Eastern New York - New England District

NEWS

For updated news items and breaking news, go to www.wesleyan.org. To subscribe to E-zine, send your name and e-mail address to communications@wesleyan.org.

Youth Convention Teens Respond to a Life Set Apart
Dr. Jim Dunn reports that over 300 persons made first time or rededication decisions for Christ at SetApart ’07. For the complete story, click here.

SFD Offers SetApart Follow Up
The Youth Ministry Division of the Spiritual Formation Department offers resources to come alongside teens who made commitments at SetApart ’07. For the complete story, click here.

Global Partners Update: Croatia
Missionaries Kent and Cheri Pickslay need volunteers to help with a summer youth camp on the island of Hyar. For the complete story, click here.

Shelley Berry Update Site Has Over 100,000 Visitors
The CaringBridge Web site that gives updates on South Coastal District’s Shelley Berry has had over 100,000 visitors. For the complete story, click here.

Indianapolis Teen Wins Scholarship at SetApart ?07
Lauren Harris is the winner of a $400 scholarship awarded during SetApart ?07 to go towards a 2008 YES Ministries mission trip. For the complete story, click here.

Florida Pastor Teaches in Guyana for 5th Year
Dr. Philip Gray, Florida District, has taught at the Wesleyan Bible College in Georgetown, Guyana, for five consecutive years. For the complete story, click here.

Nearly $15,000 Raised for Hospital in Zambia
Christ Wesleyan Church, Milton, Pa., raised nearly $15,000 for a project to provide a new electrical grid for the hospital in Zimba, Zambia. For the complete story, click here.

Impact Worship Holds Grand Opening
Greater Ohio District’s Impact Worship Center held the grand opening for their new church building on Sunday, Dec. 2. For the complete story, click here.

BreakPointe Helps Flood Victims Rebuild Homes
BreakPointe Community Church is helping several victims of the July 2007 flood in Osawatomie, Kansas, rebuild their homes. For the complete story, click here.

Halfway House Brings Children to Sunday School
Hudson Wesleyan Church, Florida, has had a sudden increase of 25 to 30 children in Sunday school due to the attendance of children from a halfway house. For the complete story, click here.

Moncton Hosts Billy Graham Association Event
Moncton Wesleyan Church will host the first event of an initiative presented by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada. For the complete story, click here.

Indiana South Opens First Hispanic Church Plant
Indiana South District recently opened their first Hispanic church plant, Iglesia Wesleyana El Taller Del Alfarero (The Potter’s Shop). For the complete story, click here.

WESLEYAN HIGHER EDUCATION

Houghton Program Helps Disabled Student Experience Climbing
Wilderness Adventures—a program extension of Houghton College—gave eighth grader Daric Rupp, born with cerebral palsy, the opportunity to participate in the sport of climbing. For the complete story, click here.

Indiana Wesleyan University and WHI Partner for Zambia
Starting in the fall of 2008, IWU will launch a study abroad program using World Hope International – Zambia as its home base. For the complete story, click here.

OWU Awards $2000 Scholarships
Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OWU) is awarding $2000 scholarships for new, traditional undergraduate students. For the complete story, click here.

SWU Ceremony Promotes Spirituality and Academics
SWU held the Passing the Mantle ceremony on January 11. Medallions given to students represented a new season spiritually and academically. For the complete story, click here.

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Still Great Rates at WIF
Effective January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008, WIF’s savings rates are 4.0% for balances of $1 to $4,999, 4.5% for $5,000 to $34,999, and 5.0% for over $35,000. Unlike other savings institutions providing similar or lower rates, at WIF your money is available for withdrawal at any time. There are no hidden fees, the rate is fixed every 6 months, and best of all, your money is helping to build churches. Join over 4,500 other investors and invest today with WIF. Call 317.774.7300 or write info@wifonline.com today to receive a free informational packet.  Serving Higher Interests up to 5.0%!

SFD’s Huddle On Location Dates and Locations
Calling all children’s ministry workers and leaders. Join the Spiritual Formation Department’s Children’s Ministries at a Huddle on Location this Spring: Greater Ohio, February 23; Dakota, March 29; Chesapeake, April 12; Shenandoah, April 11-12; Atlantic, April 19; W. Michigan, May 17. For details on locations and registration, e-mail childrensministry@wesleyan.org.

Wesleyan Publishing House Releases New Book
Do you want to help introduce change to your church? WPH has released Bob Whitesel’s Preparing for Change Reaction which will help you lead change effectively. For $17.99, you can have this practical guide which will help you develop a workable plan for introducing change in your church. Call Customer Service at 800.493.7539 and order your copy today!

Join a 2008 Campaign That Will Transform Your Church
Forward in Faith is a proven, affordable Capital Stewardship Campaign for local churches of any size. It is designed to assist your congregation with fundraising ventures, in order to take that next step in growing your ministry. Stewardship Ministries partners with you as you attempt to:

Purchase that needed land or build a new facility 
Reduce your existing indebtedness in order to free up funds for ministry outreach. 
During this 12-week campaign, a Stewardship Ministries’ consultant will guide you and your team through the process of challenging your congregation to do greater things for God’s Kingdom. Start the campaign year off right and accept this challenge that will transform your church, by contacting Stewardship Ministries: Phone: (800) 627.2537 or (317) 774.7341; Fax: (317) 774.7341; E-mail: stewardshipministries@wesleyan.org or visit www.wesleyan.org/sm.

Adult Ministry Leader’s Training Coming this Fall
The Adult Ministry Division of the Spiritual Formation Department is hosting a focused training conference for anyone leading or interested in ministry to adults in and through the local church. Sessions to be offered will deal with 55+ Ministry, Singles Ministry, Teaching Adults, Disciple Groups, Sunday School for Adults, Young Adults, Marriage and Family Ministry, etc. The dates are September 18-20, 2008, and the event will be hosted at The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Indianapolis.

Don’t Miss the VBS Early Bird Specials 
It’s never too early to plan for VBS! Be sure to get the Early Bird Specials when you order!! Visit the Wesleyan Publishing House VBS site at www.wesleyan.org/wph.

Wesleyan Women Heart of Ministries
God has given The Wesleyan Church and Wesleyan Women an opportunity to partner with others to protect the Sanctity of LIFE through the use of equipment, resources, materials, and training. The 2008 Heart of Ministries Offering video, program materials, and project information are now online www.wesleyan.org/hom. Send your offering to your district Wesleyan Women treasurer or to the general office of Wesleyan Women, PO Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN, 46250.  Thank you for participating and promoting the Heart of Ministries Offering in your church. Rev. Gipsie Miller’s book released! Rev. Miller, who has turned 100 yrs old, played a significant role in The Wesleyan Church through the women’s ministry. Her journals have now been put into a book Pilgrimage to the Promised Land.  You will find her journal well-written, interesting, and authentic. For complete information and to order a copy, go to www.tatepublishing.com and click on “Online Bookstore.”

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To submit news items regarding your district, church, or organization for possible use in the Wesleyan Information Network, send an e-mail to communications@wesleyan.org with a short summary, including contact information.
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