Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force

Report to Synod, 2008

Joe:

The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force would like to report to Synod today. You will remember that The Right Reverend Bruce Howe,Bishop of Huron, in his Charge to Synod, 2004, used the Synod theme of ³being transformed so that we may discern the will of God by the renewal of our minds.²

Bishop Bruce called for us to "Imagine Huron." He called on us to renew our vision for the present and the future. Synod affirmed the Bishop's Imagine Huron theme. The Bishop then formed the Imagine Huron Committee with The Rev. Bryan Robertson as Chairperson.

A long period of preparation by the Committee was followed by a process which tried to discern the will of the people of the Diocese. You will remember this visioning process which resulted in the extensive report commented on by The Ven.Jawn Kolohon at Synod 2006.

Soon thereafter the Bishop formed the Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force which presented a report to Synod 2007.  The Implementation Task Force is now presenting a report to this synod outlining what has been achieved so far and commenting on what we can look forward to in the immediate future.

Paul:

The central section of this report is an attempt to review the six primary goals of the Imagine Huron Report, to reflect on successes in meeting those goals, but also to identify areas where less or no progress has been made.

We want to stress that in identifying successes, we are not claiming credit! While we have carried the official title of ³Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force,² in reality the Imagine Huron process produced a heightened level of awareness at every level across our diocese, and many important goals that were identified in the report are becoming reality, often with little connection to our Task Force¹s efforts.

We rejoice in each and every one.

Communication:

One objective that flows through all six key goals in the report is ³Communication². We cannot stress strongly enough the ongoing importance of effective communications. The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force has worked consistently to bring communication issues forward, and we feel that some improvements have occurred.

However,, we  also recognize that more remains to be done, and because of the never-ending importance of communication, will always need to be done. As a church, we must communicate, or we fail at our core purposes.

The First Goal:

To develop the skills and gifts of both lay and ordained ministry to serve the Lord and lead the church.

1) The Challenge linked with this goal was stated as: ³A call to re-imagine the role, ministry, and inter-relationships of parishes, Deanery Councils, and Church House, with an emphasis on the ministry of the baptized.²
      We have believe from the beginning that Deanery Councils must be a key focus of this goal; we hoped to see a shift from an administrative focus by Deanery Councils to a ministry-centred focus.
      In fact, we have seen some success in this area. The results are not uniform across our deaneries, but some report a new vitality, a new focus on deanery-wide ministry.

2) One key objective under Goal One was ³To ensure staffing levels at Huron Church House ar adequate to administer all Diocesan programs and functions effectively...²
      As we know, key positions have been created and funded in youth, stewardship, and small church coaching. These have been immeasurably important developments in our diocese.

Goal One is quite wide-ranging; these are only two of several accomplishments in this area of the Imagine Huron Report.

One area where little change was brought about, in spite of clear intention in the Imagine Huron report, was in the actual organizational structure of Deanery Councils. The recommendation was that, ³Huron Church House and Diocesan Synod revisit the Canons regarding Deanery Councils, with the intention of purposefully empowering local leadership...² Draft proposals for change in Deanery Council structure were not welcomed.

The Second Goal:

To ensure that our church is a developed and inclusive community.

This is a much bigger job than anything that could be carried out by a task force, no matter how motivated. This objective clearly lies at the heart of our entire church community.

There have been successes.

1) This Goal incorporates a strong emphasis on youth ministry. We have seen, not only the appointment of a Diocesan Youth Coordinator, but very much heightened awareness of the role of youth in ministry. It might not be too much to say that we are witnessing a change in the fundamental question, moving from ³How do we minister to our youth² to ³How do we empower our youth to minister with and to us?²

2) One sub-goal in this section is ³To provide an instrument/tool to allow parishes to conducted an assessment of how inclusive they are, including an assessment of how friendly their worship services are.² In some ways, the ministry of Bishop Leidel is helping to meet this need, as dozens of our smaller churches are focusing on their core values, and learning to celebrate their ministries.

