Beulah Camp 2011 is now in the history books.  The Holy Spirit used the messages from both Dr. Steve Lennox and Rev. Lane Loman to speak into our lives.  There was a great variety of music and musical guests under the capable leadership of Rev. Scott & Elizabeth Rhyno.  There were 124 teens registered for the Student Ministry Track led by Willie Thompson.  Rev. Mark & Karen Cooney, and Rev. Nick & Elizabeth Graham led the VBS Ministry throughout the week.  District Conference was held on Thursday, July 7th, and went forward smoothly under the direction of Dr. H.C Wilson.  He filled in at the request of our area GS, Dr. Tom Armiger, who was unable to be with us due to a scheduling conflict.  A special highlight of every camp is the Ordination Service held on the last Friday of the Camp.  This year, three people were ordained:  Christine Blaikie, Jason Blaikie, and Matthew Palmer.  Our thanks to those I’ve mentioned, and also our heart-felt thanks to our caretaker and his wife, Bruce & Roxie Cheney, and the scores of volunteers who step up and make Beulah possible.  The dates for Beulah 2012 are July 6-15, 2012, the speakers are Rev. Larry Wilson and Rev. Steve Wilson, and the Rhynos will be returning as our worship leaders.
Landmark Decisions: Two of our longest standing churches have made the decision to close.  Millville (NB) Wesleyan Church, founded January 8, 1889, held their last service June 26, 2011.  Twenty-two pastors have served at Millville and Pastor Mark Cooney, their longest serving pastor, just completed 18 years of ministry there.  Fittingly, he brought the closing message.  The service was a wonderful celebration of over 122 years of ministry.  Many from the Millville congregation are joining with the Maple Ridge Wesleyan Church.
Sandford (NS) Wesleyan was founded February 10, 1889, and will hold its last service August 14, 2011.  They have a rich heritage and wonderful past, but the congregation has had to face hard realities related to their future.  Pastor Perry Ingersoll has guided this congregation for the last three years.  The membership unanimously made the difficult and courageous decision to close the church this summer following a final celebration service in honour of over 122 years of ministry.  The ministry of both these congregations is global and far-reaching.  Only eternity will reveal the full impact.
Riverside Camp 2011 is our regional camp in Mars Hill-Blaine, Aroostook County, Maine.  The dates for family camp are July 31st, and August 3-7.  The service times are at 6:30 pm Eastern (7:30 PM Atlantic), with the final service on August 7th at 3:00 pm Eastern (4:00 PM Atlantic).  Rev. A.J. Thomas, pastor of the Halifax-Deep Water Wesleyan Church, is the special speaker.  Further information regarding Family Camp, and the youth and children’s camps can be found on the Riverside website at http://www.riversidecamp.co
BYF Retreat 2011: The Annual District Best Years Fellowship Retreat will be held at Beulah Camp August 5-7, 2011.  Rev. Denn Guptill is the special speaker.  More detailed information, including registration, has been sent to the pastors.  Contact either Rev. Wayne Briggs at wbriggs@nb.sympatico.ca or (506) 468-2152, or Hugh McKnight at (506) 472-1116 if you need further information.
Pastor Jim Agrell reports that Kings Valley Wesleyan in Quispamsis, NB had 725 (lya 647) in attendance this past Sunday for their “Live Worship Recording!”  That’s so encouraging to everyone on a sunny July Sunday!  Congratulations!
This past Sunday (July 17th), Joanne and I worshipped at River Valley Wesleyan in Grand Bay-Westfield, NB.    Pastor Dave & Carolyn McElhinney have served 23 years at RVWC, a church they planted.  Last year, RVWC averaged 138 and completed the fiscal year with just over $248,000 in total contributions income.  Pastor Dave is a pastor to people both inside and outside the church, and has excellent rapport in the community.  I brought greetings on behalf of the District, and also shared the morning message.  We shared a meal with the McElhinneys in their home following the service.  Both Dave & Carolyn’s parents also joined us (Rev. John & Audrey McElhinney and Dr. Bill & Wilma Burbury).  Pastor John still does pastoral work at the church as a volunteer.
Wesleyan Women held their Convention in Columbus, OH, June 23-25, 2011.  The delegates voted overwhelmingly to become a ministry within the mainstream of the denomination’s structure rather than exist as an auxiliary.  Wesleyan Women will operate within the Division of Local Church Services along with three ministry entities: Wesleyan Women, Evangelism and Church Growth, and Spiritual Formation.  This move will empower local churches to design their ministry to fulfill the mission that God has for each local church to accomplish.  Every church is unique; therefore, in consultation with your pastor, decide how women’s ministry can help fulfill the mission in your church.  The local women’s ministry will select the materials, decide the events, and choose how they can best serve and give locally and globally to accomplish their vision and goals.  The District is always available to assist in any way we can, and the general office will still be there for you.
Are you looking for a guest speaker or worship leader as you plan for upcoming events? Pastor Dan Lamos, former Associate Pastor at Kings Valley Wesleyan, is the Representative for Kingdom Building Ministries in Canada.  He is very interested in helping and encouraging churches as they disciple and “grow” believers into effective everyday servants of Jesus.   He is available to speak or serve as a guest worship leader with local churches, youth groups and other venues as well.  You can access his blog @ http://www.dan-lamos.blogspot.com.  He’d love to connect with you.  Call him at 506-639-8961 and/or subscribe to his blog newsletter.
There are many capable people who give leadership to District ministries, and also serve on various District boards.  The full slate of those individuals, ministries, and boards are recorded in the District Journal.  The 2011 District Journal will be available to pastors and churches shortly.  I list here the current members of the District Board of Administration (DBA) and the Camp Board for your information:
Atlantic District DBA Members: Every year our District Conference elects members to the District Board of Administration to serve for a one year term.  The Assistant D.S. is appointed by the DBA on the recommendation of the DS.  The members of the newly elected DBA are:  Rev. David LeRoy (DS); Dr. L. D. Buckingham (Asst. DS); Mrs. Kathy Shanks (Treasurer); Rev. Scott Prime (Secretary); Rev. Rob MacCallum; Rev. Tim Guptill; Rev. AJ Thomas; Rev. Bud Fancy; Mr. Kevin Campbell; Mr. Scott Richardson; Mr. Peter Corey; Mrs. Kenda Wilcox.  Our special thanks to the DBA members who served this past year and are stepping off the Board: Rev. David McElhinney; Rev. Dwayne Hopkins; Mr. Mike Corey
Camp Board Members: Rev. David LeRoy (Ex-officio); Rev. Rob Trafton (Ex-officio); Mrs. Jean Irving (Lifetime Honorary); Rev. Scott Rhyno (District Director of Student Ministries – Honorary); and Mr. Wiley McDowell (Honorary); Rev. Randy Forbes, and Mr. Robin Rickard (2012); Rev. Don Ingersoll, and Rev. Nick Graham (2013); Rev. Walter Perry, and Mrs. Ruth Woodworth (2014);  Rev. Denn Guptill, and Mrs. Liz Hoyt (2015); Rev. Bruce Cheney and Mr. Dean Stephenson (Resource Persons).  Special thanks to Christie Ruff for her service as she leaves the Camp Board.
Dates to Note: The Willow Creek Leadership Summit for the Canadian churches will be held September 29-30, 2011.  The Summit dates in the USA are August 11-12, 2011.  Information is available on-line at http://www.growingleadership.com
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” – C.S. Lewis