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…
To name who you are and what you hold most precious is to be vulnerable. It is to risk rejection of the core of who you are. Humans do not like to be vulnerable; it feels unsafe. And yet it is through vulnerability that true intimacy and deep relationships can be formed. When we truly see each other, we can come to love each other, unconditionally. As we approach this last Sunday of the Easter season, I am struck by how this pattern of vulnerability and relationship is the way of Christ. He is God, who took on human form and feelings, to meet us face to face, to be our friend and companion.
This Sunday is also Mother’s Day. As you head into the weekend, maybe you are reflecting on the quality of the relationship you have or had with your mother or your children. This parent-child relationship is the first place we get to practice being vulnerable. While I would hope that every child is loved unconditionally, I am painfully aware that that is not always the case. As you think about your personal experiences of being mothered, by your mother or mother-like people in your life, what did they teach you about who you are, what you can do, and how to love? How did your first early experiences shape your willingness to be vulnerable?
Brene Brown, researcher and author, has been quoted as saying:
Speaking about Vulnerability is not weakness! It is not winning or losing, it is having the courage to show up, be seen when you have no control over the outcome. It is about asking for what you need, having hard conversations, and talking about how you are feeling.
In her research in the areas of connection, shame, wholeheartedness, and vulnerability, she found that people who were living fully and felt worthy of love and abundant life had four characteristics in common. These characteristics are:
Courage – to tell the story of who they are with their whole heart, including their imperfections.
Compassion – fueled by kindness to themselves and others.
Connection – forged in being willing to let go of who they thought they should be to be who they are.
Vulnerability – they believed that what made them vulnerable also made them beautiful and therefore they were willing to act without guarantees of a specific outcome.
As we think about the changes and new relationships we will be developing as a church community, vulnerability might just be one of the keys to our success. We will need to open ourselves up to share what we care most about, grieve what must be left behind, and name what we need to move forward. In this vulnerability, we will birth a new dream for St. Paul’s and be stewards of our future.
On this final week of Easter, we can remember the vulnerability of God that led Christ to teach us what abundant life looks like. We can give thanks to God for the ways mothering figures have helped us to embrace not only courage, compassion, and connection but also the vulnerability that enables us to live wholehearted and joy-filled lives. And we can remember that as long as there is breath, the process of transformation in the resurrection continues.
Let us pray.
You who love us completely and fully,
We give thanks for your steadfast love and still small voice telling us that we are worthy.
We give thanks this day that you hold us tight when we feel insecure.
Help us know that we are known.
To accept that we are accepted.
Give us the strength to embrace your transforming way
that brings joy, hope, and abundance.
In Christ’s love and grace, we pray. Amen.
Featured In This May 9th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday May 12th
Introducing Our New Tenants!
Imprint Youth Association
Finance Update
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
General Council Commissioners
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Fredericton Choral Society Concert
New Members Welcome!
Booking Meeting Space At St. Paul’s
God’s Story, Our Story
Downtown United Summer Schedule
Yard Sale At Nashwaaksis United
Stuffed Pork Loin Dinner Fundraiser
Yard Sale & Cafe
Worship This Sunday May 12th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740
Password: 657067
Introducing Our New Tenants!
We’re very pleased to have two small, enthusiastic not-for-profit groups leasing office and activity space in Fraser Memorial Hall.
First is Adult Literacy Fredericton, located in the two rooms above the kitchen. (Also known as ALF) https://www.adultliteracyfredericton.org/
Adult Literacy Fredericton strives to empower adult learners 18 years of age and older by helping them acquire the reading, writing, and numeracy skills necessary to function successfully at home, at work, and in the community, to achieve their goals, and to develop their full potential. Their programs involve volunteer tutors providing one-on-one tutoring. In recent years, a growing number of their participants are newcomers from all over the world. They also educate the public and advocate for literacy. Some of you may have attended their amazing book sales in years past.
