The summer is moving fast.  A variety of ministry has been unfolding in our local churches, and in our Camps at Beulah, Caton’s Island, and Riverside.
DS Church Travels:
North Head – July 24, 2011: There were 40 in attendance (lya 43) on a summer Sunday morning.  We always enjoy our interaction with this congregation, and Pastor Jasper & Debbie Rideout.  The lay people are always heavily involved in the services, along with the pastor.  The morning service was well-led by a layman, and the pastor took part on the worship team.  People shared their testimonies, and the folks were responsive to God’s Word.
Pastor Jasper reports that on Sunday, August 7th, they had a baptism at Stanley Beach.  Two ladies were baptized, and a good group of people were present to celebrate with them in spite of the rain showers.  The ladies were so excited about this step of obedience, and it was a moving celebration for everyone present.  This is what it is all about!
Saint John First – July 31, 2011: S.J. 1st had 100 in attendance (lya 183) on a holiday weekend in the summer.  Assistant Pastor Seth Fancy says that they have had new people almost every Sunday since January.  They have managed a fairly high retention rate on their visitors, and it was evident even on this holiday weekend that the complexion of the congregation is gradually changing in a good way.  The staff is to be commended for bringing about the necessary changes that contribute to this, and doing it in a way that allows long-time members to absorb the changes.  Greg Dakin is the lead Pastor.
Houlton – August 7, 2011: Pastor Wayne & Brenda Robertson have served this church for 12-13 years, and both are highly regarded in the church and in the community.  Dave & Vicky Rowe are the other pastoral couple.  Dave has been the Youth Pastor for many years.  It is a good combination.  The attendance was approximately 220 (lya 253) which is a good crowd for a summer Sunday.  There was a great emphasis on missions during the service, both local and regional.  The church is involved with other churches in the community in the “Adopt-A-Block” outreach, and it has been well received by the community.  The teens are involved in a NYSUM Missions trip to NYC, August 13-20, 2011, an urban ministries venture.  HWC has a good global missions emphasis as well.  There is a high level of ownership by the people regarding their church and its ministries.
Sandford – August 14, 2011: It was a service of mixed emotions as 160 people crammed into the Sandford Wesleyan Church for its final service.  People were in the entryway, standing outdoors, and a sound system had been arranged in the downstairs area so people could hear the service in other parts of the building.  The Brazil Lake Wesleyan Church canceled their morning worship service and joined the service in support of the Sandford congregation, as did the Sandford Baptist Church which is across the road from the Wesleyan Church.  These two congregations have enjoyed fellowship and shared services on many occasions.  There was a good selection of special music and congregational numbers under the direction of Cedric Landers, who is from Sandford.  I had the privilege of bringing the message.  26 pastors have served the Sandford congregation over its 122 ∏ year history (February 10, 1889 – August 14, 2011).  Nine of them are still living and five of them were present for this service (Karl Gorman; Ron Morehouse; Scott Prime; Bill Moore; Perry Ingersoll).  Pastor Perry Ingersoll, the current pastor, is retiring and moving to Beulah Campgrounds.  It was a service that was very fitting.  People laughed, shed tears, and gave thanks and praise to God in the midst of their feelings of sadness and grief.  Sandford had 21 charter members, and there were several people present in this service who are direct descendants of those people.  Following the service, a cold-plate buffet was provided in the church’s fellowship hall, and a great portion of the congregation stayed to enjoy the food and the fellowship.  The building closes; the ministry and the legacy live on.
Pastor Nick Graham reports that Maple Ridge Wesleyan had 136 people (lya 76) in church on July 24th!  This was the second Sunday with Millville Wesleyan (lya 46) joining Maple Ridge Wesleyan as one church.  Pastor Nick says it was a great day!  A week ago, there were 116 in church.  We praise the Lord for this spirit of cooperation in seeking to advance the Kingdom’s concerns.
Pastor Amy Corey, Brazil Lake Wesleyan, shares that on July 1st they had a baptism at Camp Peniel (a local Christian Camp on a nearby lake).  Pastor Amy had the privilege of baptizing a husband and wife, a couple that Amy has seen grow in the Lord as she has ministered in Brazil Lake over the last two years.  The icing on the cake for her personally was that it was her first baptism as a pastor!  Pastor Amy says, “God was definitely glorified on this day of celebration!”
Riverside Camp wrapped up on August 7th.  Pastor Vaughn Martin, Assistant Pastor at Easton Wesleyan, and Chairman of the Riverside Camp Committee, reports on another good year.  A total of 110 campers were in attendance during the four weeks of children/teen camps, representing several denominations.  Seven campers were saved and three were baptized.  The closing Sunday service saw 130 in attendance, with 70 remaining for a musical concert by the Kinney Trio.
