Year-end Report (2023) From Our Chair of Council
The 2023 Annual Report of City View United Church reflects the congregation’s journey through a year
marked by a deep commitment to faith and community. The report acknowledges the contributions of
staff and volunteers, underscoring the collective effort that sustains the church’s mission. This summary
serves as a testament to the strength, dedication, and spirit of the City View United Church community.
In 2023, we were completely back to normal after COVID: in-person worship and meetings; coffee time
after Sunday services; small social gatherings; the choir and congregational singing, including the
Christmas Candlelight service; and the Snowflake Bazaar and Craft Sale.
Reverend Laura Springate continued to lead us spiritually with her engaging Sunday services and
insightful sermons. We all celebrated the news of her pregnancy, and then welcomed her newborn Riley
at the end of the summer. We were blessed to have our Voluntary Associate Minister, Reverend Jim
Baldwin, agree to replace Reverend Laura for her one-year maternity leave. As he leads us in worship,
he also challenges us to reflect on strengths that we can build on and what practices we could reassess.
As always, we are thankful for the dedicated work of our staff, including Mary-Lynne Harvey, who
efficiently managed the church office and the steady growth of room rentals. Patrick Pearson always kept
the church clean and in good-repair. Lei Han continued to serve as our bookkeeper. Our music director
and organist, Svetlana Logigan, shared her exceptional musical talents with us. We were also pleased
to welcome Camelia Eid as our Sunday School & Youth Program Director, as she leads a small but
important part of our congregation.
As you may remember, at a special congregational meeting in May 2022, the congregation authorized
City View United Church Council to proceed with the financing and construction of the necessary Playtime
Daycare renovations. Since that time, Head Trustee Peter Charboneau has worked tirelessly to move
the project forward; however, the project in its current form is not financially viable. Our community
outreach efforts have intensified, including a new partnership with the Caldwell Family Centre Food Bank
now located at our church. This increased involvement in an important community program highlights our
church’s role as a supportive and unifying force in the neighborhood.
I wish to extend my gratitude to the members of Council and the different church committees, who all
continue to support and encourage each other. To all the members of the church, thank you for your
dedication and support, including your financial support, which allows us to flourish as a community of
faith.
Looking towards the future, we are committed to adapting in response to the changing needs of our
congregation. This forward-looking perspective is crucial as we navigate the challenges and opportunities
ahead, maintaining our role as a vital spiritual and community center. To that end, at the congregational
brainstorming session held in May 2023, forty-two ideas falling into seven categories were brought
forward. Several initiatives were undertaken in response to some of these ideas. Equally important this
year, Council will be asking the congregation to focus their attention on our forecasted budget deficits,
and the resulting negative impact on our church’s financial reserves.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Fortura, Chair, CVUC Council