Indigenous Day of Prayer, is the Sunday before National Indigenous Peoples Day which is June 21st. This is an opportunity to celebrate First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples’ values, customs, languages, and culture. Did you know that from the beginning of the United Church of Canada, we have had indigenous congregations? Like so much of the history of our relationship with Canada’s first people, these stories seem buried. But from the beginning they have been there. Some of the communities, the product of early missionaries and others communities formed by those, have adopted Christianity through their experience in residential schools and beyond. Prior to 2019 the Church Developed the ALL Native Circle Conference supported the inclusion and development of programs and connections for and by first nations. The church continues to consult with first nations congregations on how they would like to relate to the new governance structure, taking it’s lead from first nations people themselves as they negotiate the often conflicted relationships with the church.
As settler community members, we have generally been unaware of the history of our first nations peoples. Over the last couple of years, the history and at times tragic outcomes of residential school have come to light. The sheer numbers of unmarked graves across Canada has shocked many. Yet even since the discoveries hit the news, I have still heard people saying that this was all in the past and we should just move on. However, trauma has a way of rippling out from the epicenter. In the case of residential schools, we can track how the disruption in parenting lead to generations of children never learning parenting skills and how the suppression of community and culture has led to mental health challenges and other negative health outcomes.
The United Church has committed to help right the historic wrongs through supporting, healing and rejuvenation of indigenous culture, both in the community and within the church. The development of the Sandy-Saulteaux Spirituality Centre in Manitoba was one of the steps we have taken. This Centre offers a culturally based ministry training program, which prepares Indigenous people in lay and ordered to engage in ministry and provides cross-cultural and spiritual awareness for the larger community. The work done at Sandy-Saulteaux has been a gift to the church as a whole.
This Sunday we will be engaging in a service material produced for the Indigenous day of prayer by minister’s who serve in first nations congregations and/or identify first nation people. May we be blessed to experience the gift of their leadership. As we move outside of worship, the St. Mary’s pow-wow is happening at the old reserve site on the Northside June 23-24th. This is a wonderful opportunity right at our backdoor, to experience and learn more about first nations culture. I hope you will check it out. But until then, let us pray.
Great Creator, mother and father of us all
We give thanks for this day
For the strength of your people.
We marvel at your creativity, and the diversity you create
People who you have blessed with many hues,
inspired by the spirit to dance and sing in many languages
all who shine with uniqueness
yet through you are bound as kin.
Help us today to appreciate our differences,
While realizing we are so much the same.
This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen
1) Worship Sunday June 19thth
2) FundScrip
3) Messy Church at Wilmot
4) Pantry Update
5) Brown Bag Lunch Program Update
6) Youth Group
7) “One Toonie at a Time”
8) Youth Group
9) Office Closure
10) Hospital Visitation by Clergy
11) TAKE-OUT Picnic Meal with Strawberry Shortcake
12) Summer Downtown United + Worship Schedule
1) Worship June 19th, 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: It’s time to stock up on gift cards you will need this summer! We’ll have an order on Sunday, July 3 but none in August, then returning in September. If you are planning a trip, why not buy a few gift cards for gas? Need groceries for the visitors you’re expecting? Gift cards are available for Sobeys and Superstore. If you are looking for a break from grocery shopping, FundScrip has cards for Hello Fresh and Chef’s Plate meal kits. Order forms are available at the church office, in the narthex or Click Here. Our next order deadline, July 3, falls on Canada Day weekend. If you would like to place your order early, feel free to bring it to church on June 26 or take it to the church office before June 30. Have a great summer! Stay safe! Remember: Shohttp://www.stpaulsunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FundScrip-Order-Form-July.pdfpping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
3) Messy Church at Wilmot United: Join Wilmot for Messy Church – interactive workshops, crafts, food, games and fun for all ages. June 24th, July 22nd and August 26th from 5pm-7pm. For more information and to register, please contact the Wilmot office at 458-1066.
4) Pantry Update: I wish to thank everyone who has donated non-perishable food, gift cards, and monetary donations to the Pantry over the past year. All the volunteers working in the Pantry appreciate your contributions. Thank you all so much. We have served 87 families over the past year. Included in these families are 65 children. When I do the count, I break it down into single women, 24, single men, 27, couples, 7, single parent, 18, families, 11, children, 65. Three volunteers work each Wednesday. There are 11 volunteers in total. We will remain open all summer. ~ Lois Walker, for the Pantry.
5) Brown Bag Lunch Program Update: Food insecure people can pick up a brown bag lunch every morning when the church hall is open. I keep 20 bags made up all the time. Each bag contains a can of protein with a flip-top lid, a juice box, a pudding cup or a fruit cup, a granola bar, a napkin with a plastic fork and spoon. Meghan hands them out from the office. She hands out 4 to 6 bags daily. Items for the brown bag are paid for from the Benevolent Fund. Also, many members of the congregation donate food every week for the brown bag. Thank you all so much for your contributions. I really appreciate it. ~ Lois Walker, for the Brown Bag.,
6) “One Toonie at a Time”: While you are away this summer, don’t forget about St. Paul’s 190th Birthday. Please pick up a vial to collect your TOONIES over the summer holidays. Bring them back in September. Each vial will hold over $50.00. Wouldn’t it be great to collect $1900.00 for our special year. The donation will be tax deductible and go towards your yearly givings. There will be vials in the entry way at the main door and in the Hall. Make it a “Tooniful Summer”. Contact Donna Chauvin 458-5885 for more information.
7) Office Closure: The office will be closed from Friday July 1st through Sunday July 10th. Rusty will be available on the premises between 8am – 12pm. Michelle will be away June 29-July 6 for pastoral emergencies during this time please contact Rev. Lori-Beth at 262-6752
8) Youth Group: Youth drop-in program on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm. If you are interested in attending or helping develop this program, please let us know!
9) 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.
10) TAKE-OUT Picnic Meal with Strawberry Shortcake: Wednesday, July 6, pick-up 4:00-5:30pm at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street, please use front door. The take-out meal includes a deli meats sandwich, coleslaw, dill pickle, chips and homemade strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream for $15. Advance orders only, reserve with Rindy & Tom Austin, 450-7151, by noon Friday, July 1.
11) Summer Downtown United + Worship Schedule:
At St. Paul’s United Church
– June 26th – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Mary from Wilmot leading
– July 3rd – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Todd from St. Andrew’s leading
– July 10th – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Michelle leading
– July 17th – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Michelle leading
All services at St. Paul’s can be viewed via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode 165090 or view later on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/St.Paul’s
At St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
– July 24th – Service at St. Andrew’s with Rev. Mary from Wilmot leading
– July 31st – Service at St. Andrews’s with St. Andrew’s leading
– August 7th – Service at St. Andrew’s with Rev. Michelle leading
All services at St. Andrew’s can be viewed via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673756287?pwd=RFhERHZiU0hHbVpYcjYxRFFNZWdIQT09
Meeting ID: 836 7375 6287 Passcode: 839092
At Wilmot United Church
– August 14th – Service at Wilmot with Rev. Mary leading
– August 21st – Service at Wilmot with St. Andrew’s leading
– August 28th – Service at Wilmot with Rev. Mary leading
– September 4th – Service at Wilmot with Rev. Michelle leading
All services at Wilmot can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/c/WilmotUnitedChurch
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