It’s Monday Again
Friday would have been Ordination Day on the Atlantic District. But we won’t let the pandemic keep us from celebrating! Seventy years ago this July, Rev. Roosevelt T. Benson was extended the right hand of fellowship as an Ordained Minister in our antecedent denomination, the Reformed Baptist Alliance. It was my honour to visit Rosie & Grace on Friday at York Manor in Fredericton with President Steve & Eileen Lennox. A beautiful Certificate of Commendation was presented by the President along with a bottle of Stephenson Maple Syrup. #spiritualfoundations
With the help of Chaplain Norm MacDonald, we were able to deliver a very generous helping of Rosie’s favourite meal on behalf of the Atlantic District for the three of them to enjoy in celebration of this impressive milestone – fresh lobster cooked in milk and butter! I’m sure it was delicious because my Mama cooked it that morning along with my brother’s homemade dinner rolls. A more detailed highlight to honour Rev. Benson will occur later this year at the TBD Ordination Service.Six Atlantic District 2020 Ordinands will soon join our ministerial ranks and are part of the inspiring statistic that 41% of all Wesleyan Ordinands in North America this year have received training from Kingswood University. #raisingleaders
After 125 consecutive years of onsite Beulah Family Camp, the first-ever (and hopefully the last) online version of BFC occurred on Tuesday-Thursday evenings last week. Thanks to Steve Bradley (Browns Flat Fellowship), all three services were broadcast in the Beulah Tabernacle. There was a sweet sense of His presence as we joined in praising God with Kelly Jay and the prerecorded worship team in this historic space God has entrusted to us.
“We’re all in this together!” was the theme of three powerful messages from Seth Fancy, Rick Kavanaugh, and Rebecca Perry. This declaration was never more true as viewers from around the world took part in 2020 BFC. Our opening service was watched on almost 900 unique devices, undoubtedly the largest opening night crowd in our history with even the most conservative estimate of average viewers per IP address. Over the three nights, we were joined from all ten provinces, thirty-five states and eleven countries from Albania to Tunisia and from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The services will remain online for you to enjoy and share with others on the Beulah Camp website (click here).
A one-of-a-kind service was celebrated yesterday morning in Blacks Harbour. This was the final Sunday for a year as Interim Lead Pastor by Dr. HC (Atlantic District Superintendent Emeritus & General Superintendent Emeritus), following the excellent interim ministry year of John Symonds who now serves at Crosspoint. More than 150 years of life and ministry experience was powerfully combined in a tag-team sermon like no other. Dr. HC & Gloria were honoured with special gifts and deserving words as he “retires” from ministry leadership for the 3rd time! Apparently Red Wings fans have more staying power than Habs fans, right John? The Atlantic District is deeply indebted to these two life-long friends and living Kingdom legends. #contextualeffectiveness
Tami Mutch-Ketch (Atlantic Executive Director) was one of three speakers this past week at the first Caton’s Island Family Camp of the summer with approximately 70 campers.
The final session of the 3rd Atlantic Pastor Satellite Cohort with Ken Nash was completed this Tuesday. This cohort includes Amherst (Evan Oxner), Encounter (Jim Agrell), Journey(Matt Maxwell), Live Well Community (Tim Long), and Saint John First (Graham Perry). Pandemic timeline adjustments for potential satellite launches will receive continued coaching from Dr. Nash over the fall. #kingdommultiplicationBy action of the DBA, Norton (Mark Cooney) concluded weekly services yesterday and will be holding a TBD church celebration as a final service when pandemic restrictions improve. Our appreciation is extended to the Cooney family for their years of service – please be in prayer for them during this season of transition.
Education & Clergy Development (Russ Gunsalus) continues to offer excellent resources for support of Wesleyan pastors during the rapidly shifting landscape of leadership. The most recent edition of “Thrive in 5” offers helpful insights into ambiguous loss as pandemic disruption has cumulative impact on us as Kingdom leaders. Click on the link to enjoy this article and subscribe in the upper left corner. In addition, the E&CD team provides a treasure-trove of tools for these challenging days, on their Clergy Care Programs & Resources page.Attention Church Treasurers/Bookkeepers: When your Canadian church has new staff members, the church MUST contact Helen Parker (519-703-9048; wrp@wesleyan.ca) for enrollment in the Wesleyan Retirement Plan BEFORE any contributions are sent for this employee.
Points & A Pic 2 Ponder
- While I was in my first fall at the Holiness Bible Institute in Woodstock [now Kingswood University], I settled it with God that it was His will for me to go into the ministry. “You are called of Me.” And I accept Your call. (92-year-old Rev. Roosevelt Benson reflecting on 70 years as an Ordained Minister of The Wesleyan Church)
- You can’t always control your situation but you can always control your attitude. (Travis Mills)
- A “Wesleyan” mug for such a time as this (courtesy of Mark Wilson)…
Bring Your Bubble to Beulah
Are you in need of a break? Spend your staycation at Beulah Camp this summer! We have three cottages available for that perfect getaway. Stay a couple nights or a week. Come enjoy time at the campground and unwind.
For more information or to book your 2020 Staycation:
https://www.beulahcamp.com/rentals/staycation/
Caton’s Island summer camps begin this week! Each week is limited to 90 campers on a first-come, first-served basis. Click HERE for a detailed announcement from Director Dean Stephenson. You are encouraged to follow the Caton’s Island Facebook to keep current with any announcements or changes.
What if COVID-19 is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
for leaders to think more strategically
about doing church?
(Will Mancini)
for leaders to think more strategically
about doing church?
(Will Mancini)
- Looking for a resource to track how your church family can register for multiple service options? Save-A-Seat may by just what you need!
- Check out this incredible resource for innovating discipleship and engaging your church family during the pandemic.
- Many churches are preparing for an unexpected summer of in-person services alongside an online option. This resource from Matt Steen provides a helpful rubric in self-evaluation for five possible approaches (old-normal, simul-service, building-feeder, campus-launcher, and digital-disciple). Which one best informs your strategy as you return to weekly onsite services?
Another great resource to serve the church has been recently developed by our very own Pete Benson. A three-part video series specifically addressing the “COVID Crisis and Your Personal Finances” is freely shared for your personal use and for use within your church as you seek to empower and disciple your congregation in this critical area. CLICK HERE to access the three videos. A 10-minute preview of Part One will be sure to convince you to make use of this valuable resource with your church family.
Executive Director Tanya Nace shares, “I am excited to share World Hope’s Spring/Summer newsletter fresh off the press. Together with the Atlantic District, we have been transforming lives by rebuilding roofs in the Bahamas, rescuing young girls off the streets in Ukraine, providing water in Africa during COVID-19 and more. Read more here.”
Want to know about the Atlantic District’s 2025 Horizon Storyline – Values-Driven Vision? Click here to see a one-page overview
Click here for the 45-minute video 2025 presentation
Click here for the 45-minute video 2025 presentation