It’s Monday Again
The National Board of The Wesleyan Church of Canada convened this weekend for two days in Calgary, AB. National Superintendent Steve Elliott provided excellent leadership in processing a robust agenda and schedule which included prayer over the city with a focus on Kingdom expansion across Canada. Tentative dates and the selection of a Calgary conference centre location for the next National Conference were determined for August 2023. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead!
One highlight included the Sunday morning opportunity to worship with the Calgary Standard Wesleyan family as Central Canada DS Eric Hallett preached. The message concluded as we shared in leading communion with NS Steve Elliott (upper left). Another highlight included a special visit with Dave Klob (upper right) who currently serves as Worship Pastor at First Alliance Church in Calgary. We are so grateful for the significant investment he and Bethanie made over 14 years of service at Kingswood University.
Nearly 20 Pastor Cluster Leaders gathered by Zoom this week to prepare for the fall sessions ahead. Guest leader, David Drury provided an overview of material for each of the next three months followed by an energizing Q&A. Our former GS Chief of Staff is a multi-vocational second chair leader, coach, org founder, church planter, and author of twelve books (DavidDrury.Substack.com & DavidDrury.com). If any pastor is not currently connected through one of the existing Pastor Clusters, please CLICK HERE to explore your options to join one this fall.
Excellent progress was made this week in the continued work of the Atlantic Vision Team as Lead Navigator Mike Gammill worked with myself, Joel Gorveatte, & AJ Thomas. A full presentation of the district vision reboot will be shared at the January Ministerial.SAVE THE DATE: As announced during A Campfire Chat, District Ministerial will convene at the Valley location of Kings (Brent Ingersoll) on January 19-20, 2022 (more details TBA – begins @ 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and concludes with the evening rally on Thursday).
On August 21st the stars shone at Beulah Camp! Special thanks to all volunteers and performers (the youngest was 6 years old) and to summer staff Dave Green and Tessa Symonds for organizing and leading the first-ever Beulah’s Got Talent. The 90-minute program of musical, artistic, dance, spoken word and comedic acts was enjoyed with 218 in attendance.
HMI/Hillside Hockey Clinic is a community development opportunity celebrating its 5th year this weekend with around 50 kids having the opportunity to hear from top level coaches and leaders. Organized by Ryan Francis (Hillside – Jay Guptill) and in partnership with Joe DiPenta (2007 Stanley Cup Champion – Anaheim), and Hockey Ministries International (HMI) the kids interacted on the ice with on-ice instructors like Liam O’Brien (Arizona Coyotes) , Alex Henry (Arizona Coyotes), Joe DiPenta, Justin Smith (NCAA Division 1), Sarah MacDonenell (NCAA Division 1) Graham Schlender (Coventry Blaze – EIHL), Andrew Sim (OHL), Rhi Ford (Captain Mount A), Brogan Bailey (Head Coach Junior A), Marc Cheverie (AHL), and many others.The kids interviewed via zoom Rob Globke (Florida Panthers), Alex Globke (NCAA Division 1) and Adam McQuaid (2011 Stanley Cup Champion – Bruins), and Dryland was provided by Next Level Athletics and Premium Floorball Nova Scotia. Sunday service (Stories of Faith and Hockey) included a welcome from Chico Resch, and interview with Brad Larsen (current Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets), a prayer by local Halifax Councillor Trish Purdy and with Joe DiPenta sharing his testimony and calling those there to let Jesus be Lord of their life.
There were nearly 150 people in attendance at the service onsite, and many more online. You can watch these interviews on Hillside’s YouTube page. Each group had a chapel in the afternoon lead by Halifax Mooseheads Chaplain Andrew Pepper (Deep Water – AJ Thomas). It has been a wonderful opportunity to connect people vested in the world of hockey with Jesus.
CLICK HERE for more information on how you and/or your church can partner with World Hope International Canada to minister to those suffering from the earthquake in Haiti.
Global Partners Health Network also provides this helpful update (CLICK HERE) with opportunity to fund the National Wesleyan relief efforts of Haitian personnel through La Gonave Wesleyan Hospital.
