Central Conference AOTS

Central Region Spring Round-Up

2011-11-28T11:19:00.000-08:00

The Dates have been set for the Central Region Spring Round-Up at the Jackson’s Point Conference Centre
April 20th 21 & 22, 2012

The Bay of Quinte Conference is hosting, so if you want additional information contact Alex Jackson at 705 745-2637 or, rajackson@nexicom.net.

We are pleased to announce that David Wilson, the editor of the Observer will be our main speaker on Friday night at Jackson's Point!

David Wilson is editor of The United Church Observer. Founded in 1829, the Observer is the oldest continuously published magazine in North America and the second oldest in the English speaking world. It has won international acclaim for journalistic excellence and garnered more awards for writing than any other Canadian religious publication.

To quote David Wilson
“--we move forward in a new era and style of faith-based publishing, we are constantly mindful of the traditions into which we are anchored.”

Please check back as the registration form and program will be posted in a few weeks.

Stay tuned for more information!

AOTS Past President Takes on Toronto Southeast Presbytery Mission Developer

2011-06-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Jim McKibbin will take on a 2 year contract position which was the result of a Mission Strategy/East End initiative.

I am delighted to be taking on responsibilities as Mission Developer for Toronto Southeast Presbytery. The Mission Developer is assigned the task of working with congregations to facilitate, guide and support a refocusing of church work in Toronto’s East End. The effects of neighbourhood demographic change, aging congregational membership and the resulting financial impact, challenge these congregations. Within these challenges there are great opportunities to reassess work and adopt new approaches to being church in community.

As a church, social and political activist for most of my life I have a great love for the United Church and the way in which it encourages adherents to combine their spiritual practice with social justice outreach. I have just completed responsibilities as national president of AOTS (As One That Serves) and I currently serve as a commissioner to the 40th General Council. Later in 2011 I will be completing studies in preparation for accreditation as a Licensed Lay Worship Leader. I’ve enjoyed a wide ranging background in communications, sales, negotiation and facilitation. In previous lives I have acted as a senior human resources consultant with Brown Consulting Group, Communications Manager and spokesperson for Statistics Canada and the Canadian Census, Director of the Toronto Learning Annex and chairperson of the Ontario Soft Drink Workers Union.

I look forward to engaging in this work.

Thank you

Jim McKibbin, TS Mission Developer

AOTS Biennial/Roundup 2011

2011-04-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

Weekend Program Schedule

Friday April 15
Noon- 2:00 pm Registration / Refreshments
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm National Convention
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm Sing-along (John Groeneveld)
7:15 – 7:30 pm Round-up Opening and welcome
7:30 pm – 8:15 pm Keynote presentation (Michael Blair)
8:15 pm – 9:00 pm Small Group Discussions on Keynote
9:00 pm Sing-along & Snack

Saturday April 16
7:45 am – 8:00 am Morning Meditation (George Bishop)
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – 9:15 am Sing-along (John Groeneveld)
9:15 am – 9:30 am Devotion (Reverend Estey)
9:30 am - 10:15 am 2nd Keynote Michael Blair
10:15 am – 10:45 am Refreshment Break
10:45 – 11:45 Workshops
Noon – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm 3rd Keynote (Michael Blair)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Regional meetings
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Workshops
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Refreshment Break / Free time/choir practice
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Dinner/Banquet & Installation of National Officers
7:15 pm – 7:30 pm Sing-along
7:30 pm – 8:300 pm Cruisin
9:00 pm Snack

Sunday, April 17
8:00 am – 8:15 am Morning Meditation (Bob Gardner)
8:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast (New National Council Meets over Breakfast)
9:00 am – 10:00 Business meeting
10:30 am – 11:45 Worship
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch and Departure

AOTS Biennial/Roundup Message from the President

2011-03-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

Plans are moving forward for the combined AOTS Biennial/Roundup and I am delighted to report that our featured speaker, Michael Blair, will be able to join us for the entire weekend. Michael serves as Executive Minister of the Communities in Mission Unit of The United Church of Canada. He is the former Executive Director of the Toronto Christian Resource Center which is a ministry of the Toronto Southeast Presbytery serving the homeless and marginalized housed in Toronto's eastern downtown area. Previously, Michael served as a congregational minister of a number of Baptist churches in Toronto and St. Catherine’s. As a community chaplain with the Ontario Multifaith Council's Reintegration Program, he worked with individuals leaving the provincial jail system.

