It’s Monday Again

Like several other churches across the Atlantic District, Encounter (Jim Agrell) began a second service in September to accommodate the increasing numbers in weekend attendance to have adequate room for physical distancing. Jim preached an anointed and challenging word yesterday from the farewell discourse of Christ to His disciples (John 14-17).

• It was really good – we all agreed that we were longing for connection and people to brainstorm with and it was great!
• ‘Twas a very good introductory connect time.
• I felt we had a very productive and encouraging meeting.
• Our Pastor Cluster Leader did an admirable job hosting.
• Our cluster gathering exceeded my expectations and we had a wonderful hour.
• Brené Brown’s video spoke volumes to each of us as did the document Dr. Allen Lee sent for us to read. Thank you for addressing this important area in our ministries and lives.
• Thank you for providing all the material and making it as simple to lead as possible.
• I’m excited to gather with this group again.

Amherst (Evan Oxner) launched Celebrate Recovery (CR) with no general advertising on October 6th. A month before the launch, Community Care Pastor Sheryl York informed Mental Health and Restorative Justice about CR.Sheryl shared, “Before our launch a corrections officer from the Springhill facility reached out for more information because someone had told her about the launch of the program! We chose a soft launch to ensure that our team was comfortable with the flow of the program and the COVID protocols we had set in place. Five people have joined the program and our team is developing in incredible ways. They serve each week and publicly share their stories of God’s healing through CR. We will start promoting the program publicly next week and are beyond excited because GOD is on the move and we are blessed to be used by Him!”

Other Church News…

The Beulah Session of the Camp Board met this week to follow-up on action items determined in September. Tami Mutch-Ketch is leading this ministry with passion, skill, and effectiveness. Hats off to Conference Coordinator Nicole Symonds White for the great success we have seen this year in record rentals resulting from the “Bring Your Bubble to Beulah” promo.

Bud Fancy (Framework) and I were invited by Carroll Conley, the Executive Director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, to be part of a select meeting this Thursday with denominational leaders from across the state. Governor Mills was represented by Jeanne Lambrew (Commissioner of Health and Human Services) and her Chief of Staff, Jeremy Kennedy. The Maine CDC Director (Nirav Shah) gave a presentation and the three government representatives engaged in Q&A to address tensions surrounding attendance caps, perceived inconsistencies with other organizational regulations, and limitations on clergy care.

Ellen joins me in expressing sincere condolences on behalf of the Atlantic District for Wednesday’s passing of Mr. Kenneth Banks, father of Blacks Harbour Lead Pastor, Rev. Ken Banks. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken & April and their extended Banks family during these difficult days. A private family celebration of his life was held in Fredericton on Friday. His full obituary is posted here with an opportunity to post online condolences in the Guest Book.

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What if COVID-19 is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
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.