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Thursday, February 22, 2024
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Ontario Conference Announces 2024 Camp Meeting Theme
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This week, the Ontario Conference Administration team unveiled the theme for the 2024 Camp Meeting: "Our Journey, His Glory." This theme was carefully selected to reflect our spiritual journey and the undeniable glory of God that accompanied this conference and its members every step of the way. It also represents the rich history of our conference and how we look forward to the soon return of Christ. President Jakov Bibulović thanked all the members who contributed their suggestions for a camp meeting theme. He remarked, "Your input has been invaluable in helping to shape this meaningful and inspiring theme for our Conference."
The theme music for this year will be the timeless hymn "To God Be the Glory," hymn number 341. Its powerful message of praise and adoration sets the tone as the conference celebrates its 125th anniversary.
We invite you to save the date and join us at the International Centre in Toronto from May 31st to June 1st as we come together to glorify God and celebrate our journey together. See you there!
Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director of Communication and Media
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Are Your Children Safe Online?
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If you were to ask North American parents of school-age children what parenting struggles they are facing, it is most likely that navigating technology would be the top five concerns.
In this digital age, where technology has become an integral part of our lives, it is crucial for parents to understand and prioritize the safety of their children on the internet. Every time a child has access to the internet, they are exposed to a minefield of threats such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online predators, and identity theft. Parents and caregivers are heavily responsible for educating and protecting them from these risks. This can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially when it often feels like the children are a step ahead of the grownups.
The Ontario Conference Children's Ministries is keenly aware of families' digital challenges in the ever-changing online landscape. This is why, under our strategic theme of 'Your Conference Cares' (You are CC'd), we have added a focus on 'Digital Care' for 2024.
Our Digital Care campaign is being carefully tailored to highlight awareness and educate parents and caregivers to build strong internet safety and digital citizenship both in and outside the home. We want to encourage our churches, schools and communities to embrace this campaign as it will empower parents to replace intimidation with intentional digital parenting and education.
On Tuesday, February 27th, we will be hosting a live show on the Ontario Conference YouTube channel at 7:00 pm with the digital child exploitation task force of Durham Regional Police. Families can ask questions, learn strategies to communicate with their children and establish healthy digital boundaries.
In Proverbs 22:6, we are called to 'train up a child in the way he should go…' and the Ontario Conference Children's Ministries wants to remind families that they are not alone in this noble (and sometimes daunting) task. As a body of faith, we strongly encourage parents, teachers, and church leaders to help and lean into one another. Let us foster safe and judgment-free spaces to continue the conversation about how to be a 'vigilant village' for our children and youth in this digital age.
To watch the live program, go to www.youtube.com/adventistontario.
You can also send questions ahead of time through OCN@adventistontario.org.
Patricia Ferreira Lopez
Director Women's/Children's Ministries
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Ruth Wellness and Leadership Training Sessions
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On January 20th, 2024, Ruth Seventh-day Adventist Church organized an event comprising a Wellness Survey, Spiritual Gifts assessment, and Leader Training session. The primary objective was to enhance the overall wellness and spirituality of its congregation members. Nichole Samuels-Bell, a new member of Ruth Church and a certified corporate and community trainer, facilitated the training.
The training catered to all church officers, focusing on the top three categories identified from a member survey. These categories—Spiritual, Relationship, and Mental Health—were the focal points for brainstorming within various ministerial departments to explore how each department could contribute to fostering a healthier church environment.
The entire church also embarked on a 21-day “Daniel Fast,” committing to consuming healthy, whole foods. The event not only inspired Ruth members but also members from other GTA churches, as well as individuals from the USA, Caribbean, and Africa. During the fast, members came together nightly on Zoom to share recipes, health tips and uplifting messages from the Word. The end of the fast was marked by an Agape Feast held during the lunch hour following the Divine Service.
In the end, noticeable improvements in mental, emotional, and physical health accompanied the spiritual growth and strengthened faith experienced by participants. As we reflect on these blessings, we are reminded that God is ready to pour out His Holy Spirit on His children to prepare us for the harvest and the closing on time. “…The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest,” Matthew 9:37-38.