If there is an identifiable lack of success in this section, it might be that while an environment of youth-oriented change is being created, much of this is not yet incorporated into our best practices, diocese-wide.

The Third Goal:

To share our Faith through Hospitality, Service and Justice

1) One stated objective in this section reads: ³Include among Youth Coordinator¹s duties the responsibility of engaging youth in service and social justice opportunities.² This is certainly taking place ­ although Sue Malpus might argue that it is the youth engaging her and the church at large, and not the other way around.
      The cooperative work of the Enviro-Action committee and the Youth Coordinator are creating exciting programs for our young people.

2) There is also call in the Imagine Huron report for a heightened awareness of the Huron Hunger Fund, Refugee Sponsorship, etc. By and large, this is taking place.

Despite discussion among the members of the Implementation Task Force about the first objective in this section, the creation of a ³Best Practices Handbook,² this work has not been completed.

The Fourth Goal:

To nurture Faith and Christian Discipleship

The Imagine Huron Report places responsibility for this area squarely in the hands of the Deaneries. Therefore, in as much as Deaneries have embraced a ministry focus, and have become a resource to their congregations, this has seen success.

However, this may also be the area with the most unrealized potential at this time.

The Fifth Goal:

To foster rich worship and deepen our Prayer life and our relationship with God.

1) Easily the most obvious success under this heading involved the Sesquicentennial Service at John Labatt Centre. The Imagine Huron Report asked ³The Bishop of Huron to call on ordained and lay leaders to encourage the people of Huron to attend the Sesquicentennial worship at the John Labatt Centre, London, in October 2007.²
      As we all recognize, this was more than an afternoon church service. The wealth of meaning and message communicated was immeasurable, as everyone in attendance experience inclusivity in action; faith across a wide spectrum of expression; hope in abundance; the presence of God in liturgy, in spontaneity, in our church leaders and in our neighbours in the seats around us. This was ³rich worship² at its most meaningful.

2) One point under this goal calls for workshops for parishes and deaneries, including music, and in one form or another, this is coming to pass.

The first recommendation under this goal, the appointment of a Diocesan Worship Facilitator, has not taken place.

The Sixth Goal:

To be faithful and effective stewards of the resources entrusted to us by God.

1) Last, as they say, but definitely not least. The accomplishment that could have the greatest impact of all falls under this final goal: ³Conduct a demographic study to evaluate the changing needs for ministry within the Diocese.²
      As we all known, Myrlene Boken is more than half way through just such a study, which we have named ³Who is my neighbour². This study will provide an invaluable resource for planning and ministry for our diocese, our deaneries, and our congregations. The report will be presented to our Bishop in the fall of 2008.

2) Another objective in this section calls for us to ³support the ongoing ministry of Aboriginal/ First Nations people and their desire for autonomy,² and we need only look at the motions before Synod to know that we have maintained just such a focus.

There has been less success to date in the objective, ³Develop a data bank of Diocesan gifts and talents.² While considerable effort went into the formulation and publication of a gifts and talents survey, response was tepid at best. More effective ways of generating response will need to be explored.

These are simply highlights of the accomplishments and gaps related to the work of the Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force. Much has been done; much remains to be done; some objectives may simply be undoable. What is next?

Amanda:

Imagine Huron has now moved through two stages: planning and implementation.

The Planning Stage resulted in the important Imagine Huron Report.

The Implementation Stage has been ongoing for two years, through the work of the Task Force., As we have outlined, many of the report¹s recommendations have been accomplished, or are underway.

It is now time to move into a new Strategic Planning Stage.

An important tool in ongoing Strategic Planning will be the ³Who Is My Neighbour² Study, now being completed by Myrlene Boken through AMB Research.

There have been some communication glitches along the way with this project, but these have been managed. By the way, copies of the original letter which was sent out at the inception of this demographic study are on the front of the platform, for anyone interested.

To date, about 140 congregations have been visited, in meetings with their priests and congregational representatives.

Congregations which have not yet been visited will have been  called by now; when you receive a phone message, please call her back as soon as possible.

