Monday Again

I was there. Powerful night of worship and witness as a crowd estimated at 2000+ gathered in Kings Square in Saint John to worship and declare commitment to a 40 day prayer focus on Revive Saint John. Several churches involved.  The body in unity. Brief words from a dozen or more spiritual leaders. Energizing atmosphere. Uplifting worship. Kingdom impact. Strong city witness. KV had a lead role. RV and sj1 were all in. Amazing!

Thursday and Friday saw more than 20 new pastors and some spouses gather at Beulah for New Pastors’ Orientation. The group included those solo pastoring for the first time; staff pastors that have moved up to senior leadership; new staff pastors on first assignment; pastors returning to the district and transferring to our tribe into non-pastoral ministry. It was a great time together and helps to set a firm foundation for cooperative and collaborative ministry on Atlantic. What a privilege for Peter and me to serve alongside this group – our tribe is being strengthened in both quantity and quality – onward and upward! 

A group in the Barrington area are combining resources to sponsor a refugee family due to arrive in October. Our Woods Harbour Pastor Rod Guptill and the people of the church are involved in the project.  No refugees from Syria had been cleared by CDN officials, so the refugee family of 10 – one grandparent, the parents and 7 children from South Sudan are being sponsored.  They have lived in massive refugee camps in desperate need since 1999. “In as much as you have done unto one of the least of these…..” Well done!

Very positive men’s weekend retreat at Caton’s that concluded on Saturday.  This annual event continues to be a point of spiritual impact, fun, relaxation and camaraderie building for the men in attendance. This was Catons last event for the outstanding 2015 season.

Pastors – please note – a detailed memo on the Ministerial scheduled for October 20 and 21 will be in your inbox this week – don’t miss it.

I was privileged to install Seth Fancy as Lead Pastor at sj1 (Saint John First) yesterday morning. There is a sense of optimism in the air. Several newer young families present. Babies. Saw several of their people at REVIVE last night in Kings Square. The tide is rising. 

Peter was at Easton yesterday morning to install Tony Stevens as their new pastor.  Jamin Melanson, pastor at Fort Fairfield, brought his congregation over to Easton to share in the special service and they combined for an attendance of 100.  A great example of tribal interaction. 

Ruth Black celebrated her 95th birthday at Beulah yesterday afternoon with a dining hall full of relatives and friends. Ruth was an early and long time director of DVBS at Beulah across many years and had spiritual impact of many, many children. I am among those children who owe a debt of gratitude to her for the impact she had on my early spiritual formation. Dwight and Dan Mullen led us in the signing of several DVBS songs from years ago – very enjoyable. Her sister Mary arranged this very appropriate celebration.

• Mel Norton preached at Maple Ridge yesterday.  Special prayer was offered for teachers and students returning to school. 1 person saved.
• Halifax Metro met for the first time in their new location in the Cineplex Theatre.
• Halifax Deep Water held two AM services in two locations for the first time – one at Park Lane and one in the North Street church.
• Lower Brighton unveiled new branding “Stronger Together” and had 55 in attendance. 
• Kings Valley saw 27 people commit their lives to Christ over the weekend.
• Corbett Ave had 75 kids in their children’s ministry yesterday.
• Sussex and Kentville New Hope launched new fall focus series yesterday.  
• Crosspoint unveiled a new branding look that is aimed to turn conversations into invitations.
• Office is relocating to Moncton this week. Monday and Tuesday will be spotty. Should be fully functional by Wednesday. 

The DBA Executive Committee has unanimously agreed to offer the Evangelist’s Cottage, 30 Kinghorn Avenue, for sale by bid. The acquisition of Heartland has rendered the cottage surplus for Beulah accommodation purposes. It is a one bedroom, furnished cottage with a rear deck facing the river.  Bids may be sent by email to hcwilson@www.atlanticdistrict.com. Bids will be received until September 15, 2015 and the highest or any bid may not be accepted. 

THOT: “Reading Twitter updates from the @WesAtlantic tribe is proof positive that God is moving in our Tribe. I love seeing Satan getting a beating.” – Shawn Craven, Havelock, NS Wesleyan.

ON SECOND THOT: “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw

Congratulations to Kingswood University on 70 years since her opening in Woodstock in 1945, and 50 years on the Sussex campus. 

Heritage activities on September 18 include: 

3:00 PM Open House and walk through history curated by Dr. Arthur & Sherry Maxwell at the Earle & Marion Trouten Library in Nicholson Hall; hosted by Dr. & Mrs. Lennox 

Tour the campus and thank God for His provision over these years.  

6:00 PM Honours Recognition & Celebration Banquet to be held in Wesley Hall
RSVP to Debbie Benson, 506-432-4411 or bensond@kingswood.edu

The C2C network invites you to join us on October 2, 2015 for a National Day of Prayer for the Harvest!

View PDF for full information.

Kingswood is preparing to hold their fifth annual worship conference, ENGAGE, on October 23-24. Designed with the essential and practical needs of pastors, lay worship leaders and team members in mind, this event is geared toward refreshing and equipping those on the front lines of this crucial ministry. Plan to bring your whole team! Guests this year include Dustin Smith, Jennie Riddle, Tim Milner, Jeff Somers and Kim Butler, as well as our tribe’s own Betty Weatherby, Kendra Higgs, Mike Tapper, Scott and Elizabeth Rhyno. Registration is open now at kingwood.edu/engage. #engageku2015

FOLLOW 2015, the International Wesleyan Youth Conference, will be held in Indianapolis, IN on December 28-31 and we want to gauge interest from our district on who is interested in taking some of their students. As a member of the FOLLOW Executive team, we’re anticipating over 7500 students and leaders will fill the Indianapolis Convention Centre this December and we hope to expose our district students to the Wesleyan Church on an international stage. If you want to know more information about FOLLOW 2015 please visit www.follow2015.com or if you have any questions, please email me atjamie@crosspointchurch.ca for more information. Follow this link for your chance to win a free registration to FOLLOW 2015: http://ow.ly/QSiYm