It’s Monday Again

Happy New Year! Katie Kelly of CTV News interviewed Joanne Ozon (Hope) this week to highlight her leadership in coordinating ministry with special needs children through Illuminate Nova Scotia. $10K was raised from the community to provide a special night to remember for these kids and their families. CLICK HERE to enjoy this Tuesday AM interview. We are blessed by the countless ways our ministerial family shines a light through community influence. Thanks Joanne for your inspiring example and for showing the Atlantic region such a positive perspective of how pastors can lead others to make a difference.

A record-breaking announcement was celebrated at Moncton‘s (Joel Gorveatte) Christmas Eve services. $125K was raised over the Christmas season and every penny was given away to support worthy projects in Haiti and New Brunswick. The lion’s share of these funds will make it possible to construct an oxygen generator to serve the Wesleyan Hospital on the island of La Gonave.

Tim Long (Live Well Community) delivered 20 meals on Christmas Day! It was a joint effort as church families donated a 35 lbs. turkey, ham, gravy, marshmallow covered candied sweet potato, vegetables, and hours of volunteer work to prepare, cook, and deliver these meals to special homes on the Digby Neck. Tim shared, “It was a fantastic day!”

Some have inquired about how the current restrictions may impact our District Ministerial. The short answer: It is too early to call. Two weeks is a virtual eternity in this pandemic. If there is any way possible to stay the course we will not postpone this event (Maine Pastors see note below). A final decision will be made on the Friday preceding this event based on current conditions and will be communicated to all those who have registered to attend (160+ including kids). This will allow adequate time for hotel cancellations without penalty.

We need this time of renewal together and I believe God has prepared a significant ministry for our hearts and souls. A full schedule will be included in IMA next week. For now, here are the five workshop options for Thursday @ 9:00 a.m. – each participant will choose one to attend at the Wednesday evening banquet. CLICK HERE to download the full details:

The Person Within the Pastor (Allen Lee)
Next Level Church: Leading a Congregation in Challenging Times to New Stages of Healthy Impact (Steve Elliott)
It Looks Like a Squirrel, But I’ll Say Jesus (Jay & Sharon Guptill)
E=MC²(Tami Mutch-Ketch)
Not Feeling Excited About the Other Seminars? Then This is the One for You! (Tanya Nace & Denn Guptill)

Ellen & I were present at Moncton Wesleyan for yesterday afternoon’s Memorial Service on behalf of the Atlantic District to express condolences to Don Ingersoll and Shirley & Ross DeMerchant on Thursday’s passing of Shirley’s mother and their mother-in-law, Mrs. Myrtle Ryder. Ross (pictured above) shared a thoughtful and engaging eulogy and Don preached The Word with conviction and transparency in a manner worthy of the truth celebrated by Myrtle’s life. CLICK HERE to read this beautiful tribute and for opportunity to share words of comfort with the family. Appreciation to all those who were able to join the family in-person for this important occasion.

Points to Ponder

What would happen if we spent the majority of our time, energy, and effort in 2022 discerning the voice of the Spirit and then living in radical obedience? (Jon Wiest)
I love what Winston Churchill declared, “You will never reach your destination if you throw rocks at every dog that barks at you.” In these days of polarization on so many fronts, it is easy to be distracted. (Pastor B)
Discipline: Choosing what you want most over what you want now. (Pete Benson)

Our National Superintendent, Dr. Steve Elliott, has issued a 65-day challenge to all Wesleyans to read and journal through a significant portion of the New Testament, beginning Jan. 17, through to Good Friday. For those who want to accept the challenge, the reading schedule and journals are available at our cost of $6.50 (incl. shipping) directly from our national office (Stephen@wesleyan.ca).

It’s been two years since we have gathered. Two years! Our January 2020 Ministerial at the Saint John Delta seems like a lifetime ago. We are a people who gather to strengthen in multiple ways both big and small each year and we could have never imagined a world that would not allow us to be together. This 24-hour Ministerial experience has been prayerfully designed to invite the Spirit’s renewal in our hearts as we lean into the beginnings of a post-pandemic ministry context.

Note to Maine Pastors: An early January email will provide more details for those coming across the border. If a PCR test is still required to enter Canada, registration will be complimentary upon request for our Maine pastors if this expense is necessary. If the border crossing is too prohibitive, Framework Church will host an in-person livestream from Kings Church for all Maine pastors registered.

All pastors who attend will receive a personal copy of Pete Scazzero’s work on emotional health for leaders which has been game-changing for so many Kingdom undershepherds. If you want an introduction to Pete’s work, here is Carey Nieuwhof’s latest conversation with him.

Kingswood University still has tickets available for our Fall Vision Tour Cruise. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Debbie Benson (506-432-4411 or bendsond@kingswood.edu).

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