REFLECTIONS
D.S. Steve Ottley
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Are Stumps Good for Anything
In one corner of our back yard, sticking out of the ground is the stump of a tree we cut down several years ago. We’ve simply incorporated it into the garden. Actually, it’s covered by a wooden planter I built for Pat a couple summers ago. Stumps – They’re good for nothing, right? And they are a nuisance to get rid of. Just search YouTube for “ways to remove a tree stump.” Some of the videos are hilarious and dangerous. Don’t trying it at home or you will wreck your car.
God raised up the nation of Israel to carry out His plan to fix what was broken in Eden. Israel failed miserably and found itself decimated by the kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon. The prophet Isaiah describes the remains as a “stump.” In the midst of the destruction caused by their own disobedience, God gives Israel a great word of HOPE.
Isaiah 11:1-2 (NLT) 1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
That was not only good and hope filled news for Israel, but for all of humanity.
Isaiah 11:10 (NLT) 10 In that day the heir to David’s throne
will be a banner of salvation to all the world.
The nations will rally to him,
and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
Jesus, the HOPE – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace is that shoot from the stump of David’s family. As you celebrate Christmas this year, be reminded that the same God who brought salvation for humanity out of a burnt-out stump, can still give beauty for ashes.
Spread Hope This Christmas
From our family to yours, have a Blessed Christmas.
Love in Christ,
Steve, Pat
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D.S. PICTURES OF THE MONTH
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CHRIST-MISH BACKPACKS
In partnership with True North ministries, the church family at Altona Road Community Church recently assembled 30 backpacks for some of the older children of the Mishkeegogamang First Nation community. Each backpack contained a warm hoodie, cozy socks, an Action Bible, bookmark, pencil crayons/markers, Christmas treats, and personal Christmas greetings. ARCC also sent additional candy canes for the estimated 350 children in this First Nation community.
Pastor Carrie prayed for God's blessing on the backpacks and for the children and families of Mish before the gifts were delivered to the headquarters of True North Aboriginal Partnership in Bradford. TNAP will transport the gifts to ensure their safe delivery, and a Christian leader on the reserve who knows the needs will distribute the gifts accordingly. (Mishkegogamang is an approximately 20-hour drive from the GTA).
Many thanks to Canada Central District for generously providing funds for the backpacks and bibles, and to the Altona Road Church family for funding the remaining items.
ARCC is hoping to expand this CHRIST-MISH outreach project for Christmas 2023, and will be inviting other churches on the district to participate with them. More information will be available in the coming months.
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Pastor Juan Carlos Espino
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PORT HURON FIRST CHURCH
Port Huron First Church, Michigan, held a Revival Weekend with DS Steve Ottley and Pastor Rose Sorzano.
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Pastor Rose Sorzano leading workshop on PRAYER.
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D.S. Steve Ottley preaching
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Pastor Josh and Katie Woods leading Worship.
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OTTAWA TRINITY WORSHIP TEAM
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iNSTALLATION OF INTERIM PASTOR - KEVIN LAFFIN
D.S. Steve Ottley, Pastor Kevin & Kandis Laffin
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CONGRATULATIONS TO PASTOR ABRAHAM AND MILKA ALBERTO ON AN OVERWHELMING POSTIVE VOTE TO CALL THEM AS THE PASTOR OF TORONTO EMMANUEL CHURCH
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Toronto Emmanuel Worship Team
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Church Board Chair - Zoila Miller
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D.S. Steve Ottley installing Pastor Abraham Alberto
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TORONTO TAMIL CHURCHES' ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
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Pastor Christabell Selvalingham
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This is an opportunity for Local Church Board Secretaries to connect with other church board secretaries. We will review roles and responsibilities.
Hosted by District Superintendent, Reverend Steve Ottley
& District Administrator, Len Phillips
Zoom information will be sent to pastors in the District Superintendent’s weekly email.
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Local churches have the opportunity to help their pastors and associate pastors to reduce their debt through THE COMPASS INITIATIVE.
This is a Nazarene initiative to address our Canadian and US ministers’ most pressing financial difficulties. The COMPASS Initiatives utilizes:
- Financial literacy, management, and well-being programs to equip ministers in personal and church financial matters that include the COMPASS Academy, the COMPASS Journey, the COMPASS Quest, and the COMPASS True North Retreat.
