Reliable Rumours – Knox News

Knox United Church Vancouver – Updates

January 2024

Welcome to 2024!  There may be no spades in the ground (yet), but Knox is a busy and lively community these days, onsite or offsite.  Here’s a bit of what’s happening.

As you know, Knox’s 2024 themes are Reimagining and Redirecting.  On that note, the Knox Board has met several times since Advent to work on Knox’s strategic plan, including a 4-hour retreat at the beginning of January.  Pacific Mountain Region will join the Board for a meeting on Jan 25 so we can get to know our new support minister and talk about Knox’s strategic plan. 

On a related note, thank you everyone who participated in the after-worship Coffee & Conversation event in December.  We’re using the information you shared with us in the strategic plan.  We hope to try to hold a similar event sometime soon, overpass repair work permitting (if you know, you know).

Larry, Margaret and the Finance team have been working hard to prepare a budget for 2024.  As expenses continue to climb, we’re looking carefully at our expenditures, while also discerning where the Spirit is breathing life and energy to our Vision work.  Will 2024 bring a redirection of funds to areas of emerging energy?  I like our chances!  Will there be some reimagining about who Knox is and what we do?  Absolutely.  Please join us at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Feb 25, 2024 to learn more.

The Building Committee, and especially Alan + project manager + lawyer, have been in a series of meetings to keep up pressure on our development partner.  There are still a few lingering steps to complete before construction starts, and almost all of these steps lie outside Knox’s responsibilities to the project.  We’ll keep you updated with any significant news, including when we expect a portable office trailer to arrive onsite.

Rev. Richard and the Worship team have done an excellent job planning our worship life for the beginning of 2024.  Big thanks to everyone on the team (It’s good to have you back from your sabbatical, Richard).  A special note of thanks to our musicians for the work you’ve done to organize music and choir direction for the coming weeks. 

I want to finish this update with an especially BIG THANK YOU to Sharon B, who has been stick-handling the repair work related to a flood in the Vestry office over Christmas.  What a huge amount of detail to manage — and so many different moving parts and opinions on the repairs!  If you see Sharon around the building or want to drop her a line, please extend your thanks, too.

That’s all for now, as I have a calendar of meetings to review and prepare for this coming week.  If I could just find a way to reimagine and redirect my own work…!  😉

—-Susan
Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update,
please message Susan

June 2023

You’ll remember at this year’s ACM, that the Knox Board committed to developing a 5-year Strategic Plan and accompanying Financial Plan, to help guide Knox and our Vision through the next 5 years. Here’s a quick update on our progress.

On April 1, we held a 3-hour leadership meeting, comprised of Trustee, Board, and Finance Team members. We discussed a few key questions about Knox’s future:

• How are we doing with our VISION, integrating Church life, the Arts, and Loneliness?
• What are the BIGGEST CHALLENGES Knox currently faces?
• What is UNIQUE about Knox?
• What are some ways a company or organization might GROW and ADAPT to changing circumstances?
• What are ways to ensure that Knox’s finances remain STABLE over time?
• What KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES do we need to lead effectively when the Strategic Plan is done?
• What OPPORTUNITIES should we think about now, that may not come into play for a few years?

Since the April 1 meeting, I’ve met with our STAFF, and a Steering Group has met twice. The Steering Group is comprised of Margaret P, Bruce H, Christopher C, and me – a subset of Board, Trustees, Finance and Staff.

So far, our meetings have involved a lot of setting up. We’ve:

• Reviewed the outcomes from the April 1st Leadership meeting
• Discussed out own hopes and dreams for Knox more deeply
• Laid out a timeline for the project
• Synchronized our schedules
• Developed a list of Subject Matter Experts – essentially, a list of individuals we feel hold key knowledge on various topics related to the plan, within the congregation and outside
• And finally, we’ve laid out a framework for how we will organize 5 years’ worth of goals and objectives.

The most relevant information today relates to communication and timelines:
We’ve developed a high-level Communication Plan to ensure we’re keeping you updated here on the website or through special emails from the office.

