SPECIAL NOTICE:

After declining attendance over the last five years, Presteign-Woodbine
United Church (PWUC) faced challenging questions as to what to do for
future growth and moving forward. Fourteen options were carefully
considered including development of a senior’s housing facility and a
community outreach service centre.

The most valued option was an official amalgamation with a neighbouring
church and to not disband altogether. The decision to amalgamate was
intentional and the option most people of PWUC found acceptable. In
January 2017 Presteign-Woodbine parishioners began to worship with Leaside
United Church and completed amalgamation in June of 2017.

Last January as part of the plan for amalgamation it was decided to sell
the Presteign-Woodbine property of .87 acres at 16 Presteign Avenue and
re-invest the proceeds less the portion attributed to Presbytery, in to
valued ministries, missions and upgrades to the facility at the Leaside
United Church location at McRae and Millwood.

A property sale team was created through combined talents of the former
Presteign-Woodbine and Leaside United Churches.  Along with the Trustees
Committee this dedicated group worked diligently from March 2017 to
November 2017 to ensure the successful sale of the 16 Presteign Avenue
property with the best possible outcome. The team focused on finding
another faith organization to purchase the building to further serve the
community.  While other churches expressed interest, none were able to
make a suitable offer. Other prospects included a potential child care
centre and a municipal park that ultimately did not materialize.  Finally,
the church accepted an offer and sold the property to a local developer
familiar with the community. The sale agreement closed on December 21st,
2017.

With the primary focus on new ministries and missions outside of the
traditional model of “church”, research is being done to create plans
through the Congregational Development Team with abundant feedback from a
recent census to guide us in exciting new directions.

In the spirit of Advent, this is definitely a time of joy in the
celebration of transition, in peace along our faithful journeys together,
in love with welcoming neighbours and hope in our missions and ministries
for the future.

Church Council
Leaside United Church
December 22, 2017