The Best Years Fellowship Retreat was held at Beulah August 5, 6, and 7, with 115 registered.  Pastor Denn Guptill was the special speaker.  He shared practical truth from the scriptures using messages from his “Sermons from Seuss” Series.    They were well received and very helpful.  During Saturday afternoon a new record was set for both Caton’s Island and BYF:  an 85-year old man rode the zip line!  Other activities were enjoyed on the island.  A Prayer Card Exchange on Friday night proved a highlight of the weekend, fostering an increased intermingling and good fellowship among the participants. Pastor Wayne Briggs, BYF Director, reports that there was a great spirit throughout the retreat.
Pastor Kevin & Laura Myers, Sydney – New Roots Church Plant, share the following praise notes and prayer requests: 1) Many of you know that Pastor Kevin works as a carpenter to supplement his income.  This line of work is fragile and often open to fluctuating periods of little work, or heavy work.  He has had consistent work since January, and is asking for your prayers as another fall and winter head our way.  God is faithful; pray that He will continue to provide consistent work for Kevin in the months ahead, or show him another direction, if that would be His plan.  2) They are thanking God for the “boots on the ground” support they receive from others from time to time.  A Missions Team of 16 people from Ontario will be joining the New Roots gang for a day, and will help distribute over 2000 flyers.  They will also be hosting another team that will help them run a coffee house outreach at the end of this month.  Pray for God to use both of these outreach efforts in mighty ways.  3) A young man in the printing business has joined the New Roots Team recently.  He has graciously provided his expertise in design and internet.  We thank God for this man who is using his talents to serve God, and New Roots.  Pastor Kevin says the new website is still “under construction” but you can access it at www.newrootschurch.ca so check it out.  Please keep the Myers and the New Roots Team in your prayers.  We appreciate our frontline people.
Havelock, NS Wesleyan Church has acquired a parcel of land at 5515, Route 340, in Hassetts not far from where their former building stood.  They are solidly on the road to replacing their church, which was lost to fire in March of this year.  Insurance matters have been finalized, and the church has just over $300,000 in its building fund.  The church has decided that it would be good to have at least 50% of the cash on hand for the new building before they start the project.  That means, according to Pastor Peter Hayes, that “we should realistically have between $400,000 and $500,000 in the bank.  We have a long way to go…”  The challenge has gone out, the financial situation has been placed before the local congregation, and the church has responded to date with approximately $50,000 in cash and pledges over the last three weeks.  Please continue to pray for Pastor Peter and Havelock NS Wesleyan as they press on, and if you have funds you’d like to direct toward a regional missions project, they would be a worthy consideration.
Pastor Les and Aileen Hicks were unable to attend Beulah Camp this year and consequently the ordination service due to Pastor Hicks’s health issues.  He continues to make good progress in his recovery from open heart surgery this past May.  This is the 60th year since Pastor Hicks was ordained.  We honour those who reach this significant milestone during the ordination service.  We regret he could not be present at that time.  Joanne and I stopped by his house the afternoon of July 31st, and had a brief visit with them.  We took the opportunity to present Bro. Hicks with a sculpture of John Wesley, “Circuit Rider,” by Scott Stearman in honour of his 60 years of ordained ministry.
A free copy of The Communion of Saints, a collection of biographical sketches of Reformed Baptist ministers, is available for church libraries by sending a request to the author, Vesta Dunlop Mullen.  She can be reached at vesta.mullen@houghton.edu or Vesta Mullen, 9875 Seymour St., Houghton, NY 14744.
Pastors Graham & Rebecca Perry, Trinity Wesleyan in Florenceville-Bristol, NB, are very pleased to announce the birth of their son, Eli Jonathan, born July 31st, and weighing 9 lbs., 15 oz.  Eli has an older brother, Nathan.  Congratulations!
Barbara Fancy, mother of Pastor Raymond Fancy (Amherst Wesleyan) went to be with the Lord last night (August 14) around 9:00 PM.  Pastor Raymond’s dad was present, and all four of Barb’s children.  The family takes comfort in the fact that she is with the Lord.  Funeral arrangements are in the process of being finalized.  Let’s hold this family up in prayer.
Joanne and I will be on vacation beginning August 15th and will be back to Beulah for Labour Day weekend.  The full District Office operation will relocate back to Moncton by Sept. 6th.  Karrilee Bremner is already working out of the Moncton office and will know how to contact me, if necessary, while we are away.  Dr. L.D. Buckingham, Assistant DS, is available for any immediate emergency matters should that be needed.  He can be reached through the Moncton Wesleyan Church at (506) 857-2293.
The next Under Sail will come your way in mid-September.
“Those who are the literate of the future will not be those who can read and write.  It will be those who can learn, un-learn, and re-learn.”  – Alvin Toffler