St. Paul’s United Church
Our Mission: Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and Serving Others in Christ’s name.
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
With the newness of 2024 starting to wane, it is time to circle back to all of the projects and discussions that were started at the end of 2023. Despite what some of you might have hoped, they have not gone away. The challenges facing our local church and the wider church need action. The big question people have been asking is what does that action look like?
Through the moderator’s leadership program, I was exposed to a book that I think everyone who cares about the church needs to read. It is called When Church Stops Working by Rob Root and Blair Bertrand. Drawing on the work of sociologist Charles Taylor, these authors take a look at how the secular age has impacted the culture in which the church functions. Within their book, Root and Bertrand argue that the tactics that we have been employing to increase our numbers and bolster against decline, often lead to further decrease and disenchantment. Their arguments were so persuasive that I have started to dig into the wider series Ministry in a Secular Age on which When Church Stops Working is based. The beauty of Root and Bertrand’s book is that it takes this very scholarly work and distills it into a short succinct and accessible narrative.
It was the first time in a long while that I read a book and was left blown away and feeling the need to rethink many of the long-held explanations for how the church got to this point. I honestly found it refreshing, because after 40 years of the church trying the same innovative techniques and not making much progress, a different way might be exactly what we need. While this book doesn’t provide a road map out of today’s challenges, it does shine a light on a path that will work in the age we find ourselves.
One of the arguments is that by fighting culture, we will never win. We, however, needed to look at our ministry in light of the age of authenticity. This Lent, I will be offering a book study group (or groups) to look at this fantastic book. I encourage you to get your copy today and join me as we explore solutions to our challenges.
Let us pray.
God from your first moments on Earth you drew people together,
As you grew you knew we needed support to be your people,
And so you created communities to share your story,
To love each other,
To seek your justice,
And proclaim your mercy.
We pray this day for your church,
And for us, who see the challenges she faces and lament.
Give us courage and renewed spirit,
As we seek you, together this day and always.
Amen.
Featured In This January 18th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday January 21st
Annual Reports Due!
Worship At St. Andrew’s This Sunday
FundScrip returns Sunday, February 4!
Fellowship Hour Servers
Warm Clothing Donations Needed!
Pantry Program
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
God’s Story, Our Story
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Bowling Event January 28th
Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East
Reimagining Church – Reclaiming Your Call (Lay People only!)
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper At Nashwaaksis United
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper At Gibson Memorial
Worship This Sunday January 21st
Please join the Service at St. Andrew’s at 11 am
Annual Reports Due!
As the January 17th deadline passes, sending a gentle reminder that all Committee, Board and Trustee reports are due. Thank you to those who have already made their submission. Meghan will be away on vacation from February 16th – March 4th, so to have the Annual Report ready for the Annual General Meeting, it has to be completed before she leaves. Please forward to Meghan via email to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com and remember that your report should be no longer than 2 pages.
Worship At St. Andrew’s This Sunday
A reminder that worship is at St. Andrew’s this Sunday January 21st at 11am.
Church Envelopes Available For pick-Up
Church envelopes are available at the office. Please pop in to pick yours (and friends) up!
FundScrip returns Sunday, February 4!
If you’ve used all the gift cards you purchased before Christmas, now is the time to get your order ready. Order forms are available in the church office, the narthex or click here to print one February-4th-2024-FundScrip-Order-Form.pdf. Need more information on this program? Here’s the scoop. FundScrip is Canada’s most successful gift card fundraiser offering gift cards for all your shopping needs… groceries, gas, hardware, restaurants, etc. Cards from over 200 retailers are available in different denominations. Each purchase automatically includes a donation to St. Paul’s calculated as a percentage of the card’s value. There is no cost to you for this donation. You receive the full face value of every card you purchase. Just take your order and payment (cheque, cash, e-transfer) to the church office or give it to Carole Peacock on or before the deadline date. Orders are placed once a month, usually the first Sunday, with time off in the summer and January. Cards arrive within the week. Contact Carole Peacock if you would like more information. Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
Fellowship Hour Servers
Thank you to everyone who has provided for our fellowship time this past fall and those who have already signed up this winter. We have a full slate of servers for January. You can help our faith community by picking one day to serve. Check the bulletin board across from the hall for available dates.
