How are you doing after this week? It was the first full week of September and for me it felt a little like a rollercoaster. Sunday brought a wonderful close to our summer worship with communion, then a holiday Monday, followed by children going back to school, that alone would have made it a full week. However, the world around us kept turning too, and the news was full of natural disasters from forest fires to floods causing devastation around the world, and then the violent stabbings in Saskatchewan and continued man hunt, then today the death of the Queen. The fullness of this week for me also included two graveside services. I know that in weeks like this, when the environment is emotionally changed, that I seek grounding. For me, part of this is ensuring that I am engaging in my spiritual practices – private worship, reading scripture and talking with God. While these practices don’t change the external stress of the world, and they don’t make things magically better they do make a difference.
I am no Martin Luther, who was quoted as saying “I have so much to do that I will spend the first three hours in prayer” but I do understand the heart of what he was experiencing. When I am taking time to read scripture, I remember that God has been with us through bigger challenges and that God is faithful. When I talk with God, share what is going on, the burdens of feeling like I am carrying it alone dissipate and when I listen to and sing songs of praise joy and hope enter my body. This gives me strength and wisdom to face the struggles life throws my way.
The wonderful thing is that this doesn’t have to be 3 hours, but as little as 5 minutes can make a difference. It seems too simple and can easily be put aside to tackle the challenges at hand, the worries we face and demands before us, but really does make a difference. So next time you are feeling shaken by the world, take time with God. I talked about three traditional practices but there are countless other ways to ground in God’s love and presence. If you need help or have a story to share about your experience, reach out and let me know. I would love to hear from you.
This week we celebrate the start of a new program year. Gathering as a community of faith is another way to connect to Christ as we reflect love to each other. So, I am hoping to see you on Sunday both for service and for BBQ lunch afterwards. Yet in the coming days before we meet on Sunday – let us pray…
Loving God,
As we continue to work and live in this fallen world,
Give us strength.
When everything seems too much,
Help us rest in you.
As we ponder what and how we should respond
Let us breathe deeply of your wisdom.
With all that we plan and all that the fall brings,
May we celebrate your presence and this community of faith by tending to these relationships. Amen
~Yours in Christ Rev. Michelle
Featured In This September 8th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday September 11th
Rev. Michelle’s Walk-In Office Hours
Worship This Sunday September 11th
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 would 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
FundScrip Returns!
Welcome back to our loyal shoppers who support this fundraising program by purchasing gift cards every month. We’d like to see this number grow. If you are not familiar with the program, details are available on the church website, www.stpaulsunited.ca under “Fundraising”. Deadline for our first fall order is Sunday, October 2nd. Order forms are available at the church office, in the Narthex or here . Please use a current order form as participating retailers and card values sometimes change. Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
Bible Study
Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the board room. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is: Genesis 12:1-9. Due to interest, you can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190.
Host & Support Ukrainian Families
The Multicultural Association of Fredericton has volunteer opportunities available to support Ukrainian newcomer families.
Interested in becoming a host? Ukrainian newcomers need volunteers to provide temporary, short-term housing. to both host and support Ukrainian newcomers. Please contact support-ukrain@mcaf.nb.ca or 471-1868
Want to volunteer with Frist Fredericton Friend? Tutor English? Or be a mentor? Volunteer with the Multicultural Association of Fredericton to make a difference! Please contact community-liaison@mcaf.nb.ca to get started.
They are currently looking for a booster car seat (for a 4 year old) for a family arriving in a few weeks. Please let Dan know if you have one to donate. Contact daniel.roberts@mcaf.nb.ca
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: tooth brushes & tooth paste, hand soap, elbow macaroni, chunky soup, coffee whitener, creamy peanut butter, sugar (white & brown), flour, chocolate & butterscotch pudding, juice boxes, Cheese Whiz, ketchup, pancake mix, cookies, cereal (Corn Flakes & Rice Krispies), salmon, flaked turkey & ham, Stove Top stuffing, Large Apple juice, canned tomatoes, large canned fruit, Comet, Mr. Clean, and laundry soap. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is in need of flip top cans of proteins. Thank you for your generosity!
Bursaries and Scholarships
Over the summer the bursary and scholarship committee accepted and reviewed all applications for support. We are pleased to announce that Hannah, Kirsten and Rebecca Simpson have all been awarded a St Paul’s Scholarship, Erin Hayes has been awarded the Wark Scholarship and Chris Walker have been awarded a St. Paul’s Theological Bursary. We wish them all well in their studies this school year!
Welcome To Ukulele Church!
Ukulele Church welcomes YOU to join on Sundays at 12:30pm Atlantic starting on September 11, 2022!
Ukulele Church is a 75-minute ONLINE (Zoom) Sunday worship time for children and all ages. It brings together Music, Ukulele Teaching, Biblical Storytelling, Art, Play and Liturgy, following a rhythm of Celebration – Contemplation – Devotion with Linnea Good, Catherine Stuart and Nancy Callbeck. Absolutely no ukulele or church experience necessary!
If you have questions, email cstuart@united-church.ca. To register, check out our website ukulelechurch.com. We cannot wait to see you! See our invitation here.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
September 18th – Fellowship Hour ~ hosted by the UCW
September 25th –After service – Congregational Workshop with Soup and Buns – Our Values
October 23rd – After service- Congregational Workshop with Soup and Buns – Finding Focus
November 6th – 190th Anniversary Celebration
Rev. Michelle’s Walk-In Office Hours
Looking to connect with Rev. Michelle? The best way to do this is to connect via email to michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com or call 259-7602 to set up an appointment. Walk-in office hours are Mondays from 10am to 1pm and Wednesdays from 1-2:30pm.
Fall Newsletter
Your newsletter should be in your mailbox in the next couple days. If you have not received it by the mid of next week, please contact the office. It may mean we have outdated contact information for you.
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