As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’

-Mark 5:18-19

Kindred in Christ,

As we make our way another week into September, another week into the school year, another week into the pandemic, we continue to be followers of Christ and sharers of God’s love. It is more difficult to spread the Gospel and embrace our kindred, but it just means that we must get creative with how we do that work.

Similarly, how we do church has looked very different over the last few months, and will still look very different in the weeks and months to come. We have been blessed to be able to meet in person and continue our online presence through September so far, and we hope to continue that into October.

Have a read below to see what is new to you, and maybe find some ways where you can serve.

Week of Vacation: Rev. Richard is on vacation this week from the 14th-20th of September partially to rest and prepare for the fall, but also to celebrate his birthday (36 on September 20th)! Standing in for worship on September 20th will be the Rev. Brian MacDonald. 

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!.

Return to Sunday School: Along with getting back together for Sunday worship, we have restarted our Sunday School. We began our Sunday School on Sunday, September 13th. We are asking parents to pre-register when their child/children by contacting Cathy Davis at 455 – 1129 or by email at johntdavis@hotmail.com

Drop off for Sunday School: Before going into worship, we are asking parents to drop their children off for Sunday School at the York St door. There is a bell, and we ask that you ring it to notify volunteers of your arrival, if there is not someone waiting there for you. After dropping off your children, we invite you to follow these next steps before for joining in our worship service.

Step-by-Step From Sidewalk to Pew, and Back Again: What follows is what you can expect, step-by-step, when you arrive on Sunday morning.

 

  • Line-up Outside: As we screen people at the door, we are asking all of you to line up down the ramp and along the side of the building before worship. There will be tape to indicate where to stand and where to go. There will also be signs with some of the questions you should be prepared to answer. Please be sure to put your mask or shield on here. Worship will start at 10:30 AM sharp, so arrive early to get your seat.
  • Screening at the Door: Like many places, we will have a greeter at the door asking you the standard travel and health questions before you are able to enter. They have been instructed to turn people away who fail that screening and/or those who do not have a mask or face-shield. 
  • Placing Offering in Receptacle: To avoid passing around a plate in the middle of worship, we are asking that those with gifts to bring, place them in the designated offering receptacle in the Narthex after being screened but before being seated.
  • Seated by an Usher: After screening you will be asked “upstairs or downstairs” and the appropriate usher will lead you to the next available pew according to our seating instructions. If you are part of a larger bubbled group (4+ people) that has already arrived or will be arriving after you, please let your usher know. You might not get to sit in your favourite pew, but you might get a new perspective on the worship experience.
  • Mask/Shield on through Worship: Though our worship space is amazing, it is poorly ventilated, and so we require that you wear your mask/shield throughout worship. 
  • Directed out by Usher: At the end of worship, you will be directed when to leave your pew by the usher, with those closest to the exit leaving first, and those farthest from the exit leaving last.
  • Back out into the world: Once you are outside the walls of St. Paul’s United, you may remove your mask/shield. We ask that if people do gather in the parking lot, they do so physically distanced from one another.

 

If we follow these steps, we can ensure a safe and still Spirit-filled time of worship!

Announcement from Rev. Richard: Some will have heard in worship this past Sunday, but others may not have. 

After much reflection, prayer, and discernment, I have made the decision to seek an end to my call with St. Paul’s effective December 31st of this year. I know this may come as a shock to many, but in my wrestling with the holy spirit this is the path I was shown.

I cherish the time that I have served here at St. Paul’s, and am especially thankful for the time I have had with my friend and partner in ministry Rev. Michelle. 

Over the next 3 months I will continue to serve with the same passion that I have had for the last 6 years. I look forward to our remaining time as we experience God’s Word together, and find a way forward, even if it is on separate paths.

There will be questions, where am I going? What is the plan between January and June? Why am I really going? I can answer some of these now, and I know there will be others.

I have accepted a call to Quispamsis United Church, starting Jan 1, 2021. I don’t know exactly what the new year will look like for St. Paul’s, but I will be working with M&P, the Board, and others to ensure a plan is in place. And as to that last question, I really am going because I feel like it is time. It is not a choice I was forced to make, but one I felt called to make.

For other questions or just to talk, I am still here. Call me. Email me. If you like, I will come to you. I will be here for you over the coming months.

Congregational Meeting: At our annual meeting, we agreed to have a congregational meeting on Sunday, September 27th at 1 pm. This is just a reminder that this meeting is happening, but also to share with you the information needed to log in to Zoom (as it will be a Zoom meeting). Remember that Zoom now requires the use of a meeting password. It is included below:

 

 

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.

Annual General Meeting of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Region: On September 26th, your Regional Reps along with reps from across PEI, NB, and parts of the Gaspe will log on to Zoom to do some very important work for the church! We ask that you keep all those who have worked and will work to make things happen in your prayers this coming week and throughout the day on Saturday September 26th.

This is also the first Annual meeting that we are having as a region on our own (without our Region 15 kindred) since we moved to the three court model. While we will miss our Blue Nose and Bermudian partners, we look forward finding celebration even in the midst of this pandemic.

World Communion Sunday: On October 4th we are going to be celebrating the Holy Sacrament of Communion, and yes, so long as we are safe to gather in the sanctuary, we will have elements (pre-packaged juice and wafer) for you! For those at home, we encourage you to get some bread and juice (or a suitable alternative) and join us on Zoom! ***Please note: The pre-packaged elements are not gluten free, and do contain red dye. Alternatives are being looked into but we do not have something ready at this time. More information will be forthcoming.

I will miss you all this coming Sunday as I am away on vacation, but encourage you to be present either in person or through Zoom to support Rev. Brian MacDonald. As we make our way through this week and into the weekend – one where I am celebrating a birthday – I hope you will indulge me for a prayer of celebration:

Everyday, O God, is a new opportunity, a day worthy of thanks to you for the gifts we have been given.

Especially today, we give thanks for the day that we enter this world, where we are held for the first time, where we breathe deep of your life giving breath.

Send that Holy Breath into this day, O God, and enliven us again. This we pray in the strong name of Christ our companion on the way. AMEN

 

Yours in Christ

Rev. Richard Bowley