Canada West District Church of the Nazarene
IN THE OOP
JULY 2014
CURRENT EVENTS
July 12-21, 2014 Work & Witness in Prince Albert, SK: This is a joint project between Canada West District and Canada West NMI. We are looking for around 30 participants to be able to participate in this year’s District Work and Witness project. How can you be involved? 1. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance. 2. Fundraise for financial support. 3. Prepare meals or supply food items that can be used by the cooking team. 4. Financially assist those in your congregation who may wish to participate but may have difficulty with expenses such as travel. If you are interested in Ministry: contact Nolan Haring , Community Outreach: Penny Ure Building Renovation: Richard Bahan .
July 13- 18, 2014 Camp Harmattan: Grade 5-6 Camp
July 20-25, 2014 Camp Harmattan: Grade 7-9 Camp
August 1 - 10, 2014 Family Camp: Family Camp will be hosted at James River this year. The owners of the land have imposed a population maximum for the camp. Therefore if you wish to come for a day trip you will need to register to be sure there is still room. Please contact Rose at by July 25th.
Featuring Carla Sunberg:
CARLA SUNBERG
Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) elected Carla Sunberg as its tenth president on January 3. Sunberg, the first woman president in the school’s history, was elected on the first ballot and accepted the position. Sunberg is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.
She was ordained during the 13 years that she and her husband Chuck served as missionaries in the former Soviet Union, where she served as director of compassionate ministries as well as director of theological education.
In 2005, the Sunbergs returned to the U. S. and pastored at Grace Point Church of the Nazarene in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Carla served as pastor of evangelism and discipleship. In 2011, she and Chuck accepted a call to serve as co-district superintendents for East Ohio. Carla has a Ph. D in historical theology from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, a Master of Arts from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Bachelors of Science from Mid-America Nazarene University. In 2012, Olivet Nazarene University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Divinity.
She is the co-author (with Gene Van Note) of Faxes from Russia (Beacon Hill Press, 1996) and has authored numerous articles for various church publications. This spring, her book (co-written with Suzanne Burden and Jamie Wright), Reclaiming Eve: The Identity and Calling of Women in the Kingdom of God, will be released. Sunberg is passionate about the integration of practical ministry and theological education. She loves to teach and train leaders for the future of the church and has served as adjunct faculty for a number of institutions. She was born in Germany, the daughter of missionaries. Her heartfelt passion is a life of holiness and service for the Lord. Chuck and Carla are proud parents of two adult daughters, Christa, who along with her husband Iain Maciver lives in England, and Cara, who with her husband Justin Shonamon, lives in Kansas City.
October 3-5 , 2014 Soul Care Clergy Retreat in Canmore, AB , with Mark Buchanan .
February 9-11, 2015 Mission 2015: Kansas City, Missouri, will host Mission 2015 (M15), the region's mid-quadrennial conference. M15 is the region's largest all-church gathering between general assemblies and will take place February 9 through 11, 2015. The conference theme, "Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future," will set the trajectory for the event. M15 planners would like the input of pastors, church leaders, educators, and laity as they begin preparation for the conference. A brief M15 survey can be accessed online or through the M15 Facebook site. "We want to hear from people all across the USA/Canada Region as we contemplate this event," said Bob Broadbooks, USA/Canada regional director. "We hope M15 will be a significant event in the life of our church."
For information on publicizing M15, please contact Bryon McLaughlin (email: ), conference marketing coordinator. Other questions on M15 may be directed to Loretta Cloud (email: ), event coordinator.
July 8 - 12, 2015 NYC in Louisville, Kentucky: NYC will be hosted in Louisville Kentucky this coming July 8-12. The theme is ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, please continue to check with our office or with Pastor Ryan Wood on further information .
October 2-3, 2015 Reunion of CNC Alumni: Hosted by Ambrose University. If you attended CNC and would like to spend time with former classmates and friends, please clear your calendar. Watch the Loop for further information, or if you would like to be added to the email list for future information please contact Marilyn Dalgliesh Rosfeld at .
CHURCH NEWS
District Assembly - “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
Our District Assembly and Conventions were held June 18-20th. It was a wonderful time together with much worship, sharing and learning. Dr. Jerry Porter spoke on Friday evening on the topic of “Beautiful Feet” and
here is a link to his message: bridgecommunitychurch.ca/OthRecords/beautiful-feet-dr-porter
Business was also attended to. New members were elected to various boards as follows:
District Advisory Board
- Rev. Dale Hansen
- Keith Brower
Board of Ministry
- Rev. Jeff Baker
- Dr. Riley Coulter
- Rev. Geoff DeJager
Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries Chairperson
- Jen Snow
Fort Saskatchewan - The Fort Saskatchewan Church of the Nazarene was the only Church entered in the Canada Day parade of 98 entries. Pastor Stephen Conklin drove the van with his daughter Faith as co-pilot. Walkers were: Kevin Farnsworth, Rod Johnson, Brett Evans, Ethan & Melanie Afaganis and friend Maddison who handed out candies, water bottles and small globe balls with the Church information printed on them.
Organic Church Network - Two New Churches in Greater Calgary Area .
Is God speaking to you?
About taking a risk for Him?
About missional living?
About making a difference?
About leaving your comfort zone?
It's probably time to do something about it... :)
Dr Dave Skidmore wants to start 2 new organic churches in the Calgary area. All that is needed is for you to ...say 'yes' to God... open your living room weekly ...become part of the team. (In other words, "jump into the deep end of God's pool")
More information? Please contact Dave 587-435-2400;
Grande Prairie North Count r y Community Church - It was another exciting and overwhelming Faith in Action event in Grande Prairie on June 22, 2014. This was our 2nd Annual event in the same community as last year, and again, we had a beautiful day to serve the Hillside Community and serve the Lord Jesus too.
