Heather Hynds and her husband, Fred, left Northern Ireland a year before The Troubles began. Looking back, they realize they left just in time.

“Things were not good there,” said Heather of the conflict. “That went on and got worse.”

“The Troubles” is the Irish name for a low-level civil war, pitting Protestants against Catholics, that went on for 30 years — from 1968 to 1998.

In Coleraine, County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, where they grew up, 13 people in total were killed during The Troubles, including several in two car bombings. Two of the 13 victims were civilians with no paramilitary connections.

“We went back for holidays, but it was not the environment we felt we wanted to raise children in, plus we loved Canada.”

The Most Rev. Claude Miller has been appointed in the Parish of Fredericton Junction and the Parish of New Maryland to collaborative ministry with the Rev. Canon Albert Snelgrove, effective Nov. 1.

Financial applications are available here.

Our churches have been facing uncertain times like never before as we continue to journey through this pandemic. As Christians, we are called to be people of hope and Good News. Join the conversation with Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada as we explore being the Church in the midst of a pandemic.

Our Advent Retreat this year will be slightly different. The retreat will be online and will include times of live teaching, group prayer and individual guided reflection. Our retreat leader is Archbishop David.

As you prepare and consider participating in the retreat, we offer these thoughts:

• find a space that you can set apart for the duration of the retreat - make it comfortable.
• let those around you know you are on retreat and ask that they respect the time;
• plan ahead and prepare meals and snacks;
• remove as much "media" distraction as possible;
• avoid errands and chores until after the retreat ends;
• consider joining with others in your bubble - perhaps an agreed location (home, church, etc..). Just make sure you have the equipment and a strong internet connection.

Retreat materials and schedule will be sent to registrants on/by Tuesday, December 8.

With Bishop Bill Hockin, the Rev. Dr. Barry Craig, and Canon Albert Snelgrove.

Video recordings of talks will be released on YouTube as follows:

Monday, November 30, noon (AST):
Finding The Stable in the Storm

Monday, December 7, noon:
Bethlehem Bubble

Monday, December 14, noon:
Finding Faith in a Covid Christmas

Monday, December 21, noon:
Add a Little Luke to a Christmas Cart

Link to videos and poster for download here.

If you missed Mike Frost's (Surprise the World author) webinar with Shawn Branch on Nov. 19 ("Being Missional During A Pandemic"), you can view it here. There is still lots you can do — even during a pandemic!

The St. John ACW Pre-Christmas Auction (Parish of Salisbury & Havelock) is online this year. Visit their Facebook page between Nov. 23 and 4 p.m. on Nov. 26th to see some great items, and to bid in the comments section. Invite your friends! Your link to all the fun!

Friday Nov 27, 5-7 p.m. & Saturday Nov 28, 10 a.m.-noon  Fall Rummage Sale at Christ Church (Parish) Church, 245 Westmorland St. Fredericton. COVID-19 protocols will be strictly adhered to. Masks are required. Entry limited to 20 customers at a time. Dress warmly in event of outside line-up. We have something for everyone and for every room in the home. Excellent prices and lots of free parking.

Monday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.  St. Luke's Memorial Tree Lighting in the Parish of Woodstock. To donate in memory of a loved one, contact the parish office at 506-328-4304.

•  Due to the increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 in this area, and the government’s decision to return the Saint John area to the orange level, the ACW craft and bake sale planned for Holy Trinity on Saturday Nov. 28 will not be held.

•  The Deanery Service of Lessons and Carols in Moncton, scheduled for Nov. 29, has been postponed due to a return to the Orange level. No new date has been announced yet.

The Parish of Cambridge and Waterborough is looking for four 2-inch glass candle followers. They fit over the candle to slow the burn and control drips (see photo). If you have any you wish to donate, contact Debora Kantor deb.a.kantor@gmail.com or phone 506-488-2845.

So far, the project has received just over $60,000 in donations — two-thirds of the way to our fundraising goal of $91,500! We are so grateful for your donations!

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.

The man's wife had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet he stayed by her bedside every single day.

One day, when she came to, she motioned him to come closer. As he sat by her, she whispered, eyes full of tears, "You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. When I got fired, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. After my car accident, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you stayed right here. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. You know what?"

"What dear?" he asked, gently smiling as his heart began to fill with warmth.

"I think you're bad luck."