Timelines have a way of creeping, but here’s the timeline we’ve developed so far:

We’ll endeavour to have a list of goals and objectives developed by the end of July, and will meet with Rev. Richard before he leaves for his vacation and sabbatical.

Ideally, we’ll have a list of tactics and recommendations complete by the start of Advent. Tactics are the actual “WHAT we will do” and “HOW we will do it” part of the plan. The financial plan will cascade out of this stage of development, too.
An Action Plan will be developed in January of 2024, and if we’re on track, we should have a complete plan for the congregation to vote on at the ACM in February or March.

If you have feedback, comments, questions, please get hold of any one of us by phone or email to chat.

See you in the pews!
Susan
Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this update,
please message Susan

April 2023

April is here, or so the cherry trees tell us — despite the rain and sleet and hail we seem to be experiencing…

We jump-started April at Knox with a Strategic Planning meeting by three of our key leadership teams – the Board, Trustees, and Finance Team.  No April Fools joke here!  We met for hours on April 1 to talk about Knox’s future.

The meeting was extremely productive.  We covered everything from operations, finances, and people, to ministries, programs, and opportunities.  But at the forefront of the conversation was Knox’s vision:  Connecting our neighbours through the Arts.  I’d like to thank everyone who attended this meeting for their time and gifts of insight.  It was an invigorating and uplifting experience. 

Next on the agenda is to form a working group, and identify subject experts within and outside the congregation.  We expect to develop goals and objectives for Knox for the next 5 years, and then identify the action plan (tactics) that will help us to lean more fully into our Vision. Please watch his space (and the lectern on Sundays) for updates!

See you in the pews!
Susan
Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update,
please message Susan

March 2023

Did that snow on February 28 make you feel glad about how short the month was?  Me too!

I don’t have any news for my March blog update, because not a lot has changed since February.  But I do want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting.  This is a can’t-miss meeting:  lunch, fellowship, updates, and future plans galore!  And if you can’t make it in person, we’ll be serving up the meeting on Zoom, too.

Date:  March 19, 2023 | Lunch:  Around 11:30 AM | Meeting:  Around Noon

You can view the ACM Agenda, 2023 Budget, and 2022 Annual Report under REPORTS .  Please take some time to review them — especially the Annual Report.  Make yourself a cozy cup of coffee or tea, and peruse the reports, which were written with great care.  And while you’re feeling inspired and fueled by caffeine, why not make notes, and think about questions you might want to ask at the ACM?  2022 was an interesting year with a lot of change — and a lot was accomplished at Knox in spite of the waning pandemic.  We’d love to hear your questions about 2022, and your hopes for 2023. Contact US

We have ambitious plans for 2023 and beyond, and I’ll be talking about those plans at the ACM during the Board Report.  I look forward to sharing Knox’s direction with you, especially as we start to gain momentum in our Vision-led post-pandemic worship, ministries and programming.

See you in the pews!
Susan
Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update,
please message Susan

February, 2023

Welcome to February!  Here’s what’s happening around Knox:

Welcome, Chris!  We’re thrilled to welcome Chris C. as our new Office Manager.  Chris started work at Knox this week, and you’ll find him in the office most days.  Chris has been training with Jeannie, Josie, and Margaret leading up to his start date, and Sharon B will be in the office to assist Chris over the next few weeks.  If you haven’t had  chance to meet him yet, no sweat!  Chris will attend worship and coffee time this weekend, Feb 12.

Construction Project:  Meetings and discussions continue as our Building Committee, lawyers, and development partner work on a shoring agreement, an office container, and the final construction contract.  You may have also seen the fence go up around the Fellowship Centre (you can check out photos above).  We’re hoping to have some bigger and more detailed updates for you shortly.

ACM:  If you haven’t marked your calendar, please be sure to make room for the Annual Congregational Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, March 19 following worship.  More details to follow soon.

See you in the pews!

