Under Sail

Easter Sunday Celebrations!
The Atlantic District’s total Easter Sunday attendance was 13,262! Our churches reported 79 people saved and 31 people baptized on Easter Sunday.  In addition, several churches held baptisms just before Easter and there are churches with baptisms scheduled following Easter that are not included in that number.  For example, Moncton baptized 32 people on Palm Sunday, and then baptized another 28 people May 1st – a total of 60 people!  All of our pastors reported their Easter attendances and several shared excellent highlights from their Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.  I cannot include them all, but here are a few random excerpts of good things happening across the District:

Easter attendances over 500:
Moncton Wesleyan had a total of 3332 for the weekend services (lya 1749)
Presque Isle  – 873 (lya 580)
Kings Valley – 849 (lya 592)
Fredericton – Crosspoint  – 598 (lya 366)
Yarmouth – 575 (lya 415)
Pastor Andrew Maves reports that Digby Wesleyan had 6 people give their hearts to the Lord on Easter Sunday, and they had 182 in attendance (lya 161).  They also received over $2600 in a special offering for Havelock, NS Wesleyan.

Assistant Pastor Vaughn Martin reports that Easton Wesleyan had an unprecedented 203 in attendance on Easter Sunday (lya 110) and 134 for Palm Sunday, which is up considerably over previous years.  Rob McDowell is the Lead Pastor.

Halifax – Deep Water had 185 attend on Easter Sunday (lya 130).  Pastor AJ Thomas says there were “tons of new faces but also tons of people who had gone home.  Typical for us.”  The week before (Palm Sunday) there were 240 in attendance.
Pastor Jason Rooney shares that Monticello Wesleyan had 56 people in their Easter service (lya 24).  This was very encouraging to pastor and people.
Scarborough – Coastal Community held two presentations of the Easter musical, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” at the Scarborough High School Auditorium, which included their Easter Sunday service, and had 420 people attend the two presentations  CCC also received 9 new members on Easter Sunday.  Dwayne Hopkins is the Senior Pastor.
Woodstock Wesleyan had 400 to their Good Friday Outreach, and 320 Easter Sunday Morning (lya 192).   The first baptism in their new church facilities was held Sunday, May 1st, and five people were baptized.  Senior Pastor Dale MacDonald reports that since they have moved into their new building their church attendance is up 60 people over the same period last year.

Pastoral Transitions:
**Rev. Nelson Koonce, currently pastoring in North Carolina, candidated at Bangor-Pathway Wesleyan this past weekend.  He received a unanimous vote to be their next pastor and has accepted.  He will take up his new responsibilities July 1st.
**Fort Fairfield Wesleyan is still in the pastoral search process.  Please pray for God’s direction in this important decision.

Pastor Andrew Maves, Digby Wesleyan, reports that Steve LeRoy joined their staff May 8th on a part-time basis, and is serving in the area of music and worship.
Kings Valley Wesleyan has had seven weekends tracking their two-service format which began March 27th.  They have averaged 720 on Sunday mornings (lya 592).  On May 1st, KVWC baptized 8 people and dedicated 12 children.  Lead Pastor Jim Agrell says, “It was a great service!”
John Faulkingham passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in a Bangor Health Care facility surrounded by his family.  He was a lifelong member of The Wesleyan Church serving at both Beals Wesleyan and Jonesport Wesleyan in many capacities for many decades.  Our condolences to his wife, Doris, and the family.
Rally in the Valley (RitV) was held this past weekend at Kings Valley Wesleyan with 335 registrants, and 400+ in attendance.  47 students were baptized spontaneously at the close of the Saturday evening service in public declaration of their decision to follow Christ!  Special thanks to Pastor Dave Mason and the entire team of people who put this event together.
Beulah Camp starts seven weeks from this coming Friday!  Evangelists: Rev. Lane Loman and Dr. Steve Lennox; Worship Leaders: Rev. Scott & Elizabeth Rhyno.  The dates are July 1 – 10, 2011.

Beulah Caretaker, Bruce Cheney, asks that all the items stored in the Beulah Tabernacle be out by no later than May 23rd.  Preparation for the camping season is already underway, and there is a wedding scheduled in the tabernacle on June 11th.  Any items not out of the tabernacle by the 23rd will be removed and stored outside.  Thank you for your help in this matter.
A Beulah Camp Work Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 28th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  The Rain Date is June 3rd.  Both men and women are welcome.  There is inside and outside work to be done.  Lunch will be provided.  Please contact Bruce Cheney at Cheney@beulahcamp.com or at (506) 468-2900 to let him know if you plan to attend, and how many from your church will be coming.  This information will help in the meal preparation.  Thanks.
For Sale at Beulah Camp: 34 ft. Sierra 2005 travel trailer with 2 electric push outs and air conditioning; beach front lot.  Call 506-878-7027.
BYF Retreat 2011: The Annual District Best Years Fellowship Retreat will be held at Beulah Camp August 5-7, 2011.  Rev. Denn Guptill is the special speaker.  More detailed information, including registration, will be sent to the pastors soon.  Contact Wayne Briggs at wbriggs@nb.sympatico.ca or (506) 468-2152 or Hugh McKnight at (506) 472-1116 if you have questions.
First Wesleyan, Fredericton, NB, is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this weekend, May 15th.  Pastor Matthew Maxwell is the Lead Pastor.

Pastor Gary Churchill shares Miramichi Wesleyan will hold a Dedication Service for their new church facility Saturday, May 28th at 3:00 PM.
“Our souls can never be truly happy till our wills be entirely subjected to, and become one with, the will of God.”
– Adam Clarke