It’s Monday Again

It just doesn’t get any better than Billy Newell’s baptism yesterday on Cape Sable Island. Vince Robertson (West Head) reported that 150 gathered on the beach from three churches for seven baptisms – PTL! Billy’s family has prayed for his salvation for more than 50 years. Vince shared, “On my last visit before lockdown, I said to Billy, if you decide to accept Christ you can do that right in your home. Lois will pray with you.” And that’s exactly what he did during the NS lockdown and yesterday, Vince baptized Billy with two of his grandchildren.

Just across the Barrington Causeway another baptism was uniquely celebrated. Jason Parker (Woods Harbour) had the privilege of baptizing the young lad pictured above on his final Sunday as Lead Pastor. At Jason’s invitation, the new Lead Pastor Tim Conrad (starting today) and his family attended the Parker’s final service where Jason led the congregation in prayer over the Conrads. After the service, Tim joined Jason in the waters of baptism at the beach. Now that’s a clergy baton pass for the history books! A class act on all counts – an impressive and powerful expression of Kingdom partnership for the days ahead.

With so many continued 2021 disruptions in the historic summer connection points for our district family, you are invited to join me and several others from the tribe around a virtual campfire on Sunday, July 18th @ 7:00 p.m. ADT. (Don’t forget about the Pre-Show that begins @ 6:50 p.m. if you want to start the evening with a smile on your face courtesy of Graham Perry & Kevin Campbell!)

Full details are listed below in Upcoming Events. Why not cut and past the following YouTube link for A Campfire Chat to your calendar now?

YouTube Broadcast Link: https://youtu.be/iy0iPg953WQ
You can also CLICK HERE to share it on Facebook
CLICK HERE to download a PDF to share by email

You are invited to make plans to watch it at your church and/or make it available to your church family. Hope to see you there!

Andy Phillips and The Reach family had another great Summerfest connection with the Jonesport-Beals community last weekend. Andy shared, “Investing in our community brought smiles and great conversations. This year we added a dunking booth to our outreach tools – and the dunkers and dunkees all had a blast!  Five kids won some neat prizes of games and gift cards – sowing seeds & awaiting the harvest!”

The Stevens family shared about their ministry in Albania at Blacks Harbour (Ken Banks) yesterday. Allan and Sheri have been ministering to Albanians since 2005, starting as singles and continuing as a married couple in 2011. As church planters with Global Partners in Durres, Albania, they are involved in personal evangelism, discipleship, teaching English, and humanitarian service.

Congratulations to our newest National Board Atlantic District Lay Member! Paula Bennett and her husband, Dave Hodder, are Charter Members of Solid Rock (Peter Hayes) in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland on the outskirts of St. John’s. For several decades she has served as Controller at The Paint Shop and also with Access Moore Décor Alliance Inc. Her fiscal expertise has been a great gift to our Solid Rock family where she serves as LBA Treasurer.Paula loves the Lord and is a proven and trustworthy Kingdom leader. She was appointed this week by the Atlantic DBA and succeeds Scott Muise (ViceChair of Yarmouth) who voluntarily resigned earlier this summer. National Superintendent Steve Elliott thanks Scott for his wisdom and support in service on the inaugural National Board during the early years of our transition to become an Established National Conference. Paula’s corporate fiscal experience and executive skill set are a wonderful addition to the National Board of The Wesleyan Church of Canada.

The DBA convened this week at the Edgett Memorial Boardroom for our summer session and also represented the District Conference in several action items such as financial reports, ministerial and local church appointments, etc. A breakout discussion exercise gave one triplicity the opportunity to enjoy the sun outside in Joel Gorveatte’s (Moncton) Jeep.The most significant item was the privilege to officially elect the following five new Ordinands – CONGRATULATIONS to:

• Katie Betts (Houlton)
• Seth Cooney (Kings)
• Daniel Mansvelt (Hillside)
• Janice Queale (Journey)
• Karen Robertson (West Head)

Each name was voted on individually with a spirit of celebration for the Kingdom standing stone this represents in their faithfulness to answer God’s call for the office and work of an Ordained Minister. Sincere appreciation was expressed for the valuable efforts of our DBMD in serving our Atlantic prophets-in-process. A virtual TBD Ordination Ceremony will be held by Zoom in the coming weeks for these Ordinands. The 2020 & 2021 Ordinand Classes will both be invited to join the 2022 Ordination Ceremony during Beulah Family Camp next summer.