From the Desk of the Superintendent |
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Dear Church Family,
It has been a busy summer for many of us, myself included. Most of our camps are open and I have had several opportunities to speak. It seems that much like our churches, attendance is down at both the teen and family camp levels. Even though gas prices are up, the market is down, and Covid hasn't gone away, there is much to be thankful for and much to make us even more conservative. I hope that God will bless each of you and teach us all what it means to continue on in ministry while saving in other areas.
The Twitchells will be on vacation the middle of August and first part of September. If you need to reach us, please send an email and we will try to respond in a timely manner. We will be attempting to take a break from technology.
I am excited about the Regional Convention and all the preparation that is going into this gathering on October 21-22. I hope that each of our Pastors/Elders and churches will send representatives as we have opportunity to fellowship, worship, hear teaching, and take care of business for another year. I pray that you will be blessed as you take some time to investigate what was written and intended to be a blessing to you and our entire church family.
In Him,
Greg. <><
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Church Plant Celebrates 10 Years |
It's hard to believe, but it has been 10 years since Ernest and Russell Carle initiated the planting of a church at Camp Big Lake that meets in the dining hall. This small church has been faithful in giving away the majority of their tithes and donation to missions. They are faithful in working to reach the community and did a great job in putting on a VBS this summer. It is truly a blessing to see God at work in this small community through Pastor Ernest. Praise God for 10 years, and may that have 10 more or meet until the Lord's coming!
Grace,
Greg
Dear Ones,
Ten years ago, August 7, 2012, we started Sunrise Christian Church. The first sermon was from the book of Ruth. One of our first purchases was a wood stove and our first mission project was to raise money to buy bicycles for pastors in Africa. Try not to remember what our first bathroom was like.
Russell & Noelle Carle help us plant this church and send their greetings.
Blessings,
Pastor Ernest Carle
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What a wonderful day in the family of God at Sheffield Chapel! We got to witness and celebrate the baptism of seven brothers and sisters in Christ on this beautiful Sunday! (August 7, 2022) |
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What's happening at your church? Send info and pictures to secretary@aceasternregion.org. |
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Scholarship Opportunities
Vincent E. Taber Memorial Scholarship - A $500 scholarship awarded to a student who is a member in good standing of and Advent Christian church or evangelical church; of sound Christian Character; preference is given to students of need accepted at Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies; application is due September 15th.
Dubois Scholarship - Sponsored by the Maine State Conference, amount awarded depends on number of applicants and funds available; This scholarship is given in loving memory of Rev. Wendell DuBois, Tammy DuBois and Virgene Hughes. It is designed to assist those seeking a call to vocational ministry in achieving their academic goals. The application needs to be postmarked by August 31 to be considered. The scholarship monies will be disbursed during the 2nd semester of the academic year.
Berkshire Christian College Scholarship Fund - Scholarship amount varies depending on the program of study. The purpose and description of the scholarship is:
- Seminary education in partnership with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary at four campuses - two in Mass., one in Fla., one in NC. (www.gordonconwell.edu) Advent Christian students receive up to a 50% tuition reduction. (Additional scholarship assistance may also be available.)
- Theological formation through the Ministry Training Institute (MTI). Students enrolled in MTI are eligible for scholarships through Berkshire Christian.
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Advent Christian ministry partnerships now exist in more than 20 countries. Indian pastors, Filipino missionaries, African pastors, children’s homes, a Bible college, discipleship groups, feeding ministries, training events and new church plants are all strengthened by money raised through Penny Crusade. |
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Can you guess which church this is? The first person to email the office (secretary@aceasternregion.org) with the correct answer will receive a small prize. If this is your home church, we ask that you refrain from answering.
The July Church was Riverview AC Church in West Warwick, RI, Kevin Crouse had the first correct guess.
Send an outside picture of your church, without the sign/name, to secretary@aceasternregion.org
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THE STATE OF THE BIBLE 2021 #5
BY BARNA & THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY
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"It is an incredible fact that the Bible is the most sold but least read book! - Norman L. Geisler |
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Some of the nuances of these perceptions and habits surface in tracking American Bible Society’s scripture engagement categories, which determine levels of scripture engagement using three important factors:
- Frequency of interaction with the Bible
- Spiritual impact of the Bible on the user
- Moral centrality of the Bible in the user’s life
In this year’s State of the Bible reporting:
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Scripture Engaged refers to anyone who would have been classified in prior reports as either Bible Engaged or Bible Centered.
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Movable Middle refers to those who were previously labeled as Bible Neutral or Bible Friendly.
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Bible Disengaged refers to the same group as prior reporting and therefore carries the same name.
Since 2018, the percentage of the population that scores Scripture Engaged has largely remained the same. The major shift, meanwhile, is happening in the form of an exodus from the Bible Disengaged to the Movable Middle. In 2018, over half of the population was considered disengaged (54%). For the next two years, the population of the Disengaged remained similar: 47 percent in 2019, and 46 percent in 2020. This year, however, the number of Bible Disengaged people has dropped sharply to 39 percent. Those who once were disengaged have moved to what we are now calling the “Movable Middle.” This middle group has jumped up since 2020, from one-quarter of the population (26%) to over one-third (37%).
