Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
I have been reflecting on the last 7 months of us coming together, and while we have been living into what it means to be an Ecumenical Shared Ministry (ESM). There has been activity both up front and public and behind the scenes. It makes me think of my garden at this time of year, where I am getting the ground ready and in good order so that things can thrive this growing season, and the first tender perennials are starting to emerge and bloom.
So much of the work that the leadership team and I have been doing is tending and preparing a more detailed framework for our life together. This has included developing a plan on how the treasurers will exchange financial documents, finding ways to honour both traditions in worship, and establishing patterns of how we will deal with differences, and setting out the Holy Manners in which the ES/Session/Council will abide. There has been a start to developing a media/promotion plan, and initial talks about stewardship needs.
For many, the last 7 months have involved critical internal groundwork of shifting expectations, letting go of old assumptions, and considering ideas we have never thought of before. All of this has rested on the belief that we are doing this for the good of each other, and the openness of strangers being kin in the kingdom. This emotional and psychological work is often undervalued and overlooked. However, these shifts are critical to our survival, and often the hardest changes to make. We have been seeking to navigate this movement with grace, especially when things have not gone smoothly, which I hope will continue and grow more automatic as we continue to grow together.
The little garden that is this congregation has also had its own fresh shoots signal the presence of renewed life. How the ladies of the congregation have come together in fellowship each week, hosting a Christmas sale and spring yard sale, and the tea that is coming up this Saturday, is inspiring. All those who stepped in to make the Shrove Tuesday supper and Great ADVENTure happen. Several people expressed that they didn’t expect this space to feel like home so quickly. This is a testament to the new life that we are finding together. Then there is the Thursday evening bible study where we are deepening our spiritual engagement and developing community. People hosting coffee, and the great conversations happening after the Sunday service. And a variety of people who have visited us and decided to stay and be part of our community. What signs of life have you seen?
One of the pieces of work Session and Council have been doing is some visioning work with Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin. This has involved three Saturday afternoon sessions, where we dug into scripture, and our experiences and understandings of the church, to reflect about who we are as people of faith and how we view the church. This Sunday, there will be an insert in the bulletin inviting you to join this process. The vision and mission writing team are inviting you to answer two questions. To give you a head start on thinking about your answers, here they are: In two to three sentences, why does the Church exist? (the Church as in the worldwide Church, not just our local congregation) And, what is the most important thing for us to be doing? (as in our congregation). Your participation in this and future events will help us to set the vision and direction for our community of faith, but maybe most importantly, express succinctly the why for our congregation.
I want to encourage you to look at the first six minutes of this Ted talk by Simon Sinek https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 as it provides some wonderful context to the power of and importance of knowing our why.
As we move into the weekend, let us pray.
God of the resurrection,
we thank you for this time of year,
where the weather becomes warmer,
and the world that had seemed dead over the winter comes back to life.
Help us to see all the ways that you are bringing new life to the world,
to our community of faith, and in our individual lives.
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Featured In This May 8th eNews Edition
Worship This Sunday May 11th
Mother’s Day Tea
Emergency Pastoral Care
St. Paul’s Annual General Meeting
Saint Andrew’s Annual General Meeting
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Saint Andrew’s Breakfast 2 Go Pantry
Broadview Magazine Subscription
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Spring Bling Jewellry Sale
Spring Songs & Sweets Concert
Cookbook Fundraiser
Salad Plate Take Out
Ongoing Church Activities
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Worship This Sunday May 11th
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/83673756287 Passcode: 2023
View anytime on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@st.paulsunitedchurch984/videos
Mother’s Day Tea
The Tuesday morning ladies group is hosting a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday May 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm. Join us for sandwiches, your choice of dessert, tea, coffee, and conversation. Tickets are $15 each and available for purchase in either church office during regular hours, or after service starting on Easter Sunday. eTransfer available to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
Emergency Pastoral Care
Rev. Michelle will be away for Continuing Education from May 12th through 19th. Emergency pastoral care will be provided by Rev. Brian Delong. He can be contacted via phone at 506-363-2360.
St. Paul’s Annual General Meeting
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of St. Paul’s will take place on Sunday May 25th following service. Advance copies of the Annual Report can be obtained through the office prior to the meeting and on our website. Financials will be available on our website on May 23rd.
Saint Andrew’s Annual General Meeting
Saint Andrew’s Annual General Meeting will be held Sunday June 8th following worship service.
