Deacons' Report 2025 (AGM 2026)

Current Board of Deacons 

Co-Chairs:  Jordan Dyck and Brian LeMessurier;  Secretary: Tim Knopp; Deacons: Ted Ford, Jeff Schweer, Cameron Turner

On behalf of the Board of Deacons we wish to extend a special thank you to everyone that supported the Athabasca Reformed Congregation (ARC) in 2025 in any way.  The ongoing financial, physical and volunteer support allows the Board of Deacons to facilitate measures to address the maintenance of our facilities and the growth of church ministries.  While the financial statements speak to the financial health of our church, several items require explanation.  Each speaks to the vibrancy and overall wellness of the congregation, as well as to some of the challenges we face at this present time.

With regard to our properties and facilities, ARC still owns an acreage north of Athabasca in the Wood Heights neighborhood.  That property is paid for and is currently being leased to a local business.    

As of December 2025, the Calling Lake (CL) Church facility is totally paid off.  This facility houses both our church and our tenant, the Calling Lake Community Health Services offices.  During the past year the CL Church has held Sunday services and weeknight Bible studies.  In addition, the church space has been rented out by user groups for workshops and meetings.  Plans are currently underway to continue development of the basement in order to create a larger usable space for church activities and additional rentals.

Our Athabasca Reformed Ministry Center continues to house our church offices, regular services, a growing number of church ministries, monthly and short-term room tenants, and occasional facility rentals.  Due to the size and age of the facility, significant ongoing maintenance and facility upgrades are required.  Most of this work is done by our volunteer maintenance facilitator Dave Poirier, with the support of other church volunteers.  Our annual summer work party was held at the church to address some of the maintenance needs.  We are grateful to all who volunteer their time to attend to the lawn cutting and maintenance needs at the church.  Measures were taken in 2025 to completely rebuild the shower in the tenant wing.  This required significant work which was provided by local contractors.  Revenue collected from room rentals assists us in covering the cost of upgrades such as this one, as well as paying for a portion of our facility operational costs. 

In 2025, ARC, through general and designated giving, was able to support local, regional, national and international missions in the amount of $39,890 which is 8% of the annual congregational giving.

The Board of Deacons wishes to thank Pastor Al for his steadfast leadership in our church during the past year.  With God’s guidance he carries out his duties with vision and enthusiasm.  Pastor Nathan Gullion left us in October.  We appreciate the work Pastor Nathan did at Calling Lake and we wish him well in his new position in Edmonton.  We would also like to thank Jeannette Plat for all her tireless work in running our church office, booking rooms and facilities, and for supporting Pastor Al in his work.   We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of Susan Paul and Tammy Klein as they serve as our church custodians and Ben Adams who works as our sound technician.  Ben is supported by competent and reliable youth volunteers Connor Splane and Caleb Dyck.  We also wish to recognize and thank Carol Epp of Athabasca Landing Business Services for doing an exceptional job of attending to our accounting and payroll needs and assisting us in managing the church budget. 

The Board of Deacons looks forward to 2026 with optimism as it aims to:

·       complete the basement renovation at Calling Lake Church,

·       assist in securing a pastor to serve at Calling Lake Church,

·       continue with upgrades at the Athabasca Reformed Ministry Center,

·       monitor and respond to the rising costs of utilities and insurance, and

·       consider options regarding our lot in the Wood Heights neighborhood.

Our Board of Deacons has appreciated the support and assistance we have received from this congregation in 2025 as well as the opportunity to work with Pastor Al and the Board of Elders on Consistory.  We look forward, with God’s guidance, to a busy and productive year ahead. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Jordan Dyck and Brian LeMessurier

Co-Chairs of the Board of Deacons