D.S. Reflections
District Superintendent Steve Ottley
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Thank You, Pastor
Can you believe it’s October 2020? This is Pastor Appreciation Month. If there ever was a time we need to say thanks to our pastors, it is NOW!
Pastor, you have led through a season like nothing we have ever seen nor experienced before – and you did so without having a class in Bible School or Seminary training you in for this. You were innovative in finding online ways to lead your congregation in weekly worship and teaching and keeping them connected in fellowship. You faithfully provided pastoral care in the midst of a pandemic. You comforted those who lost loved ones and officiated live stream funeral services. You have worked with your church board to develop a building reopening plan. And so much more…
I borrow from the Apostle Paul’s words:
"3 Every time I think of you [pastor], I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ…" Philippians 1:3-5 (NLT).
THANK YOU, PASTOR!
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Church boards and congregations, I know you will want to show your love and appreciation for your pastors this Pastor Appreciation Month. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to plan ways to honour and thank your pastor. You can do so corporately as a church family. I encourage you as individuals to take time to personally thank you pastor for all she/he does.
Lay leaders, as you plan to bless your pastor, I invite you to CLICK HERE for two opportunities that could make a significant difference in the financial lives of our pastors.
God bless you as you honour your pastor this month.
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D.S. Pictures of the Month
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Five years ago Pastor Nick Stavropoulos and the Toronto Rosewood Church sent out Pastor Jani Csoke and a group to plant Ajax Connect Church.
On Sunday, September 20th, Ajax Connect became the newest Church of the Nazarene to be fully organized on the Canada Central District.
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Pastor Nick Stavropoulos
Lead Pastor
Toronto Rosewood Church
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Pastor Jani & Amy Csoke
Lead Pastor
Ajax Connect Church
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Jeremy Stavropoulos
Worship Leader
Ajax Connect Church
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D.S. Steve Ottley
Organizing Ajax Connect Church
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Hamilton Young Flock Spanish Church
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Pastor Leonte Fernandez, Lead Pastor, Baptizing Believers
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Pastor Jenn Turner
Lead Pastor
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D.S. Steve Ottley
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Social Distancing Worship
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Be Sure to Click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of the email.
We don't want you to miss any of the district news!
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Upcoming D.S. Schedule for October
Please pray for God’s anointing and wisdom for D.S. Steve Ottley
October 1st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
October 1st
Church Planting Collaboration Meeting – Zoom @ 2:00 p.m.
October 1st
Young Adult Ministry Meeting – Zoom @ 3:30 p.m.
October 4th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
October 4th
Cambridge Preston Church @ 10:30 p.m.
October 6th
Niagara Heights Church Board Meeting – Zoom @ 6:30 p.m.
October 8th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
October 8th – October 9th
National Board Executive Meeting – Zoom
October 11th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
October 11th
Lakeside Church @ 10:30 a.m.
October 13th
Wholistic Wellness Service Providers Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
October 15th
GTA Missional Zone Pastors Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
October 15th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
October 18th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
October 18th
Milton Casa de Pan Church @ 10:30 a.m.
October 18th
Mississauga Tabernaculo Evangelico @ 3:30 p.m.
October 19th – 20th
SONLIFE Board Meeting @ 10:00 a.m.
October 21st
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
October 21st
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
October 22nd
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
.October 25th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
October 25th
London First Church @ 11:00 a.m
October 27th – October 28th
Church Planting Canada Online Conference
October 29th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
October 29th
Canada Pastors Online Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
October 31st – November 1st
Sault Ste Marie Church Board Meeting/ & Worship Service
October 31st
Above All Youth Service – Online, Hosted by Bethel Spanish @ 7:00 p.m.
November 1st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
November 5th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
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UPDATE FROM THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR re: AGMs
Annual General Meeting of Ontario Nonprofit Corporations
Previously we had announced that local churches that are incorporated and have not been able to hold their annual meetings due to the Covid-19 state of emergency would need to hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of their not-for-profit corporation by 24 October, 2020. However, after consulting with Service Ontario, we are now advising that you do not need to hold these special meetings. The decision of the Board of General Superintendents, previously announced by our District Superintendent, authorising church board members to extend their tenure of service by one year, also validates those same board members to fulfill their roles as directors of the church's corporation until the next regularly scheduled annual meeting. Additionally, since local church boards are authorised to give oversight to the church's finances between annual meetings, this oversight fulfills the legal obligations of the oversight of the corporation's finances until the next regularly scheduled AGM can be held.
Summary: We are advising that you DO NOT need to hold a special AGM for your church's corporation. If you have any questions, please contact:
support@centralnazarene.ca
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Canada Central District Happenings
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Family Life Marriage Conference
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During these Covid-19 months, many marriages have been strained, including good solid couples. Family Life Canada is providing this free conference to invest in your marriage.
CLICK HERE for more information about the FREE Conference
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Seedbed Publishing (Asbury Seminary) Presents The Awakened Life Course – a four-week journey of Scripture, prayer, conversation, and transformation: all centered around the awakening and disciple-making mission of Jesus Christ. Expect to be challenged, encouraged, equipped, and empowered for the important season of faith ahead
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Monday Evenings
October 19 th – November 9 th
CLICK HERE for more information |
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Organic Outreach Free Virtual Event
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Fan the Flames! Free Virtual Event
Thursday, November 5, 2020
10:00 a.m – 12:00 noon ET
CLICK HERE for more information
Increasing the Outreach Temperature in Your Life, Leaders, and Church
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We live in rapidly changing times and everyone is feeling the weight of all that is happening in our world. The Organic Outreach® Team invites you to a free web-based gathering with church and outreach leaders from around the world. The goal of this gathering is to refresh your soul, encourage your leaders, and strengthen your church so that you can reach out with God's love in fresh and powerful ways. REGISTER HERE
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District Ministry Training Centre
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Registration is now open!
