Model Teaching Week

During the week of November 16, 2009, teachers from the Alberta Seventh-day Adventist education system learned best teaching practices by observing three guest master teachers (one from South Carolina and two from Oklahoma) in a Model Teaching Week at College Heights Christian School in Lacombe. Most students enjoyed some time away from school that week; however, about 50 students from various schools were a part of the mock model school. Isaac Zayachkowski, Superintendent of Adventist Schools in Alberta, says they launched their "Journey to Excellence" six years ago and, thanks to funding from the Provincial Government, their focus now is improving student success. Not only teachers from Alberta, but Manitoba, and Quebec took part in learning best teaching practices so each teacher and student can find a safe learning environment to flourish in. The first order of business was designing their model classrooms. They currently have a focus in three main areas.

The following video clip is from an interview by radio station Sunny 94 with Isaac Zayachkowski:

Ponoka Church Praises God for Baptism

(l-r) Pastor David Beaudoin, Joshua Beaudoin, Darryl Johnson

On November 7th the Ponoka Church celebrated 2 baptisms. Joshua Beaudoin was baptized after two years of preparation and made his decision to follow in the footsteps of Jesus through the waters of baptism. Darryl Johnson, who first attended the 2008 prophecy seminar was also baptized into the body of Christ, and his immediate family were there to witness the grand event. Before the baptisms service the Ponoka church members promised and voted to support these two young men with all their emotional and spiritual resources to help them grow in the Lord. We praise the Lord and rejoice with the angels in heaven for the commitment of these two individuals.
Pastor Dave Beaudoin

Northern Lights Pathfinder Club Food Bank Drive

On Sabbath afternoon, October 31, 2009, the Northern Lights Pathfinder Club in Edmonton collected 2000 food items in the community.
Diane & Glenn Hawthorne, Pathfinder Directors

Lacombe Vegetarian Dinner Club Celebrates 1st Anniversary

Lacombe Vegetarian Dinner Club team:Front: Shirley Unruh, Carol Garner; Middle: Darlene Rachul, Margaret Hansen, Bernice Nahorney, Johanna Looyenga, Ruth Riffin; Back: Neil Garner, Wilf Hansen, Lorence Nahorney, Sylvester Riffin
October marks the first anniversary of the Lacombe Vegetarian Dinner Club. Hosted by the Lacombe Community Church, the club meets every month for a delicious vegetarian dinner. Average attendance is 45, half of whom are not church members. Recipes for every dish are provided, as well as other health materials. Each evening following the meal there is a short lecture by a health educator, or an inspiring musical program. At each meeting a variety of door prizes are given out, many of which are cookbooks.
Coordinator Ruth Riffin is pleased with the response to this outreach. She says: "Our church members are inviting their friends and neighbours and, as a result, we are getting to know more of our community folks. Our visitors, in turn, are inviting their friends. Many of those attending have stated that they have made changes in their lifestyles because of what they learned at our club dinners."
Attendees are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about vegetarianism and a variety of health topics. They have told the team that they are surprised that vegetarian and vegan dishes are so tasty. They are eager for the next Dinner Club, and love to learn about healthy living.
Esther Sayler

Stettler Church Baptism and Rebaptism

(l-r) Pastor Warren Kay, Doris Hayne, Cassandra Dingman, Vicki Huntley
On October 17 the Stettler Church was delighted to have a baptism in which Cassandra Dingman became a member of the Stettler Seventh-day Adventist Church. Doris Haynes and Vicki Huntley were rebaptised to indicate their desire to completely follow the leading of Jesus in their lives. Thank you to many family and friends that came to support these ladies.

Pastor Warren Kay

A "Good News" Celebration!

Platform party (l-r): Pastor Reynold Ferary (CAAA Chaplain), Devon Powell, Pastor John Adams, Pastor Clive Dottin, Dorthy Vernon (CAAA Communications Coordinator), Sharon Long-Brown (CAAA Northern Chapter President), and Mark Johnson (President of the Alberta Conference


Pastor Clive Dottin delivering the Sabbath message "Getting Past the First Page"




Adventist Youth & Vespers with Pastor Clive Dottin



Pastor Ishmael Ali, Pastor Clive Dottin, and Pastor John Adams

The Caribbean Association of Adventists in Alberta (CAAA) recently celebrated a momentous occasion! September 4-7, 2009 marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of CAAA, a non-profit organization, with a mission of preserving and sharing cultural heritage while leading souls to Christ.
Pastor Clive Dottin, the Youth, Health, & Religious Liberty director of the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was the keynote speaker, and an excellent addition to the weekend activities. His sermons included such topics as “Getting past the first page,” which addressed milestones (self inflicted or otherwise) that stifle the growth of meaningful relationships with Christ, and how to overcome them. We praise God that Melissa Adams, a first time visitor to CAAA, was convicted by the Holy Spirit, and was baptized on Sabbath, September 5 along with Cassandra John who was re-baptized. Many others made vows re-dedicating their lives to Christ. We were also honored to have Mark Johnson, the president of the Alberta Conference, bring opening remarks.
The family retreat (themed “Good News!”) at Foothills Camp, Bowden included thought provoking sermons from the featured speaker, therapeutic massages, a financial seminar, an old time social, a banquet, and delicious vegetarian meals. The banquet capitalized on Caribbean folklore and the many talents of young and old, while the social featured a mixture of traditional and well known games proving to be enjoyable for all age groups. This power-packed weekend proved to be a unique spiritual experience.

Please join us next year, September 3-6, 2010!
We welcome your questions! Contact us: CAAAInformation@gmail.com

Dorthy Vernon
CAAA Communications Coordinator

Yellowknife Fire Department Gives Thanks for Adventist Church

Dana, Mary, Mikelle, a happy community member, Johanna, and Tristha. Photo taken by Katelyn Ruiz

In the next few days the Yellowknife Church will be posting a report on its recent Be a Rebel evangelism weekend but here’s an exciting news flash. Each week the city publishes a newsletter called, “Capital Update” and they mail it to every mailbox in town. This week, the fire department printed this short announcement:

“THANK YOU! Seventh Day Adventist Church
“The Seventh Day Adventist young people stepped up to the plate September 12 and 13 with the “Be a Rebel Community Challenge.” Spearheaded by Pastor Brad Dahr, they delivered 200 batteries to homes in the Forrest Drive area with the message “Stay Safe! Change smoke detector batteries once a year and test them regularly.” Our sincere thanks from the YKFD for helping our community practice fire safety! Job well done!”

The members of the Yellowknife church know that people don’t care what you know until they know you care. This community service event sent the message that we care about our community and it’s great to get some good press for it. However, credit really goes to Moises and Katelyn Ruiz who were the guest speakers for the weekend event. “When Moises, Katelyn and I were brainstorming for the weekend, it was Moises’ idea to give out batteries,” says Pastor Brad. “We were going to do them as a lead into the weekend but they didn’t arrive in time (our time) so we made giving them out part of the evangelism weekend (that’s God’s timing).” Also, big applause and pats on the back go to the church members who went out in large groups to give away the batteries. “Coming together as a team made the battery event and the whole weekend a huge success,” said Pastor Brad.

The Seventh-day Adventist church has been serving the Yellowknife community for over 30 years and is located at 5008 Forrest Drive. Services are every Saturday morning at 10:30 starting with small groups for adults and children with services starting at 11:30. On the web they are at www.yksda.org while the church office can be reached at 873-6767 or by email at info@yksda.org.