For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
Greetings Kindred in Christ,
As we welcome or first full week of May we also walk into our eighth full week of physical distancing and isolation. The road has not been an easy one, but many of us have fallen into new routines that help navigate from day to day.
But change is a part of who we are both as the church and as human beings. Just when we find a routine that suits us, something changes and we are called to adapt.
Below are some ways that we are adapting to the change we are in, and planning for the change that is ahead of us:
Pictures for Pentecost: We miss each other, and we can’t deny it. We miss the friendly smiles, the warm handshakes, and the Warmer hugs. We’re a big family that hasn’t seen each other for a while. So, throughout the month of May, we are asking all who call St. Paul’s United home to get dressed up in your brightest Reds, yellows, and oranges, take a picture and send it to the church office (stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com). On Pentecost (Sunday May 31st) we’ll have a special slide show. So don’t wait till the last minute. Have your pictures in early!
Pandemic Survey: Rev. Michelle and A Rev. Richard have been hard at work gathering resources and creating opportunities for faith engagement, prayer, and worship over these last few months, and now they’re looking for your feedback. In this week’s COVID-19 update, a survey was distributed. We are asking as many people as possible to fill it out so that we can best respond to the needs of this congregation. Follow this link below and let us know your thoughts: https://forms.gle/
Mapping Out Maternity: We’re in the last month before Rev. Michelle goes off on parental leave and that means we’re going to be doing some planning. June, July, and August are already mapped out, but in the coming weeks and months Rev. Richard will be reaching out to some of you to be a part of the way we worship and be the church over the next year.
Pastoral Care: Your spiritual health is so important to us. We developed the phone tree to keep the church connected as we move through this pandemic, but it is not meant to stop you from reaching out to your Ministry team. Our numbers and emails are below:
Rev. Richard: (506)262-2150, rev.bowley@outlook.com
Rev. Michelle: (506)259-7602, michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com
Even as the church prepares for the coming months, we are finding ways to reach out, connect, and engage with one another. These ways may look different from what we are used to, but they are helping us build strong bonds as a community of faith.
Check out some of the ways you can engage with and deepen your faith here at St. Paul’s United Church:
Sunday Worship: Every week since the suspension of in-person activities at St. Paul’s, Rev. Michelle and Rev. Richard have been leading worship virtually. Join us for our live service through Zoom or Facebook Live:
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/
If you can’t join us live you can find recordings on Facebook or at the St Paul’s website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
St. Paul’s United Website: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/
Prayer Services: Every week, Rev Richard records an evening and a morning prayer service.
Recorded Services: On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/
Sharing Faith: Each week at 2pm on Wednesdays, Rev. Michelle facilitates faith discussion focusing on the scripture of the week. Join her by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
New videos for children and youth as well as Sunday school at home information can be found at: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/
Check out our deepening faith activities and resources at http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/
In the words at the start of this week’s enews, we are reminded that for all that divides us, we are united in Christ. The promise of the cross and the miracle of the tomb remind us that nothing can stop God’s grace from moving in and through our lives, nothing can stop new life from finding a way to burst forth. We might feel trapped in the tomb of this pandemic, but God is calling us to new life as the church.
As we move towards Sunday, as we continue to celebrate the new life that is bursting forth in this season of Easter and Spring, let us pray:
God of Unity and Community,
bind us together in your Spirit.
When space and time divides us,
unite us as kindred in Christ.
We are your people.
We are your church.
Give us the strength to lift our voices – together – in praise of you.
Give us the courage to follow you – hand in hand – into what tomorrow brings.
We ask this and all things in the strong name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Richard & Rev. Michelle