‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
                                                                                                                         -Matthew 5:6

Kindred in Christ,

Blessed also are all those little ones who are hungering for sweet treats this Halloween, for they too will be filled! Happy Hallowen people of St. Paul’s United. This weekend is full between Halloween, All Saint’s Day, and our 188th Anniversary. We pray that it is a safe time of trick or treating for your little ones, and we also pray that everyone enjoys the extra hour of sleep as the time changes again. So don’t forget to set those clocks back an hour (at least the ones in need of setting back).

With all that extra sleep we hope to see you either in person or online this weekend as we welcome special guest preacher Rev. Ivan Gregan and members of the 80’s youth group as they lead us through an anniversary celebration.

Also happening before our next eNews is the election in the USA. As you pray for goblins and ghouls roaming the streets this weekend, also pray for our kindred to the south as they determine their future.

Keep on reading and you will see some special messages from Heritage and Resource, the Fundscrip team, and Donna Chauvin!

Message from Your Heritage and Resources Team

We are fast approaching a very special time in the life of our church: our anniversary! St. Paul’s has been serving as a place of unbroken praise since 1832, which means that we have been singing, praying, and hearing the word for 188 years! We have officially been around longer than:

  • Sliced bread (introduced widely in the 1920’s)
  • The Lightbulb (patent filed in 1879)
  • The Telephone (patent filed in 1876)
  • Canada (Confederation happened in 1867, though the land itself had been lived on for millenia)
  • The Zipper (close, but it was introduced in 1851)

All the above are part of our everyday lives. Many of us could not imagine the shape of our lives today without even one of these things, because they led to other things. Without the telephone, we might not have the internet. Without the lightbulb, Christmas would not be as bright! Without the zipper…well the zipper is the height of its own technology, but without it, we might not have gone to the moon (lots of zippers on those suits). What we are saying is that without these things we would not be where we are today.

What about St. Paul’s? This community of faith has also been part of your lives. For some, this is where you were baptised; for others, you were married here. For still others, it is where you discovered a spiritual part of yourself that you weren’t in touch with before. St. Paul’s has played a part in your lives and the life of the Fredericton community, and we want to ensure that we continue to play a part, walking with you through your faith journeys.

This Sunday, as we mark 188 years of faithful service, give praise to God for the many years yet to come. We also ask what it means to each of us to “be the church” going forward. How will St. Paul’s be a part of who you are becoming? Though we have many questions, one thing we know for certain is that it is only through your gifts of time, talent, and treasure that we will be able to continue in our mission of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and Serving others in Christ’s name.

As we approach Anniversary Sunday, we ask all those who have called this place home over the years to consider the many ways in which you can “be the church”, even during these difficult times:

  • Join a committee. All of our committees, but particularly Ministry & Personnel and Worship, would benefit from more hands. We also require a Treasurer (hands up if you love numbers!).
  • Support in-person services by volunteering to greet/screen, serve as an usher, sing, or operate our tech.
  • Participate in fundraising activities. Our latest is Fundscrip, a simple and flexible way to raise funds at no additional cost to you. Stay tuned for other innovative fundraising activities.
  • Make a one time donation to celebrate who we were, are, and will be. You can do with in a number of ways:
    • Cash/cheque donation dropped off in the collection box this Sunday or at the office from Monday to Thursday
    • Through Canada helps – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/108037383RR0001-st-pauls-united-church/
  • Increase regular envelope or in-person givings. You can do this in your own time at your own pace, giving what you can when you can for the work of our community of faith.
  • Get involved in PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance). Just contact Eric our church manager at 458-1183 or by email at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
    • Leave papercuts behind and save a tree with PAR! Giving is easy, predictable, and automatic. With PAR, your gifts support the work of the church even if you’re not able to physically attend.
    • Increase your PAR! $5/month or $50/month – every little increase expands the work we are able to do in God’s name.

We also want to thank all those who have continued to give throughout the pandemic. We would not be who we are as the church without your dedication, hard work, and passion.

Your gifts don’t just ensure that we continue changing lives today – they mean that we will be a part of the lives of faith seekers in the years to come. Give in memory. Give in celebration. Give in anticipation.

