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…
When I was going to school at the University of Calgary, one of the groups I was involved with was Campus Ministry. The Chaplaincy Centre was ecumenical with pastors, priests, nuns, and other religious leaders all sharing one space. I credit Tim Nethercott, the United Church chaplain, for opening the door that eventually led to my ordination. Tim is an ordained minister in the United Church, but on campus, he also represented the presbyterian church. He partnered with the Lutheran minister on several programs throughout the year and this dynamic ministry for students was my first and foundational experience of ecumenical shared ministry.
Within our gatherings, students from different perspectives discussed, challenged, and grew together in faith and life. One of my favourite gatherings was Holden Evening Prayer. It is a sung service that we would gather for once a week. In the darkened sanctuary we stood around a communion table lit with tea lights in the shape of the cross and worshipped. It was a transcendent moment as notes hung in the air. I still can sing parts of the service without the music because it is so ingrained into my heart.
Looking back, I appreciate the moment when we stopped to pray the Lord’s prayer. In a beautiful movement of the spirit, people were invited to pray in the language of their choice. All the gathered people would start, the cadence of the prayer the same, but different words blended together as they floated to God. At one point there were 6 different languages and 2 different English versions spoken together. It was like the whole world was praying in that one place, it was almost magical.
I share this story because I know that some people were thrown off last weekend when Rev. Rose-Hannah led the Lord’s prayer using words that were slightly different than what we are used to at St. Paul’s. It might help to know that we were not alone in experiencing change at that moment. Saint Andrew’s is used to using the version that is mostly like ours but has debts/debtors instead of trespasses/trespass.
Identifying and deciding how we are going to deal with the differences in practice is part of the work that goes into forming an Ecumenical Shared Ministry Agreement. Over the next few months and into the fall, the two worship committees will be joining together to talk about what worship will look like and make suggestions about how we will approach any differences in practice. Worship is the foundational practice of the church and the most public part of our ministry. As we work together with Saint Andrew’s, let us remain open to the Spirit of God moving in our midst, drawing forth our varied prayers and praise.
We will also be served well by approaching these discussions and transitions with a mindset of curiosity and inquiry. This will help us keep an open mind and get to the heart of what matters. When we see something that we don’t like or isn’t working, instead of immediately complaining or getting defensive, please ask yourself, “I wonder why it is like this?” and “Why am I responding this way?” These questions will help us to take a closer look at the situation and can lead to deeper insight and better solutions when we finally ask, “What can be done about this?”
For example, the ramp going to the hall at Saint Andrew’s was very wobbly on Sunday. It would have been easy to say that this is not safe and will not work, letting this experience place a strike in your mind against worshipping in that space. However, by asking why, I discovered that the ramp had accidentally been put together improperly. Because of this, the support bars that hold the ramp together were not functioning, allowing the two halves to move independently, and the safety rails for the outside edges were sitting side by side in the middle. Knowing the Why, we can ensure that guidelines and checks are put in place to ensure everyone who builds the ramp knows how it goes together and that it is safety checked. Simple solution, problem solved!
This Sunday after church there will be the opportunity for an update on the work of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry Committee, including the sharing of the committee work plan regarding the steps and current timeline for decisions. I hope that you will join us, to hear more about where we are at and ask any questions you have or would like to have answered. While they might not have the answers on Sunday, the committee will record all questions and concerns and respond as soon as possible to what is raised. So, bring your curiosity to the information session after worship. If you cannot be here in person, once the worship link is closed, just log back in to listen to the update.
I hope to see you on Sunday, as we move through what I hope is a lovely weekend, let us pray.
We are creatures of habit, O God,
We like to be comfortable and follow our routines.
Yet you created the world in a flourish of action
Swirling gasses, coalescing waters, popping stars,
With a bang – there it all was.
On everything your transforming spirit acts,
Help us to understand that nothing in this life is truly stable,
Even the mountains slowly change form.
Hold us when the rate of change becomes scary,
Direct us to where you are working among us,
Speak your peace and open us to your spirit again.
For change brought Jesus from death to resurrection,
And we seek that transformation too.
Amen.
Featured In This May 2nd Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday May 5th
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Information Session
Annual General Meeting Minutes Are Online
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
New Members Welcome!
General Council Commissioners
Booking Meeting Space At St. Paul’s
Spring Concerts
Bel Canto Concert
Fredericton Ladies Choir Concert
Fredericton Choral Society Concert
Youth @ Region
Downtown United Summer Schedule
Calling All Youth, Young Adults!
God’s Story, Our Story
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Employment Opportunity
Employment Opportunity
Guaranteed Livable Income
Worship This Sunday May 5th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740 Password: 657067
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
The deadline for our next gift card order is Sunday, May 5th. Several retailers are offering increased donations for every card you buy during May. Please consider buying cards from American Eagle, Boston Pizza, Winners, Home Sense, Marshalls, Chefs Plate and Hello Fresh this month to increase donations to St. Paul’s. Remember Mother’s Day is May 12th… it’s not too late to order Mum a gift card! Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s! Click here to download the May 5th FundScrip order form
Information Session
Following Worship on May 5th in the lady’s parlor. The EMS team will be sharing the plan for developing the Ecumenical Shared Ministry agreement with St. Andrew’s. Come and ask your questions about the work and ESM’s in general. Provide feedback on the process. Everyone is welcome.
Annual General Meeting Minutes Are Online
The minutes of the April 7th Annual General Meeting are now posted on our website. Click here for a direct link. If you would like a paper copy, please reach out to Meghan in the office.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs pudding cups, and proteins with flip top lids. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: mayo, salt, macaroni, sardines, tuna, ketchup, pudding cups, soda crackers, tomatoes, rice, salmon, dish & laundry detergent, Mr. Clean, and Kleenex. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
New Members Welcome!
