Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 

 -Matthew 15:17-18

Kindred in Christ,

This week’s eNews is full, with information to the end of the summer, notices about what we are going to need in the fall to make in-person worship work, and a financial note from both Rev. Richard and Chair of the Board Jane Blakely. Please have a careful read over what follows to see what you can offer to ensure this work is not only done, but done well.

 

Planning a Return to In-person Worship: As you may have seen in our most recent COVID-19 update we are working out the details of getting back together for in-person worship. One of the most important things that you can do to make worship happen starting on September 6th is to serve in one of the support positions (Greeter, Usher, Audio Visual). Please complete the following brief survey whether or not you intend to attend, and if you are planning to attend, let us know how you can serve! https://forms.gle/FsK3d9whyqwMi2aQA

Music in the midst of Return: As we prepare to open on September 6th, another one of the things that will be different is how we include music in our worship. Though we won’t be having congregational singing, we are looking for soloists (or bubbled groups of singers) who would be willing to share their gifts. Please reach out to Rev. Richard either by email or phone: rev.bowley@outlook.com, (506)262-2150

Downtown United 2020: This week our joint worship is being led by St. Paul’s United Church. You can find the pre-recorded service on the Youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG2wvjhQzgAm-2Co5WvRkmA by 10 am on Sunday, August 16th. Don’t forget that Rev. Richard will be hosting a Zoom gathering on Sunday morning at 10:30 am for a viewing of the worship service, after which all are invited to join in conversation. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/422755131. The schedule for this and the rest of our worship services for the summer can be found: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/summer-worship-schedule/

As we come to the end of our time joined together with our kindred at Wilmot United Church, we have decided to finish with something special. On August 30th we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion as Downtown United. 

Vacation Week: This upcoming week (August 17-23) Church Manager Eric will be on vacation. Someone will be in the office in a limited capacity to help as needed. On Tuesday August 18th Debbie Allison 

will be in and Thursday August 20th Cathy Davis. In both cases, they will be in the office from 10-2. If you would like to drop anything off or pick anything up, please call 458-1183 during those hours.

Pastoral Concerns & Hospital Visitation

With the easing of restrictions means more opportunity for Rev. Richard to be there for you when you need him. As always, he is available to address pastoral care concerns over the phone (262-2150) or by email (rev.bowley@outlook.com), but you may want a visit after so long. If you would like to arrange a visit, contact Rev. Richard either by phone or email, and a time will be set up. 

If you or someone you know is in hospital, restrictions have been loosened there as well. Clergy are now allowed to visit people who are in hospital so long as a direct request is made to the minister, with a room number. Call or email any time and Rev. Richard will get to the hospital as soon as he is able.

Summer Prayer Services: Every week until Wednesday August 26th, Rev. Richard will be recording a prayer service. These will be available each week on Wednesday by noon on Youtube. 

Financial Update from Jane & Rev. Richard:

Greetings St. Paul’s friends

By following this link: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/financials-july-2020/ you will find updated financial information to the end of July. Many thanks to our bookkeeper Dixie Spencer and Church Manager Eric for providing this information and keeping things up to date. 

If you look at the Budget – Actual spreadsheet, you will see that we are approximately $34,000 behind the budget that we adopted at our annual meeting.  This is absolutely to be expected – this has not been a normal year and all of our revenue sources have been affected by the COVID pandemic.  However, it’s time for us to start making up for lost time, and that is going to take all of us.

  1. FundScript:  We can’t hold dinners or sales or concerts but we need fundraising revenue to stay in business.  https://www.fundscrip.com is a fundraiser that can be done safely from home, involves all our members and the broader community and will produce great results for us. The preliminary work has been done and we have all the information we need to get going – now we need a small team of leaders to make it happen.  Please take a look at the program and jump in – talk to Eric or Jane for more details.  We can’t afford to fail.

  2. Heritage and Resources:  This is our Stewardship Committee of one and your help is desperately needed. Chair/Board Member Jen Petryshen, Rev. Michelle and a couple of you put out a very thorough Stewardship campaign last fall. We were disappointed with the response. So there is work to do: why did many members not respond to a direct request for additional support? How do we increase our givings to predictably and sustainably cover our costs? Jen can’t do this alone and if we don’t succeed in our Stewardship efforts, our future is not promising.

  3. Building revenues:  Our building is a huge part of our budget and part of sustainability is generating enough revenue to cover the operating costs. We are lucky to have one stalwart tenant and Eric has our parking rentals back to full capacity. However, other building uses (weekly activities, small businesses, special events) are likely to be reduced until the pandemic is over. We need to replace this revenue.  Who can work with Eric to develop a strategy for the longer term (partnerships, additional uses etc.) and find some short term opportunities to keep us afloat? 

What is stated above outlines pretty clearly a financial challenge that we, the congregation, can rise to. What is not as evident, but is just as significant is that along with a financial challenge, we have a people challenge. A church can only function when the people bring their gifts – treasures yes, but just as importantly time and talents – to the work that we are called to do. We have a real need for people to serve on the committees that make the church work, committees like Ministry and Personnel, Worship, and the Board itself. Without passionate members in these and other committees, the work suffers, and so the experience of church suffers. We need you to step forward with the gifts that you know you have, but that we might not be aware of. Please consider reaching out to Rev. Richard or Jane Blakely to find out where you can offer your gifts of service to contribute to the flourishing of our community of faith.

As we walk towards another weekend, and another opportunity to engage in worship together, I want you to take special note of the words of Christ at the top of this week’s eNews:

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 

In the words of Christ we are reminded that what we take in does not define us nearly as much as what we put out into the world. What we say and what we do as people of faith define us. May we be people who live and walk faithfully in this world, sharing love and compassion wherever possible.

Take this prayer with you as a guide to Sunday and beyond:

Work in and through us, O Christ.

When we would speak ill of or harshly to others, close our mouths.

Inspire us to speak with compassion and love.

When we would turn from the pain and hardship of others, open our eyes.

Encourage us to see the world as you would see it, our neighbours as precious, creation as a gift.

When we could ignore the cries for help from those distressed or oppressed, open our ears.

Enliven us to be people of service and action, offering who we are for the building up of those with whom we share this world.

Work in and through us, O Christ, as we offer ourselves to the world. AMEN

Yours in Christ

Rev. Richard