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:
As you may know, St. Paul’s and Wilmot were gifted with monies to jointly explore the opportunities and strengthen the presence of the United Church by working together. Given that we have historically named joint worship as “Downtown United”, the work towards fulfilling this goal has been called the Downtown United Project. We recently have engaged a consultant who will help us work through a process to figure out not only what we could do, but also how to shift our ways of thinking and planning so that we can engage our downtown ministry in a new way.
The consultant last week provided us with a perspective that made a lot of sense to me. Referring to the process she said, “We often say that the renewal of a congregation rides on each individual’s renewal, so a renewing process calls on each person to engage in a renewed way.”
It seems so simple, that if we want to renew something that each part would need to engage in a new way, yet we often think about changing institutions, like the Church, without shifting our personal engagement. Our congregation is in need of renewal – this is a fact. So, what are ways that we can engage, in a renewed way, to support this in happening?
Reflecting on your own engagement is the first place to start. What has your engagement been like with St. Paul’s in the last month? What would give you a sense of renewal? After answering these questions, you may have an idea of what engaging in a renewed way may look like. Your renewed way of engaging may be in thought, behaviour or both. For example, if you are someone who finds themselves frequently talking about what we don’t have or what is wrong… renewed engagement may involve focusing only on what is going well and the positive things about our congregation. Maybe you are feeling a little disconnected from your faith or have large questions that are nagging you… if so, participation in spiritual practices or other adult faith formation activities may be what you need for renewal. If you have been absent from the worshiping community… renewed engagement may be attending services in person or online. If you have been someone who has been active in worship – renewed engagement may involve volunteering for a project, a week of Sunday school or even committee that you care about.
Your participation and engagement in our soup and bun workshops is integral to the renewal process here at St. Paul’s. Last month we explored what we value and regardless of your presence at that workshop, your participation in the final survey is important for our board as we name what our top values are. Please fill out and return the core values sheet. If you don’t have one yet you can pick one up at the church, or print it off the website at here https://www.stpaulsunited.ca/board-committee-resources/ Also mark your calendar for our next soup and bun workshop on October 23rd where we will continue to work along our roadmap to renewal looking at mission.
As we reflect on what renewal means for us, let us pray to our God who is all about life renewed and seeks for us to join Jesus in resurrection.
God, you created the world to be in a constant cycle of growth, rest, and re-creation
Through Christ you invite us into the cycle of life, death and resurrection,
Help us to know that these cycles of renewal are woven deep into our being
That even now you are speaking to our souls of what is to come next.
Guide us, as we discern where you are calling us to engage
Give us courage, to try something new
Give us strength, to persevere as new life is birthed.
Ground in your love and listen for your call,
we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Featured In This October 13th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday October 16th
Toonies For St. Paul’s!
Moment for Memories
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Core Values Worksheet Available Online!
Mincemeat Pies!
Ministry & Personnel Committee Notice
Bible Study
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Intergenerational Garden Project
Salmon Supper Take Out
Death Expo
Film: In The Realm of Death & Dreaming
Rummage Sale at Wilmot United
Chili Take-out Supper!
Turkey Dinner At Gibson Memorial United Church
Worship This Sunday October 16th
Please join us in person to worship at St. Paul’s Sunday at 10:30am. 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
Toonies For St. Paul’s!
Thank you to everyone who saved their Toonies over the summer. Our total raised so far is $1,076. It is not too late to contribute. Anniversary Sunday in November 6th!
Moment for Memories
On November 6, St. Paul’s will celebrate its 190th anniversary. Imagine how many stories those years must hold! No matter how long you have been attending St. Paul’s, you, too, have memories and stories to tell. We’d love to hear some of them in the next few weeks as we take a Moment for Memories during the service. Did you come here as a child? Perhaps you were a Brownie or a Boy Scout. As you grew up, did the lessons learned from those early days affect the way you live today? Maybe you were married here and joined St. Paul’s as an adult. Did you teach Sunday School or share in the fellowship and work of the Saturday Night Club? Do you sing in the choir, belong to the UCW, help in the pantry? So many activities, so many stories. Tell us in a few words how the people of St. Paul’s have affected your life and the lives of others in the church. If you are or were involved in an outreach program tell us how St. Paul’s has helped others in the community or in another part of the world. In what ways have we been living the Gospel and shining Christ’s light for last 190 years? Won’t you share your story with us? For more information or to volunteer to tell your story, please contact Carole Peacock at 452-1016.
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: white sugar, salt, flour, granola bars, pudding cups and cookies. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is running low on supplies. Items in need are: proteins with flip top lids, juice boxes, and pudding cups. Thank you for your generosity!
Core Values Worksheet Available Online!
Anyone who has not completed the Core Values Worksheet can download and print a copy from our website at: https://www.stpaulsunited.ca/board-committee-resources/ or Complete the worksheet online by following this link: Core Value Worksheet
Mincemeat Pies!
