It’s Monday Again
Fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, the Church was birthed in the Upper Room (Acts 2). Pentecost Sunday was celebrated yesterday across the International Wesleyan Church. Five themes were lifted up in prayer amid worship and testimonies from around the world as General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt (pictured below with his cohost) guided this hour of global intercession.
In the Spirit of this important day, Joanne Ozon (Hope) shared, “After one month in lockdown. Something powerful happened online in our LIVE service. There’s joy in the house – another sinner has come home! We had a gentleman accept Jesus Christ in his life as Lord and Saviour!”
After a long season of continued gathering limitations, One Conference 2021 was a breath of fresh air. Executive Pastor Andy Broad of Kings (Brent Ingersoll) shared, “One Conference 2021 looked a little different this year, but the vision of ONE church gathering under the name of Jesus wasn’t hampered by the pandemic. Churches, groups, and individuals from across Atlantic Canada and beyond tuned into the live stream, and sat under the teaching of Carlos Whittaker, Danielle Strickland, and Louie Giglio. Worship was provided by Kings Music. Kings Church and Moncton Wesleyan both hosted large watch parties with multiple churches represented, and hundreds in attendance. The Spirit of God was heavy in the room, and made for a very powerful night!”
Youth Pastor Austin White of Moncton (Joel Gorveatte) had over 100 volunteers and 200 students in collaboration with Kingswood University and six other Moncton ministries. Youth groups all across the Atlantic region tuned in to take part. Austin shared, “God MOVED through powerful live worship in the Celebration Centre, powerful sermons and a salvation message through simulcast from Louis Giglio. The large seating capacity of the Celebration Centre allowed us to be at no more than 20% capacity. Is the next generation walking away from Church? No… they’re the future of the church and they are PASSIONATE about Jesus!”
Our fiscal year-end rhythms are still significantly impacted by pandemic disruption. The Local Church Conference of Hillside (Jay Guptill) was held by Zoom (upper left). And yet many churches are still taking in new members and electing new leaders. Easton (Rich Thomas) elected several new LBA members (upper right) this month and both Easton & Community (also Rich Thomas) paid 100% USF for the first time in many years after just one year of new pastoral leadership. The Reach (Andy Philipps) even had a pandemic-friendly Ice Cream Social at their LCC!
Blacks Harbour (Ken Banks) announced yesterday that Nicholas (Liberty) Perry (pictured above) will be serving as Youth Pastor effective in July. They have also recently announced Susan McCluskey as their new Children’s Director. Attendance has continued to trend in a very positive direction with near “COVID capacity” crowds and several have expressed interest in being baptized and becoming members.
World Hope International – Canada celebrated 25 years of hope in an Online Gala earlier this month. CEO Tanya Nace shared, “We were reminded that when we work together we can bring opportunity, dignity and hope around the world. Thank you for giving so generously! We raised $28,208 and when the match of 25K was added, we raised $53,208 for The Hope Fund.” This is an incredible expression of support as last year’s Gala set a new record of circa $32K. We are so thankful for Tanya’s stellar leadership in bring the best days ever to WHI-Canada!
Hats off to Mark Parker in his continued leadership as National Multiplication Director of The Wesleyan Church of Canada. Mark convened the monthly meeting of the Church Multiplication Advancement Team this Thursday to share progress reports.
Open Mike (Mike MacNeil – Kingswood University) recently featured two Kingswood alumni – Jason Parker (Woods Harbour) & Moe Diggs (The Healing Place). While Open Mike (CLICK HERE) is now on a summer break, this is the perfect time to catch up on these excellent podcasts – you will be inspired, challenged, and encouraged!
Points to Ponder
- Leaders who don’t practice self-care will soon find themselves either burned out or heading down the path of self-indulgence. (Carey Nieuwhof)
- You will be misrepresented, you will be misunderstood … I want you to reframe that as the blessing that Jesus said it was. (Matt Chandler)
- Lament talks to God about pain. And it has a unique purpose: trust. It is a divinely-given invitation to pour out our fears, frustrations, and sorrows for the purpose of helping us to renew our confidence in God. (Mark Vroegop)
A tentative plan has been approved that will allow for an on-site six-day Beulah Family Camp 2021! Here are a few of the plans which are based on the assumption of at least a Maritime Bubble. Final decisions will be determined by the DBA on or before June 7th pending an open border between NB & NS.
- The six-day camp will begin with an evening service on Tuesday, July 6 and concluding with a morning service on Sunday, July 11.
- A full four-day program for kids and youth will be scheduled during the mornings of Wednesday – Saturday and each of these days will offer a morning and evening service in the Tabernacle.
- Ordination is tentatively scheduled for the classes of 2020 & 2021 on Friday, July 9 with President Lennox preaching.
- Save-A-Seat online registration has been purchased and will be used to preregister all services, programs, and dining hall meals which will be limited based on physical distancing regulations.
- Our Camp Evangelist will be Rev. Jon Wiest (pending border/quarantine restrictions).
- There will be neither an in-person nor an online District Conference this summer. The General Board has approved districts which deem it best due to pandemic travel restrictions to conduct the business of the District Conference by the DBA in July. This option was also elected last summer.
- On or before June 7th, the DBA will make a final decision regarding Beulah Family Camp pending an open border between NB & NS. If BFC is cancelled it will also result in a private Zoom Ordination Service for 2021.
IMPORTANT BLUE CROSS ANNOUNCEMENT
The Wesleyan Church of Canada is launching a new benefit to all employees who are part of the Blue Cross Health Care plan. Online Doctors with Medavie Blue Cross is a virtual care benefit powered by Maple to support your health and well-being. Are you looking for health advice? Do you need a prescription? Now, through Maple’s fully secure platform, you can chat with a doctor via text, phone or video in just a few minutes. You and your family have access to up to FIVE fully covered visits with a General Practitioner from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to midnight EST. Note: This is five doctor-consults per household, not per person.
CLICK HERE for a printed overview of the plan
CLICK HERE for an excellent five-minute tutorial video
CLICK HERE for an excellent five-minute tutorial video
Here is how to get started … Create your Maple account in less than a minute so it’s ready when you need care.
- www.getmaple.ca/medavie.
- Enter your date of birth, and your personal Blue Cross ID number (11 digits), and the Blue Cross policy number (10 digits, including the 000’s). These numbers are on your Blue Cross Health Care Card.
- After registering, you’ll be able to access General Practitioners on Maple in minutes. CLICK HERE to Register Now
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.