But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

-Acts of the Apostles 3:6-7   

 

Kindred in Christ,

We were created to be in community with one another. Through the good times and the hard times, we find a way because we support each other, celebrate with each other, mourn with each other. Being seperated by this time of isolation in the midst of pandemic, makes it hard to foster community. It makes it even harder to be there for one another when tragedy strikes in our lives as it did this past Sunday. We long to reach out for our neighbours, to hold one another, to weep together. 

 

As a community of faith we strive to be a place where people can meet, regardless of whether their lives are going well or not, to worship God, pray for guidance, and give thanks for the blessings we are afforded in this life. Through this pandemic, we are still providing those spaces, but in a different way. We worship and we learn differently than we did before, but we are still making a time and space in our lives sacred as we worship God, divided by space but united in the Spirit.

 

As we continue to be the church through this pandemic, check out some ways you can learn, worship, and serve.

 

Prayer, Music, and Light for Our Kindred in Nova Scotia

We’re all still trying to wrap our minds around what happened this past Sunday in Nova Scotia. It doesn’t make sense, and it likely won’t make sense no matter what we learn. As we walk through grief together, we should be reaching out – by phone, by email, by video chat – to remind each other that we are not alone. This week, hosted by Region 15 (Nova Scotia & Bermuda) of The United Church of Canada, there was a prayer vigil. Ministers across the Maritimes, the General Secretary (Nora Sanders), and the Moderator (Rt. Rev. Richard Bott) shared in the leadership of this vigil which was live-streamed via YouTube. You may have been one of the 16,000 active viewers, but if you didn’t get a chance to experience this vigil live, follow the link below. There are prayers, there is music, there is unity in Christ.

 

Learning at Home…Together!

Throughout this pandemic, Rev. Michelle has been updating us on a variety of ways for us to grow together in faith either together virtually, at home with family, or in our own time and ways. Below are the options available at this time:

    • God’s Story, Our Story: Hosted by Rev. Michelle each Wednesday, at 2:00 PM, you are invited to join in the conversation. Because we are limiting in-person activities at the church, this gathering will take place on the Zoom digital platform (so right in the comfort of your own home!). Information this discussion group can be found here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/gods-story-our-story/ 

 

  • All Ages Faith Journey: There are many activities that any person can do to deepen their faith and connect with the strength that it offers. This page – http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/all-ages-faith-journeys/ – contains links to many of these  spiritual practices both traditional and modern that you can engage with on your own time and as needed.
  • Children and Youth @ Home: Faith Formation for our children and youth is an important ministry of our congregation.  Equipping our young people to see their lives and experiences through the lens of God’s story builds resilience for the challenges they face and instills the truth about who they are – Beloved Children of God! Find resources at this link: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/sunday-school-home/ 

 

 

Worshipping through Pandemic

To gather for worship, give thanks to God, and pray for strength is core to our faith. Even though we can’t all be in the same room, we can make time and create spaces in our lives to worship God and give thanks for all that we have been given and the people with whom we share this life. Below are just a few ways you can worship at St. Paul’s United Church.

    • This Sunday we gather with the disciples to hear the parting words of Christ and about the promise of the Holy Spirit. We are also encouraged to continue to be the church even in the midst of strange and difficult times.
    • Rev. Richard has been hosting weekly prayer services throughout Lent and throughout this pandemic. Though Lent is coming to an end, we want to continue to provide those opportunities for prayer. There are two services taking place weekly, and the information is below.

 

  • Evening Prayer Service: As we move from day into night, we continue to Seek the Light together. On Sunday’s at 7 PM come and pray as we ask for God’s guidance from the night into the light of a new day..

 

Serving at St. Paul’s

The Pantry and Brown Bags: While almost all of our in person activities have been suspended until the provincial health restrictions have been lifted, there are still ways to serve at St. Paul’s. We still have two very important programs running because they do a very important thing: feed people. Our Pantry and Brown Bag programs still operate, though in a way that is safe for both volunteers and clients of the programs. Because they have been running this whole time, there are some things that we need, things that you can help us get by donating! 

 

Below is a list of items that our programs need as we continue to serve God and support our neighbours in the downtown. If you can donate, please contact Eric, our Church Manager, at 458-1183.

  • laundry soap
  • dish soap
  • canned soup (except tomato)
  • canned milk
  • large containers of juice
  • tuna (pull-top preferred)
  • canned fruit
  • rice
  • spaghetti sauce, and
  • canned tomatoes

 

Donations are gratefully accepted – contact free – at the church during our normal opening hours. Just ring the bell at the York St. door.

 

If you prefer, we are happy to accept monetary donations in the form of gift cards, by e-transfer, or through our Canada Helps page (just write “Pantry” in the message box): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/108037383RR0001-st-pauls-united-church/

 

Butterfly art installation –  As we look forward to eventually coming back together,  we are looking for your involvement in a church wide project showing both our unity and God’s power to transform.  The butterfly is a symbol of Easter, new life, and God’s amazing power.  Rev. Michelle has got her hands on a collective poster that we can all be a part of.  To opt into your family participating let Rev Michelle ķnow. All you need is some colouring materials- which we could provide if you need. michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com

 

Now, more than ever, it is important for us to reach out to one another, even if it is only virtually, by phone or by email. If we let it, fear can surround us, despair can take root in us, and if we don’t make an effort to reach out, we become more and more cut off. In the reading above, Peter reaches out to a man in a way that no one else had. Peter reached out and gave the man strength, a blessing, and hope. Many had carried him, but none had ever given him their strength. Some may have given him coins, but none gave him blessing. He sat at the temple gate, but never heard of hope the way Peter offered it.

 

Some days we are the man at the gate, seeking support, and other days we are Peter, called to give it. Wherever we are today – especially in the wake of Sunday’s Shooting – may we reach out and be touched by God’s Holy Presence as we strive to be a community of faith and support.

 

Let us pray:

We need you, O God,

to lift us up when the world brings us low,

to give us strength when tragedies are too heavy to bear,

to shine light into our hearts when darkness tries to make a home there.

 

We need you, O God, but we also know of so many others who also need you.

Be with the broken families.

Be with those who lost friends.

Be with those who live in fear.

 

We need you, O God. Hear us as we cry out to you, and help us to find our way again.

In Christ’s name we ask this and all things. AMEN

 

Yours in Christ,        

Rev. Richard and Rev. Michelle