Elders' Institute, St. Andrew's Hall

After General Assembly (in Waterloo), Roberta will be heading to the Maritimes to lead 8 workshops in St. John's, Truro, Moncton and Summerside. Let us know if you'd like more information about workshops in these areas!

IF you're a first-time commissioner to General Assembly, let us know and we will arrange for you to sit at a table with an experienced Commissioner. We have seasoned commissioners standing by to invite 1st-time commissioners to sit a their tables on the floor of Assembly so they can work together, explain process, and informally mentor them. If you're a 1st-time commissioner, let us know asap if you'd like to sign up.

Read about new training opportunities with the Elders' Institute:
http://www.eldersinstitute.ca/www/ei_e_news_sign_up.asp

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Ruling Elder Visions: REV UP for the future with the Elders' Institute. What will the church look like in the years to come? What role will ruling elders play as both new models of “church” emerge and old models are revitalized? How can the Elders’ Institute support ruling elders and help them prepare for leadership in the times ahead?

Download or read the Elders' Institute's new fall newsletter online or sign up to have it mailed to you via Canada Post.
http://www.eldersinstitute.ca/www/ei_newsletter.asp

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/story/2012/10/15/tby-church-technology.html

Churches reach out through video-conferencing - Thunder Bay - CBC News A Thunder Bay church is using technology to reach out to parishioners in an era of declining congregations.

Last month's Pilgrimage to France, Switzerland and Scotland brought together 40 pilgrims from across Canada in an exciting spiritual journey. Catch a glimpse of some of the special moments in this slide show by Roberta Clare, director of the Elders' Institute.

http://www.eldersinstitute.ca/www/pilgrimage.2012_slideshow.asp?ids=72157631165388144&names=Pilgrima

Basics for a Changing World If the Pre-Assembly Workshop are like squares on a quilt, worship is the thread holding the fabric in place, connecting square to square and filling the spaces between. PAW has been a General Assembly tradition since 2005. Organized by the Elders Institute, St. Andrew's Hall, Vancouver, and held on...

Follow Connie Wardle's blog as she journeys in Pilgrimage 2012: Exploring the Reformed Heritage.

The Journey Begins Yesterday, I was starting to feel like a pilgrim. Bleary-eyed, tired and far from home was how I always imagined pilgrims must feel—at least for a little while.

Earlier this month, the 138th General Assembly approved an addition to the Book of Forms (201.4) that allows presbyteries to commission ruling elders or members of the Order of Diaconal Ministries to administer the Sacrament of Holy Communion under certain terms.

So the Elders' Institute is offering a 3-week online course to provide the required theological and practical training. The purpose of the course is to enable ruling elders to understand the communion service more thoroughly and to conduct communion effectively and with dignity. The course is aimed primarily at those elders to be authorized by their presbyteries to preside at communion. It will also be a useful introduction to the theology and practice of the Presbyterian Church in Canada for ministers coming into the denomination from other traditions. Any elders who assist at communion may also find this an interesting and valuable course.

Written and taught by Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris.
November 12 to 30.
Cost: only $50.
For more information about online courses or to register, visit our website: www.eldersinstitute.ca.

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