Are you newer to the congregation, but feel you have found your church home? Have you been attending St. Paul’s for a while and want to become a member of this congregation and ensure you have a voice in the changes we are navigating? Contact Rev. Michelle for information on how to officially become a member of St. Paul’s.
General Council Commissioners
The deadline for nominations for General Council 45 Commissioners is May 10. The original announcement can be read here. More information about the role of a commissioner can be found here. If you are interested in serving as a Commissioner to the 45th General Council, please fill out the form here. If you have, any questions, please be in touch with the Nominations Committee Chair, Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin.
Booking Meeting Space At St. Paul’s
As the use of our space at St. Paul’s gets busier, please remember to book your meetings space through the office. Drop by in person, call 458-1183 or email Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
Spring Concerts
Bel Canto Concert
Bel Canto is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a lively program of totally a cappella selections. 7:30pm on May 4th at Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets are available from 3 members of St. Paul’s choir and Bel Canto – Mary Walker, Jane Blakely, Debbie West, on the Bel Canto’s website at belcanto.ca and at the door.
Fredericton Ladies Choir Concert
Fredericton Ladies Choir, with special guest Olivia LaPoint, is presenting its Annual Spring Concert at 3pm on May 5th at St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Church. Tickets are $20, available at Westminster Books, from St. Paul’s choir members (Carole Peacock and Patty Trail) and at the door.
Fredericton Choral Society Concert
The Fredericton Choral Society is presenting a Schubert Mass and a Vivaldi Mass, accompanied by the Sarabande String Quartet and noted soloists from N.B., followed by 4 Gospel pieces. 7:30pm on May 11th at Grace Memorial Baptist Church. Tickets at the door and from Jane and Debbie. $25 general, $10 Students, Free for children.
Youth @ Region
Calling all youth grades 6-12! Youth @ Region is a place of community, a place of fun, and a place of faith for you to meet with others your age from across NB, PEI, and the Gaspe. During Y@R you will have the opportunity to explore faith, learn more about the United Church of Canada, share in music, worship, and a ton of fun. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of the Region May 31st-June 2nd at the University of Prince Edward Island. Registration is $150 per participant and includes all activities, meals, accommodation, and an event T-shirt. Don’t miss this opportunity.
Downtown United Summer Schedule
Please join us this summer for Downtown United +
Everyone is welcome!
SAINT ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH & Via Zoom
512 Charlotte St. Fredericton | Tel.455-8220
Sunday Services at 11am
June 30th | July 7th | July 14th
ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH & Via Zoom
224 York St. Fredericton NB | Tel. 458-1183
Sunday Services at 10:30am
July 21st | July 28th | August 4th
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740 Password: 657067
View later: https://www.youtube.com/St. Paul’s
WILMOT UNITED CHURCH & Via YouTube
473 King St. Fredericton | 458-1066
Sunday Services at 11am
August 11th | August 18th | August 25th
https://www.youtube.com/c/WilmotUnitedChurch?app=desktop
Calling All Youth, Young Adults!
Registration for Audacious Hope, a national gathering for youth, young adults, and their leaders, is now open! Audacious Hope is an exciting new partnership between the Rendez-vous team of The United Church of Canada and the LIFT team of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. We hope you will join us July 3‒6, 2024, at Brock University, St. Catharines, ON. Come pray—with inspiring worship speakers Adele Halliday and Mitchell Anderson. Come play—how about silent disco or square dancing? Come ponder—with Moderator Carmen Lansdowne about how to find and offer hope in today’s world. Early bird registration is April 15‒May 15: $425. May 16‒31 registration fee: $500. Registration will close May 31, 2024. Find out more and sign up today.
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide in the narthex to use as a home devotional or with your friends. This devotional follows the pattern of pray, reflect and do, offering suggestions on how to put the biblical theme into action.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am ~ Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81736183320 Passcode: 750844
Thursdays from 6-7pm ~ Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
May 5th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Lois Walker
May 12th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Chris Grant, Mary Stickles & Jane Banks
May 19th ~ Joint Service at St. Paul’s ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosts needed!
May 26th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
Employment Opportunity
Forest Hill United Church is hiring a Special Assistant (8-weeks, 35 hr/wk, $17/hr). The position will combine work in our forest with administrative tasks and work on our Pride participation/Affirm ministry. Applicants need to be between the ages of 15 and 30. Preference will be given to candidates who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. Start date flexible. Contact the church office at forest.office@bellaliant.com or 506-455-0988 for more information.
Employment Opportunity
Brunswick Street Baptist Church (BSBC) is looking for a part-time Administrative and Social Media Assistant. Objective: To glorify God by providing administrative and practical support for the pastoral and office staff and BSBC ministries; managing social media and electronic communications, assisting in managing the Church office; and assisting the Board of Management and the Board of Deacons. This is a part-time position for 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday inclusive. Remuneration for this position is $17.50 to $19 per hour dependent on experience. To apply for this position, please email a cover letter explaining why you are interested in working at BSBC and how your education and experience ensures that you are the perfect candidate for the position, along with your resume, to Kellie Brown at receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca. The deadline for application is 4pm on Monday, May 13th, 2024. For more information see Administrative and Social Media Assistant Posting.pdf
Guaranteed Livable Income
A Conversation About Guaranteed Livable Income, sponsored by Wilmot Outreach Committee in partnership With Basic Income Atlantic. Friday May 3rd from 1-3pm in Wilmot’s sanctuary. Refreshments and further discussion following the presentation with Wil Robertson and Dr. Herb Emery with discussion moderator Randy Hatfield. Free of charge.
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: Jaedyn Williams