Press release of Regional Synod East (Hamilton Providence) convened on November 13, 2024

November 18, 2024 Hamilton (Providence) 2024
The meeting of the delegates was called to order and opened by br. Joel Van Popta on behalf of the convening church, Providence Canadian Reformed Church. He led in devotions and then examined the credentials, finding them in good order. He noted the presence of three alternate delegates from Classis Niagara. Regional Synod East was declared constituted. The following brothers were appointed to serve: as chairman – Rev. P.H. Holtvlüwer, as vice-chairman – Rev. R.J. den Hollander and as clerk – Rev. R.J. Kampen.

The chairman thanked the convening church for all the work done in preparation of Regional Synod East. The agenda was adopted with one minor correction.

After an initial round of interacting with all the material on the agenda, advisory committees were struck to formulate responses. Regional Synod East then came to the following decisions:

Overtures

Classis Ontario West submitted an overture regarding adding a clarifying footnote to the article of the Apostles’ Creed “he descended into hell”. Regional Synod East decided to forward it on to General Synod 2025 with only a few very minor changes.

Classis Central Ontario submitted an overture regarding Church Order Article 55 to include the possibility of using consistory-approved songs in addition to the Psalms and Hymns adopted by General Synod 2025. Regional Synod East decided to forward the overture to General Synod together with some additional recommendations.

Classis Central Ontario submitted an overture with three proposals for shortening the duration of General Synods. Regional Synod East will forward to General Synod 2025 proposals 2 and 3 of their overture, namely that a hybrid of virtual (for administrative matters) and in-person meetings be considered and that a clerical team be provided to the executive of General Synods.

Classis Central Ontario and Classis Northern Ontario submitted very similar overtures regarding a change to Church Order Art.49, to change delegation to General Synod 2025 from Regional Synod to Classis. Regional Synod East decided to forward the overture to General Synod 2025 with one modification.

Classis Central Ontario submitted an overture regarding the hymn cap. Regional Synod East declared the overture inadmissible since no new grounds were provided.

Appeals

Two appeals against decisions of Classis Northern Ontario June 2023 and 2024 were dealt with in closed session, both of them denied. Two more appeals were dealt with in open session against decisions of Classis Northern Ontario June and September 2024, both of which were also denied.

Reports

Regional Synod East received with thankfulness the treasury report and its audit. The proposed assessment of $4.00 per communicant member is adopted. Each church should send this assessment to its classis treasurer (who will then forward this to the treasury church of Regional Synod East.) Regional Synod East received the reports from deputies that gave concurring advice on the retirements of Revs. P. Aasman and D. Wynia. Also received with thankfulness were reports of the successful peremptory examinations of candidates Mark Vanderlinde and Zach Vanderploeg. Regional Synod East discharged the deputies appointed by the previous Regional Synod East.

Appointments

Regional Synod East will provide suggested names of one governor and two alternates to General Synod Aldergrove 2025 as requested by the Board of Governors of CRTS. Synod made the following regular appointments:
  • The Treasury church for Regional Synod East Grassie – Covenant
  • The church for the inspection of the books of the treasury Lincoln – Vineyard
  • The Church to maintain the archives Toronto - Bethel
  • The Church to inspect the archives Brampton - Grace
  • The Church to convene the next Regional Synod on Nov.19, 2025 - Attercliffe
Synod appointed the following Deputies ad Article 48 C.O for the upcoming year:

From Classis Central Ontario for Classis Northern Ontario and Classis Niagara
  • Rev. Clarence Vandervelde;
  • First alternate: Rev. Anthony Roukema;
  • Second alternate: Rev. Ian Wildeboer
From Classis Northern Ontario For Classis Central Ontario and Classis Western Ontario
  • Rev. Marc Jagt;
  • First alternate: Rev. Jeff Poort;
  • Second alternate: Rev. Tyler Vandergaag
From Classis Niagara for Classis Central Ontario and Classis Ontario West
  • Rev. Rodney Vermeulen
  • First alternate: Rev. Rolf den Hollander;
  • Second alternate: Rev. John Louwerse
From Classis Ontario West for Classis Northern Ontario and Classis Niagara
  • Rev. John Van Woudenberg
  • First alternate: Rev. Ken Kok;
  • Second alternate: Rev. Steve Van Leeuwen
Synod appointed the following delegates to General Synod Aldergrove 2025:

Elder Delegates
  • Don Aasman
  • Gerald Boot
  • Ron Bremer 
  • John Harsevoort 
  • John Jager 
  • Andy Jairam
  • First alternate: Cornell Feenstra 
  • Second alternate: Peter Ostermeier
  • Third alternate: Menco Wieske
  • Fourth alternate: Gerard Woudenberg
  • Fifth alternate: Butch Medemblik
  • Sixth alternate: Tim Hutten
Minister Delegates
  • Rolf den Hollander
  • Peter Holtvlüwer
  • Hilmer Jagersma
  • Marc Jagt
  • John Louwerse
  • Jake Torenvliet
  • First alternate: John Van Woudenberg
  • Second alternate: Ian Wildeboer
  • Third alternate: Tyler Vandergaag
  • Fourth alternate: Gerrit Bruintjes
  • Fifth alternate: John Ludwig
  • Sixth alternate: Steve VandeVelde
Regional Synod East set the remuneration for loss of wages for delegates to General Synod as per the recommendation of Aldergrove, the convening church, at $300 per day, with a maximum of $1500 per week. Mileage compensation to General Synod was set at the CRA recommended 70 cents per kilometre, with maximum reimbursement not to exceed the cost of air-travel.

The chairman ruled with deep gratitude that, especially considering the volume of material and its sensitivity, brotherly censure was not necessary.

After the meeting approved a method for finalizing the Acts, finalized a press release, and engaged in devotions, the chairman declared Regional Synod East closed.

Rev. R.J. den Hollander (vice-chairman at that time)
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