HISTORY OF SCM
IN THE BEGINNING
“….the earth was without form, and void …”Genesis 1:2

The Void
Once upon a time, back in 2002, when Jessie MacIsaac asked Fr. Jim Hutton to make an announcement to his parish at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church about the Proclamation of Jesus Day, Fr. Jim asked a question that would ultimately, profoundly change the Sudbury Christian communications scene, “Why didn’t I hear about that?” Diane Ikonen, who had passed along the information about the Proclamation to Jessie, got wondering the same thing. Why had she heard about this Christian event, while Fr. Jim had not?

Searching for the answer led Diane to conversation with Pastor Rob Weatherby, of the Sudbury Ministerial Association, who encouraged  her to initiate an easy, fast, cheap email digest that could communicate with local churches and encourage exchange of pertinent news and views.

IN THE BEGINNING
“God created …” Genesis 1:1
In the Spring of 2003, ACES (Active Christians Engaging Society), was formed, Its goals were  to provide the opportunity for all denominations to have information on upcoming events in a quick, efficient, and inexpensive way:
• to gain knowledge about Christian citizenship in society
 • to sponsor forums and discussions, disseminate educational material and provide information
How do we do this? We strive to represent the Christian values of love, compassion, acceptance, and truth. We ascribe to historically demonstrated values, which represent a safe and tested path for social justice, tolerance, democracy and fairness-for-all in our community and our country

1st Event – Sudbury Christian Citizen Conference, October 2004, featuring Mike Martens of Focus on the Family Canada
Topics Presented:
• The Biblical Case for Social Involvement
• The Challenge of Secularism (history)
• The Challenge of Secularism (response)
• Strategy for Cultural Transformation (preparation)
• Strategy for Cultural Transformation (individual skills)
• Strategy for Cultural Transformation (corporate strategy)

Alliances and Mentors: 
 • Active Christians Engaging Society
• Sudbury Ministerial Association
• Sudbury Evangelical Ministerial
• Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie
• Focus on the Family

IN THE BEGINNING
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Genesis 1:1
When government bills C250 and C38 were being considered in Parliament, ACES expanded the Sudbury Christian Messenger to include news and views on proposed public policy changes that could pose threats to religious freedom, or have ramifications for people of faith.
Goal:  To Turn on the Light and Pour our the Salt so that our Biblical values are preserved in society -  Matthew 5:1-20
• Renew our hearts. 
 • Transform our minds. 
 • Prepare to engage/get involved

Simple?  Not easy!
Spirit of ACES: 
 • interdenominational dialogue
 • alliances with other faiths
• respect for all people

Issues ACES monitors:  moral, social, cultural trends
• “Culture changing is a life choice, not a weekend event”
 • For example, William Wilberforce started a movement to abolish slavery.    It took 70 years before slavery was abolished.
• God empowers us to get out of the armchair and into the arena.
 • “Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand”     Bodie Thoene

SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• Focus on the Family Canada
• LifeSite News
• NDR Daily Feed
• Globe and Mail
• Vatican News
• Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
• Institute for Canadian Values
• Vote Marriage
• Defend Marriage
• Sojourners
• American Family Association
• DeoWeb

ALLIANCES
• Sudbury Evangelical Ministerial
• Sudbury Ministerial
• Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie
• Sudbury Coalition for Traditional Marriage, Life & Family
• Sudbury Right to Life
• North Bay Right to Life
• Focus on the Family Canada
• REAL Women of Canada
• Equipping Christians for the Public Square Centre
• Canada Family Action Coalition
• Take Back Canada
“In democracy you need a seat at the table.  If it’s not us at the table, it will be someone else”

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
What can you do?
• pray for Sudbury and Canada to accept Christian values
• read the Sudbury Christian Messenger, and other informative sites
• share what you read that the Holy Spirit tells you to pass along to others
• invite your family and friends to receive the Sudbury Christian Messenger
• provide news, views, comments and suggestions  to the Sudbury Christian               
Messenger moderator
• be a Media Alert person – listen to the media to ensure they’re fair to Christians
• be a church contact – make sure your church is “at the table” of our culture
• volunteer with data management expanding our database
• research – information is needed on local churches for our Church Directory
• build bridges to cultural leaders, locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally
• be involved in community, and represent our faith well
• We are open to your input and suggestions!

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” Philippians 4:13