We hand delivered over 1300 flyers into the Community, and many of the residence had mentioned that they were expecting us again this year, and were delighted when they received our flyer. To know that this community was expecting us, really spoke to the FIA Committee about the value we brought to this same community last year, and to the positive relationship we created with the people and are building through this 2nd event.
There were three different Church congregations involved in this event, and three other church congregations represented by several individuals. All together, there were 184 people at this event, and what an event it was. Many people had called before the event to ask if we could help them with a need. Some of these needs were as simple as mowing a lawn, or picking up garbage they placed on their driveway. But then there were more complex needs like moving a gazebo, rebuilding a 100ft fence, and repairing a cement step for an 89 year old widow (Betty) who still cares for her mentally challenged son who lives with her.
A sea of orange covered this community; the RCMP received three 911 calls and 24 other calls from community residence that wanted to know what was going on. One RCMP officer came to our headquarters and was unable to describe what he was witnessing as he drove throughout the streets of Hillside. All he saw was orange, and it was everywhere! He wrote each Church a ticket, and handed them to us with a smile. There was no penalty to pay, for these tickets were “Positive Tickets” that were issued to anyone the RCMP Officers saw who were doing good things. So each Church received their ticket with a smile at our Celebration Service.
We had two of the biggest garbage bins we could get, and filled these bins again and again, squishing as much garbage in as we could with an excavator. We hauled two gravel truck loads of grass clippings and tree branches out of the community as well. This was a big day.
There were so many great moments during this event that left us speechless and in awe at God’s amazing goodness. And story after story was told at our Celebration Service in the evening, when young and old testified to the life-changing experience this day brought to them. We worshipped together, prayed together and laughed at the funny things that happened throughout the day in our Evening Celebration Service.
We are already thinking about our next Faith in Action Event scheduled for June 21, 2015, and I believe there will be more Church congregations involved.
This is only a tool. Creating relationships is the real goal to Faith in Action. Because of the first Faith in Action event a year ago, the Mayor of Grande Prairie was so moved by the results, that he invited all the pastors and spiritual leaders in Grande Prairie and surrounding communities to the first ever Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the City. There were over 200 people in attendance. And the Mayor realizes how important it is to hear what the Spiritual leaders have to say.
This year’s event was organized by a great committee of 5 people that God put together. These people have become dear, dear friends. I can’t wait to get together again and begin planning for next year.
Pastor Doug Webb
Grande Prairie North Country Community Church
Calgary East - Life has been busy in SE Calgary! Calgary East church held another successful Stampede Breakfast on July 6. Pancakes and sausages were on the menu. People were free to visit and connect with neighbours while they enjoyed the music ministry of the Gripping Family Singers.
The children were able to participate in bubble blowing, receive a balloon animal, learn to juggle, or play in the bouncy house. Guests to the breakfast were enamoured by the unicycle-riding, fire-juggling entertainment too!
Some of the conversation revolved around the new church sign (installed by Dominion Signs of Calgary) and newly paved parking lot, completed by Bow Paving. The parking lot has been a real draw for neighbourhood children who have come to skateboard, play soccer, fly kites, and hang out.
Prayer Requests
Pastor Steve Conklin’s family have suffered the loss of a family member and a friend in the last couple of weeks. Please pray for comfort.
Pastor Gregg Rustulka (Prince Albert) has been hospitalized with high fever and extreme pain throughout his body. Please pray for relief from the pain, and effective treatment.
Pastor Andrew Barker’s father, Ernest Barker had brain surgery on Monday and is in serious pain. He is also having a great challenge swallowing. Please pray for healing.
Other News
Kidztown just completed their 14th annual Kidztown Kollege training week with approximately 60 people in attendance. The teams came from Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer West Park, Stettler, Three Hills, and Calgary East. Because of the unavailability of Harmattan's Family Camp facilities, Matt Willks and Trent McDowell graciously allowed the event to be hosted on the youth side - while they were hosting their own ministry! The cooperation between the two camps went very well.
Kidztown Kollege had Jojo Ruba, executive director of Faith Beyond Belief, as their keynote speaker. He challenged the teams to be confident in their faith and asked them to answer the provoking question, Why are you a Christian? The team members also worked on skill development for ministry to children, and led Bible lessons on Daniel for the Grades 1-2 camp.
Special thanks to Rae-Lee Brower for organizing such a great week! It is our hope that these teams' summer ministries in their community parks will be a bridge for families to connect with their Christian neighbours.
Riley Coulter Appointed Director of Planned Giving for Canada
The National Board, with the enthusiastic endorsement of the Canadian District Superintendents, has appointed Dr. Riley Coulter as DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING, effective September 1, 2014.
Dr. Coulter, who will be continuing to serve as Chancellor of Ambrose University College in a part-time role following his 65th birthday in August, will be responsible for working with Canadian Nazarenes in planning for estate and charitable giving in ways that benefit families, churches and ministries of the church. He will work directly with interested persons in planning legacies that connect passion with need through annuities, endowments, giving (donor-advised) funds, wills and trusts.
Interested persons should contact Dr. Coulter directly at or 403.829.6949 for more information or to arrange for an appointment.
Dr. Clair MacMillan
National Director,
Church of the Nazarene Canada
ROSE KNOWS
Hello Rose: Is it possible to submit our GTO and health care premium payments electronically?