On behalf of the convening church of Winnipeg-Grace, elder Richard Buist extends a warm welcome to all present. He reads Psalm 107:23-32, invites us to sing Ps 107:9, 10, 11, 12 and leads in prayer. The following memorabilia are remembered: the health and well-being of our emeritus ministers and wives: Rev. and Mrs. John & Agnes Van Rietschoten, Rev. and Mrs. Klaas & Nettie Jonker and their marriage on September 19 as well as their move to Albany, West Australia, Dr. and Mrs. Andrew & Inge Pol, who are now serving in Port Moresby until November; the calls extended by Winnipeg-Redeemer for the mission work in Niverville to Candidate Josh Peters; the calls extended by Winnipeg-Grace to Rev. Julius van Spronsen and Rev. Marc Jagt - both ministers declined; the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands in August; the seminary and the recovery of Dr. Van Raalte from his heart attack.
All the churches were properly represented. Classis was therefore constituted. Rev. Dathan Pleiter was appointed president, Rev. Carl VanDam was appointed vice-president, and Pastor James Slaa was appointed clerk. The agenda was adopted.
The following fraternal delegates are welcomed: Pastor Kevin Pulliam, minister of Christ Reformed Church (RCUS) in Minot, North Dakota, Rev. Todd De Rooy, minister of the Redeemer United Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa, and Rev. Rich Anjema of Providence United Reformed Church in Winnipeg.
The deputies for Contact with Neighbouring Classes/Presbyteries submited a report about their activities in the past year. The deputies recommend that the deputies inform the three presbyteries/classes (RCUS Northern Plains Classis, OPC Presbytery of the Dakotas, URCNA Classis Central US) and Providence United Reformed Church of Winnipeg of an upcoming classis on behalf of the convening church. They also recommend to add a fourth member to the committee. These recommendations are adopted. The church at Carman West is mandated to update the regulations to reflect these adopted recommendations in consultation with the deputies and will report to a future Classis.
The transfer of funds from the Committee for Aid to Needy Churches to the treasury of Classis has been completed.
A report from the Committee for Students of Theology is received with thankfulness.
Question period was held as per Article 44 of the Church Order. One church requested advice regarding a matter of discipline. Advice was given.
Pastor Kevin Pulliam brings greetings from the Northern Plains Classis of the RCUS. He shares that in their Classis there is renewed interest and desire to reach the lost and one pastor has been designated for that work. As a federation they are looking forward to celebrating their 300th year anniversary on June 12, 2025 at Mount Rushmore.
Rev. Todd De Rooy brings greetings from the URCNA Classis Central US. He gives an update on the activities in this Classis, including various church plant initiatives. Dr. Cornelis Venema, professor at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, has retired.
Rev. Rich Anjema brings greetings from the Providence United Reformed Church in Winnipeg. The president responds with warm words of Christian fellowship and leads in thanksgiving prayer.
A letter of greeting was received with thankfulness from the Presbytery of the Dakotas of the OPC.
The convening church for the next classis is Winnipeg-Redeemer. The proposed date is December 6, 2024, DV, at 9:00 am. The alternate date is March 28, 2025. Classis also made suggestions for officers for the next classis.
Appointments were made for Treasurer, Church for Auditing the Books of the Treasurer, Church for Care of the Archives, Church for Inspection of the Archives, Committee for Examinations, Committee for Aid to Needy Churches, Committee for Students of Theology, Deputies for Contact with Neighbouring Churches/Presbyteries, Deputies for Contact with the Provincial Government, and Church Visitors.
Classis appointed the following as delegates to Regional Synod West to be held on November 19, 2024: as primary delegates: Rev. James Slaa and Rev. Carl Van Dam, elders Len Bergsma and James Teitsma; as alternate delegates: Rev. Joe Poppe and Rev. Dathan Pleiter in that order and elders Cor Lodder and Ron Vanderzwaag, in that order.
Personal question period was held. With thankfulness the president declared that censure according to Article 34 of the Church Order was not needed. Classis decided that the Acts of Classis and press release will be finalized by the moderamen. The president asked Ps 134:1, 2 to be sung. Rev. Van Dam led in closing thanksgiving prayer. Classis was closed.
Rev. Carl Van Dam, vice-president at that time