Committee on Community of Faith Support

This committee provides oversight and support to communities of faith, especially pastoral charges in their day to day mission and ministry and guidance with matters of transition such as structural changes, amalgamation, realignment and closure. This committee with a minimum of 3 members reports to the Regional Council through the Executive, making recommendations on matters requiring decisions to these bodies. In the former structure, much of the work of this committee was done by Pastoral Oversight Committees in Presbyteries.

Committee on Community of Faith Support Members

Heather Sandilands

Chair

cstonepc@gmail.com

Heather (she/her) has a passion for keeping voices of marginalized communities heard as we “build the land that God has planned where love shines through”. Having lived and worked in multiple provinces, among
marginalized communities, predominantly in rural areas, and queer-identifying she has a strong appreciation for the value of diversity. Her experience and faith is that our United Church functions best when we are
an open, inclusive, and evolving community, intentional in its commitment to listen to and heed voices often unheard. With a commitment to acknowledging both her places of privilege and oppression, she brings training as a diaconal minister, facilitator, negotiator, and consensus-builder to make and hold space for multiple points of view as we work towards solutions in which everyone feels respected, heard, and understood.

Heather Lea

Rep to Regional Council Executive

hthrlea@gmail.com

Retired ministry personnel, Covenant of Association with Gladstone United Church; served rural & urban congregations in solo & team ministry; have been convenor of Presbytery & Conference committees in SK and MNWO Conferences, most recently Pastoral Oversight; experience in educational supervision,  transitional ministry, facilitating United Fresh Start, Kairos Blanket Exercise, 4-H leadership;  enjoy gardening, sewing, travelling with my husband, reading, grandparenting.

Cheryl McKitrick

Note-keeper for the Committee

I am a retired Registered Nurse, 2019, living in Crystal City, MB. I have been involved in the life of the united church since I was a very young child. I attended Sunday School, taught Sunday School sang in the church choir and am still signing in our choir, and am still very involved with the Rock Lake Pastoral Charge United Church in our small town. I was the Chair of the Exploration Team during the amalgamation of Pilot Mound UC, Crystal City UC and Clearwater UC in 2016. It was during this process that I became interested in the work of the church, which is much beyond sitting in the pews on a Sunday. I am presently the Council Chair of the newly amalgamated Community of Faith Council. I enjoy during Palliative Care and visiting with the elderly in our communities. My husband Bill and I have 3 grown children and 1 grandson.

Pat Bird

Retired Laboratory Technologist.
I have been a member of the UCC since 1982 having started my church life in the Roman Catholic Church. I attended Young United Church and worked with West Broadway Community Ministry. My partner, Barry and our daughter, Melanie transferred membership to Selkirk United Church in 2001.
I have been active in my congregation on various committees and served as Selkirk Presbytery Rep for many years.
I developed a love of the wider church and really enjoy the opportunity to connect with people. This committee has been a joyful experience.
I currently am co-chair of the PtoP Regional Council Executive.

Silas Lee

Retired from work but not retired in serving the church.  I attend the Chinese United Church of Winnipeg and am currently the chair of the steward committee. Prior to rejoining the Chinese United Church I was involved with a different church denomination where I taught Sunday school as well served in multiple different board positions. I also served as a board member at the District and North American Association levels.

Staff Support