace to those who need pastoral care or who are in crisis.
6. Administrative and Organizational skills
7. Effective Time management skills
TERMS
-Offering up to Category C from the 2003 minimum salary schedule
plus $1,000.
-Study allowance $1,000.
-A manse with heating as per manual and all other utilities paid
-Basic telephone service paid
-travel expense at $.35 per km logged
-vacation of one month per year
-Secretarial assistance as needed up to 8 hours per week.
-All other terms as per United Church manual.