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I am writing this letter in my position of 2026 Chair of Glen Morris United Church (GMUC) Congregational Meetings. I wish to notify you again that a Special Congregational Meeting will be held next Sunday May 3 following our Sunday church service. The reason for this meeting is to decide whether our church should become an official Affirming Ministry.

The specific motions to be considered at the meeting are:

1. Motion: To determine the minimum approval threshold percentage vote for the Affirming Ministry decision. The Affirming Ministry Committee recommends a 75% positive vote.

2. Motion: That the procedure for voting on the motion that the church becoming an official Affirming Ministry be by a written ballot vote.

In the event a written ballot vote is approved, the procedure will be as follows.

The Chair will appoint three scrutineers (two of whom are non-members / non-adherents.)

Ballots will be distributed to all full members (including the Chair), and adherents attending in person. Votes submitted by attendees on Zoom will be by a confidential “show of hands” system counted by the AV technician and a scrutineer. Phone votes may be cast by those who are attending the meeting on Zoom but are unable to vote online. Proxy and mail votes are not allowed in keeping with The Manual (2026) of the United Church of Canada. All votes will be counted by the scrutineers.The scrutineers will then prepare an “Election Scrutineers’ Report” and present it to the Chair. The Chair will announce the result, thank the scrutineers, and direct the Secretary to destroy the written votes.

3. Motion: “That Glen Morris United Church becomes an official Affirming Ministry, and pay the Affirm United joining fee of $100 and annual dues ($100 for 2026).”

The following motions 4, 5, 6 & 7 will be considered only if  motion #3 is approved. Voting will be by a show of hands with a customary 50% approval threshold for those motions.

4. Motion: New GMUC Vision Statement: “Glen Morris United Church is a church living out God’s call for deep spirituality, bold discipleship, and daring justice.”

5. Motion: New GMUC Affirming Ministry Statement: “Called by God, we recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all. We believe that people of all ages, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, differing abilities, ethnic background, economic circumstance, and those experiencing other barriers that limit inclusion are made in the image of God and are welcome to fully participate in all our ministries. We welcome all to commit to walking with us on our journey of deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice.”

6. Motion: New GMUC Marriage Policy: “Grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ and wanting to live faithful to His way, the United Church welcomes and celebrates the marriage of all couples legally able to marry in Ontario. We see people as unique, loved creations of God and welcome all people to the full life of Christian community, including marriage. We believe God intends loving relationships to be faithful, responsible, just, healing, and sustaining of the couple and those around them, and that such relationships require preparation and nurture.”

7. Motion: That the Affirming Ministry Committee be disbanded.

A copy of the agenda for this meeting is available at the bottom of this page.

Should you have any questions about this matter, please contact me by email at robertscottwilliams@gmail.com

Please make every effort to attend this very important Special Congregational Meeting next Sunday, either in-person, or via Zoom.

 

Robert Williams

Chair, Congregational Meetings (2026)

 

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