Purpose: A.O.T.S. Men’s Club is dedicated to fellowship, spiritual growth and service

Meeting Times:  Fourth Sunday of each month (Jan-May and Sept-Nov.) at 8 am with breakfast

Chairperson: Paul Cooper

Council Rep: Bill Palmer

Executive: Paul Cooper, John Cooke, Marv Bildfell, Jack Cleave, John Goodwin, Bill Palmer, George Vero

A.O.T.S. Men’s Club (As One That Serves)

A.O.T.S Men’s Club is dedicated to fellowship, spiritual growth and service.  We are fortunate to have 43 active members who share their many gifts in service projects and enjoy the club programs. Our meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of each month(Jan-May and Sept-Nov.) at 8 am with breakfast cooked by a member group and generally addressed by a guest speaker. Special meetings are a golf game and barbecue in June and a Ladies’ Valentine night in February open to all in the congregation.

We are fortunate and appreciate the support and financial contribution that the congregation makes to our fundraising activities.  These activities were the fertilizer sale in March, Fish Dinner in April and Beef Barbecue supper in September. We dedicate the money raised to support youth camping, youth/young adult development and projects within Grace.  We also provide the hot dog/hamburger stands at the Flea Market and Fall Fair.

Our outreach/inreach last year included:

• Support to Community Living youth camping (proceeds from the April Fish Dinner).
• Financial support to AJ Willis and Dan Leaver to attend Princeton.
• Sponsorship of “Tim’s in the Gym” on Sunday mornings.
• Improvements to the kitchen cabinets (check out the roll-out shelves).
• Donations to local agencies designated by our guest speakers.

Grace AOTS actively supports the work of the National United Church A.O.T.S. Men’s Clubs which represents 40 clubs across Canada.  In 2008, Marvin Bildfell took on the role of National Treasurer.  At the suggestion of John Cooke of our Club, the National AOTS agreed to sponsor the Sabbath Day at Kairos 2008 – a national conference and spiritual retreat for young adults held in August at Five Oaks.

Several men from Grace attend the annual weekend Ontario AOTS Spring Round-up(retreat) at Jackson’s Point Salvation Army Conference Centre in April each year.  Paul Cooper is Chair of the 4-County group of Southwestern Ontario AOTS Clubs.  4-County is organizing and hosting the 2009 Spring Round-up and National AOTS Biennial Conference in April.

AOTS administers and contributes to the Ken Plumley Award that is presented to qualified graduating secondary school students.  We accept donations to this fund from congregation members. The 2008 recipient was Nicole Armstrong.

AOTS Executive members are:

Paul Cooper                 John Cooke                  Marv Bildfell                 Jack Cleave

John Goodwin              Bill Palmer                    George Vero

The AOTS Men’s Club is open to all men of the Church and is a rare opportunity to participate in men’s ministry work.  We would welcome your participation, new ideas, or suggestions for new projects.  Please feel comfortable to join us for a breakfast meeting or at one of our special events.

“One person working alone can do a little but many working together can do much”

Submitted by:  Marvin Bildfell