It’s Monday Again
The future sanctuary of Cornerstone Windgate experienced a sacred moment yesterday. Site Pastor Rob McDowell led some of the core launch team in writing key promises of Scripture on the floor which will soon be covered by carpet. Rob shared, “This was the first in person gathering that has happened since forming as a team, as all our previous gatherings happened on Zoom. Some people even met each other in person for the first time.” Standing on the promises! #kingdommultiplication
Churches across the region continue to offer a variety of opportunities for worship including drive-in services such as the one at Island yesterday with Aaron Reimer. A few remain online only, while most are now offering both online (either prerecorded or livestream) as well as onsite services. Thanks to all our Atlantic pastors for the inspiration of their dedication and diligence in the face of continuing pandemic changes. #contextualeffectiveness
Caton’s Island is one of four overnight camps operating across Canada this summer (all are in NB). Director Dean Stephenson and his leadership team are deserving of high praise for the countless ways they continue to adapt to keep their staff and campers safe and healthy. You are encouraged to follow the Caton’s Island Facebook to keep current with any announcements or changes. CLICK HERE to enjoy this video update from Director Dean Stephenson. Great work everyone!
We are delighted to announce Summer@Beulah 2020 events. We thank you in advance for cooperating with the provincial COVID-19 operational processes required for each activity. Warmest thanks to the leadership team of Jeffrey & Janet Doucet and Nicole Symonds-White for their top-notch planning and organization, and to Troy Wilson for website design and management. This summer’s schedule and operational process details are posted here – Summer@Beulah2020.
National Superintendent Stephen Elliott models a passion to highlight and serve those in our ministerial ranks who serve in a variety of chaplaincy roles (volunteer, part-time, and full-time). This week we joined with several Chaplains (pictured above) from across Canada with Brandon Melanson as he is providing leadership to the ongoing connection of this group. Several chaplains were not able be to be present for this mid-summer conversation, however, if you are a credentialed minister of The Wesleyan Church and serve in a chaplaincy ministry, please feel free to email Brandon to be included in future opportunities for encouragement and resourcing.Summer is an excellent season for carving out extra time for reflection and taking in quality and thought provoking ministry resources. Here are a few from some of our own Atlantic District leaders you might consider adding to your list…
WEBINAR OPPORTUNITY: Discipleship in a Pandemic
AJ Plaizier & Mark Brewer will address the way Yarmouth Wesleyan Church is attempting to adapt and offer a Discipleship Pathway during the limitations of the pandemic. This will include opportunity for sharing, brainstorming, and praying, with Q&A discussion to serve your church. As we prepare to conclude Phase One this year of our 2025 Horizon Vision to Renew Discipleship Pathways, we hope this will serve as a helpful brainstorming session. #contextualeffectiveness
- When? Thursday, July 30th @ 10:30 a.m. (Atlantic Time)
- Where? Zoom – Please email mark@yarmouthwc.com to register on or before Tuesday, July 28th
Brent Ingersoll (Kings) interviews Mike MacNeil (Kingswood University) as these two modern-day men of Issachar tackle a substantive cultural conversation about the impact of Critical Theory and how Believers can engage with those impacted by this worldview. CLICK HERE for this inspirational challenge from two of the most effective Kingdom leaders in our region.
Many of you likely already subscribe to the always insightful and pertinent – Penn of Denn. CLICK HERE for a recent sample of this pointed weekly challenge from whatever has most recently intrigued the ingenuity of Denn Guptill (Cornerstone). Feel free to subscribe HEREfor a weekly dose.
Points to Ponder
- Discipleship starts with GO! (Jon Wiest)
- Organizational culture eats strategy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Louis Gerstner)
- Discipleship defined: Building relationships with people to help them learn how to trust and follow Jesus. (Jon Wiest)
Bring Your Bubble to Beulah
Are you in need of a break? Spend your staycation at Beulah Camp this summer! We have three cottages available for that perfect getaway. Stay a couple nights or a week. Come enjoy time at the campground and unwind.
For more information or to book your 2020 Staycation:
https://www.beulahcamp.com/rentals/staycation/
“We’re all in this together!” was the theme of three powerful messages at 2020 Beulah Family Camp. Over the three nights (July 7-9), we were joined from all ten provinces, thirty-five states and eleven countries from Albania to Tunisia and from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The services will remain online for you to enjoy and share with others on the Beulah Camp website (click here).
Caton’s Island summer camps are up and running! Each week is limited to 90 campers on a first-come, first-served basis. Click HERE for a detailed announcement. You are encouraged to follow the Caton’s Island Facebook to keep current with any announcements or changes. You can also enjoy this video update from Director Dean Stephenson.
What if COVID-19 is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
for leaders to think more strategically
about doing church?
(Will Mancini)
for leaders to think more strategically
about doing church?
(Will Mancini)
- Looking for a resource to track how your church family can register for multiple service options? Save-A-Seat may by just what you need!
- Check out this incredible resource for innovating discipleship and engaging your church family during the pandemic.
- Many churches are preparing for an unexpected summer of in-person services alongside an online option. This resource from Matt Steen provides a helpful rubric in self-evaluation for five possible approaches (old-normal, simul-service, building-feeder, campus-launcher, and digital-disciple). Which one best informs your strategy as you return to weekly onsite services?
Another great resource to serve the church has been recently developed by our very own Pete Benson. A three-part video series specifically addressing the “COVID Crisis and Your Personal Finances” is freely shared for your personal use and for use within your church as you seek to empower and disciple your congregation in this critical area. CLICK HERE to access the three videos. A 10-minute preview of Part One will be sure to convince you to make use of this valuable resource with your church family.
Executive Director Tanya Nace shares, “I am excited to share World Hope’s Spring/Summer newsletter fresh off the press. Together with the Atlantic District, we have been transforming lives by rebuilding roofs in the Bahamas, rescuing young girls off the streets in Ukraine, providing water in Africa during COVID-19 and more. Read more here.“
Attention Church Treasurers/Bookkeepers: When your Canadian church has new staff members, the church MUST contact Helen Parker (519-703-9048; wrp@wesleyan.ca) for enrollment in the Wesleyan Retirement Plan BEFORE any contributions are sent for this employee.
Education & Clergy Development (Russ Gunsalus) continues to offer excellent resources for support of Wesleyan pastors during the rapidly shifting landscape of leadership. The most recent edition of “Thrive in 5” offers helpful insights into ambiguous loss as pandemic disruption has cumulative impact on us as Kingdom leaders. Click on the link to enjoy this article and subscribe in the upper left corner. In addition, the E&CD team provides a treasure-trove of tools for these challenging days, on their Clergy Care Programs & Resources page.
Want to know about the Atlantic District’s 2025 Horizon Storyline – Values-Driven Vision? Click here to see a one-page overview
Click here for the 45-minute video 2025 presentation
Click here for the 45-minute video 2025 presentation