Under Sail

Joanne and I were at Beals Island Wesleyan on July 25^th.  There were 46 people in this summertime AM service (lya 46).  Both attendance and income have almost doubled in less than two years.  Pastor George Woodward shares that the church steeple, which was removed last fall for extensive repairs, will be hoisted back into place August 17^th.  During the winter months, it was restored to what it was when it was originally built.
This past Sunday morning we were at Maple Ridge Wesleyan.  This was Pastor Nick & Beth Graham’s fourth Sunday in their new pastoral charge.  They have been well received and there is a spirit of anticipation in the congregation of good things to come.  There were 85 people in attendance (lya 68).  Following the message, I installed the pastor.  We had lunch with the Graham family in the parsonage.  The lay people have done major refurbishing and upgrades in preparation for the new parsonage family, and they are to be commended.
I attended Riverside Camp in Blaine, Maine and was privileged to bring the closing message as the camp finished the 2010 season this past Sunday afternoon.  We have received very positive feedback on the children’s and youth camps.  The family camp evening services were held August 4-8.  Attendance was up, giving strengthened, and this shortened version of the family camp seems to have been received very well.  Best of all, 7 people were saved, 15 people were baptized, and 6 teens were called into full-time ministry!  We extend our thanks to Pastor Vaughn Martin, Assistant Pastor at Easton Wesleyan, for his leadership as the Chair of the camp.  We also thank the camp board for their diligence, the volunteers, and the local church pastors who shared the preaching throughout the week.

Pastor Wayne Briggs, Brown’s Flat Fellowship, reports that  on August 2^nd the Skye Family were very well received with 300+ in attendance.  It was a wonderful evening for the families on the campground, good spiritual impact, and lots of fun.
We are happy to pass along the news that Barry & Beth Gould from Amherst Wesleyan Church have officially been appointed by Global Partners as career missionaries to Haiti.  Barry has a background in construction and agriculture and Beth is a registered nurse.  They will be involved with the Wesleyan Hospital on LaGonave Island as well as other projects that help the local population.  We congratulate them on their appointment.

Pastor Kirk & Joanna Perry, Grand Harbour Wesleyan, proudly announce the safe arrival of their first child, Asher Milton, born August 6^th, weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 oz.  The Perrys say his arrival was a “howling success!”  The paternal grandparents are Rev. Walter & Margo Perry.  Walter is Pastor of Visitation at Saint John First Wesleyan.  Congratulations!
The District Best Years Fellowship (BYF) held their annual weekend at Beulah August 6-8, under the direction of District BYF Director Wayne Briggs.  There were approximately 130 people who registered.  AJ Thomas, pastor and church planter at Halifax Deep Water, was the special speaker.  God used him to bring challenging messages that really connected.  The Saturday morning Caton’s Island trip was a huge success, and a memorable highlight was when sixteen BYF’ers went down the zip line!  The BYF missions project was Caton’s Island this year and to date $4,447.97 has been raised.  Thanks to Pastor Briggs and his team for all the behind-the-scenes work, and thanks to all the BYF’ers for their generous contribution to Caton’s.

Wesleyan Women: Martha Blackburn, General Director of Wesleyan Women, says you will not want to miss the Women’s Ministry Summit.  Summit 2011 is now accepting registrations.  It will be held June 23-25, 2011, at Cypress Wesleyan, near Columbus, Ohio.  This will be a historic meeting, and you can be part of creating a wonderful future for women’s ministry.  The theme is Living in Hope.  Groups of ten registering together will receive the eleventh registration free.  The registration includes convention costs, lunch on Friday and a celebration for everyone Friday evening, housing not included.  Register online at www.wesleyan.org/ww, by phone, 317-774-7976, or mail your registration to: Wesleyan Women, PO Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250-0434.

Global Leadership Summit 2010: The Atlantic District had over 35 people in attendance at this year’s Summit between two different satellite locations.  The sessions were challenging and helpful, and this year’s faculty provided a good range of experience, insight, and teaching.  Some larger churches included solo pastors with their groups for dialogue purposes.  Next year’s dates for the Canadian churches will shift to the last Thursday and Friday of September – September 29-30, 2011.

BBC Presidential Inauguration: The inauguration of Rev. Mark Gorveatte as President of Bethany Bible College will take place September 24^th at 7 PM in the Saunders Irving Chapel on the BBC campus.  The guest speaker will be General Superintendent Dr. JoAnne Lyon.  A reception will follow the inauguration.  Alumni and the public are warmly invited to attend.

Joanne and I will be on vacation beginning August 16^th and will be back in the Beulah office August 30^th.  The last week of District office operation at Beulah for this season will be Aug. 30^th – Sept. 2^nd, and then the full office operation will relocate back to Moncton.  Karrilee Bremner is already working out of the Moncton office and will know how to contact me, if necessary.  Dr. L.D. Buckingham, Assistant DS, is available for any immediate emergency matters should that be needed.  He can be reached through the Moncton Wesleyan Church at (506) 857-2293.


“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams