Under Sail

Pastoral Transitions Update:

Shelburne Wesleyan – Ben Medel candidated in Shelburne May 9^th.  The membership gave Ben an excellent vote and he has accepted.  Ben and his wife, Bayley, both graduated from Bethany Bible College May 1^st of this year.

Havelock, NB – Jacob Ebbett candidated in Havelock, NB May 16^th and the church voted unanimously to extend to him the invitation to be their pastor.  He has accepted and will take up his new responsibilities in mid-July.

Easton, ME – Rob McDowell will be candidating in Easton this Sunday, May 23^rd.

Pastor Dave Mason, Kings Valley Youth Pastor, shares the highlights of “Rally in the Valley” which was held May 7-8.   It was a great event:  They had over 430 students registered, fed 475 for meals and had over 500 in attendance.  Over 100 volunteers from Kings Valley spent an untold amount of hours to pull it off.  There was a 28-hour prayer vigil that encompassed the entire event (4PM Friday-8PM Saturday).  Over 300 were served in KV’s “Kings Square Park Outreach.”  Teens took hot dogs, hamburgers, balloon animals, face paint and live music to the streets of Saint John to show the people of the city the love of Jesus.  Pastor Brent “BD” Ingersoll & the Valley Boys led the worship music, and Andrew Maves brought the Word.  Pastor Dave says, “The floodgates of Heaven opened and grace poured out.”  A number of teens “got honest with God,” and the weekend became a benchmark spiritual experience for many.  Plans are already in the making for Rally in the Valley 2011 which will take place May 6-7, 2011.  You can get the latest info on RitV at the website: rallyinthevalley.ca

Tim Long, Pastor of Youth & Outreach at Dartmouth Hillside, reports on Hillside’s “Turn on the Lights” Youth Event held last weekend, May 14-15.  Joel & Nick Guptill from Hillside, and Josh Churchill & Joey Millington from Hammonds Plains Cornerstone made up the “Echo the Silence” Worship Band.  Matt Fitzgerald, Youth Pastor at the Hartland Wesleyan Church, was the special speaker.  Hillside is his home church.  150 teens were registered and there were 180 in attendance.  Dozens of teens made first-time commitments to Christ, and many re-dedicated their lives.  PTL for the victories, and thanks to all who made this weekend possible!

Beulah Work Day: We are getting ready for another camping season and there is opportunity for you to help.  A Work Day at Beulah will take place on May 29^th.  It will start at 8:00 a.m. (or whenever you can arrive!).  Dinner will be provided at 12 Noon.  Please notify the camp caretaker, Bruce Cheney, if you or a group from your church can participate.  He can be contacted at cheney@beulahcamp.com or (506) 432-2900.

We offer our sympathy and prayers to Margaret and David Jewett and the extended family on the passing of Margaret’s mother, Mrs. Hilda Cochrane.  Mrs. Cochrane was the widow of Rev. B.C. Cochrane.  She passed away May 7^th at the age of 96.  Her funeral service was held May 11^th from First Wesleyan in Fredericton.  Senior Pastor Karl Ingersoll officiated and DS David LeRoy brought the message.  The Committal Service and internment were at the Olivet Wesleyan Cemetery in Marysville, NB conducted by Dr. H.C. Wilson.

Congratulations Twice!  Pastor Jason and Barb Muir are thrilled to announce the birth of their twin baby girls, Madison Ruth & Amelia Estelle. They were born April 26, 2010 at 8:39 & 8:40 am, and were 6 lbs, 12 oz, 51 cm long and 6 lbs, 6 oz, 50 cm long.  Jason is Pastor of Worship & Arts at Moncton Wesleyan.  And…

Pastor Ken & April Banks are celebrating the birth of their third child, Brayden Ray Banks.  Brayden arrived Friday morning, May 14^th, at 9:07 am.  He was 20 inches long and weighed 7 lbs 14.5 oz.  Mother and baby are doing fine.  Ken is Senior Pastor at Central Nova Wesleyan in Truro, NS.

