Under Sail

There are many capable people who give leadership to District ministries, and also serve on various District boards.  The full slate of those individuals, ministries, and boards are recorded in the District Journal.  The 2009 District Journal will be available to pastors and churches by the end of this month.  I list here the current members of the District Board of Administration (DBA) and the Camp Board for your information:

Atlantic District DBA Members: Every year our District Conference elects members to the District Board of Administration to serve for a one year term.  The Assistant D.S. is appointed by the DBA on the recommendation of the DS.  The members of the newly elected DBA are:  Rev. David LeRoy (DS); Dr. L. D. Buckingham (Asst. DS); Mrs. Kathy Shanks (Treasurer); Rev. Scott Prime (Secretary); Rev. David McElhinney; Rev. Karl Ingersoll; Rev. Jay Guptill; Rev. Wayne Robertson; Mr. Dana Lawrence; Mr. Mike Corey; Mrs. Kenda Wilcox; Mr. Peter Corey.

Camp Board Members: Rev. David LeRoy (Ex-officio); Mrs. Jean Irving (Lifetime Honorary); Rev. Scott Rhyno (DYP – Honorary); Rev. Walter Perry, and Mrs. Ruth Woodworth (2010); Rev. Denn Guptill, and Mr. Wiley McDowell (2011); Rev. Randy Forbes (2012); Rev. Don Ingersoll, Rev. Nick Graham, and Mrs. Christie Ruff (2013); Rev. Bruce Cheney and Mr. Dean Stephenson (Resource Persons).
Nackawic Wesleyan Church has called Rev. Ryan (Maridel) Farrell to be their pastor and he has accepted.  His first Sunday will be September 6th.
Doaktown Wesleyan Church: I have held several meetings with the pastor, LBA, and congregation of the Doaktown Wesleyan Church over the last 18 months to address issues the congregation has been facing.  Most recently, I met with the congregation the Sunday prior to Beulah (June 28), and then again on July 21st. Due to a declining attendance, serious financial pressures, and a difficult local economy, the church found it was not able to raise the financial support necessary to sustain a pastor.  Further, even without the cost of a pastor, they cannot afford the routine monthly costs of either the parsonage or the church, let alone their combined costs.  Sadly, after several meetings, we were not able to find a favorable solution.  The District Board of Administration, in a conference call held August 11th, unanimously approved that the parsonage and an adjacent lot be sold; that the church and its property be sold; that the net proceeds from both sales be used for church planting; and that the Doaktown Wesleyan Church be closed effective immediately.  It brings me absolutely no joy to share this news with you.  We are staying in communication with Brenda Munn, a current member of the church and our local contact there, and we are encouraging the congregation to search out other local church alternatives in the area. Please pray for these folks as they make some important personal decisions in these days.
Riverside Camps: Pastor Vaughn Martin, Assistant Pastor at Easton Wesleyan, reports that Riverside Children’s Camps went well.  They started a day camp last year during the first week of camp (which is now grades Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2). There was a good increase in numbers for this program this year.  During the second week (Grades 3-5), Pastor Debbie Rooney, Director of Children’s Ministries at Presque Isle Wesleyan, and Pastor Vaughn did the program. Five children accepted the Lord.  There was also an incredible service where children and counselors flooded the altar to repent and rededicate themselves to following the Lord more fully this coming year. It was a wonderful ending to the week, and a great beginning for the rest of the summer and into the fall.
There was a good spirit in the teen camp, and the family camp ended on a strong note with special music by a local group, Covenant Sons, and a challenging message to men from Dr. Steve Elliott.
St. John’s Avalon Wesleyan Church sponsored a booth in the Royal St. John’s Regatta (the oldest continuing sporting event in North America) on August 5th.  This rowing event brings 50,000+ people to Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John’s to watch the races, and experience the carnival/festival-like atmosphere.  Avalon’s booth was a painted mural where people could put their faces in the picture, and then have their picture taken for free.  Information about their church was made available to those who stopped by.  This was a great opportunity for them to be involved in the community, and to let people know that they are in the area.  Pastors Darren and Janel Clark are the church planters at Avalon.
Beulah Camp DVD’s & CD’s:  Arnold Morrison has for many years recorded the Beulah services (messages only) on DVD and CD.  If you would like any or all of the messages, contact Arnold or Faye Morrison at (506) 468-2384 or (506) 847-2428 or arnmor@nbnet.nb.ca and they will be glad to provide you with the information on what is available, and the costs.
Beulah Camp Cottage For Sale: $48,000 – 6 Belyea Avenue; Fully Winterized; 2 Bedrooms; 1 Full Bathroom with Shower; Laundry Room with Washer and Dryer; Other features.  For more information contact Lloyd Hayes at 506-693-8646.

