“Be Loved. Be Kind. Be You.” This was the theme for this program year of the church, shared in September. I hope that you have been reminded about how much God loves you through our services and other communication, and that you have accepted that love allowing it to touch your heart. I also hope that you have been reflecting on how you are being called to BE YOU for God. Did you know there is a roll within the life of the church that you have been perfectly made for and God is calling you to assume as part of Christ’s body? The church doesn’t function without you.
What about being kind? Kindness is something we have heard many times over the last couple of years. As we navigated the challenges and new opportunities that the pandemic provided, we were encouraged by public figures to “be kind” to one another. Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Kindness is an action word that involves doing. It might look like being helpful or showing empathy. It may mean doing nice things without expecting things in return. But kindness is more than being nice. Kindness can be hard when it involves standing up, making waves, and doing what is right even when inconvenient. Kindness can be risky, like when you see someone who is being targeted or harassed by a bully. Kindness calls you to walk over and stand next to the target and name the harassing behavior as unacceptable. Kindness doesn’t mean staying quiet or just agreeing with someone else when you see something that is wrong, but it does mean treating other people with respect. Acting from a place of kindness when it is hard not only promotes a caring society, it shows others how to do the same thing in the future. Being kind is not always easy, but it is always right.
Kindness however isn’t always hard, sometimes it can be really easy. Sharing an unexpected complement, saying thank you, or letting people know they are noticed, valued and important. Kindness can be doing a little something to make someone’s day better, like offering a smile to your neighbor.
Whether it is easy or hard, kindness is something we can do every day, multiple times a day. Just imagine what the world would be like if kindness was the root of all our behaviours. Our faith calls us to model Jesus, whose life and death displayed the ultimate care and kindness for us all. Kindness is something we as people of faith understand. So, let’s be public about all the ways that we share kindness during Fredericton Kindness Week (February 14-18). Let’s show the city, just how kind St. Paul’s and its people are! Post your act of kindness online on social media using #FrederictonKind at the end of your post and add your acts to the Acts of Kindness Post we will be making on Facebook next week – be bold and public in your kindness!
As we head into the weekend, with its own uncertainty let us pray
God who in your love and kindness gives us so much, we give you thanks,
For the natural beauty that makes our hearts sing,
For the loved ones who we share our lives with,
For the skills and gifts that let us make a difference in the world.
Above all we thank you for the kindness you showed us in Jesus Christ,
who breaks open death and gives us abundant grace.
Help us to uses these the skills and gifts that you have blessed us with to reflect your loving kindness in the world and may our actions help manifest heaven on earth. Amen.
1) Sunday February 13th – Worship
2) After Hours Locked Mailbox
3) Bible Study
4) Parent’s Meeting
5) Nominations for Board and Committees
6) Annual Meeting
7) Office Hours
8) New Building Safety and Security Measures
9) Brown Bag Lunch Program
10) Pantry
11) Offering Envelopes
12) General Council 44
13) Practicing Our Faith
1) Worship February 13, 2022
Despite the planned protests in the downtown we will be open for in-person worship on Sunday. We will be blessed by Jane Blakely as our soloist. To attend in-person worship here at St. Paul’s United Church you must show proof of vaccination. Other COVID protocols in play include:
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sitting in marked pews
– Maintaining 2 meters distance when entering and leaving building
– Singing is NOT permitted by congregation but we have a soloist
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom – link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
You can also join by phone only if you would prefer, if you don’t have a long distance plan charges would apply. All you need to do is call 1 647 558 0588 and follow the prompts to enter Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 and Passcode: 165090
2) After Hours Locked Mailbox: We have a new locked mailbox for after hours drop off located at the York Street entrance. Please feel free to also use this box if you wish not to come in to the church or navigate the stairs. It is checked multiple times daily.
3) Bible Study: Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the parlor. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is John 7:37-52. Due to interest we will attempt a hybrid bible study to join online you can log on using: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
4) Parent’s meeting and check-in: Do you have a child 18 or younger? You are invited to join Rev. Michelle on Thursday 17th at 7pm for a check-in. I know that the last 2 years have not always been easy, and our faith formation outreach has been mixed. Please take this opportunity to share where you are at, what you think we should do as we build back coming out of pandemic and your view of what the church should be doing moving into future. I want to hear how you are doing and what you need so join on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/849977165510 Passcode: 962766
5) Nominations for Committees and Board: The Annual Meeting is quickly approaching! Are you or someone you know interested in sitting on the board or a committee? We are specifically seeking individuals interested in forming a Finance Committee, and filling the position of Treasurer and Board Chair. Talk with Rev. Michelle or Member of the board today!
6) Annual Meeting: Please mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting to be held on February 27th, 2002 at 1pm in the sanctuary.
7) Office Hours: Just a friendly reminder that the office hours are from 8am – 3pm Monday through Friday. Please note that Thursday is a big day in the office, if you could shift your business to another day, it would be appreciated. Thanks!
8) Building Safety & Security Measures: Just a friendly reminder to sign in and out at both entrances. This allows for better safety and security of both the building and people in case of an emergency. Once year the end financial review is over we will be moving forward with re-issuing door and alarm codes for the new year.
9) Brown Bag Lunch Program: Proteins including canned meats (with flip tops), juice boxes and pudding cups continue to be a priority for our brown bag lunch program. Drop off anytime during the week. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity.
10) Pantry: The pantry needs some vital items including: dish & laundry detergent, white flour and sugar. Donations can be dropped off anytime during office hours or on Sunday. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
11) 2022 Offering Envelopes: Please pick your envelopes up, they are available in the Narthex. If you know someone whose envelopes remain and you are able to drop them off, it would be much appreciated. Contact Meghan at your convenience at 458-1183 to discuss a pickup arrangement!
12) General Council is the triannual (delayed 1 year because of COVID) meeting of the highest governing body of the United Church of Canada. The work of the 44th General Council will begin this month – unlike other gatherings this council will be meeting only virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. The proceedings are available for all to experience, so if you are interested in church governance and the decisions being made at the national level of our church check out https://generalcouncil44.ca/about/connect-gc44
13) Practicing Our Faith: Daily prayer makes a difference. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13)! Please join us and say the Lord’s Prayer with someone every day for World Peace and Personal Peace! “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20). Thank You, Barbara Cull-Wilby!!!