Under Sail
Changed Lives! One of my favourite things to do is celebrate with the pastors and churches that are seeing people cross the line of faith, and then are baptized! Pastor Greg Dakin, Saint John First, recently shared that they have had five people come to Christ, and seven baptisms as they track their church’s benchmarks for this year. Pastor Raymond Fancy, Amherst Wesleyan, baptized eight people in a backyard pool last month. (It’s good to get it done before the ice sets in!). Pastor Mel Norton, Hartland Wesleyan, reports that two people were saved recently, and on September 23rd they baptized four people, and three people joined the church. Pastor Ryan Farrell, Nackawic Wesleyan, had the privilege of baptizing a lady in her early 70’s on September 30th. Her name is Shirley and she has been living for the Lord for many years. However, she had never been baptized because she is very afraid of water. She trusted Jesus with her soul, and now she has entrusted to Him her fear!
Pastor Michael Zottarelli, Sackville Crossroads, reports that they had their kick-off weekend on September 9th. They ran their annual “Teddy Bear Picnic” on Saturday. The weather was beautiful, and roughly 140 people attended, which included 20 volunteers. That weekend they also had their “Free Preview Sunday” and 35 people came out (lya for the same weekend was 17) including 4 new couples! It has sparked a great sense of excitement and anticipation in the people for what God has in store for them this year!
Houlton Wesleyan launched a six-month “test-run” on a second Sunday morning service this past Sunday, October 7th. There were 90 people in the 9 AM service and 192 in the 10:30 AM service for a combined total of 282 (There were 215 present on the same Sunday one year ago.) They also started a strong emphasis on small groups this week using the Steve DeNeff/David Drury book, SoulShift. They have 10 groups. Wayne Robertson is the Senior Pastor.
Lead Pastor AJ Plaizier, Fredericton Corbett Ave., shares about the great Sunday they had on September 16th. They had two services with a combined attendance of 292 (last year’s kick-off was around 260) followed by a BBQ after the 11 AM service. The goal was to break the elusive 300 barrier! They didn’t quite make it but they scared it “real bad!” It’s only a matter of time! Way to go Corbett!
Halifax Deep Water launched a second Sunday morning service on September 16th, and it has been going well. There has been a fairly even distribution of attendance between the two gatherings. Pastor AJ Thomas reports that they had 330 out the first week, and 350 on the second Sunday (lya* 223).
Halifax-Deep Water honoured Pastor Stewart Steeves on September 9th, by bestowing on him the title Pastor Emeritus. He was present in the service to bring remarks and receive the honour. Pastor Steeves was pastoring Halifax-Grace Wesleyan Church in the downtown area of Halifax in the early to mid-1980’s. He began praying faithfully for a ministry like Deep Water to come along to reach people in the downtown area of the city of Halifax in ways that he himself couldn’t. Almost 30 years later, God would call AJ Thomas to plant a church in downtown Halifax! How cool is that?! That’s how Deep Water was born! Pastor Stewart & Phyllis Steeves are still praying faithfully for the city of Halifax, for Deep Water, and for Pastor AJ and Kelly Thomas!
GP Stats: Global Partners (GP) recently released year-end giving stats for districts and local churches. There are 33 North American Districts in The Wesleyan Church and the Atlantic District (A.D.) was second in over-all giving to GP by District. We gave $564,584 to GP (and over $600,000 to global evangelism).
Nine A.D. churches were in the top 100 giving churches to GP: Moncton (10th), Presque Isle (36th), Trinity Florenceville-Bristol (52nd), Hillside Dartmouth (54th), River Valley Grand Bay-Westfield (55th), Woods Harbour (65th), Kings Valley Quispamsis (66th), Deep Water – Halifax (80th), Sussex (93rd).
Five A.D. churches were in the top 50 churches for per capita giving to GP, including the #1 church! – Blissfield (1) at $822/person; Trinity Florenceville-Bristol (23rd) at $293/person, Lower Brighton (39th) at $237/person, River Valley Grand Bay-Westfield (44th) at $224/person, Woods Harbour (44th) at $224/person.
For more detail, see the October-December 2012 issue of GP WorldView. Several other A.D. churches are mentioned in other categories. Let me say to all of the A.D. Team – stellar!
Sharon Lewis, wife of Pastor Scott Lewis, Lower Hainesville Wesleyan, shares that they had a very positive VBS. When Sharon gave the invitation for salvation at the end of one of the Bible lessons, 12 children responded! In her words, “It was awesome!” On September 16th, four of the children that got saved showed up for Sunday School. They brought one of their friends, Ben, who had never been there before! They’re praying he’ll give his life to Christ as well.
Westchester Wesleyan celebrated its 110th Anniversary on September 8th. There were 94 people in attendance, which fills the sanctuary! Pastor Raymond Fancy and the Amherst Wesleyan Worship Team led the music, and several pastors and people with “past history” took part in the service. Former pastor, Charles Bain, was the special speaker, and I was privileged to bring greetings on behalf of the District. It was a very fitting time of celebration.
On September 9th I was at Hope Wesleyan in Shelburne, NS and conducted the installation service for Stefan Gilbert. The pastor is positive about the church, and the people are positive about their new pastor. That’s a good combination! We enjoyed a meal and a time of fellowship with the people following the service, and then had opportunity to visit with Pastor Stefan and his wife, Deborah.
I brought greetings in the services at Digby Wesleyan on September 23rd. Pastor Andrew Maves really feels this is “an awesome time right now” in their church. They are making huge inroads against their indebtedness (due to the sale of the parsonage), and they are making plans to do a few things on the “missions front” that will be beyond the scope of their local needs, and it will bless others. They averaged 190 in the last month of the summer (lya 174), and had 7 people to baptize before they even announced it! PTL!
The last Sunday of September, Joanne and I were with Pastor Jacob & Nikki Ebbett at Havelock, NB Wesleyan. There were 45-50 people who gathered for worship. Pastor Jacob has passion to reach the lost. The people were warm in their greeting, and receptive to the Word of God.
Pastor Ryan Farrell shares that it was a great day at Nackawic Wesleyan on September 23rd. There were 90 in church (lya 58) as they celebrated the 10th “Well Walk” in their church’s history. This is a packed out crowd in this sanctuary! The congregation walked from the church to the local Lion’s Club. The local fire department led the way for the walkers, and the RCMP followed. 30 wells have been dug in 9 years through the financial efforts of this church, and to date they have raised $4,600 toward a target of five wells this year. It was a great day of celebration to be sure, and we commend you for helping to make a difference in the world.
New Pastors Orientation 2012: Last week I spent a day with the pastors that are new to the District, or new to their particular current responsibilities. We had 12 pastors join us – 8 lead pastors and 4 staff pastors- as well as five others who were presenters that joined me in an orientation session. It was great to interact with these leaders and catch their passion for the world and their local churches. Thanks to those who were participants, and to those who were presenters.
Rev. Lawrence Corey: Rev. Lawrence Corey passed away at the Carleton Manor, Woodstock, NB on September 27th at the age of 85. His funeral service was held on Monday, October 1st, from the Woodstock Wesleyan Church. Rev. Dale MacDonald officiated, assisted by Rev. Mel Norton, and the DS brought remarks on behalf of the Atlantic District. There were 35 ministers present, and with the spouses who were able to attend the number from the Atlantic District ministerial ranks was over 40. Interment was held Tuesday, October 2nd, at the Havelock, NB Wesleyan Cemetery with Pastor Jacob Ebbett conducting the burial service.
Due to the onset of Parkinson’s disease, Lawrence retired from active ministry in 1990. He and Mary served the following churches: Londonderry, NS (1954-1959); Bristol, Gordonsville, Glassville, NB (1959-1964); Hartland, Lower Brighton, Victoria Corner, NB (1964-1968); North Head, NB (1968-1971); Havelock, NS (1971-1976); Royalton, Bloomfield, NB (1976-1986); Seal Cove, NB (1986-1990).
The Coreys retired to Canaan, NB (near Havelock, NB). It was only in recent years that Lawrence became a resident of Carleton Manor. We extend our condolences to Lawrence’s wife, Mary, and to the entire family in their recent loss. Please remember them in your prayers.
Albert “Bert” Boyd passed away at the age of 84 on October 6, 2012, and his funeral was held at Miramichi Wesleyan Church on October 10th. Pastor Gary Churchill officiated. Bert and his wife, Helen, lived in the Hampton, NB area for quite a few years. They impacted a lot of young lives, several associated with Bethany Bible College. The Boyds were active members at Kings Valley for a number of years, and then six years ago felt led to move to Miramichi. They became an important part of Miramichi Wesleyan. Bert will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Helen, four children, and a parcel of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. His daughter, Lorraine, is married to Rev. Thurland Brown, formerly from the Atlantic District and now pastoring in Winchester, ON. Bert’s granddaughter, Cathy, is married to Rev. Peter Hayes, and they pastor the Havelock, NS Wesleyan Church. Our prayers are with the family and we extend our condolences to them.
Linda Lamos, District Director of Children’s Ministry, was very pleased with the Fall 2012 HUDDLE held at Presque Isle Wesleyan on Saturday, Sept. 15th. There were many positive comments from the 98 participants about the speakers and the breakout sessions. Vaughn Martin (Easton), Debbie Rooney (Presque Isle) and their team of volunteers went all out for this event. The food and hospitality was top notch! Children’s workers from other denominations besides the Wesleyans attended as well. Plans are in the works for a Huddle in the Fredericton, NB area at the end of March, and then one in Nova Scotia in April. Details will follow as the time draws closer. Thanks to Linda, Vaughn, Debbie, and everyone else who contributed to this last HUDDLE event.
Follow 2012: The Wesleyan Youth International Convention will be held in Louisville, KY, December 28-31, 2012. District Director of Youth Ministries, Scott Rhyno, and Pastor Jeremy MacDonald, Moncton Wesleyan, want you to be aware of the following – Wesleyan High School students from across North America will be gathering in Kentucky this December for Follow 2012. The Atlantic District has chartered a bus for any students or youth leaders interested. Cost is $450 per person and confirmation is needed by November 2. The $450 Includes: Transportation, Lodging, Breakfast and Conference tickets. It does not include lunch and supper. If you would like more information on how you or one of your students can jump on the bus you can email Lindsay Cann at lcann@monctonwesleyan.com or call her at 506-857-2293. For details on the event itself go to http://www.mywycon.com/index.html
Dr. Dave & Jane Higle moved to Indianapolis on Sept. 11th to begin their new ministry responsibilities. They were both employed at Kingswood University for the past 11 years. In their new roles, Dave is a Director in the Education and Clergy Development Division at Wesleyan World Headquarters. While he will be working with educational and ordination issues, his initial and primary responsibility is clergy care issues. Jane will be working with the archives of The Wesleyan Church. Dave’s ministerial credentials will remain in the Atlantic District. We wish both Dave & Jane the very best in their new roles.
Beulah Camp Water – Those who do not have “winter water” at Beulah may be wondering when the seasonal water will be shut off. Beulah Caretaker, Bruce Cheney, has set a start date of Monday, October 15th for the process to begin, and plans to have it completed by October 19th. Also note that the electricity to all trailer park areas will be shut off at that time.
“You can’t teach what you don’t know, and you can’t lead where you don’t go.” – Unknown
*lya = last year’s average attendance