It has been a heavy couple of weeks. Heartbreaking mass shootings have filled the news; 10 people died in buffalo while getting groceries, 5 injured and a woman who lost her life while having coffee after church, and another school shooting leaving 21 families devastated. The war in Ukraine continues. Then the details from the Mass Casualty commission looking into Portapique shootings, the coroner’s inquest into the death of Chantel Moore and the devastating storm in Ontario and Quebec brought the grief and loss home to Canada. With so much suffering, how are you doing?
I am angry that all of this death is so senseless. That lives were turned upside down and broken for no reason, that at least some of this pain could have been avoided, and that the same patterns of calling for action and deflecting of change seems to be playing out yet again. I am humbled remembering that our lives are fragile and that we never know when our last moment will be, and so reminded we should use the time we have now well. I am grateful for the family I have and pulled them close – giving thanks that at least for today they are safe. So really, how are you?
Rev. Fred Rogers (known to most simply as Mr. Rogers) sought to give children comfort by telling them to look for the helpers. This helped to show the children that despite the scary things on the news, that there is good, people care and that there was hope that things would get better. Look for the helpers, there are always helpers. This is great message for children, and as an adult it may be of some comfort, but for me it isn’t enough anymore. I want more than just looking for the people trying to clean up the mess of our sin.
In times of suffering and disheartening circumstances, the biblical tradition of lament provides us with a starting point on how to move beyond just looking for helpers. Lament is a prayer searching for understanding and peace. Lament as it is used in the bible isn’t about complaining, griping, or putting God on trial. Instead, lament is a heartfelt, vital prayer that brings our hurt, confused and vulnerable selves reaching out to Christ, asking God to respond faithfully, just as God has in the past. When we lament we open up space for the Holy Spirit to move into us into us. Unlike complaining that only creates distance in relationships, lament builds relationship and resilience while helping us to release the emotions we are feeling. God bearing witness to our grief, also gives us strength to take the next step with regards to what we do about what we lament for.
Yesterday moderator Bott modeled for us lament on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ModeratorRichardBott/ his prayer started out much like my personal prayers Tuesday, “I’m angry, God… and there’s nothing I can do with it. My jaw is clenched, and my hands keep grasping, and my heart is pounding, I want to do something…
but all I can do is offer prayerful support for our neighbours to the south, for our friends and our communion partners in the U.S.A. Somehow, it just doesn’t feel like it’s enough.”
Speaking of Lament, theologian NT Wright invites us to remember that Christianity offers us a practice that leads to hope: “It is not part of the Christian vocation, then, to be able to explain what’s happening and why. In fact, it is part of the Christian vocation not to be able to explain—and to lament instead. As the Spirit laments within us, so we become, even in our self-isolation, small shrines where the presence and healing love of God can dwell.” Lament lifts our concerns, our heartfelt challenges and as the spirit moves within us, as it always does when we pray, it opens the door to new possibilities and directions as we let God’s healing love flow over us.
How are you doing? Really doing? If you are angry, afraid, overwhelmed, fearful then lament may be the spiritual practice for you. Biblical examples of lament can be found in the Psalms (Psalm 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 86, 90). Prayers of lament don’t need fancy words, just an open and truthful heart. If you are not doing well, if you are struggling with the weight of the world or your own life, know it is ok to cry out to God. Also know that I am here for you, so reach out because I care about you and you are deserving of my time and support. I can be reached most easily on my cell 506-259-7602.
Remember we humans were not meant to go through life alone, God made us to be in relationship. This is true in our celebrations and in our sorrows. We connect with God in prayer and lament, we can connect to the community of faith through other believers too. So, until we gather together for worship may the Spirit work within us as we pray…
Hear us, God as we cry out to you,
Because sometimes this life seems too much,
Sometimes the news is overwhelming,
Sometimes we struggle to see the helpers and how they are making a difference.
We wonder God if anything will change,
And sometimes we fear that they will.
Send your Spirit to be with us as we grieve for our world,
For our neighbours, for ourselves.
Strengthen us with your presence
That we may be part of the answer to the lament that this world is nothing like heaven on earth.
