It’s Monday Again
An exciting new theme for kids ministry launched this weekend at Framework (Bud Fancy). Children’s Pastor Debbie Rooney is leading the way in serving young families in the County and has an excellent team of volunteers providing what is needed to raise up young disciples. We are blessed by and grateful for all those who take point leadership across our region to make children’s ministry an effective priority.
It was inspiring to have an in-depth tour of the future home of Hub Coffee. This Kingdom expression will soon open its doors in Presque Isle as Framework has an intentional vision for outreach and discipleship through this ministry to local college students. The location is a five minute walk from the University of Maine (Presque Isle) and will provide strategic opportunities for sharing the Gospel. Jason Blaikie is providing pastoral oversight of this very significant project and Dave Rowe was brought on staff in 2021 as the Manager for both the business and ministry. And yesterday was Dave’ birthday – apparently he is old enough to get two cakes!
Rick Kavanaugh preached transformational truth in both the Saturday evening and Sunday morning services with a substantive teaching on understanding the root of spiritual strongholds and how to experience victory over them. Victoria Rowe (on drums) coordinates the worship team ministry and last night Parker Davis celebrated two baptisms in the Framework Youth Ministry – PTL!
Have you been struggling to know how to pray for your church family in the ongoing pandemic challenges and tensions that have carried over from 2021?
CLICK HERE to listen for the next nine minutes to the heart of Dale MacDonald(Woodstock) as he preached the final point of his New Year’s Sunday message. Our churches are tempted with continued polarization. Thank you, Dale, for modelling the wisdom of a faithful shepherd in this truth and for showing us how to pray for reconciliation in 2022.
This past week the planning team for National Conference in August 2023 was chaired by Dr. Nii Ayi. It is a joy to serve alongside these Kingdom lay leaders in preparing for this event with National Superintendent Steve Elliott. Delegates will be elected at each District Conference this summer. Stay tuned for more details!
For local church leaders looking for a practical resource to address polarization in our congregations, the Global Leadership Network of Canada and Jesus Collective are partnering to provide this excellent experience. CLICK HERE for more details and to register online for this virtual offering in February.
An encouraging announcement was shared by Luke Anderson (Connection) in yesterday’s service, “We’re super excited to welcome Matt Forrest to the Staff Team at Connection Church as Pastor of Youth Ministries. Let’s keep Matt, Darci, and William in our prayers. We know that God has great things in store for the students at Connection Church.” Congratulations and welcome aboard!
Ellen joins me in expressing condolences to Tim & Gayla Guptill (Crosspoint) on Thursday’s passing of his mother, Judy. CLICK HERE for this beautiful tribute of her life and for opportunity to share words of comfort and support for the family.
All Atlantic Ministers received this update on Friday regarding the unfortunate decision to postpone Ministerial. A friendly reminder to all those who made hotel reservations as directed, you will need to cancel these in a timely manner if you have not already done so. Stay tuned and you will be notified ASAP when pandemic conditions allow for a more reasonably responsible window to gather.
What have church leaders struggled with the most over the last two years? In a word:
Discouragement.
On this Carey Nieuwhof podcast, Mark Batterson, New York Times-bestselling author and National Community Church founding pastor, shares his personal ups and downs, how he’s motivated himself and stayed encouraged, what he’s learning about habit formation, and how to reframe the future when it comes to church attendance. You can listen to the conversation here.
Points to Ponder
- Roll with the punches, but don’t allow the punches to determine how you roll. (Marc Jolicoeur)
- If we’re always just celebrating, we’re sending the message that lament is not appropriate. Both forms of worship are necessary to keep us in balance. (Ray Smith)
- A stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that accepts as unchangeable that which one knows to be contrary to the will of God. (Edward Silvosa)
As we plan ahead for General Conference 2022 (https://www.wesleyan.org/unleashed), we are anticipating many important decisions to be made; and we are also planning for a time of celebration – celebrating every time a disciple makes a disciple and the church multiplies itself, until The Wesleyan Church has a transforming presence in every community. One of the best ways to celebrate is with videos showing how your church is transforming lives and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ.
We would like to feature your church in a video.
We are inviting YOU to participate by submitting ACTION photos and/or videos clips. Send in your photos and videos of people being baptized and outreach that show your church being the hands and feet of Jesus. We know that there are many creative and unique compassion ministries happening along with the more common efforts like clothing and food giveaways, caring for the vulnerable, providing after-school programs and safe-homes. We would like to feature it all!
Thanks for submitting your short videos clips and/or pictures by January 15, 2022 to
https://thewesleyanchurch.formstack.com/forms/general_conference_media_ingest
https://thewesleyanchurch.formstack.com/forms/general_conference_media_ingest
Our National Superintendent, Dr. Steve Elliott, has issued a 65-day challenge to all Wesleyans to read and journal through a significant portion of the New Testament, beginning Jan. 17, through to Good Friday. For those who want to accept the challenge, the reading schedule and journals are available at our cost of $6.50 (incl. shipping) directly from our national office (Stephen@wesleyan.ca).
Kingswood University still has tickets available for our Fall Vision Tour Cruise. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Debbie Benson (506-432-4411 or bendsond@kingswood.edu).