NORMAL?!? What’s With That?
A few months ago, I sat in a meeting of cross denominational leader, and the question came up – are your churches getting back to normal after the COVID restrictions? Something irked me about the word “normal.” I responded viscerally with – I hope not! I don’t want to go back to normal. I’ve since taken some time to explore where my reaction came from.
Looking up the word “Normal” in the dictionary, you will find definitions like:
- conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
- the usual, average, or typical state or condition.
Most of those descriptors confirmed in my heart that I don’t want us to settle and go back to “Normal.” Jesus was anything but usual, typical, average. Jesus was about abundant life. He was about new wineskins.
I’ve shared with you before that I don’t believe God brought COVID to us. The “why” of COVID is a very complex question that is above my paygrade. However, I do know that we live in a broken and fallen world where humanity and creation groans under the weight of its fallenness. God can use COVID and all the experiences that go along with it, to shape the next season of His Church, and the broader society. I think we will all admit that the local church now, is not the same as the local church pre-pandemic. In many, if not most churches on our district, Sunday in-person worship attendance is down about 50%. This is not only in our Nazarene world, but as I interact with other denominational leaders, this is across the board. Some who attended in-person prior to the pandemic, have switched to online church. Some who did not attend in-person on any regular basis, or who had drifted away over some time, have now engaged, or reengaged online.
I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. My point is this, we cannot expect to go back to “Normal.” That’s the old wineskin. Jesus is still about giving abundant life. He is still passionate that none should perish. Normal is coming up with programs that cost money we don’t have and require human resources beyond our capacity. Normal is focusing most of our energy on oiling the machinery of the organization to the detriment of the Holy Spirit led movement of the organism. Don’t get me wrong, we need organization. However, if the organization is taking our focus away from joining Jesus in the mission that none should perish, then the operation has gone sideways.
The new wineskin is discipleship focused. Making disciples, who make disciples. It’s using whatever God has placed in our hands, to share the good news of the Gospel. It’s taking advantage of opportunities like online spaces, coffee shop experiences, back yard projects with a neighbour, using our driveways and backyard patios as places of hospitality in conversations and BBQs. The new wineskin is beyond the walls of the church building into the places and spaces wherever the Church finds itself.
DISCIPLING IS THE NEW WINESKIN
Making disciples who make disciples
Please Church, let’s not get back to “ Normal.” As we enter this Fall Season. We will be tempted to think programs. I challenge us to think DISCIPLING.
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D.S. PICTURES OF THE MONTH
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Celebrating Pastor Gena Torres for her many years of service to Grace@theSharingPlace
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MISSISSAUGA BETHEL SPANISH
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PASTORS HECTOR AND ALIDA DEL VALLE
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THE CORNER CHURCH, OSHAWA
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CORNER CHURCH PRAISE TEAM
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Installation of Pastor Tyler Lane
l to r: Pat Ottley, Jenny Lane, Pastor Tyler Lane, D.S. Steve Ottley.
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BRADFORD SPANISH 7th ANNIVERSARY
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PASTOR JUAN CARLOS ESPINO AND JANINA
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D.S Ottley bringing the message
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BAPTISM OF THREE NEW CONVERTS
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Pastor Nick Stavropoulos - Lead Pastor
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Cindy Stavropoulos - Youth Pastor
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Lisa Outar O'Shea - Associate Pastor
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Bria McIntosh - Children's Director
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N.M.I. President,
Rev. Donna Wilson
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NOT-TO-MISS Deputation Tour!
After two years of Zoom gatherings (for which we’re grateful), PRAISE THE LORD we’re back to meeting in-person!
Canada Central is hosting Anthony and Barbara Manswell from Sunday, Oct 9 through Sunday, Oct 16 inclusively.
The Manswells are global missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene assigned to Caribbean Nazarene College located in Trinidad, serving the English-speaking Caribbean since January 2003.
Anthonyhas held several positions at CNC over the years, and is currently enjoying teaching full-time.
Barbara is now the Music Program Director, teaching the core music courses and private music lessons at CNC for the Music Concentration/Bachelor of Arts program.
Barbara and Anthony are also passionate about developing healthy marriages and host Manswell’s Marriage Ministry. They additionally engage in pre-marital and post-marital counseling on a regular basis.
The Manswells have four children: Kenrick (1997), Kavanah (1999), Jayedon (2001), and Jerrick (2003).
The family’s home church is the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene in Rimbey, Alberta, Canada.
PLEASE WELCOME, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THEM AT A CHURCH NEAR YOU!
| Date |
Time |
Host Church |
| Sunday, Oct 9 |
AM |
Oakville Generations Church of the Nazarene |
| Sunday, Oct 9 |
PM |
available |
| Monday, Oct 10 |
PM |
available |
| Tuesday, Oct 11 |
PM |
Brantford Church of the Nazarene |
| Wednesday, Oct 12 |
PM |
Pickering Altona Road Community Church of the Nazarene |
| Thursday, Oct 13 |
PM |
Cedardale Church of the Nazarene |
| Friday, Oct 14 |
PM |
available |
| Saturday, Oct 15 |
AM |
available |
| Saturday, Oct 15 |
PM |
Barrie Ferris Lane Community Church of the Nazarene |
| Sunday, Oct 16 |
AM |
Toronto Rosewood Church of the Nazarene |
| Sunday, Oct 16 |
PM |
Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene |
To book a still available opportunity for your church family, e-mail Bev. Crossley via deputation@nazarenemissions.ca.
(We note that Monday, October 10 is Thanksgiving Monday and, likely, not conducive to a full meeting. However, Barbara has shared “it would be AMAZING to actually be in Canada for Canadian Thanksgiving...it has been 18 years! All of our Home Assignment time we have been in the USA on Canadian Thanksgiving.” If you feel the tug to host the Manswells for an authentic Thanksgiving dinner, please also be in touch with Bev.)
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To register for the Doctrine of Holiness course, use this link: http://tiny.cc/DMTCTHE2013
Cost is $300 for credit/$150 to audit. Scholarships are available upon request.
As always, DMTC courses are open to ordained ministers serving on Canada Central District for Lifelong Learning credit at no cost.
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CLICK HERE for information
If you are interested in registering with a group to receive the group discount, CLICK HERE
to contact Pastor Tammy Hudson
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NCM Canada welcomes Nicole Solis to the team
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada would like to introduce you to Nicole Solis who has recently accepted the position of Project Manager at NCM Canada. Nicole graduated from Algoma University with a degree in Community Development. She also attended Seneca College completing a degree in Social Services - Immigration and Refugees. She attends the Emmanuel Spanish Church of the Nazarene in Toronto where she has been the Children's Ministry head coordinator and was actively involved on the youth ministry.
In addition, Nicole has been highly involved with Manantial Neighbourhood Services Inc, a ministry of compassion to the local community.
Nicole has travelled to Colombia to teach English and she joined a select group of other young adults on the NCM Canada sponsored "Send Me" tour to Malawi in February 2020.
Nicole has been serving NCM Canada as a summer student for the past two years, working with Yara Cristales on communications and promotion and in particular all of our social media posts. She will now be visiting projects of NCM Canada overseas and assuming management of project files under the mentorship and direction of Elaine Bumstead and Alan Cristales.
Alan Cristales will begin to assume administrative tasks of the Executive Director as Elaine Bumstead reduces her workload. Elaine plans to retire by the end of December 2023.
We look forward to having Nicole (Nicky) on our NCM Canada team!
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RIVERVIEW FAMILY CAMP, 2022
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Well, our first Family Camp in 3 years is now in the history books, and it was amazing!
A big thank you to the camp workers for all your hard work to get Family Camp going. Also, a special thanks to the Family Camp committee for planning such a great week. It was full of beautiful worship, powerful preaching and amazing activities. It felt great to catch up with all of you.
I would also like to thank our Speakers and Leaders for coming to camp and leading us the way you did, awesome!!
JOE RIVERVIEW
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COUCH TIME WITH D.S. STEVE
LEFT - DISCUSSING THE INDIGENOUS MINISTRY IN MISHKEEGOGAMANG
WITH PASTOR JUAN CARLOS ESPINO
RIGHT - HEATHER McASKILL SPEAKING ABOUT HER BATTLE WITH CANCER
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CAMP SPEAKERS
PASTOR DANNY MORENO AND PASTOR TINA PITAMBER
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YOUTH SPEAKER - NICK DOOKHERAN
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September
Welcome back to the school year, to regular ministry programming, and to your SDMI monthly!
As always, we have some wonderful resources for you below from our team members. Our board meets this weekend to finalize some plans for the fall/winter and we look forward to bringing those to your attention in the next In the Loop.
If you want to stay up to date on what SDMI is doing on our district and to be part of our district community, join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE
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Below is a little virtual coffee date with our District SDMI Ministry Leaders. The underlined texts are hyperlinked for your convenience so that you can worship with us from home, read a verse or two from God's Word, and hopefully learn of a new resource to assist or encourage you in ministry.
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Check Out This Resource
Lumo: Gospel of John Video Playlist
This resource is an excellent, live action of the Gospels in multiple languages.
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Check Out This Resource
Book: Open to the Spirit by Scot McKnight
This book offers a straightforward examination of what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.
CLICK HERE TO READ
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Check Out This Resource
A Free VBS for 2022
Put your detective hats on and pull out those magnifying glasses as we join The Great Investigation to track down God’s plan for us. This free VBS curriculum is now available for download in English and Spanish
CLICK HERE
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Check Out This Resource
The Discipleship Place Course
This course is designed to help individuals learn important principles on discovering and developing Christlike disciplemakers, a practical course with the following seven lessons
CLICK HERE TO GAIN ACCESS
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ROSEWOOD CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT POSITION
Available For October 2022 to Approximately October 2023
Our regular office administrator will be going on maternity leave this fall. We need a reliable person to fill her position.
Start Date: October 2022 will be a time of training and becoming familiar with the responsibilities.
Regular hours will be Tuesdays through Fridays 9 AM to 5 PM for 32 hours per week.
Salary will be discussed with successful applicants.
Office Administrator Responsibilities Are As Follows:
• Be competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook)
• Greet visitors and point them in the right direction, answer inquiries, and create a welcoming
environment.
• Receive deliveries; sort and distribute incoming mail.
• Maintain congregation contact details in PlanningCenter & PowerChurch (addresses, phone numbers,
emails, birthdays, anniversaries).
• Maintain weekly Prayer Request Sheet.
• Send e-newsletter twice weekly (Wednesday afternoons & Friday afternoons).
• Maintain and order office supplies and other church supplies (e.g., communion elements, paper, staples,
envelopes, etc.).
• Organize and maintain files and databases in a confidential manner.
• Screen phone calls, redirect calls, and take messages.
• Receive invoices and review for accuracy, distribute to our church’s treasurer.
• Assist the Lead Pastor with various tasks including typing, emailing, Zoom set up etc.
• Hosting Zoom meetings on the church account 15 minutes before they begin.
• Ordering flowers for funerals, baby dedications, hospitalized, and significant or milestone birthdays and
anniversaries.
• Typing wedding and funeral bulletins following the template previously used and provided by our
Pastors.
Please send your resume & cover letter to jobs@rosewoodchurch.ca attention Rosewood Church of the Nazarene Board by Thursday, September 8, 2022. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Thank you very much.
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Upcoming DS. Schedule
Please pray for God’s anointing and wisdom for D.S. Steve Ottley
September 5th – September 10th
– USA/Canada District Superintendent’s Conference – San Diego
September 11th – Main Street Church Worship @ 11:00 a.m.
September 12th – Niagara Heights Church Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
September 13th – Sunshine Children’s Centre Committee Meeting
– District Office @ 11:00 a.m.
September 13th – DMTC Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
September 15th – Toronto Emmanuel Church Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
September 17th – District NDI Board Meeting
– Zoom @ 2:00 p.m.
September 18th – Ottawa Trinity Worship @ 11:00 a.m.
September 19th – Toronto Emmanuel English/Spanish Church Leader's Meeting
– Toronto Emmanuel @ 7:00 p.m.
September 21st – District Advisory Board Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
September 25th – Bradford Spanish Church Organization Service @ 10:00 a.m.
September 26th – Half Million Mobilization Strategy Meeting
– Lenexa, KS @ 8:00 a.m.
September 28th – Canadian DS Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
September 29th – Pastors Prayer and Encouragement Gathering
– Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
October 2nd – Niagara Heights Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
October 5th – District Board of Ministry Studies Committee – Zoom @ 10:00 a.m.
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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 September 1st
Tuesday, September 13th – Sunshine Children’s Centre Committee Meeting
– District Office @ 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, September 13th – DMTC Board Meeting – District Office @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 17th – District NDI Board Meeting – Zoom @ 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21st – District Advisory Board Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, September 29th – Pastors Prayer and Encouragement Gathering
– Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, October 5th – District Board of Ministry Studies Committee
– Zoom @ 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 9th – Sunday, October 16th – The Manswell’s Deputation Tour
Monday, October 10th – THANKSGIVING
Wednesday, October 19th– District Advisory Board Meeting
– Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, October 26th – Thursday, October 27th
– National Board Executive Meeting – District Office
Friday, November 18th – Clergy & Spouse Gathering
– Oakville Generations Church @ 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 24th – District Board of Ministry Meeting – Zoom @ 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, December 6th – National Finance Committee Meeting
– Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, December 7th – District Advisory Board Meeting
– District Office @ 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, December 25th – CHRISTMAS DAY
Monday, December 26th – BOXING DAY
Sunday, January 1st, 2023– NEW YEAR’S DAY
Friday, January 20th – Sunday, January 22nd, 2023
– National Ministerial Assessment Centre
Wednesday, February 22nd – ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 – District Advisory Board Meeting
– Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 25th, 2023 – Canadian General Assembly Delegates Caucus Meeting
– Zoom @ 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 – District Advisory Board Meeting
– Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 28th, 2023– District Board of Ministry Interviews
Friday, April 7th – GOOD FRIDAY
Sunday, April 9th – EASTER SUNDAY
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023– Wesley Symposium – Tyndale University & Seminary
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023– Wednesday, May 3rd – National Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 17th, 2023– District Advisory Board Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Friday, June 9th – Friday, June 16th, 2023
– General Assembly – Indianapolis, Indiana
Thursday, June 29th – Friday, June 30th, 2023 – District Assembly
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