How do the COVID changes impact life? This has been a big and ongoing question, and in relationship to the church we have done some digging. For Sunday worship we have been asked to establish that 90% of the congregation has been vaccinated but are not required to show proof of vaccination. However, for everything else we do here, weddings, funerals, bible studies, and church meetings you will need to pull out your proof. Also, a reminder that masks are once again required when in the building. Throughout the pandemic our faith has guided us, and Jesus commanded us to care for the least and most vulnerable. Right now, getting your vaccine if you haven’t yet is one tangible way that you can live our Christian faith. If you are having trouble booking an appointment or getting to a clinic – please call the office and I will help you.
Last Sunday I unveiled this years bag-tag /reminder card it read “Be Loved, Be Kind, Be You.” This year regardless of what comes let us focus on these three things:
Be loved – let us remembering and accepting that we are loved by God. Regardless of who we are and what we have done, we are loved by God! Nothing we can do can take away the Love God has for us.
Be Kind – this means that we try to act in ways that show and share the love which we have received. It means following in Jesus steps.
Be You – You are special, one of a kind, blessed by God with unique skills and gifts and are a part of God’s tapestry. You have a role to play in God’s family, in the world, but you can’t do it by pretending to be someone you are not or hiding the gifts you have been given. God needs you to be you!
On the way out of worship, people were already talking about where they were going to put their card and a couple of people asked for extras to give away to family or friends. If you didn’t get one, pick one up this Sunday or call the office to make arrangements.
This week, there was as a note left on our doorstep. I wanted to share with you what it said.
“St. Paul’s United Church, Over the years you have helped me. I myself, Heather, and on behalf of others I once knew, really truly appreciate your kinds hearts. Bless each and every one of you for all that you do.”
This note was signed with a heart. This little card left for us reminded me again of how often we touch people’s lives, but never really truly know the impact. We don’t know how we helped Heather, but because of your willingness to serve and be present she was touched by God’s love. Let us never neglect Christ’s call to be his hands and feet, serving with the love the world God created.
Let us pray.
God of love and mystery,
Inspire us, encourage us, surprise us with your presence.
As we strive to follow you, remind us that your creative spirit is always at work
showing us new paths and guiding us deeper into your heart and way.
Open us to your presence, and use us for your purpose
This we pray in Christ’s name Amen
1) Worship announcements / Covid-19 Updates
2) National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
3) Bible Study
4) Pantry Sunday
5) Security Update
6) Readers for Sunday Service
7) Congregational Meeting
8) Climate Emergency
1 – Worship starts at 10:30am and will we be following the same protocols as previous weeks.
We are not required to ask for proof of vaccination for regular church service but if you would like to disclose your status for our records please email stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com. We’ve been asked to establish if our congregation is at a 90% vaccination rate by our regional office as encouraged/requested by Minister Sheppard. You can find the letter requesting this information on our website under ‘Covid-19 Updates’.
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
Worship services are posted on our church YouTube Channel and can be accessed through this LINK or via our website which has a link on the Top Left Hand Side of the landing page labelled “Youtube”.
2 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2021
We are pleased to inform you that the board has decided to observe The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
This means that St. Paul’s will be closed on September 30th in honor of this day, also referred to as “Orange Shirt Day”. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was tasked with the work of bringing to light the truth of what happened during and in residential school system period. At the end of their work they presented 94 Calls To Action.
Action 80 under the heading of commemoration states:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples’ to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Do you know the story of Orange Shirt Day? It began on September 30, 2013, as a day to honour the Indigenous children who were taken from their homes and sent to residential schools in Canada and to learn more about the history of those schools. September 30th was chosen as it falls during the time of year when Indigenous children were taken away to residential schools.
The “Orange” in Orange Shirt Day refers to the new shirt that Phyllis Webstad was given to her by her grandmother for her first day of school at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in British Columbia. When Phyllis got to school, they took away her clothes, including her new shirt and it was never returned. To Phyllis, the colour orange has always reminded her of her experience at residential school and, as she has said, “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”
At St. Paul’s we do care and we need to use this day to learn more about the past and current impacts of colonialism on our indigenous friends and neighbours. For more about the United Church’s role and position, start at https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/reconciliation-and-indigenous-justice/truth-and-reconciliation.
Rev. Michelle invites you to join her at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (512 Charlotte Street) for a Service of Healing & Forgiveness on September 30th at 7pm. This service will be ecumenical and is being planned to recognize the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
3 – Lectionary Bible Study: We had a lovely turn out this week to our bible study group. Reminder that no experience is necessary just an open heart and mind. Come and have your questions and insights inform Sunday worship. Wednesday’s at 11:11am! The reading for next weeks study will be Exodus 2:23-25, 3:1-15, and 4:10-17.
4 – Pantry Sunday: Although we welcome donations anytime for our Brown Bag Lunch and our Pantry Program – We dedicate the first Sunday of every month to our Pantry Program hence Pantry Sunday! Currently we are serving 83 clients/families! 24 Single Women, 24 Single Men, 16 Single parent families, 12 two-parent families, 7 couples, and within those groupings are 61 children!
Our most popular items are Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, Instant Coffee, Coffee Whitener, Large 1L Juice (Apple or OJ), Cheese Whiz, Pancake Mix & Syrup, and can Soup (anything but Tomato!). You can drop off donations anytime during the week at the church or in the labelled box at the entrance to the church (in the Narthex).
5 – The Property Committee has been working to review our policies and procedures around security ever since the theft incident on July 11, 2021. To date, the locks on the church office have been changed – a key log/sign out sheet has been started and only office staff & music director currently have key access to the office. Back door key codes will be deactivated and changed in the coming weeks – all members/staff that currently access church via key code will be notified with new codes.
6 – Readers for Sunday Service. We know it’s hard to plan ahead but thought we’d put out a call for volunteers. Roger Miller is always working so hard to secure readers for the upcoming Sunday service and it would be amazing (and very helpful) to have a list for the fall (October – December) of reader for each Sunday. If you do volunteer and plans change, that’s okay, we can work to find a replacement! Please contact Roger Miller at 461-8295 with the date you’re available to volunteer.
7 – A Congregational Meeting will be held after worship THIS SUNDAY September 26th in the Sanctuary to allow for social distancing and participation over Zoom. This meeting will deal with an update on where the congregation is and a vote on the addition of a new trustee. The candidate for trustee is Bill Paterson.
Zoom room will start following worship at 11:30am Join the Meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83462306888
Meeting ID: 834 6230 6888
Passcode: 208197
Or Dial into the audio only (long distance charges may apply)
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
Meeting ID: 834 6230 6888
Passcode: 208197
Documentation for the meeting can be found on our website via this link http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/congregational-meeting/
8 – Climate Emergency: This is Not a Drill
When: Friday, September 24 at 12 noon
Where: New Brunswick Legislature, Fredericton, unceded Wolastoqiyik territory
Rally for a safe climate and equitable world! Stand in solidarity with people most affected by the climate crisis. Hear from climate activists, Indigenous land defenders, youth, scientists, trade unionists, energy policy experts and elected representatives on what a just energy transition looks like for Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and beyond.
System Change, Not Climate Change! Climate Justice Now!
This rally is supported by Extinction Rebellion New Brunswick, Council of Canadians Fredericton Chapter, Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB), RAVEN, and Solidarité Fredericton.