Direct Connect Newsletter #3
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 News by admin
Ministry News and Information~Canada Pacific District
From District Superintendent, Rev. Earl Wood February 8, 2010
Pastor Doreen Greenwood:
Doreen reports that the chemotherapy treatments she has been receiving have been deemed by her physicians to be unsuccessful and that the cancer continues to grow. The medical team under whose care she is receiving treatment has decided to attempt another type of chemo. A new regimen of treatment is scheduled. Doreen continues to live in hope and peace. She reports a remarkable spirit of optimism among the people of her church family as they focus on the ministry God has for them. Your ongoing prayer support for Doreen, her family and the Northern Lights Church (Chetwynd, BC) is requested.
Memorial Service for Mrs. Doris Airhart;
Doris Airhart recently passed away at her home in Calgary, AB. Doris was married to Dr. Arnold Airhart and was well known and loved by people across Canada as well as in many parts of the world. On Thursday, February 25, 2010 a memorial service will be held at the Abbotsford Church of the Nazarene, where Doris and Arnold were members in recent years.
Pastor Cal Barber:
Pastor Cal’s mother passed away peacefully, Sunday, February 7, 2010. Cal and Melony Barber serve as the pastors of our Southside Church of the Nazarene, Port Alberni. Pastor Cal is thankful for the support and prayers of his church and his family in the Port Alberni area.
Haiti:
The Church of the Nazarene is serving the people of Haiti through the ministry of over 100 local churches. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is fully engaged in responding to the needs of the people. Del Marie Wergeland (Victoria Warehouse) reports that containers of donations have been prepared and are on the way to Haiti with more to follow. Thank you for your support of this important ministry. There are several Haitian Churches of the Nazarene in our Canada Central and Quebec Districts. Many of the people in these congregations have lost family members and close friends due to the recent earthquake. Please continue to remember the people of Haiti as well as our church in Haiti through prayer and tangible support during these difficult days.
AMBROSE TO LAUNCH The Bachelor of Education (After Degree) in Elementary Education (BEd) is a two year, 60 credit degree designed to provide students with the appropriate training for a teaching career in Alberta. Applicants will have completed a Bachelor’s degree with a strong liberal arts component at a recognized university or university college.
The program was carefully developed with the help of an Advisory Council, a group of highly qualified educators, administrators, and university professors from Alberta’s post secondary institutions. The result is a program that adheres to the Teaching Quality Standards and the knowledge, skills and attributes required for Interim Professional Certification to teach in the Province of Alberta.
Prof. Bernie Potvin, Program Head and Associate Professor of Education at Ambrose says, “The Bachelor of Education program will prepare teachers to work effectively in inclusive classrooms in Alberta’s public schools. We are confident that our program will be a model for teacher preparation in Alberta. We are committed to working collaboratively with our colleagues in schools and other university programs towards implementing an exemplary teacher education program. As a result, we know with certainty that our graduates will make a life-changing difference in children’s lives in schools and communities.”
As well, Dr. Riley Coulter, Chancellor of Ambrose University College brought a very encouraging and informative report regarding Ambrose to the CPD Pastor’s and Spouses Retreat, including the very good news that the Campus Alberta Quality Council has approved Ambrose’s application to offer the Bachelor of Music, the Bachelor of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Education (After Degree) programs. It is our prayer that these degree programs will encourage many of the young people from churches across our District to consider enrolling at Ambrose to pursue higher education at our church’s university college.
Pastoral Placements:
Abbotsford:
Rev. Pat and Peggy Wiens were installed as pastor of our Abbotsford congregation on Sunday, February 7th.
Guildford:
Rev. Robert and Lara Gray have accepted the congregations call to serve as the pastor of our Guildford Church. They anticipate arrival from Scotland on February 26th. The Grays will begin their pastoral ministry at Guildford on February 28, 2010.
We are grateful to God for his provision of pastoral leadership for our churches.
