Under Sail

Beulah Camp 2009 is now in the history books.  Many people came to camp with an open heart toward God, and a desire for Him to do something fresh in their spirits.  There were people at the altar in just about every service.  God was also at work in the hearts of those in the pews.  Our evangelists, Dr. Jim Lo and Rev. Steve Wingfield, were a good compliment to each other and both were used by God as they shared His Word.  Don & Janet Ingersoll gave excellent direction to the music of the camp.  Special musical guests included Carmella Lawrence, the Wayne Goodine Family, the Teen Challenge Choir, and the Exalt Choir from BBC, under the direction of Prof. David Klob.   District Conference was held on Thursday, and went forward smoothly under the direction of GS, Dr. Tom Armiger.  A special highlight of every camp is the Ordination Service held on the last Friday of the Camp.  This year, five people were ordained:  Mike Agrell, Randy Forbes, Donnie MacDougal, Elizabeth Stewart, and Paul Tweedy.
An informational meeting was held on Monday afternoon, July 6th, in the Beulah Tabernacle to give an up-date on the Beulah Wastewater Project.  Local and provincial officials were present, allowing us to thank them for their support.  They included six representatives from the Greenwich Local Service District (LSD), along with their Chair, Sandra Speight.  We could not have submitted our application for government funding without their support.  Mr. Richard McLean, executive assistant to the Hon. Jack Keir, Energy Minister for PNB, and MLA for Fundy – River Valley, came to represent Mr. Keir.  Mr. André Chenard, Director – Green Infrastructures Progams for the PNB, attended.  He is responsible for all such projects as this in the province.  In addition, a large number of people attended and our special guests were very pleased with the turn-out.  This meeting was open to any and all interested parties, and was for the purpose of updating our constituency, the community, and our neighbours on the project.  Jochen Schroer and Vincent Balland from NATECH Environmental Services gave a presentation and provided the latest information on the project.  They were also available to answer questions, and provide helpful explanation following the presentation.
Tender Awarded: Contractors submitting tenders on the Beulah Wastewater Project were required to attend a compulsory pre-tender meeting July 13th at Beulah.  The tender deadline was 1:00 PM Thursday, July 23rd.  The tenders were opened publicly that day after 1:00 PM.  There were five companies who submitted tenders.  The Atlantic District is prepared to award the project to the low bidder, Atlantic Precast Concrete Ltd., in the amount of $855,000 plus HST provided that the company meets all conditions outlined in the tender document.  Please note this figure is not the cost of the project in its entirety, but the cost associated with the major physical construction of the wastewater management system.
Since the last Under Sail, which was sent out before Beulah Camp, the following changes have taken place in pastor-church relations:
Pastoral Placements:
Lower Hainesville – Scott Lewis        West Head – Bill Lea
Resignations:
Doaktown – Bill Lea has accepted a unanimous call to West Head and has resigned as pastor in Doaktown and Blissfield.  He will take up his new responsibilities the first Sunday in August.
Nackawic – Pastors Carl & Evelyn Brewer resigned June 28th from the church in Nackawic.  Evelyn had some health issues just before Beulah.  She is doing better but the Brewers both feel this is the time for them to start a new chapter in their life.  Their last Sunday will be August 30th.  They have served the Nackawic Wesleyan congregation for ten years.
Two of our pastors, who are brother and sister, recently lost their father.  Deverne MacDonald, long-time member of the Westchester Wesleyan Church passed away June 18, 2009.  He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, who has served as the treasurer of the Westchester Church for many years.  His children are Dianne Nason, Fredericton, NB, Rev. Dale MacDonald, Senior Pastor at Woodstock Wesleyan, and Rev. Marilyn Mansvelt, Assistant Pastor responsible for Women’s & Children’s Ministries at Hammonds Plains – Cornerstone.  The funeral was held at the Truro Wesleyan Church, Monday June 22nd, with internment in the Eagle Hill Cemetery, Westchester, NS.  We extend our condolences to all the family members on their loss.  There were 23 Atlantic District ministers and spouses in attendance at the funeral.  Thank you for this tangible expression of support for our ministry colleagues.
Pastor Denn Guptill, Hammonds Plains – Cornerstone Wesleyan, was recently elected as Chairman of the Kingswood ratepayers which is a volunteer organization representing the views and interests of the 5000 residents of Kingswood to the three levels of Government.  Kingswood is the community where Denn lives, and where their church is located.  Congratulations!
Halifax – Deep Water: Pastor A.J. Thomas shares in a recent Prayer Partners letter that they have received permission to hold all future Baptisms on site right in the movie theatre!  He is excited about this.  This means they can baptize whenever they need to, and have the advantage of a maximum turnout of their people at Deep Water.  It can be part of their services and they won’t have to adjust their schedules to accommodate a separate time for baptisms.  This is yet another confirmation that God has more than answered their prayers in allowing Deep Water to have a good relationship with the management of the theatre.  The icing on the cake is a friend of A.J.’s was passing through Houlton, ME just before Beulah with an empty van.  The church’s new portable baptistry was there waiting to be picked up.  The friend took it to its new home for free!  God is always in the details!
Deep Water started the prayer tent last night (July 25) on Grande Parade in Halifax.   Fifteen people showed up from the church for a little training and orientation at the office, and then they headed over to Grande Parade.  They talked to many people and had the opportunity to pray with over two dozen people about a variety of issues.  Pastor A.J. says, “It was great to see so many “Deepies” pushing past their fear and doing, what for some, was out of their comfort zone.  It was encouraging.  I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this unique ministry.”
Riverside Family Camp will be held August 2 – 9, 2009.  Dr. Steve Elliott is the evangelist.  Scott and Elizabeth Rhyno will be the Worship Leaders.  Rooms can be reserved through Janna Dodge, Easton, (207) 488-5261.  Senior High Camp is August 2 -8. Information on this camp and Kids Camps are available on the web site.
The Beulah Best Years Fellowship Weekend is August 7-9, 2009.  Rev. Laurence Crosswell, recently retired pastor of the Brockville Centennial Road Wesleyan Church, is the special speaker.  A variety of things are planned.  For further information and registration details call:  Hugh McKnight at (506) 472-1116.
The Willow Creek Leadership Summit is August 6-7, 2009.  This is a great opportunity for churches to capitalize on team building time, refresh leadership skills already learned, and learn some new leadership insights.  The event will be at two satellite locations in the Maritimes:
NB – Hillside Baptist Church/hosted at Moncton Wesleyan Church, 945 St. George St.
NS – StoneRidge Fellowship/hosted at Rock Church, 222 Sackville Dr.
There is a good blend of speakers from both the secular world and the religious world.  You can see the full slate of speakers on-line, and access other pertinent info at this link:
http://www.growingleadership.com/2009/index.asp I want to encourage you, if you haven’t had a chance to register yet, to take in the Leadership Summit, along with your key leaders.  The Atlantic District will reimburse any of our pastors $50 against your registration costs, if you attend the 2009 Summit.
Pastor Mike & Kristy Tapper & family have successfully relocated from Bangor, ME to Gatineau, QC, Canada so Mike can pursue his doctorate.  Some of you may know that the Tappers are in the midst of an international adoption of two Ethiopian boys.  June 22nd they received word that their adoption had been made official by Ethiopian authorities.  Andrew Jeremiah Abu (6) and Jadon Deselagn (2) are the new Tapper family members.  Mike & Kristy travelled to Addis Ababa July 8th to unite with them.  While in Ethiopia, they received some difficult news.  As part of the final adoption process, the adopted children were required to take a series of medical tests, one of which was a tuberculosis examination.  Andrew’s TB skin-test returned with a positive diagnosis, and so a chest x-ray was conducted which revealed a spot in his lungs that caused doctors further concern.  This has delayed Andrew’s departure from Ethiopia.  The Tappers arrived back on North American soil last Sunday (July 19), and returned home to Quebec the evening of July 20th.  They are delighted to have Jadon Deselagn with them and he is adjusting well.  There is, however, a lingering sadness because things are not as they had planned and hoped…another brother still waits to be home.  The Tappers covet an interest in your prayers regarding this matter.  Many in the Atlantic District Family have expressed interest and support for the Tappers in this venture.  For those interested in following up on the story, they’ve posted regular blog reports at www.expanding-heart.blogspot.com
The Huddle is a children’s ministry training event sponsored by the Spiritual Formation Department of The Wesleyan Church – Children’s Ministry. It is intended for everyone in the local church who cares about children’s ministry, or in some way serves in the children’s ministry.  The Presque Isle Wesleyan Church is hosting this event Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9 am – 3pm.  The cost is $25/person or $99 for four or more from the same church, and lunch is included.  Discover practical ideas, see new resources, and connect with others involved in children’s ministry.  For more information, go to www.wesleyankids.org or call (317) 774-3891
On July 19th, I conducted the first of several pastoral installations which will take place from now into the fall.  I installed Pastor Amy Corey as pastor of the Brazil Lake Wesleyan Church.  This was Pastor Amy’s first Sunday in her new responsibilities.  She preached a very good message from Luke 15 on the church’s primary mission, reaching the lost.  I brought greetings on behalf of the District, and Joanne and I joined the congregation for a church-wide BBQ following the service, welcoming the new pastor.
Seal Cove Wesleyan Church celebrated its 120th Anniversary this past week end (July 25-26).  Joanne and I were privileged to be part of this celebration.  A community-wide barbeque was held Saturday evening and all who came enjoyed some good fellowship, hot dogs and a special anniversary cake.  Patricia Brown put together a special PowerPoint presentation as part of the Sunday morning service that celebrated the history of the church, and the people who have contributed to the ministry of the church over the years.  She sang May Those who Come Behind Us Find us Faithful as the presentation was given on the screen.  I brought the morning message.  Joanne and I enjoyed dinner and fellowship with Pastor Ward and Elaine McComiskey, and the LBA members and their spouses following the service.  Pastor Ward is beginning his eleventh year of ministry in Seal Cove.
Joanne and I will be out of the office and on vacation from July 27th – August 5th.  We will be back on the District for the Leadership Summit in Moncton, NB Aug. 6-7, and I will be resuming the DS Sunday Schedule Aug 8-9.  Joanne and I will be returning to the Beulah Office Aug. 10th.  Karrilee Bremner is working out of the Moncton Office.  Should an emergency arise, the Assistant DS, Dr. L.D. Buckingham, can be reached at (506) 857-2293.
“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Vince Lombardi