The UCW will be making MINCEMEAT this year! $15.00 for 500 ml (2 cups). Order sheet will be on the Bulletin Board or contact Donna Chauvin 458-5885. We will be in the kitchen on Tuesday October 25th at 10 am if you would care to join us for some kitchen fellowship while that lovely aroma fills the air!
St. Paul’s Christmas Bazaar!
There will be a CHRISTMAS BAZAAR on Saturday, November 19th from 10 am to 12 noon. Tables will be set up for Baking, Crafts, the Quilters will have Books and Puzzles, and a table for Christmas Decorations. You can help by donating items, but NO BOOKS at this time, and only Christmas Decorations Please!
Ministry & Personnel Committee Notice
The Ministry and Personnel (M&P) Committee acts under the guidance of The Manual of The United Church of Canada. The committee functions around three roles which are the consultative and supportive role, the healthy relationships role and the supervisory role. We provide resources and support for the staff and the community of faith with respect to any issues affecting staff of our church, including ministry personnel and lay employees. The committee works to build positive and trusting relationships between staff and members and adherents of the community of faith.
If members of the community of faith have praise or concerns about staff, both ministry personnel and lay employees, these can be shared in signed correspondence with the committee. The issues will be considered confidentially by the M&P Committee, who will recommend action.
St. Paul’s United Church is blessed with a staff that is committed to their work and we are thankful for this work in our community of faith.
Presently serving on the committee: Lois Walker, Blaine Irving and Ann Krause
Bible Study
Diving into scripture is one of the spiritual practices of our faith. The small group setting of bible study helps us to go deeper and explore areas of the text that would not be addressed on Sunday morning. Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We meet in the board room. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is: 2 Samuel 11:1-5; 12:1-9, Psalm 51: 1-9. You can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967. Passcode is 259190.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
October 16th – Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by M&P
October 23rd – Soup and Buns ~ Hosted by the Choir. Congregational Workshop to follow – Finding Focus
October 30th – Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Outreach
November 6th – 190th Anniversary Celebration ~ Hosted by the UCW
November 13th – Remembrance Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Worship
Intergenerational Garden Project
Business Administration students at the University of New Brunswick are working on a project to bring university students and seniors in Fredericton/surrounding area together to garden/create biodiverse gardens/flower beds at senior dwellings. University students would go to the seniors’ homes, and together, they could grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, and much more. This intergenerational garden project looks to increase food security among seniors and students, decrease loneliness and promote cross-generational learning. We are looking for seniors who enjoy gardening and have land/space for a raised bed, in-ground vegetable garden, or flower bed. The senior and student would work together to create, plant, and maintain the garden space. We have created a short questionnaire asking seniors to fill out if they are interested in joining the project. This questionnaire can be filled out through the link https://forms.gle/yfhjpy1JBwisRob98 or over the phone by calling Michelle Armour at 295-7356. person.
Salmon Supper Take Out
The New Maryland United Church Men’s Club is holding a Salmon Supper Take Out on Sunday, October 16th at the New Maryland Rec Centre. Meal includes a generous portion of BBQ salmon, baked potato, mixed vegetables, roll, pickles and homemade apple crisp. Price is $20. Take-Out times are 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, or 5:30 pm. For tickets, call the church at 459-3313 or Keith Ball at 455-1948.
Death Expo
The second annual Death Expo is being held in Fredericton on Thursday, October 20th at the New Maryland Centre from 10 am to 4 pm. Everyone is welcome! Admission is free thanks to a grant from the Horizon Health Network. Over 25 exhibitors will share information and resources for end-of-life care.
Film: In The Realm of Death & Dreaming
This year we have partnered with When You Die, Halifax, to bring a private screening of the film In The Realm of Death & Dreaming to Fredericton. Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 pm at the New Maryland Centre. Johanna Lunn, film Director, will be present for a Q&A following the movie. The seating is limited and the fee is $10. Please register at Eventbrite (https://bit.ly/3dvo2SO). Follow us on Facebook at D.I.E. Death Information and Education for updates. For more information contact Anne Marie Hartford at hartfordam@gmail.com or Karen Lake at Hello@KarenLake.ca
Rummage Sale at Wilmot United
Our yearly rummage sale is approaching. The rummage sale will take place at Wilmot United Church (473 King Street) on: Friday, October 21st from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday, October 22nd from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Chili Take-out Supper!
Delicious Mild Beef Chili Take-Out Supper, Friday, October 21, pick up from 4:00-5:30pm, Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. Enjoy mild beef chili, homemade roll, Caesar salad and apple crumble tart for $15. Reserve your take-out meals by Monday, October 17 with Rindy or Tom Austin, 450-7151.
Turkey Dinner At Gibson Memorial United Church
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St., will be hosting a “Turkey Dinner“, Wednesday, October 26, 4 – 6 p.m. Cost $15/adult and $5/child. Please call 457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
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 | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely