Tomorrow is the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. The reality and legacy of residential schools is something that we as church members cannot shy away from. It is a hard part of our past to look at and acknowledge. The truth is that these schools were not designed to honour God within the children they called students. The good people within the system and the theological reasoning that churches got involved with these schools do not brush away the deep and lasting hurt these schools brought or absolve us from our participation in them. Truth is the first part of reconciliation.
Throughout the 94 calls to action that came from the truth and reconciliation commission, many had to do with education. At St Paul’s we have started that journey by hosting a blanket ceremony, information available on Indigenous day of Prayer, and through the discussions around land acknowledgement. These are first steps, but we need to keep going. Here are a few things we can do:
TODAY: join “Indigenous Children Then, Now, and Tomorrow” on September 29, 6:30‒8:00 p.m. Panelists will touch on topics including Indigenous children in residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, the Millennial Scoop, and bringing our children home. It’s not too late to register!
Check out the Untied Church website full of information about the churches response and involvement. https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/honour-children-who-attended-residential-schools
Learn about why people wear Orange Shirts on September 30th and wear one yourself.
Join Rev. Michelle at St. Paul’s between 7:00-7:30pm on September 30th. Unfortunately, because of COVID surge the ecumenical service had to be put on hold. For a smaller time of reflection and prayer, join me in the sanctuary tomorrow evening.
Take a walk downtown and spend a moment reflecting on the children that went to school and never came home and those whose lives were forever changed as you walk across the painted crosswalk or see city hall in orange.
“If there is to be reconciliation, first there must be truth.” – Timothy B Tyson. While these words were first written for a different context, they fit for the process of truth and reconciliation that is needed to heal the wounds caused by and that caused the residential school system. Make tomorrow a learning day!
God of justice and of mercy,
We offer up prayers today as people in need,
In need of courage to face the past,
In need of wisdom to face the future,
In need of your presence to hold us fast to this moment.
Speak to us again of your love for all your people
Help us hear the hurt that residential schools caused,
And stand for justice for those who lived their reality.
Teach us how to better love each other,
that we may move into a future where we live in right relationships.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen
1) Worship announcements / Covid-19 Update
2) National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
3) Pantry Sunday
4) Sound System Operators
5) Sanctuary Cleaning
6) Changes to Security System
7) FundScrip
8) Bible Study
1 – This Sunday we will be celebrating Worldwide Communion Day at St. Paul’s – worship starts at 10:30am. We will be following the same covid-19 protocols as last week.
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
Our services are also uploaded to our youTUBE channel so you can view them anytime, at your convenience.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Late last Friday, September 24th, we were given a revised directive by The Hon. Dorothy Shephard, Minister of Health, in response to our concerns about the lack of clarity in the last communication regarding vaccination proof for regular church services.
The Government has prepared a pair of safe options for the church to operated under. We have decided to require proof of vaccination to attend worship at St Paul’s United Church. This means that our previous Covid Protocols can stay the same
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Social distancing is not required
– No capacity issues
– Singing while masked is permitted
Had we followed the no proof of vaccination option there would be stricter requirement for church service. This letter is on our website under ‘Covid-19 Updates’ so you can read it in it’s entirety.
2 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2021
Just a reminder that St. Paul’s will be closed tomorrow, September 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The City of Fredericton will hold a flag raising ceremony tomorrow, September 30th, that will see the Wolastoqey Flag fly permanently in front of City Hall. City Hall is also being lit orange from September 27th – October 1st in honour of this very important day.
With the ecumenical service being postponed due to rise in Covid Cases you are invited to join Rev. Michelle from 7-7:30pm @ St Paul’s on September 30th for a smaller prayer service. The planned service will be rescheduled when case numbers decrease.
3 – Pantry Sunday: Reminder, this Sunday is Pantry Sunday and we’ll be accepting donations in the Narthex. Our most popular items are Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, Instant Coffee, Coffee Whitener, Large 1L Juice (Apple or OJ), Cheese Whiz, Pancake Mix & Syrup, and can Soup (anything but Tomato!).
4 – Sound System Operators: St. Paul’s needs volunteers to help with operation of the sound system for Sunday Services. The goal is to have 4-5 people on a rotation so that each person would be required for an hour about one Sunday morning a month. The schedule is flexible. No experience is necessary and training will be provided. If this interests you, of if you know anyone who might be interested, please contact the church office at 458-1183 or email stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
5 – We are curious if anyone is interested in getting together to clean the sanctuary. We know it’s a BIG ask and it is hard work! We could split it up over two days, and it doesn’t need to be consecutive days either. Also, know that we won’t plan to do it unless there are enough volunteers. The more people, the more fun, the easier the work! If you are interested, please email or call Melissa with your availability.
6 – Security: We will be changing codes to both the Charlotte Street Door and the Building Security System in the coming days/weeks. We’ve had several instances, including this past Monday, where we’ve arrived early in the morning and the alarm system was not activated from the previous night. Moving forward, we would love to have your cooperation in letting the office know when you’ll be using any room in the building. This way we can arrange that the church security system is activated properly and will also prevent double bookings as we start to rent out space within the church.
7 – FundScrip: For the month of October some retailers have increased the value of their donations. If you get your gas at Ultramar, the value of the donation will be 2.5 % up from there typical 2%. Rona and Home Hardware have increased their donations from 3 % to 4 %. Pizza Pizza is offering 12% during October. And Boston Pizza is giving 8% this month, up from the usual 5 %
Please consider taking advantage of these increased donations to St. Paul’s. Buy these cards now, use them later or as gifts. They make great stocking stuffers for Christmas! Yes, the festive season will be here before you know it. The deadline for October orders is Sunday, October 17th. We will have the cards for you the following Sunday.
Order forms are available in the office and the Narthex or click HERE! If you have not used FundScrip before and would like to know about this fundraising program, Carole Peacock will be happy to speak with you. Thank you, Supporter, for your September orders and Happy shopping!
8 – Lectionary Bible Study: Wednesday’s at 11:11am! The reading for next week’s study will be Exodus 16:1-18.