Atlantic Connexion

Most of our churches celebrated Thanksgiving this weekend and later next month our Kingdom locations in Maine will do the same. So many who enjoy reading the Connexion are lay people across the Atlantic Region – and I know you are as thankful for your spiritual leaders as they are for you!

• Can I ask you to do something for your pastor(s) today? Take a few minutes and CLICK HERE to be reminded of the most important thing you can do for them. And then take another few minutes to do it and let them know you are lifting them up!

Leadership can be challenging in the best of times and we are blest by the wisdom, vision, and love our pastors provide during times like these as we offer prayers for the people of Israel and all those suffering because of global conflicts and natural disasters.

Moncton (Jim Clements) celebrated 16 baptisms this Sunday – PTL! Jim also shared an exciting update on a long-term project the church has had to provide an oxygen generation plant for the LaGonave Wesleyan Hospital in Haiti.

• Pastor B preached an inspiring and anointed message in the current sermon series and one of his points highlighted the post-pandemic importance of reprioritizing in-person worship attendance. CLICK HERE if you’re looking for an excellent example of how to challenge your flock in this area with truth and grace!

Browns Flat Fellowship (Jay & Sharon Guptill) raised over $2,600 for the local community centre (The Hub). They also dropped “blessings” off to the Greenwich Volunteer Fire Department last Monday evening.

• The week included new connection and donations to the Westfield Elementary School. Apple peeling and pie preparation for the annual fundraiser at The Hub, as well as donations to Grand Bay Food Bank and the Community Cupboard outside The Hub. Jay shared, “A great week of radical generosity!”

CLICK HERE for a video summary at how Love Atlantic mobilized dozens of churches across Atlantic Canada to combine efforts to spread radical generosity in Jesus’ name to their communities.

• Island (Brian Gilroy) held a food drive (bottom picture) which personally affected the lives of those who depend upon the South Shore Food Share for the extra things that they cannot afford to buy. These donations also supported the children at the Englewood School.

West Head (Vince Robertson) promoted the second annual “Fill-A-Truck” campaign through the children’s ministry campaign door to door in Clarks Harbour (top pictures). The West Head family also painted the house pictured middle left and are in the process of painting a second home for a local family in need. Vince shared, “We also made quilts for people who lost homes in the fire (middle right pic), baby quilts for the Pregnancy Care Centre, served a meal to seniors.”

And speaking of God at work on Cape Sable…

It’s a story of paying forward life transformation through family. Vince shared about this unique commute to get baptized on Thanksgiving Sunday from three provinces away, “Heidi is part of our online church. She is hearing impaired so I learned ASL for the baptism. She also watches Moncton Wesleyan online because they translate all their services using ASL. She was sent to Sunday School as a child and her Sunday School teacher was present for the baptism. Her mother came to Christ a few years ago when she started attending West Headand was baptized. Because of this, Heidi and her husband have reconnected to faith and drove from Ontario so Heidi could be baptized. Happy Thanksgiving!”

Excitement is building for the January launch of Kingswood Learn, a powerful online tool allowing anyone, anywhere, anytime to grow in their faith and ministry potential. Our District Ministerial in January will provide additional opportunity to engage on the ground level with these innovative leadership development tools to raise & release leaders by creating a customized certificate for the needs of your church family.

• This compelling and timely new resource is only one of the many ways Kingwood University exists to serve our church leaders. CLICK HERE for a full breakdown of all the ways you can engage in multiple levels of training for effective ministry in both lay and clergy roles.

What do repelling off a 20-story building, leading an ambulance service, and displaying 50+ works of art in a public showing have in common? These are just some of the recent ways three of our Atlantic Ministerial Tribe are building unique and effective inroads into the communities God has called them to serve.

• The top picture features Marc Jolicoeur (Moncton) who recently repelled 20 floors off the Assumption Building to raise funds for Harvest House Atlantic.
• Andy Phillips (Lead Pastor @The Reach) was recently elected by his EMT colleagues to a promotion as Service Chief for the Moosebec Ambulance Service.
• Rick Kavanaugh (Framework) is well-known for his stellar preaching, but check out his paintings! He has become a recognized artist in the County and this past weekend was featured in a local art gallery with more than 50 of his pieces.

There are so many others around our region who also use their gifts and skills to demonstrate connection with and sacrifice for their communities. It’s a great month to appreciate our pastors!

Pastoral Update
In other Framework (Jason Blaikie) news, Rev. Christine Blaikie preached this weekend as she officially joined the pastoral team as Connections Pastor.

Encounter is coming!

Register before October 24th to get the Early Bird price of $75. After October 24th, it’ll be $90! Sign up at kingswood.edu/encounter – Kingswood University can’t wait to see your teens on Campus for Encounter, November 3rd & 4th!

This weekend nearly 160 gathered at the Beulah Dining Hall for a delicious Thanksgiving potluck with an abundance of food and great fellowship. Those who enjoy Beulah Camp & Conference Center seasonally and/or residentially form a wonderful and welcoming community to share Christ’s love with each other and the surrounding area of Browns Flat.

Clean water touches every aspect of our lives. And access to nearby clean water changes the game for vulnerable communities! This Christmas we are celebrating “When the Clean Water Came…” and inviting your church to partner with World Hope to help see transformation happen around the world. We have put together resources for you to make this easy from videos, to talking points, to social media posts and more!

CLICK HERE for all you need to engage your local church in this vision!

The energy and excitement of fall momentum is palpable. These are the easiest days to slip into old habits… to our peril of both cause and soul. Tyler Stanton gives us a phenomenal reminder about the essential rhythms of Vine-abiding that come through an intentional Rule of Life.

• CLICK HERE and take a few minutes to watch as you recalibrate this priority in your ministry calling.
• CLICK HERE if you prefer a Summary PDF to read.

• CLICK HERE to download these resources to engage the core of your purpose in the Mary-Martha tension we all seek to manage.