CP Extra Web Exclusive - Coronation Presbytery meets in Forestburg and Alliance

Rev Jope Langejans and David Armour at one of two meetings held by the Coronation Presbytery in Forestburg and Aliance recently. Armour Armour is the Director of Philanthropy for the General Council of the United Church of Canada.

The Coronation Presbytery held meetings in Forestburg at the Bethel United Church and Alliance Church recently.

The Coronation Presbytery has 20 Pastoral Charges and 32 congregations that stretch from the eastern border of Alberta and include the Saskatchewan congregation of Macklin. They go west to Mirror, south to Oyen and Drumheller, and north to Camrose.

Chairperson Sue Hertell welcomed everyone then introduced Peter Miller, Bill Webb and Sedgewick Minister Rick Laurendeau to welcome all to the meeting.

Rev Jope Langejans opened with a prayer, then discussed how information is shared through stories.

“Word of mouth became history,” said Langejans. “Those stories brought us all together. From massive rocks to pebbles form the caring community.

“That will be the glue that brings us together.”

Langejans invited those present to come forward and place stones on the altar and to share their stories.

He finished with ‘Salt of the Earth’ a W. Paul Rumbolt hymn, then introduced speaker David Armour.

David Armour is the Director of Philanthropy for the General Council of the United Church of Canada.

He has headed major fundraising campaigns as Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Olympic Foundation, President of the United Way and a Regional Director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

“This is a very special time of the year,” opened Armour. “Preparing for the planting of the new crops. The Churches across the country bring a message of gratitude. “The church is going through changes. Our new creed reads, “We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil.

“Finding the balance for each congregation, there is no right answer.We are into mission and service but we can chop the word fund.We support the global Mission and Service, Community and Justice Work, Theological Education and Ministry support, Support to local ministries, Conference Leadership, and the General Council Leadership.”

“We have to talk with stewardship, listen to the people in the pews and the UCW,” said Armour. “We have redone our web site and more work is on the way!”

Val Vincett
Staff Reporter