The Transition Team

The transition team of Joan Murray, John VanDuzer, Nancy Au, Rev. Debbie McMillan (St. Andrew’s United Church) and Rev. Christina Paradela began meeting in Sept 2025. The team will involve our Fifty community of faith in the tasks of rediscovering its heritage, reinvigorating its leadership, claiming its identity and mission, clarifying its future, and renewing its connections to the wider church and community. 

It is not the team’s role to have all the answers for Fifty’s path forward, but rather to help our community of faith as a whole discover our best direction.

Our work will continue through to April 2027. 

How can you help? We need everyone to bring your thoughts and excitement to the activities presented by the Transition Team. 

Jessica Brown Jessica Brown

First Update - Sept.-Dec. 2025

A Wall of Wonder was developed. We asked everyone to post on the wall their memories of moments that matters within the life and work of Fifty United. We had 172 responses. WOW!

On Nov 23rd our service focused on finalizing the Wall of Wonder. We also took time to recall bible stories that were reflected in the Wall and the life of Fifty. Lots of good bible stories were thoughtfully presented.

Our team has spent time reviewing each of the 172 contributions to the Wall of Wonder.

They tell a story of who we are and what is important to us. Themes that keep coming up are: our community of faith, worship, Christian faith formation, outreach (near & far) and music.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wall of Wonder. Your contributions give us a clear picture of what is important to Fifty United.

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Jessica Brown Jessica Brown

Second Update - January 21st

Our Jan 21st meeting was very fruitful.  The following will give you an idea of the items we are working on:

  • The worship on Feb 8th will be led by the Transition Team.  The service will be linking back to the information gathered from the Wall of Wonder and the service held on November 23rd regarding the bible stories that remind us of Fifty and our journey.

  • Friendly conversations have been happening and continue with families of faith in our area.  Who are they? What are they up to? What does their future hold?

  • We are building a timeline of our team’s work. It will illustrate what we have done and a schedule for what is left to do.  We expect to finalize the first draft before the Feb 8th service.

  • Communication – we realize how important this is. We have identified that we need to communicate well and in many ways.  This will be one of our focuses moving forward.

  • Our AGM is March 1st.  The Transition Team will be helping to lead service. Please come and encourage others to attend. It is important that we all work together for the future of Fifty.

  • Lent is just around the corner.  It will bring us a “Time for Listening”. We need to hear each others’ thoughts.  Stay tuned.

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