Presbytery Prattle

"Peace is flowing like a river…."

Thursday, April 26,2001

The 116^th Meeting of Yellowhead Presbytery took place at St. Patrick's Anglican Church in Whitecourt, on April 26,27, 2001. On Friday evening, Northern Lights and Edmonton Presbyteries joined together with Yellowhead Presbytery for a time of laughter and learning as we took part in the first ever Northern Region Meeting. Water and flowing rivers was the theme as Whitecourt is a town "where even the rivers meet."

How many Yellowhead Presbytery meetings have you attended? This was the ice-breaker question by the chair. Answers varied from one (this one!) to more than 40. It seemed like Ursula Martin may have taken the prize for the most meetings.

Worship- led by Karen Gusek, Audrey Mitchell and Betty Welsby. Theme: Water of Life.

Story Telling - Presentations were made from Drayton Valley, Edson, Evergreen and Lamont. This is a special feature of our meetings now. "What makes your pastoral charge a healthy congregation?"

God Spots - by Ken Flanagan, based on flowing river and how is a river like Yellowhead Presbytery? (same, yet different all the time; elements of past present and future hope.)

Thank-you - We had a time of appreciation for those presbyters who are moving to other divisions or are leaving this presbytery for various reasons. Appreciation by way of certificates given out to Kathy Suteau for her hard work in Pastoral Relations; to Ian Otterbein for his help in keeping the books during some difficult times; Alana Johnson, who served well Swan Hills Pastoral Charge and who is moving to Hardisty; Dorothy Usher who is retiring from Mission and Support and cochair of Finance, but will stay on under Property (Finance); Morley Kennedy, who was not present but who has co-chaired Division of Finance and needs to tend to personal business again; Wim Kreeft, who is moving to the Maritimes once again and who was a leading figure in the Education and Students sub-committee; Al McNeil who retires as chaplain to Presbytery but will continue on as pensions and life long learning coordinator; Marge Fenton, who is moving to England and David Edwards who is retiring after many years in ordered ministry. May God bless you in all your new undertakings.

Bible Study - Kathy Suteau and Judy Stretch led the court in a bible study based on Saul's 'Road to Damascus" experience. Ray Olsen showed us how to make "Stone Soup" but it didn't turn out as he wanted; too many nuts! We ended our first day on this happy note!

"…flowing out of you and me…."

Friday, April 27, 2001

Worship - A good way to begin our day, led by David Edwards. He was presented with a "retirement cane" for his efforts. (Complete with pill bottle, magnifying glass, horn and "get-out-of-my-way sign, among other things. I am sure he was overjoyed to receive such a practical gift!)

Chair - Phyllis Greenslade expressed feelings of regret that her term of office was fast coming to a close, but relief too that it was time to take on other roles such as Education and Students convenor.

Pat Bourque - New Manual is out and new policies are now in affect. Police checks will be required as a regular part of any form of designated ministry. The book Room may be closing (but late breaking news seems to favour keeping it going with the help of ANW Conference. Pray for this to happen.). Pat thanked the committee responsible for local arrangements for the Regional Meeting.

Judy Stretch - Reporting for Division of Communications, Judy passed out photos of the proposed "vestments" for Yellowhead Presbytery. Charcoal vests with Yellowhead logo, ranging in price from $ 37.00 to $ 39.50 in XXX sizes - plus GST. (Enough interest was shown at the meeting that an initial order was placed. Contact Judy if you want a vest for our October meeting.)

VBS- is off and running. Encourage teens to help out if coming to your church.

Stewardship - Remember the third Sunday in October is "Stewardship Sunday" throughout the presbytery. Start thinking and planning, says Georgina.

Retired Clergy - approved Warren Bruleigh, Jim Short and Christine Scoffield to hold licenses to marry for ensuing year. If there are other pastoral charges wishing to have retired clergy hold licenses to marry, please get the information to the chair in time for the May 17^th Executive Meeting.

Fort McMurray - Covenanting service for Joanne Knobbe is tentatively scheduled for June 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Nominations Report - Betty Welsby presented the nominations report which should be available from the Yellowhead Presbytery Web Site or in a mailing coming out very soon. The best news is that Lilley Glebe will be our new treasurer.

Installation of New Chair - The meeting ended with Kathy Suteau being installed as Chair of Yellowhead Presbytery for the next term, beginning officially at the Celebration of Ministry event on May 26^th. Lots of warm fuzzies were handed out to former chairs of various divisions and sub-committees. "Well done thy good and faithful servants."

Regional Meeting

If you missed it you missed a good one! I may be a bit biased but the feedback has been very excellent. The food was good, the hotels were fine and the billets were fantastic.

Saturday workshops were good, at least the two I attended were. It was a very relaxed time for all who attended. The theme presentation from Naramata was well accepted as was the singing and worship. As someone said, "It was just like a Conference meeting but without all the haggling over 'amendments to amendments!'"

Sunday morning was worship with Whitecourt congregation. We had a guest musician who had the church rocking! (Janice McCloskey). We also had a guest preacher, Abiel Khalema, who caused the walls to vibrate with his message!

Glenn Smith from DMC Etobicoke, congratulated the Whitecourt congregation for having paid out its mortgage in only 5 years. This meant the money was back in circulation to help another new church venture.

Thanks to all who stayed for the worship as this was the official end to the regional meeting. A luncheon was shared with those who had to leave for home.

To those on the planning team, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Ken Flanagan

"Flowing out into the desert; setting all the captives free….."

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