Harold Lorenz reports that we have received 21 registrations to date for the Biennial/Roundup. As many of you know the early bird cut-off date is March 31st so it is time to send those registrations in and plan to be with us for an exciting weekend of men’s fellowship and spiritual renewal.

An excellent workshop program is planned and our chaplain for the weekend is Brigadier David Estey (ret’d). Our Saturday evening program will feature the Cruisin Accapella Quartet and John Groeneveld will lead our sing-along’s.

All that will take place in the wonderful surroundings of the Jackson’s Point Conference Centre with the great cuisine provided by kitchen chefs. Don’t miss it!

As this is a combined national convention and biennial our agenda is packed. Please plan to be there for the National Convention where the AOTS national council will present our proposed new constitution. The l Convention begins at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 15.

Thank you all.
Jim

For More Information Check out the AOTS Biennial/Roundup Website

Get Your Registration Form
Contact the Round-up Registrar Keeling Little
Or call him at (705) 476-1126 for more information

AOTS National Biennial and Central Region Spring Roundup 2011

2011-03-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

For more information please check out the Central Region Spring Roundup

April 15th - 17th

The Salvation Army Jackson's Point

Conference Centre,

1890 Metro Road North,

Jackson 's Point, Ontario L0E 1L0

905-722-3501

Get Your Registration Form

Contact the Round-up Registrar Keeling Little

Or call him at (705) 476-1126 for more information

A Weekend at “Breaking The Ice Retreat”

2010-03-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

The retreat commenced at 5:30pm Friday night Feb 26 with a great dinner. We then gathered in a welcoming circle for the opening Prayer by Paul Murdock and Introduction of the organizing team, Dave Battaino – Paul Murdock – Tom Taylor. The providers of music and hymns were John Balfe and Glenn Tunnock.

Dave Battaino introduced the theme for the weekend, “Walking in the Light” and explained how the weekend would progress. We now introduced ourselves. At 7pm after our opening hymn “Praise with Joy the Worlds Creator, plus a couple more our first presenter Tom Taylor “The God We Never Knew” {Borg} and Luke 4:14-21. After we then broke for more song followed by social time.

Saturday morning after a good breakfast, Prayer and song we proceed into our Saturday program: Session (1) Paul Murdock leads us in “Prayer Study and Small group discussions. Session (2) Rev. John Harvey’s presentation of “Making Doctrine Real In Our Lives” Now is time for a few songs and time for lunch.

After lunch we gather again and Dave Battaino presents Session (3) “Mapping your Walk With Jesus and the 23rd Psalm. After this session we have free time until Supper. During this period of time we were able to go walking, Snow shoeing, etc.

After Supper we had a presentation by Lloyd Paul on “Men’s Ministries within the United Church. Lloyd is from the United Church main office in Toronto.

Sunday morning we had a pancake breakfast and the our Church service and communion. After lunch we said our farewells. All had very enjoyable week end. Planning to have our next retreat next year at the same time.

Ed Macdonald

AOTS Central Conference Representative

2010-02-23T21:10:00.000-08:00

Edwin MacDonald, Central Vice President

We welcome Edwin MacDonald as the new 2009 - 2011 AOTS Central Conference Representative.

Ed has been in the United Church for over 50 years, Served on Sudbury Presbyter for approxmetly 20 years, held the offices of Secretary for 6 Yrs and Vice Chair for 2 Years,

He also served as Presbytery Representative to Manitou Conference for 14 years. He was a General Council Representative in 1997 and 2000 and he has Served and chaired many committies within the church

Edwin MacDonald
513 Galaxy Court
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 5K6
(705) 523-0134