Vernal Ijalana
Communication Leader
Ruth Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Last Sabbath, the Mississauga Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated its 23rd anniversary. Under the theme of "Love," the congregation gathered to reflect on the church's journey over the past two decades. The church's elders led this unique service, which included a special reflection on the church, comparing it to its anniversary stone, Topaz. Several parallels were drawn, such as the hardness of the stone representing the perseverance and faith of the church members in building up the church, while the beauty of Topaz reflected the love and affection shared among the members and how it extended to visitors. It was shared how this love has borne fruit in the form of several recent baptisms.
Pastor Shawn Ellis, Director of Communications and Media at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, delivered a sermon on Mark 11, highlighting how Jesus used an object lesson to inspire and encourage the disciples to be fearless in sharing the Gospel with the world. He reminded the congregation that they may be "young" as a church, but God has a mighty work for them to complete, and they must be bold in their mission to reach communities for Jesus.
After the service, attendees enjoyed a festive feast and an afternoon leadership workshop led by Pastor Ellis on media ministry strategies. The workshop focused on avoiding pitfalls while leveraging targeted social media to engage with and impact the local community effectively.
As the Mississauga Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church marks 23 years of God's goodness, the congregation looks forward to continuing their mission of sharing the Gospel and serving their community. Happy 23rd anniversary!
Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director of Communication and Media
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Update Women's Crisis Line
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The Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church Women’s Ministry unveiled a crisis line for the community on February 3 at a special evening service.
Since then, they have updated their phone lines to better improve their service to the community. If you or someone you know might benefit from the Apple Creek Crisis Line, please call the number below between 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
365-988-4357
Beverly Blackburn
Women's Ministry Leader
Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Pastor Nicholas Patrick was introduced on February 17 at the Toronto East Seventh-day Adventist Church by Lead Pastor Selburn Fray. Pastor Patrick was warmly received by the congregation, who was very excited about his arrival. Pastor Patrick is surrounded by the Head Elder Enos Stewart, Elder Jean Lazarus and Sister Sansia Fray.
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Ministries Convention Update:
Early registration discount ends this Monday, February 26!
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Watch an intro video about Salt Sisters here.
Register your Salt Sister Chapter here. |
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ABC Christian Bookstore
Your store for Christian supplies,
gifts, food and literature.
95 Clarence Biesenthal Dr,
Oshawa ON L1K 2H5
abcchristianbookstore.com
Phone: 905-579-2311
or 1-800-263-3791
Store Hours: Mon-Wed 10 - 6,
Thurs 10 - 7, Fri 10 - 2,
Sat Closed, Sun 11 - 5
Follow us!
Facebook: abcchristianbooks
Instagram: @abc_oshawa
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What's Happening
Around the Conference
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Tap the image above to register for CYSA badminton.
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Tap the image above to register for CYSA Netball.
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Click the image above to register as a participant in The Gospel.
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Tap the image above to connect with a volunteer from The Gospel.
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Register by March 24 for Kingsway College Preview Weekend
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| Kingsway College, a private Adventist Christian co-ed day and boarding high school, is hosting Preview Weekend, which will take place on April 26-28, 2024. It is open to students currently in grades 8-11. Each student attending must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian and must register by going online to www.kingsway.college/preview. |
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| Early Bird ticket rates are now available for the 2024 Spring Gala Masquerade Ball. Don't miss your chance to take part in this extraordinary evening. Secure your spot now by clicking on this Eventbrite link. This is going to be an enchanting evening of live classically-themed entertainment, a formal dinner and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many individuals in the community.
DATE: May 4, 2024
TIME: Dinner starts at 7:00 pm
VENUE: Ukrainian Heritage Centre, 38 Lviv Blvd, Oshawa Ontario L1H 3C3
For ticket information, connect with Sharon Ennis at Sharonennis@rogers.com |
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Have you ever read the Canadian Adventist Messenger magazine and wished for more? More stories, more photos, more discussions?
Well, that opportunity is coming very soon because the Messenger magazine is lifting off the pages and onto the screen!
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Ontario Conference
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Mission
To Reach Ontario and the world
with the distinctive, Christ-centered,
Seventh-day Adventist message
of hope and wholeness
The Vision
Connecting like Jesus
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