Monday Again
The “Flood of 2018” is a matter of record in New Brunswick history as the worst ever now surpassing 1973 levels. As one sign posted on social media reads, “Stop looking. Start helping!” There are many organizations and local efforts which need support. One worthy of special highlight is Samaritan’s Purse. They will be conducting a disaster and flood relief meeting on Wednesday May 9th at 1:00 p.m. at Greenwood Drive Baptist Church (Fredericton). The rapid response team of Samaritan’s Purse has been deployed and will be set up and ready to go on Monday, May 14th with registered volunteers (sign up online).
Promotional material is provided online for distribution and you can share this link with your churches, so they can get involved by registering volunteer to help those affected by the flooding: https://www.samaritanspurse.ca/NBflood2018. No previous experience is required to volunteer – they provide the training & safety equipment volunteers need to help homeowners in need. If you are aware of homeowners who require assistance recovering from the flooding, they may call 1-844-547-2663.
This report comes from Troy McKnight, Lead Pastor @ Corbett Ave, “Well, it’s been a week of Bad, Good, and Bad news at Corbett as the Saint John River overflowed its banks. The Bad news is that the ground became super saturated and our newly renovated Kid’s Ministry space was under three inches of water (pictured above). The Good news is that our amazing team of trustees, staff and volunteers worked to move valuables to higher ground and set up pumps to mitigate the impact of the water. I am happy to report we were 50% dry by Friday – plus, we do have insurance. The Bad news is that our insurance deductible is $25,000! Which means we won’t be accessing our insurance and will have to fund the clean up on our own! A huge thanks to those churches who have reached out and offered help and support. At this time, we would appreciate your continued prayers for us as a family as we navigate clean up and repairs. Please join us in praying that the waters will recede, and that God will provide the necessary funds for us to restore our basement to be ministry ready ASAP.”
Believe it or not, the picture above is the Beulah wharf – not a pier showing. Caretaker Bruce Cheney (Beulah Camp) will be in need of an army of volunteers to assist in the annual Beulah Clean-up Day – Saturday, May 26th. Work starts at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude with a hearty dinner meal. If you have not yet had opportunity to be part of this well-organized day of service, there is no better year to start.
- John & Willo Ann Symonds were honoured yesterday as he was named Pastor Emeritus of Yarmouth Wesleyan Church. AJ Plaizier had this to say, “We are so thankful for the 21 years John & Willo Ann gave to YWC. Also, it was a pleasure to have Dr. HC & Gloria Wilson with us as National Superintendent and lifetime friend of John. Was a great day to honour what God has done and to pray for what we believe God will do!”
- I was present at Sussex (Don Ingersoll) yesterday for a special announcement. By action of the General Board of The Wesleyan Church this past Wednesday Rev. Jim Agrell was officially restored to ministry and reinstated as an Ordained Minister in good standing at the conclusion of a multiple year restoration process. Jim and Diane will be at Sussex for a candidating weekend the end of May as the church family conducts a pastoral vote.
- Steve Lennox (Kingswood University) preached yesterday at Sussex as part of a three-session teaching weekend on how to study the Bible. President Lennox and his faculty are a tremendous blessing to the region as they contribute in so many ways to invest in leaders and the local church.
- This past weekend Matt Friedman of Kingswood University presented a seminar on “Loving our Muslim Neighbours” at Cornerstone (Denn Guptill). This coincides with a 30-day challenge at Cornerstone for folks to pray for the Muslim World, during Ramadan, using devotional guides from www.worldchristian.com.
- The “Missional Pastor” class just completed a richly informative, inspirational week with Bob Whitesel at Kingswood University at the invitation of Ken Gavel. The class was made up of students from multiple denominations and varying church experience. This is one of the classes in Kingswood’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology degree. Dr. Whitesel (formerly the founding professor and professor of missional leadership at Wesley Seminary) now operates a church health/growth consulting firm full time: ChurchHealth.net.
- President Lennox was also featured as the keynote presenter last month’s Wesleyan Symposium at Tyndale University & Seminary where three Wesleyan pastors made presentations. His latest work is now published and available (A Holiness Hermeneutic). Kingswood is now hiring for two positions: Director of Pulse Program and Director of Worship.
- Jay Guptill returned this week from leading a Hillside team to Haiti. The following words of appreciation were expressed by GP Missionaries Robin & Beth Churchill, “Our home church finished April with a strong desire to encourage us and walk alongside the members of our community. They spent the majority of their time at the youth center. I wish you all could have seen the joy on the faces of the youth as they installed the new sound system at the youth center. We feel refreshed and encouraged by the time our home church spent ministering to us.”
- Denn Guptill, our District Director of Global Partners, represented the Atlantic District last week at the Annual GP Africa Area Missionary Retreat in Uganda. Denn, along with a resource group from Global Partners, had the opportunity to speak into the lives of missionaries and their families from across the Continent at their annual retreat. This was a time of Spiritual Refreshing along with professional and personal development.
- The Atlantic DBA convened for nearly two hours on Thursday afternoon by Zoom as we continue to refine our district core values and prepare them for presentation at District Conference.
- Jason Parker (Woods Harbour) celebrated yesterday with one baptism, two new members and 113 in attendance! This creative Celebration Service welcomed members, shared annual reports via interview about what God has done through different ministries, and include both sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.
- General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt hosted a luncheon on Thursday for the General Superintendents Emeriti that was held in the Presidents Private Dining Room at IWU. Present were Drs. Jo Anne Lyon, Robert W McIntyre and HC Wilson. Dr. Earle Wilson was unable to attend due to a health concern. These amazing Kingdom leaders are to be both honoured and deeply appreciated.
Thot: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. (Isaiah 43:2)
ONE CONFERENCE
MAY 11-12,2018 | MONCTON, NB
www.onecon.ca
The ONE CONFERENCE is a regional event that inspires and equips students to unite as one body, under one God, for one mission. It’s more challenging than ever for students to live out their faith boldly. By coming together in worship and in mission, we all can build a network of faith-fueled students who are not only willing, but equipped to live and love like Jesus in their schools and neighborhoods.
Caretaker Bruce Cheney (Beulah Camp) will be in need of an army of volunteers to assist in the annual Beulah Clean-up Day – Saturday, May 26th. Work starts at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude with a hearty dinner meal. If you have not yet had opportunity to be part of this well-organized day of service, there is no better year to start.
All new for 2018… Check out this summers lineup! Special events, breakfasts, dinners, movies, services and more. Every weekend a great lineup for the whole family. Check out the schedule and don’t miss a minute of the fun!