Under Sail

Sydney – New Roots:  Pastor Kevin Myers and the New Roots Launch Team will be holding their official launch service this Sunday, March 14^th, in the Delta Hotel in Sydney, NS.  One important goal Pastor Kevin has is to be able to give a list to the Launch Team on March 14^th of at least 100 people who are praying for them during their first service sometime between 9 AM and 12 NOON.  He believes that this will be the single most effective element of their launch.  I want to encourage our pastors to take a “New Roots Moment” sometime in their church services on the 14^th and remember this church plant in prayer.  Those who would like to send an encouraging email or a list of people who will be praying at the above mentioned times can contact Pastor Kevin at myers@yoursydneychurch.com.

Scarborough – Coastal Community:  Pastor Dwayne Hopkins and CCWC were thrilled to have an afternoon baptism at a neighboring church Sunday afternoon, February 21^st.  There were five baptismal candidates –  two adults, two teenagers, and one child.  A reception followed the baptism.  It was a HIGH day!

Fredericton – Crosspoint:  Pastor Tim Guptill reports that they baptized five people on Sunday morning, February 21^st, and had almost 400 people in attendance!

Pastor Raymond Fancy, Amherst Wesleyan, shares that they hosted their first ever “Church Family Fun Day” at the local YMCA on Saturday, February 27^th with over 60 people attending.  Some who showed up have never been to their church.  Sunday night, February 28^th, an impromptu Olympic night was held in the church hall.  The Canada-US hockey game for the gold medal was shown on the big screen.  Over 50 people attended this event – again, some non-church people showed up!  Both events were considered “out of the box” for this congregation, but both events proved to be a successful way to provide Christian fellowship, and demonstrate “community” outside the confines of “normal church!”  Good stuff!

Recall Votes – March 7, 2010:

Jim Agrell received a very strong extended call from Quispamsis – Kings Valley

Perry Ingersoll received a unanimous two-year call from Sandford

Doreen (Dee) Lower received a unanimous extended call from Fort Fairfield

David Wilcox received a very strong four-year call from Yarmouth

Resignations:

Mark McCluskey from Mount Pearl – Solid Rock

Nick Graham from Havelock, NB

Rob McDowell, Pastor of Assimilation & Discipleship, from Dartmouth – Hillside

Dr. H.C. Wilson, Director of Global Partners, is pleased to report that funds given by Wesleyans in Canada to the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund for Haiti exceeded $52,000.  This is only those funds processed through The Wesleyan Church of Canada (TWCC) books.  Without doubt, a considerable sum of money was also given by our people through other channels as well, such as World Hope International and World Hope Canada. TWCC has filed the appropriate forms with CIDA with regards to the matching dollar amounts that will also be focused on Haiti relief.   Our churches in Maine gave through U.S. channels and their giving would also be in addition to what is reported here.

Rev. Barry & Melissa Vernon (currently serving at French Lake Baptist Church) had a baby girl on Friday, February 26, 2010.  Her name is Morgan Marion Mae Elizabeth (middle names are after her four great-grandmothers) and she weighed 7lbs 13 oz and was 22 inches long. Everyone is doing well and mother and baby are now home.

Shelley Berry, wife of South Coastal District Superintendent Dan Berry, died Friday, March 5, 2010.  Shelley Berry was the administrative assistant in the South Coastal district office and had served in ministry with her husband in The Wesleyan Church for over 35 years.  On September 10, 2007, the Berrys were returning home in Conyers, GA, from celebrating Shelly’s final radiation treatment for breast cancer when their vehicle was T-boned by a speeding vehicle, resulting in a horrible accident. Shelley was life-lined to an Atlanta hospital, where she would begin a three-year struggle from a brain injury. Her medical updates were seen by thousands of Wesleyans and other friends on the CaringBridge.org web site, and they were the subject of many special prayer meetings.  The funeral service will be held at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, GA on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 1 p.m.

Dr. J. D. Abbott, General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Elkhart, Indiana, at the age of 87.  He served in several elected General Church positions in the Pilgrim Holiness Church, and in 1966, he was elected General Superintendent of that denomination.  At the merger of the former Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Pilgrim Holiness Church in 1968, he was elected as one of four General Superintendents and consequently served on the Board of General Superintendents of The Wesleyan Church for twenty years. In 1988, he was appointed General Superintendent Emeritus of the Church.  The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, at the Middlebury Church of the Brethren, conducted by Pastor Dan Petry.  Dr. Aron Willis, superintendent of the Indiana North District of The Wesleyan Church, will be giving the message.

I was in Sussex Wesleyan February 28^th for the morning service.  The church is in a preaching series entitled, “The Jesus Files.”  I was assigned the topic “Jesus on His Return.”  Bottom line – live ready!  Pastor Rob & Val MacCallum’s ministry here is appreciated.  There is a good staff and a good group of committed lay people who are making a difference.  Joanne and I joined the MacCallums for a meal with their home group afterwards.

Pastor Raymond & Trista Fancy is another pastoral couple who are loved and appreciated by their congregation.  Joanne and I were in Amherst Wesleyan this past Sunday morning.  It has been almost three years since this congregation was able to purchase a church facility in their town that had become available, and was for sale.  It is now their church home.  This has proven to be a positive and strategic move for Amherst Wesleyan and has provided them room to expand and grow.  We enjoyed a meal and a time of fellowship with the Fancys, the LBA and their spouses, and also Pastor Linda & Sterling Fillmore who have been making Amherst Wesleyan their church home for these last several months.

“Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness.”                    - Phillips Brooks

Sydney – New Roots:  Pastor Kevin Myers and the New Roots Launch Team explored thirteen different locations in downtown Sydney to hold their services before choosing the Delta Hotel.  They have held two preview services, January 17^th and February 14^th.  They plan to hold their official launch service Sunday, March 14^th.  Their goal is that everyone in Sydney will receive a personal invitation and have an opportunity to check out New Roots.  They plan to hand out 10,000 flyers before the launch date to raise awareness.  This is a BHAG Project (Big Hairy Audacious Goal Project).  Some people have already signed on to help, and hopefully some of you reading this may feel led to give some time on the March Break to help make it happen.  Please contact Pastor Kevin at myers@yoursydneychurch.com if you or a church team can help, or if you want further information.  One other goal Pastor Kevin has is to be able to give a list to the Launch Team on March 14^th of at least 100 people who are praying for them during their first service sometime between 9 AM and 12 NOON.  He believes that this will be the single most effective element of their launch.  He also asks that our churches consider taking a “New Roots Moment” sometime in their church services on the 14^th and simply ask God to do something special there in Sydney.  Prayer on their behalf is something we all can do.

Camp Board Strategic Planning Workshop: The Camp Board met February 19-20 at Heritage Hall, Beulah Campground, to take a proactive approach to Beulah Camp as it relates to its future and its ministries.  It is important that the camping operation remain viable, and effectively meet the needs of its constituents in the niche in which it serves.  Considerable funds have recently been spent to enhance the environmental dynamics of the camp and there is a need to ensure with the Beulah constituency and the greater public the future long-term viability of that investment, and the continued effectiveness of the camping ministry.  It was a very positive two days.  A second Strategic Planning Workshop is scheduled March 26-27 to do the same thing as it relates to the camping ministry on Caton’s island.  Wayne Fraser, an experienced facilitator, gave leadership and direction to the first workshop.  He has also agreed to lead the second one.  We appreciate his time, expertise, and willingness to help.

Resignations: Senior Pastor Karl Ingersoll has resigned from First Wesleyan Church in Fredericton, NB.

Shelburne – Hope Wesleyan: I was at Hope Wesleyan in Shelburne, NS, February 14^th.  Pastor Connie Stewart has resigned, as noted in the last Under Sail, and will transition at the end of June.  I appreciated the opportunity to worship with the folks at Hope Wesleyan.  Joanne and I shared a meal in the basement fellowship hall with the Pastor and congregation following the service.  I then met with the Local Church Board to begin the process of a pastoral search.

Fredericton – First Wesleyan: We were at First Wesleyan this past weekend where I served as pastor for nine years (’84-’93).   It is always enjoyable to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.  Four young people were baptized in the service!  That was a real high-light!  Following the morning service, I met with the Local Church Board to review the procedures involved in the pastoral search process.  Joanne and I enjoyed a meal with Pastor Karl and Elaine afterwards.

Heart of Ministries Offering: I have noticed that several of our churches have high-lighted the Heart of Ministries offering this year – that’s a good thing.  The theme is Give Hope.  There are several worthy projects both at home and around the world that will benefit from our giving.  For example, Wesleyan Women is coordinating the response of The Wesleyan Church to the issue of Human Trafficking.  There are more than 27 million human slaves in the world today.  Your support of Give Hope helps to make a difference in this arena.  Thank you.

Kings Valley Wesleyan recently held a middle school girls lock-in at their church, February 19-20, under the direction of Assistant Youth Pastor Deborah Gilbert (BBC Intern).  Pastor Deborah reports that they had over 85 girls in attendance, and “it was a wonderful opportunity for these girls to learn how special they are to God and about their beauty that comes from God.”

Lower Hainesville: Pastor Scott Lewis reports that there were 43 people in attendance February 14^th at their Valentine’s Day Service (lya 15).  They gave a rose and box of candy to every woman present, and the longest married couple in attendance (46 years) received a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.  After the morning message the people gathered in the fellowship hall for dinner.  Pastor Scott says, “The Lord has been truly blessing and we look forward to other events in the near future.”

The Gathering ‘11: The second church-wide Wesleyan Ministry Conference held under this name is going to be taking place this coming January 4-7, 2011!  The Gathering will be a unique and inspiring three day event, drawing us together with God.  You can learn more about the speakers, training, and special opportunities offered at this event at www.wesleyan.org/gathering.  Mark your calendars! Registration begins this summer.  We will be communicating further with our pastors and ministry leaders concerning this event.  We will not be holding our annual District Ministerial this up-coming year in order to allow financial resources to be channeled toward attendance at this event.

The Department of Communications of The Wesleyan Church announced on February 9^th that Rev. Stan Hoover, Superintendent of the Chesapeake District of The Wesleyan Church, will serve as Chairman of the Board of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.  This seminary is a new venture.  Rev. John Symonds, Senior Pastor at Fredericton – Corbett Ave is one of the sixteen members comprising the Board.

Correction: In the last edition of Under Sail I said there were 120 people in the service in Hartland, January 31^st, on a cold day.  Actually, there were 160 present that day.  There were 120 the first Sunday in February, in spite of a snow storm.  On another note, Pastor Mel Norton is excited about a “first” for the Hartland congregation.  Hartland Wesleyan will be doing their first ever overseas missions trip in August.  They are going to the Ukraine with eight team members.  Congrats!

“The world needs Christians who don’t tolerate the complacency of their own lives.”                  - Francis Chan