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…
God designed people in such a wonderful and complex way. We naturally want to understand and live in a coherent world. We are driven by the desire to be comfortable and safe. Unconsciously our minds scan our environment and quickly process information so that we can react. This is a good thing for our survival in the harsh world outside of Eden, when threats were real. These natural tendencies, however, are not always advantageous.
Last Sunday during worship we handed out our theme cards, “Be Curious. Ask Questions.” It is so fitting for life in the church, not just during this time of change but always. The ability to reason and ask questions is part of how we were made in the image of God. Our curiosity helps us to see God at work in and around us. Asking questions of our biblical text and our experiences helps us to deepen our faith and develop our relationship with Jesus.
This week you should have received a letter with the draft Ecumenical Shared Ministry (ESM) Agreement. This is the cumulation of many months and hours of work. The committee tasked with developing the agreement see this document as the beginning of an evolving relationship. It is the framework for the ministry that we are doing. Does it have all the details of how this will happen, no, but it is the direction for us to decide together. I hope that if what you read has made you uncomfortable, that you will take time to think about why and what questions you have. Bring your questions to the congregational meeting this Sunday, or even better forward them to Alanna or myself before the meeting so we can plan to address them.
As we look at the ESM agreement, we are taking another large step into the future that God is preparing for us. Assuming the agreement is accepted by the congregation and St. Andrew’s, it will then be forwarded to the Region for final approval. Sunday will be another historic day in the life of St. Paul’s, I hope that you will plan to join us and have your voice heard and vote counted. In the meantime, let us pray…
God, you have promised to work good for those who trust in you,
We are entering into a difficult time of transition
Grief and letting go are hard.
Be with us this week as we think about what is to come next.
Guide us through the Holy Spirit so that we may know your wisdom and grace.
This we pray in Christ’s name amen.
Featured In This September 12th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday September 15th
Office Hours
Important Congregational Meeting September 15th
Scholarship Recipients Announced
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
The Full Colours Of The Organ
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Moderator’s Book Club Returns
Floor Curling At Forest Hill
Craft And Flea Market
Simply Country Presents
Candlelight Concert Series At St. Paul’s
60th Anniversary Of The Women’s Inter-Church Of Fredericton
Worship This Sunday September 15th
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/81834519740 Password: 657067
Office Hours
St. Paul’s office has returned to the regular hours of Monday-Thursday from 8am-3pm,
and Friday from 8am-1pm.
Important Congregational Meeting September 15th
There is an important congregational meeting on September 15th to vote on the adoption of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry Agreement draft. This Agreement lays out the basic structure for how the shared ministry will be lived out. It has been reviewed by St. Paul’s Council and St. Andrew’s Session. If you have not received your letter with a copy of this agreement in your mailbox by Wednesday, please contact Meghan in the office. Please read the information in the mailout and be prepared with your questions and to vote on the adoption of the agreement at the Congregational Meeting on September 15th after worship. To join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89887629528 Passcode: 110516
Scholarship Recipients Announced
Congratulations from the congregation are extended to Hannah Simpson and Kirsten Simpson who have just received St. Paul’s Scholarships to support their university studies. Hannah is entering her third year at the University of Waterloo while Kirsten is studying at the University of Ottawa.
Scholarships are available for members or adherents of St. Paul’s who are pursuing post-secondary studies. Information and application details can be found on the church website under “Resources”.
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.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: fruit cups, pasta, rice, Shake’n’Bake, canned chicken, ham & turkey, white & brown sugar, jam, Miracle Whip, molasses, mustard, relish, pancake mix & Syrup, ketchup, tea, cookies, salted soda crackers, nutty peanut butter, Rice Crispies, Corn Flakes, and dish detergent. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program
Fellowship Hour Hosts
Interested in hosting Fellowship Hour for the congregation? Get a few friends or committee members together to volunteer. Please sign up on the list on the bulletin board outside of the Brown Bag room. Thank you in advance!
The Full Colours Of The Organ
Thanksgiving, Farewell, And Halloween Too! October 4th at 7pm. A farewell organ recital by Dr. Sharon Pond celebrating St. Paul’s United Church and their wonderful Casavant organ, featuring my favourite crowd-pleasing music and special surprises. Everyone Welcome! Reception to follow. Freewill offering for the Food Bank. Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/thanksgiving-farewell-and-halloween
Upcoming Dates To Remember
September 15th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister & Kim Keetch
September 15th ~ Important Congregational Meeting following service
September 22nd ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosts needed!
September 29th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosts needed!
October 4th ~ Dr. Sharon Pond’s Organ Recital ~ 7pm
Moderator’s Book Club Returns
Over the last year our moderator has hosted a virtual book study exploring a wide range of books and topics. September the book club will be gathering again to explore and discuss the book Maximus Canada by Doug Saunders on September 26th. For more information and to sign up check out https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/organization-and-governance/moderator/right-rev-dr-carmen-lansdowne-44th-moderator/flourishing-project/mods-book-squad
Floor Curling At Forest Hill
Forest Hill United Church is hosting Floor Curling on Wednesdays from 10am to noon starting Sept 13th. All abilities welcome. Fees: Registration $10 and $2 each time you attend. Contact Mary Grant at 506-459-8525 for more information.
Craft And Flea Market
Forest Hill United Church, in collaboration with St. Matthew Lutheran Church, will be hosting a Craft and Flea Market on Saturday, September 21st from 9 am to noon at 45 Kimble COURT, Fredericton (off Forest Hill Road at the top of the hill by the skateboard park). Please bring your own bags for your purchases. For more information, contact Forest Hill United Church at foresth.office@bellaliant.com or 506-455-0988.
Simply Country Presents
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 22nd, 2-4pm, as we welcome back Simply Country – “The Women of Country”, singing country gospel and old-time hymns. This event will be held in the sanctuary of Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street and the cost is $15.00 at the door. Hope you can join us!
Candlelight Concert Series At St. Paul’s
Fever is presenting a Candlelight Concert Series in the sanctuary at St. Paul’s. Two Concerts on September 27th feature 1) Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (SOLD OUT), 2) A Tribute to Taylor Swift, and two on November 9th featuring 1) A Tribute to Coldplay, and 2) A Tribute to Abba. Tickets are ONLY available online. For more information and to purchase tickets CLICK HERE.
60th Anniversary Of The Women’s Inter-Church Of Fredericton
The Women’s Inter-Church of Fredericton will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary on September 28th at Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street, Fredericton at 2:00 PM. The Theme is “Shining the Light”. The entrance off Carlton Street has a lift device and fewer stairs and easier to get into the sanctuary. We will have the honour of Catherine MacKeil, Executive Director of the Women’s Inter-Church of Canada and Shirley DeMerchant, Past President of the Women’s Inter-Church of Canada present at our celebration. Following the Service there is a reception downstairs. All are welcome. Deborah Heustis, Publicity for the Women’s Inter-Church of Fredericton.
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