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…
Congratulations St. Paul’s! This weekend we mark the 192nd Anniversary of St. Paul’s worship and witness to the Fredericton community. It is a chance to celebrate that we are still here, still faithfully choosing to worship God, still being the body of Christ in the world. This is no small feat with the challenges we have faced.
We can celebrate that the Pantry successfully moved and for the entire month of October has continued to faithfully feed people in our community. We continue to have a wonderful choir singing to us each Sunday with most of the voices we heard before the move. The quilting group has found a new space in which to provide friendship and community. Sunday School continues to develop the spiritual lives of the youngest in our midst.
In our 191st year, we have done incredible things. Talking with other ministers and denominational leaders, they commend you all and find it hard to believe how quickly the sale and move were accomplished. In the last year we have had deep and difficult conversations and, in the grief, found reasons for hope and a dream that can sustain us into the future.
In the last five months, I have had people stop me in the street because they recognized me as the minister from St. Paul’s. One of the things that I have noticed in the last month is the tone of these conversations has changed. Early in these experiences, it was people wanting to express their deep sadness over the selling of the building and process some of their shock over the announcement that we were selling and that it had sold. However, in the last few weeks the tone has been different.
Now people are more often expressing to me how what we did, realistically facing challenges and making change, needs to happen in their congregations. Many have expressed that letting go of our buildings and working with each other needs to happen more. On more than one occasion we have been thanked for being an example for others. The number of people in this city who have been praying for our well-being and success is incredible.
We didn’t set out to be a light for others, or an example of what could be for congregations that are struggling with their own hard realities. But it seems that we have. Has this transition been easy? No, it hasn’t. Are we still grieving and learning what it all means? Most definitely. Are we still proud to be part of the St. Paul’s United? I hope you resoundingly say, YES!
As we turn 192 years old, let us commit to the future that God is birthing in our midst. In the next year we will continue to glorify God, proclaim the Good News of God’s love found in Jesus Christ, and serve others with the love and passion we always have. I am looking forward to continuing to do this with you.
As we head into our Anniversary Weekend let us pray,
Thank you, God for being our sure footing over this past year of change.
Thank you for landing us safe,
For holding us through this transition,
For walking with us still into the future that only you know.
As we honour the past, help it to be the rich soil on which the future takes root.
We pray that we continue to grow in your likeness
So that all who see our good works will glorify you and know your love.
Empower us for continued ministry in your name.
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Featured In This October 31st Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday November 3rd
Daylight Savings Time Ends
St. Paul’s & Saint Andrew’s Office Hours
Rev. Michelle’s Emergency Pastoral Care Number
St. Paul’s Office Phone
Drop Off & Mailbox
Volunteers Wanted
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Beware of Scams!
Tuesday Morning Ladies Group
FundScrip
Four-Part Advent Study Series
Sign Up For Fellowship Refreshments
Angel Tree Program 2024
Saint Andrew’s Mission Tree Update
Bulletin & Announcement Submissions
Church Activities
Simply Country Presents…
United Church Moderator Is Coming To New Brunswick
Christmas Bazaar at Nashwaaksis
Worship This Sunday November 3rd
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am.
To view the bulletin in advance click here!
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673756287 Passcode: 2023
Daylight Savings Time Ends
A gentle reminder that daylight saving times ends this Sunday, Nov 3rd. To ensure you are not early for Sunday service, please remember to set your clocks back 1 hour before heading to bed!
St. Paul’s & Saint Andrew’s Office Hours
St. Paul’s Office hours: Monday to Thursday from 8am-3pm and Friday from 8am-1pm.
Saint Andrew’s Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 2-6pm.
Rev. Michelle’s Emergency Pastoral Care Number
A friendly reminder that Rev. Michelle is available after hours for emergency pastoral care.
Please call her cell phone at 506-259-7602.
St. Paul’s Office Phone
Some folks have called St. Paul’s office and noticed that there is no voicemail option. Please bear with us while we work out the technical glitches with the phone lines. To contact the office during regular hours, when Meghan is unable to answer the phone, please send an email to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com and request a call back. Very sorry for this inconvenience.
Drop Off & Mailbox
In response to folks inquiring, St. Andrew’s does have a mail slot in the main doors to the hall. This mail slot can be used as a drop off for folks wanting to leave envelopes or items outside of regular office hours for St. Paul’s as well. Although it doesn’t look the same, this is our official mailbox!
Volunteers Wanted
Would you like to help with the choir but can’t sing, or don’t want a long-term commitment? Sharon needs 3 or 4 people to help with an anthem, one to play a drum and 2 or 3 to ring bells. If interested, please email Dr. Sharon Pond at sharonpond47@gmail.com.
Pantry Program
The Pantry items needed this week are Mr. Clean, dish and hand soap, toothpaste, tin foil, plastic wrap, ketchup, salt, tomatoes, large juice, pancake mix, syrup and canned fruit. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Beware of Scams!
Do not get taken in by a scam. Please remember Rev. Michelle will NEVER ask you to send her or others gift cards or e-transfers. All donation requests on behalf of the church will come through official communications and will be received through regular offerings or the church offices. If you are ever asked to make a donation, tell the person you need to think about it and then check it out with the person directly. As people of faith, we care and have big hearts, so it is important to also be wise and attentive in identifying the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Tuesday Morning Ladies Group
The Tuesday Morning Ladies Group is a group of women who work hard on behalf of our church and our community and are eager to welcome anyone interested in coming to our weekly meetings. We meet on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 in the church hall, socialize with coffee and a snack, and our meetings consist of a short devotional, update on those who are sick or shut-in, our next fundraising or other projects, (stay tuned for Christmas bazaar information!) sometimes include special speakers, and last for about an hour or so. We are a hard-working circle of women who enjoy being together and would love include more ladies from our shared churches.
FundScrip
There will be no FundScrip order in November but start thinking about your Christmas order. There will be an order in time for Christmas shopping and gift-giving. Stay tuned!
Four-Part Advent Study Series
Join us for this group discussion format Advent study focusing on the book Ponder These Things by the Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Prof. Rowan Williams. It is a collection of four meditations that invite the church to explore the meaning of Christ’s incarnation and ministry by focusing on a story and three icons of Mary and the Christ Child. In these meditations, Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury) reflects on the drama of God’s love in Christ that the images and stories reveal.
The study is part of the Presbyterians Read series and includes an accompanying study guide available online by November 7, 2024 at https://presbyterian.ca/canadian-ministries/presbyterians-read/ . We will begin the study during the last week in November. Let us know if you plan to attend by contacting Erin Webb at horncastle2732@gmail.com or 506-260-1629 (feel free to text) or Bev Bramble at bbramble1@gmail.com or 506-458-8311 (not set up for texting). Meeting times will be determined by the group.
Sign Up For Fellowship Refreshments
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help with fellowship in November! There are still a few spaces available for. We are hoping to have a mix of people from both congregations come together to support our fellowship hour after service on Sundays. To make or bring snacks, make coffee, serve and clean. Please sign up on the pink paper on the buffet outside the hall.
Angel Tree Program 2024
Once again, Greener Village Food Bank is seeking our help in making Christmas wishes come true for 40 local children whose families are being looked after by the Food Bank this year. The people of St. Paul’s have been generous in their support of this program for several years just as the congregation of St. Andrew’s has made Christmas merrier for mothers and their children through a similar program at Liberty Lane. (Details on the Liberty Lane program will be available in a few weeks.) On Sunday, November 3rd, you will see a Christmas tree at the back of the sanctuary. The tree is decorated with 40 angels each identifying a child, their age and gift request. The angels are available in values of $25 (each requesting a Regent Mall gift card usable at all stores), as well as $30 and $50. Please select an angel, fill out a card to indicate which angel you took, buy the gift or gift card and return it to the church by November 17th. Further information/guidelines can be found on the pink slip “Now what do I do…” If you need help shopping or would like to have your gift picked up, please call Carole Peacock at 506-452-1016.
Saint Andrew’s Mission Tree Update
Each Autumn leaf currently on our tree has a requested donation on the back. We are also asking for donations of nutritional supplements (Ensure & Boost), and Pantry items such as canned meats, instant potatoes, pudding cups, granola and fruit bars, pasta sauces, toiletries and toilet paper. Items can be left under our Mission Tree or on the kitchen island. Cash donations are always welcome and appreciated. Many thanks for you continued support of Saint Andrew’s Outreach Program.
Bulletin & Announcement Submissions
Those wanting to add an announcement to the bulletin and/or eNews, please send an email to Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com by Wednesday at noon. Announcements will run for a 2-week period unless otherwise requested.
Church Activities
Ongoing Activities
Monday – Friday ~ Community Outreach ~ Brown Bag Lunch Program in St. Paul’s Office
Tuesdays ~ Tuesday Morning Ladies Group at 9:30am ~ All are welcome!
Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ Quilting from 1-4pm ~ All are welcome!
Wednesdays ~ Community Outreach ~ Pantry Program from 9-11am
Thursdays ~ Choir Practice from 7-8pm ~ All are welcome!
Fridays ~ Community Outreach ~ Breakfast 2 Go from 9-10:30am
Upcoming Dates to Remember
November 3rd ~ Daylight Saving Time Ends ~ Clocks Fall Back
November 3rd ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hosted by Mary Hossack, Sheila Dickson
& Chris Grant
November 4th ~ Joint Worship Committee Meeting at 10:30am
November 10th ~ Remembrance Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hosted by Heather Labadie
November 17th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hosted by Rose Carolyn Smith
November 24th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hour hosted by Roger Miller
Simply Country Presents…
Simply Country presents “The Men of Country”, Sunday November 3rd from 2-4pm at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. $15 at the door.
United Church Moderator Is Coming To New Brunswick
Across the country, the Moderator the Right Reverend Carmen Lansdown, has been inviting people to join with her in exploring what it means to be a flourishing church. It is now our turn on November 9th. This is a great opportunity to join with other United Church people from across our region. The gathering is at Visions United in Moncton. Registration Deadline is November 5th. To register click here. Want to carpool, reach out to Rev. Michelle.
Christmas Bazaar at Nashwaaksis
We invite you to our bazaar, being held at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street on Saturday, November 16th, 9am-Noon. There will be a Silent Auction table, Craft and Bake tables and much more. Free admission.
St. Paul’s United Church
191 Years of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and Serving Others in Christ’s name
Contact Information
St. Paul’s United & St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1M2
St. Paul’s: Tel: 506.458.1183 | E-mail: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com | Website: www.stpaulsunited.ca
Saint Andrew’s: Tel: 506.455.8220 | Email: sapcfred@gmail.com | Website: https://sapc.ca/
Minster: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrators: Meghan Roebuck & Joanna Price
Custodian: Doug Newman