It’s Monday Again
Amherst (Evan Oxner) has been holding weekly services since mid-July. The service yesterday was energized by an excellent worship team and a compelling message from Evan. Like most churches, the congregation is gradually returning, although many are still uncomfortable with Sunday gatherings. Some new faces have joined recently in spite of pandemic restrictions.
Giving has been very strong over the summer and a new Celebrate Recovery chapter will be launched next month. It was encouraging to spend time with this excellent team over lunch and hear the ways they are adapting and innovating to keep the mission advancing.
More than 25 Pastor Cluster Leaders gathered by Zoom this week for an orientation and overview of the October launch. We are blessed by these women and men who have stepped up to serve the reconfiguration of our pastoral zones as a key component of our 2025 Values-Driven Vision. Stay tuned for more information coming to district ministers before Canadian Thanksgiving!
Crosspoint (John Symonds) held a special Family Service on Saturday. Children’s Ministry Director Nicole Symonds-White shared, “SJ1 had a weekly Saturday evening family service over the summer that was our inspiration. We were looking for ways to connect with some families that maybe were less than comfortable sending their kids on Sunday morning. So, it was a one time trial – families came and sat in their bubbles and all activities and games were in their bubbles. It was fun! The Crosspoint staff really stepped up and helped a lot! Super impressed with Marianna Lewis (recent KU graduate) who did a stellar job leading worship! Tessa Symonds co-hosted it with me as she is doing her Kingswood practicum with us. It’s a great team!”
This week was the first time she physically stepped foot in Framework (Bud Fancy). Next Gen Pastor Parker Davis was able to baptize her and dedicate her daughter as she publicly told the congregation she is now a follower of Christ and wants to tell the world.This lady reached out during COVID to say she was watching online and wanted to come when things with COVID settled down. She was in a place where she was searching for more of Jesus. By keeping in touch online she discovered what Jesus could really mean in her life and made her decision public in the Saturday night service.
One of the community group leaders (in the Framework Discipleship Pathway) invited her to join after the service and on Sunday she went to her first home meeting! That’s how an intentional discipleship plan makes a difference!
Executive Director Tami Mutch-Ketch chaired the Caton’s Island Session of the Camp Board this Friday at Heartland. Her professionalism, preparation, and executive skill was warmly received as board members committed unanimously to an action-oriented advisory posture.Director Dean Stephenson celebrated in his report that while camp registrations were down, the number of salvations and recommitments were similar to previous years. Caton’s was one of four overnight camps to operate across Canada this summer. To date, approximately $360K of work has been completed on the Choate Dining Hall Expansion. Phase Three of this cornerstone capital improvement will be completed next summer pending donations.
We are grateful for this passionate and skilled board who invest in this “best-kept secret” of Atlantic District ministry. It was a phenomenal season and we thank the Lord for Dean and the sacrificial commitment of his staff in this unprecedented year of challenge and opportunity.
Points to Ponder
- Prayer & praise are the pathway from panic to peace. (Parker Davis)
- The Bible says a lot about ego… none of it good. Do you want to win and grow, or do you want to be the star? (Larry Osborne)
- By leadership I don’t mean someone who occupies a position, I mean someone who makes things happen. (Steve Addison)
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)
- Check out these great resources above at www.wesleyan.org – we are blessed by the many ways our denominational leadership serves the front lines of the local church.
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.
Attention Youth Pastors: Interested in a 7-week program developed by Wesleyan leaders in the Northwest District? Click HERE to access all the details of this premium resource.The Next Gen department (Zach Coffin) will be hosting multiple collaborative webinars this fall, so be sure to add yourself or invite your team to join our Next Gen Facebook Group to ensure you are the first to know!
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 to see a one-page overview
Click here for the 45-minute video 2025 presentation