Susan
Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update,
please message Susan

January, 2023

Happy New Year!  I hope you all experienced a peaceful and restorative Christmas season, and that 2023 will bring us feelings of peace and stability.  Knox was a busy place over the holidays, so here are some tidbits — the latest and greatest news:

Thank you, Worship Team!  We’re grateful for the effort and imagination you put into making the Christmas season so special.  Christmas and New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday in 2022, and we are particularly thankful for everyone who woke up early and worked hard to make sure these important services could happen.

Construction Project:  Over the holidays, our Building Committee looked at plans and details for a portable office space that Knox’s staff can use while the construction project is underway.  Every week seems to bring exciting new signs of activity on this project.  Keep watching this space for more news!

Staffing Updates:  Over Christmas, we were absolutely thrilled to receive a referral for a candidate for our Office Manager role.  We hope to have good news for you shortly on this hiring project which, like many things, has gone on much longer than anticipated.  Big thanks to Margaret, Alan, and Rev. Richard for making time over the holidays to interview this candidate (and a big thank you to our referral elves, too!). 

First Forward:  We’re almost there! — or ARE there?  The Knox Board set a goal last summer to raise $100,000 for the First Forward Capital Campaign.  As I write this update, we’re waiting to hear if we topped our goal with the Advent / Christmas Special Appeal.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this phenomenal project.  If you haven’t been able to donate yet, please consider making a gift.  Just visit the website for a long list of ways to give:  https://firstunited.ca/first-forward-capital-campaign — or click here to make an easy credit card donation:  https://firstunited.ca/communities-of-faith-fundraising (be sure to type “Knox United Vancouver” in the congregation box.

New Knox Members:  This Sunday (Jan 8) is Epiphany, and we’ll formally welcome new members — and transfers of membership — to the Knox congregation.  What a wonderful thing to celebrate!  Please attend worship in-person if you’re able, to help make this welcome all the more special.

December, 2022

From the Board table, here are a few updates:

Construction Project:  While Advent may be a season of anticipation, we may not have to wait much longer to see activity on our building site.  Alan and the Building Committee will be meeting on Dec 6th, while crane shoring agreements, tree removal negotiations, and  rental contract amendments are all proving to be recent hot topics.  Please watch News & Notes and this blog for future updates.  When you see Alan next, please give him a pat on the back.  He’s carrying an immense workload these days.

Staffing Updates:  The search continues to fill our office roles.  It is a tough, tough market, with low unemployment rates.  December has long been known as the most difficult month of the year to attract applicants, too.  So the search continues.  In the meantime, Josie has been enjoying a few days off, and we certainly don’t mind having this extra time with her around Knox.  And Jeannie, Margaret, Josie and Larry are working hard to transform our financial systems for the future.  Systems transformations are never easy, but this is an investment in efficiency, bringing Knox’s finances into the modern age.  It’s a tremendous legacy that is being built today.  Thank you all.

Advent & Christmas at Knox:  November was, and December will be packed full of events here at Knox.  Hopefully you’ve had a chance to watch Rev. Richard’s invitational video on the home page of the Knox website.  From becoming a formal member of the Knox congregation to blanketing Knox in snow and love, there’s a lot happening this Advent season.  We’ve also posted information about our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.  Please look for happenings that may catch your eye or heart.  And thank you to all our staff for imagining, organizing and hosting these nurturing, love-filled, and soul-sustaining events.

First Forward:  At last report (about a week ago), Knox had just $815 left to reach our $100,000 goal for the First Forward campaign.  To that end, the Board has agreed to share our Advent / Christmas special appeal with First Forward.  Typically, this appeal goes just to Knox’s vision programs.  But this year, we can’t think of a more important cause with which to share.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this incredible project.  And if you haven’t been able to donate yet, please consider making a gift.  It’s easy to do:  just visit the website for a long list of ways to give:  https://firstunited.ca/first-forward-capital-campaign — or click here to make an easy credit card donation:  https://firstunited.ca/communities-of-faith-fundraising (be sure to type “Knox United Vancouver” in the congregation box.

Wishing you all the warmth, love and anticipation that Advent brings.

Susan
Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

November, 2022

Have you got your cozy sweaters out of storage?  Thinking about whether you ought to start your Christmas shopping early this year?  Is your rake getting a good workout these days?  It must be November!