Joanne and I were at Charlottetown – Sunrise Wesleyan for Mother’s Day, May 9^th.  This church meets in the Charlottetown, PEI Mall.  They rent a space which is just inside the doors of one of the main entrances.  They are enjoying not having to set up and tear down chairs and equipment every week!  There were 40 people in attendance and that number pretty much maxes out the space.  Pastor Greg Hanson is already exploring other options as it relates to meeting places.  It was my privilege to dedicate Noah Michael Hanson during the service, the second son of Pastor Greg and Shera Hanson, and younger brother to Nate.  Grandparents are Doug & Lynette Hanson of Fredericton and Mike and Sajonna Kneebone of Hammonds Plains, NS.  We enjoyed a barbeque at the Hansons following the service, along with some of their extended family.

This past weekend Joanne and I were in the “Scallop Capital of the World,” Digby, NS. Pastor Andrew Maves is the Senior Pastor and Jason McCutcheon is the Associate Pastor of Digby Wesleyan.  There are two morning services.  The first service had 40-plus people in attendance and the second service 100-plus.  The atmosphere was warm and inviting, there was good energy in the service, and the people were friendly.  I enjoyed speaking with some folks who are newer to the congregation and catching their excitement about the church, its ministries, and its impact in the community.  Joanne and I had lunch at the Shoreline Restaurant with the Maves and McCutcheon families following the service…and yes, we had seafood!

The Beulah Wastewater Project is 99% completed.  Last Friday (5-14-10), Jochen Schroer and NATECH Environmental Services, Inc. provided an Open House for invited guests at Beulah, particularly for those who have been heavily involved in the construction phase of this project.  The Hon. Jack Keir, Minister of Energy for the PNB attended, and Dr. H.C. Wilson was also present.  Both of these men, along with Dr. Cal Seaman and the Hon. Greg Thompson, MP for NB Southwest, were instrumental in helping us get this project launched.  Jochen has been involved from Day 1 as the environmental engineer.  Construction has been carried out by Ken Prosser and Atlantic Precast Concrete Ltd.  Following the Open House, NATECH also provided a dinner at the Evandale Resort in celebration of the successful completion of the project.  The system will be totally operational very soon.

Beulah Camp is July 2–11, 2010.  Is it on your calendar?  Plan to be part of this great event.  There has been a camp meeting at Beulah Camp in Brown’s Flat, NB every year since 1894!  This year, District Conference will be held July 8^th, and the Ordination Service will be Friday morning, July 9^th.  We will be ordaining six people.                   

The Atlantic Chapter of the Wesleyan Missionary Alumni Fellowship will meet during Beulah Camp.  There will be a luncheon, hosted by River Valley Wesleyan Church in Grand Bay-Westfield, on the second Saturday of Camp, July 10^th, at Noon.  Global Partners and Go-Net alumni are invited to attend.  Please contact Joyce and Bill Moore if you plan to attend.  They can be contacted at 506-474-0362 or at moorewja@nb.sympatico.ca We appreciate River Valley Wesleyan offering this fine ministry to those who have served so faithfully.

Beulah Camp 2010: People are already making plans to be part of Beulah 2010.  Requests for rooms are coming in and space is at a premium.  The dates are July 2–11, 2010.  The evangelists are Dr. H.C. Wilson, Director of Global Partners, and Rev. John Symonds, Senior Pastor of Fredericton – Corbett Ave. Wesleyan Church.  Rev. Don & Janet Ingersoll will be overseeing the music and worship.  Pastor Don is the Associate Pastor at Moncton Wesleyan.  Stephanie Israelson, EXALT Choir from BBC, the Moncton Wesleyan Church Choir, Loren Lewis and the Shakey Band, the Kelly Jay Band, Bridge Builders, and more… will be part of Beulah’s music this year.  Children’s ministry, student/youth services, Evening-on-the-Boulevard, Men with a Mission Breakfast at Caton’s Island are in the line-up.  Plan to be part of ten days that will strengthen your spiritual journey, refresh your spirit, and give opportunity to renew old friendships and make new friends.  Visit www.beulahcamp.com for more information.

Beulah Wastewater Project (BWP): The BWP is on the homestretch.  We are waiting for the power to the two lift stations to be hooked up by NB Power.  Other details related to the final stages are on track (barring the unforeseen) and the target is to have the new system operational by the end of next week.

Pastoral Transitions Update:  Mount Pearl – Solid Rock:  Rev. Stuart Marples candidated at Solid Rock Wesleyan April 25^th and received a unanimous call to be their pastor, which he has accepted.  Stuart and Kelly Marples will take up their new responsibilities August 1^st.  Pastor Stuart has served as Senior Pastor at the Brockville Wesleyan Church in Brockville, Ontario for the last fifteen years.

Ben Medel is candidating at Shelburne Wesleyan this Sunday, May 9^th, and Jacob Ebbett is candidating at Havelock, NB Wesleyan on May 16^th.  Easton Wesleyan is in conversation with a potential pastoral candidate for their church.

Perth-Andover Wesleyan celebrated their 100^th Anniversary April 14-16, 2010.   Several former pastors were present for various parts of the weekend including Wayne Briggs, Bruce Cheney, Ryan Farrell, and Fred Whittey.  According to Senior Pastor Reg Thomas, it was a time of “tall tales and great testimonies!”  The Sunday morning worship service had 148 in attendance (lya 114).  Youth Pastor Jordon LeBlanc, reports that on Friday they had four teens give their hearts to the Lord for the first time and three others make recommitments.  Since last Easter, they have had thirteen salvations in their youth group.  PTL!

Congratulations to Brent and Melanie Ingersoll on the birth of their son, Aden Douglas, born April 27^th, and weighing in at 10 lbs. 3 oz.  Aden has an older sister, Ava.  Brent is Worship Arts Pastor at Kings Valley Wesleyan in Quispamsis, NB.

Retired missionary Uta Chase has been accepted at York Manor in Fredericton, NB.  Her new mailing address is: 100 Sunset Dr., Fredericton, NB E3A 1A3.

Jean Ingersoll, wife of Pastor Perry Ingersoll shares that The Sandford Wesleyan Ladies hosted a brunch on April 17^th with the theme “A Touch of Friendship, A Touch of Care.”   Ladies from the Port Maitland, Brazil Lake and Yarmouth Wesleyan Churches were in attendance.  Pastor Amy Corey of Brazil Lake Wesleyan was the special speaker.  It was a positive ministry experience for all who participated.

Bristol Trinity Wesleyan (Pastor Graham Perry) held a Missions Convention recently.  Robin White, missionary to Japan, was with them for the weekend.  Faith Promise giving was presented to the church for the first time and they rose to the challenge with a total of $12,387 being promised in this next year.  Last year the church gave $1,500 to missions, and in addition contributed to Haiti Relief.  So, this increase represents a huge faith leap.  Well done!

Pastor Darren Clark, St. John’s Avalon Wesleyan, led a young man to the Lord this week.  The gentleman came to their small group that meets in their home, and consequently made the decision to follow Christ.  We celebrate the power of the Resurrected Lord to forgive our sins and change our lives.  Pastor Darren asks that we would pray that this new Christ Follower would be guided by the Truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit as he begins his new faith journey.

Joel Wydysh has informed me that our charitable license for Microsoft has lapsed.  Does your church have any Microsoft Software needs?  If so, would you please contact Joel at joelw@rogers.com and send those to him.  Once we have at least 5 of the same product we can re-establish our license.  Apparently, everything has changed around with charitable software.  According to Joel, everything must be downloaded online and burned into ISO files on a DVD.  Pastors, you can email Joel for the “nitty-gritty,” and/or if you need more assistance.  Thanks for your help.

Bethany Bible College held its 65^th Anniversary Celebrations and 2010 Graduation Exercises last weekend (April 30-May 1).  Friday afternoon, the history of BBC was re-visited and we were reminded again of how God has had His hand on this institution across the years.  Friday evening, Rev. Mark Tabor, Alumnus ’82, and Pacific Area Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators, brought a thought-provoking Baccalaureate message.  Saturday morning, Dr. H.C. Wilson, Alumnus ’72, and General Director of Global Partners, gave a challenging message on “It’s Time” to send out the 29 graduates (including the August graduates) that made up the Class of 2010.  Dr. Arthur Maxwell was honoured for his excellent leadership at BBC as Interim President.

Just a Reminder: Pastors, you have already received your 2010 Year-end Reports Check List.  Please contact the District Office if you need assistance.  Thank you.

“If anger gets the best of you, you might as well be a runaway cannon because you will blow your solution out of reach.”                                                                                                                                            - Unknown