In the Presbytery of Oak Ridges, we think of our congregations as being in the business of sharing the Good News in every way possible—and that’s precisely what we’ve been striving to do throughout the last few years.
Oak Ridges is one of the denomination’s newer presbyteries, created in 1993 as a gathering of congregations from the extremities of other presbyteries (including East Toronto, Pickering, West Toronto, Barrie and Brampton). It encompasses all of York Region in Ontario (north of Toronto), with small bits of Simcoe County and Peel Region included. There are 21 congregations within the bounds.
The communities within the presbytery are among the fastest growing in Canada, so there is no shortage of potential for growth! This is why it was a visionary act in the earlier days of the presbytery’s existence to create a Presbytery Growth Fund. The fund is accessible to congregations in Oak Ridges to assist with capital projects, with part of the amount repaid, and the rest granted. It has been a great help to several churches, with two deserving special mention.
Two of our fastest growing churches are in two of our fastest growing communities: Bradford and Keswick. Kirk and Allyson MacLeod sensed a call to begin a new work in Keswick several years ago; in 2009, the congregation realized a great dream when, in May of that year, its own building was completed and dedicated to the Lord’s work by the presbytery. In 2004, St. John’s, Bradford, completed a new building, and is already considering an expansion. This is a remarkable ‘God thing,’ considering Rev. Dan Scott was sent to Bradford to close the church back in the mid – 1990s; it had gotten so small, it had ceased to be viable. God is at work!
In 2011, the presbytery engaged in two never – previously – tried initiatives. In March, at the invitation of Rev. Peter Han, minister of Vaughan Community Church in the Presbytery of Han – Ca East, the Presbytery of Oak Ridges shared a fellowship meal and worship with the Korean presbytery, in Vaughan Community Church, which is within the bounds of Oak Ridges. Our time together felt like a taste of God’s eternal kingdom, where worship happens in many languages. We hope to reciprocate in the near future.
The other new initiative was a Day Apart. This was an educational and formational event open to clergy, elders, and worship leaders to hear Dr. Kevin Livingston, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Tyndale Seminary, speak about worship and preaching in the season of Advent. We were pleased with the attendance for this first attempt, welcoming over 20 people representing several congregations on what was otherwise a busy Saturday in October. The presbytery budgeted for the cost of the event, so congregations were asked to make a donation to Presbyterian World Service and Development as their ‘admission fee.’ The response, even from those not able to attend, has encouraged us to have another Day Apart this year.
While the Presbytery of Oak Ridges is replete with towns seen as bedroom communities for those who work in Toronto, and where income levels are high, we have not forgotten those in need. The presbytery collects needful things for Evangel Hall, a Presbyterian outreach to the inner city of Toronto. And, guests are welcomed from local and national relief and development agencies as we look beyond our borders to offer the compassion of our Saviour as part of the Good News.