Course: ENG 1013 English Composition
Instructor: Rev. Tamara Hudson, M.A. OCELT
Date: November 9-December 20, 2020
Cost:$300
Upcoming courses:
Introduction to Old Testament with Dr. Tina Pitamber (January 2021)
Global Evangelism with Rev. Terry Hudson (March 2021)
For more information or to apply, please contact Pastor Tammy at dmtc.director@centralnazarene.ca
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Congratulations to Pastor Donna Wilson
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Donna (Darryl) Wilson was enrolled as the Padre of the 32 Signal Unit, CFB Borden and Fort York (Oct 7/20), at the Denison Armoury in Toronto. She is looking forward to this new opportunity to serve, and will also continue as pastor of Erie St Community Church in Collingwood.
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Above All Worship, October 31st, 7:00 p.m.
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Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada
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Click HERE for an update on NCM Canada's response to Covid-19.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES
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Cindy Stavropoulos
District SDMIChair
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Click HERE to download the CCD SDMI Newsletter
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Rev. Donna Wilson
District NMI President
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NMI – CCD Nazarene Missions International
It is difficult to believe it is October and we are nearing the 8th month of the global impact of Covid-19. We continue to trust the Lord both here and at home, in our local ministries, and for the Lord’s servants in churches, and ministries far away. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God" (2Cor:3-4). Indeed, Covid-19 has caused suffering around the world, both through the physical effects of those who have been infected, and through the economic and social impact. Let’s be in prayer for the needs we become aware of, both near and far.
WEF – Thanksgiving Emphasis - Thank you to the congregations who continue to send 5.5% tithe or above, in each month. At Thanksgiving there is opportunity to have a special emphasis on raising funds for WEF (World Evangelism Fund): http://prod.nazarene.org/wef . WEF provides the base funding to keep Nazarene missionaries in service around the world. We know this is a difficult time for our district congregations, and we are thankful for all you are doing.
District NMI Website – All current NMI information and assistance can be found at nazarenemissions.ca. This site is currently cared for by Gord Evans (Cedardale CON). Please check it out!
Fall Deputation – We are thankful that Bev Crossley (past President) is caring for Deputation on CCD, and will be in touch with local congregations regarding our connection to Rev Jay and Teanna Sunberg this fall. On a special note, please pray for the Sunbergs as they prepare to move from Hungary to Poland in the near future, and continue their missionary service in Eastern Europe while their 4 daughters remain in the USA for education and work.
From our LINKS Missionaries – Anthony & Barbara Manswell (Trinidad)
(Part letter/update)
“…Thanks for keeping in touch, and for keeping your LINKS missionaries in the forefront of the people on the Canada Central District. We truly appreciate ALL of you, and trust we can keep connecting …Trinidad has been a bit crazy. For the first several months, everything went well, people were cautious and they started opening things back up. However, we have had a spike in COVID cases in the past month, and everything has been restricted again. We also have a new mandate that masks MUST be worn in public, including more than one person in a vehicle (doesn’t matter if they are family) along with a hefty fine if not. This is definitely causing some discontent and unrest. We believe many people are genuinely getting tired of this way of living. …We press on, however, as we DO have a hope, and are confident that none of this is a surprise to our awesome God! We continue to serve in many ways: teaching online, interacting with the students on campus, and continuing pre-marriage & marriage counseling. We also continue with our MMM (Manswell’s Marriage Ministry) and love interacting with our couple face to face and online.”
Love, the Manswell’s.
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District Schedule
(Updated October 1st)
Thursday, October 1st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Sunday, October 4th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 8th – Friday, October 9th
National Board Executive Meeting – Montreal
Thursday, October 8th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 11th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 13th
Wholistic Wellness Service Providers Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 15th
GTA Missional Zone Pastors Meeting – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 15th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 18th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 21st
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, October 21st
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 22nd
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Sunday, October 25th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 27th – Wednesday, October 28th
Church Planting Canada Online Conference
Thursday, October 29th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 29th
Canada Pastors Online Prayer Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Saturday, October 31st
"Above All" Youth Service – Online, Hosted by Bethel Spanish @ 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 1st
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 5th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Sunday, November 8th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 12th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Sunday, November 15th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m
Thursday, November 19th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 noon
Sunday, November 22nd
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m
Thursday, November 24th
Generosity by Design Workshop with Dr. Riley Coulter @ 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 25th
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 26th
Board of Ministry Training Day @ 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 26th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 29th
District Pastors Online Prayer Gathering – Zoom @ 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, December 8th
National Board Finance Committee Meeting – Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 16th
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 14th
Generosity by Design Workshop with Dr. Riley Coulter @ 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 21st
Canada Pastors Online Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, January 27th
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 3rd
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 10th
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Friday, March 19th – Sunday, March 21st
National Ministerial Assessment Centre – Calgary
Sunday, March 28th
PALM SUNDAY
Friday, April 2nd
GOOD FRIDAY
Sunday, April 4th
EASTER SUNDAY
Wednesday, April 7th
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 15th
Generosity by Design Workshop with Dr. Riley Coulter @ 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 21st
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 29th
Canada Pastors Online Prayer Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, May 2nd
District Staff Meeting – Zoom @ 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 12th
District Advisory Board Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Friday, June 4th – Saturday, June 5th
District Assembly
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We love to hear what is happening in the churches of our district! If your church has pictures or news to submit for the next edition of IN THE LOOP, please send them in to support@centralnazarene.ca by the last Wednesday of the month! |
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Remember to visit our website at www.centralnazarene.ca. We will be keeping the calendar and site up to date, so please check there for information. If you have any questions or concerns about the website or newsletter, please contact support@centralnazarene.ca
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