Warm Clothing Donations Needed!
Our clothing cupboard is running low on winter boots and warm jackets. Also needed are warm socks and mittens. If you have any gently used items to donate, please drop by the office. Many thanks for helping keep things warm!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: laundry & dish detergent, paper towel, hand soap, Mr. Clean, Comet, waxed paper, flour, white & brown sugar, cake mix, ketchup, canned milk, mayo, canned tuna, 1 liter juice, vinegar, and table salt. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at St. Paul’s Frasier Memorial Hall on February 13th at 5:30pm. Menu: pancakes, sausage, baked beans, tea, coffee, and dessert. If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please reach out to Ralph Simpson for more information.
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide in the narthex to use as a home devotional or with your friends.
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am in the Board room. Can’t make it in person, Join by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81736183320 Meeting ID: 817 3618 3320 Passcode: 750844
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Thursdays from 6-7pm in the Parlor. We hope you will join us.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
ASAP ~ Annual Report Submissions Due
January 19th ~ Joint Leadership Meeting from 2-4pm
January 21st ~ Joint Service at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at 11am
January 28th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Mel & Barb McGuigan & Debbie Allison
February 4th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
February 13th ~ Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is from January 18-25,2024. The Theme is “You Shall Love the Lord Your God… and your neighbor as yourself.” There will be a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service on Monday, January 22nd,2024 at St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Church,120 Regent Street, Fredericton at 12:00 PM. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Bowling Event January 28th
Wilmot’s Radical Hospitality Committee has invited us to come and have fun at their bowling event on January 28th from 2:30 – 4:30p.m. As we continue to look at ways to foster relationships between our churches what better way than some fun and friendly bowling.
Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East
The United Church of Canada is working with its Mission and Service partners to respond to the urgent needs of civilians in Palestine and Israel who are impacted by the current conflict. You can support this critical work through financial contributions secure donation page, prayer, and advocacy. Further information about how you can act can be found here.
Reimagining Church – Reclaiming Your Call (Lay People only!)
Imagine your community of faith as a fellowship of disciples (instead of a floundering institution); Imagine following the footsteps of our radical Teacher (instead of being ground down by budget shortfalls and petty conflicts); Imagine being part of a Christian community that understands the essence of our identity and call as people of God. Fall in love with your faith all over again! Join this six-week series to renew and rekindle your call to discipleship. Live sessions are led by a diverse group of United Church people with a depth and breadth of experience including national staff members. The live sessions take place February 10th, 24th, March 9th, 23rd, April 6th, 20th, 2024 from 1pm-3pm. Between live sessions, there will be reading, journal-writing, and online conversation among other participants to further your learning and growth. Cost: $99.99 (discount when registering as a group) Register today at United in Learning https://churchx.ca/local/shop/product.php?id=132
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper At Nashwaaksis United
Nashwaaksis United Church at 46 Main St. is hosting Shove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, Feb. 13th from 4-6 pm. Pancakes, sausage, baked beans, brown bread, cake, tea, and coffee. Price $10. For more information, please contact the church office at 506-458-9452.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper At Gibson Memorial
Gibson Memorial United Church at 183 Gibson St. will be hosting a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, Feb. 13st from 4 – 6 p.m. and in celebration of Valentine’s Day, “Bring your Sweetheart for Pancakes”. On the menu: pancakes, sausages, ham, baked beans, scallop potatoes, brown bread and dessert. $20 per person. Please call 506-457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
St. Paul’s United Church
190 Years of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and Serving Others in Christ’s name
Contact Information
224 York St., Fredericton, NB E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organists: Dr. Sharon Pond & Alexis Ervin
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely