How do you hold a Blessing of the Animals service during a pandemic? Very carefully, with plenty of social distancing, it turns out.

The Rev. Canon Bonnie LeBlanc’s service in the Parish of Stanley is usually held at the Nashwaak Villa, where she often has pastoral visits, but that was off the table this year to keep residents of the home safe. She thought about holding a virtual service, but yearned for something a bit more personal. There was a dog show in town, but even it had banned spectators.

Then she hit upon the idea of going to a farm. 

The Rev. Kevin Borthwick has been appointed part-time priest-in-charge in the Parish of St. Stephen, effective Oct. 1. This is in conjunction with his ongoing incumbency in the Parish of Campobello and his mission duties in the Deanery of St. Andrews as a whole.

The Ven. Rod Black will retire from active ministry in the Parish of Richmond and as archdeacon of Woodstock. His retirement is effective Dec. 31.

Clergy Anniversaries
Oct 2 - Rob Marsh - 10 years a deacon
Oct 2 - Richard Robinson - 10 years a deacon
Oct 4 - Ross Hebb - 35 years a deacon

NOTE: Clergy anniversaries are recognized at 10 and 25 years and subsequent 5-year intervals.

The Fall Christian Forum, which usually takes place in Fredericton, will be held online. Does Liberalism need Christianity?

Everyone is welcome to join in. 

So far, the project has received $48,983 in donations — more than half way to our fundraising goal of $91,500!

The project is partnering with the Rotary Club, and the budget is $273,500 CDN. The Rotary District has given $69,000. Our application to the Rotary International Foundation asks for $113,000.

The Rotary Foundation has been swamped with applications, up 100 per cent from last year. Our application is in the queue and will be dealt with shortly.

The start date for the project is January. If the Foundation has responded positively, that is when the vehicle will be ordered. It will take 18 weeks to have the vehicle shipped to Moncton; six weeks to convert the vehicle to the mobile clinic; six weeks to ship to Ghana, via Brussels; several weeks to set up, and several weeks to train staff. By next fall, the clinic should be in operation.

In the meantime, the residents of Ho continue without any or without adequate health care — truly worrying during this pandemic. Please be in prayer for this project, and if you can help financially, please do so soon.

You can donate at this link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/13778 . Under “general funds,” choose Diocese of Ho Mobile Medical Clinic. You can also call the diocese and donate with a credit card: 506-459-1801, ext 1010; or you can mail a cheque: Anglican Diocese of Fredericton, 115 Church Street, Fredericton E3B 4C8. Note on the cheque “Diocese of Ho Mobile Medical Clinic.”

Thank you for your prayers and your gifts.

From Sharon Simms, on behalf of the Farraline board:
Due to COVID-19, we will not hold our annual fall fundraising gala dinner. Instead we are inviting you to a “dinner” that is not going to take place.

Unfortunately, the ongoing work at Farraline Place and the caring of our residents has not been cancelled. Even though we cannot offer you dinner, the annual “your choice auction” and the opportunity to purchase preserves and baking, we are hoping you will continue your support.

The challenge is ongoing to make a home for low-to-modest income residents, and this particular year is more crucial than previous years.

Due to COVID-19, when we had a vacancy, we were unable to have people come in to view our facilities, hence our revenues have diminished.

Back to the dinner: A ticket is $50 per person. We would be overjoyed to receive your donation of that or more. If you donate before Oct. 19 (our original gala date), your name will be put in a draw for various donated prizes (one entry for each $50 donation).

For donating and for information, call Sharon Simms at 452-8909 or home administrator Judy O’Donnell at 455-6443. Thank you!

The columbarium is located in the front entrance of Trinity Anglican Church at 115 Charlotte Street in Saint John. This beautiful historical church provides a place of remembrance for families wanting that connection with the church. There are various niche sizes (individual, couples, family) available for purchase. Inquiries can be directed to the Trinity Parish office at (506) 693-8558 or email: trinsj@nb.aibn.com.

Want to help? Click here to donate!  Under the “fund” drop-down menu, choose Camp Medley.

Check out the Camp Medley video on this topic here. 

Hydroseeding has taken place and the grass is just beginning to grow!

God and the Pandemic What are we supposed to think about the Coronavirus crisis? Is it a sign of the End? Is it a call to repent? Join us for a 5-week study on "God and the Pandemic" written by one of the world's foremost New Testament scholars, N.T. Wright.

NOTE: This bible study has begun, but you are still welcome to join in.

Send to the editor for publication in the New Brunswick Anglican:  gmcknight@diofton.ca

NB Anglican editor Gisele McKnight has launched a series called "What Have We Learned" regarding the past six months living under pandemic conditions.

The aim is for answers to encompass mostly church life and how that has affected you, but could also include personal epiphanies, mental health issues and the like. As long as they are relevant to your life as a Christian, we’re interested in hearing from you.

Please write economically and try to limit your answer to 300-400 words.

This series, assuming there is enough feedback, will be ongoing throughout the fall. The next deadline is Oct. 27.
Send to gmcknight@diofton.ca . Thank you!

All leader positions are filled for the remainder of the season. 

Only two Sundays left to enjoy this lovely afternoon service in a unique, peaceful setting. 

What could be better than a tour of the Holy Land?

www.trinitytour.org