If you have had your meeting with Myrlene, please get her the required information as soon as possible.

It is a long process, but it is going well. The end result is of vital importance to our future planning.

The report will be completed by the autumn; it will then be submitted to the Bishop. There will then be a meeting of all clergy in London, at which Myrlene will present a copy of each congregation¹s report to the rector. She will also discuss the general report with the meeting.

Following that meeting, over the next month or two, there will be meetings with each Deanery involving Deanery Council and anyone in the Deanery wishing to attend. Myrlene has told us she has very good attendance at these meetings.

Then next step will  be the study of the report and its use in ³Building the Future of Huron.²

The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force recommends that a new, Strategic Planning Committee be formed, continuing with ³Imagine Huron² as the important defining idea.

We would describe the goal of the new committee as ³Imagine Huron: Building the Future Together.²

The Strategic Planning Group will utilize the tools available, especially the ³Who Is My Neighbour² demographic study. The original Imagine Huron report is still a valuable resource. The various communications systems in the Diocese and the Deanery structure are also important tools.

The Human Resources of the Diocese are vital resources: our Bishops, the clergy, the people, and specifically the Diocesan Office staff.

The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force has concluded that in order to facilitate this approach, we need a new group which retains some continuity with the previous committees.  We, therefore, recommend that a new committee be appointed . The Task Force suggests that Amanda Gellman, Paul Knowles, Shirley Sewell, The Rev¹d Kendall Reimer and Joe Wooden be included in the new committee.  Canon Sue Tite and one of the Bishops shall be included as well.

We are hopeful that the new committee will include at least one representative from each Deanery; we have found that our direct connection with Deaneries has greatly improved communication in cases where a committee member could report directly to his or her Deanery.

New committee members should come from the ranks of the clergy; we believe that several clergy are needed and we recommend this. Additional selected laity are also recommended.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our church through our work on the Implementation Task Force. We know that exciting developments await us all, as we receive and begin to use the ³Who Is My Neighbour Study² and as we encounter the other opportunities God has for us.

Thank you

The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force has concluded that in order to facilitate this approach, we need a new group which retains some continuity with the previous committees.  We, therefore, recommend to the Bishop that a new committee be appointed, with consideration given to allowing continuity within the Imagine Huron process.

During its time of service, The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force has been co-chaired by Bishop Bob Bennett, and Joe Wooden, and has included The Ven. Dr. Jawn Kolohon, Shirley Sewell, Marilyn Malton, The Rev d Canon Gaye Whippey, Claudine Day, Jen Mills, Canon Sue Tite. The Rev d Kendall Reimer, Amanda Gellman and Paul Knowles. As members of the Task Force, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve; speaking on behalf of the Diocese at large, thank you to each one who has been willing to participate in this important process.

We are hopeful that the new committee will include at least one representative from each Deanery; we have found that our direct connection with Deaneries has greatly improved communication in cases where a committee member could report directly to his or her Deanery.

New committee members should come from the ranks of the clergy; we believe that several clergy are needed and we recommend this. Additional selected laity are also recommended.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our church through our work on the Implementation Task Force. We know that exciting developments await us all, as we receive and begin to use the ³Who Is My Neighbour Study² and as we encounter the other opportunities God has for us.

Thank you

Monday, May 28, 2007

Presented by The Revd. Kendall Reimer, Amanda Gellman and Paul Knowles
(Prior to the Imagine Huron report, Synod viewed the video, ³Celebrating What¹s Right with the World.²)
We have just heard Dewitt Jones share some important perspectives with us. The video, ³Celebrating
What¹s Right With the World², is many things. It is a call to positive thinking. It encourages us to see the
opportunities that lie before us. It¹s also a neat piece of promotion for the National Geographic.
The Imagine Huron Implementation Committee viewed this video some weeks ago, and we see it, as well, as an appropriate introduction to the kind of fundamental shift in thinking and in action that Imagine Huron calls on all of us to consider.
Dewitt Jones told us:
When I was growing up, I used to hold that maxim -- I won¹t believe it, until I see it. Yet ... I realized that I
had it backwards. That the way it really works is -- I won¹t see it, till I believe it. That¹s the way life works.
As we have begun the process of implementing one of the most important programs ever adopted by this diocese and by this very body, the synod of the Diocese of Huron we have come to see how essentially
true this is.
If the Anglican Diocese of Huron, our part of the Church of Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, is to be all
it is supposed to be, we must understand that ³We will not see it, until we believe it.²
We are here this morning to report on the progress of implementing the Report of the Imagine Huron
Committee. We will tell you about some of the things already accomplished, and some of the objectives we have for the near future.
But far more importantly, we are here to make our best effort to motivate you, to inspire you, to believe in
the life, mission and vision of your church so that, in believing, we will come to see the church as
everything God wants it to be. As Dewitt Jones told us, vision controls our perception, and our perception becomes our reality.
What is the reality we seek for our church?
In one section of the video, Jones says this:
Instead of starting out as we so often do by griping about what¹s wrong with the situation... what¹s right
with it?
Because, by celebrating the best -- that allows us to fall in love with it, that connects us with our passion,
that emancipates the energy.
By celebrating what's right, we find the energy to fix what's wrong.
As Michelangelo once wrote, "I saw an angel in the stone and carved to set it free."
The right vision -- it keeps us open to possibilities, it gives us energy.... and it makes us much more
accepting of change.
We quote this because this really captures the original essence of the Imagine Huron process. You will
remember that one of the first steps toward preparing the report saw many of us sitting in church halls and basements, telling our stories... telling each other what was right with our church, what we love about our church.
Remember? Remember how empowering that was, how exciting it was to be reminded of the life, the
Spirit, the joy, the potential? We believed!
Those church basement sessions were held at the call of Bishop Bruce Howe. Remember in 2004, when hefirst invited us to Imagine Huron?
Bishop Bruce said:
Let us Imagine Huron! Albert Einstein, that great scientist and philosopher once said, OEImagination is
more important than knowledge.¹ Imagination is the ability to form mental images of what is not actually
present. Another way of saying that is: Imagination is the ability to create new images or ideas by
combining previous experiences. Can we as a diocesan family celebrate our previous experiences, create new models of ministry based on those experiences and as we implement the same, follow Our Lord into the future?
- Imagine Huron where committed and passionate lay and clergy leaders energize the baptised.
- Imagine Huron¹s membership in southwestern Ontario placing their resources (time, talent and treasure) in God's hands for the building up of the Kingdom.
- Imagine Huron¹s vibrant and exciting worship attracting newcomers.
- Imagine Huron where our support for those in need is enhanced and expanded.
- Imagine Huron where organizational structures serve the needs of tomorrow¹s Church.
- Imagine Huron¹s membership declaring that they love Jesus more than anything else and being prepared to look at our existing resources and where changes need to be made.
- Imagine Huron where disciples are made.
- Imagine Huron where the Church is growing and expanding.
- Imagine Huron where God¹s children act out of hope and not fear.
And Bishop Bruce concluded: ³My sisters and brothers, I invite you to Imagine Huron, where....
Where? Where a committee was formed to develop a report outlining practical paths to make that vision a reality.

Where groups met for Appreciative Inquiry in church basements, in larger deanery sessions, and in a
diocesan-wide meeting, to develop goals for the church.
Where the Imagine Huron Committee spent enormous time and energy to finally emerge with the Imagine
Huron Report....
A report that scared the pants off most of us. It seemed clinical, tough, and terribly detailed. Some of us
including members of this Implementation Committee came to synod last year, prepared to reactive
negatively to the whole thing.
But then came the presentation by the Imagine Huron Committee, articulated by The Ven. Dr. Jawn
Kolohon, who is today a member of the Implementation Committee. Jawn held the complex, detailed report in his hand, and turned it into the vision for the church that Bishop
Bruce had called for.
Jawn told us, a year ago, that:

What I have discovered, through the Imagine Huron process, is that not only can this great Diocese of ourstolerate such a change, you have indicated that you are more than ready for such changes, in how we traditionally do ministry and mission. We are ready to communicate differently...
³It was immediately apparent to your Imagine Huron Committee that Holy Spirit was stirring the pot and
directly involved in the process. The level of imaginative wish-making was high. There were literally
hundreds of wishes sent forward. As well, expectations were high. Energy levels at these gatherings were so extravagant, that wishes did not wait for an extended process and new ministries were created and begun with gusto. In local settings, the Gospel was being communicated in new ways with a new energy...
Jawn warned us that the 37-page report was daunting. It was detailed. It was demanding.
He also assured us that it was essential. If the vision that will carry the Diocese of Huron and all of the
congregations, all the Christians, that make up that Diocese that will carry us into the future as vibrant,
vital people of God is to come to pass, it has to have meat on the bones. There has to be passion, but then there must be program, fired by that passion.
The report left no doubt about who is responsible for making it so. Jawn said, One of the key ingredients to such a shift in minister and mission-attitude is to identify the leadership group which was the gifts to
undertake such a change. The real irony of this Imagine Huron Report, is that there are really no surprises
about this. The OEleadership group is you: you Synod representatives and the Clergy of this great Diocese.
Just before the Imagine Huron Report was formally presented, and received by Synod, Jawn said, ³The
Report is less a document to be followed, verbatim, and more of a human adventure to be engaged in.²
This Imagine Huron Human Adventure began the moment the words were uttered in Bishop Bruce¹s
homily,Appreciative Inquiry process brought change and vision.
- The interaction and conversation among people of the diocese brought growth and understanding.
- Some of the spirit of the Report immediately sparked life and change in a number of areas:
- Synod moved to strengthen our ministries to our youth in a number of ways that have been
evident over the past three years, from the approval of a Diocesan Children and Youth Coordinator to a
heightened role for young people at the diocesan level.
- Some of our deaneries are already taking a hard look at what they are, what they do... and
what they should do.
- And in the fall of 2006, a new group was formed: us. The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force.
- The name states our mandate we are not here to prepare a report; that hard work was done prior to the
Synod of 2006. Instead, we exist to facilitate the implementation of the report.
- Or, stated another way, our job is to motivate you to make your vision a life-giving reality at all levels of
our church.
- To map out pathways for this ³human adventure.²
The Imagine Huron Report established six Goal Areas.
Our work to date has been focused mainly on two of these areas:
- Goal One: To develop the skills and gifts of both lay and ordained ministry to serve the Lord and lead the Church.
- Goal Six: To be faithful and effective stewards of the resources entrusted to us by God.
This is not to suggest we will ignore the other goal areas; but we recognized that the only way to implement a 37-page report is, one paragraph at a time!
So what is the current ³State of the Implementation of Imagine Huron²?
- Some objectives have been accomplished. But given the complexity of our diocese, it is more
accurate to say that a great deal of work is underway and in progress.
- For example:
- Deanery councils have become an important focus, as outlined in the Imagine
Huron report. We believe that much ministry can be accomplished by revitalized deaneries. In order to
empower our deaneries:
- Pilot projects to assist deaneries in self-assessment are being launched.
- Some deaneries are already undertaking their own self-assessment.
- Realignment of some deanery boundaries is under discussion.
- As Bishop Leidel comes to Huron, he brings strength and vision for small church
development.
- Much attention is being paid to you the lay delegates to synod. Can you become a
key link a ³parish communication coordinator² between the diocese, the deanery, and your congregation?

Will you share the vision of the Huron we are imagining with your church families? Will you help your
Deanery Council to become a vital, vibrant, spiritual force in your communities? How can we help you?
- In considering this question, we are focusing on communication pathways. This report is an
important part of this... and as we stand before you, we commit ourselves to communicating with you in a
regular and meaningful way, through the diocesan website, through the Huron Church news, through email reports.

