It's Monday Again

Good morning on a beautiful Monday morning!  Due to the special notice I circulated last week relative to the Global Partners nomination, IMA was not published.  So after a two week absence, we’re back again this morning.
Pastoral News:
• Havelock, NS – Gave a unanimous initial call to Peter Hayes and he has accepted.
• Norton – Gave an initial call to Randy Forbes and he has accepted.
• Fredericton-Olivet – Gave an initial call to Tim Guptill and he has accepted.
• Hampton-Island – Has invited Joel Wydysh for a second interview which will take place on April 11th.
• Perth-Andover – Gave a 4-year recall to Pastor Ryan Farrell and he has accepted. 
Congratulations to Wes and Melinda McNeil (Fort Fairfield) on the birth of Lillian (Lily) Grace who was born on March 12th.  She was welcomed by the family including big brother Asa.
Alex Otis, son of Ed and Marilyn (Shelburne-Hope), continues to be hospitalized at the IWK.  As you are all aware, Alex has been having a real struggle with health issues over the past several months and the family is very appreciative of support from across the district.  Please continue to remember the family in prayer during these days. 
Rev. Walter Jewell, District Superintendent Emeritus of the Central Canada District, passed away on Wednesday, March 21st, in his 84th year.  The funeral was held in the Belleville Wesleyan Church this past Saturday.  A number of you will remember Rev. Jewell and we extend our sympathy to the family.
We received a very positive report concerning the ministry of the mission team from our Moncton church that recently returned from Ukraine.  It is obvious from Kerry and Carole Alllison’s report that Dave Steeves and the team had true Kingdom impact.
Kerry and Carole Allison now have a blog posting that is updated each week on their work in Ukraine.  You may access the blog at http://www.twiu.blogspot.com/ 
The RCMP in New Brunswick is requesting help from clergy willing to assist them with death notification of soldiers in Afghanistan.  If called upon to do so, the minister would meet an officer at a specified location and accompany the officer who would inform the family members.  The minister would then stay with the family until their own pastor or other family support was contacted and able to be present.  Karl Ingersoll is coordinating this on our behalf and if you live in NB and are interested in being available, please contact Karl directly at  kinger@nbnet.nb.ca
Four-bedroom, year-round home for sale at Beulah.  Contact Dave or Pearl Flanagan for full details at  506-384-4509.
The Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) will be holding seminars later this spring in Fredericton, Charlottetown, Halifax, and St. John’s (NL) on the topics:  Help, I’m A New Church Treasurer, and Essentials for Church Boards.  For more info or to register, go to www.cccc.org/seminars 
I had the privilege this last week of once again chairing the semi-annual meeting of the Bethany board and later in the week to teach a class on church management (finances).  I also had the very enjoyable experience of speaking to 35 or so pastors in the Fredericton area in a meeting held at Sunset Church.  The topic I was assigned was, “There Is More That Holds Us Together Than Keeps Us Apart.” 
On Saturday evening, Gloria and I attended a potluck at the Sackville Church, after which we shared in a presentation and discussion of a proposed building program.  The next morning, we were in their morning service and enjoyed lunch with Pastor Mike and Nicki White and their son Austin.
THOT:  Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be.  And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it. – Rob Bell