Under Sail
Pastoral Resignations/Transitions: Bangor – Pathway (Nelson Koonce); Blacks Harbour (Mark McCluskey); Easton (Rob McDowell); Fort Fairfield (Dee & Ed Lower); Grand Harbour (Kirk Perry); Hartland (Mel Norton retiring); Havelock, NS (Peter Hayes); Head of Millstream (Dan McGuire); Jonesport (Rich Thomas); Norton (Randy Forbes); Yarmouth (Dave Wilcox).
Wayne Briggs has given leadership to the Browns Flat Fellowship (BFF) at Beulah Campgrounds since 2005-2006 when it took on a more formal arrangement to serve the needs of the year-round people as well as the seasonal people. He will still be living on the campground and remain involved but will release the primary responsibility of the BFF to someone else, yet to be appointed.
Dave Wilcox is candidating in Hartland on March 24th.
I have met with all of the local church boards/advisory committees except for Norton and Fort Fairfield, and have meetings scheduled with both of them this week.
Recall votes completed and the pastors have accepted the recall: Gary Churchill – Miramichi (4-yr); Jay Guptill – Dartmouth Hillside (4-yr); David Hockley – Ingomar (Extended); Ward McComiskey – Seal Cove (2-yr); AJ Plaizier – Fredericton Corbett Ave (4-yr); Kevin Wilson – Halifax Metro (4-yr)
The only recall vote still to be conducted is Hampton-Island on Pastor Joel Wydysh. That will take place this coming Sunday and will be for a 4-yr call.
Lower Brighton Wesleyan Church celebrated their 120th Anniversary on February 10th. The church is 139 years old but has been part of what is now the Atlantic District for the last 120 years. Several former pastors took part over the course of the weekend: Ken Banks, Raymond Fancy, and Kevin Myers (his father, Richard Myers, was a former pastor). Pastors Carl & Evelyn Brewer led a special evening of music on Saturday evening (Feb. 9), and 63 people showed up in a snowstorm! They received an impromptu offering for the Wesleyan Churches in Mozambique that have been impacted by severe flooding. The offering totaled $207 and change! On Sunday morning, as part of a presentation that honoured former pastors, Pastor Glen McVicar presented Church Planter Kevin Myers with $520 for Sydney – New Roots that the congregation had received in a special offering two weeks previous. I brought greetings and congratulations on behalf of the District in the Sunday morning service.
Nova Scotia Travels: This past Thursday, I sat in on a meeting with Pastor AJ Thomas and the Halifax-Deep Water Leadership Team as they discussed exciting possibilities that will help them expand their church’s ministry and reach more people in the Halifax downtown area. Friday morning, I had breakfast with ten of our Halifax area lead and staff pastors. It was great to hear encouraging stories from each of them on how God is changing lives and working in their churches.
Miramichi – Pastor Gary Churchill shared with me recently that two people were saved in the service on Feb. 24th.
2013 Easter Offering: There are more than 200 million unreached people in North America…the third largest mission field in the world is in our own backyard. The goal for the Easter Offering for The Wesleyan Church this year is $200,000 and will go toward assisting church planters, empowering leaders, and developing teams in order to reach people with the Gospel. For more information, go to weslyan.org and click on the “200 million reasons” banner that loops across the top. The plan is one weekend in April, one offering at each service, and one dollar from every attender. Your church can be part of making a huge difference.
Children’s Ministry Huddle ON LOCATION – Children’s ministry teams and children’s workers, mark your calendars for this one-day training event. You’ll find it practical and affordable. It is being held on March 23, 2013 from 9 am -3 pm at Crosspoint Wesleyan Church in Fredericton NB. The speakers are Pastor Mark Brewer (Co-Lead Pastor at Crosspoint), and Pastor Dan Lamos (Family Life Pastor at Kings Valley Wesleyan). Breakout sessions will include: Supporting and Working with Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Dr. Pattie Paterson); Make a Plan. Execute the Plan (Andrea Gunter); Puppets Are People Too (Rod & Toni Wasson); Creative Kids Worship (Linda Lamos). The cost is only $25/person or $100 for 4 or more from the same church (includes lunch). For more information, or to register, contact the District Director of Children’s Ministry, Linda Lamos, at: linda.lamos@kingsvalley.ca
The 2012 Wesleyan Discipline: The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church is now available through Wesleyan Publishing House. They are offering several different versions this year; hard cover
, soft cover, E-pub, Mobi, and a PDF version. To order call WPH directly at 1-800-493-7539. If you wish to buy multiple copies for your board or staff, ask for information on bulk pricing.
