Pastor Report 2024 (AGM April 2025)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Dear friends,
I greet you with love and affection as we continue to serve the Lord together.
This is a summary of what happened in calendar year 2024 within the life of our congregation.
Caleb Dyck, Zeke Dyck, Zoey Donald, Willow Donald, Hazel Donald, Cheryl Balay, Hailey McKee and Wyatt McKee received the sacrament of baptism.
Jordan and Joni Dyck, Cameron and Terryl Turner and Darcy and Jaime (Gallagher) Donald were received as official members of our congregation through re-affirmation of faith.
I officiated at the wedding of Malena Martel to Ben Adams in July. We wish you all of God's richest blessings in the years ahead.
With grief and sadness, yet thanksgiving to God for the gift of their lives, we laid to rest Mike Drozdiak, Vyrle Westra, Ken Purdy and Sarah Opyr. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
Installed into the office of elder was Dee Seaton. Ordained and installed into the office of Deacon were Jordan Dyck and Cam Turner.
At this time, I would like to pause to say thank-you to all our consistory members. They are gifted servants of God who continue to bless me, and all of us, and the Kingdom of God.
Our Calling Lake ministry continues to bear fruit. Pastor Nathan baptized two people on Sunday, August 18, in a joint baptism service and barbecue with our congregation, in Calling Lake. Our Calling Lake Church building is continuing to be used by Big Stone Wellness for Addiction Counselling, Family Counselling, and they also use it for heritage activities, like drum making. We truly wish to be a community church to Calling Lake and beyond.
Pastor Nathan will be finishing up his ministry in Calling Lake at the end of May. We thank him for his hard work and wish him God's blessings as he moves on in ministry. We currently have a Calling Lake Ministry Visioning Team determining next steps in that ministry. Team members are (Elder) Sandy Krawec, (Deacon) Jeff Schweer, Ross Manosa, Wally and Paula Rude, and myself. Please pray for this team and the Calling Lake Ministry.
Janis Hodder has just started leading an after school youth program on Tuesday evenings in Calling Lake. Shanika Gladue, a grade 12 student from Calling Lake, is assisting her.
This coming summer, from August 9-16, a 26 member mission team will be coming from the Drayton Reformed Church in Ontario to, among other things, finish the basement of our Calling Lake building, and run a week-long sports camp for the youth. Stay tuned for more information, as we will require the use of some trailers and rv's at the church that week to accommodate them. We will also require the use of some vehicles and tools.
Our Calling Lake Ministry continues to be funded (as it needs to be funded) by churches and individuals from outside of our own congregation. We are very thankful to God for the faithfulness of so many from across this country, who give generously to support this ministry.
Our monthly luncheons with the Widows and Widowers of our congregation continue. This is a very special group of dear saints. The dinners are well attended, and seem to be greatly appreciated. Jeannette and I thank Brian and Kim LeMessurier for continuing to help us in this ministry.
I continue to have the privilege of leading the Tuesday afternoon Bible Study, along with my wife Jeannette. We have been studying Ray Vanderlaan's “That the World May Know” series. It is great to see other Bible Study groups also digging into God's word here at the church during the week. This past fall, Jeannette and I also led a marriage small group through the “How We Love” series.
The Friday Night Youth Group (Grades 7-12) continues to get together. It is truly a community group, and our meetings are either here at ARC or at the Missionary Church from 7-9pm. Currently, I lead this with Pastor Jason of the Missionary Church, as well as Jessica Roszmann. I need to say thanks again to Anna and Kelly Olson for hosting our Kick-off bonfire in September, and to Keith and Karen for hosting our year-end BBQ and boating event on Island Lake in June. Thanks also to Eziah Pahl who hosted us at the Edwin Parr Gymnasium for a Friday evening in April.
Speaking of kids, our Sunday School program continues – with lots of enthusiastic kids from pre-school through grade 7. Many thanks to Kim LeMessurier for being our faithful superintendent, and to all the teachers, who do such a great job.
I also need to give a shout-out to all of our music teams, and the tech personnel. They are gifted folks who enrich our worship services in ways they don't even know they do! Plus, so many folks are blessed with the fact that all of our services are online. Thanks to Ben Adams for heading up the sound booth crew, and to all the volunteers. THANK-YOU!
I continued to serve our denomination as Church Planting and Development chair for our Classis, President of the Regional Synod of Canada, and Regional Synod of Canada representative on the Nominations Commission of the Reformed Church in America. I represented our Classis at the General Synod of our Denomination last year in Tucson, Arizona and will attend again this year.
I also represent the Regional Synod of Canada as a Trustee on the board of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This is the oldest seminary in North America, and is one of two that are connected to the Reformed Church.
I continue to officiate at many funerals from outside of our congregation, and have appreciated connecting with folks outside our church this way. I also am teaching Religious Instruction to the the grade 6's at the Landing Trail school. RI runs weekly from November through April. It is such a privilege to be able to do this.
Thanks, every one of you, for the joy you give me in serving as your pastor. Jeannette and I thank you for your love and support.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
In Christ,
Al