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Thursday, August 24, 2023
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OCN Presses “Pause” for the
Labour Day Weekend
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The Communications and Media Team will not publish an OCN next week, August 31st, for the upcoming Labour Day weekend. We recognize that this holiday is a special time for families, one last chance to savour those precious summer moments before friends and families embark on new journeys to university, college or school, and we all transition back into our regular work routines in September.
Preparing for September
While the OCN is on pause on August 31st, rest assured that we are already hard at work, preparing for the exciting month of September. We've been truly blessed to receive many amazing stories from across the province. These stories testify to our community's strength and God's powerful presence in our lives.
Keep Sharing Your Stories
So many readers have shared how the new OCN has sparked ministry ideas, given inspiration, and placed smiles on faces week after week. We encourage you to share your stories with us. We want to hear from you, whether it's a personal testimony, a special moment, a church event or even notes describing your faith journey.
Send your notes, pictures, and stories to ocn@adventistontario.org. Your contributions enrich our community and encourage others in their faith.
May this upcoming Labour Day weekend be a time of rest, reflection, and renewal for all. We thank you for being a part of our community and wish you God’s Blessings for a safe holiday.
On behalf of the Communications and Media team,
Pastor Shawn Ellis
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Ontario Conference Health Ministries Celebrates Ten Years at the CNE
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As the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) signals the end of summer for many Canadians, for Health Ministries at the Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, it is the beginning of one of the Conference’s biggest evangelistic opportunities of the year.
The CNE, Canada's largest fair and the fifth largest in North America, draws an average annual attendance of 1.5 million people. Held over 18 days in Toronto, Ontario, from mid-August to Labour Day, it offers a unique platform for outreach.
Every year since 2011, except for during the pandemic, the Health Ministries team at the Ontario Conference has been hosting a booth at the CNE. This booth has been instrumental in reaching out to a diverse audience, offering valuable information on health, lists of Adventist church locations, and Bibles - all provided upon request.
The outdoor booth, located on a busy thoroughfare, is equipped with stands containing spiritual and health flyers and “Mr. Broccoli”, a favourite photo spot.”
Dr. Maria McClean, former director of Health Ministries at the Conference and the manager of the booth for 2023, shared her experiences: "Since the start of this initiative, we have interacted with more than one million patrons, vendors, and staff, and gave thousands of branded gifts and printed materials to visitors." She emphasized, "This event provides a tremendous opportunity to interact with people from all over the country and the world and share information on health and all things biblical. It’s heartwarming to introduce people to Jesus and offer resources to help them on their spiritual and health journey.”
Dr. McClean recounted numerous memorable interactions. She shared stories of young adult Muslim women engaged with volunteers in a lengthy discussion on the deity of Christ. She also mentioned Baptist and Pentecostal Christians from Jordan and Lebanon who spent a long time at the booth asking questions about the doctrines embraced by Adventists. One transgender individual returns annually to talk with volunteers “because she feels comfortable interacting with Adventists."
The success of these interactions speaks to the effectiveness of the volunteers, who are trained to be open and non-judgmental as people inquire about God and various biblical teachings. Dr. McClean praised the team, saying, "We normally interact with people for 10-12 hours a day, and the volunteers are committed to this ministry."
The presence of Adventist Christians at the CNE exemplifies the church’s commitment to being relevant in the 21st century. For many who visit the booth, it might be their only opportunity to hear the gospel as taught and lived by Jesus. The booth answers Jesus’s call to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15).” It provides a unique chance for the church to meet people, mingle with them, offer encouragement and/or a prayer, and share printed materials, with the hope that those who do not know Jesus will be led into a committed relationship with Him.”
If you are at the CNE and want to drop by and support the team, you can find the booth south of the BMO field between gates 3 and 3B - just east of the Midway
Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director of Communications and Media
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Ontario Conference Launches New Prayer Website
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In a world filled with confusion, disappointments, discouragement, and heartbreak, God calls for His people to unite in prayer (2 Chron. 7:14) for His divine intervention and for the power of the Holy Spirit to impact the lives of individuals Jesus came to die for so they may experience healing, peace, joy, and hope.
Inspired to unite God’s people in Ontario in and through prayer, the Prayer Ministries of the Ontario Conference launched its very first website on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, with the mission “To invite members to engage in earnest, persevering prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, just as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47), and, as a result, experience a transformed life, be in one accord with one another (fulfilling Jesus’ prayer to His Father in John 17:21), and be powerful witnesses for the Saviour, bringing souls to the foot of the Cross.”
Members and non-members alike can submit their prayer requests and/or testimony of answered prayers through the website, as well as find resources on prayer to enrich their prayer life and ministry.
If you have any prayer requests or you have a testimony of answered prayers you would like to share to encourage and inspire someone, please visit and submit the requests and/or testimonies through the Prayer Ministries website. You are also encouraged to share this website with someone who needs prayer.