The second group, Imprint Youth Association, was founded in 2015 and sprang from community conversations about what was needed and missing for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. https://imprintyouth.ca/
Their motto is: WE BELIEVE THAT 2SLGBTQIA+ YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS DESERVE RESOURCES AND SPACES THAT ALLOW THEM TO THRIVE AND BE CELEBRATED FOR THEIR WONDERFUL AUTHENTIC SELVES.
Since its inception, Imprint has partnered with many other groups to provide safe drop-in spaces, hosting events, and participating in community activities. Imprint is now based in the basement room some of you know as the “AA Room” and some of us think of as the “youth lounge”. In the newly painted “Imprint Room”, there will be regular drop-in hours and a variety of other activities targeting different age groups. All the activities take place under adult supervision.
Now that you’ve been indirectly introduced, I’d like you to be part of a warm welcome for the organizations’ staff, volunteers, participants and, in the case of Imprint, parents. If you’re in the building during the week, you may from time to time have the opportunity to help someone find their way through the maze that is Fraser Memorial Hall. Please remember that as part of their lease, our tenants have every right to use common spaces – like hallways and the Charlotte St. entry – as they need to support their operations. Meghan is working closely with both groups to make sure that security is kept front of mind – for all of us – so you don’t need to worry about it.
If you do see something that causes you concern, please send an email to Meghan or me rather than addressing it to the person who might be on the scene (after you have helped them out of course – if that’s what’s needed). The volunteers and participants want and need to feel safe and welcome in the building just the same way you and I do. So, let’s double down on the love and acceptance that is our mandate and our mission and make sure that people know we mean it when we say everyone is welcome here. Thank you! Spread the word! ~ Jane
Imprint Youth Association
Imprint Youth Association’s space at St. Paul’s is coming together. This wonderful space is a perfect place for their program’s youth to hang out! Well done!
Finance Update
At its meeting of May 1st, the Council received a financial update, which you will find below/ attached / linked. Thank you to each and every one of you who supports the life and work of St. Paul’s. Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make: be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus’ sake. ~ Jane
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 and dish detergent, Kleenex, Mr. Clean, Comet, ketchup, pudding cups, white and brown sugar, icing sugar, cookies, jam, mayonnaise, vinegar, granola bars, flour, pancake mix, syrup, spaghetti, Hamburger Helper, Stove Top stuffing, cake mix, frosting, soda crackers, oatmeal, and baking powder. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
General Council Commissioners
The deadline for nominations for General Council 45 Commissioners is May 10th. The original announcement can be read here. More information about the role of a commissioner can be found here. If you are interested in serving as a Commissioner to the 45th General Council, please fill out the form here. If you have, any questions, please be in touch with the Nominations Committee Chair, Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin.
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
May 12th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Chris Grant, Mary Stickles & Jane Banks
May 19th ~ Joint Service at St. Paul’s ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Carole Peacock
May 26th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister & Debbie West
June 2nd ~ Joint Service at St. Andrew’s at 11am
June 9th ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts Needed
June 16th ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts Needed
June 23rd ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts Needed
Fredericton Choral Society Concert
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.
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.
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.
Downtown United Summer Schedule
Please join us this summer for
Downtown United +
Everyone is welcome!
SAINT 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
Yard Sale At Nashwaaksis United
Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street, will be having a Yard Sale on Saturday, June 1st from 8:00am-Noon. The sale will be held in the auditorium, so rain or shine. Cash only. Please use the front door. Hope to see you there!
Stuffed Pork Loin Dinner Fundraiser
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St., will be hosting a Stuffed Pork Loin Dinner on May 29th, 4 – 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. Menu: Pork, stuffing, potatoes, carrots, turnip, peas, gravy, coleslaw, rolls and PIES. Please call the church office at 506-457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
Yard Sale & Cafe
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St., will be hosting a Yard Sale & Cafe on June 1st, 8-11:30 a.m.
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