Under Sail

History in the making!  This past Friday I received a letter informing me that our application for financial assistance for the Beulah Wastewater Project has been approved.  I had previously told you of the verbal confirmation and official announcement by NB Premier Shawn Graham, and MP for NB Southwest, the Hon. Greg Thompson.  This happened in McAdam, NB February 27th.  Now, I have in hand an official letter stating that the total eligible cost of the project has been established at $1,649,338.  The combined Federal and Provincial share of the assistance provided to the project is a maximum of $1,099,558.  The remaining $550,000 is our responsibility.  The government’s contribution will be subject to the execution of an agreement, which sets out the conditions under which the contributions will be disbursed.  The Department of the Environment will be executing this agreement.  This is not a surprise to us as government officials were very clear about these conditions in advance of our application.  We are happy to comply.  Again, as stated in the last Under Sail, we will not have the project completed for Beulah 2009, but it will be underway this summer, and hopefully completed before another winter is upon us.
Many of you wrote the government officials, MLA Jack Keir, and MP Greg Thompson, asking for their support in helping us to attain this financial assistance for the Beulah Wastewater Project.  I want to encourage you to send a brief email or note thanking them for their support in helping this financial assistance become reality.  You may also wish to send a note to the Premier as he was part of the official announcement.  When writing the Premier especially, make sure you name Brown’s Flat as he may be more familiar with “The Brown’s Flat Project.”  You can contact these people at the following addresses:
Hon. Greg Thompson, PC, MP
Minister of Veterans Affairs
thompg@parl.gc.ca
House of Commons
Room 175 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Andre Chenard, Director
Director – Green Infrastructure Programs
Andre.chenard@gnb.ca
Marysville Place
P O Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Hon. Jack Keir, MLA
Fundy-River Valley
Jack.keir@gnb.ca
HSBC Place
P O Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E5B 5H1
Hon. Shawn Graham
Premier of New Brunswick
Premier@gnb.ca
Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Most recent Resignations:  Mike White, Sackville, NS resigned March 8th; Mark Thompson, Bristol, NB resigned March 15th.
This is an unprecedented year for pastoral transitions among our lead pastors.  We have had twelve resignations this year.  When you include Presque Isle (they have utilized pastoral staff during this past year) and West Head (Amy Corey served as their Supply Pastor), we have fourteen churches in a search mode for lead pastors.  Amazingly, for a variety of reasons, eleven of the resigning pastors are not available for consideration for other churches in the District at this time.  A few of the churches in the search mode are in some serious-level conversations with potential candidates, and all are “in the hunt.” We will keep you informed as things progress.  Please pray for timely and God-led conclusions for all the pastors and churches concerned.
Pastor Kevin Wilson reports that Halifax – Metro paid off the mortgage on their parsonage at the end of February.  Way to go!
Millville Wesleyan Church has an organ (circa 1967) suitable for a small church, or someone’s living room.  You can contact Pastor Mark Cooney at (506) 463-8220 for further details, if interested.

Pastor Dee Lower reports Fort Fairfield Wesleyan Church has installed a Stair Climber (chair that moves up and down the steps), and painted the lobby of the church.  They plan to install new flooring before Easter.  Pastor Dee says, “The renovations and upgrades look great!”
Global Partners (GP) recently announced that Dr. Bob and Brenda Bagley, former missionaries to Africa with GP, have been appointed to serve as Africa Area Director for GP.  This appointment will be effective when they are ready to be deployed with a target date of later this year.  In preparation for going back to Africa the Bagleys will need to reconnect with supporting churches and individuals. The Atlantic District has been the strongest component of their support base in the past, and Bob and Brenda are looking forward to re-establishing those relationships, if possible.  They plan to be at Beulah this summer, and also have tentative plans to be available to tour the District in September.  You can contact Bob at rbagley112@gmail.com if you have interest in having the Bagleys for a missions event, or want to be part of their support team.
Dr. Harry F. Wood, District Superintendent of the Penn-Jersey District, will be undergoing surgery for prostate cancer on March 18, 2009.  The District has generously allowed him a medical leave of absence.  The anticipated recovery is six to eight weeks.  Please lift Dr. Wood and his wife, Alice, in prayer during these upcoming days.
Woodstock Wesleyan Church voted strongly March 15th to pursue the purchase of the Co-op building which has come up for sale, and sits near the Trans-Canada Highway on approx. 4.7 acres of land.  The bid price is $400,000 for the land and a 16,000 sq. ft. building, which can be renovated to meet their needs, for a total cost that will most likely be under $750,000.  The final details related to the renovations, and any associated costs, will need to be determined.   Dale MacDonald is the pastor.
“Volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” – Source Unknown