If you have students from your church that are heading to university or college this fall, you know that their faith will be tested in critical ways over the next number of months. The pressures they face could honestly end up breaking down the faith that they’ve built during their years at your church.But that doesn’t have to be the story. In fact, recent research shows that if someone from your church helps to build a bridge to Christian community in a student’s new town, the chances that they’ll stay connected to the local church doubles. It’s for that reason that Jeremy MacDonald (Moncton) has put together the resources to do that in a unique and special way — by inviting your graduating students to become Post-Secondary Missionaries. Sent from your church to their new communities.
Everything you need is located in this folder: https://bit.ly/3gnm7hU. You can also reach out to Jeremy with any questions or help you’d like with your youth ministry as his organization, the Youth Worker Community, is helping churches across our country better disciple students each week. He can be reached at jeremy@youthworker.community.
Ellen joins me in expressing condolences on behalf of the Atlantic District for two of our long-standing families.First of all, for Rev. David & Dawn Wilcox (Hartland) on Tuesday’s passing of his father, Carroll. The celebration of his life will be held later today at 2:00 p.m. in Truro. Full details with opportunity to share words of comfort are posted HERE in his obituary. If possible, please give consideration to being present to support the Wilcox family.
We also extend our support to Mrs. Patsy Bagley and their children (including Dr. Bob Bagley & Rev. Peter Bagley) on the passing this morning of her husband, Rev. Milton Bagley. An obituary with more details regarding the celebration of his life will be published by Brenan’s Funeral Home in the days ahead. The Bagley’s have a long and rich legacy of Kingdom impact both at home and abroad in their service as part of our Atlantic tribe.
This Saturday a celebration of the life of General Superintendent Emeritus Dr. Earle Wilson took place at Bethany Wesleyan Church in Cherryville, PA. CLICK HERE to watch this service including the video eulogy offered by his long-standing friend and colleague, Dr. HC Wilson.
Points to Ponder
- We can’t let this world say that this world is all there is. We live in a world where people live as if heaven doesn’t exist. Our calling is to bring heaven to earth. Let your church be a hospital with a thriving maternity ward that brings healing and new life. (Eric Hallett) #onearthasinheaven
- If you’re like most leaders, you hardly notice the wins in leadership. But you feel every loss. (Carey Nieuwhof)
- True courage is having the strength to admit our weaknesses. (Simon Sinek)
You are encouraged to take advantage of this free special opportunity to attend the Church Mental Health Summit 21, hosted by Hope Made Strong on September 10, 2021. The Summit is a one-day virtual event equipping the church to support mental health in their communities.(ChurchMentalHealthSummit.com)
There are over 40 speakers with sessions that cover 4 categories:
- Global Health – Addressing cultural impacts and those who serve in missions around the world.
- Community Health – Equipping churches to support those who struggle with mental health in their community.
- Church Health – Building a church culture that supports and serves mental health through programs.
- Leadership Health – Strengthening leaders’ mental health and addressing issues around compassion fatigue and ministry burnout.
Church Mental Health Summit 21 was created with the local pastor and church lay leader in mind by hopemadestrong.org, founder Laura Howe.
Director of Next Gen Ministries (Church Multiplication and Discipleship), Zach Coffin, recently shared some good news as we prepare to launch student ministry in the fall….
- Our friends at Ministry Architects have a new FREE resource library just for YOU and your Kids’ & Student Ministry leaders. It includes many helpful templates, dashboards and resources for Kids’, Student and Young Adult Ministry. They are excited to share these resources with you and hope this library will come at the right time as you begin looking forward to the next school year. To view this resource library, click here!
Reconnect. Recharge. Renew! The plans in place for Summer@Beulah 2021 are impressive and extensive.
- CLICK HERE for the up-to-date schedule with full details and downloadable PDFs
- Another great addition to BCCC this year is the Beulah Activity Center (BAC) – CLICK HERE to check this out along with other great new additions like the nine-hole frisbee golf course.
It’s time to get your foursome registered for the 25th Annual KU Golf Classic on September 10th! CLICK HERE for more information and/or to register your team today! This event plays a central role in providing tuition scholarships for ministry students from all across the region.