Worship this Week: We celebrate our anniversary this Sunday and welcome Rev. Ivan Gregan and members of the 80’s youth group. Come and hear the words of wisdom from the Beatitudes as we seek both God’s blessing on us and to be a blessing in the world.

Worship over the next few weeks: As we move past the halfway point of October, we have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks when it comes to worship and guest preachers.

  • November 1st: This is a big one, because it is Anniversary Sunday! On November 1st we as a church celebrate 188 years together in worship and faith exploration. As a special treat, the youth group from the 80’s will also be marking the day with a reunion of sorts. Worship leadership will be in the hands of those former youth group members, and the guest preacher is Rev. Ivan Gregan, a once youth group leader during that time. Come and celebrate who we were, who we are, and who we will be!
  • November 8th: We gather on this day to remember. This will be our Remembrance Sunday Service, and we welcome back Rev. Brian one more time this year, as Rev. Richard takes his last week of Continuing Education.

There is so much to celebrate, take stock of, and give thanks for, and over the next month, we will have ample opportunity to do just that!

Worship In-Person or by Zoom: We continue to live into a hybrid worship where we have seats available for those who would like to worship in-person, but will continue to offer streamed worship through Zoom. However you join us, we are glad to have you!.

  • The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85811548808
  • The password for this meeting room is: 200188
  • For those who would prefer to call in the number is: 1 647 558 0588 then use the Meeting ID: 858 1154 8808, and then enter the passcode 200188 when prompted

Time Change!: We mentioned it at the beginning but thought it would be worth mentioning again. The time changes this weekend, and we are all going to get an extra hour of rest (hopefully). We hope that you wake renewed and refreshed and ready to join us for our anniversary service at 10:30 am.

Sunday School On Hold: We received a recommendation from the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Region to refrain from having in-person Sunday School until later October/early November. Although disappointing, we look forward to the time we can host our young people again! Until then, stay tuned for Christian Education home learning options for your family!

SALE IN THE GARAGE (at Donna’s place)

Knitting/Sewing/Crafts

500 ml Mince Meat $10.00
Jams & Jellies $4.00

When?: Saturday, October 31st from 9 AM TO 1 PM

Where?:
56 Cortland Street
Applewood New Maryland

All Proceeds Go To St. Paul’s United Church

Message From Our Fundscrip Team

A big “Thank You” to members of the congregation who showed their support for this fundraiser by buying gift cards this week. We’ll be looking for more order forms next week. Remember: a rebate for each card you buy is donated by the retailer to St. Paul’s. Several retailers have just announced increased rebates for cards purchased during the upcoming holiday season . . . November 1 to December 31. Winners, Home Sense and Marshalls have increased their rebate to 8 per cent (from 6). The Ultimate Dining Card (can be used at East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s, Montana’s, New York Fries and Swiss Chalet) will now donate 7 percent of the gift card’s value (up from 5). Other retailers offering increased rebates include Esso (on a $100 card), La Vie en Rose, and Sally Beauty. We will be placing an order for cards in mid-November. Please complete your order form, deliver it to Eric and pay by Monday, November 9.

Order forms are available at the church office or by clicking here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/stpauls-order.pdf Shopping is fundraising!

Rental Opportunity

Downtown Office Space for rent – $500.00 per month
224 York Street – 270 square feet
Heat, lights,
Elevator
Security alarm system
Washrooms
Parking for one vehicle
Walking distance to restaurants, banks, government offices.

Telephone 458-1183

As we prepare for the weekend, let us continue to be mindful of one another, caring of one another, and may we work together to keep this Halloween and the days that follow safe!

Let us carry this prayer with us into spookiest of days and the darkest of nights:

We pray for all the ghouls and ghosts,
who wander through the night.
We pray for all the treat-sharing hosts,
whose porches are a-light.
We pray for heroes, monsters, pirates,
for the spirits, for the fey.
We pray that you watch over them,
O God, show them your way.
Keep your children safe this night,
whatever mask they wear.
Remind them when the night grows dark,
that you are always there. AMEN

Yours in Christ
Rev. Richard Bowley