It’s Monday Again
Ellen joins me in expressing sincere condolences on behalf of the Atlantic District family to Mrs. Charlene Mackenzie on the Tuesday morning passing of her husband, Rev. Jack MacKenzie. The Friday celebration of Jack’s life and ministry was attended by 62 Ordained Ministers (as well as many spouses). Saint John First was full and so were the hearts who came to pay their respects to this great man of God. Deeply meaningful words (both spoken and sung) gave heartfelt expression to a faithful Undershepherd of the Great Shepherd. The example of “The Mrs.” and “The Rev.” are an inspiring reminder to us all of the importance of our spiritual foundations.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This Friday (May 31st) is the deadline for all Annual Service Reports (ASR) and Local Church Statistical Reports (LCSR). Please contact the District Office for assistance in their timely completion as tardy submissions are VERY unhelpful. Arnold Stairs has been Ordained 70 years this summer and he has already completed his ASR. By himself. On his iPad.
A special invitation this week from Executive Director Russ Gunsalus (Education and Clergy Development): We want to invite you to attend this year’s Doctrinal Symposium, May 29-30 at Wesley Seminary, that will address the theme of discipleship-making post-Pentecost: “Spirit-Empowered Disciple-Making.” This theme was arrived at with collaborative interest and input from our General Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Schmidt, as it aligns so well with the current direction and emphasis on discipleship in our Wesleyan movement. We will hear from several of our scholars and church practitioners regarding the nature of discipleship post-Pentecost, including the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of making disciples. CLICK HERE to see the detailed schedule(Eastern Time) and to enjoy the live stream of this event.
Solid Rock (Stuart Marples) celebrated two anniversaries over the weekend. It has been 20 years since the dream of starting a Wesleyan Church in Newfoundland began to take shape and it is fifteen years since the young congregation dedicated their building at 111 Park Avenue, Mount Pearl, and became an established Wesleyan Church. Pictured from left to right are Stuart Marples (current pastor), Sam Johnson (who led the congregation from 2004 – 2006), HC Wilson (the DS who encouraged the dream in 1999 and who conducted the organizational service in 2004), and Frank Winsor (founding pastor). The theme of the weekend was “A Strong Foundation – Building on The Rock” (Matthew 7:24,25).
Celebrate Recovery at Deep Water had 93 people on Friday night, with 48 leaders on Saturday for the networking/training session. This included representation from Connection, Deep Water, Kings, Moncton, New Hope, Sussex, & Yarmouth. For more information about starting this ministry in your community feel free to email Deep Water CR Director Shaun MacKenzie.
Our monthly options for DS Zoom meeting with General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt included a presentation this week from Steve McVey. He is a Wesleyan Pastor who is experiencing unusual favour in Kingdom multiplication in rural ministry. In partnership with the denomination he has formed the Dirt Roads Network and is replicating this model with great effectiveness in small communities.
Saturday’s Clean-up Day @ Beulah Camp had great weather and food for the approximately 70 volunteers who came to give Caretaker Bruce Cheney a boost getting ready for summer ministries. The youngest was Nathan Perry (10), and the most experienced was Lev Bradley (89)! Thanks to you both and to everyone in between.
A testimony posted on Beulah Chat Central this week shared the story of coming to Christ at Beulah Family Camp 50 years ago. We thank God for our spiritual heritage, but more importantly we thank Him for the foundation it gives us to see the things that matter most continue to flourish today. It is because of volunteers like these we continue to see God working through Atlantic District Camp Ministry today.
The 2019 Camp Evangelists, Lenny Luchetti and Moe Diggs, will serve alongside another inspiring year of worship ministry under the leadership of Kelly Jay (July 5-14). Check out this line up for Super Saturday kick-off for Beulah Family Camp on July 6th – don’t miss the opportunity to have your family and friends enjoy this packed day. Feel free to print this poster for your church bulletin board.
Every weekend between Beulah Family Camp and Labour Day has scheduled family activities to enjoy for those who have a cottage / RV site. Download this schedule HERE.
Camp Ministry Assignments will be sent out this week to credentialed ministers on the Atlantic District. As many of you receiving It’s Monday Again are not directly included in the more than 100 volunteer roles, we would encourage any of you planning to attend Beulah Family Camp to email Beulah Camp Overseer Steve Bradley if you are willing to donate your time to assist during this exciting 10 days of ministry for the Atlantic District tribe.
Congratulations to Martin (SJ1) & Liz Stehouwer on the May 16th arrival of Lucas Wendell (7 lbs. 1 oz.)!
THOTS:
- It’s a sacred sight to see the altar filled with people praying and people praying for the people praying. The church ministering to one another is beautiful. (AJ Plaizier)
- The top 20% of your priorities will give you an 80% return if you spend 80% of your time on the top 20% of your priorities. (John Maxwell)
- When kids are known and they know they’re known, then they face life in a different way. (Reggie Joiner)
Attention all parents, teens, and youth leaders/pastors! One Conference is back again this year May 31 – June 1. This is a great opportunity for students to go deeper in their faith and meet other youth from across the Maritimes.
#globalcollective #raisingleaders
For more information or promotional material contact our District Director of Global Partners Denn Guptill (denn@cornerstonehfx.ca). Feel free to download the Canadian Church PDF OR American Church PDF to use for in-church promotion.
A Word from Caton’s Island Overseer – Brian Murray!
A call to carpenters and those handy with tools! Caton’s Island has become a shining light on our district. Throughout the years, hundreds of young people have received Christ as their Saviour and have continued on to become great leaders of this ministry.Caton’s Island is now preparing to embark on its largest and most ambitious project; to extend the present kitchen and dining room to seat 400 people and to make a fully equipped restaurant quality kitchen. The Choate Dining Hall Expansion begins this spring.
We ask our pastors to present this project to the congregation and to set up teams that will coordinate with Brian Murray who is overseeing this effort. Formal plans for all required equipment, electrical, plumbing, and other materials are near completion and we have presently raised $170K+ towards the total cost of $220K for Phase ONE which will be completed this summer. We do not wish to go into debt for this project, therefore we shall build in phases beginning with the structure this year. Then trusting those who see the great potential of Caton’s – to pray and donate time, expertise and finances. We have presently hired on-site manager and he will be developing and planning the work schedule along with Brian as project manager and Caton’s Overseer.
Pastors, if you would, please share this good news with your church family! Send your people and their questions for how to get involved to Brian Murray (spencerbrian@xplornet.com, 506.375.4330).
Dr. Lenny Luchetti serves as Professor of Proclamation at Wesley Seminary. He is known as an “insightful professor with a pastor’s heart.” Lenny is the author of Abingdon’s Preaching with Empathy: Crafting Sermons in a Callous Culture (Fall 2018) as well as Preaching Essentials: A Practical Guide, which has been nationally recognized by Outreach and Preaching magazines as one of the best books on preaching in its publication year.
This summer at Beulah Family Camp, Lenny will serve as our first Evangelist. In addition to preaching Sunday through Wednesday, he will be offering an afternoon workshop on Wednesday, July 10th, entitled Practices for Preaching with Empathy in a Culture of Apathy. The first 50 pastors to register by clicking HERE on or before June 1st will receive a complementary copy of his book courtesy of the Atlantic District.