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:
What do you value? It is important to be aware of your true values because they are the principal drivers of our behaviour and shape our thoughts. They are also the frame on which everything else is hung. They can inspire our best efforts and constrain our actions. They are the core ethics and principles by which we abide by, no matter what. There is energy and passion when we are living from our values, along with a feeling of wellness and we know when our values are being threatened or compromised, we feel it in our bodies. For me it arrives as that pit in my stomach or anger at what I perceive the situation to be.
On September 25th, at our First Soup and Bun event, a roadmap for reviewing and articulating who we are as a congregation and where we want to go was unveiled. We started by looking at values we hold personally and unearthing the values of the congregation. We engaged in four activities to help us articulate our values. First, we spoke about what describes St. Paul’s, moving away from things like a great organ and beautiful stain glass, to the less tangible things like the feeling and experiences we have. Second, we reflected on major decisions that we have made, thinking about why we decided what was decided. Thirdly, we named what it looks like when we are doing our best ministry, what behaviours do we see or expect to see when engaging within the church? Finally, a list of values created by Scott Jeffery was given out to help us think about the variety of values we could hold, and a survey was passed out that pointed to values that are commonly held within the church. Participants were asked to rank the values according to what they felt were the most important values personally and to what extent they saw the church expressing these values, then they identify the top 6 values the church is most passionate about. The board will now work with the data gathered as our starting point for looking at a path forward.
While we had a good turnout for the number of people in the sanctuary that day, wider engagement with our congregation would be helpful so that we get the best base and best representation of the congregation we can. To this end, if you were not involved in the workshop, I am asking you to please fill out the church related – Core Values Worksheet. If you have additional questions or wish to submit responses to the other questions asked above, they can be sent to me and I will ensure they get added to the responses we have from the workshop. I cannot stress enough how important your engagement is as we move forward.
In the meantime, let us give thanks to God in prayer, after all there is so much we have to be grateful for; this congregation and the people who live out their faith being just one. I hope to see you on thanksgiving Sunday and if you find yourself traveling, may God keep you safe. Let us pray
Loving God
We come before you this day with gratitude for the love you have given us,
For the breath that fills our lungs and the life we have been given,
For the love which you pour out and the ways that your people have shared that love
For the congregation that meets at St. Paul’s in your name
And the passion you place in our hearts.
Continue to guide us,
Helping us to grow in faith and trust
Sending us wisdom and passion as we listen for your call today.
Remind us that we are part of your great cycle of planting, tending and harvesting.
As we prepare the soil for a new set of seeds, be with us and bless us.
This we pray in Christ’s name.
Amen
Featured In This October 6th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday October 9th
Toonies For St. Paul’s!
Downtown United Youth Group Cancelled
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Community Outreach Update
UCW Meeting Notice
Ministry & Personnel Committee Notice
Bible Study
Sunday School Calling Children And Adults!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Ukrainian Family In Need of Household Items
Online Session on Anti-Black Racism in Canada
Salmon Supper Take Out
Floor Curling at Forest Hill United Church (FHUC)
Death Expo
Rummage Sale at Wilmot United
Chili Take-out Supper!
Turkey Dinner At Gibson Memorial United Church
Worship This Sunday October 9th
Please join us in person to worship at St. Paul’s Sunday at 10:30am. Covid protocols still in place are: masking, hand sanitizing, sitting in marked pews, and social distancing.
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 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 $1,036. It is not too late to contribute. Anniversary Sunday in November 6th!
Downtown United Youth Group Cancelled
Downtown United Youth Group will be canceled over the Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 9). We will resume the following week! Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: white sugar, honey, salt, coffee whitener and vinegar. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is running desperately low on supplies. Items in need are: proteins with flip top lids, juice boxes, and pudding cups. Thank you for your generosity!
Community Outreach Update
St. Paul’s Community Outreach programs are being utilized more and more every month, by return clients as well as many new faces. In September, 64 clients were served through the Pantry program and 84 Brown Bag Lunches were enjoyed by our vulnerable population. We extend a huge thank you to everyone for their continued generosity and support of these very important community outreach programs. We could not provide this service without you!
UCW Meeting Notice
The UCW will gather in the Lady’s Parlour on Tuesday, October 11th at 10 AM. All women of the congregation are welcome to join us. Donna Chauvin 458-5885
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: Joshua 24:1-15. You can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967. Passcode is 259190.
Sunday School Calling Children And Adults!
School aged children are invited to attend Sunday school running for the 2022/23 year. Please contact Erin Hayes (Hayes.erin11@gmail.com) for any questions about Sunday school. If you are an adult and have talents you wish to share, please see Erin Hayes to sign up to be a guest speaker this year. Are you an artist? Do you like to cook? Are you a good storyteller? Experience with drama or singing? Passionate about woodwork? The possibilities are endless of sills you could share. The model we are using this year means that your commitment could be as little as one day and that there would still be a regular teacher in the room while you are sharing your gifts and skills!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
October 9th – Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Trustees
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
Ukrainian Family In Need of Household Items
A Ukrainian family who recently arrived in Canada is moving into their first apartment on 10 October and is looking for help with furniture and household items. As you can imagine, they left most of their belongings behind when they came here. If you know of anyone who could donate something, please contact Olena by email at pavlenko23041960@gmail.com or you can call their hosts Dona and John at 506-488-8112. Items required: queen bed, twin bed, kitchen table with chairs, sofa, dressers, 2 desk tables.
Online Session on Anti-Black Racism in Canada
Please join Wilmot in the UC parlour for an online event on October 11th from 8-9:30pm. Desmond Cole is an award-winning writer and anti-racist activist. He is the author of “The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power.” He speaks extensively about anti-Black racism in the Canadian context. On Oct 11, he’ll be speaking with us – the United Church & friends! Desmond will start off this year’s weekly sessions (Oct 11- Nov 22) of 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism as the first speaker in the 40 Days Live Event series. (NO, you do NOT have to commit for 40 days!) For more info and/or to rsvp (but not necessary) contact Judy 454-5631 or judycoates@rogers.com (call if need a ride). Note – if you prefer, you can register & tune in from your own home.
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.
Floor Curling at Forest Hill United Church (FHUC) 
Join us from 10 am to noon on Wednesdays at FHUC for floor curling. Instead of ice, broom and flat stones, we use the floor and stones on 3 wheels. They can be thrown the regular way, or by using a stick which goes over the handle. You can be upright or seated to play.
Curling provides gentle exercise in a friendly surrounding. Try it out for two weeks free of charge. The annual cost is 10.00 plus 2.00 each time you come. For more information, please contact Mary or Margie at foresth.office@bellaliant.com or leave your contact information at 455-0988. Covid protocols require hand washing or sanitizing when entering the hall and masking when moving about in the building. FHUC is an accessible location. FHUC is at 45 Kimble Court, around the corner from St. Margaret’s Anglican Church and beside the ball diamonds at Bliss Carmen Middle School.
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.
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