Kindred in Christ,

Do you say grace before your meals?  This week I have been thinking about this simple spiritual practice, and how a quick thank you before you eat changes the tone of a meal.  More times than I want to admit, lunch for me is often a grazing affair or quickly eaten at 2pm when I realize after intense work that I am famished.    Either way, I often skip sitting with my food and offering thanks before the meal. 

It is so easy to get caught up in the details and pressing needs of the moment that we neglect to connect with God.  But here is the thing when I stop to give thanks for the food, it tastes better and is more filling.   In other areas of my life, when I listen and reflect on what God is calling me to, well things go smoother.

It takes practice and intention to stop, even for a few seconds and it takes humility to ask God for insight and blessing.   It can be hard, but each time we engage in spiritual practices, we are shaped by God from the inside out.  We are opened a little more to seeing the world and responding like Christ.  That is the goal, isn’t it, to have our lives reflect Christ’s?

One of the aspects of Jesus life was that he knew that the world was one of abundance.  That is hard for us sometimes, and so often because of it we say no to protect ourselves and our resources.   It has been said that Jesus is God’s yes that defeats our No.  Around the church this week I got the joy of saying “yes”; yes to two short term rentals of our sanctuary, yes to a young mother looking for some formula for her child, yes to several requests for pastoral care appointments, yes to a young boy and his mother who wanted to see our sanctuary and Yes!  when our application to access Microsoft 360 for free was finally submitted without “unexpected errors” occurring.    In the pantry our volunteers got to say yes to 11 people seeking food.    Tricia and Mike Berry said yes to putting together the PowerPoint and reading scripture this Sunday.  These are just a few of the ways that our church has said yes to God and reflected Christ’s life.  As we move into this weekend,  may we embrace the opportunities before us to say yes to spreading God’s love.

As we head into the weekend let us pray:

Great God,

you see the world in ways we can barely imagine.

Open our eyes to glimpse more of what you see.

Inform our minds so that we can respond as you would respond.

Help us to love, as broadly and fully as you love us.

And when the call to follow your ways seems too much,

touch us with your spirit and renew our passion for your call.

This we pray, in Christ’s name.  Amen

  1. Worship announcements
  2. Security Incident
  3. Church office hours
  4. Fundscript
  5. Seeing God Summer Challenge
  6. Cell phone Donation
  7. Pastoral Care

1 – Worship Announcements

Where do we worship this summer?  Worship in July will be hosted at St. Paul’s.  Worship will start at 10:30am  and be available in person and via Zoom   Services will be hosted by Wilmot between August 1-August 29th.   Preaching this week Ellen Beairsto is here at St Paul’s.  Join us in person or Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551    Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 Passcode: 165090

2- Security Incident

On Sunday, July 11, an unfortunate incident occurred in the church office.  Following the morning service, the offering box was taken to the office and left in the Boardroom to be counted later in the day and the office door locked.  When the teller arrived in the afternoon, there was nothing in the box.  Envelopes containing cash and cheques had been removed.

Using the COVID attendance sheet from the Narthex, we have been able to identify who likely had envelopes in the box; all have been contacted.  The police have also been notified and have opened a file.

The lesson to be learned from this is the need to be more vigilant and aware of what is going on around us.  We are also reviewing our current security practices to identify and rectify possible weaknesses.  We can be thankful that it was only the offering that was taken and that the number of people on PAR means that only a few envelopes were lost, most of which contained cheques.

To date we have no idea who may have been involved with this incident.    I choose to believe that anyone who would take from a church is someone in great need, who may not have thought there was another way to get help for their situation.  While we might feel angry at this violation of our space or at ourselves for “letting this happen”, Christ would call us to have compassion for all involved.   We do not know why someone did this and we cannot change the past, but we can move forward using this incident as a springboard for learning and growth.

As mentioned above we will be reviewing our policies and procedures around handling money and security.   In being more aware of our surroundings, let us not become suspicious and closed off.  Let us instead each take the opportunity to care for our space by ensuring that those in our midst know that they are seen and responding to the needs that we encounter.

3- Church office Hours

We are running a reduced schedule of hours:

Monday to Thursday inclusive from 10 am -2 pm.  Thank you to the volunteers who are helping out.

4 – Fundscript

Orders are Due THIS Sunday, July 18 Don’t forget to get your cards for all your summer activities as this is the only order until September.  Need a form  You can also print one here:  http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/POF_46258_NB_20210107105919197.pdf   Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!  Enjoy your summer, stay safe!

5 – Seeing God Summer Challenge

As we settle into the summer patterns, you are invited to continue to look and experience God’s presence.  If you are staying home or on the road, take your copy of Seeing God Summer challenge with you.   Keep track of your sightings.  And bring back the sheet in September.  You can get your copy of this years summer challenge in the Narthex, on our website at http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/summer-challenge/  and through facebook.

6 – Cell Phone Donation

As part of their building security plan the property committee is looking for a donation of a functional used cell-phone in good condition to be used as an alarm contact phone to be shared between several people.   We would need a phone that is either on the Rogers network already or one that has been unlocked so it can be transferred.   If you have recently upgraded your phone or done so in the last few years and your old one still works well and you would like to donate it to the church please contact Patty @ mactrail@nb.sympatico.ca

7- Pastoral Care

I need your help when it comes to pastoral care and support because if you don’t tell me I can’t be there to support you.  There was a time when the hospital called when people were admitted and wide spread pastoral care teams would relay information to the minister.  These methods of getting information are no longer available, so I need you to reach out when you need support – going for surgery or are sick, feeling overwhelmed, have concerns about our church, or ideas you wish to work on – please contact me because as we seek an office administrator, I will not be actively seeking you out.   However, I will always make time to support for you.  Reach out through the office 458-1183, my cell 506-259-7602 or email michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com.

I am also looking for nominations for a pastoral support team – is there someone who you have found to be a big support in your life,  someone in the congregation you feel listens well and can hold things in confidence?   Are you the type of person who would be interested in supporting others?   Then contact me at the numbers above.