On behalf of the convening church, Rev. C. Swaving welcomed the delegates. He read 1 Cor 1:1-3 and gave a reflection on this passage. He then led in prayer, in which the following matters of memorabilia were mentioned: the retired ministers (Revs. Aasman, Huijgen, Kalkman, Slomp, Tiggelaar), Rev. Kos following the passing away of his brother-in-law, Rev. Wieske with the call received from Elora, Calgary who remains vacant after the decline received from Jarrell Lemos, Providence who has extended a call to Rev. J. Segstro, the church at Neerlandia and Rev. Emadjeu following his dismissal per CO Article 11.
The convening church reported that the credentials were in order and Classis was declared constituted. The following executive officers took their place: Rev. J. Van Spronsen as chairman, Rev. G. Veurink as vice-chairman and Rev. J. Peters as clerk. The agenda was adopted.
Church visitation reports were received with thankfulness for the churches in Barrhead, Edmonton-Immanuel, Edmonton-Providence and Hope-Neerlandia. Reports were also received with thankfulness from the Classis Treasurer and an inspection on the Treasurer’s books. At the request of Neerlandia, Rev. C. Swaving is appointed as their counsellor (CO Article 45). Pulpit supply was granted every 6 weeks to the vacant churches with Rev. Veurink drawing up a schedule.
The questions from CO Article 44 were asked with 9 of the churches answering “Yes, yes and no”. One church requested the judgment and help of Classis in the government of the church. Rev. Matthew Van der woerd passed on greetings on behalf of Classis Western Canada of the URCNA and the vice-chairman responded with appreciation for our continued bond. A number of appeals were dealt with in closed session.
The church at Neerlandia was appointed as convening church for the next Classis. The proposed date is December 10, 2026 with an alternate of March 11, 2027. The suggested officers are Rev. C. Swaving as chairman, Rev. J. Van Spronsen as vice-chairman and Rev. G. Veurink as clerk. The regular appointments were made for different committees and positions.
Classis delegated the following brothers to Regional Synod West: Ministers: Revs. Swaving and Veurink (primary) and Revs. Van Spronsen and Wieske (alternates in that order); for elders: Brs. Jeremy Koopmans and Carl Werkman (primary) and Brs. Sheldon Kok and Peter Weessies (alternates in that order).
Personal question period was made use of. With thankfulness the chairman declared brotherly censure was not needed. The adoption of the acts and approval of the press release were entrusted to the executive. At the request of the chairman, the vice-chairman invited the brothers to sing Hymn 52:1,5 and closed in prayer.
Rev. Gerard Veurink
Vice-chairman e.t.