Under Sail

Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend saw Beulah Campground full of activity as people closed up their cottages for the winter.  The Brown’s Flat Fellowship meets on the campground year-round, and last Sunday morning (10-10-10) there were in the neighbourhood of 100 people in the service.  Then, on Thanksgiving Day (10-11-10), the annual Thanksgiving noon meal in the Beulah Hotel saw 150 people filling the place for good food, fellowship, good food, fun, good food, conversation, good food….I trust all of you on the Canadian side of the border had a good Thanksgiving, and those of you on the U.S. side enjoyed Columbus Day!
Rev. Kevin Matthews, Executive Pastor, Moncton Wesleyan, reports that Sunday. October 3^rd saw their altars filled with people giving their hearts to Christ!  What a day!  Don Piper, best-selling author of “90 Minutes in Heaven”, was the special speaker and he shared his personal testimony/story.  Moncton Wesleyan had their largest Sunday morning auditorium attendance ever in the history of the church.  Pastor Kevin says, “Hundreds of lives were impacted, and we were all reminded of the importance of bringing people to Christ.  271 were part of the Children’s Ministry alone!  Several families have already declared that they have found a home church!”  An added surprise and blessing was the fact that when the offering was counted, it was the largest regular offering ever received with no particular financial emphasis – an offering of almost $95,000.  It was truly a remarkable day!  God was present in so many very powerful ways!
Pastor Nick Graham, Maple Ridge Wesleyan, reports that they had 93 people in church this past Sunday (lya 68).  New people are showing up for church!
Fredericton – Crosspoint is taking strategic steps to care for on-going ministry expenses and reduce the debt owed on their land purchase and renovations.  This past Sunday, $26,000 was received in the regular offering and in addition, $160,000 was committed to be paid over the next year.  The commitments were received toward the land and renovations.  According to Lead Pastor, Tim Guptill, this represents the equivalent of 40% of their current annual budget, or $13,400/month.
I was in Easton, Maine Wesleyan on Sunday, September 19^th and installed Rev. Rob McDowell as the Senior Pastor.  We did this, in part, as a faith venture as they are still processing the paperwork necessary to get him and his family across the border.  Please pray for this church and the McDowell family that this will be expedited as soon as possible.  The congregation remains positive and optimistic in the transition.
I was at Fredericton First Wesleyan on September 26^th and installed Rev. Matthew Maxwell as the Senior Pastor.  I brought greetings on behalf of the district and Pastor Matt continued with his preaching series on prayer.  There is a spirit of expectancy at First as they look to their future.
Associate Pastor Jason & Marla Vienneau (Hammonds Plains – Cornerstone Wesleyan) welcomed their first child, Roman Andrew, into the world September 30^th.  He weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz.  Dave & Betty Weatherby are the maternal grandparents.  Betty is an adjunct professor at Bethany Bible College.
Joanne & I were pleased to be at the Saint John Regional Hospital when our third grandchild arrived.  Ivan David LeRoy was born October 1^st and weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz.  We’re thankful for his safe arrival and a healthy baby.  Jon & Kim LeRoy are the parents, Ruby and Owen are Ivan’s older siblings, and Bill & Dorene Alexander, Fredericton, NB, are the maternal grandparents.
Jasper Dragutin Medel was born October 3, 2010 and weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz.  He is the first-born child of Pastor Ben & Bailey Medel. Ben is the pastor of the Shelburne Hope Wesleyan Church.

Congratulations to Pastor Tom Cann & Jessica Whalen who were married in St. John’s, Newfoundland, October 2, 2010.  They are currently in Guatemala on their honeymoon.  Tom is assistant pastor on staff with Pastor John Symonds at Fredericton – Corbett Ave. Wesleyan.
The Gathering ’11 will be held in Jacksonville, Florida January 4-7, 2011.  We have 68 pastors and spouses currently registered.  There is less than three weeks now to take advantage of the early-bird rate on the registration.  Pastors, if you are planning to attend and have delayed registering, you will save $50 on your registration with the early-bird rate. This offer ends Oct. 30, 2010. Register today at www.wesleyan.org/gathering and let the district office know you have done so in order to receive the district scholarship.  Registration includes three nights lodging, inspirational speakers, practical seminars and a host of special events designed to celebrate ministry and life together. We hope to see you there!
The Atlantic District Mini-Sterial 2010 happens next week (October 19-20) in the Chapel on the campus of Bethany Bible College. The first session is Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, who oversees Wesley Seminary at IWU, and the former Senior Pastor of Kentwood Community Church in the West Michigan District, is our special speaker.  We will have four sessions together including ample time for Q & A.  Fifty pastors and ministry personnel have registered to date.  We are looking forward to the fellowship and the productivity of our time together.
“Against logic there is no armor like ignorance.” – Laurence J. Peter