St. Paul’s United Church
Our Mission: Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and Serving Others in Christ’s name.
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
Sitting here in Sackville at the Regional Office, watching snowflakes fall from the sky, I can’t help but think about how much snow we have received this January. Snow, like so many other things in life, elicits a wide range of feelings. From joy at the crisp freshness of the world after a snow fall to the dread of treading out in unstable and frosty conditions, the reality is no two of us sees snow in exactly the same way. This uniqueness is true not only of our perceptions but of the snowflakes themselves. Which just points to the creativity and expansiveness of God, who creates and ordains such diversity.
This diversity in being is woven into all parts of creation, a gift to the world. It does however, at times, make life more complicated. As we move through the world engaging with others, we are bound to run into our differences. The key to preventing our difference from becoming like a blizzard, is to approach each other with grace and open minds. In doing this we create space for each other, for the difference God had woven into our beings and ultimately, we become stronger, see more clearly and life itself is richer and more beautiful.
Yesterday, we heard a presentation from Lauren Hodgson about Kindred Works and the UPRC. Thank you to all who came out to the meeting and if you were unable to attend, a recording of the evening session will be available to view as soon as possible. Like the snow falling from the sky, I am sure that this presentation touched and twigged a variety of responses. As we move through the exploration of the potential for us at St. Paul’s, let us be mindful of the diversity of feelings and opinions that this brings up. Before all else, let us ground ourselves in God’s presence, asking for God’s guidance and remember that we are all God’s beloved. There will be an opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts at coffee and conversation this Sunday and to bring any questions that have arisen since the presentation. I am looking forward to connecting with you and us continuing the discussion started yesterday.
In the meantime, I ask that you pray for safe travels for all the participants of this training who are scheduled to be traveling today. As we move into this storm and towards the weekend, I share with you this blessing from Mary Palmer from my training event this week….
Winter Blessing
When sleet blinds you,
hail drowns out your voices,
and snow hides your path,
May you discern in each flake,
a star, image of the one that guided the Magi,
and find that in the pain
of birth, death or change
There is a light to guide you.
Featured In This January 26th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday January 29th
Annual Committee Reports Due Sunday!
2022 Tax Receipts Available Now!
2023 Offering Envelopes Available Now!
A Newsletter For Lent
FundScrip
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Hospitalizations & Visits
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Getting Started In Stewardship
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Camp Wegesegum ~ 100th Anniversary
Ukulele Camp at Wilmot!
Worship This Sunday January 29th
Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at St. Paul’s at 10:30 am on January 29th, 2023
Covid protocols still in place are: hand sanitizing, sitting in marked pews, and social distancing and masking while moving around the church and while singing.
As always, if you are unable 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 don’t have a long distance plan charges will 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
Annual Committee Reports Due Sunday!
If you are a committee Chair or are involved in organizing a group in the congregation, the Annual report deadline is this Sunday January 27th. Don’t delay! Get it in to Meghan in the office today via email to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com or in paper format!
2022 Tax Receipts Available Now!
2022 Tax Receipts are now available!! They can be picked up in the office Monday through Friday 8am – 3pm or in the Narthex on Sunday. Those remaining after February 12th will be mailed out. Please feel free to take a neighbour or friends’ receipt and deliver it to them personally! Contact Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail or 506.458.1183 if you prefer you receipt to be mailed to you.
2023 Offering Envelopes Available Now!
2023 Offering Envelopes are available for pick up at the church office Monday through Friday 8am – 3 pm or in the Narthex on Sunday. Please feel free to take a neighbour or friends’ envelopes and deliver them personally! Contact Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail or 506.458.1183 if you prefer you receipt to be mailed to you.
A Newsletter For Lent
Lent is fast approaching and, in a month, we hope to have the next addition of St. Paul’s newsletter in the mail. We have had great feedback about them over this past year. Your help is needed to make it happen. Looking for people to help edit, to connect with committees around updates and gather articles. If you are able to help out with this ministry of communication and connection, please contact Rev. Michelle
FundScrip
The deadline for our first order in 2023 is coming soon . . . Sunday, February 5. Order forms are available at the office, in the Narthex on Sunday or you can print a copy by clicking here: February 5th FundScrip Order Form You can take your order and payment to the office during the week or bring it to church on Sunday. Thank you for your continued support of this fundraising program. New shoppers are always welcome. Speak with Carole Peacock if you would like to know more.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program served over 107 individuals in 2022 and distributed 849 Brown Bag Lunches. This program is a vital component of our outreach to our community. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program. It would not be successful without you! This week, the program is in desperate need of proteins with flip top lids and juice boxes.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items: dish detergent, decaf coffee, canned salmon, ketchup, mushroom soup, cooking oil, tea bags, orange juice, large juice, and mustard. Thank you for your continued support!
Hospitalizations & Visits
Just a reminder that with the ongoing stress in hospitals, that services previously available to discover if someone was in hospital are no longer available. If you or a loved one is in hospital, please contact Rev. Michelle or the office and provide the room number and floor so that a visit can be arraigned. Without this information, Rev. Michelle will be unable to find you!
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Wednesday morning lectionary study. This year we will be reading through the Gospel of Matthew, with a focus for this week on Matthew 7:1-14, 24-29. Join us in the conference room at 11:15am or online via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190. Interested in an evening bible study?
Getting Started In Stewardship
Getting Started in Stewardship: Tuesday, February 21 – 2pm AST – Presented on Zoom.
Join United Church people from across the country to learn some stewardship first principles.
Start with an online 2-hour course that answers questions like: What is stewardship all about anyway? Isn’t stewardship just a churchy word for fundraising? Why do people give, and why would they give to our church? What can we do to encourage greater generosity?
The practical assignments that follow will help you reflect on giving and generosity as part of your faith, gather and interpret some of the giving data from your community of faith, and build a stewardship team in order to start making stewardship a priority in your community of faith.
Any questions, please contact Roger Janes at rjanes@united-church.ca. Click HERE to Register.
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Sound and projection are vital parts of our service and right now these tasks are being shouldered by one person. We need to expand the team. Training provided! We are hoping to develop a rotating team. Please contact Meghan to express your interest at 458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates To Remember
January 29th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the Worship Committee
February 5th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by The Board
February 12th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Christian Ed
February 19th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Property
February 26th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Trustees
Camp Wegesegum ~ 100th Anniversary
There are plans to celebrate so save the date: July 15, 2023. There will be music, food, children’s activities and everything that makes camp good. Many of our congregation have had great camp experiences, more info on how you can be involved coming soon.
Ukulele Camp at Wilmot!
With the help of Catherine Stuart, Wilmot United Church is hosting a ukulele camp! This all ages event will take place on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Wilmot United Church. You’ll learn chords and some songs during this social, indoor winter event. There will be a lunch break during which brown bag lunches from home can be enjoyed. Registration is required. Please contact Wilmot’s office at 458-1066 or wilmotuc@nb.sympatico.ca by Thursday, February 9 to reserve your spot. Those interested are encouraged to bring their own ukulele or borrow one from a friend. Instruments can be provided if this isn’t an option for you.
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, NB E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organists: Dr. Sharon Pond & Alexis Ervin
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely