It’s Monday Again
After 12 years of truly distinguished service as the Caretaker of Beulah Camp and Conference Center, Bruce Cheney concluded his ministry on June 1st. Friday evening at Heartland was a beautiful and fitting time to celebrate Bruce and Roxie. Hats off to Executive Director Tami Mutch-Ketch and Conference Coordinator Nicole Symonds-White for planning and executing this stellar event.
A delicious dinner provided by Amy Vail with Dale Bremner on the BBQ and was served to guests as live music was provided by Doug & Marlene Spearman along with a few friends. Brief speeches in honour of Bruce and Roxie were made by 12 friends and coworkers (including a few poems – as Bruce often offered one at the annual volunteer appreciation event).
The gold-standard measure of his leadership is deeply esteemed – Thank you Bruce & Roxie for your tremendous ministry – enjoy the well-deserved years of retirement ahead!
Don’t miss out on the exciting Caton’s Island summer report at the end of IMA.)
It is not the church that has been part of us for the longest, but it is the oldest congregation since joining the Atlantic District about 15 years ago. West Head (Vince Robertson) celebrated its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary last November. And this is the kind of church family that will continue to innovate to see mission happen. On Palm Sunday a lady came to Christ through an online only service. On Aug 23rd, she was baptized. Vince, you are an effective evangelist and we are stronger together because of you! #spiritualfoundations
Rich Thomas (Community) shared this last Wednesday, “It was a good day at Community today. Small group launch with 12 in attendance. This is huge.” It is encouraging to see how discipleship pathways are taking shape in the life of the church during this pandemic season. Aaron Reimer (Island) also reported this week that two new small groups have started! #contextualeffectiveness
Great news from Andrew Maves (Digby), “Three took a step of faith this Sunday.” PTL!
The DBMD Executive met this week to review the 2020 Annual Service Reports. Special thanks to Chair Dale MacDonald (Woodstock) for his excellent leadership. The day also included a Zoom session for the full DBMD as a preview was provided for significant improvements rolling out this year. #raisingleaders
Pending action of General Conference in 2021, a competency-based process will be fully embraced with streamlined categories for credentialing. This includes enhanced focus on raising up lay ministers to unleash Kingdom force. Stay tuned for more details in the months ahead.
CenterPoint (Glen McVicar) had a huge success with a Kids Day Camp on August 20th with 22 kids and eight workers. It was exciting that four of the workers were teens. Having the kids bubble in coloured T-shirts worked super well. The theme was trusting God in the storm.
The summer of 2020 will go down in the history books for Caton’s Island. The decision to run camp during a global pandemic was an extremely hard one to make but it was worth it! We began the summer short-staffed requiring many former senior staff volunteers during the summer to come help out and fill in the gaps.
Praise God for the exceptional leadership of Director Dean Stephenson and his senior staff. Each staff member went above and beyond their normally required duties in order for us to run camp and we cannot thank them enough! Although COVID-19 forced us to downsize, we were thrilled to have 564 camper registrations plus a combined 28 families for our family camps.
The greatest joy we have at Caton’s is being able to live out and share the Gospel of Jesus with each camper that steps foot on the island. We would like to thank all the camp speakers who came and shared hope and life with the campers. Adam Demerchant, Reuben & Leah Myles, Tim Guptill, Phillip Davis, Kevin Myers, Ryan Generaux, Austin White, Greg Walton, and Tami Mutch-Ketch. Each and every counsellor who shared their faith, led devotions and became the hands and feet of Jesus; they made an eternal impact. We saw 84 campers give their lives to Jesus for the first time and 97 campers re-commit their lives! Praise God!
Points to Ponder
- If you view difference through the lens of fear, it becomes a threat or a temptation.
If you view difference through the lens of faith, it becomes an opportunity for connectivity and interdependence. (Danielle Strickland) - Two things can happen at the same time. We can grieve deeply and hope greatly.
(Nate Rovenstine) - Think long term, act short term. What is the next thing I should do? (Ralph Moore)
Ellen joins me in expressing sincere condolences on behalf of the Atlantic District family for Dr. Steve & Helen Elliott on Friday’s passing of his step-mother, Mrs. Leta Young. We pray for His comforting presence for Steve’s father, Lorne, and for their extended family. Her full obituary and an opportunity for online condolences are posted at Rushnell Family Services.
Tee-off begins at 1:00 p.m.
A trophy will be given to the church with the most teams and raising the most funds!
Zach Coffin, Director of Next Gen Multiplication & Discipleship, is offering several cohorts for shared learning and support beginning in September in the areas of youth, children, and pastor-care ministry.
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)
- Check out these great resource above at www.wesleyan.org – we are blessed by the many ways our denominational leadership serves the front lines of the local church.
- 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.
- CLICK HERE for more information about how to get involved – CLICK HERE to download and view a two-minute video promo for the 60-Day Bible Challenge. We encourage your use of this video to inspire your church family to join in this challenge!
- 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.
- The National Office office is pleased to announce Rev. Brittany Trafton has joined our staff as Financial Administrator and can be reached at office@wesleyan.ca OR (506) 567-2200.
Great news! The Buckingham Leadership Institute (Kingswood University) made an exciting announcement in August. Pastor B has invested in countless Kingdom leaders over several generations and now you and your team will have online access to his wisdom in serving the church and passion for reaching the lost. CLICK HERE for details to engage in these new online BLI resources.
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 to see a one-page overview
Click here for the 45-minute video 2025 presentation