From the Board table, I have a few new updates for you:

Construction Project:  Things are moving!  Since my last update, Hon Towers has chosen a contractor, the City of Vancouver only has only a few permits left to issue, and a “Construction Contract” is being drafted (we expect Alan M and our lawyers will need a lot of coffee to work their way through the contract!).  Anyway, what does all of this mean for us?  Well, we’re now targeting a January demolition date.  And it’s looking solid!  Please watch News & Notes and this blog for future updates.  

Staffing Updates:  Sadly, we weren’t able to hire our finalist Office Manager candidate, who has some sudden and difficult personal responsibilities to handle this winter.  That means we’re back to looking for an Office Manager.  In the meantime, the Board is pleased to welcome our Bookkeeper Jeannie to her new expanded contract.  Starting this week, Jeannie will train with Josie and take on more of Knox’s Bookkeeping responsibilities.  We hope that this will help Josie begin her move into retirement by reducing her hours somewhat.  Big thanks to Larry, Margaret and Josie for working on the idea, and for collaborating to train Jeannie on her new responsibilities.  Jeannie will work mostly from home, but will be in the Knox office once a week until at least January.  If you’re in the building, please drop by to say “hi!”

Stewardship Time:  November brings Stewardship Season with it.  Starting this Sunday, a series of weekly speakers will share their thoughts about how they are called to serve at Knox.   Please watch for the annual Stewardship Brochure, which will be mailed to you shortly with pledge forms.  If you’d like to give, but aren’t on Knox’s mailing list, please contact our office and ask for a brochure and pledge form.  Or you may wish to donate via credit card using Tithe.ly, here on our website.  Our thanks are due to Rev. Richard, Rev. Sharon, and Josie for organizing Stewardship Season at Knox.

First Forward:  Have you heard?  Knox has crested $85,000 in our congregational challenge to raise $100,000 for the First Forward capital campaign.  That’s absolutely amazing!  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this incredible project.  10% of our Thanksgiving Special Appeal will go to First Forward this year, inching us ever closer to our goal (the other 90% goes to First’s ministry operations).  If you haven’t been able to donate yet, please consider making a gift.  It’s easy to do:  just visit the website for a long list of ways to give:  https://firstunited.ca/first-forward-capital-campaign — or click here to make an easy credit card donation:  https://firstunited.ca/communities-of-faith-fundraising (be sure to type “Knox United Vancouver” in the congregation box.

Stay warm this blustery November, everyone.  Don’t forget to look up!  This beautiful fall foliage will be gone in the blink of an eye.

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

September, 2022

Welcome Back to Knox!

I can’t believe how quickly July and August sped by.  And as I write this update, the weather outside is lovely, but it’s already September 5th.  Where are the days going?

We’re looking forward to a lot of excitement at Knox this fall.  You’ll have already watched Rev. Richard’s welcome video (if you haven’t, please click here) and have a good idea of upcoming events such as Welcome Back Sunday, a fairly significant retirement party(!), and even our book study plans.  From the Board table, I have a few more updates for you: My main update today is related to the Development project — and it’s exciting news, folks!  We received word in August that the tenant living in the last occupied house on West 41st is relocating to a new home.  This means that things are moving forward much more quickly now, and we may expect to see action on the site before the end of 2022.  We will keep you updated with any and all news! 

In other news, the Board, in conjunction with a small hiring team (myself, Rev. Richard, Alan M. and Margaret P.) have been working diligently this summer to develop TWO brand new job descriptions to handle Knox’s operations and administration upon Josie’s retirement.  And although we can’t quite confirm it yet, we hope to be announcing the hiring of an Office Manager very soon.  The second role will be an Administrative Assistant, a role which we plan to post and recruit for shortly.  Please stand by for exciting announcements in the coming weeks!

I look forward to seeing you all on Sundays and at our other community events, as we welcome one another back to Knox — virtually, and in person.

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

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May, 2022

My apologies to all of you that this blog has been stagnant for so many months. As many of you know, the start of 2022 hasn’t been an easy one for my family. Hopefully things are settling into a routine again now.

The Board and I would like to let you know about some work we will be doing in the coming weeks and months. As you now know, Josie is retiring in September. Josie’s retirement after 35 years of dedicated service is truly something to honour! And at the same time, with all the other changes at Knox (new building, new financial picture, the endemic (or “new normal”) and an aging congregation), we find ourselves in an unprecedented opportunity to assess Knox’s needs for the future.

Our church’s capacity is changing in many ways, and while we don’t always desire change, sometimes changes are needed (and in our case, some are overdue). To build a thriving community and to live out our Vision in the future, we are in a position where we must look at our finances and structure with new eyes.

The Board will be meeting more frequently in the coming weeks to determine how we can better align the Church Administrator role to our Vision and future needs. We have already begun to look at the staff model and governance structure, and we expect to provide recommendations to the congregation in the coming weeks and months. Please watch News & Notes and the website for dates and opportunities to learn, provide information to us, and maybe even vote once or twice. These meetings will probably be offered in a hybrid format – in person, and with online participation via Zoom.

Speaking of changes, our Financial restructuring has been underway for many months now, and we are grateful to Margaret, Josie, Larry and our bookkeeper Jeannie for the incredible amount of detailed work they’ve undertaken to streamline and align our financial structure to our vision. THANK YOU!

Our Trustees have been working hard in the background, too, and I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to you all for your watchful eyes. Our Trustees are a careful group in all the right ways, making sure processes are followed and that they understand every aspect of a decision before making it. And they have their eyes solidly on the future, ensuring that we are all excellent stewards of Knox’s “treasure and terrain”.

Being back in the sanctuary has been a restorative experience for me, and I hope that many of you feel the same way. Our Worship Team has put so much effort into keeping us safe, adjusting to live streaming, and making sure that in-person and virtual worship is a meaningful experience for all of us. We are truly grateful. THANK YOU!

We continue to have a large following online (some weeks more online than in-person!), which underscores the importance of being able to offer virtual worship. Web team – THANK YOU. We see some of what you do, and we don’t see a lot of what you do. We know it isn’t easy some days, but you make it look seamless. We are so grateful.

Since coming back to in-person worship, we have discovered new faces in our midst. So, I want to close this update with the heartiest of welcomes to the many new people who are joining us online and in person. We are excited to know you, and look forward to learning how we can support you in this sort-of post-pandemic world.

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January, 2022

Happy New Year 2022! Ok, that’s a bit late. But better late than never. Yes???

Our “Reliable Rumours” blog writer (and Board chair) Susan McAlpine is away for a while to attend family matter. Meanwhile, Richard Chung acts on her behalf (as a temporary acting chair). So please forward any Board matters to Richard for now.

We are hoping to reopen the church building soon. The new target date for the In-Person/Live Streaming service is February 20, from February 6. Trying to settle on the reopening date is like aiming at a moving target. And we keep missing the target. I hope we hit the bullseye this time. Worship Time is at 10:30 am.

Our AGM is set for February 27 after worship service. We will meet in-person and zoom. More detail to come in the next few weeks.

The Knox Board has approved (with some revisions, shavings, jostling, and visioning) the budget for 2022. While the Pandemic has challenged us, we have adapted our ministry to a new reality and pivoted well into the future. Please refer to my report (minister’s annual report) as you review the new budget. It provides a broad direction for our ministry into the future and offers a rationale for the budget.