Edith Missah-Habaradas
Director of Health and Prayer Ministries
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The Canadian R&B singer, Jully Black, was asked to sing the Canadian National Anthem at the 2023 NBA All-Star game. She was excited about the privilege and opportunity. She used the platform to demonstrate her gift as a renowned singer and subtly clarify her contribution to the topical issue of Truth and Reconciliation.
While it is not overly important, I think I should indicate that Jully Black self-identified as an African Canadian, showing that her concerns were not confined to those of her ethnicity. This unselfish woman intentionally inserted a small yet powerful editorial change to our traditional National Anthem, rendering it, “O Canada, our home ‘ON’ native land…”.
One small adjustment communicated a powerful message that we should not forget. Jully’s adjustment to the lyrics drew a few criticisms but many more positive reactions on social media. In fact, someone referred to it as a ‘heritage moment’.
In a subsequent interview, Jully observed that a recent modification to the anthem, specific to the words “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command”, and she marvelled at how “our home and native land” was totally ignored.
In these days, when the phrase ‘Truth and Reconciliation” is being loosely used, we must ponder these questions:
What should truth sound like?
What should reconciliation look like?
Is it not a fact that God has committed to us the message of reconciliation?
2 Corinthians 5:19: “That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation”.
Let us pray for wisdom and God’s guidance in the
process.
Pastor Mansfield Edwards
Director of Indigenous Ministries
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Sudbury's Sud-sational Sunday: A Carwash Event Like No Other!
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On a Sunday in August, people and engines were revving up with excitement in Sudbury. Pastor Elvis Dumitru of the Sudbury Seventh-day Adventist Church had a brilliant idea to introduce his church to the community and put the "service" back into community service. How? With a free carwash event that turned into the talk of the town!
The Sudbury Church welcomed everyone from the surrounding community to an unforgettable day filled with sudsy fun and mouth-watering delights. It wasn't just about cleaning and waxing cars to a brilliant shine; it was about getting to know the wonderful folks of Greater Sudbury.
Pastor Dumitru himself, with a warm smile on his face, was at the forefront of the event, greeting each person who rolled in. He expressed, "It was great to meet the great people from Greater Sudbury and discuss how the church can meet their needs." This gesture of goodwill and openness helped to create bonds in the community.
While cars were getting the royal treatment, owners and family members were treated to a sizzling surprise – a free BBQ! The church's hospitality team demonstrated their culinary skills and served up the "best burgers in town, prepared with love and care." It wasn't just about feeding stomachs; it was about feeding souls in the spirit of friendship and the joy of a shared meal.
The event was nothing short of a roaring success. Cars gleamed, stomachs were satisfied, and most importantly, connections were made. Pastor Dumitru and the Sudbury Seventh-day Adventist Church showed their neighbours they were more than just a congregation; they are a caring, relevant presence in the community.
Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director of Communications and Media
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Exciting Return: Volleyball League Spikes Back After 2-Year Hiatus!
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The Seventh-day Co-ed Christian Volleyball League (SDC-CVL) is once again serving up fun, thrilling matches and sportsmanship for 2023 after a two-year pause caused by the pandemic.
The last spike was seen in March 2020 due to COVID-19 shutdowns, but now, with renewed enthusiasm, the SDC-CVL is back, serving up thrilling matches and creating lasting memories.
Founded in 1987, this league is one of the cornerstones of Christian fellowship in North York, typically hosting games at James McGuigan Catholic High School in the Keele and Finch area. Petra McGann, the Executive Secretary of the league, couldn't be happier about the revival. She stated, "It's open to ages 14 and up. It is just wonderful to see youth engaged and having fun in an environment of Christian camaraderie. It's a more supportive atmosphere."
This season, eight eager teams took to the courts once more, each determined to showcase their skills and strengthen bonds within the community. The Saints, from Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church, emerged as the victors in the A championship division, while the Vukovi from the Toronto Yugoslavian Seventh-day Adventist Church claimed the B Division Championship.
The league operates from October to April, with games played on Saturday nights in North York. It's an opportunity for everyone, young and young at heart, to come together, enjoy sports, and build lasting friendships.
If your church would like to join the action for the 2023-24 season, reach out to Curtis Ambrose, the League President, at 416-624-9692. The SDC-CVL is always eager to welcome new teams into their vibrant community.
Petra McGann
Toronto Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
SDC-CVL Executive Committee Member
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Attention Communication Leaders!
The Ontario Conference Communication and Media team wants to collaborate with you to represent your local church and ensure you receive the latest updates from the Conference. If you are nominated as the communication leader for your church, please send your name and number to ocn@adventistontario.org.
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ABC Christian Bookstore
Your store for Christian supplies, gifts, food and literature.
95 Clarence Biesenthal Dr, Oshawa ON L1K2H5
abcchristianbookstore.com Phone: 905-579-2311
Store Hours: Monday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday Closed, Sunday Closed
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What's Happening Around the Conference
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Scarborough church members and friends are encouraged to pack their picnic baskets and come out for fun and fellowship. TIP: Wear the colours related to your birth month as the flyer shows.
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This event is supported by the Durham Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Company.
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Supported by Brockville Seventh-day Adventist Church
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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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