Message from the President

Our President, Anna Barr, introduces herself.

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Who is Anna Barr, newly elected President of the M&O Conference?

One of my first experiences as a Presbytery rep was attending conference in 1997 at Bishops College. Over the next years of Presbytery and Conference meetings, I quietly observed, participated and gained understanding. I tend to function quite well on the sidelines – watching, learning, waiting – testing the water before I feel comfortable enough to step in - or jump in as the case may be.

 I grew up in the United Church. To this middle child in a large family, and for a large part of my life, our small congregation in the rural community of Roebuck, Ontario was the United Church of Canada. It was here that I first heard the stories of Jesus; that I grew up in Sunday School and youth activities; that the generations blended together as we worked and worshipped side by side; that I witnessed true faith in action through the love and energy of the remarkable people who have called this church their home.

After high school graduation, I ventured off from Roebuck and found myself in Montreal. It was there that I began a banking career that has taken me back and forth between Quebec and Ontario; on to Baffin Island (Frobisher Bay - now Iqaluit); then Alberta; and eventually, returned me once more to Ontario.

Life and work have brought experience, awareness and gifts. Close to ‘home’ again, I find myself back in my little congregation with an increased appreciation for this faith community and for the greater United Church.

The first steps in my U.C.C. journey - committee and church board work, learning to plan and lead workshops, and occasionally preparing and leading worship – helped prepare me for further ventures out into Presbytery and Conference.

Serving three years as chair of the Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee, I met with ministry personnel and congregations dealing with a variety of situations. We walked together through some challenges and shared in celebrations. I met some great people, learned from some of the best, and felt the connections. These steps led me along the path to the Presbytery Executive and the Conference Settlement Committee.

I represented our Presbytery at a Rural Ministry Symposium near Guelph, the Conference at an Interim Ministry Consultation in Toronto, and the Conference at General Council 39 in Thunder Bay. Each step brought a new experience and a new opportunity for growth and learning.

Over the past year, I was involved in the Conference AGM Planning and the Conference Executive working alongside Jim and Rosemary and the rest of the team. I chaired my first executive meeting back in June where we said goodbye to the former executive and greeted the new.

As I step into this new beginning, I am comforted in the knowledge that I encounter such incredible people along all the pathways of our church and am encouraged by the dedication and commitment that I witness in my journeying.