A reminder that reports are due ASAP. ~ Doug Blaikie
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
For the month of May, the Pantry will focus on receiving donations of salt and 1L vinegar. Other items of need are coffee, soda crackers, Ritz, cookies, peanut butter, Cheez Whiz, jam, tomatoes, 1L juice, canned milk, white and brown sugar, flour, white rice, puddings, dish detergent, Mr. Clean, tinfoil, and plastic wrap. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
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 small, sweet treats such as mini chocolate bars. Thank you for your continued generosity.
Saint Andrew’s Breakfast 2 Go Pantry
The Saint Andrew’s pantry needs the following items: peanut butter, canned milk, coffee, Cheese Whiz, crackers and Boost or similar nutritional drinks. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Broadview Magazine Subscription
If you would like to subscribe or renew your subscription, St. Paul’s group subscription rate is $30 per year, for 8 issues, mailed directly to your home. You can pay for your subscription in the office via cheque (payable to St. Paul’s), cash or by e-transfer. Deadline is June 1st. For more information on Broadview click HERE. Reach out to Meghan with any questions or to register or renew at stpaulsofffice224@gmail.com or 458-1183.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
May 11th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister & Kim Keech
May 18th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
May 25th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
June 1st ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour Hosted by Cathy Davis & Patty Trail
June 8th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
June 15th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
June 22nd ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
June 29th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 6th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 13th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 20th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 27th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
Spring Bling Jewellry Sale
In support of Fredericton Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers. Saturday, May 10th, from 9am to 4pm (cash or cheque) at Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street. Proceeds to Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho.
Spring Songs & Sweets Concert
The Fredericton Choral Society invites you to its concert, Spring Songs & Sweets, on Saturday, May 10th, at 7pm. It promises an evening of wonderful choral music, followed by a reception with sweet treats to tempt your palate. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students, available at the door. Come to Christ Church (Parish) Church at the corner of Westmoreland and Charlotte Streets. Contact Jack Walsworth for more information at jlwals@nbnet.nb.ca or 506-478-1980.
Cookbook Fundraiser
Brunswick Street Baptist Church is so excited to share something deliciously special with you! To support our youth as they prepare for this summer’s Tidal Impact Mission Trip, we’re selling a one-of-a-kind church cookbook—filled with over 140 treasured recipes from our congregation. From potluck favorites to family classics, get one today and enjoy the tasty treats, entrées, soups, salads, and so much more included in this book! Cookbook Cost: $20. Available: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, in the church office at 161 York Street. Contact: 506-458-8348 or receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca Every purchase helps offset the cost of going on the Tidal Impact mission trip to PEI and brings our youth one step closer to loving others and living out the heart of Jesus on this mission trip. Let’s help our youth make an eternal impact—one recipe at a time, while you enjoy some tasty food along the way.
Salad Plate Take Out
Marysville UCW will be having a Salad Plate take out on May 30th. Pick-up 4 to 6 pm. Menu: Potato salad, turkey salad, coleslaw, roll and squares for dessert. Cost $15. Call (506) 450-3082 to order.
Ongoing Church Activities
Monday – Friday ~ Community Outreach ~ Brown Bag Lunch Program in St. Paul’s Office
Tuesdays ~ Tuesday Morning Ladies Group at 9:30am ~ All are welcome!
Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ Quilting from 1-4pm ~ All are welcome!
Wednesdays ~ Community Outreach ~ Pantry Program from 9-11am
Thursdays ~ Bible Study from 6-7pm ~ All are Welcome!
Thursdays ~ Choir Practice from 7-8pm ~ All are welcome!
Fridays ~ Community Outreach ~ Breakfast 2 Go from 8:30-10am
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Rev. Michelle can be reached on the main office phone lines, her office directly at 506-455-0639, by text or call to her cell at 506-259-7602 or via email at michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com. Drop-in office hours are Sundays and Mondays from 1-2:30pm. Appointments are preferred to ensure the time you need to connect.
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Please send announcements to Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com by noon Wednesday.
Contact Information
Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1M2
Saint Andrew’s: Tel: 506.455.8220 | Email: sapcfred@gmail.com |Website: https://sapc.ca/
Office Administrator: Joanna Price |Office Hours: Monday-Friday 2pm-6pm
St. Paul’s: Tel: 506.458.1183 | E-mail: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com|Website: www.stpaulsunited.ca
Office Administrator/Bookkeeper: Meghan Roebuck |Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm & Friday 8am-12pm
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong |Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Custodian: Doug Newman |Ministers Emeriti: Rev. Doug Blaikie & Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery