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Eastern Regional Association
November 2023 Newsletter
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The November newsletter is different than our usual monthly newsletter.
Our ERA November newsletter will recap the activities of our regional convention.
| Eastern Regional Association Annual Meeting |
 |  | Waterville, ME - Friday began with a meet and greet continental breakfast. At 9 am we worshipped the Lord by way of a Second Coming Singspiration led by Pastor and board member, Doug Tourgee, accompanied by Willi Lash, of the Waterville Church, on the piano. At 10 am the first plenary session began with a devotional by host Pastor Mike Alix. This was followed with worship lead by Bruce and Sharon Marshall. Following worship, our plenary speaker Ryan Goding of Anchor New England, spoke on the topic “An Introduction to Apologetics”. The session was followed by lunch. The afternoon plenary session included worship led by Bruce and Sharon and a message by Ryan entitled “Doing Apologetics in a Cultural Setting”. The rest of the afternoon featured 2 workshop sessions with 2 workshops in each session. The workshops were: “An Introduction to the Ministry of the Restoration Network, led by Pastor Tom Loghry, “Caring for Your Pastor” led by Interim Superintendent Clayton Blackstone, “Preparing Your Children to Defend Their Faith” led by Ryan Goding, and ACGC Ministry Update led by various ACGC personnel. The workshops were followed by a break and dinner. The meals and break gave everyone the opportunity to visit the exhibits and to fellowship with one another. The evening service began with worship that was once again led by Bruce and Sharon. Worship was followed by a thorough Necrology report prepared by Duane Crabtree and read by Pastor Josh Rice. This was followed by 2 scholarship awards. The first scholarship was from the Vincent Taber Scholarship and was awarded to BICS student, Lucas Brown. The second scholarship was from the Castle Hill Scholarship and was awarded to Josh Libby, who is studying for vocational ministry at Cedarville University. We then had the opportunity to recognize the ministry of our former superintendent, Greg Twitchell, with the presentation of a plaque for him. Following the recognition of former Superintendent Twitchell, the Servant Award was presented via a video to Gene “Coach” and Sandy Peters. Pastor Allen Latimore was recognized as he has concluded 9 years of service to the ERA as clerk of the region. He was presented with an engraved mantle clock. Retiring ACGC Executive Director was then recognized as he is concluding 8 years of service in this position. This recognition was followed by the recognition of Justin Nash as the next ACGC Executive Director. Prayer was offered for him by ERA Vice President, Pastor Dwight Dean. Pastor John Tate then offered the evening message.
Saturday morning was our day of business. There were 73 delegates and a total of over 90 people present when guests were added to the delegate total. The 2022 Financial Report was presented by ERA Treasurer John Oliver Jones. It was approved by the delegates. This was followed by Treasurer Jones presenting the 2024 budget. It was approved by the delegate body. The business session included reports from ACGC Executive Director Steve Lawson, ERA President George Karl, Interim Superintendent Clayton Blackstone, Berkshire Christian President Glenn Rice, Advent Christian Retirement Communities President Larry Knowles, Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies President Andy Rice, and Africa-Europe Area Director Bryce Whiting (via video). During the business session Pastor Jonathan Price was elected to a 3 year term as clerk of the ERA and Pastor Bruce Burks was elected to a 5 year term on the Judiciary Committee. The business items and resolutions can be found in this newsletter. The business session concluded with worship led by Pastor Doug Tourgee and a closing devotional by host Pastor Mike Alix.
A special thanks needs to be extended to Pastor Mike Alix and the Blessed Hope Advent Christian Church for all that they did in order to make our 2023 Annual Convention a success. Another important person, who was behind the scenes but without him we would not have been able to have any audio or video at the convention as well as the broad cast of the convention on Youtube, was Pastor Andrew Blackstone. Special thanks needs to go to Charlene Williams and her hardworking staff, as they prepared two delicious meals for us.
Finally I want to say thank you to the many other people who helped to make this convention a time of blessing for all the attendees.
George Karl,
ERA President
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Update on the Sale of the ERA Office/Residence
The ERA Board, at the recommendation of our real estate agent, had voted to put the property on the market for $425,000. Prior to putting it on the market we received a cash offer of $400,000 with no inspection and no stipulations other than remediating the property because of mold. We were already in the process of doing the remediation. With the money we received from the insurance company because of water damage, it more than covered the cost of remediation. The board decided to accept the offer and the closing was on October 5th. After realtor’s commission and other real estate fees we received over $376, 000!
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Update on Search for a New Superintendent
At the ERA Board Meeting held in conjunction with the convention, the presidents of our regional conferences, who have been tasked to develop a recommendation for a job description for our next superintendent, reported that they had 2 zoom meetings to discuss their recommendation. They are committed to taking a slow and thorough approach and did not have a further report. The next ERA Board meeting will be held in February, after which we will report to the ERA constituents the progress of a job description. Interim Superintendent Clayton Blackstone has assured us that he will continue on in this position beyond his 12-18 month commitment if necessary.
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Community Church of Westfield | |
Westfield, MA - The Community Church of Westfield held a baptism in September for two young people. Savannah, 12, and her brother Neal, 9, were baptized by Pastor Merle Beal. They both shared their testimonies with members of the church present. | |
Melrose, MA - Faith Evangelical Church held a baptism in October. Sam Duncan and Hannah Badaro were baptized. | |
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Pastors and Church Leaders Conference
May 7-9, 2024
At Alton Bay Christian Conference Center
Sponsored by the Eastern Regional Association and
the Maranatha Advent Christian Conference
Speakers: Chris Date of Rethinking Hell
Justin Nash, New Executive Director of ACGC.
(More info on the ERA website)
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ACRC Searching for Board Member | |
Advent Christian Retirement Communities (ACRC) is looking to add board members to our organization. Potential Christian candidates of value would have experience with the Advent Christian denomination and have a willingness to invest personal time and resources in ACRC. Professional background in finance, medical, legal, development and/or fund raising is desired. Board members are expected to be supportive of the executive and leadership teams. If you are interested, please contact Bruce Burks at bcburks@comcast.net or Jean Squire at djsquire@comcast.net, and include a copy of your resume. | |
Camp Beebe Searching for Groundskeeper | |
Beebe Advent Christian Camp (BACC) is in search of a new groundskeeper/caretaker starting in April 2024. The groundskeeper will live year-round on the campground and assist with its maintenance. Primary caretaker duties include daily inspection of the grounds, lawncare, and preparation of the camp for its annual Family Camp in July. The ideal candidate would also contribute to the camp ministry and participate in the local church. While maintenance skills are a plus, the ideal candidate will be trustworthy, eager to learn, and have an eye to identify problems to be brought to the board. BACC is located in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, just across the border from Vermont. In lieu of salary, a winterized cottage and yard is provided for the caretaker’s family. For further information please contact Doug Peters at: beebecamp@gmail.com or 438-397-3148. | |
Scholarship Opportunities
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.
Castle Hill Scholarship Fund - The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church closed its doors in December of 2019 due to declining numbers and the difficulty of finding pastoral leadership. Through a generous donation, a Ministry Scholarship will be established in their name. It is their desire that this ministry scholarship be established to help fund individuals who are seeking vocational ministry training either from a ministry training program within the Advent Christian constituency, or if a person chooses to seek to prepare for vocational ministry outside of the Advent Christian constituency, the Christian institution must be accredited.
Applicants are required to fill out the application and have all of the required information turned in to the Superintendent’s Office by September 15th in order to be considered by the Eastern Regional Board of Directors. The Board will present scholarships to qualified applicants by dividing $2000 dollars among them per year. If only one applicant applies, the cap for an individual scholarship is $1000 dollars made out to the school of their choosing.
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Previous copies of the monthly newsletter are on our website. | |
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
Pastor Jonathan Price, Clerk - jonathan@faithchurchac.org
Mr. John Jones, Treasurer - pastorjoj@gmail.com
Rev. Doug Tourgee, Heritage Conf. President - dougin401@aol.com
Rev. Tim Soucy, Maine Conf. Vice President - bangoracc@gmail.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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Eastern Regional Association
P.O. Box 214 Winchester, NH 03470
Phone: 603-332-1412
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