An Invitation from HFRC President, Lennox Scarlett

Dear Siblings in Christ,

For the past two years we have been reflecting on the theme – Renewal and Transformation … A Season of Hope. This was intended to inspire hope in places where the spiritual lights had become dim and the candle of people’s desires started to flicker. It was intended to help fan the flame of confidence and re-ignite the desire to push on with the awareness that the God who called us into ministry is faithful to God’s promises to keep us. God’s promises are not flippant and casual, but rock solid and unequivocal. Because we are grounded in the belief and “sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6), that though there may be moments of discouragement, we are assured that God is not done with us yet.

The story of the Horseshoe Falls Regional Council, and by extension, the United Church of Canada, is one of reimaging and exploring the contours of an evolving church. As you well know, 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the denomination, and many communities of faith are either coming together or on their own, finding ways to celebrate this milestone in ways that will reflect on the past and/or casting a vision for what the future holds. All of us will have a role to play to help shape the next chapter of this denomination’s journey.

As a region we will gather at the St. Andrew’s United Church, Hamilton, for our Spring meeting on Saturday, June 14th, from 9:00am to 2:30pm. Unlike previous years, this will be a one-day event, but with much to accomplish. I am pleased that among the features of the day will be the covenanting with some LLWLs who are committed to leaning into their call to serve their local communities of faith. I am also swell with pride for the new candidates for ordination, Kassandra Matthews, Jane Bain and Brian Potts, who will be introduced and later ordained in a special Celebration of Ministry Service at the St. Andrew’s United Church at 4:00 pm. Family and friends are all invited to join in this joyous occasion.

As this meeting marks the end of my tenure as president, I want to express gratitude for the opportunity to have shared in a wonderful journey of leadership at this level of the church and to have done so with a remarkable blend of leaders on the executive. Thank you! I am delighted for what the future holds as we welcome our new president, Rev. Sula-Anne Kosacky. Sula-Anne brings insight, passion, compassion and diligence to this office which are all consistent with her desire to inspire, energize, and motivate, not just her immediate team on the executive, but the entire region. We wish her all the very best!

I look forward to seeing you all at St. Andrew’s United Church!

Blessings,

Rev. Lennox Scarlett
President, Horseshoe Falls Regional Council

Workbook Resources and Materials

These items are pending and will be added as they become available. Please check at least the week before the meeting for any updated material.

• UPDATED Nominations: Workbook (complete) [PDF / 31 pages]

• President’s Message [PDF / 2 pages]

• Meeting Agenda [PDF / 1 page]

• Proposal 1 Opening and Procedural Motion [PDF / 2 pages]

• Proposal 2 Volunteer Recruitment – Executive and Commissioners [PDF / 1 page]

• Proposal 3 Bridge Loan Fund [PDF / 1 page]

• Proposal 4 Grant Searching Writing Assistance Fund [PDF / 1 page]

• Proposal 5 Closing Motion [PDF / 1 page]

• BRAVE/Affirming Statement [PDF / 1 page]

• Celebrants [PDF/ 1 page]

• Community of Faith Life Cycle Changes: None reported as at June 9th, 2025

• In Memoriam [PDF / 1 page]

• Retirees [PDF / 1 page]

• Jubilands [PDF / 1 page]

• Centre for Christian Studies Report to the Region [PDF / 2 pages]

• Atlantic School of Theology Report to the Region [PDF / 1 page]

• Emmanuel College Report to the Region [PDF / 2 pages]

• United Church Rural Ministry Network Report to the Region  [PDF / 2 pages]

Celebration of Ministry Service

Saturday, June 14th, 4 PM

Location: St. Andrew’s United Church, Hamilton, ON

479 Upper Paradise Rd, Hamilton, ON L9C 5E2

Celebrants: Brian Potts, Kassandra Matthews and Jane Bain

(In-person at St. Andrew’s and Livestreamed on YouTube)

Meeting Target Dates:

Registration Opens: Wednesday May 14th, 2025

Registration Closes for In-Person Attendance: Thursday June 5th, 2025

For Online only registration: no participant fee and no registration deadline.

Complete Workbook and Zoom Link: Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

Note: Meeting Information and resources will be posted on the website as it becomes available HERE

Meeting Date:

Saturday June 14th, 2025:  9:00am – 2:30pm Hybrid

Saturday, June 14th, 2025: Celebration of Ministry Service 4:00 pm