- A Ministerial Excellence Fund (MEF) that provides grants for debt reduction and retirement savings to individual ministers who have completed the COMPASS Journey and/or the COMPASS Quest.
Here is the link for Giving me Hope
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N.M.I. President,
Rev. Donna Wilson
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Half - Million Mobilization
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Regional USA/Canada Vision
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NMI Update:
Canada Central NMI would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:4-5). Let's pray for the light of Christ to shine in our community and around the world, through us!
Thank you for praying for missionaries and pastors as they serve, throughout the year. If you would like to make a special year end gift to missions, WEF (World Evangelism Fund), please submit a gift to your local church, marked WEF. We also encourage you to make a contribution through the Nazarene Compassionate Gift Catalogue or the Giving Calendar provided.
2022/23 NMI Resources Update
Have you been looking for Nazarene Missions books and lessons? At this time, NMI is not publishing printed material, as they transition to a more global approach to resourcing churches on all 6 Regions. The global NMI office emails NMI Central with an emphasis on a different area of the world, each week. NMI is encouraging churches and districts to use the content to create their own resource, as a learning tool, for their members. (ie. With the lesson provided, create a power point, or add it to your social media platforms). If you have questions, or need assistance, please ask our district NMI Council!
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Dr. Reuben and Dr. Monica Fernandez
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Our Missionary family for 2022/23! Care & Connection (LINKS)
Dr. Ruben and Dr. Monica Fernandez : Costa Rica.
Ruben and Monica are both ordained elders and they have two grown children, Juan and Andres.
Our district sent an annual Christmas deputation gift of $500 and we look forward to our continued prayer partnership with them, as they serve. From Ruben, "We are in the middle of our trip in Buenos Aires, visiting churches, teaching virtual courses among other things. We are so grateful for your gift to us! Thank you and the NMI Council very much. Please extend our appreciation to the whole team" (22 Nov 2022). Please remember to pray for the Fernandez family!
If you would like to a note of encouragement, please write to: rfernandez@mesoamericare
To send them a monetary deputation gift: Church of the Nazarene Canada - etransfer or cheque - Marked "Ruben and Monica Fernandez" - PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS for tax purposes.
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Reverend Gaston and Lucy Echeguia
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District Sponsored Missionaries: Please continue to pray for Rev. Gaston and Lucy Echeguia as they serve in Spain! NMI sent a $500 Christmas deputation gift to their family.
To send a note of encouragement: lucyjhernandez@hotmail.com
To send them a monetary deputation gift: Church of the Nazarene Canada - etransfer or cheque - Marked "Gaston and Lucy Echeguia" - PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS for tax purposes.
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THE NATIONAL OFFICE - CANADA
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The National Office will be closed December 21, 2022 through to January 2, 2023
1. INSTRUCTIONS ONLINE BANKING (CHURCH OR NCM CANADA)
E-transfers must be sent no later than December 31st, 2022.
Choose "Transfers" and follow the instructions for e-transfers.
Send to: churchofthenazarenecanada@gmail.com. We will use the date that you sent the e-transfer for tax receipting purposes.
Churches: Please indicate your church name and designated fund in the comment box. It is important that you please send your remittance form to national@nazarene.ca so that we know where to place the funds
Private Donors: Please indicate where you would like your donation to go in the comment box. It is important that you please send your full name, mailing address and phone number so that we can issue a tax receipt.
2. INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHEQUES (CHURCH OR NCM CANADA)
Be assured that the mail will be picked up during the closure.
Just a friendly reminder that the cheque needs to be dated no later than December 31st, 2022 and the envelope must also be stamped by the post office by December 31st, 2022 in order to be compliant with CRA rules regarding official tax receipts.
3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYPAL (NCM CANADA)
Please be sure that PayPal donations for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada be done before December 31st, 2022 to be counted in the 2022 giving. Visit https://www.ncmcanada.ca/gift-catalogue
4. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHONE DONATIONS (NCM CANADA)
If you would like to make a donation over the phone, please call before December 20th, 2022.
Call 905-602-8220 (Ext 2 - Yara) / 1-888-808-7490
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“You can also visit the website www.ncmcanada.ca to see the catalogue online. Please keep in mind the office closes on December 20th, 2022 until January 2nd, 2023. We encourage you to make your donations before the closing dates or visit the website.
