Rev. Joe Poppe welcomed the delegates to Redeemer Canadian Reformed Church for the Spring Classis…in the snow 😊. The meeting was opened with reading (Colossians 1.1-14) and singing (Hy 63.1,2). Several items of memorabilia were remembered in opening prayer: the vacancy of Ambassador Canadian Reformed Church, the call extended to Dr. Wes Bredenhof (FRCA Launceston) by Grace Canadian Reformed Church, and the emeritus ministers and their wives: Rev. and Mrs. Klaas and Nettie Jonker, Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Inge Pol, and Rev. and Mrs. John and Agnes Van Rietschoten. Gratitude was conveyed for the continued work of Dr. Andrew Pol, filling the pulpits of the vacant churches in our classis.
All the churches were represented by their primary delegates. Classis was constituted. Rev. Joe Poppe was appointed as president, Rev. Carl Van Dam as clerk, and Rev. Dathan Pleiter as vice. The agenda was adopted.
Classis welcomed Rev. Rich Anjema of Providence United Reformed Church in Winnipeg to the meeting. A letter of fraternal greetings was received from Rev. Archibald A. Allison of the Presbytery of the Dakotas of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with thankfulness.
Winnipeg Redeemer reported on the inspection of the Classis Archives, which were deemed to be in good order. It was noted that the Treasurer Report and subsequent inspection were not received, which will be tabled at the next classis meeting. Classis received a report from the Deputies for the Contact with Manitoba Provincial Governments.
At this time, classis tabled a proposal by Grace Canadian Reformed church, regarding the classical assessment schedule. For the benefit of church bookkeepers, it was recommended that the classical assessments be set at the Fall Classis. The proposal was adopted.
Question period, as per Article 44 of the Church Order, was held and various matters of church governance were discussed in closed session. Following question period, elder Art Veenendaal offered a word of prayer for the churches.
Opportunity was given to Rev. Rich Anjema of Providence United Reformed Church to address classis. He expressed gratitude for the collegiality, unity, and opportunity to work together as Reformed Churches in Manitoba. The president expressed thankfulness for the good relationship we enjoy and for Providence’s involvement in the regular pulpit exchanges.
Carman East was appointed to be the convening church for the next classis to be held, the Lord willing, on June 20, 2025 (or alternatively on September 26, 2025). The suggested officers being; Rev. James Slaa as president, Rev. Joe Poppe as Vice, and Rev. Dathan Pleiter as clerk. Question period was held.
The president thanked classis for the open, honest, and respectful conversation and deemed Christian censure according to Article 34 of Church order unnecessary. Classis entrusted the adoption of the Acts and the approval of the Press Release to the executive officers. After singing together Hymn 63.3,8, Rev. Dathan Pleiter closed the meeting in prayer.
Rev. Dathan Pleiter, vice-president of the meeting.