Halifax-Metro Haiti Team: A Missions Team from Metro Halifax, NS, led by Pastor Zach d’Entremont, was at LaGonave in Haiti in February. Barry & Beth Gould (Atlantic District GP missionaries) report that the team painted the local Wesleyan school, provided a great worship service, and were a blessing to all.
Moncton Wesleyan Church: Jason Muir, Pastor of Worship Arts at MWC, shares that they are hosting a Paul Baloche Workshop in April. Friday, April 12th at 7 PM is a “night of worship,” and Saturday, April 13th, 9 AM – 4 PM, is a “Lead Worship” Workshop. You may want to send your worship team to this event – it’s a great opportunity. Here is a link to access promo material including a slide for local church announcements, screens, etc., and a great promo video Paul did for this event from his recent tour in India. It can be edited for length if you needed to cut it down a bit. The link is https://www.dropbox.com/s/9t51fzmxa5tq53l/baloche-promo.zip – Ticket and registration information is available from Jason Muir at jmuir@monctonwesleyan.com
Rev. Conard E. Stairs – Retired minister, Rev. Conard Stairs, passed away February 13th at York Care Centre in Fredericton, NB. He taught at Bethany Bible College (now Kingswood University), and also served as Principal of the High School Department for a short time. He was ordained in July, 1950 in a service in the Meductic Church. In the fall of 1950 he began teaching in the Kingswood theology department, and so served the College for four years (1949-1953). He left the College to go into the pastorate. He has pastored Reformed Baptist and Wesleyan Churches in Truro (1953-1959, 1984-1985); Salem/Killam’s Mills (1965-1966); Doaktown (1970-1973); Trenton, ON (1973-1978); and Presque Isle, ME (1978-1983). Rev. Stairs was the President of Kingswood University (then Bethany Bible College) from 1959-1969. He had a passion to see this institution grow and develop. He promoted it tirelessly, and helped it achieve a higher level of financial stability. It was during this period that the relocation of the College from Yarmouth to Sussex took place. President Stairs was instrumental in helping the 4-year degree granting program in Bible and Religion become reality. It was implemented in the fall of 1970. His funeral was held from Fredericton Corbett Ave Wesleyan Church on February 18th, officiated by Rev. Pete Thomas.
Uta Chase – Retired veteran missionary Uta Chase died February 16th at York Care Centre in Fredericton, NB. She was 90 years of age. She served the Reformed Baptist Church and The Wesleyan Church in South Africa, Rhodesia, and Zambia beginning in the 1950’s up through the late 1970’s. Her overseas ministry was interspersed with periods of service on the staff at Kingswood University. She left a legacy in the lives of the African people she ministered to, both physically and spiritually; she left a legacy in the lives of the students who were at the College the years she served there. Her funeral was held at Fredericton Journey Wesleyan Church on February 20th. Rev. Pete Thomas was the officiating minister.
I was present at both of these funerals and was privileged to bring remarks on behalf of the Atlantic District.
Rally in the Valley 2013 (for teens) will take place on May 3-4, 2013 at Kings Valley Wesleyan in Quispamsis, NB. Pastor Dave Mason says the KV Worship Team will lead the music, Matt Deprez is the special speaker, and Manafest is the guest artist for the Friday night concert. For further information contact Pastor Dave at dave.mason@kingsvalley.ca
Beulah Camp dates are July 5-14, 2013. The speakers are Rev. Dwight Robertson, President of Kingdom Building Ministries, and Rev. AJ Thomas, church planter and pastor of Halifax-Deep Water Wesleyan Church. Rev. Scott & Elizabeth Rhyno will be returning to lead our worship and oversee the music. District Conference will be July 11th and the Ordination Service will be July 12th.
“Compassion is not just feeling with someone, but seeking to change the situation. Frequently people think compassion and love are merely sentimental. No! They are very demanding. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action!” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu