Under Sail
Several months of anticipation is always a part of the Beulah Camp experience for those who make this a part of their annual summer activities. It’s hard to believe, but Beulah Camp 2010 has come and gone. The Holy Spirit used the messages from both Dr. H.C Wilson and Rev. John Symonds to speak into our lives. There was a great variety of music and musical guests under the capable leadership of Rev. Don & Janet Ingersoll. People were saved, called into ministry, convicted, encouraged, and strengthened. 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, six people were ordained: Amy Corey, Jordon LeBlanc, Doreen “Dee” Lower, Conard Symonds, Robin White, and Michael Zottarelli. The Beulah Wastewater Project, a major infrastructure upgrade for the Camp, was operational at the end of June and in place for this year’s camp. Caton’s Island celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Caton’s is an important part of our summer camping ministry that is particularly geared to children and teens. During Beulah Camp, $17,000 was raised to replace the old tractor on the island with a newer tractor and loader. This practical tool is used on Caton’s during the summer camping season, and then in the off-season at Beulah. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this. Capacity crowds were in evidence throughout Beulah Camp, and we are again grateful for the hard work of our caretaker and his wife, Bruce & Roxie Cheney, and the scores of volunteers who step up and make this possible. The dates for Beulah 2011 are July 1-10, 2011 and the speakers are Rev. Lane Loman and Dr. Steve Lennox.
Rev. C.E. Stairs was unable to attend Camp Meeting and the Ordination Service this year due to health issues. Rev. Stairs was ordained in 1950 and would have been honoured at this year’s ordination service for 60 years of ordained ministry. Joanne and I were able to go to York Care Centre in Fredericton, NB on July 13th (Rev. Stairs’ birthday), celebrate his 83rd birthday, and present him with a sculpture of John Wesley on horseback entitled “The Circuit Rider” in honour of his 60 years of ordained ministry. Present also were Gary, Suzanne, and Aaron Stairs, Uta Chase, Kay Ingersoll, Rev. John Symonds (his pastor), and from York Care Centre, Ken McGeorge (CEO) and Rev. Pete Thomas (Chaplain).
Note: Rev. R. T. Benson received The Circuit Rider sculpture for 60 years of ordained ministry during the ordination service at Beulah (July 9, 2010), and Rev. Ken Gorveatte was honoured with a Bible for 50 years of ordained ministry at the same time.
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 2010 District Journal will be available to pastors and churches shortly. 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. Tim Guptill; Rev. AJ Thomas; Rev. Dwayne Hopkins; Mr. Kevin Campbell; Mr. Mike Corey; Mr. Peter Corey; Mrs. Kenda Wilcox.
Camp Board Members: Rev. David LeRoy (Ex-officio); Mrs. Jean Irving (Lifetime Honorary); Rev. Scott Rhyno (District Director of Student Ministries – Honorary); Rev. Denn Guptill, and Mr. Wiley McDowell (2011); Rev. Randy Forbes, and Mrs. Christie Ruff (2012); Rev. Don Ingersoll, and Rev. Nick Graham (2013); Rev. Walter Perry, and Mrs. Ruth Woodworth (2014); Rev. Bruce Cheney and Mr. Dean Stephenson (Resource Persons).
Pastor Bud Fancy announces that Presque Isle Wesleyan Church has hired Mr. Jeremy Hale as their new Director of Music and Worship Arts. Jeremy has been an effective part of the church’s music ministry for the past three years as a layman under Pastor Scott Rhyno’s ministry. PIWC welcomes Jeremy, his wife Heather, and their two sons to their ministry team, and we welcome him to the Atlantic District ministry team.
Pastor Raymond Fancy reports that Amherst Wesleyan (AWC) held their first combined evening service in Westchester (WWC) June 27th. There was a great spirit in the meeting. Seventeen from WWC were present along with 40 from AWC! They had a great service and a nice time of fellowship afterwards.
Royce Alward, father of Eleanor McVicar, passed away June 16th after a battle with cancer. He was a long-time resident of Petitcodiac, NB and the Captain of the Volunteer Fire Department. Eleanor is the wife of Pastor Glen McVicar and they serve the Lower Brighton Wesleyan Church. We extend our prayers and condolences to the Alward and McVicar family connection.
Pastor Tim & Holly Branscombe welcomed their first child, Sadie Kindness, into the world June 29, 2010. She weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. Pastor Tim serves as the Youth & Young Adults Minister at Grand Harbour Wesleyan. He is the son of Rev. Hanford & Joan Branscombe, and Holly is the daughter of Rev. Doug & Rose Tatton. Both sets of grandparents have Atlantic District connections and both are currently serving in the Central Canada District. Our best wishes to this young family!
Dr. Steve & Helen Elliott are happy to report that their first granddaughter (Harlow Nora Anderson) was born July 11th at 6:45 a.m. in Kentucky, weighing in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. Shari (their daughter) & Aaron Anderson are the parents. Steve is Program Director for Pastoral Ministries and Church Planting at Bethany Bible College. Congratulations!
Rev. Mark Gorveatte assumed his responsibilities as the eleventh president of Bethany Bible College on June 1st. The Presidential Inauguration will take place September 24, 2010, 7:00 PM, at the Saunders Irving Chapel on Bethany’s campus. General Superintendent, Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, will be delivering the Inaugural Address. The BBC Board of Trustees invites you to attend this historic event in the life of Bethany Bible College.
The Annual Best Years Fellowship Retreat under the direction of Wayne & Pat Briggs will be held at Beulah Camp August 6-8, 2010. The theme is “Abundant Living – Life at Its Best!” The speaker is Rev. AJ Thomas, church planter and founding pastor of the 2½-year-old Halifax-Deep Water Wesleyan Church that meets in a theatre in downtown Halifax, NS. Take advantage of this opportunity to hear God’s Word, and enjoy some great fellowship, fun, and food. For further registration information call Hugh McKnight at (506) 472-1116. The registration deadline is Wednesday, July 30th.
The Global Leadership Summit put on by Willow Creek is scheduled for August 5-6, 2010. This is a great opportunity for churches to capitalize on team building time, refresh leadership skills already learned, and learn 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., Moncton, NB
NS – StoneRidge Fellowship/hosted at Rock Church, 222 Sackville Dr., Lower Sackville, NS
There is an excellent line-up 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. Pastors, I would encourage you to register and 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 2010 Summit.
Pastor Jim Agrell, Lead Pastor at King’s Valley Wesleyan, shares a praise note concerning their Summer Camp (VBS) High Seas Expedition held the week before Beulah, under the direction of Linda Lamos, Director of Children’s Ministry at KVWC. There were 250 kids registered, and many of them were from families that do not presently have a church home. Some of those families have since started attending KVWC. On Tuesday night of that VBS week, the salvation message was shared and over 30 kids made a first-time decision for Christ. Also, an outdoor baptism we held at the church on Father’s Day. Ten people were baptized and several others have asked to be baptized in up-coming weeks. PTL!
Sunday, July 18th, Joanne and I worshipped at Grand Harbour Wesleyan in the morning service. Kirk (Joanna) Perry is the Senior Pastor and Tim (Holly) Branscombe is the Youth and Young Adults Pastor. There is an excellent cross-section of age groups in this church and the youth and children’s ministries are vibrant. A group from Harvest House Ministries in Moncton was present in the service. They had been ministering on Grand Manan Island earlier in the week, and did two skits in the service. There was a good summer crowd present – approx. 125 (lya 126). We enjoyed our overnight accommodations and fellowship with the Perrys, and shared a meal at lunchtime with both the Perrys and the Branscombes.
“Habit, if not resisted, soon becomes necessity.” – St. Augustine
No Comments