This we pray in the name of the one who stands with us in our humanity, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
1) Worship Sunday May 29th
2) FundScrip Orders Due June 5th
3) Youth Group for Pre-Teens and Beyond
4) Pentecost Sunday
5) Plant Sale
6) Congregational Meeting
7) Spring Concert
8) Hospital Visitation by Clergy
9) Youth Volunteer Opportunities
10) Bible Study
11) Brown Bag Lunch Program
12) Pantry
13) Hybrid Sunday School
14) Upper Room Daily Devotional – May-June
1) Worship May 29th, 2022
To attend in-person worship at St. Paul’s United Church we will no longer require you to show proof of vaccination. COVID protocols still in play include:
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sanitizing one’s hands upon entry
– Sitting in the marked pews to maintain distance
– Being aware of social distancing when entering and leaving building
– Coffee time will be available for those who wish to partake. Tables will be set up and you are asked to maintain masks while not eating/drinking and stay seated.
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) FundScrip Orders: The deadline for the next FundScrip order is next Sunday, June 5. Cards will arrive for distribution before Father’s Day, June 19. This is also a good time to stock up on cards for your summer travels and shopping! Order forms available in the Narthex, church office or click here. Thank you for your continued support of this fundraising program.
3) Youth Group for Pre-Teens: Simon Wilby is starting a Sunday evening youth drop-in program for the pre-teen age group, starting Sunday May 29 from 6:30-7:30pm. Mark your calendar! If you are interested in attending or helping develop this program, please let us know!
4) Pentecost Sunday: Next week is Pentecost. Please wear your yellow, orange and red colours to the service!
5) Plant Sale: Plant sale at St. Paul’s on Saturday June 4th in the George street parking lot – 8am until noon or until plants are all gone. Please bring your own bags and boxes to take your new treasures home. For more information please contact Donna Chauvin at 458-5885.
6) Congregational Meeting: Please join us June 12th after worship. This is an opportunity to hear updates on projects and activities of the church.
7) Spring Concert: There will be a Bel Canto concert at Christ Church Cathedral on June 11th. Tickets are $20 each or $40 per family and can be purchased at the door.
8) Hospital Visitation by Clergy: Hospitals are still at the RED level of Covid protections. This means if you find yourself in hospital and would like Rev. Michelle to visit, you need to let us and the hospital know. There is no way for us to find out if you are there, except direct contact and visits are by requests only.
9) Youth Volunteer Opportunities: Are you part of the Youth or a Young Adult? Do you have gifts and talents that can be shared? Do you have spare time this Summer or next Fall?
If so, please contact Rev Michelle, Office Admin or Erin Hayes (hayes.erin11@gmail.com).
List of possible volunteer opportunities:
– Sunday School (Leading, Assisting or Attending)
– Youth Group (Leading, Assisting or Attending)
– Lighting the candle on Sundays (Rev. Michelle – is this an okay option to add?)
– Environmental Stewardship (generate ideas the church could implement for reducing our ecological footprint)
– Greeters on Sunday
– Scripture Readers on Sunday
– Help with coffee hour after church
– Help folding bulletins or light office duties
– Any other passions you might have!
10) Bible Study: Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the board room. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Acts 2:1-4. Due to interest, you can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190
11) Brown Bag Lunch Program: The program needs cans of proteins with flip top lids such as soups, meats, fish. Thank you for your donations to this important program.
12) Pantry: The pantry is in need of: hamburger helper, jam, cans of corn, chicken noodle & creamed soups (i.e. chicken, mushroom), molasses, coffee mate, and coffee. Thank you in advance for any contributions.
13) Hybrid Sunday School: We are EXCITED to welcome you to Sunday School. You can join us in person or through the Zoom platform virtually. For now, our Sunday school lessons will be delivered in a hybrid fashion (simultaneously in person and on Zoom).
14) Upper Room Daily Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotional for May-June is available for purchase in the office for $2.
St. Paul’s United Church
190 Years of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and Serving others in Christ’s name
Contact Information
224 York St., Fredericton, N.B. E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely