It’s Monday Again

Brazil Lake (Kevin Myers) made history yesterday with their first-ever two-service Sunday morning! The group of quality volunteers above was on deck early and ready to roll for the 9 AM service. Because of space limitations with physical distancing, and in response to people starting to return to the church in higher numbers, they took the plunge and saw their attendance jump on the first week. Kevin shared, “With a great spirit in both morning services. I was especially pleased with the people that were willing to come to the 9 AM service so that there would be more room at the 11 AM one.”

Amherst (Evan Oxner) held their annual “Christmas Is the Worst” event on Saturday for grieving families to offer emotional and spiritual bereavement support for every age. Many adaptations were necessary due to COVID restrictions but families were loved and supported again in this very meaningful way. A great way to show God’s love to many who find this season difficult.

Moncton (Joel Gorveatte) has been offering a live pre & post-show in addition to their Sunday morning live stream service. CLICK HERE and go to timestamp 9:15 to check out a powerful interview with Nicole – a recent online-only attender from Nova Scotia. The service yesterday also included a choir in the Celebration Centre which joined the worship team and appeared to significantly exceed COVID limits but was made possible by the technically creative team by merging multiple recording sessions. The interview with Joel following the service created a real-time opportunity for interaction and application of the message.

Vince Robertson (West Head) held their annual Fisherman Service last night with more than 100 in attendance. Captain Beetie is pictured above in character with Gertie & Mabel – always on deck to bring a smile and chuckle to any special service. Vince and several members of the West Head family also held an all-day prayer meeting earlier this week for the tensions in the fishery.

Digby (Andrew Maves) was recently featured in Saltwire.com for their community service in helping to provide winter firewood for needy families. They are getting ready to re-launch their Deep Brook location on Tuesday nights starting December 8th and last night broadcast a virtual “Journey to Bethlehem” to share the Christmas message of hope.

Praise God for the 29 baptisms celebrated at Kings (Brent Ingersoll) yesterday! To celebrate the power of God at work in many of these lives, CLICK HERE to be inspired by the words of their testimonies.

Executive Director Tami Mutch-Ketch has been an incredible addition to the Atlantic District leadership team this year! My weekly meetings with Tami leave me amazed at her wisdom and passion for the Church evidenced through the many ways she invests above and beyond outstanding leadership. As Phase Two of our 2025 Vision is launched next summer, she will be an integral part in working alongside our Lead Pastors to raise up a Kingdom force of lay leaders. Thank you for your support and prayers for her, as Tami’s contribution is exceeding expectations and her impact as a Kingdom colleague is a personal encouragement to me during this challenging season.

During a text exchange with Matt Maxwell (Journey) this week, we discovered the Province of New Brunswick had elevated the Fredericton COVID status to orange level. Matt shared this chart the pastoral team has prepared for the Journey family so they will know how ministries continue to be offered in the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. So many of our churches in Southern New Brunswick, Halifax area, and Maine have been deeply disrupted by the recent spikes in active cases causing COVID restrictions to rapidly increase.

Many pastors are finding themselves battle weary from the constant change and adaptation these days demand. If you sometimes feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. A special email will be sent out this week to our ministerial tribe with reminders about all the ways we can reach out for the available support we deserve when times get tough. A great place to start is found on The Wesleyan Church COVID-19 Hub in the materials provided through Education & Clergy Development (Russ Gunsalus). Several prerecorded podcasts and support materials are available HERE as pictured above with guidance on compassion fatigue, healthy rhythms, and personal finances.
Another recent source of peer support has been found in the fall launch of our Atlantic Pastor Clusters. Thanks to all those leading these 20+ groups. Parker Davis (Framework) shared this about the impact of his Pastor Cluster, “Our [November] cluster meeting went very well. I am pleased that community and connection are being built! I can foresee this becoming a vital part of things in our ministry ‘tool belt’ to help pastors thrive.”

