New England District Church of the Nazarene

New England District Church of the Nazarene New England Ministers’ News Vol. 15, No. 11 November 2006

“Complete Unity” John 17:20-23

As I have been reading through the Book of John, I am mindful of the urgency of the Message of Unity that was given by our Lord and Savior. Jesus wanted so much for us to understand Him and also to understand one another. When He was in the garden, He prayed and hoped that all believers would “be one” just as He and the Father were one. Furthermore, in that scripture, He said that if we are one, the world would believe that the Father sent Him. He expanded His thought on unity by sharing that He would give us His Glory so that we can “be as one” and that we might work to have “complete unity” to show the world evidence of HIM.

In order for us as a Body of Believers “to have unity of mind and spirit” we must come together as a Body of Believers. We are indeed the “best district in the whole-wide world!” If you attended a recent area brunch or dinner, you would have received a copy of the enclosed revised Missional Area Structure. To better enhance our communications and fellowship with all of our wonderful churches, we have made some modifications to our missional reporting structure. We will now utilize a state by state model for missional reporting at District Assembly and for expanding the missional territories. We are continuing our efforts of growing together as a team of prayer warriors and as a Body of Believers – seeking to do the Will of Our Father. Dear saints, please review where your glorious church has been placed in the new structure, as contact will be made with you shortly from your Missional Area Directors.

Love and appreciate every single one of you!

Blessings, Jossie Dear Pastor,

This coming year we will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of our district. Part of that celebration will include printing in the district reports a short description of how every church on the district was started. We want this coming assembly to reflect all of our churches and all of our people. The only way we accurately reflect who we are is if everyone participates.

We want to know: 1. When was your church started? Why was it started? 2. Who were the people who worked to start the church? 3. Were there any special stories that were a part of your church’s beginning?

We need you or someone in your church to write that story on one page, one inch margin, no smaller than 10 point type. If you would like to have the story printed in more than one language, please include both English and a second language on the same page. (The translation can follow later, if that takes extra time.)

We prefer that these stories be submitted either by email or in digital form. If using a word processor, save your document as an .rtf file if you are able.

Here is the hard part: We need these stories BEFORE December 1, 2006. This Sunday, please ask someone in your congregation to write this for you, unless you can do it quickly yourself.

Please send your story (including your name and church name!!!!) to: [email protected]. or Dan Whitney, 23 Hillside Drive, Henniker, NH 03242

Thanks for your help! It is important!

Sunday School Ministries

Ron Keller, District Sunday School Ministries Chairperson

Equipping Day Kevin Hardy, pastor of Crossroads Church of the Nazarene and Sunday School Chairman of the Mid Atlantic District Church of the Nazarene will be the guest speaker at our Saturday, November 4 Equipping Day at the Wollaston Church. Breakfast and registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The event will end at 4:00 p.m. The bargain registration fee includes: Two plenary services, three workshop sessions, a continental breakfast and box lunch, all for only $10 per person. The excellent Christian fellowship is free!

Sunday School Ministries will offer a choice of eight workshops. Sunday School teachers, superintendents, potential teachers and officers should plan to attend this popular, informative and inspiring event. Registration forms are available from pastors and on line.

Each church should also send delegates for a very brief Sunday School Ministries Convention that will be held at the end of the morning plenary session. An election of two board members will be held. Information on how to elect delegates may be found on Manual pages 433 and 434, in Article VII of the “Sunday School Bylaws.” Questions may be directed to Sunday School Ministries Chairman Ron Keller at (978) 777-2060.

Next Year’s Retreat Dates Thank you to Darlene Lamos who again directed this fall’s District Ladies’ Retreat and to George Hemway who directed our initial District Men’s Retreat this fall. The report is that both retreats were well planned and that God blessed the participants in wonderful ways. Lives were changed.

Please mark your calendars with the dates for our 2007 retreats. The Women’s Retreat will take place on October 5, 6, and 7. The Men’s Retreat will be on September 14, 15 and 16. It is never too early to begin to pray for these special events.

Children’s Camp Date As we have already learned, this year’s Children’s camp was a wonderful success. Rick Smith, Children’s Camp Director, has announced that next summer’s camp is scheduled for July 16 through July 21. (2007) Forms will soon be posted on the district’s Web-site.

Responsibility List/Enrollment List Each Sunday School should plan to do an inventory of their responsibility list. A detailed explanation about the list is located in the Manual, Article I of the “Sunday School Bylaws.” A report on the total enrollment must be reported to the district on the final Sunday of each month. Average Sunday School and Morning Worship attendance also need to be reported.

Sunday School Information Helpful information about Sunday School is always available at the newly designed Sunday School Ministries Web-site http://nazarene.org/ministries/ssm/display.aspx . Excellent Sunday School and small group materials are available through the Nazarene Publishing House http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/nph/index.jsp?nid=ban or at 1(800) 877-0700. Holiness churches need holiness materials.

Nazarene Youth International Rick Gardner, District NYI President

Remember to keep Rick Gardner in prayer. He recently underwent major back surgery.

Nazarene Missions International

Gerry Perry, District Missions President Thank You Pastors… “I thank my God…in every prayer of mine for you…because of your partnership in the gospel.” Phil. 1:3-5

International Day of Prayer For The Persecuted Church November 12, 2006– Pray for the thousands suffering Christians around the world. Prayer is also encouraged for the oppressors, the nations that promote persecution, and those who ignore it. For more information, visit www.nazarenemissions.org/idop. “Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3 NIV)

According to The Church Around the World, authorities in Eritrea recently jailed 75 Christians at a military training camp for “reading Bibles and praying during their free time.” According to one local observer, “Owning a Bible and praying to Jesus is not allowed and considered an act of Christian extremism.”

“When we hear of Christian brothers and sisters being jailed because of their faith in Christ, we are reminded there is a volatile climate in the world today towards Christianity. We need to remember as well that, despite these hostilities, people need to hear, and we are the ones who need to tell them.” - Heartline

Thanksgiving Offering For World Evangelism The Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund allows our denomination to “go” to “teach” and to “make disciples” globally. It helps support missionaries, schools, Bible colleges, hospitals, and other ministries touching the lives of men, women, boys and girls for Jesus.

“WEF – Benefits

G Gospel proclaimed around the world I Investment in people V Victory in others coming to know Jesus E Eternal Life” - Author unknown

“I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22, NIV) “Christ’s LOVE compels us, because we are convinced that HE died for ALL.” (II Corinthians 5:14)

Looking Ahead… December – Compassionate Ministries Month- Transforming lives through the love of Jesus. Chaplaincy Ministries

Sally Miller, District Chaplaincy Director

New England Nazarene Chaplains have had a very busy fall with Pastoral Care week in our facilities. God has blessed us with the privilege of bringing His love to people of many backgrounds.

We look forward to being together at the District Equipping Day, November 4. Chaplaincy will have three workshops that day. The first will be informational for those interested in learning more about Chaplaincy. The second will be a time of networking for those who are involved in Chaplaincy. And the third will be a time of exploring how Chaplaincy is moving the Church of the Nazarene beyond the doors of the church to reach souls for Him. If you have Chaplains in your congregations or people who may be interested in Lay Chaplaincy ministry, please encourage them to come to the Equipping Day.

Do you know why JACK has a smile on his face? It is because he has the light of Jesus inside.

Blessings, Chaplain Sally

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. ~ James 3:18 DISTRICT NEWS

Mission Strategy Coordinator

Friends in Ministry,

As I continue through the "listening tour" several of you have expressed interest in the "multi-site model" that is getting great interest across our nation. If you have such an interest and if you have not already done so please see the summer edition of GROW magazine and secure the book "The Multi-Site Revolution" by Geoff Surrantt, Greg Ligon and Warren Bird. In the near future I would like to get together with all who are interested in this "multi-site model" to discuss the articles in GROW and the book (multi-site revolution) and how they might apply to our settings in our communities here in New England. If you are interested in being part of such a dialogue please email me at [email protected] ASAP. I will find a place central for the interested persons and work out a time for our first (and maybe our last or maybe the first of many) interactions to learn from one another and move forward should God so lead. You can secure the book through NPH or any Christian resource store. Lastly - M7 (Feb 19-21) is having a major focus on this model. Registration to M7 is free via www.M7conference.org..I look forward to hearing from you who are interested.

God Bless, Kim Richardson Mission Strategy Coordinator 978/927-2314 [email protected]

Amazon.com & Reynolds Scholarships Are you planning to make a purchase at Amazon.com? Amazon.com periodically sends us a bonus check of 3% of all purchases that are made when you access their website from the Reynolds website. Just click the link at the bottom of the home page of ReynoldsInstitute.org. It’s a really simple, painless way to make a donation to our scholarship fund!

Ministerial Credentials Board Note The spring meeting of the Ministerial Credentials Board has been changed to April 13th (from the 6th which is Good Friday). District Minister’s License Candidates will be interviewed. New England District Calendar

NOVEMBER 2006

NMI Emphasis: Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund & Prayer

4 District Equipping Day and SSM Convention 10-11 NYI Quiz Meet 12 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 14 Mission Directors AM – Nashua 14 WHC Board PM - Nashua 16 District Advisory Board – Quincy 17-18 NYI Youth Workers Fall Retreat 18 Festival of Life District Practice for all activities 18 District Finance Committee 23 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Prayer Requests

Pray for our cities and the rise in violence. Pray for revival in every church. Pray for our young people’s protection from Pray for our President and his family violence and the evil one. Pray for all of our government officials. Pray for our schools, our teachers, children, Pray for the courts. parents Pray for marriages. Pray for our open churches. Pray for the college. Pray for the sick. Pray for our region and our generals. Pray for the lost. Thank HIM for every opportunity to serve! Pray for the persecuted church. Pray for revival in the district. One in Heart and Mind Bible Reading for November 2006

1 John 5:1-23 17 John 12.20-43 2 John 5.24-47 18 John 12.44-13.20 3 John 6.1-21 19 John 13.1-14.10 4 John 6.22-40 20 John 14.11-31 5 John 6.41-71 21 John 15.1-27 6 John 7.1-31 22 John 16.1-28 7 John 7.32-52 23 John 16.29-17.19 8 John 7.53-8.24 24 John 17.20-18.11 9 John 8.25-47 25 John 18.12-27 10 John 8.48-9.12 26 John 18.28-19.11 11 John 9.13-41 27 John 19:12-30 12 John 10.1-21 28 John 19:31-20.10 13 John 10.22-42 29 John 20.11-31 14 John 11.1-31 30 John 21 15 John 11.32-57 16 John 12.1-19 One in Heart and Mind Bible Reading for January 2006 The Bible Reading Schedule is from the “Year of the Bible” website. You may also read the daily reading on line at: http://yob.gospelcom.net/reading.php

New England District Church of the Nazarene PO Box 690513, Quincy, MA 02170-0513 Phone: 617-786-9496, Fax: 617-786-9574 E-mail: [email protected] Jossie Owens District Superintendent Vincent Crouse Assistant District Superintendent

To view New England Ministers’ News online, go to the New England District website: www.nednaz.org.

The Bible Reading Schedule is from the “Year of the Bible” website. You may also read the daily reading on line at: http://yob.gospelcom.net/reading.php