It’s Monday Again

He is risen! With the celebration of Palm Sunday behind us, we lean into the reflection and inspiration of Holy Week. It will be exciting to see how God blesses the spiritual invasion of His Resurrection power in the days ahead. Two video greeting links (90 Seconds OR Three Minutes) are available here to include in your Easter Service this weekend to provide a broader connection with our Atlantic District family as we face off with the challenges and opportunities of this pandemic.

In Carey Nieuwhof’s recent book, “Didn’t See It Coming,” he asked this prophetic question:”What if [Church] leaders started thinking of themselves as a digital organization with a physical presence, instead of a physical organization with a digital presence?”

This week two of our local church pastors are coordinating workshops for a Beginners Online Service and an Intermediate Online Service. Here are the Zoom links for you to join in to learn some best practices that may improve the quality of your Easter online presence this weekend:

What: Intermediate Online Service Workshop (Some Budget)
When: April 8th, Wednesday @ 1:00 p.m. Atlantic
Who: Moderator – Shane Grant (Moncton)
Where: Zoom – https://zoom.us/j/885979203?pwd=cU1sbmxsQWhvdktia2pWNzBLV1lBQT09
(Please copy this link to your calendar now – no preregistration required)

What: Beginners Online Service Workshop (Low Budget or No Budget)
When: April 8th, Wednesday @ 2:00 p.m. Atlantic
Who: Moderator – Tom Cann (Yarmouth)
Where: Zoom – https://zoom.us/j/548410174?pwd=ZWRIcG1EUEVmc2dNd0hGM21jRXRqZz09
(Please copy this link to your calendar now – no preregistration required)

And speaking of the innovative ways we are experiencing digital Church, the above family has been attending Woodstock (Dale MacDonald) from 2,000 kms away in Iqaluit! As Worship & Connections Pastor Neil Horner says, “People aren’t just hungry for content, they are hungry for community.”

Executive Director Tami Mutch-Ketch convened a time of review and future planning on Friday for our Lay Prayer Task Force. Some of you have already received calls and this growing team will be making contact over the coming weeks and months with our pastoral families to offer encouragement and prayer as you serve and lead on the front lines of ministry. Atlantic Ministers are encouraged to email Tami (tami@atlanticdistrict.com) to recommend additional intercessors for this team. #strongertogether

• Rich (Katie) Thomas began their ministry in Aroostook County yesterday with a Facebook Live service for his new two-congregation charge with Easton & Community.

• Congratulations to Luke (Breanne) Anderson (The Lighthouse) on his election this weekend to serve as the next Lead Pastor of Connection! Pending pandemic restrictions, the Andersons will move to Truro at the usual time of pastoral transition in July.

• Both Matt Maxwell (Journey – pictured above) & Denn Guptill (Cornerstone) received unanimous LBA renewals this week for their respective Extended Calls.
• Dave (Sonja) Hartlen (Connection) has accepted a position beginning this summer as Assistant Pastor at Perth Andover (Reg Thomas).
• Dan Burman (Perth Andover) has accepted a position beginning this summer as Pastor of Youth & Media at New Hope (Scott Prime).
• Nick (Brenda) Wilson (The Reach) has accepted a position beginning this summer as Assistant Pastor at United Wesleyan in Anderson, IN. Thank to the Wilson family for their service on the Atlantic District – you will be missed!

• Crisis doesn’t create your leadership style, instead, it reveals and amplifies what was already there. (Carey Nieuwhof)
• “What would Jesus do?” is a great question. But a greater question is – what would you do if that person in need was Jesus (Matthew 25:40)? (Bobby Harrington)
• A good shepherd doesn’t berate his weak, frightened, or struggling sheep.  He adapts and adjusts in order to help them do what they need to do. (Larry Osborne)

---

COVID-19 Resources
There is little doubt we are in a season of testing and refinement…
not only for the Church, but for her leaders.

• “The three determinants of culture are shared values, shared language and shared vision. Can you see ways to nurture and cultivate all three virtually?” (Scott Rodin) Shaping culture virtually in crisis is far from business as usual. These are days of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA). As James Emery White so clearly articulates, “You are leading in a VUCA world.” This blog gives excellent direction in how to effectively shape culture in our current context.
• National Superintendent Stephen Elliott has provided this helpful Summary of Government Financial Direction for consideration by local church leadership in response to the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• HQ RESOURCES: We are grateful for the excellent and growing online hub of COVID-19 resources provided by The Wesleyan Church HERE which includes links such as our CMAD Division with specific direction for NextGen ministry innovationsuch as the NextGen Facebook Group for Wesleyan Youth Pastors/Leaders.
• This COVID-19 Ministry Resources PDF includes a variety of ministry links to explore as you seek the best way forward in leading your church family. Barna Research provides this Local Church COVID-19 Report from 1500 pastors recently surveyed.

---

What about Beulah Family Camp & Caton’s Island for 2020?

The DBA will meet on April 23rd and will determine the best timeline for decisions to postpone or cancel camps and/or summer ministry events. It would be premature to make decisions at this point, so we are asking all those leading and participating to prepare for the possibility of a normal camp season this summer. In the event of postponement or cancellation, any registrations for rooms or camps will be credited for future use or refunded upon request.

Caton’s Island COVID-19 Statement
Beulah Camp & Conference Center COVID-19 Statement

---

World Hope International – Annual Spring Gala 

This inspiring annual event is now rescheduled for Friday, June 19, 2020
at Wesley Hall (Kingswood University). Save the date – registration details above!