2026 Report of the Ontario Assembly of Christian Churches

Over the past year the OACC has been working on getting our charitable status reinstated. In October the CRA reinstated our charitable status. On November 20, 2025 the sale of the Disciples Conference Grounds was completed. Sweets Church is the official owner now. They have already been renovating the property, and now hold their main services there. The pavilion has been enclosed and now serves as their main meeting area. 

Here is a heartfelt message from Pastor Wesley DeVries of Sweets Church:
Please extend our deepest gratitude and love to the Disciples Campground Directors. We are so thankful for your graciousness and integrity throughout this entire process...We are grateful to now be in possession of the camp and to step into the role of its new stewards. We’re excited to see what God will do in the coming years.

Now that the charitable status has been reinstated and the real estate sale is completed the OACC board is working on how to best use the proceeds of the sale.

As part of this OACC is sponsoring the banquet at All Canada. This is in lieu of Fellowship Sunday. Also, we are asking the congregations and clergy to think of new ways the OACC can support and nurture bonds between each other. One thing that is being considered is a retreat in 2027.

Congregation Updates:

St. Thomas Christian Church

At St. Thomas Christian Church, once a month, our seminarian, Keith Wood, has been preaching. Not only does this give Keith more preaching experience, it offers another voice, perspective, and biblical interpretation to our worship services. We are still nesting 3 other congregations in our church building and we offer rental space to an Alcoholics Anonymous group and an Alcoholics Anonymous Family group. As well, this is our 4th year sponsoring the St. Thomas Music Festival in town. We are still awaiting an update on the lot severance and sale, which has been ongoing since 2023. We hope that this will be resolved by the end of August. As well, in preparation for co-hosting the 2026 All-Canada Convention with Mapleton Church of Christ, we've started painting the interior walls of our church. We are looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with Canadian and American Disciples at our church!

Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Awit Marcelino

Hillcrest Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Hillcrest continues to be a multicultural congregation.

October 9, 2024, was chosen to celebrate Everybody’s Birthday. Everyone was invited to donate the equivalent to their birthday. For example, a 60-year-old person would contribute a minimum of $60. If the person wanted to donate more than $60, that was also welcome. The children were excited to offer their birthday money.

For the entire month of October 2025, there was an emphasis on Stewardship. The focus of Pastor Fred Dizon’s sermon was different each week. Week 1 was titled, Entrusted, Week 2 was Gratitude in the Small Things, Week 3 was Growing What We’ve Been Given, Week 4 was Well Done. During this final Sunday, the pledges of time, talent and treasure were dedicated.

Since 2024, there have been 4 baptisms, 3 individuals transferred their membership to Hillcrest, 3 baby dedications, and 1 funeral service.

Rev. Fred Dizon will be preaching his last sermon as Hillcrest’s Senior Part Time Minister on August 30. Following the worship service, there will be a reception to honour and thank him for his 17 years of service at Hillcrest.

Hillcrest Community Food Bank continues to respond to the food insecurity in the area. Three years ago, the Food Bank began with 50 households. Currently, each Sunday 140 households which represent 270 individuals are served.

During the 3 years since the Food Bank doors were opened, many partnerships have been developed. Students from 2 elementary schools alternate on Friday afternoon to help set up for the Sunday’s distribution, along with students from a local private High School. Some of the “tech savvy” High School students are helping set up digital records. Twice a year all these schools hold fundraising events for non-perishable items for the Food Bank. A local minor hockey team fundraises for non-perishable items as well.

Every Friday, 2 bakeries donate bread. A nearby No Frills grocery store donates a huge quantity of food every week. Items from these businesses are delivered by the 13th Division Police Department. This Police Department has become a very active partner. Members of this division seek out businesses and organizations who are willing to be involved with this outreach.

A few blocks north of the church, the seniors in the apartment building contribute a cheque each month to support the Food Bank. A lady from the neighbourhood who happened to drop in one Sunday now brings perishable food, like bananas each week.

Three years ago, God planted a seed at Hillcrest. Thanks be to God for God’s continuous guidance and support of this mission that is offering a little help for those who are experiencing food insecurity.

Respectfully submitted, Ann Stainton

Mapleton Church of Christ (Disciples)

Well, the last 12 months have been very exciting for the Mapleton congregation. In October we celebrated our 175th anniversary. Our ‘guest’ speaker was no guest but rather a beloved member of our congregation – Sarah Leitch. Not only is Sarah working on her MDiv but her roots trace back to the founding families of the congregation! We also had a lovely banquet and special music. Our Music Director Jim McCallum also produced a book detailing the 175 year history of the church: copies are still available for $35!!

After successfully celebrating that milestone, our collective attention turned to co-hosting the 2026 All-Canada Convention with our friends at the St. Thomas Christian Church. Our Chair, Carrie Shea, has been faithfully leading the Planning Committee in her role as Regional Vice-Moderator. Mapleton has been blessed with Carrie’s leadership for many years; blessings that have been shared as she has taken on not only the Regional Vice-moderator but also the OACC Chair. In addition to Carrie’s leadership many of the congregation are not only attending the convention but also helping out in myriad ways as volunteers from participating at worship to providing transportation for out-of-town guests.

There has been some care given to our Church home as well. The sign was repaired and repainted as we anticipate being a stop on a car rally at the convention. And, at long last, the vacant parsonage building has been demolished but not until after a pump house was constructed to insure continued water at the church. We also, narrowly, escaped some damage from the twister that touched down in our area in mid-July. Our beloved church home escaped any serious damage, but a team effort was needed – due to downed trees- to get a generator on location to save the Mapleton Pie ladies’ wares! Well done team!!! But of course, we don’t simply celebrate our escape but are mindful of those around us, including our own members, who suffered property damage. But thank God no people nor livestock were injured.

We started this last 12 month honouring the stability created by our congregation in the community, but we are closing out the 12 months with anticipation of change as, after

21 plus years, Janet is ending her role as sole pastor. Janet has been appointed as General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches effective September 1. Although she will not be disappearing entirely from Mapleton, there will be a significant change in leadership. But just as Mapleton embraced 175 years of stable faithful witness, we will also embrace this new challenge. We look forward to all our gifted lay-leaders taking on some of the responsibilities and of course Sarah as she completes her program.

There is no doubt that this time of change will experience some ‘bumps’ but the depth of gifts, faith and love at Mapleton will carry on its witness well into the future.

Respectfully submitted, Rev Janet Anstead

Freedom Church of Windsor

· In February celebrated baptisms of several new members

On Palm Sunday, March 29 2026 celebrated the commissioning of Pastor Brad Williams. We give thanks for a heart that has answered that call by stepping forward in faith to lead, to serve, and to walk alongside others.

·With sadness reported the passing of our dearest worship leader Julie who has gone to be with our Lord and Saviour in July. Julie will be remembered by many with her beautiful voice in leading us in worship, sharing funny jokes and her beautiful laugh that could bring a crowd into joining her laughter.

Pulpit exchange with the Metropolitan Community Church of Windsor.

Sugarbush Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

After prayerful reflection and careful review of their operational, financial and congregational circumstances the Board of Directors determined that the church was no longer able to continue its ministry in a suitable manner. They made the decision to voluntarily dissolve Sugarbush as of April 16 2026.

Respectfully submitted
by Carrie Shea, OACC President