Monday Again
My family worshipped yesterday morning at The River – Bangor (Steve Sinclair). This church family was birthed on Easter Sunday 2016 as a merger between the River City & Pathway congregations. This “marriage” has been incredibly successful with a deep sense of unity as nearly 100% of both previous congregations have remained to form a healthy new church family. This is a great testament to how God works when leaders (clergy and laity) are free of self-serving agendas and are outward focused.
The River is experiencing growing momentum through community outreach with many new faces on a regular basis. The fourth annual Polar Express Christmas event had an attendance of 211, more than double the community visitors from 2016. Rich Thomas (Assistant Pastor) preached a timely New Year’s message entitled Unstuck. The service was followed by a LBA luncheon with unanimous affirmation for the pastor’s extended review as Steve and Nancy continue in their 22nd year of ministry in Bangor.
- Solid Rock (Stuart Marples) children’s ministry had a New Year’s Eve party during the Sunday service on December 31st complete with games, craft, popcorn, and a visit from Newfoundland reptiles. Twenty-four children were present and three parents stayed with their children during the party while five others attended the service upstairs.
- Andrew Maves (Digby) shared this powerful report of their final service in 2017, “Awesome morning at DWC! So blessed hearing everyone share! So blessed in all the tears! It was a day of worship and praise! Living the blessing! My heart is warmed, encouraged and overwhelmed!”
- Caton’s Island staff returned Saturday from their annual mission trip to Haiti. This team (led by long-term staff member Amy Vail) offered day camps for children aged 5-9 and 10-14. In one update Amy shared, “We had 15 kids make a commitment to follow Jesus today!! That’s worth celebrating!” Caton’s website is now updated for summer 2018.
Thot: If you lead anything, you will likely receive affirmation and face criticism. The key is to not let BITTERNESS take root in your life as you face criticism. (Kyle Ray, Beulah Evangelist 2018 – quote from his Facebook Post worth reading)
Has your church been considering launching a Celebrate Recovery ministry? Please consider joining us for a two day forum hosted by Deep Water Church and our CR Ministry. See first hand how a CR night works, and on day 2 hear some of the nuts and bolts required to get you started.
Two day schedule (PDF)
Are you in? Register your church today for just $30. For further info please contact Shaun cr@deepwaterchurch.com or (902) 225-6849.
Breakthru RoundtableWho: Ken Banks (Connection – Truro) will facilitate this day of dialog and shared learning
Where: Edgett Boardroom at District Office
When: Monday, January 15th, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (lunch included for those who preregister on or before January 10th
Zoom: If you can’t get to Moncton, we would still love to have you involved as a virtual participant through Zoom
Registration: Email Ken Banks (pastor93@ns.sympatico.ca) to indicate if you will be in Moncton or join us online
What: A word from Ken Banks…
We will be discussing potential solutions to move your church from maintenance or survival mode. This is intended as a time for all of us to talk about struggles, barriers, opportunities, ideas and to pray – a ‘let’s figure this out together’ opportunity. I encourage you to make plans to join me as we lean into the Tribe to see God-honouring things happen in 2018!
Uprising Conference 2018
February 23-24
It is with great excitement we invite you to join us for a God-breathed weekend at Uprising 2018.
We are so thrilled to have Andrea Lucado with us this year and are sure you will love her as we do.
It will be our joy to host you again this year as we press in to all that God has for us. May God in all His goodness continue to encourage in you grace, and peace, and life in abundance.
Check out the website for more information and to register.