Under Sail

An old song says, “I sure could use a little good news today!” Here’s some good news:
Moncton Wesleyan baptized 35 people last Sunday (April 10) and there are more people to be baptized in the near future. L.D. Buckingham is Lead Pastor.
Halifax – Deep Water baptized six people yesterday. A.J. Thomas is the pastor.
Fredericton-Crosspoint went to three Sunday AM services on March 27th. The first weekend the breakdown was as follows: 1st 155; 2nd 165; third 105 – Total 425. The second weekend the total attendance was 499, and yesterday it was 450. According to Lead Pastor Tim Guptill, yesterday’s attendance would have been a high day when they were doing two services. Attendance has jumped up over all, and new families are coming.
Kings Valley Wesleyan Church, Quispamsis, NB, went to two services on March 27th and there were 722 people out that day! The second week, attendance did not drop – 723 in attendance. A lot of new people and unchurched families were in the services, and the services were evenly divided in attendance. KVWC had been running in the 570 range, and during their marriage series in January & February, attendance jumped to the mid-600’s, so they decided to add the second service. Attendance continues to be in the 600’s. Baptisms and dedications are scheduled for May 1st. Jim Agrell is the Lead Pastor.
“Rally in the Valley 2011” is just around the corner. It is hosted at Kings Valley Wesleyan Church. This will be the 4th year of Rally in the Valley. Mark Brewer (Assistant Pastor at Fredericton-Crosspoint) is the Rally Speaker and Brent “B.D.” Ingersoll (Assistant Pastor at KVWC) & The Valley Boys will be there as the worship team. The event will bring together Middle & High School students from all over the District for a weekend of worship & teaching about what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. The cost for this event is only $45, and it’s not too late to register. You can visit rallyinthevalley.ca or Facebook.com/rallyinthevalley.ca for more information, or you can contact Pastor Dave Mason at dave.mason@kingsvalley.ca
Pastoral Searches and Transitions:
David Hockley, a Bethany Bible College Pastoral Ministries Major, will graduate this year on May 7th. He candidated at Ingomar Wesleyan Church a couple of weeks ago, and received a very strong vote to be their next pastor. He has accepted the call and will take up his new responsibilities mid-June.
Fort Fairfield Wesleyan is in the interview process at this point with a couple of potential candidates.
Bangor-Pathway Wesleyan is also in the interview process with a couple of potential candidates.
Rev. Mark Cooney was offered, and has accepted, the position of Assistant Pastor at Yarmouth Wesleyan. His primary responsibilities will be in the areas of worship and discipleship. Dave Wilcox is the Senior Pastor.
Jordon LeBlanc will be leaving the staff at Perth-Andover Wesleyan to take up a new assignment at Beuna Vista Wesleyan Church in NY. Evan Oxner will be the new staff member with Pastor Reg Thomas in Perth-Andover.
Pastor Graham Perry, Trinity Wesleyan in Florenceville – Bristol, NB, reports that TWC held their annual missions convention April 8-10 and raised $22,800 in Faith Promises for the year. This is an 84% increase over the previous year’s commitment of $12, 384. Excellent! Thanks, Trinity, for having a global view!
The Atlantic District has given over $6,600 since July for minister’s training and theological education for the Wesleyan pastors in Cuba. Many thanks to the churches and individuals who have contributed to this important project.
Annie Fair, mother of Sharon Lewis who is the wife of Pastor Scott Lewis, Lower Hainesville Wesleyan, passed away April 6, 2011. Annie was a charter member of the Sussex Wesleyan Church and attended there for over 57 years. She never missed a Beulah Camp from age one to the present, and attended 78 consecutive camp meetings. In addition to Sharon (and Scott), she is survived by her son, James Fair, and her other two daughters, Ruth Anne (Daniel) Fair-Parker, and Angela (Lew) Halstead, nine grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and extended family. We extend our condolences to the family.
The NS Children’s Ministry Huddle was a huge success with over 70 leaders involved at Yarmouth Wesleyan on April 9. Linda Lamos, District Director of Children’s Ministry, thanks Dawn Wilcox and her team of volunteers at Yarmouth Wesleyan. They are to be commended for providing great leadership. Without their willingness to serve, this event would not have happened. It was encouraging to see so many attend from the area Wesleyan churches as well other denominations. Linda says excitement is building all over the district. Both Huddles (Moncton & Yarmouth) saw close to 250 children’s leaders involved in training and equipping! Pastors, if you have any leaders in your church who would benefit from being on the Children’s Ministry Leaders email list, please forward their email address to linda.lamos@kingsvalley.ca
FYI for Beulah Lot Lease Holders: Beulah Caretaker, Bruce Cheney, is starting to turn the summer water on today (April 18) at Beulah Camp and everything so far is proceeding in a normal fashion. All the water should be on by the end of the week.
Woodstock Wesleyan Church has an organ for sale. It is a Hammond C3 with a Leslie speaker and amplifier cabinet. Call 506-328-3263, or email neil@woodstockwesleyan.org to make an offer, or get additional information.
April 3rd, Joanne and I were in Wood’s Harbour Wesleyan. There were 90 people present in the Sunday AM service. The congregation has a global view, and is involved in various endeavours to raise funds for such causes as Haiti and Fish for Hope. They also support several of our GP missionaries. Their prayer support of these people and ministries is evident by their bulletin board and conversation. Pastor Rod Guptill is instrumental in our Cuba partnership. Joanne and I shared a delightful meal at the parsonage with the Guptills and 3-4 families from the church.
April 10th, we worshipped with the folks at Perth-Andover Wesleyan. There were 90 in attendance. Pastor Reg Thomas is finishing his second year at the church. There was a wonderful prayer time in the service, a good selection of events/ministry options coming up that people could participate in, and laughter in the service as Pastor Reg interacted with his congregation. Jordon LeBlanc is transitioning to Beuna Vista Wesleyan in NY and his last Sunday is June 12th. Evan Oxner will be joining the staff before Beulah. Evan is from Brazil Lake, a recent graduate of BBC, and Pastor Reg was his pastor for many years. Joanne and I enjoyed lunch and fellowship with the Thomas’s at a local restaurant following the service.
April 17, found us in NS again at West Head Wesleyan. Pastor Bill Lea is finishing his second year with this congregation, and has accepted a unanimous extended call. It has been a very good match. West Head runs a strong S.S. program. The church is growing and the Leas are building relationships inside the church and also in the community. When Joanne and I arrived, there was one spot left in the church parking lot…at the very back! Those are the kinds of challenges you like to see!
Chick-Fil-A Leadercast, May 6, 9 am – 5 pm: “Voices of Change” is the theme for a terrific day of networking and motivational speaking on leadership. Dr. John Maxwell, and the people that he gathers around him for these simulcasts, are legendary in the leadership arena. NB Sites for the simulcast can be found in Fredericton at the Forestry Centre, Miramichi, and Moncton; and in NS, contact Hammonds Plains-Cornerstone Wesleyan. Google “Chick-fil-A Leadercast” for more details.
The Techology Show: If you are not aware of this link, you may find interesting information and interviews on the following site. It is hosted by Wesleyan pastors. http://www.thetechologyshow.com