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…
Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice. This is what the United Church aspires to be known for. These calls to the church are markers by which we can evaluate our ministry and they can be used to help guide the goals we set for our ministry. In her Easter message, Moderator, The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, spoke about how these calls. If you haven’t watched that video yet, then make sure you click on the link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZJ0STmTg6A
This Easter Season in worship, as part of the call to deep spirituality, you have been given practices that can help you move beyond a surface relationship with God. The weekly practices are tools that can help you develop a deeper relationship by drawing your attention to the sacredness of each moment. Of the practices tried so far, which did you find most comfortable or helpful? You don’t have to use all the practices every day, however, regularly engaging in a faith practice can help shape and renew your faith, and having a variety of ways to ground yourself in The Divine Love gives you tools for tackling different situations that might arise.
As we seek to follow Jesus, we are called to work for a world that is infused with his ethic of love and compassion, reconciliation and forgiveness, inclusion and acceptance, peace and nonviolence, generosity, and justice. Living in this way is what it means to be a follower of Christ.
Last week I received an email from our Moderator which I am going to close our eNews with today. It is a call to put our faith into action and seek justice and peace. I hope that it helps you to find a way to respond to at least one of the world’s crises. I would love to hear your thoughts as we gather together on Sunday at St. Andrew’s. And now the words of our moderator:
It is the season of Easter, where we move from the despair and hopelessness of Good Friday — when it seemed that death and destruction triumphed.
In their grief and numbness, the women went to the tomb. Together. And together they encountered hope, new life, resurrection.
On the road to Emmaus, the disciples walked with a stranger. They prayed together, broke bread together, and they also met hope, new life, resurrection.
Sometimes I despair. I lose hope, especially after watching or reading the news, or hearing reports from global partners. I think of Palestine, and the sheer number of people who have died, or been injured or displaced. The destruction of everything they know as home, and the threat of another ground invasion, with nowhere safe for them to go.
I think of Israeli hostages who have not yet been released. I think of collective warmongering that pours fuel on the fire of this conflict at the peril of all in the region.
The power of accompaniment and of radical solidarity is a long-term commitment to knowing and walking beside. There are simple actions for us to take to radically accompany partners in Palestine and Israel. As members of KAIROS Canada, we join with others across the country, and indeed across the world, in joining the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage.
We track the distances we walk in prayerful solidarity. If you are unable to move with us, please wear white and take a photo to share on social media and with your MP, urging Canada to join in the call for a permanent ceasefire.
On April 18, I will start my walk with ecumenical partners in Manhattan, New York. And on May 22‒23, I will join church leadership from KAIROS Canada members to walk in Ottawa. We will bring our prayers and concerns to the Government of Canada and Parliamentarians, urging them to take immediate and sustained steps to advance and promote a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel. If you can, please join us in Ottawa on May 22.
I ask you to join me and the countless many faithful who continue to walk. To gather together — in twos and threes, in tens, twenties, hundreds, and thousands—in prayer, in solidarity, in radical accompaniment, for Palestine and Israel. Gather together, even amid your despair and hopelessness, to roll, walk, move together.
Let us pray:
As relentless as the rising sun,
may we, steadfast God,
pray relentlessly,
until the violence, war, and bloodshed in Gaza ends.
Give us the fortitude to pray, without ceasing,
until the safety, well-being, and dignity of all people is cherished and held as sacred;
and until elected officials and those in positions of power safeguard the most vulnerable and
protect the human rights and dignity of people in Palestine and Israel.
Give us the courage to pray boldly with our hearts, our words, our actions, and our resources
until all people in Palestine and Israel can enjoy freedom, justice, and peace in abundance.
May it be so,
Amen
This is how we can be neighbours to those far away. This is how we can be pilgrims—disciples—together.
Featured In This April 25th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday April 28th
FundScrip
Annual General Meeting Minutes Are Online
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
New Members Welcome!
Bel Canto & Fredericton Choral Society Concerts
Information Session
Youth @ Region
Downtown United Summer Schedule
Calling All Youth, Young Adults!
Booking Meeting Space At St. Paul’s
God’s Story, Our Story
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Employment Opportunity
Employment Opportunity
Spring Rumage Sale At Wilmot
Music For A While Concert
Guaranteed Livable Income
Worship This Sunday April 28th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 11am
at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
FundScrip
The deadline for our next gift card order is Sunday, May 5th. Several retailers are offering increased donations for every card you buy during May. Please consider buying cards from American Eagle, Boston Pizza, Winners, Home Sense, Marshalls, Chefs Plate and Hello Fresh this month to increase donations to St. Paul’s. Remember Mother’s Day is May 12th… it’s not too late to order Mum a gift card! Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
Annual General Meeting Minutes Are Online
The minutes of the April 7th Annual General Meeting are now posted on our website. Click here for a direct link. If you would like a paper copy, please reach out to Meghan in the office.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs pudding cups, and 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 soap, Mr. Clean, Comet, Javex, toothbrushes, pudding cups, apple sauce, baking powder, tomatoes, large apple & orange juice, pasta sauces, flour, cake mix, icing sugar and salt. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
New Members Welcome!
Are you newer to the congregation, but feel you have found your church home? Have you been attending St. Paul’s for a while and want to become a member of this congregation and ensure you have a voice in the changes we are navigating? Contact Rev. Michelle for information on how to officially become a member of St. Paul’s.
Bel Canto & Fredericton Choral Society Concerts
Bel Canto is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a lively 
program of totally a cappella selections. 7:30pm on May 4th at Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets are available from 3 members of St. Paul’s choir and Bel Canto – Mary Walker, Jane Blakely, Debbie West, on the Bel Canto’s website at belcanto.ca and at the door.
The Fredericton Choral Society is presenting a Schubert Mass and a Vivaldi Mass, accompanied by the Sarabande String Quartet and noted soloists from N.B., followed by 4 Gospel pieces. 7:30pm on May 11th at Grace Memorial Baptist Church. Tickets at the door and from Jane and Debbie. $25 general, $10 Students, Free for children.
Information Session
Following Worship on May 5th in the lady’s parlor. The EMS team will be sharing the plan for developing the Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement with St. Andrew’s. Come and ask your questions about the work and ESM’s in general. Provide feedback on the process. Everyone is welcome.
Youth @ Region
Calling all youth grades 6-12! Youth @ Region is a place of community, a place of fun, and a place of faith for you to meet with others your age from across NB, PEI, and the Gaspe. During Y@R you will have the opportunity to explore faith, learn more about the United Church of Canada, share in music, worship, and a ton of fun. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of the Region May 31st-June 2nd at the University of Prince Edward Island. Registration is $150 per participant and includes all activities, meals, accommodation, and an event T-shirt. Don’t miss this opportunity.
Downtown United Summer Schedule
Please join us this summer for
Downtown United +
Everyone is welcome!
ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH & Via Zoom
512 Charlotte St. Fredericton | Tel.455-8220
Sunday Services at 11am
June 30th | July 7th | July 14th
ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH & Via Zoom
224 York St. Fredericton NB | Tel. 458-1183
Sunday Services at 10:30am
July 21st | July 28th | August 4th
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740 Password: 657067
View later: https://www.youtube.com/St. Paul’s
WILMOT UNITED CHURCH & Via YouTube
473 King St. Fredericton | 458-1066
Sunday Services at 11am
August 11th | August 18th | August 25th
https://www.youtube.com/c/WilmotUnitedChurch?app=desktop
Calling All Youth, Young Adults!
Registration for Audacious Hope, a national gathering for youth, young adults, and their leaders, is now open! Audacious Hope is an exciting new partnership between the Rendez-vous team of The United Church of Canada and the LIFT team of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. We hope you will join us July 3‒6, 2024, at Brock University, St. Catharines, ON. Come pray—with inspiring worship speakers Adele Halliday and Mitchell Anderson. Come play—how about silent disco or square dancing? Come ponder—with Moderator Carmen Lansdowne about how to find and offer hope in today’s world. Early bird registration is April 15‒May 15: $425. May 16‒31 registration fee: $500. Registration will close May 31, 2024. Find out more and sign up today.
Booking Meeting Space At St. Paul’s
As the use of our space at St. Paul’s gets busier, please remember to book your meetings space through the office. Drop by in person, call 458-1183 or email Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide in the narthex to use as a home devotional or with your friends. This devotional follows the pattern of pray, reflect and do, offering suggestions on how to put the biblical theme into action.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am ~ Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81736183320 Passcode: 750844
Thursdays from 6-7pm ~ Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
April 28th ~ Joint Service at St. Andrew’s at 11am
May 5th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts needed!
May 12th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts needed!
May 19th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts needed!
May 26th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
Employment Opportunity
Forest Hill United Church is hiring a Special Assistant (8-weeks, 35 hr/wk, $17/hr). The position will combine work in our forest with administrative tasks and work on our Pride participation/Affirm ministry. Applicants need to be between the ages of 15 and 30. Preference will be given to candidates who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. Start date flexible. Contact the church office at forest.office@bellaliant.com or 506-455-0988 for more information.
Employment Opportunity
Brunswick Street Baptist Church (BSBC) is looking for a part-time Administrative and Social Media Assistant. Objective: To glorify God by providing administrative and practical support for the pastoral and office staff and BSBC ministries; managing social media and electronic communications, assisting in managing the Church office; and assisting the Board of Management and the Board of Deacons. This is a part-time position for 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday inclusive. Remuneration for this position is $17.50 to $19 per hour dependent on experience. To apply for this position, please email a cover letter explaining why you are interested in working at BSBC and how your education and experience ensures that you are the perfect candidate for the position, along with your resume, to Kellie Brown at receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca. The deadline for application is 4pm on Monday, May 13th, 2024. For more information see Administrative and Social Media Assistant Posting.pdf
Spring Rumage Sale At Wilmot
Mark your calendars for the UCW Spring Rummage Sale. Sorting will take place on Thursday, April 25th, with the sale happening on Friday and Saturday, April 26th & 27th. Donations of spring/summer clothing, housewares, toys, etc. can be left on the gym stage during office hours. To volunteer, contact Linda Gough or call the church office at 506-458-1066 and we can pass along your name.
Music For A While Concert
Please plan to attend Music for a While, a concert featuring soprano Sally Dibblee, violist Natalia Delacroix and guitarist Steven Peacock, on Wednesday, May 1st at 7:30 p.m. at Wilmot United Church. You’ll hear music by Purcell, Loeillet, Granados, Villa-Lobos and Weill, among others, as well as arrangements by Steven Peacock of folk songs from Newfoundland and from the British Isles. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, with free admission for students and children. For ticket reservations and more information: delacroixclassix.com and delacroixclassix@gmail.com
Guaranteed Livable Income
A Conversation About Guaranteed Livable Income, sponsored by Wilmot Outreach Committee in partnership With Basic Income Atlantic. Friday May 3rd from 1-3pm in Wilmot’s sanctuary. Refreshments and further discussion following the presentation with Wil Robertson and Dr. Herb Emery with discussion moderator Randy Hatfield. Free of charge.
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: Jaedyn Williams