- This is not our job alone. We are calling on every level of the church diocese, deaneries, and
congregations, to create and maintain effective ³communication pathways.²
- Progress has been made.
- Huron Church House administrative staff are developing and implementing a
redesigned diocesan website.
- At our suggestion, the diocese carried out a preliminary inquiry concerning the
availability of internet access at our churches.
- Deanery leaders have been asked to invite reports from members of Diocesan
Council at Deanery meetings.
- Some Deanery meetings, as well as Diocesan Council, have included an update
from the Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force.
- We have been in communication with our great Media Relations Officer, Rev.
Keith Nethery, and are working with him to develop a support network of media-savvy Anglicans
throughout the diocese. Interested? See Keith.
- And while we cannot take credit for it, we applaud the use of the Budget DVD this
past season a great improvement in communication.
- One major strategy recommended in the Imagine Huron Report comes with significant
financial implications. The recommendation, part of Goal Six reads:
Conduct a study to evaluate the changing needs for ministry within the Diocese.²
- As we discussed this, we renamed this strategy. We are are now seeking ways to carry out a
growth strategy study and report called Who is My Neighbour.
- To return for a moment to the video, Celebrating What's Right With The World, Dewitt
Jones said, If we¹re going to really learn to soar, we have to know ourselves as well as we know our craft.
I realized that if I was going to take it higher in my own life, I had to spend time not just with what I do, but
with who I am.
- The Imagine Huron report recognizes the need to know ourselves, and our neighbours. How
can we minister in a world we do not understand? How can we reach out to our neighbours if we do not
know who they are? How can we be used by God to meet their needs if we do not know what their needs
are?

- The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force is now examining ways to carry out the ³Who
Is My Neighbour? growth strategy study and report. Costs are challenging; suggestions are welcome. The Implementation Committee has asked Diocesan Executive staff to consider some options, in the near
future. The important reality is to ³Imagine Huron,² we truly need to Know Huron. This study and report
could be one important tool, as envisioned by the Imagine Huron Committee.
- Other strategies that are part of Goal Six are coming to life.
- A volunteer gifts inventory will be carried out, to help the church prepare an
inventory of gifts and talents a crucial resource in building the church at every level.
- The Diocese has hired Gift Planning and Stewardship Consultant, The. Rev¹d
Eleanor Caruana.
- One other small accomplishment of the Task Force is that the DIOCESAN MISSION STATEMENT is
now front and centre on the diocesan website and all communications. The Mission Statement is worth
repeating, often:
The People of the Anglican Diocese of Huron are called by God to work together as a servant community.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit we follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and by our words and actions
joyfully bear witness in the world to the transforming power of God¹s love.²
That Mission Statement is a concise statement of our goals as the Imagine Huron Implementation
Committee.

We are here today to once again invite you to imagine:
- Our church, inspired by new information about the people around us, the neighbours God has called us to
minister to.
- To Imagine Our deanery councils, empowered and visionary, ready and eager to do God¹s work as
cooperating congregations.
- To Imagine each lay delegate, eager to spread the word of what God is doing through his or her
congregation, deanery, and diocese.
- To Imagine a church of willing and gifted people, ready to take on whatever task God calls them do for
the good of the Church of Jesus Christ.
-To Imagine a church that communicates, celebrates, and inspires each other and the world in which we
live..
The Imagine Huron Implementation Task Force: Where are we going?
Where do you want us to go?

And will you go with us?
Imagine what God by the Holy Spirit is able to do in this diocese today, this year, this decade. Just
Imagine.
We invite you to discuss the Imagine Huron process with any and all members of the Implementation
Committee. The committee, a representative group from across the diocese, includes:
- Bishop Bob Bennett, co-chair
- Joe Wooden, co-chair
- The Ven. Dr. Jawn Kolohon
- Shirley Sewell
- Marilyn Malton
-The Rev d Canon Gaye Whippey
- Claudine Day
-Jen Mills
-Canon Sue Tite
-The Rev d Kendall Reimer
- Amanda Gellman and
-Paul Knowles