AOTS Spring Roundup and National Biennial (2015)

April 17th to 19th, 2015

Salvation Army Jackson Point Conference Centre

1890 Metro Road North, Jacksons Point,


Patriarchy, Fatherhood and the Church

What is patriarchy and is this the way it is supposed to be?  What does the Bible say about this.  Jesus? What is the difference between mothers and fathers?  Where did the male God come from?  And what do we know about the origins of fatherhood, motherhood?  The next AOTS Spring Roundup will examine this theme.  Everyone welcome.

Michael Kooiman is the minister of Central United Church in Weston, Ontario.  Located in one of Toronto’s thirteen Priority Neighbourhoods, Central balances the needs of an historic congregation (1821) and the poverty that surrounds it.  Michael is active in the Weston King Neighbourhood Centre, a community drop-in centre that provides meals, informal counseling and harm reduction services, including a needle exchange.

Since he began in ministry in 1990, Michael has served the Bathurst Pastoral Charge, near Perth, Ontario, St. Matthew’s in Toronto, and Cliffcrest and Birchcliff Bluffs, both located in Scarborough.  In 2004-05, Michael was the President of Toronto Conference.  Educated at York and Queen’s, Michael also completed a Doctor of Ministry in preaching at Chicago Theological Seminary, with a thesis entitled “Finding Metaphor in Context: Exploring the Generative Capacity of Metaphor for Preaching.”

Active in teaching and consulting, Michael is the Coordinator of the Ministry of Supervision program at Emmanuel College, preparing those who seek to supervise ministry-based students in all forms.  Michael is an active consultant with the Edge Network for Ministry Development, specializing in building issues and congregational outreach.  He was also an Emerging Spirit presenter, leading over 30 workshops from Halifax to Regina.  In 2011, he was the General Editor of “Faith in a Time of Change,” a collection of Emerging Spirit blogs (available through UCPH).

Michael is currently the President of the Toronto United Church Council, and is passionate about Council’s mission to provide support and leadership in the areas of congregational development, mission strategy, social ministry and church camping. 

Other times you will find Michael aboard his big brother’s sailboat, Loyalist IV, or at the cottage, or at home with partner Carmen Palmer.  Michael is dad to Hazel and Isaac, and Opa to Hudson and Elliot.

HELP WANTED

The AOTS Men are looking for an enthusiastic person that would be willing to donate their time to be the editor of the AOTS newsletter (The Handshake).

The issues don’t have to be as extensive as previous versions we are really looking for a newsletter that we can share what the AOTS National is doing across Canada and what some of the clubs in other conferences are doing. Just something to help bring our Clubs closer together.

If you are at all interested or just want to help out please contact the us at info@aots.ca.

Check out The Handshake (National Newsletter) webpage at http://www.aots.ca/handshake.htm

AOTS Central Region Spring Roundup 2014 (May 2, 3, 4)

Central Region 2014
(May 2, 3, 4)

WHERE
Jackon's Point Salvation Army Conference Centre, 
1890 Metro Road North, Jackson’s Point, ON. L0E 1L0.
(905) 722-3501
jpcc@sallynet.org

FAITH, DROP-FORGED
It seems as if the church today is in a fitful freefall. Through several engaging workshops that draw on story and music, Rev. Ted will challenge us to identify ways in which our faith is being refined and re-defined. We may yet discover that the church's freefall is a kind of drop-forging, into which God is inviting us to step with fear and with faith. Expect to laugh, expect to sing, expect to be challenged.

THEME SPEAKER

Ted Harrison was ordained in the year 2000, when he began serving churches in northern Ontario. He's since earned his Doctor of Ministry degree. He's a part of the ministry team at Trinity United Church in North Bay. Ted is deeply involved with Manitou Conference, serving as its President from 2011 through 2013. Ted has real passion for Christian worship, with a focus on relevant and dynamic preaching that draws on scripture, humour, and music. Ted is also a trained spiritual director. Ted reads a lot. He loves jogging, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and he plays cowbell in a rock band (No, really!). Unfortunately, Ted always misses meeting the varied superheroes who have led late-October worship services at Trinity. Ted has two daughters, Eve and Erin, who he thinks are exceptionally brilliant children! Ted is married to Caroline, who is a hospital physiotherapist and a part-time sermon critic.

CONFERENCE CHAPLAIN

Rev Ted Grady lives with Zaccheus who keeps him busy and offers wonderful companionship in his ministry. Zaccheus is a golden retriever pup.

Ted grew up in Islington United Church, where he worked for almost 17 years as a weekend Sexton and 9 of those years as building manager. He was ordained in May 2012 and answered a call to Knox United Church in Sutton.

He continues to pursue his passion for music playing bass guitar in a band he has been a part of for 22 years.


ENTERTAINMENT

Heavenly Host
Chris Mogan: Piano/V ocals
Brenda McLay: Piano/V ocalsfPercussion
Marcel MacDonald: Bass/Guitar/V ocals
Darlene Laferriere: Vocals
Ted Harrison: Vocals/Harmonica/More Cow Bell
Matthew Whitehead: DrumslPrecussion
Pat O'Kane: Rhythm GuitarN ocals
Bryan Moore: Lead GuitarN ocals
Jen Hedican: Violin


WORKSHOPS

Bill Clark on Drugs and Alcohol
Dave McKenney on 'Fire' Retrofitting a Church

Download the Registration Form

Why Support National AOTS Financially?

Why support National AOTS financially ?

Consider what a club or individual can do to help support these needs, not so much what do we get.

The United Church of Canada AOTS Men's Clubs National Council provides the following services: 

1) Help maintain National AOTS projects 

We  have made an initiative for 2013-2016, that 100% of the cub members dues ($15/member) goes to support the Camp Improvement Project. All of the other things below are funded by volonteers or through donations to the Second Mile Fund.

• "Observer on Tape" to visually impaired persons run by the Eastminster United Church in Belleville Ontarrio.

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• Music Bursary - encourage youth with bursaries
   
• Harry Colnett Award - Bursary to Agriculture students 
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Some of the very successful past National AOTS projects are:

Hospital project - assist with education or other for medical staff in needy and remote areas Eastern, Central, and Western regions receive separate funds annually 

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2) "The Handshake" magazine, postage and copying costs 

3) National Club's Member recognition

• DR Poole Award
• David Sherwood Award
• Don Williams Award
• Presidents Award
• Life Member Award

4) Support the National Office provides:

Spiritual Life Handbook (Devotionals) copying & distribution Club support materials, pins, decals, cards, etc Handbooks, Pamphlets, Forms, Bylaws Club and Individual member mailing lists Publicity of events such as Biennial Conventions, Awards Assistance in maintaining web site: www.aots.ca Staff support to all Council members, National, Conference, & Committee

5) Support travel costs:

Support travel costs of volunteer Council members to meetings, Conferences Roundups, & Clubs National representation to the United Church of Canada

Why be Affiliated With AOTS?

While any organized men’s group can be an effective instrument of the church, the AOTS club expands this definition. Just as a church would be incomplete in its ministry if it functioned solely for itself and by itself, an individual men’s group may not be rising to it’s true potential either. Through AOTS, clubs can join forces with other like-minded groups at the community, regional, and national level.

The National Association helps amplify the voice of the laity in the total life and work of the Church. It provides a regular exchange of information and ideas through it’s newsletter (The Handshake), website (www.aots.ca), and various other literature and resource materials. It encourages interaction between clubs through the “Travelling Gavel/Cross” programmes and through involvement in regional rallies and retreats. 

How Does a Club Get Started?

It begins with one man of faith recognizing the need, and then discussing his interests with others in his church. A group of like-minded individuals can gather in an informal way for dinner or breakfast, for spiritual fellowship, to work together on an outreach project, or conduct a lay ministry within the church. This is the foundation of an AOTS club.

Consider the benefits of becoming part of the National Association of AOTS Men’s Clubs. Talk to your minister about it. Invite an AOTS representative to come and describe his involvement in the national association and discuss the operation and activities of his local club.

Individuals can also join the National Association without having to belong to a club. This category of membership allows men who live far away from the nearest active club to become involved in many regional and national activities of the AOTS. 

Please think about being a part, or have your Churches Men's Club be affiliated to the National Association of AOTS Men's Clubs. For more information please contact us at info@aots.ca or go to the AOTS Membership page.