It’s Monday Again readers also enjoy hearing about the ways God is at work through Kingwood University under the effective leadership of President Steve Lennox. Because of planned pandemic adjustments, the fall semester concluded this past week without any cases affecting the campus this year. The KU newsletter, Ablaze, is available to download HERE – enjoy!

Ellen joins me in expressing sincere condolences on behalf of the Atlantic District on the November 24th passing of General Superintendent Emeritus, Dr. Earle L. Wilson. Our sympathy and prayers are lifted up for his dear wife of 65 years, Sylvia, and to their three children – Debbie, Stephen, & Colleen and all of the extended family. A statement from the family is posted here on the official website of The Wesleyan Church.

Dr. Wilson was a favourite Camp Evangelist at Beulah Family Camp and served as the Supervising General Superintendent over the Atlantic District many rotations during 24 years as a faithful steward of that office. Mrs. Vangie Armiger said it so well in her Facebook post this week, “Earle’s influential exposition of God’s Word, with his masterful oratorical style and sharp wit, remained unmatched. He led through his preaching, which always led his listeners to a personal meeting with Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man.”

Dr. Wilson spoke the words on behalf of The Wesleyan Church which welcomed me into the ranks of the Ordained in 1995. His spiritual legacy amongst our tribe runs deep the world over. It was an honour to serve under him as Coordinator of the inaugural International Conference of The Wesleyan Church for which he served as Chairman in 2008. And thank you Vangie, for one more precious thought, “Above all, everyone who knew him will remember his quick wit and hearty laugh at his own fierce humor as we think about all the memories of times spent with him. I am sure he will be laughing and cracking jokes in heaven for eternity.”

Points to Ponder
  • Biblical hope is not about getting new things. Biblical hope is about Jesus who makes us new. Real hope is a new heart with Jesus at the center bringing us new wisdom, a new community, and new life. (Luke Anderson)
  • I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. (Helen Keller) #1Thessalonians4:11
  • In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists. (Warren Bennis)


Beulah Camp Gift Certificates are available for the first time ever! Come get away or purchase a gift for that “hard to buy for” someone.  Year around overnight lodging is available in winterized facilities. Gift certificates are non-transferable and hold no cash value. Valid for one year from date of issue. Stay is subject to availability. Not valid the week prior, during or following Beulah Family Camp.

To purchase please visit www.beulahcamp.com/gift


This Christmas, why not give a gift that keeps on giving? Caton’s Island is focused on providing a fun, safe, amazing experience that has one purpose, to show the love of Christ to everyone who attends. When you give to Caton’s, as a one-time gift or a monthly recurring gift, you are supporting projects like the Choate Dining Hall Expansion, facility upgrades, maintenance, and overall camp operations. Your gift provides a life-changing experience to campers and staff that attend each year, making your donation a greater impact than you will ever know! All donations go to general operations unless otherwise designated. If you wish to give to a specific project just let us know when making a donation.
https://www.catonsisland.com/donate/
Thank you so much for your generosity! Merry Christmas!

The Atlantic District is partnering with WHI Canada to provide the opportunity for you to participate in giving to bring hope to the vulnerable. World Hope has selected these three urgent and important projects (CLICK HERE) for your church to take up a special Christmas offering and make a kingdom impact globally.


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.
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.

HERE TO SERVE YOU

CONTACT US


Send us an email, give us a call, or drop in for a visit.

Main Office:(Year Round)

1830 Mountain Road
Moncton, NB
E1G 1A9

Phone: (506) 383-8326

Seasonal Office:(no mail)

229 Beulah Road
Brown’s Flat, NB
E5M 2R5

Phone: (506) 468-2286

District Superintendent:

Rev. Peter Moore
ptmoore@atlanticdistrict.com

Executive Administrator:

Mrs. Karrilee Bremner
karrilee@atlanticdistrict.com

The Wesleyan Church

The Wesleyan Church

www.wesleyan.org

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