History

History was made this Sunday. Those of you who follow Art Smith on facebook will know that today the very first South American evangelist was ordained.

Final pictures aren't yet available (the ministry team had to leave and rush to the airport) but here is a picture of Dean of Seminary Don Compier and Sr Fernanda at the close of a series of study sessions with Don and Presiding Evangelist Dave Brock.

This is not all though. History happened right here in Canada East as well. Lynn Aquin, founder and pastor of our Jesus Rocks emerging congregation was ordained an elder. This has been an eventful year for Lynn as she's struggled with her own health challenges while shepherding her little group in downtown Hamilton. We are so thankful for the blessings this little group has received.We look forward to many more.

While there is now an "official" Minister of Blessing in Brazil, we thank God for blessing Lynn and Jesus Rocks. History happens in Hamilton!

Posted by Marion (photo by Susan Hare)

Celebration

This Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Canada East Mission will meet together in conference. The location is Trinity United Church, 400 Stevenson St. N. in Guelph. Many pieces of information will be presented, including the planning for a Canadian National Conference in June of 2012. We will discuss progress made in the twelve months since the goals of 2020 Vision were announced, and of course we will be asked to approved the budget for 2011. Our new Apostle, Susan Skoor, will have opportunity to address the conference and begin to get to know us, or at least to get an introduction.

As important as all these things are, they pale in comparison to the celebration we anticipate later in the day. After lunch the conference will be presented with the calls of nine persons to senior priesthood ministry; six High Priests, two Evangelists, and one Bishop. Approving those calls will be the last item on the conference agenda. By 3:00 p.m., we anticipate that this process will be completed and we will then move into an ordination service.

Imagine the impact these nine people can have on the mission centre and on our congregations! High Priests are called to be ministers of vision, and if ever we needed vision in our congregations, now is the time. Evangelists have a very special calling as ministers of blessing, and we simply cannot have too much blessing. Bishops are called to be ministers of generosity, and our bishops have proven to be more than generous with their time, talent and treasure as they have made wonderful contributions to our cause over the past several years. Is it any wonder then that we look forward to this event with such joy and anticipation?

Following the service, we will move to the church gym where we will enjoy some light refreshments and visit with those who have been newly ordained. We hope you will be there to greet them and to part of the celebration as we take another step into our emerging future with God.

It will be a great day. Why not come be part of it?

Posted by Carman