Recent Gathering:
Pastors’ and Spouses Annual Retreat:
Forty eight pastors and spouses gathered on January 22-24 at the Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Centre for their annual retreat. The retreat featured times of worship led by four students from the faculty of music at Ambrose University College as well as Dr. Mark Quanstrom, Professor of theology and philosophy in the School of Theology at Olivet Nazarene University and authour of the book, A Century of Holiness Theology (Dr. Quanstom’s Ph.D. dissertation published in 2004 by Beacon Hill Press). Dr. Quanstom reminded us that the church is central to the plan and purpose of God in terms of reconciling the world to God, serving as the medium of the incarnation of God in the world and serving as the vehicle through which the Kingdom of God is being established in the world. Dr. Riley Coulter, Chancellor of Ambrose University College brought a very encouraging and informative report regarding Ambrose.
District Leaders:
Don Johnson (NMI), Calvin Black (NYI) and, Melony Barber (SDMI) attended a district leaders’ conference in Louisville, Kentucky in early January, hosted by the Church of the Nazarene International. Our leaders report a valuable experience of both inspiration and information related to their specific leadership assignments.
National Board:
The Church of the Nazarene Canada’s Board met for its annual general meeting. The meeting was held in Toronto on January 25- 26, 2010. The Canada Pacific District was represented at the meeting by Don Coghill (Kelowna Church of the Nazarene) and District Superintendent, Rev. Earl Wood.
Upcoming Events & Meetings:
* Camp Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
* Legacy Youth Conference:
Hosted by Ambrose University College March 4-6, 2010. Young people are expected to gather in Calgary from our churches across Canada to participate in this uplifting and inspiring gathering.
* Oasis 2010:
Our annual District Ladies Retreat March 5-7 at the Firs Conference grounds in Bellingham, Washington.
* District Board of Ministry:
Thursday, March 25, 2010. The Board of Ministry is the official structure through which individuals who sense a call to ministry are interviewed and evaluated for ministry service leading to ordination.
* District Advisory Board meetings: Thursday, April 8 and Thursday, May 27, 2010
* Camp Registration Online Launch: March 1, 2010
* Annual Good Friday Service: (Lower Mainland) will be held at the Abbotsford Church of the Nazarene at 10:30am. Lunch will follow. Participating churches are asked to bring either salad or dessert.
* District Assembly/Conventions (Missions and Sunday School/ Discipleship):
June 23 – 25, 2010 (the Annual General meetings for the Canada Pacific District)
* Summer Camp Dates for 2010:
Jr. High ~ July 10 to 14 ~ Pender Island (Director: Matt Wood)
Family ~ July 15 to 18 ~ Pender Island (Director: Ron McLeod)
Kidz ~ July 19 to 24 ~ Pender Island (Director: Heather Johnson)
Sr. High ~ August 20 to 23 ~ TBA (Director: Pat Wiens)
* Donate to Camp Program:
Each summer the Canada Pacific District sponsors summer camping programs that minister to children, youth and families. We have experienced the blessing of many individuals donating to the camping programs and to individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford to attend. Last year, 2009 we initiated an additional method of giving to the camping ministry (donors can choose either a camp program and camper sponsorships) and we will provide this opportunity again for the 2010 season. On the Canada Pacific website, www.pacnaz.ca you will find a button “DONATE TO CAMP” which enables donors to access secure giving online. We raised over $6,000. towards the 2009 season through various avenues of giving that ranged from the online method to individuals donating through their local church weekly offering. Please consider supporting this vital and life-changing ministry for the summer of 2010.
* Palcon 2010:
A Pastoral Leadership Development Conference is scheduled for August 23-26, 2010 at the Ambrose University College campus in Calgary. A travel subsidy is being planned for each registrant from our District. This event has been a helpful resource to our pastors. We are asking our church boards to make preparations to enable your pastoral staff (those who are serving our churches in paid clergy assignments) to attend this helpful time of worship, fellowship and inspirational speakers and workshop leaders.
* People News:
Congratulations to Matthew and Kadee Smedley who are rejoicing in the birth of baby boy, Ephram Immanuel. Ephram was born Saturday, January 30, 2010 and weighed in at 8lbs. 5 oz.
Congratulations to Rev. Rick Burke on his appointment as acting Director General, serving Canada Corrections Services in leading and supervision of Chaplaincy services in Federal Corrections facilities across Canada. Rick is a Nazarene minister who lives with his wife and family in the Ottawa area where they are active in our Nazarene church.