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BIBLE STUDY MAGAZINE - All in all, the news is good. People are reading the Bible more, and not just as a solace in the COVID years. "2021 marks the fourth straight year in a trend of Americans reading the Bible more frequently," says the report. (by Josh Kelley p. 18 March/April 2022 issue) |
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Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Compiled by Greg Twitchell
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Monthly Devotional Thought |
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Joy Amid Suffering
As I write this I am sure you are suffering of some kind. Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Relationally? Financially? Spiritually? The Apostle Paul says, “…but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5).
No Christian is exempt from suffering. In fact, all, even unbelievers, will suffer. Yet, as Christians, we are to rejoice in our suffering. Paul is not saying we are enjoying suffering and we love to suffer. No, he is saying that as we look to the end result of our suffering, we can rejoice. How?
Suffering is ordained of God for our good and produces a weight of Glory (Next month’s – hope in the glory of God). Suffering produces endurance or perseverance which produces character which produces hope. Hope does not disappoint us but gives us courage in the face of suffering. Hope reminds us that God has given us the Spirit and the Holy Spirit has poured out His Love into our hearts.
Endurance or perseverance is God keeping us to the end as He preserves us by the Holy Spirit. The true child of God, though tempted to give up, will endure to the end and in the face of hardship and difficulty. Isn’t that what Jesus did?
“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons…” (Hebrews 12:1-7).
Suffering is a process in our sanctification whereby God is conforming us to the image of His Son. In other words, we need to suffer to become like Jesus. It produces character and hope without shame. Suffering produces an eternal weight of Glory. It glorifies God and is designed for our good. So, as we look at the end purifying work of suffering in us, we can rejoice. May Christ’s Joy be yours in abundance. God bless.
Rev. Dr. Jim Caron ~ Faith Bible Church, Plainville, CT
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ADVENT CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE HISTORY
Another Interstate Conference
Excerpts from Advent Christian History
By Albert C. Johnson
As a result of the labors of Eld. J. V. Himes, R. V. Lyon, Mises Grant, James Hemenway, H. L. Hastings, S. S. Brewer and others as they occasionally visited the principal places included in a portion of Eastern New York State, Western Vermont, and a small section of Northwestern Massachusetts a conference was organized at Hoosick, New York, in 1871, called the Hoosick Valley A. C. Conference with ten ministers present and fourteen churches represented. Eld. A. W. Sibley was chosen president, H. K. Flagg, vice-president. Afterwards Eld. Flagg was president, followed by S. G. Mathewson, of blessed memory, who was for some time pastor at Castleton, Vt. Later Eld. W. O. Higley was president, serving as pastor at Sandy Hill, N.Y. (now Hudson Falls), where he had a fruitful and gracious work. In 1887 and for several years following, a successful campmeeting was held by this conference at Fair Mont Park, Fair Haven, Vermont, at which a goodly number of the leading preachers of the body were present and these meeting resulted in considerable quickening in the work of the conference. In 1892-93 the conference constitution was revised and a new plan of evangelistic and mission work was adopted, and this was carried forward for several years with blessing and fruitfulness. Rev. A. C. Johnson was chosen the first conference evangelist, under the new plan, and labored in that office for about two years, when he accepted a call to pastoral labor, and was succeeded by Rev. H. W. Hewitt. One notable result of these evangelistic efforts was the revival of the cause in Rutland, Vt., under the labors of the latter brother, and the building of anew church, since which the work there has gone forward with abundant blessing.
The vigorous efforts of this small conference, stirred some larger ones to more earnest labors and consequent progress.
IN THE PROVINCES
It is said that a copy of Mr. Miller's Lectures reached the hands of a friendly inquirer, in the early days of the movement, and this proved the fruitful seed of future work in Nova Scotia. The A. C. Conference of this Province was organized in 1868, but we have been unable to secure any account of its first session. The second was held at Bear River in June, 1869, and the ordained preachers present were John Woodworth, Wm. Halliday, Alex Swanesburg, J. M. Tozier and J. R. Hall-but evidently the two latter were visitors from the neighbor Province, as a strong invitation was given to them to "come into Nova Scotia with their New Brunswick tent and spend two or three months this season," and a goodly sum of money was pledged to this end, and more was assured if required. This was thought to be the first successful session of the conference and "the result of these meetings was truly gratifying."
In 1871 John Woodworth was president of the conference, and Nelson H. Reed, secretary. There were reported to be six preachers, nine churches, with about four hundred and twenty-five members. At the same time there were said to be four Adventist ministers in New Brunswick and three hundred and twenty-five avowed believers. Amon the early workers in New Brunswick were Elds. Albion Ross, J. R. Hall, J. M. Tozier and Moses W. Corliss. Also Eld. F. A. Baker began his ministry in that Province. Amon the workers in Nova Scotia Eld. Wm. Halliday should have special mention for long and faithful service. These fields have suffered much from lack of laborers or pastors, yet a goodly number of our successful preachers came from the Provinces. Amon them we note the names of J. A. Gardner, J. L. MacLaughlin, J. A. Woodworth, A. H. Kearney, C. F. King, M. C. Burtt, and our beloved brother and veteran evangelist at large, Eld. G. W. Sederquist, who with the passing years has often returned to the Province in a ministry of blessing and soul winning.
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Meetinghouse Village reminds active and retired AC pastors that they may stay free of charge on Sunday and Monday overnights at our Tower Memorial Suite. Other nights are available at the reduced rate of $25 per night. Availability is dependent on prior bookings and certain Covid-19 protocols. To inquire about a reservation, email info@meetinghousevillage.org.
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August 12-14 Family Camp
www.nomacca.com
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Men's Retreat at Lakeside |
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No matter how much you already know or don’t know about the Bible, if you’re a woman who wants to know your Bible better, this workshop is for you!
Date: October 15, 2022 10AM-4PM
Place: Genesis Church, Woburn, MA
Cost: $20
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The Annual Convention is October 21-22 and will be held at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Registration fee is $40. |
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Workshop Speaker
Justin Nash serves as Director of Communication for the Advent Christian General Conference where he has worked since 2009. He has a Master of Theological Studies with and emphasis in church revitalization from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Joyce, have been married for 26 years and have a 14-year-old son, Nathan. They love being a part of Shiloh Advent Christian Church in Monroe, NC where they serve in various ways.
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Workshop Speaker
Dr. Thomas S Warren II, known as "Sam," was born in Jacksonville, FL. Sam is a graduate of Berkshire Christian College. He is married to Michele Kellogg of Rutland, VT. Sam & Shelly have 2 adult sons, Jared and Darrick. Sam served as Pastor of the West Jacksonville AC Church for 17 years, Director of Nurture for ACGC, and Dean of Students for Berkshire Christian College in Lenox, MA.
Sam has written and published three books, The Alexander Antidote: Turning Conflict in a Prescription of Wholeness for the Local Church, Dead Men Talking: What Dying teaches Us about Living, and A Motley Crew: How Jesus Turned Ordinary Men into Dynamic Disciples. In 2017, Dr. Warren founded a Christian non-profit ministry called Far More Consulting, Inc. for the purpose of Encouraging, Equipping and Resourcing local churches for Effective Ministry.
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Click on Willie's picture to visit his website for upcoming events. |
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Join the 2023 BICS Israel Trip! |
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The Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies invites you to join them for the trip of a lifetime to Israel from March 15-29, 2023. Come walk where Jesus, King David, Paul and the other great men and women of Scripture lived out the stories of the faith. See firsthand the Temple Mount, the fields of Bethlehem, the beautiful Sea of Galilee, and much, much more.
Space is limited, so for more information or to register, click the link below, or for questions, contact Mike Tuttle at mtuttle@berkshireinstitute.org.
We hope that you can join us - we promise you will never read the Bible the same again!
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ACGC Triennial Convention 2023 |
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Previous copies of the monthly newsletter are on our website. |
Have a mobile phone? You can now give to the Region through Venmo!
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Online Prayer Meeting Tuesdays from 9-10 AM |
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ERA Board of Directors
Rev. George Karl, President - sumkarl@yahoo.com
Rev. Dwight Dean, Vice President - fsufandsd@gmail.com
Rev. Allen Latimore, Clerk - aclatimore@netzero.net
Mr. John Jones, Treasurer - pastorjoj@gmail.com
Rev. Doug Tourgee, Heritage Conf. President - dougin401@aol.com
Rev. Alan Chamberlin, Maine Conf. Vice President - polarpastor@roadrunner.com
Rev. Josh Rice, Maranatha Conf. President - jrice@emmanuelacc.net
Rev. Derek Irvine, New Life Conf. President - drick1221@gmail.com
Mr. Adam Facteau, New York Conf. President - afacteau@twcny.rr.com
Rev. Ken Perkins, Nova Scotia Conf. President - Ken.perkins@EastLink.ca
Mrs. Deb Reed, ERA Representative to ACGC - deborahjoreed@yahoo.com
Rev. Steve Lawson, ACGC Executive Director - slawson@acgc.us
The Eastern Regional Association Newsletter is published as a ministry of the Eastern Regional Association of the Advent Christian General Conference.
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Don McDaniels Prayer Ministry |
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Russell Giasson Property & Deeds |
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Ethan Twitchell
Summer Ministry
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Randy Mills Regional Missions |
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Lisa Godard Regional Bookkeeper |
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Eastern Regional Association
32 Four Rod Road, Rochester, NH 03867
Phone: 603-332-1412 / Fax: 603-332-1648
www.aceasternregion.org
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