Pastor John Symonds, Frederericton Corbett Ave., is hosting Mini-sterial North in January.  The Mini-sterial in Nova Scotia earlier this month was a very positive experience for those who attended, and we want to provide the same regional-type opportunity for our pastors in New Brunswick and Maine (though others are welcome from PEI, NS and NL!).  The dates are January 26-27, 2010, and the theme is “Taking the Next Step.” The first session will start at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, and the last session will conclude at 3:00 PM on Wednesday.  The aim is to provide practical sessions and give opportunity for pastors to come together so that “iron sharpens iron.”  The two keynote speakers will be Kevin Vincent of Apohaqui Community Church and Denn Guptill of Hammonds Plains – Cornerstone Wesleyan Church.  Along with the keynote addresses, there will also be interactive sessions allowing you to ask questions, get feedback, and give input.  The cost is $50.00 per person, and $60.00 if you bring your spouse, provided you register by January 12^th.  The registration fee includes all sessions as well as lunch on Wednesday, and all the breaks.  Accommodations are your own responsibility.  A special rate ($95.00 single or double) has been secured at the Ramada Inn near the church (506-460-5507).  Mention Corbett Ave. Wesleyan when registering to receive the special rate.  For further information, or to register, call (506) 472-0044 or email corbettavewesleyan@nb.aibn.ca

Moncton Wesleyan will present seven performances of the Living Christmas Tree this week, December 2-6.  This is always a spectacular event, and a wonderful way to reach out to the community and surrounding region.  Tickets are still available at (506) 383 – TREE or on line at www.monctonwesleyan.com Dr. L.D. Buckingham is the pastor.

Pastor Jay & Sharon Guptill, Dartmouth-Hillside Wesleyan, have had some serious concerns (along with other leaders in their community) for some time about the school situation in Cole Harbour.  Last week (11-25-09), these leaders organized and served lunch to 450-500 students from Cole Harbour High School.  The students streamed over to Cole Harbour Place (a recreational center) and were served Kraft dinner, apples, cookies, and drinks, all donated food.  The RCMP served the lunch.  Sharon says it was quite a sight to see uniformed RCMP officers rolling up their sleeves, putting on aprons over their guns and nightsticks, and serving the students.  Then, the officers sat down next to the high school students, ate Kraft dinner with them, and struck up conversations.  This is a major step in the right direction!  Businesses have made donations, pastors from different denominations are working together, and more are becoming involved.  Cole Harbour Place has donated space once a month and they are overseeing staff in their kitchen for this event.  Hillsiders rolled up their sleeves, and stepped up with food donations, cooking, and helping with the clean-up at Cole Harbour Place.  Way to go!  Plans are already in place to serve a turkey dinner to the students December 15^th.

Truro – Central Nova Wesleyan is making plans to reach out to a specific group of neighbourhood families that meet each day outside of their building.  There is a school bus that stops in front of the church every school day, and unloads 20-30 kids.  There is often a group of 12-15 parents waiting for their children as well.  Colder weather is coming.  The plan is to start this as a Thursday event, and invite these people to wait under the church canopy or inside the foyer.  They will offer them hot chocolate/cider/snacks and use this as an opportunity to let everyone get better acquainted.  Pastor Ken Banks says, “It’s a kind of an ‘In the Shadow of the Steeple’ thing.”
Westchester Wesleyan is reaping some of the blessing of Truro – Central Nova’s renovations to the older part of their building.  Truro Wesleyan gave their oil furnace from the old part of their church to the Westchester Wesleyan congregation to be used in their parsonage.  It has already been delivered.  Vice chair, Glen Rushton, says their congregation is very appreciative.  Thank you, Truro Wesleyan, for meeting this practical need, and for your generosity.

Amherst Wesleyan hosted a community evening of song and praise on October 18th at their church in support of the local Food Bank.  A congregation of over 240 people attended and most of the community churches were represented.  A clergy choir sang combining Catholic, United, Wesleyan, Baptist, Pentecostal and Episcopal clergy!  Over $840 was received in a cash offering, and at least $300 in non-perishable food items donated.  Pastor Raymond Fancy said there was a tremendous sense of community and unity present in the service.
Pastor Jay LaScolea, Bangor – Pathway, shares that their “Building For Our Future” vote passed on Sunday (11-15-09) with 93% approval. The plan is to lease additional space in The Schoolhouse Building where they presently meet, and also do some necessary renovations and upgrades to the part they currently rent.  This will provide more space, primarily for the Children and Teens ministries.
Pastor Ryan Farrell, Nackawic Wesleyan, shares the latest financial update on their Well Walk endeavour.  The total has reached $4,941 and the money will be used to dig a well in Sierra Leone.  The congregation is working with World Hope Canada to complete this project.
Robin White is finishing his first term with Global Partners next month, and has already been re-appointed as a long-term missionary to Japan.  He will be starting his home ministry travels in January and is currently in the process of booking his visitation schedule to churches.  Any pastors who are interested may contact him directly about a suitable date for your church.  On another matter, Robin is looking for a cheap but reliable used car.  He would appreciate any good leads you can provide.  For either of these requests, contact him at japancanada@gmail.com
Mr. Earl Goulden, father of Cindy denHollander, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2009.  The funeral was held Wednesday, November 24^th from the Faith Wesleyan Church in Ingomar, NS.  Earl was one of the founding members of the Ingomar church.  Cindy is the wife of Rev. John denHollander.  Our prayers and condolences are with his wife, Joyce, and all the family members.
Rev. Hazen Ricker and family want to express their thanks to the Atlantic District church family and friends for their prayers, love, and support during Norma Lee’s sickness.  A special thanks to all who were a part of Norma Lee Ricker’s home going and funeral service.  The family feels it was a celebration that honored her life.
Pastor Greg & Shera Hanson, Charlottetown – Sunrise Wesleyan, are pleased to announce the safe arrival of their second son, Noah Michael Hanson.  He was born November 4^th at 12:49pm weighing 8lbs 7oz, and measuring 19 inches.  Nate is very excited to be a big brother!
Woodstock Wesleyan has a baptismal tank (15 ft. long – heated) and 100 theatre seats they will give to any interested party.  Contact Pastor Dale MacDonald at (506) 328-3263 or ddmac@nb.aibn.com for further details.
The Annual Atlantic District Snowbird Breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 AM on Saturday, January 9, 2010 in Brooksville, FL at the Country Kitchen Restaurant.  Mark your calendars, if you’re in the Brooksville area at that time, and we’ll look forward to seeing you there.
The last two weekends I have been in both NS and NB.  Joanne and I worshipped at Halifax – Deep Water November 22^nd in the Park Lane Mall Theatre just three weeks after this church plant’s second birthday.  Pastor AJ Thomas closed a three-part series called “Static” with a strong message from Romans 12:1-2.  160 people were in attendance (lya 89).  The average age of the congregation is mid to late twenties.  It’s a powerful sight to see this young congregation share communion together, which they do every week.  They have baptized 14 people since May.  Pastor AJ led the congregation in launching a missions partnership with Haiti this past September called LuvHaiti.  The groundswell for this global endeavour is very positive.  Following the service, Joanne and I enjoyed a meal at a local restaurant with the Thomas family.
Yesterday, I went to Lower Hainseville and conducted my 12^th pastoral installation this year.  Pastor Scott and Sharon Lewis and family have been at the church since August.  Pastor Scott is bi-vocational and works a construction job in Fredericton as a carpenter.  The Lewis’s are being well received by the congregation and are feeling very much at home.  There were 25-30 people in the service (lya 15).  The congregation gathered for a turkey dinner following the service and honoured the pastoral family with some early Christmas presents.
“You know, sometimes, when they say you’re ahead of your time, it’s just a polite way of saying you have a really bad sense of timing.”    – George McGovern

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”    – Aristotle

(Two quotes taken from Stan Toler’s Practical Guide to Hiring Staff)