York Association of Atlantic Baptist Churches

ASSOCIATION CELEBRATION

SPRING 2003

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

MISSION CELEBRATION

On Saturday afternoon, April 26, 2003 at 3; 00 p.m. we met for our Mission Celebration in the Greenwood Drive U.B. Church Sanctuary.

The worship team from Skyline  Acres Baptist Church-Rev. Karl Csaszar, Hal Babcock, Connie Davidson, & Amy Thorne- set the tone for our celebration with music as we gathered as well as providing accompaniment for the hymns.

The chairperson for the afternoon was Helen Durling.  Three members of the Hannah Stairs WMS from Nacawick led in our devotional. We began by singing "Send the Light" Scripture from Mark 1:14-20 was read by Arvilla Stairs. Francis Meares shared "When Following Seems Unfair". The hymn "I Love to Tell the Story" was sung  & Lillian Meagher led in a closing prayer.

A memorial moment was led by Alice Gilmore remembering 10 WMS members who had passed away in the last year.

An offering was taken up by the ladies of the host church amounting to $385.21.

Our speakers for the afternoon were rev. Robert & Mrs. Margery Malcolm. The Malcolm's first went out as Missionaries in 1957 to Angola.  When war forced their evacuation they moved to Zaire to work until 1978. They served in pastoral ministry in Canada for almost 10 years. They returned to Angola in 1988, and because of working conditions served in Brazil for a time.  From May 15- June 15 2002 they returned to Angola to speak at a retreat for pastors. They spoke of items they packed to take-used eyeglasses, scarves, a communion set for a new church etc.

Life expectancy in Angola is 44. Pictures were circulated as the Malcolms spoke of the rebuilding of lives, schools, churches, disgraced persons camps. Change can only come when hearts are changed & people forgive. The plea is for new missionaries to go to Angola & for our financial help and prayer for our fellow Christians there.

The Malcolms were thanked by Janet Howland.

 Business Session

The roll was called of WMS groups with 80 in attendance representing 19 groups plus 29 visitors, - total 106.

Minutes of the Fall session were read and approved. The Treasurer's Report was give by Janet Howland. Balance October 26-02 $186.32.

Income: York Baptist Fall Assoc. Offering + interest $193.56

Expenses- Jeff McCarroll- Speaker                      150.00

Balance on hand April 26-03                          229.88

Moved by Janet Howland, seconded by Shirley Graves that report be accepted, carried.

Moved by Wanda Rettinger, seconded by Evelyn Furlong that the offering be divided between our speakers & a vehicle for Tim Bannister in Kenya, carried.

The Chairperson made several announcements. Fall Celebration will be held Oct. 25 & 26 at Mactuquac. Kim Rose will arrive home from Bolivia & Toronto on Apr. 28/ 03

Rev. Robert Malcolm closed the session with prayer.

Rev. Jerry Horsman asked the Blessing for the meal to be served by the host church. (Served approximately 105).

Funds dispersed-$200.00 to Robert & Margery Malcolm, $200.00 to Association Treasurer for the Bannister vehicle.

Alice Gilmore, Member, Missions Team

A meal was served to approximately 105 people by the host church, with the blessing being given by Rev. Jerry Horsman.

 EVENING

 The Evening Celebration was held in the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM. With approximately 102 in attendance.

Handouts were available showing the names of the Present Executive who are:

Moderator--Sonny Urquhart--Douglas

Vice Moderator--Claudia Tucker--Marysville

Secretary--Don Duval--Skyline Acres

Treasurer--Karl Csaszar--Skyline acres

Area Minister--Harry Waugh

Ministry Team--Chair; Eugene Morell--2^nd Kingsclear

Missions Team--Chair, Jerry Horsman--Douglas

Fellowship Team--Chair, Larry Matthews--Faith

Director of Communications--Russ Crosby--Brunswick St.

Larry Matthews, Chair of the Fellowship Team was MC. For the evening and introduced the performers for the evening who were; The Worship Band from Brunswick St. Baptist, Wayne Ralph from Newfoundland who is on a Missions Singing Tour of new Brunswick, Gayla McIntosh from Hanwell Baptist and Errol, Maureen and Nathaniel Patriquen from Rusagonis Baptist.

Sonny Urquhart spoke on the restructuring of the association as approved at our Fall Association Meeting.

Under the new set-up The Business of the Association will be handled by the Council and every church should have representatives at those meetings. Pertinent Business will be brought to the Celebrations for approval.

A committee has been set out to rewrite the Constitution to be brought to the Fall Celebration on Notice of Motion and voted on at the Spring Association Celebration in 2004

Anyone wanting information on Association activities can find them on the Association Website: www.oocities.org/yorkassociation  

A Calendar of Events for the Association is published regularly by the Communications Director to churches and the website.

The offering for the evening amounted to $583.25 and added to the donation by the ABW of $200.00 gives a total of $783.25 to be sent to the Bannisters in Rift Valley Missions for a new vehicle.

Harold Arbo the host pastor gave the benediction as we ended the evening Celebration. 

SUNDAY

We assembled for our Sunday Celebration at 7:00 PM at Greenwood Drive Baptist Church. David DuBois of the Fellowship Team MC'd the Association Celebration.

There were approximately 200 people present  

First on the program was the 9 member Worship Team of Greenwood Drive who led us in Musical worship. 

After the opening prayer the Greenwood Drive worship singers led us in song.

Keith Amos provided us with special music on two occasions during the evening. 

The three leaders of the Teams were introduced and Larry Matthews and Jerry Horsman explained the functions of their respective teams. Instead of the 8-10 Commissions we had before the work will be handled by the Teams with the responsibility of former Commissions covered by a team.

Eugene Morell Chair of the Mission Team was unavailable for the evening's presentation.

Rev. Harry Waugh our Area Minister was introduced and in turn introduced our speaker for the evening Rev.Dr. Harry Gardner, The Executive Minister for our Convention.

Dr. Gardner used the title of" CHARTING THE COURSE FOR CHANGE" for his talk of the evening. His scripture reference was 2^nd Corinthians 5:11-21

The only constant in life is change, Old things in life are passing away all things are becoming new. Jesus in His ministry taught the people and changed them. He tried to change the people in His character not just telling them to do so. We can't carry out the Fruit of the Holy Spirit; it is only the Holy Spirit can do it for us. We don't discipline ourselves to take time to meet God, we need to be quiet and hear God

There is a growing shortage of Pastors across North America, many are leaving the Pastoral Ministry, and they are getting lonely and discouraged in their calling and looking elsewhere. Because of low self esteem, low salaries, and stress are a few of the fallout causes.

Has the profession risen to a professional status or fallen to it.

Dr. Gardner congratulated the York Association for Focusing on Fellowship, Celebration and Missions and being a trendsetter in Change. In all we do think, question, process it, but do it.

After a prayer and a Hymn, David DuBois closed with the Benediction.

THE NEXT EXECUTIVE MEETING IS JUNE 3 AT 8:AM AT COASTAL INN SILVERWOOD.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS AT NASHWAAKSIS BAPTIST CHURCH, MONDAY JUNE 23, ALL ARE INVITED.

NEXT CELEBRATION IS OCTOBER 25-26 AT MACTAQUAC BAPTIST CHURCH, SEE YOU THERE.

Prayerfully submitted,

Don Duval

Secretary-York Baptist Association