Truro – Central Nova Wesleyan Church approved tearing down the older area of their church facility which currently houses their children’s ministries and nursery areas.  This part of the church was going to be very costly to repair and upgrade.  They are finding creative ways to address children’s space in the immediate.  The demolition will allow them to add approximately 30 spaces to their parking lot.  There are tentative plans for future renovations and remodeling, but the congregation is only looking at the demolition aspect currently.  Ken Banks is the pastor.
Woodstock Wesleyan Church voted Sunday, August 16th, on the sale of their present church property.  They had announced the proposed sale for three weeks, and then held a congregational informational meeting on Wednesday, August 12th, to answer any questions.  There were 100+ people present on Wednesday.  Sunday morning there were 182 present in the service and 103 voted.  The vote was 98% in favor of selling the present church property.  The church is in the process of finalizing its design ideas, and then will contract out the work to be done.   This Thursday, the church leadership meets with Rev. Fred Whittey as they continue preparations for their Capital Stewardship Campaign in September. These are exciting days for Woodstock Wesleyan.  Congratulations to Pastor Dale MacDonald, the Staff, and the congregation on this important step of faith.
Miramichi Wesleyan Church started their building program in July and it is progressing well.  They have the I-Joist floor system in with blocking and bracing, and Tuesday (8-18-09) they started installing the floor.  Construction on the walls will begin by the end of this week.  A team of five men from around the District is helping this week (Ralph Manser, Ed Bridgeo, Ivan Cameron, Lev Bradley and Lloyd Teakles). Additional volunteers would be welcome to assist in getting their new sanctuary addition up and tight before cold weather.  Meals and lodging will be provided with scenic tours around the river in the evening.  Call Pastor Gary Churchill at (506) 622-0126 or Helen Boyd at (506) 622-2993.  Pastor Gary’s email is gdchurch@nb.sympatico.ca
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
I was in Bristol Wesleyan Church August 9th to install Pastor Graham (Rebecca) Perry, and I was in North Head Wesleyan this past Sunday to install Pastor Jasper (Debbie) Rideout.  Both pastors have had very positive transitions to their new responsibilities.
Approximately 130 people participated in a BYF Weekend at Beulah August 7-9.  I brought greetings on behalf of the District in the Saturday morning session.  Rev. Lawrence Croswell shared timely and practical truth from God’s Word as special speaker for the event.  Our thanks to Pastor Wayne and Pat Briggs, and the team of people who did the preparation and oversight work to make it happen.
The Beulah Wastewater Project construction phase is poised to get under way next Monday, August 24th. Atlantic Precast Concrete Ltd., owned by Ken Prosser, was awarded the contract.  The contractor set a construction trailer on site August 18th. The project remains on schedule.
Some good news! All of the water tests conducted by the Dept. of Health at the Beulah Beach this year have come back “good.”  These tests are done weekly starting in June, and continue through the entire camping season.  A new outfall pipe was installed in June, and this has made a significant difference, even before the entire project has been completed.
Pastors: Do you remember the challenge given at District Conference regarding baptisms?  Is anyone getting saved?  Are you baptizing anyone?  Are you faithfully “sowing the seed?”  Catch men.  Bear fruit.

“Few sinners are saved after the first 20 minutes of a sermon.” – Mark Twain