This past weekend, Resolute Men’s Camp marked the final event on Caton’s Islandin the 30-summer leadership of Director Dean Stephenson. He will continue to have a supporting role next summer under Director-Elect Ben Canney. Ben led the men gathered in a prayer of heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for all that He has done through the sacrificial leadership of Dean & Carol.
- This summer saw 288 decisions to follow Jesus – PTL! Incredibly, Dean’s first summer as Director had a total of 240 campers all summer. While the numbers are not final for this year, 2024 saw Caton’s Island break the 2000 barrier with 2,010 campers – becoming the largest camp in Eastern Canada. There is no leadership position in the entire history of the Atlantic District which has had a 30-summer leader.
We love you Dean & Carol – THANK YOU for three decades of amazing servant leadership that has reached thousands of families and raised up hundreds of young leaders.
Recent Beulah Beach Baptism
In coordination with his local church, this young lad was baptized on his 7th birthday this Sunday by Randy Forbes at the Beulah beach. He was part of *The Master’s Little Builders Club* which Randy led during Beulah Family Camp this summer. Camp ministry opens so many doors for lasting discipleship and life-long transformation!
I’ve never installed a Starship Captain before. New Lead Pastor Jamin (Naomi) Melanson was in Star Fleet attire as he has been leading Hartland Wesleyanthrough a Star Trek themed series as they kick-off their fall ministries. It was so encouraging to be there for his Pastoral Installation this Sunday with one of the most multigenerational congregations in our district family. A rich sense of the Lord’s presence was evident in the worship and through The Word.
- It was heartwarming to have Jamin’s father, Frank, present to lead the church in a commissioning prayer at the conclusion of the installation ceremony. Jamin also included a portion of this service during which all the leaders in the Hartland Wesleyan family came forward and received prayer for the year ahead.
Special thanks to Brian Murray and the LBA for their leadership over the past year during an interim season of transition.
The Sunday after Labour Day provided an opportunity for all three Tidal (Jim Clements) locations to gather together for one service at the Moncton location. Jim shared, “It was incredible…all campuses (bused the Miramichi folks down) in one place to worship together with lunch and fun after – about 1500 total attendance – was so good!”
- Tidal recently announced Rhoda Sturgeon as the Director of Care and Nathan Adams as new Shediac Campus Pastor starting Oct 6th.
After a very brief introduction at District Conference regarding the nearly two-year process for our new Culture of Care, we are pleased to offer this video overview of the many opportunities you and your pastoral family members will have to engage in high-calibre care that is both preventative and restorative.
- A key first step for our Ministerial Tribe is to take part in the following assessment – CLICK HERE to review the email sent with these details.
OCTOBER ASSESSMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Coming in October:
Flourishing in Ministry: Well-Being Assessment
for all Atlantic District Pastors
Flourishing in Ministry: Well-Being Assessment
for all Atlantic District Pastors
The Atlantic District aims to cultivate a healthy culture of care, support and safety for all pastors and their families. To that end, we are engaging the services of Dr. Chris Adams, a leading researcher in clergy wellbeing at the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. Dr. Adams will be conducting the Flourishing in Ministry Assessment (FIM) of the wellbeing of all Atlantic District clergy. The assessment will take place October 7-22. More details to come in the following weeks.
- CLICK HERE for a thorough website overview of our Clergy Culture of Care.
Nathan Maskery (Deep Water) was the Keynote Speaker for the Spiritual Advancement Week at Kingswood University. President Rick Christman shared, “Nathan was masterful in connecting the four messages about Peter from the Gospel of John with the mission of Kingswood.”
- There was a real sense of community with new and returning students along with Faculty & Staff. One of Nathan’s messages shared on the passage in John 6 where Peter poses a question when asked a question, “Lord to whom shall we go?” If you don’t follow Jesus, you will end up following someone. All were encouraged to once again commit to following Jesus.
SPECIAL ALUMNI CHORALE @ Presidential Inauguration
(See details below in Upcoming Events)
(See details below in Upcoming Events)
All alumni are invited to participate in a mass alumni chorale, lifting their voices in praise during this grand celebration. Rev. Don Ingersoll (Class of ’81) will lead the chorale. Rehearsal will take place in Wesley Hall at 6:00 PM on October 17. If you’ve sung in a Bethany/KU chorale, singing group, or praise team, we need you! Please show up early and add your voice to this exciting night of celebration!
CLICK HERE for the full announcement
(Email Rob Trafton with any questions @ donorengagement@kingswood.edu)
(Email Rob Trafton with any questions @ donorengagement@kingswood.edu)
The Little Church That STILL Can!
Last week one of our churches read about this challenge and contacted Peggy Yetman (Lower Hainesville Wesleyan) to commit the remainder of funds needed to meet this need – PTL!
- CLICK HERE to be moved and inspired by her creative gifting with this wonderful poem about the impact a small church can have!
Alpha Invitation for New Hope Wesleyan – Kingston Campus
This is a wonderful example by New Hope Wesleyan – Kingston (David Tysick) of how to promote the Alpha Course to mobilize the Church. Consider offering Alpha sometime soon in your church too!
CLICK HERE for an excellent resource to inspire a Culture of Invitation
CLICK HERE for some practical insights in preparing the physical space of your church for guests
CLICK HERE for a helpful reminder of the importance of hybrid ministry
- “The hybrid church isn’t just about technology or techniques—it’s about expanding our vision of ministry. Every camera is a window into someone’s life, every online comment a hand raised for connection, every view count a soul seeking hope.”
CLICK HERE to download an article that you may want to add to your local church newsletter challenging consumer thinking about church attendance
I always enjoy my monthly Zooms with the North East DS’s. We connected earlier this month and it is my Pastor Cluster time for encouragement and wisdom with a regularly focus on multiplication.
- CLICK HERE to review the email sent to all pastors this week with details about how to join a Pastor Cluster this fall.
CLICK HERE to Register today!
- CLICK HERE NextGen Pastors
- CLICK HERE All Pastors
Ellen joins me in expressing heartfelt condolences to Joy Bray and the extended Bray family on the September 10th passing of her husband, Don Bray. Don served for many years as General Director of Wesleyan World Missions and led our missions are to adopt the name Global Partners. CLICK HERE for his obituary with opportunity to post your personal condolences to the family.
- CLICK HERE to watch this farewell video produced at the time of his retirement in 2007 which honours the global impact he and Joy have invested over generations of faithful ministry.
- Peace starts with Jesus. God wants to have a conversation with us – and it starts with you. His name is Jesus and you can talk with Him 24/7. (Tim Long, 6:30 a.m. Wed FB Livestream Prayer)
- Mourning is how we process what we’ve walked through. It’s in those raw and vulnerable moments that healing begins. (Gabriel Basque)
| - Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth. (John Wesley)
Join **the** Together in Ministry Cohort**:** Men & Women** **in **Thriv**in****g** in Ministry Together
October 16, 23, 30 & November 6 @ 1:00 p.m. EDT.
October 16, 23, 30 & November 6 @ 1:00 p.m. EDT.
The Wesleyan Church believes in the God-ordained power of men and women serving side by side in ministry — united in purpose, equal in calling, and passionate about sharing God’s grace and transformational love with their communities. Thriving in ministry IS God’s design, and part of that design is serving together as men and women.
Yet, we know that **gender dynamics and cultural expectations** can sometimes create barriers to truly collaborative ministry. That’s why TWC is launching this free transformational cohort experience — a safe, supportive space where pastors can:
- **Learn**