AOTS in Whycocomagh: 50 years and still going strong

2010-04-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Rev. Donna Tourneur, Whycocomagh-East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge.

They’re just ordinary guys... living their lives within families and workplaces, and wearing several hats in the community, but collectively, they are something else. For 50 years, the men of the Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada have come together in a group called AOTS. The acronym is taken from Luke 22:27:

“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you As One That Serves.”

Incredibly, in the group of over twenty, there are still six of the charter members who continue to serve the church and community in this way.

Their meetings are very informal, but consist of an opening devotional, a brief business meeting (to disburse money for those in need or to plan an upcoming event) a short program lasting 15-30 minutes, and of course, a lunch! They take turns meeting in each of the hosting communities: East Lake Ainslie, Skye Glen and Whycocomagh. Members are always on the lookout for projects worthy of their support, and they have a set amount for each of those new ventures, but they typically support the churches, the halls, and the Mission and Service Fund of their denomination. The group organizes two fundraising events through the year: a Fall Auction and a Roast Beef Supper. They depend greatly on community support for those two events. We thought it fitting to celebrate 50 years of this ministry!

At the celebration service, greetings were received from Rev. Ranald Cameron, the minister who first organized the group, from Rev. Janice MacLean, who grew out of this pastoral charge and who serves the Maritime Conference of the United Church, and from the Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery by way of its Chair, David J. MacLean (also a charter member of the AOTS). Rev. Donald Sutherland was invited to address the gathering, as he belonged to the AOTS during his long pastorate. His stories and memories were both welcome and familiar and enhanced the experience of celebrating. The group was honoured by the presence of Mr. Bob Bartlett, of Fredericton N.B., who in his role as president of Maritime Conference United Church Men, pondered the work that might have been theirs 50 years ago, while congratulating them on their milestone. Another member, John Baird, used his technological skills to put together a slide show of the men over the years, which was presented during our gathering. In keeping with their tradition of fellowship, the group assembled in the Cameron Hall, to enjoy some good music, good food, and great company. Here’s to 50 more years!

50th Anniversary of AOTS Men’s group
Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge - November 2009

Front row: Charles Tourneur, treasurer, Gary Shields, secretary, Rev. Donald Sutherland, Bob Bartlett, Conference UCM, Donald C. MacInnis, president, D.J. MacLean, Chair Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery.

Back Row: Isaac MacInnis, Kevin MacInnis, Hugh Campbell, Morrison MacKay, Myles Gillis, John M. Campbell, Wesley Gillis, John Baird, Allan Gillis, Donald N. MacDonald, Barry Campbell, Angus Scott.

Missing from photo: Gordon MacDonald, Hugh Austin, Roderick Jones.

AOTS Eastern Conference Representative

2010-02-23T21:10:00.000-08:00

Gary Ross, Eastern Vice President

I was born February 16th, 1947 at the Aberdeen general hospital, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. I am the second child of Kenneth Alvin and Viola Ross.

I moved to Newfoundland and Labrador at the age of 12. My father worked as a general motors sales person for 28 years based at gander, Newfoundland. We all attended the Fraser Road United Church when growing up.

After leaving school I studied in the field of hydro-electric generation and spent 32 years employed as a hydro-electric operator with the Newfoundland light & power company ltd. While working with light & power I also studied and became a general insurance sales person. I have been in the insurance business for 34 years and remain active in sales.

I have lived in Lewisporte, Newfoundland, for almost forty years and have been a member of St. Matthew's united church for most of that time. I have been a member of the St. Matthew's United Church AOTS club for most of those years.

When the St. Mathew's AOTS charter expired I applied and became an individual member of AOTS. With the help of past national president Ernest Paddock of Springdale I became a member of the national executive of AOTS. I am now privileged to represent eastern Canada on the national board of AOTS as regional vice-president.

My personal goal in AOTS is to increase the size of our membership by informing as many church members as I can about the goals and purposes of AOTS and about how membership in AOTS gives a person access to fellowship and men's ministry in the united church of Canada.

My wife, Esther, and I have a son, Kenneth, and daughter-in-law, Tenna, who recently presented us with our first grand-daughter, Tekira Marie. We enjoy our lives together in Lewisporte, and long weekends at our cabin in Pleasantview.

Gary Ross
Box 1439
Lewisporte, Newfoundland
A0G 3A0
(709) 535-2990

Eastern Conference AOTS

AOTS in Whycocomagh: 50 years and still going strong

AOTS Eastern Conference Representative