Oh, yes, — we also have the update from the Building Committee:

“Given the continuing saga of our Covid world and the ever-changing protocol for business operations in Vancouver and beyond, we have continued to work our way forward to that long-awaited start on our new building. The City recently provided us with a permit to modify the original parking plans from three levels to two levels. This provides safer and more accessible parking. City Hall has been very slow to respond to construction activity across Vancouver. We are not alone in our challenges but be assured we are making our voices heard. Currently, we are working with our respective lawyers to produce an acceptable amendment to our main contract that will allow us to begin an activity on site subject to City Hall producing all remaining permits such as those required for demolition, etc. We move forward with these activities through regular Zoom meetings with all concerned providing safe interaction in a time of covid. We hope to see more positive activity as we move towards Spring and will keep you informed as it happens. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.” … The Building Team

November, 2021

Is any update better than no update?  I hope so.  It’s been a busy autumn for me (made all the busier by daily raking — see photo!), so I apologize for being slow with blog updates.  I don’t have a lot of news for you this week, but here are a few tidbits of news from around the church:

The Knox Choir gathered this past week for the first time since the pandemic.  While adhering to pandemic safety protocols, the choir recorded an anthem which will air at our Advent 1 (Nov 28) service.  Well done, choir!  And big thanks to Colleen and Madelene for their leadership.

There will be a Board meeting this Thursday, with lots of ground to cover as we prepare for 2022.  Bill Goodsir will be attending to provide updates on the Building Project (the wheels at the City of Vancouver grind slowly).  And we’ll have an initial discussion about the 2022 Budget.  There are lots of things to consider money-wise, now that we’re not operating and caring for the Fellowship Centre. 

Knox’s Finance Team continues to work on some fairly major financial system upgrades, and are making excellent progress.  Margaret P, Larry T Josie and I, along with our book-keeper Jeannie, are meeting weekly to keep the project on-track and as stress-free as possible.  The changes we’re making now will simplify our financial management considerably, making Knox more nimble and efficient and better positioned to consider future vision-related opportunities and initiatives.

Finally, I want to send a big thank you to the Stewardship & Social Justice team, and especially Rev. Richard, Rev. Sharon and Josie, for developing and managing the Stewardship Campaign.  And of course, thanks to all of you for all the generous ways you give of your time, treasure, and talent.

Take care, everyone.  As we add flu season to the pandemic, stay safe — and do your best to keep others safe, too.

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

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October, 2021

How did September fly by so quickly?  This blog update is many weeks overdue, so I thank you for your patience.

Did you attend Knox’s Welcome Back event on October 3rd?  We were thrilled to have over 50 guests in the Church Building to view the changes we’ve made over the summer.  These changes were hard work — labour intensive, often messy, and always time-consuming.   Here is a recap of life at Knox since ~June:

• Weekly virtual worship
• Summer Spirit planning & participation
• Worship report submitted to Board on re-purposing the church building for flexible spaces
• Ongoing build of new Knox website
• Appropriate storage facilities identified and procured
• Search for temporary office space
• Downsizing, moving &/or storage of 3 offices, Room 1, lounge, pianos, furniture, Rip & Stitch cupboard, kitchen, library, lobby, gym storage & locker, sheds, renters, Preschool, and a surprising number of credenzas!
• Relocation of tools, landscaping equipment and sheds
• Various rounds of thrift and junk removal
• Creating an event for the congregation to tour the empty space and say goodbye
• Relocation and storage of sanctuary and chapel pews
• Construction of AV system booth
• AV system installation and training
• Beautiful garden maintenance and planters
• Ongoing Instrumental Measures events and Curated & Curious blog updates
• Pew removal and storage from sanctuary and chapel
• Flower room upgrade to include a kitchen
• Re-inventing the chapel as a multi-purpose space
• Re-arranging the Narthex to create a multi-purpose space
• Prepping vestry for its new function as office space
• Electric and plumbing work in various parts of the church building
• Postal service redirection (notice we have a new mailbox and a different street number!)
• Wayfarer Art Exhibit at Knox, August 14th
• Wifi upgrades and phone line relocation
• An extra Board meeting (we don’t usually meet in August)
• Survey written to collect congregant feedback on returning to in-person worship
• Sealing the concrete sanctuary floor
• Deep cleaning the sanctuary
• Planning and holding Sept 19th Dabble & Babble event
• Planning and holding October 3rd Welcome Back event

Whew!  I’m tired just writing this.  And the list isn’t comprehensive – nor is the work entirely finished.   But here’s a truly amazing fact:  Almost ALL this work was accomplished by Knox staff and congregants.  Very little was outsourced. 

You can imagine how pleased-but-tired our staff and volunteers feel after months of hard work, and how glad they will be when it’s all truly done.  We owe a debt of gratitude to all of those who re-imagined our space, and to those rolled up their sleeves to make things happen. 

Now – what else is happening around Knox?  In no particular order…Finance systems upgrade – Ably led by chair Margaret P and Treasurer Larry, our Finance Team and Josie are now working on a list of recommendations approved by the Board for the upgrade of Knox’s finance systems.  In summary, we aim to implement a number of operational efficiencies, reduce manual processing, improve accuracy and facilitate timely reporting, simplify the Chart of Accounts, and review our financial software for further improvements.  The project will also involve reviewing and updating Knox’s financial policies.  If you’d like a detailed list of items, please ask Josie for a copy of the Board’s September meeting minutes.

Why are we making changes to such longstanding practices, you might ask?  These recommendations had input from Robyn (our outgoing bookkeeper), Jeannie (our new bookkeeper), and subject matter experts from Pacific Mountain Region.  Once the changes are in place, they will be significant time-savers from an administrative perspective.  They’ll also make our financial processes more secure and will prepare Knox to be nimbler in the future, as we pursue our Vision.  But most importantly, they are modern best practices.

Construction Project – Alan, Bill and John (our project manager) are working closely with our lawyer, Make Projects (for Hon Towers), and Hon’s lawyer, to prepare a revised contract.  It’s taking more time than initially predicted, but the work is detailed, necessary, and quite typical for construction projects.  Hon continues to work with the City of Vancouver on a variety of permits and permit changes related to the anticipated changes in the project.  The Board and Trustees hope to see a first draft of the revised contract very soon.

Website Hack – No doubt you’ve read about the Knox website hack.  We were not alone in this security breech, but we are on our own in rebuilding what was a nearly new website — from scratch.  Our webminder Debra and her dedicated team have been putting in a huge number of hours to get virtual worship reinstated and to get us fully back online.  Thank you, Knox web team!!

Renter reintegration – Josie and I are beginning to reintegrate space users at Knox.  We’re pleased to welcome Acting Up! back this week, and will then welcome other groups, one or two at a time.  This is a bit of a juggling act.  Who can use which rooms on what days?  For how long?  How will the spaces be cleaned and sanitized afterwards?   We have our own staff and worship team to accommodate as they work, clean, record and rehearse, too. 

Fall schedule – Have you seen the fall schedule for worship, learning and vision events?  So much inspiration and effort has been happening to keep Knox nourished and connected to our community, even in this pandemic.  Thank you to Rev. Richard for a lively and relevant sermon series, and for planning a timely reading group.  Thank you to our Worship staff for planning a meaningful and safe return to worship.  Thank you to Tracy for keeping Instrumental Measures and Curated & Curious at the forefront! 

Return to worship – While we may not speed towards resuming in-person worship, our Worship team is working in collaboration with our Web and AV teams to discern how worship will look when it restarts.  AV training is a big part of prep, as you can imagine.  In addition, we have some work on the sanctuary to finish, such as painting the flower room and filling in pew bolt holes on the concrete floor.  Pandemic-wise, the congregation expressed a desire to return to worship slowly and safely (in our fall survey).  To well-manage our own timelines and stress levels, we will continue to generally aim for an Advent reopening.  But please watch this space for any news.

Speaking of the congregational survey, we will announce a date shortly to look at the survey results with the congregation, discuss what it all means, and share how our feelings about the pandemic are evolving, even as the cold and flu season advances.

My gosh this is a lot for a small congregation.  And yet your willingness to pitch in, whether through hands-on work, discernment, communication, patience, faith, financial gifts, encouragement and prayers, all goes a long way to fulfilling our Vision.  Thank you one and all.

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

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August 21, 2021

   They say pictures are worth a thousand words so please take a peek at this week’s pics of what a small mighty group has accomplished! THANK YOU to every single person who helped us get ready for our long awaited construction.

