Under Sail

Pastors Darren and Janel Clark are excited about what God is doing as the ministry of Avalon Wesleyan in St. John’s, NL, gets underway. Thirty-four people attended their second Preview Service June 8th. Some returned from the first preview service two weeks previous, and others were new faces. It was a very exciting thing to have people asking for information, wanting to know about ministries, and expressing interest in being a part of the launch team. The Clarks are especially appreciative of the support of their sister church in NL – Solid Rock Wesleyan Church. In addition, the Clarks had a great turnout to the “getting to know you” BBQ held at their home June 1st, one week after the first preview service. Keep this exciting venture in your prayers.
Avalon Wesleyan is gearing up to begin their official launch in the fall. They could use some help in putting together the rest of their sound system. A few of the main components have been purchased and they are looking to complete the rest of the sound system so that the costs to operate remain manageable for them. If you have any of the following items, or are interested in helping this church plant acquire what they need, please let them know. The Clarks are going to be driving to Beulah from Newfoundland, and are in hopes of filling their vehicle with as much equipment as possible. You or your church can make a huge difference. A piece of equipment even as small as one microphone cable would be a big help. Here’s a list of some things they need: microphone cables (5-6); speaker cables (4-5); speakers (2); microphones (3-4); music stands (3-4); speaker stands (2); D.I. boxes (2-3); microphone stands (3-4); monitors (2); CD player; an amp for monitors. Donations towards any of these items would also be acceptable and appreciated.
They are also looking for a donated Children’s Program, such as Veggie Town or Noah’s Park. Or, they’d be willing to borrow a program for this next year. If you can help in any way, please contact the Clarks at: darrenjanel@gmail.com, or call (709) 576-6937. You can also contact Pastor Dave McElhinney at River Valley Wesleyan (506) 738-3669. Items can be stored at River Valley for pick-up by the Clarks. Thanks for your assistance and prayers.
Pastor Eric Hallett, First Wesleyan in Saint John, NB, reports that in May they conducted a community outreach. 1000 flyers were distributed, and coffee packets were given out door-to-door inviting people to attend their weekend puppet production, “Puppets Got Talent”. Pastor Eric says that in addition to a fantastic puppet presentation with a clear gospel message, their worship team led in songs of praise. A combined total of 350 people attended two performances with approximately 150 first-time guests. Special thanks to Paulette and Andy Young (Puppet team directors) along with Pastor Adam Kline for making this event a significant success. Combined with the regular Sunday morning worship and the Sunday Missions event that was held that weekend, Saint John First had a combined weekend attendance of over 700.
Pastor Adam & Caitlin Kline (Assistant Pastor, First Wesleyan, Saint John, NB) are pleased to announce the arrival of their second daughter, Evelyn Courtney Kline. She was born on May 24th and weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces. Our congratulations and best wishes to the Klines!
Mrs. Evelyn Ingersoll, wife of Rev. Scott Ingersoll (deceased) is celebrating her 90th birthday, June 23rd, and Mrs. Hilda Cochrane, wife of Rev. B. C. Cochrane (deceased) is celebrating her 95th birthday, June 28th. Many of you know these two ladies who have served so long and well in the ministerial ranks of the Atlantic District. You may wish to send your personal greetings to them. Mrs. Ingersoll can be reached at: 110 King Richard Dr., Quispamsis, NB E2E 1R1 and Mrs. Cochrane at: 221 Montgomery St., Fredericton, NB E3B 2X2.
Pastor Karl Ingersoll has assumed the helm of the Atlantic District Men’s Ministry. Ken McGeorge has resigned as leader of this important area after many years of dedicated service. We thank him for the passion and tenacity he brought to this, along with his leadership skills. Ken continues to serve at the local church level. Pastor Karl will be rolling out some important considerations and direction for men’s ministry at the “WhazzUp Breakfast” at Beulah Camp. This will be held the first Saturday of Beulah, July 5th, in the tabernacle at 7:30 am. Men, I encourage you to be present.
Those interested in taking Maggie Bean’s basket class at Beulah need to pre-register. It’s still not too late. Please call her at 902-723-2271, or email her at: craftybean@juno.com
The first weekend of June, Joanne and I were at the North Head Wesleyan Church on Grand Manan Island. Pastor Charles and Ruby Bain are completing nine years of ministry in this church, and will start their 10th year after Beulah. We enjoyed our fellowship with the Bains, and appreciated their wonderful hospitality. Sunday we met people who have long-standing history with the church and who continue to minister faithfully. We also met people who are new to the faith and are no longer “standing on the porch looking in the window,” so to speak. They are now in God’s Family and using their gifts in ministry to honour and glorify the King. The service was followed by a church-wide potluck dinner where we had opportunity to meet and greet the people.
