Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
It might be a little late to say welcome to Summer, seeing as kids have been out of school for two weeks and we are finished the first week in July, but here I go, WELCOME TO SUMMER. For many, cabins and camps have been opened, travel plans to see friends and family are now just around the corner, and summer activities are in full swing. As we move into this season of long warm days, I hope that you will be able to enjoy the relaxation and activities that this time of year offers. I hope, also, that you have been taking care with the heat and that you have a way to stay cool and safe.
I have not written in a few weeks, not because I have not wanted to, but because time didn’t allow me to. For me June passed like a whirl wind, between my mandatory regional annual meeting for the UCC, a trip to NFDL to preside at the UCC 100th anniversary service, and my most recent trip to Ontario for the ending of a two year education program called reGenerate. I feel like I have hardly been home.
When I have been home it has not been quiet. In the last three weeks I presided at 5 funerals, completed the emergency pastoral care and worship leadership for the time that I am away this summer, planned and led 2 regular Sunday worship services. On the personal side our household has navigated end of school which included wrap up activities for Ella and an awards ceremony for Reid, hosted a 5th birthday party, said goodbye to my parents after their visit and ensured that we had the kids in camps for all the weeks of vacation. While at the same time looking ahead to what we need for fall in both the work and home world. I got my fall MOM calendar today…it is ready for marking it up in an attempt to stay organized.
I don’t know about you but with all the things I have to do and the things I want to do I have been running myself close to the burnout line. It is a problem that many of us have, pushing ourselves to do more or do better, slowly wearing ourselves out and then feeling bad when we do not have the capacity to say yes when we are asked to take on one more thing. We can get trapped in rat race thinking, which tells us we need to do everything, or that we need to prove ourselves and earn the right to rest. I believe it is important to remember that God didn’t make us to push on forever, doing more and more until we can’t anymore.
“Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy” this is one of the 10 commandments. God built into our relationship with creation rest. Thinking about the Genesis creation story, we tend to think about rest as what God did on the last day of the week, however, from a human perspective this commandment for sabbath was on our first full day. Before all else, right after humans were created, before we had worked, before we had planted, before anything– on our first full day, we were introduced to rest as gift, an unearned gift.
I have been seriously pondering what would happen being fully rested before work was my default. Instead of the pattern of pressing on into the next thing that needs to be done, even when everything in me cries out for rest. This summer I hope to explore and engage the idea of rest as God given and become better rested. It is going to involve evaluating how to live more intentionally and setting better boundaries around getting enough rest.
Maybe this summer can be a time to think and experiment with what brings you rest and helps you to relax, too. One of the tools that I picked up was the Rest Deck from NAP Ministry – which includes 50 practices to resist the grind culture that we live in. I am looking forward to this summer adventure of reconnecting body and mind within the spiritual framework of Christ’s love and mercy.
I have also been thinking about the verse in our creation story “it is not Good for man to be alone.” Too often when we are stressed and tired, we do not reach out to each other for help and support. Instead of carrying the load together, people withdraw and try to do it all themselves. This pattern of behaviour also contributes to burn out. If you are feeling tired, along with rest, maybe consider who you can journey with and share your load. After all, in talking about life with Christ our scriptures say “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light”. When it all feels too heavy, we might be trying to carry too much ourselves, it is a good time to invite God and the Christian community to hold what you are carrying with you.
I will be taking an extended period of vacation this summer. Starting the evening of July 13th until at least August 18th colleagues will be covering for emergency pastoral care (Ellen Beairsto and Richard Bowley see dates in announcements). For worship, we will have pulpit supply in our building on July 20th and 27th and then during August we are worshiping at Wilmot. As part of my taking time to rest, I will not be writing a reflection weekly for the eNews, however, if you would like suggestions of a summer devotional please reach out before July 13th. You will be able to find some photos of my family with our Little Jesus, so don’t forget to check out Facebook. I hope you will also send your photos to stpauls224@gmail.com. In doing so we remind each other of Jesus’ presence with us this summer.
As we go into this summer my prayer is that you find time to reconnect with your body, soul and Christ. Here is one of the cards from the Rest Deck to help you get started:
Ongoing Church Activities
Tuesday/Thursday ~ Community Outreach ~ Brown Bag Lunch Program
Wednesdays ~ Community Outreach ~ Pantry Program from 9-11am
Thursdays ~ Bible Study from 6-7pm ~ All are welcome!
Fridays ~ Community Outreach ~ Breakfast 2 Go from 8:30-10am
Rev. Michelle’s Vacation Coverage
Rev. Michelle will be away on vacation from July 13 (post service) – Aug 25th
For pastoral emergencies, please call:
July 13 – Aug 4 – Ellen Beairsto by phone 506-206-1943 or text 5064742324
August 4 – 25th – Rev. Richard Bowley cell 506-262-2150
Services will be covered by:
July 20 – Rev. Jacqueline Cleland (Howie)
July 27 – Andrew Speight
August 3 – 31st Worship at Wilmot 10:30 am
CREATORS MARKET at SAINT ANDREW’S & ST. PAUL’S
On July 10 and 11 (5 – 9 pm) and the 12th (10 am – 2 pm), there will be a local creators market in the Church Hall. This is a project in support of some of the people involved in our outreach programs who are local artisans, with small table registration being split between Under the Tent, Mental Health Programming, and the church/organizer, to support and encourage community engagement and impact. If you can help with event supervision/support, we are looking for people for Friday PM and Saturday AM. To volunteer, or to participate as a vendor, please reach out to Rev Michelle ASAP.
GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL THIS YEAR? ALREADY IN UNIVERSITY?
Students who are members or adherents of St. Paul’s and plan to pursue post-secondary studies this fall are invited to apply for financial support from the Wark/St. Paul’s Scholarship Funds. Details on eligibility and application guidelines are available at www.stpaulsunited.ca under “Resources”. Applications must be received on or before July 31st
PAUL’S PANTRY PROGRAM – This week
we are asking for donations of sardines, milk, soda crackers, mayo and jam. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support.
THE BROWN BAG LUNCH PROGRAM
needs canned proteins with pull tops (such as flakes of meat, Chef Boyardee, chili, sardines), chicken/tuna salad & crackers, pudding cups, and fruit & apple sauce cups. Thank you for your continued generosity.
SAINT ANDREW’S BREAKFAST 2 GO PROGRAM
asks for donations of the following items: peanut butter, canned milk, coffee, Cheese Whiz, crackers and Boost or similar nutritional drinks. Thanks in advance for your generosity!