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

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August 7, 2021

   THANK YOU to every single person who helped to empty the Fellowship Centre.  It’s truly incredible what a team of people can accomplish when they share a common goal (having an urgent timeline doesn’t hurt either!).

Part 2 of our project is underway, with changes being made in the Church Building to prepare it for its many new uses.  I’ll look forward to updating you with any news on that topic, and on the development project, when I’m back from a short holiday next week.

In the meantime, don’t forget the Wayfarer Art Exhibition at Knox on August 14 from Noon to 5, rain or shine.
Help live out our vision by supporting artists in our community!

Stay safe everyone. 
Susan, Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan

July 28, 2021

   My apologies for letting a few days slip by without an update.  Here is the latest news from around Knox, and the first update is perhaps the most important:

MASK WEARING IS STILL REQUIRED BY KNOX POLICY

   The last Knox policy set on mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing has not changed, despite government regulations relaxing. Please continue to wear a mask in the buildings and social distance unless you are working completely alone in a space. While you may have received 2 vaccines, others have had 1 or even none. COVID-19 is still transmissible after 2 vaccines, and we MUST protect the health-vulnerable among us. This includes our own staff and congregants. Note, this policy will be reviewed at the Board’s August meeting but until a change is announced, the policy stands. Thank you for your kindness, understanding, and cooperation!

   The HomeStart Foundation took almost all Fellowship Centre furniture this week that was not allocated to move to our new building. HomeStart acts as a support organization to charities that help people rebuild their lives – women and children escaping from domestic violence, families and individuals who have been homeless, people with mental and physical disabilities, and refugee families. A wonderful new life for our old furniture! A big thank you is due to Will B and Finn B, Mary G’s grandsons, who have been by to help move tables and chairs from the Fellowship Centre to the church building. Big thanks to Laura B and her van, too, aa she will be working with Anne M to remove any remaining items that can be donated. A junk removal company will pick up anything remaining behind. We’re almost there, folks!!! Alan M and Anne M have been absolutely instrumental in keeping everything moving smoothly (and with minimal stress!) as this part of our project rolls to a crescendo. Richard D is up to his shoulders in small F&PM-type projects and repairs, and Ed W has been leading the charge on making sure our Wi-Fi systems will support us for the next 2 years. Josie is juggling all sorts of details, handling non-standard admin work to keep the bills paid and the service providers flowing. If you have a free moment, why not send each of them a virtual hug by email? They are truly super heros.

   The Board approved a Use of Space plan at our last meeting, which was proposed by the Worship Team. HUGE work and careful thought went into this plan, and we are profoundly grateful to everyone who took part in discussions on how best to use our church building. The biggest changes you’ll notice when we return to the space:
• Back rows of pews removed to create a configurable space for coffee time, meeting space, rentals, etc.
• Chapel pews removed to create a hybrid worship / meeting / gathering space.
• There will be a few practical changes made in the Vestry to make it functional as a temporary admin space until we receive City of Vancouver approval to put a portable office on our front lawn.

DATES OF NOTE:
July 29 – Say a little prayer and send some good energy to Rev. Richard, our Communications team, and our Staff as they begin to test our new AV and Wi-Fi systems for event and worship live streaming!

Aug 1 – 9 – The Knox Office will be CLOSED for drop-in visits. Please contact Josie by email or phone only or to book an appointment.

Aug 6 & 7 – These are moving & storage days. Telus will also be on site to set up secure, private Wi-Fi in the church building. To reduce stress, please – no one on site apart from Paul O. Please also note that the parking lot will be closed as of Aug 6.

Aug 8 – Say goodbye! Knox congregants, friends, neighbours, family members, and renters will be welcome to take a last walk through the building and sign the gym wall. Anne M will oversee a COVID-safe process for touring the facility. The visits will be on a first-come, first served basis. Please watch for further news and details.

And finally, we are expecting the first draft of a revised contract between Knox and Hon Towers imminently. Please watch this space for updates!

Until next week…
Susan, Knox Board Chair

If you have a question or would like a topic to be addressed in this weekly update, please message Susan.