Presbyters were warmly welcomed by the Jasper community, the local pastoral charge and their minister, Peter Chynoweth. "You cannot visit Jasper without going outside" seemed to be the theme of welcome.

Who's who? A sharing of what makes a healthy congregation from Ardrossan, Athabasca, Barrhead and Clover Bar.

Welcomed and heard words of wisdom and encouragement from Stuart Jackson, President of Alberta & NW Conf.

Bible Quest by Janet McDonald. (What percentage of your pastoral charge budget goes to Christian Education for children? A challenge from Janet for your next congregational meeting.) Give this program another look as WPOG may come to a close in 2002.

Conf. Rep Betty Welsby reported that focus of executive meetings were divided into headings for new conference structures (See presbytery executive minutes of Nov. 16th) Some upcoming conference items: May 26, 2001 Celebration of Ministry at Calgary. The next full meeting of Conference will be at Vermillion May 23-26, 2002. Check out web site www.anw.united-church.ca to gain access to any information you may need about our church.

Treasurer's Report: Ian Otterbein tendered his resignation as Treasurer, but the court found out later in the meeting that he has approached his pastoral charge about entering into the discernment process, the first step toward a designated ministry within the United Church. This is good news! Special mileage rates approved for this meeting only. Future travel will be at $ 0.24 as approved for the 2001 budget.

Church-in-Society - Bert Giffen indicated the residential school issues would be subject of a presentation later in the meeting. A hard-cover history book of the Lamont Health Care Centre is available for purchase at $ 35.00 (Contact David Edwards)

DWO Facelift for the Historical Journal with colour is pending. "Ten Days" theme for this year is about the earth and global warming. Packets still available for $ 25.00. Consider a "Good Friday Fast" in your congregation with money you would have spent on a meal going to a world outreach project. "Fair Trade" tea and coffee is available to purchase at the meeting.

Communications reported that minute books will be audited at future meetings. Peter Chynoweth our presbytery Net Wizard is doing some weird things with technology and more may be coming! Follow these instructions: Open web page www.driveway.com and when prompted for a user name use yellowhead_presbytery. Next use password withheld for the password. If you do this exactly as above you should virtually be at the "Virtual Album" and other surprises. Have fun! Fashion Line - how would you like to have a fleece vest perhaps in black with a "yellow head" on it? Give feedback to this division (Judy Stretch in particular). There are still some sweatshirts and tee shirts available. A book display, a feature of most meetings, was available.

Stewardship: Karen Gusek reported that pastoral charges have until February 1, 2001 to send in M&S funds for the year 2000. Covenanting forms are out for 2001. (Caution from Karen: With high power bills, please refrain from cutting M&S giving as a way of saving money! Try something else instead - please!)

Regional Event at Whitecourt, April 26 to 29th. Plans are well under way. Georgina Bruleigh and Judy Stretch are the Yellowhead planners. A presbytery meeting will take place at that time. The Whitecourt Church building, a new Senior Centre Building and the Anglican Church Building will be used, all within a block of each other. The actual program is yet to be decided but for now try to plan to attend, including the worship on Sunday morning with the Whitecourt congregation. (Note: Late breaking report is that there will be "good" rates at several motel/hotels for this event, along with billeting as usual.)

Conference Staff: Pat Bourque reminds ministry people of the retreat for ministers at the Providence Centre on Feb. 27 and 28th. Brochures should be in ministers hands by now. Watch for a survey coming in a conf. mailing soon - from Overview and Visioning Committee. Janet Wolfe will be the guest preacher for Kananaskis 2002.

Christian Development: Natalka reminds congregations to have your money in by March 15, 2001 if you want to be included in the Vacation Bible School Caravan this year. Jill Delarue will be the facilitator once again. That was considered more good news! Life Long Learning funds are still available but from presbytery resources only. A new application form will be issued shortly.

Canada's Residential School Legacy: the court heard from Don and Marilyn Bright who taught school in northern Alberta First Nations' Schools. Main point is to get the message out to every congregation so that we may be understanding of the problem before we attempt to engage conversations with First Nations people. (Editorial comment: I saw this as another way to "get the log out of our own eye" before we look for cinders in another.) An important question was asked of the court: How often have you heard prayers for our First Nations people within your congregation? Think about this and respond accordingly. You may contact Marilyn and Don at Box 6302, Edson AB, T7E 1T8, or e-mail at mbright at telusplanet.net. They will come to your congregation for travel costs and a billet. (No funding as yet for this ministry.)

MP&E: Huge work done by this division! Highlights: Lamont declared vacant; Namao declared vacant; Devon-Calmar declared vacant; needs assessment process initiated where required and supervisors appointed accordingly. A reminder that motions around sexual orientation are illegal within our courts including pastoral charges. A motion to rescind any such motions was passed and pastoral charges will be asked to do the same if necessary.

Education & Students: This is a sub-committee of MP&E. We have three students who are attending studies at St. Andrew's College; David Pollard, Craig Nelson, Ray Olsen. Discernment process beginning for Ian Otterbein (Athabasca) Marge Steele (Fort Sask) and Rick Feltham is a LPMIT "in waiting."

Pastoral Oversight: Another sub-committee! Woodland to be visited by Evergreen; Athabasca by Westlock; Morinville by Spruce Grove and Rainbow by Barrhead. Other visits are pending.

Really Good News! When was the last time you were involved with a congregation that wanted to join the United Church of Canada? If never is your answer than that is about to change! The congregation of the Josephberg United Church of Christ (near Fort Saskatchewan) has officially asked to come into our fold. Meetings have been happening and a motion was passed that unanimously cleared the way for this to happen, likely within the next few months. This particular congregation has had a history of close relationship with the UCC, having been supplied on many occasions with United Church ministers. This is an event worthy of the "good news" classification.

Covenanting services will be happening soon at Beaumont, and South Cooking Lake.

Thanks: to all those who helped with this meeting, especially the folks from Jasper Pastoral Charge. The meals were awesome, and there were no cougars around! The worship was wonderful - from the opening to the formal worship on Tuesday and all the God spots offered throughout by Bob Harper. Thanks to God for the scenery and the wildlife…..

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