AMS

WHAT'S NEW

Annual Meeting Registration Form
Click here
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Hopewell, N. S. Children and Youth Events
Click on Youth in the left-hand Menu

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Mission Awareness Sunday

The next Mission Awareness Sunday
will be May 1, 2011
(since Easter falls on the last Sunday in April).
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AMS CUSHIONS TRAVEL ACROSS CANADA

Last January, the word went out to AMS auxiliaries
throughout the Atlantic Provinces
asking for 140 cushions for participants in
the Pre-Assembly Workshops (PAWS) to be held
prior to the meeting of the General Assembly
in Cape Breton in June.
The response was enthusiastic, generous and artistic.

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Elder Gerrie Akkerman, First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton, N.S.
is shown below with a PAW (Pre-Assembly Workshop) pillow.
Gerrie is an associate member with the Florence Young Auxiliary
and was instrumental in both the design and completion of this project.

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Pictured below are members of the AMS at St. Matthew's P.C., Wallace

They are holding some PAWS Pillows crafted for the 136th General Assembly Workshop this June in Cape Breton.

Left to right are: Bernice Elliott, Joan Atkinson, Anne Wallace, Marion Dotten, and Norma Dewar.

One pillow has a picture of St. Matthew's; another pillow is stitched with a Burning Bush; two pillows have the Scottish thistle; and another shows the PAW symbol.

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AMS REPORT FORMS

Auxiliary Mission Education Report: Form
Auxiliary Missions/Outreach Report Form
Auxiliary Statistical Report Form
Auxiliary Financial Report Form

WHO DISTRIBUTES THE FORMS?
In the past, it has been the responsibility of officers of the General Society to
distribute the yearly report forms to Presbyterial officers and they, in turn, to distribute them
to auxiliaries. Since Presbyterial officers can now download and print the forms themselves,
the responsibility of the General Society officers may be simply to ensure that their
Presbyterial counterparts do have access to the forms.
In the same way, Presbyterial officers may wish to check with auxiliary secretaries
as to whether they can access the forms from the website.

WHO RECEIVES THE FORMS?
Completed reports should be sent from the auxiliary to the appropriate Presbyterial officer,
who uses the information to prepare an annual report for the Presbyterial meeting.
Following the Presbyterial meeting, these reports are forwarded to the officers of the General
Society who use the information to prepare printed reports for the Annual Meeting.

If you have a question about receiving or submitting AMS report forms, click here.

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TABULATED REPORTS

Executive and Presbyterials
Auxiliaries
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Look IN -- Shout OUT
Be Transformed!
It's hard to resist an invitation like that.
In May 2011, you have that invitation.
Join in the first ever National Presbyterian Women’s Gathering
at the Parkway Hotels and Convention Centre
in Richmond Hill, Ontario (just North of Toronto).
As people of faith,
God always calls us to new times and new places.
This is such a time.
Come and be a part of this unique opportunity.
Meet old friends and make new friends.
Celebrate our common beliefs and discuss our differences.
Engage in Bible study and participate in excellent workshops.
Expand your awareness of global issues
and explore issues of mission and justice
in your own life and the life of the church.
Meet our sisters in Christ and experience their stories
as we welcome international guests from around the world.
Most of all, rejoice in the knowledge that where we gather,
God is present.
There will be singing and dancing, shared stories,
lots of laughter, and maybe even a few tears.
There will be amazing speakers
that will share their wisdom and their experiences.
There will even be a few surprises!
Women from across the country
have been planning this event for many months
and all that is missing is you.
Don’t miss out on this exciting experience!

Druse Bryan & Ann Taylor, Members, Planning Team

For more information, go to:
www.womensgathering.ca

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AMS BURSARIES

Please note that bursaries for the year 2010-2011
will be awarded in October 2010.
Please click here for Information
and Application Form
Click here for biographies of the four women
in whose names the bursaries have been established.

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Men's Offering Project
A new Men's Offering Project
will be chosen at the Annual Meeting.
Presbyterian men (whether AMS members or not)
are invited to submit suggestions.
Send your ideas to:
Rev. Kenn Stright
www.sos.pccatlantic.ca
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A Meditation for Remembrance Day
Rev. Bob MacLean
Retired Chaplain
Click on: REMEMBRANCE

A SPECIAL FRIEND
By H. Roy White
(A Special Poem Just For Fun)

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Synod Staff
www.sos.pccatlantic.ca

Rev. Kenn Stright,
Mission and Educational Consultant

Miss Audrey Cameron,
Camping and Youth Consultant

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XVI International AIDS Conference
Toronto, August 2006
Go to: www.developmentfaithandjustice.net
for two short films
made with AMS financial assistance

AMS PURPOSE

The purpose of the Society is to glorify God
and to support with prayer, study and service
mission endeavours
through the Presbyterian Church in Canada,
the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces
and the Presbyteries within its bounds.

Mission is doing the things that Jesus would do.
Mission is going to the places where Jesus would go.
Mission is speaking the words that Jesus would speak.
Mission is being the hands and feet and voice of Jesus.

God is the Master Creator, the Master Artist.
If we allow it, God's creative spirit can work within us.
He can shape a cold emptiness into warming love.
He can build a joyful sharing out of aching loneliness.
God can turn despair into happiness.
As an artist strokes a brush to the canvas and creates,
so it is that each time God touches us, we change.
We grow in brilliant colours of love, joy and wisdom.
With the brush of His creative genius,
God touches every dark corner of our lives.
He gives us new hope, new meaning.
We become new creations of the Master Artist.

As we enjoy summer delights,
it is exciting to know that our mission offerings, support and prayers
are making a difference in the lives of our young people.
Just as Jesus and his followers went apart to special solitary places
for prayer, teaching and fellowship,
so our Christian camps provide a place for spiritual growth.

Our church camps make a difference
in the lives of the next generation.
Many will grow in faith and answer the call to serve Jesus the Christ
in the way they are able.
Please keep the campers and staff in your prayers
for a glorious, safe summer that is filled with God's grace.

Ann Taylor
The Presbyterian Message June/July 2008
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God, our Creator,
We thank You
for the promise of Your presence
throughout our lives.
Thank You for the abundance of promises
in Your Holy Word.
Standing on them, we cannot fail.
Keep our hearts secure and gladdened
as we remember Your unconditional love.
Your promise to be always with us
is all we need to know
and all that really matters.
We trust Your Word. Amen

Margaret MacDonald, East River St. Mary's, Pictou County, N.S.
The Presbyterian Message May 2002
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I loved the gentle Jesus --In my heart's eye I could see
All the radiance of His presence as He walked in Galilee.
Oh the depth of peace o'erflowing to the lame, the halt, the blind.
Oh the joy past understanding to the sick and troubled mind.
But the day grew strangely silent, Stricken hearts could only moan,
He is dead...my gentle Jesus. They have laid Him in a tomb.
But the morning broke triumphant --How true hearts leap up to sing:
Alleluia...Alleluia...Jesus Christ, Redeemer, King.
Alleluia...Alleluia...He is risen, as He said.
God the Son, our loving Saviour, He is risen from the dead.

Viola M. Johnstone
The Presbyterian Message April 1993
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We praise Thy name. Oh Lord:
Above all gods Thou art:
Thy loving care to usward here
Can touch each longing heart:
And when we falter on our way
And weaknesses prevail,
Thy strength is there to lift us up
With hope that cannot fail.

O Lord, we come this day to Thee,
Our hearts laid bare for You to see.
Forgive us, Lord, that we may be
More fitting servants now and free
From idle vanity and pride,
And willing workers at Thy side.
We pray for strength and faith so strong
That even when the world seems wrong,
Our trust will falter not nor fail
But always in Thy strength prevail.

Mary Grace Reid
The Presbyterian Message, February 1980

I have made no resolutions,
Well I know, Lord, that my best
Is inadequate, but Thy Grace
Is sufficient for the rest.
Of myself I can do nothing
So for this New Year I pray:
Give me grace and strength sufficient
For the task from day to day.

Alice Seward
The Presbyterian Message January 2010
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CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
Have no fear! God is with us!
Christmas is coming to quicken our faith
in the awesome reality that
God became one of us to tell us He loves us.
Christmas is coming to remind us that
to discover the meaning and purpose of our life,
we must love one another as Jesus loved us.
In and through the supreme model of human life at its best,
God is saying, "NOW do you understand how much I love you?"

Shirley Murdock
The Presbyterian Message December 1996
(At the time of writing, Shirley was AMS Executive Secretary.
She is currently the Moderator of the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces.)
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Thoughts for Remembrance Day

Inasmuch as we stand ready and equipped to defend,
we must work diligently on all fronts to remove the causes of war
so that we will never have to use the instruments of destruction
or expose our youth to the hazards of conflict.
In the face of greed, envy, racism and the power struggles of our day,
let us through respect abolish war,
through education root our suspicion,
through compassion remove prejudice
and through the grace of God rid ourselves of the spirit
which provokes strife among us.

Rev. Dr. John Cameron
The Presbyterian Message, November 1991
(At the time of writing, Dr. Cameron was Moderator
of the 117th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.)

As the nip in the air warns us of the weather to come,
our eyes feast on the beauty of the landscape.
God, the Artist, gives us a changing scene of colors
as we watch the leaves turn from green to crimson
to shades of yellow and brown.
The fields of grain ripen for harvest
and the earth has fulfilled the promise held in Spring.
The pumpkins piled high,
the baskets of vegetables and bushels of potatoes
speak of our Heavenly Gardener
who provides such bountiful goodness.
As we begin the fall schedule,
let us resolve to use in a more meaningful way
all the wondrous gifts and talents that we have been given.
As we reflect on God's goodness and grace,
let us endeavor to be open to do His will
in whatever paths He may lead us.

Winnie Wilson
The Presbyterian Message October 1991

ATLANTIC MISSION SOCIETY

THE WORLD FOR CHRIST

AMS PURPOSE