RICHARD BOTT

MINISTRY STATEMENT

I see God's family and household as a circle in which we are all integral parts. Each of us has various gifts and abilities we can share with others “to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.” I believe I am called to a ministry of actively using my own gifts to help others articulate, explore and share theirs.

CONGREGATIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006 (Aug.) to present Minister at St. Andrew's Haney United Church, Maple Ridge, BC

• Facilitated worship:

• • Demonstrated good preaching and excellent liturgical skills;

  • Used traditional, contemporary, meditative and interactive worship styles;

  • Included intergenerational elements in regular Sunday worship;

  • Introduced various worship arts to the congregation (e.g. Drama, storytelling, liturgical movement);

  • Introduced Sunday evening family-focussed worship times;

  • Introduced alternative worship services (e.g. Family Time, Contemplative Prayer Circles, Worship in the Spirit of Taizé);

  • Introduced a series of “take home” worship services, for individuals who were unable to find worshipping communities when they were away from the congregation;

  • Celebrated a 28% increase in weekly worship participants (over an 18 month period)

• Facilitated congregational Christian development:

  • Introduced and supported a variety of spiritual disciplines to the congregation (e.g. Daily Scripture reading, Lectio Devina, various prayer practices);

  • Introduced alternate spiritual explorations, including a book club;

  • Introduced the Church Board to various discernment practices.

• Responsible for pastoral care (congregation and wider community):

  • Visited members and adherents according to stated or interpreted need;

  • Led the Church Council through a re-development of the role of “Elder” and “Congregational Visitor”;

  • Supported the ministries of the Contact and Caring Division, as consultant and resource person;

  • Acted as Chaplain to Branch 88 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

• Facilitated growth in the ministry of administration:

  • Worked with the Church Board, Board Executive and Divisions to understand and live out their roles, as defined by the congregation's “Organizational Structure”;

  • Redeveloped the Annual Congregational Meeting to be a time of 'worshipful work';

  • introduced and supported project-based action through “Asset Mapping”;

  • used Environics' and Emerging Spirit data as a basis for connection with the wider community.

     

• Developed the congregation's 'technical outreach':

  • Worked to design a cohesive advertising 'look' for the congregation's print ads and posters;

  • Created and maintained standrewsuc.com, including chat space and dynamic content;

  • Set up a digital recording system, to ensure weekly podcasting of Sunday morning worship;

  • Set up and maintained a 'digital broadcast system', allowing worshippers to explore additional off-line information during worship gatherings.

1998 to 2006 Enabling Minister at St. Marys United Church, St. Marys, Ontario

Much of this work was similar to the above, plus...

• Facilitated worship:

  • Introduced alternative worship services (e.g. Wednesday Evening, Service of the Longest Night, Nine Lessons and Carols, Labyrinth Prayer);

  • Wrote a variety of dramas for use in Sunday morning worship.

• Facilitated congregational Christian development:

  • Facilitated annual congregational vision discernment, helping the development of direction and plans;

  • Developed and initiated the “Living the Gift” year-long stewardship programme;

  • Developed and began the nexus, a spiritual exploration group for postmodern thinkers;

  • Developed and facilitated book studies on texts such as Tom Harpur's The Pagan Christ;

  • Facilitated and enabled regular adult Bible Study programs (both lectionary and non-lectionary based);

  • Led a number of Open Session Sunday School mornings;

  • Organized and took part in a number of family oriented Christian Nurture events;

  • Co-led, with the priest of St. James Anglican (St. Marys), a half-day children's event on Ash Wednesday and a joint Junior Youth Group;

  • Supported the re-development of the congregation's Sunday Children's programme, working with the Church School Co-ordinator and Christian Education Committee;

  • Facilitated youth faith exploration through annual Profession of Faith groups.

• Responsible for pastoral care (congregation and wider community):

  • Visited members and adherents according to stated or interpreted need;

  • Engaged in in-depth pre-marital, baptismal and membership preparation programmes;

  • Engaged in crisis intervention with various members of the congregation and community;

  • Worked in conjunction with the congregation to build a “ministry of re-connection” with those on the membership roll who had stopped participating;

  • Led the Church Council through a re-development of the role of “Elder” and “Congregational Visitor”;

  • Supported the ministries of the congregational visiting programmes, as consultant and resource person;

  • Acted as Chaplain to Branch 236 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

• Developed community aspects of congregational life:

  • Co-designed a congregational photo directory;

  • Re-developed the congregational newsletter;

  • Re-introduced the congregation to social gatherings (e.g. Men's Breakfast, After-church Fellowship Time);

  • Helped institute an annual “Volunteer Celebration Luncheon”.

• Facilitated growth in the ministry of administration:

  • Led a five-member staff group, working to move from “senior/subordinate” to one of team ministry;

  • Gave direction and support to the congregation's “Living Legacy – Living Faith” stewardship project;

  • Worked with a variety of congregational committees to help them define and live out their ministries.

1994 to 1998 Minister at Trinity United Church, Iroquois Falls, Ontario

Much of this work was similar to the above, plus...

• Facilitated congregational Christian nurture:

  • Developed and led a series of Lay Worship Leadership workshops;

  • Worked with congregation on various UCCan study documents;

  • Co-facilitated the Ten Days for Global Justice programme;

  • Encouraged the congregation to connect to various community and social organizations (e.g. Food bank, exploration of basic needs of children in the community).

• Responsible for pastoral care (congregation and wider community):

  • Co-facilitated a grief support group for members of the congregation and community;

  • Acted as Chaplain to Branch 70 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

     

1992 to 1993 Intern & Student Supply at Trinity United Church, Kirkland Lake, Ontario

WIDER CHURCH EXPERIENCE

Worship facilitator at a variety of events.

For Such a Season - London, Hamilton, Toronto, Bay of Quinte & Manitou Conference Stewardship event (2007)

Faith Formation - London, Hamilton & Toronto Conference Christian Nurture events (2004, 2003, 2002)

Consecration/Celebration Sunday – Eagle Ridge U.C., Coquitlam (2006), St. Andrew's U.C., Maple Ridge (2006), Chalmers U.C., Woodstock (2004) & First U.C., Waterloo (2000)

Finding Abundance - London, Hamilton, Toronto, Bay of Quinte & Manitou Conference Stewardship event (2002)

Representing: Fullness of Life - London Conference Stewardship event (2002)

Various Conference Annual Meetings – London (2001, 2000) and Manitou Conferences (1997)

Workshop facilitator at a variety of events.

Leadership Support:

Living the Hope: Stream 2 Presenter. Supporting the United Church of Canada's Emerging Spirit programme. (Regina, 2009; Waterloo, Victoria and Sudbury, 2008)

Collegial Caring. Guest lecturer for the Vancouver School of Theology's PT310 – Mission, Church & Ministry. (2007)

Alternate Models of Decision Making. Facilitation of Consensus and Spiritual Discernment for London Conference Annual Meeting (2006)

Discerning the Spirit. A day workshop for London Conference (2006)

Opening the Box. An evening workshop for Stoney Creek United Church Council (2005)

Me... A Leader? A day workshop for Essex Presbytery (2005)

Learning to Lead Group Theological Reflection at Faith Formation event (2004)

Main theme presenter for Manitou Conference's Youth Forum (1996)

Discipleship Support:

Getting Attached: Congregational Development through Affiliation. A workshop for the UCCan's More Franchises than Tim Horton's event. (2008)

Doing Church Differently. A three-day workshop for the Oxford School for Christian Studies, co-facilitated with Dr. Reginald Bibby. (2007)

The St. Marys Model. A day workshop for Toronto United Church Council on “A Ministry of Reconnection”(based on the work of Dr. Reginald Bibby) (2006)

Knowing Your Faith – Speaking Your Faith at Camp Bimini Training Event, Huron-Perth Presbytery (2005)

Who are We? A London Conference Youth Exploration Day (2003)

The Place of Faith Formation in Outreach and Congregational Evangelism for London Conference's Division of Christian Development (2003)

Stewardship Support:

Co-facilitated Finding the Sacred in Jericho's Walls at New Light... New Day (Manitoba & N.W. Ontario Conference event) (2003) and Breakthrough: A Renovations Event (UCCan event) (2002)

Stewardship Directions for the Official Board of the Brucefield-Kippen Pastoral Charge (2001)

Worship Support:

Creative Worship. A workshop for the five conference For Such a Season stewardship event (2007)

Worship Anew. A day workshop for Erie Presbytery of Hamilton Conference (2006)

Leading Worship at Camp at Camp Bimini Training Event, Huron-Perth Presbytery (2004)

Worship as a Steward at New Light... New Day (2003)

Me? A Worship Leader? A Huron-Perth Presbytery Lay Leadership Education Event (2003)

Engaging People in Worship – Introducing New Ideas at Representing: Fullness of Life (2002)

Spirit Moving: Worship in a Creative Mode an Algoma Presbytery & Manitou Conference Con-Ed event (2002)

Creating Creative Worship at Awesome God (London Conference Christian Nurture event) (2001)

Music as Prayer at Neighbours Praising God II (Manitou Conference) (1997)

Structural Leadership.

Member of the Worship & Theme Planning Committee for B.C. Conference (2008)

Convenor of the Spiritual Care Network Facilitation Group for B.C. Conference (2007-present)

Convenor of the Campus Ministry Working Group for B.C. Conference (2006)

Member of the London Conference Search Committee (Stewardship/Social Justice position) (2006)

Member of the London Conference Interim Ministry Committee (2006)

Author of the initial draft Covenant between Terrace Bay Community Church and Cambrian Presbytery (2005)

Representative to the Roman Catholic – United Church of Canada Dialogue (2004-present)

Educational Supervisor to LPMiT Fred Darke (2004-2006)

Congregational Life Consultant for Chalmers United Church, Woodstock, Ont. (2004/05)

Parliamentarian and Proposals Co-ordinator for London Conference (2004-2006)

Member of the London Conference Staff Support Committee (2003-2006)

President of London Conference (2003/04)

Facilitator of the Business Committee of Commission 'B' at the 38th General Council (2003); Facilitator of a Sessional Committee at the 36th General Council (1997); Commissioner to the 32nd General Council (1988);

Youth Forum member at the 31^st General Council (1986)

Facilitator for the Business and Agenda Committee of London Conference, developing a new process for electing Commissioners to General Council (2002/03)

Retreat facilitator for the Port Nelson United Church Council, Burlington, Ont. (2002-2004)

Chairperson of Huron-Perth Presbytery (2000/01); Chairperson of Pastoral Relations (Westminster, 2006-present, Huron-Perth 1998-2000, Cochrane 1997-1998); Member of Pensions Committee (Huron-Perth 2004/05), Presbytery Education & Students Committee (Cochrane 1994- 1998)

Pastoral Charge Supervisor for South Porcupine United Church, South Porcupine, Ont. (1997-1998)

Other Ministries.

Member of the Maple Ridge and Area Ministerial Association (2006-present)

Administrator & Moderator of the UCCan's on-line: The Worship Place (2005-present)

Interviewee on Spirit Connection's “The Money Show” regarding congregational stewardship (2005)

Participant in Opening Doors Inviting Generosity, by the Support to Local Ministries Unit of the UCCan (2004)

Christian Education Director at Camp Bimini (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000)

Convenor of the St. Marys Ministerial Association (2004/05, 2000/01)

Member of the St. Marys Ministerial Association (1998-2006)

LIFE LONG LEARNING

2008- (In Process) Post-Baccalaurate Diploma in Commerce at Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC)

2007 Designation – Interim Minister – BC Conference, The United Church of Canada

2006 Designation – Interim Minister – London Conference, The United Church of Canada

2004-2005 Basics of Transitional Ministry at The Interim Ministry Network (Andover, Mass.)

2004 School for 'Discernmentarians' (Spiritual Discernment Leadership) at Five Oaks (Paris, Ont.)

2003-2004 Analytical Thinking, Open Thinking & Interpersonal Relations at B.C. Open University

2001-2003 Doctor of Ministry at Canterbury College (Windsor, ON) and Ashland Seminary (Ashland, Ohio)

2000-2002 Diploma in Stewardship Studies at Queen's Theological College (Kingston, Ont.)

2000 Ministry of Supervision through the Division of Ministry Personnel & Education (Toronto, Ont.)

1999 Stephen Leader Certification through Stephen Ministries (Orlando, Florida)

1998 Certificate in Dispute Resolution at Laurentian University (Sudbury, Ont.)

1994 Ordained – The United Church of Canada, Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario Conference

1990-1994 Master of Divinity at Queen's Theological College (Kingston, Ont.)

1987-1990 Bachelor of Social Sciences (Women's Studies & Sociology) at University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ont.)

1986 French Immersion Summer Programme at Laurentian University (Sudbury, Ont.)

PUBLISHED WORKS

"Week 2." Devotions and prayers in Advent Awakenings. The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, 2008.

"We Hold These Children: A Service for Children's Sunday." Worship resource for the Children, Young Teens, and Youth desk of The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, 2008.

“A New Chapter.” Workshop on transformational change for Emerging Spirit: Living the Hope, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, 2008. Included as a chapter in Living the Hope Journal.

“Writing Prayers for Congregational Use.” Article in Gathering: resources for worship planners, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, L/E/P 2008.

“Christian Family Sunday Worship.” Resource in Family Ministries Kit, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, Winter 2007. (Co-written with the Rev. Ms. Shannon Tennant.)

“Picture This: Digital Presentations.” Workshop in Arts and the Spirit, United Church Publishing House. Toronto, Ontario, 2007.

“Daily Scripture and Prayer Time.” (Publisher/editor/writer) Weekly web and print-based spiritual practice resource. Maple Ridge, British Columbia, 2006-present.

“Digital Art.” Chapter in Art and Spirituality, United Church Publishing House. Toronto, Ontario, 2007.

“A Family Christmas.” Article in Exchange Magazine, The United Church of Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Fall 2006. (Co-written with the Rev. Ms. Shannon Tennant.)

“An Asset-Based Interactive Stewardship Process for Lent or Pentecost.” Article in Gathering: resources for worship planners, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, L/E/P 2006.

“Building a Lenten Labyrinth.” Article in Exchange Magazine, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, Fall 2004.

“A Ministry of Reconnection.” Article in Exchange Magazine, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, Fall 2003. (Reprinted in Restless Churches. Dr. R. Bibby. Kelowna, British Columbia, 2004.)

“A Steward?” Drama in Gathering: resources for worship planners, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, S/A 2003. (Reprinted in Worship for All Seasons II – Year B. The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, 2005.)

“Collegial Caring: The Effect of Peer Supervision Groups on the Stress of Ministry Personnel in The United Church of Canada.” Thesis in completion of Doctor of Ministry degree. Ashland, Ohio, April 2003.

Prayers, liturgies & dramas in Gathering: resources for worship planners, The United Church of Canada. Toronto, Ontario, A/C/E 2008/09, S/A 2008, L/E/P 2008, A/C/E 2007/08, S/A 2007, L/E/P 2007, A/C/E 2006/07, S/A 2006, L/E/P 2006, A/C/E 2005/06, S/A 2005, L/E/P 2005, A/C/E 2004/05, S/A 2003, A/C/E 2000/01.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Member of the Association of Theological Field Educators (2006-present).

OTHER INFORMATION

Excellent knowledge of Windows XP and Linux operating systems.

Excellent understanding of a variety of software suites including Word, WordPerfect and OpenOffice, as well as with some graphic design, presentation and web content management programmes.

Comfort and facility with the installation of various computer hardware.