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Are you, or is someone you know called to ministry? The DMTC is a great place to explore aspects of Christian ministry and to gain a strong foundation for ministry in the church and in the world. Courses are open to those pursuing a vocational call to ministry and to those who simply want to have more knowledge and skills for serving God in their local churches and communities.
For information about our program and upcoming courses please visit our website and follow us on social media.
https://www.districtministrytrainingcentre.ca/
Facebook @canadacentralnazarenedmtc
Instagram @canadacentraldmtc
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Marg Stahlbaum - District Youth Director
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SAVE THE DATE!
District Tubing – Youth & Young Adults – Two Sites to be announced
January 28th, 2023
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Upcoming DS. Schedule
Please pray for God’s anointing and wisdom for D.S. Steve Ottley
December 3rd – Annual Tamil Christmas Concert
December 4th – Windsor Devonwood Worship Service
December 6th – National Church Finance Committee Meeting – Zoom
December 6th – GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering
– Pastor Trudy White’s Home
December 7th – District Advisory Board Meeting – District Office
December 8th – Local Church Board Secretary’s Information Webinar – Zoom
December 11th – Mississauga Bethel Spanish Worship Service
– Pastor/Church Review
December 13th – National Group Benefit Plan Meeting – Zoom
December 13th – Georgian Bay Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering
– Pastor Donna Wilson’s Farm
January 7th – London First Church
– Pastor Rose Sorzano Retirement Celebration
January 8th – Windsor Devonwood – Pastor/Church Review
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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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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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DISTRICT SCHEDULE
Updated December 1st
Saturday, December 3 rd – Annual Tamil Christmas Carol Service
– Zoom @ 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 6 th – National Finance Committee Meeting
– Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, December 6 th – GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering
– Pastor Trudy White’s Home @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 7 th – District Advisory Board Meeting
– Oakville Generations Church @ 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, December 8 th – Local Church Board Secretary’s Information Seminar
– Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13 th – Georgian Bay Missional Zone Christmas Gathering – Pastor Donna Wilson’s Farm @ 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 21 st – Monday, January 2 nd – DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSED
Sunday, December 25 th – CHRISTMAS DAY
Monday, December 26 th – BOXING DAY
Sunday, January 1 st– NEW YEAR’S DAY
Friday, January 20 th– Sunday, January 22 nd, 2023
– National Ministerial Assessment Centre
Wednesday, January 25 th– Board of Ministry Studies Committee
– Zoom @ 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 26 th– Pastors Training “Boundaries” with Dr. Eran Talitman of Southdown Institute
– Zoom @ 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 1 st– GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering
– TBD @ 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 4 th– District NDI Board Meeting
– Rosewood Church @ 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 22 nd– ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, February 22 nd– District Advisory Board Meeting
– Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 25 th– Canadian General Assembly Delegates Caucus Meeting – Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
Monday, March 6 th – Thursday, March 9 th – Exponential Conference
– Orlando, Florida
Saturday, March 11 th– NDI Convention Forum – Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22 nd, 2023– District Advisory Board Meeting
– Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 26 th– GTA Missional Zone Worship Service – TBD @ 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 28 th– District Board of Ministry Interviews
Thursday, April 6 th – MAUNDY THURSDAY
Friday, April 7 th– GOOD FRIDAY
Sunday, April 9 th– EASTER SUNDAY
Tuesday, April 25 th– Wesley Symposium – Tyndale University & Seminary
Tuesday, May 2 nd– Wednesday, May 3 rd – National Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 10 th – The Sharing Place AGM @ 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 17 th– District Advisory Board Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 18 th – DMTC Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 31 st – GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering – TBD @ 11:00 a.m.
Friday, June 9 th – Friday, June 16 th, 2023
– General Assembly – Indianapolis, Indiana
Thursday, June 29 th – Friday, June 30 th, 2023 – District Assembly and Conventions
Wednesday, July 5 th – Sunday, July 9 th 2023 – Nazarene Youth Conference
– Tampa Bay, Florida
Wednesday, July 5 th – Saturday, September 30 th
– District Superintendent’s Sabbatical
Friday, November 17 th – Sunday, November 19 th – Clergy & Spouse Retreat |
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