Strengthening Communities of Faith by investing in present and future ministry
The United Possibilities Fund provides loans and grants to Communities of Faith within the bounds of the former Waterloo Presbytery of the United Church of Canada for both capital and ministry projects.
The Fund is managed by The Waterloo Presbytery Extension Council (WPEC), an incorporated ministry of the United Church of Canada.
Our Story
The origins of the UP Fund go back to 1956 when the Guelph Presbytery Extension Council was formed “to acquire and hold lands … for the purpose of establishing new congregations or relocating existing congregations…” These were the days of rapid church growth when the primary need was to build churches fast enough.
The Guelph Extension Council became the Waterloo Presbytery Extension Council. Its focus shifted to providing capital loans, primarily for renovations and other bricks-and-mortar projects.
The world – and the Church – have changed. While recognizing that some Communities of Faith can still benefit from access to borrowed funds for capital projects, the emerging need is more complex.
In response to changing times, the Waterloo Presbytery Extension Council has revised its By-Laws, developed a new statement of Mission, and established the UP Fund to support a range of ministry needs among its member Communities of Faith.
The UP Fund recognizes that even modest amounts of money, wisely invested, can make a big difference.
Return on Investment
The Waterloo Presbytery Extension Council has a fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of the assets entrusted to it.
There are two aspects to responsibility:
Growing our asset base through interest-bearing loans and through legacy gifts.
Prioritizing projects with a demonsrated missional or ministry impact on the Church and/or community.
Communities of Faith who receive grants and loans will be expected to account for the value they have been able to create through those funds.
The UP Fund will also consider filling funding gaps that may not be covered by other sources of funding available to Communities of Faith.
Structure and Organization
With the transition from Presbyteries to Regional Councils, incorporated ministries function more independently.
The Waterloo Presbytery Extension Council (WPEC) is classed as a “Supervised Incorporated Ministry” with a “close and vital relationship” to the United Church of Canada, but operating as an independently incorporated charitable organization.
(For more information, refer to the United Church’s Incorporated Ministries Handbook.)
The WPEC is accountable to the Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council.
It continues to serve the Communities of Faith within the bounds of the former Waterloo Presbytery.
Membership
The membership of the Waterloo Presbytery Extension Council is composed of up to two representatives appointed by each Community of Faith served by the WPEC.
Board of Directors
The WPEC is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting of the Corporation, normally held in May of each year.