Pastors Graham and Rebecca Perry (Mount Pearl – Solid Rock) were given some very exciting news. Rebecca’s surgeon told them recently that all her tests have come back negative! There is no more cancer! Praise the Lord! Also, Rebecca had her first ultra-sound and the baby looks very healthy. The Grahams are thrilled and so relieved!
Elliott and Dena Innes, missionaries to Latin America with Global Partners, and part of our Atlantic ministerial personnel, met with the neurologist recently and came away greatly encouraged because of the visit. Though initial results from an MRI indicated that Dena had an aneurism, continued testing, including a cerebral angiogram, confirmed that what was thought to be an aneurism was in fact a simple abnormality in a vein’s development. This young couple are greatly relieved and express their gratitude to God and to everyone who prayed for them.
Congratulations to Rev. Janet Starks on receiving a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, NS, on May 11, 2008. The title of her dissertation was “An Evaluation of and Recommendations for the Academic Advising Program at Bethany Bible College” — the focus of which will be extremely valuable as she works with the Academic Dean to improve the quality of advising at Bethany. Dr. Janet Starks and her husband, Rev. Richard Starks, joined the faculty of Bethany in 2000 as Registrar and Director of Student Ministries, respectively.
On the same day Bethany’s Campus Counselor, Rev. Margo MacDougall, also received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Acadia University. Her thesis-project was entitled “Preparing ‘Workers for the Harvest’: Designing a Personalized Syllabus for Pre-Ministry Development to Facilitate the Transition from Calling to Effective Ministry in Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches”.
General Conference 2008:
The Wesleyan Church, upon the retirement of Dr. Earle Wilson, took a historic step June 9th when it elected Dr. Jo Anne Lyon as the first woman General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church. Dr. Lyon is the Founder of World Hope International (WHI) and was serving as its CEO at the time of her election. World Hope is the compassionate ministries partner of The Wesleyan Church and has been affiliated with the Church since WHI’s founding 12 years ago.
Dr. Thomas E. Armiger and Dr. Jerry G. Pence, incumbent General Superintendents, were both re-elected.
Two brothers who have served The Wesleyan Church very effectively for over 50 years are Dr. Earle Wilson and Dr. Norman Wilson. They both officially retired during General Conference after a combined 102 years of service to The Wesleyan Church. Earle Wilson, who retired as a General Superintendent and served the church for 52 years, received a 50-year medallion. Norman Wilson, who retired as General Director of the Department of Communications and as The Wesleyan Hour speaker, also received his 50-year medallion at General Conference. The Wilsons served 56 of those years at the World Headquarters of the Church.
Summaries of actions taken at the recent General Conference in Orlando can be reviewed at The Wesleyan Church website. Under “wesleyan.org” click on “news” on the left side of the screen. You will then find several news items plus the opportunity to sign up for “e-zine” which will also give you access to Wesleyan news across the church.
Beulah Camp is eighteen days away! I hope to see you there for the opening traditional number of “Beulah Land” on Friday, July 4th. The evangelists this year are Rev. Lane Loman, Senior Pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Columbus, IN, and Rev. Steve Wilson, Senior Pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Greeley, CO. Rev. Jay and Sharon Guptill will give leadership to the music of the Camp again this year. For more information visit the District website at www.atlanticdistrict.com, click on “camping,” and then click on “Beulah Camp.” From there, the “family camp” choice will give you further information.
Last summer, history was made as Beulah participants stepped up to the plate and gave the largest single offering in Beulah’s history – over $130,000! It was taken to help offset the large cost attached to upgrading Beulah’s sewer system. We call it the Beulah Wastewater Project but the nice name doesn’t sanitize the reality of the need. We have a responsibility to protect the environment, and the Saint John River. We are still waiting on further word regarding the grants to be received from the Federal and Provincial governments. This is in process, and it appears to be positive, but the wheels of bureaucracy grind slowly at times. Every dollar that we raise in advance toward our portion of the cost is one dollar less that we will have to raise later once approval is granted to proceed with the project. Please begin to consider what your part will be in the 2008 Beulah Offering. We need to set a new record! And most importantly, release the Holy Spirit into all of these matters with your faithful prayers! Thank you!
“Small boy’s definition of Father’s Day: It’s just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend so much!” – Unknown