EDITOR'S NOTE:  Bishop George Lemmon died on Sunday, May 22, after a period of failing health. This story from 2015, part of a series on the diocesan bishops, gives some insight into the much-loved man.

The Right Rev. George Lemmon never wanted to be bishop. He’s not even sure he wanted to be a cleric. 

“I wasn’t fussy about becoming a priest,” he said. “I felt I had a ministry already, but I came to realize that I probably had to become a priest to do the mission.” 

His life’s work began the summer he graduated from high school — 1949. His father’s printing business was ready to welcome him, but he had no idea what he wanted to do in life. So his father told him to spend the summer at the family cottage in Grand Bay and think it over. 

There will be no visitation. A funeral will be held on Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton. No clergy procession. 

The service will be live-streamed and accessible at:   www.youtube.com/ChristChurchCathedralFredericton

The Rev. Canon Jon Lownds has been appointed diocesan registrar.

Archbishop David's pilgrimage blog and detail pages 

Diocesan 24-7 Prayer Vigil Sign-up

Transform, Revive and Heal Society

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement which the Archbishop of Canterbury invited people around the world to join. The wave of prayer runs for 11 days between the Christian festivals of Ascension and Pentecost. During this time, people are asked to pray in whatever way they want and with whoever they want for others to come to know Jesus Christ. 

Activities in the Diocese of Fredericton

• 24-7 prayer vigil (pray where you are) - sign up here. 
• Archbishop David's pilgrimage will use the Thy Kingdom Come prayer booklet for prayer offices
• Christ Church Cathedral will meet weekday evenings on the Novena. See also the Cathedral's brochure resource.
• The Parish of Hammond River is looking at the Novena together along with other special activities.
• The Parish of Richmond has activities planned.  

Please let us know what your parish is doing.

Resources

• Thy Kingdom Come prayer booklet (or use this reformatted version)
• Thy Kingdom Come 2022 prayer journal and novena, by the Archbishop of Canterbury
  • limited hard copies are available from the Bishop's Office
• Bright prayer ideas for your church
• Commissioning service liturgy 
• We Seek Your Kingdom lyrics

CHANGE OF DATE  If you love to read and are interested in history, mark your calendars. On Thursday, June 2 at 2 p.m., we will be hosting an Authors Coffee House. Dr. Ross Hebb will read from his book "A Canadian Nurse In the Great War" and answer questions. 

This is a book made for readers, well laid-out with lots of photos and Ruth Loggie's diary entries during 1915 and 1916. Hope to see you there!

Re: Camp work days
If it works best for you to arrive the evening before, you are welcome. Bring a warm sleeping bag.

Please let camp director the Rev. John Galbraith know if you are planning to attend so he can prepare food and the jobs to be done. Please connect with others and bring them a long too, if you can.

If you have any questions, email John. 
director@campmedley.ca

Sunday, June 5, 11 a.m.   Community jubilee church service in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. All Saints Anglican Church, 77 King St., St. Andrews. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, June 5, 12:30 p.m.   Community jubilee garden party in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. All Saints Anglican Church hall, 75 King St., St. Andrews. Home style fish chowder, British bread pudding, hot dogs, jubilee cupcakes. Lots of fun and games and prizes for all ages. Special jubilee display. Everyone is welcome.

St. John the Evangelist Church in Fredericton is seeking a part-time music director.

Deadline for applications is June 24, with the position beginning in September.

Click here for the job description and application details.   

Clergy and layreaders:  Click here to lead an Evening Prayer service this summer at Kings Landing. 

campmedley.ca

Last chance to sign up!

Taking place Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (Atlantic) from May 30 to June 27, this $20 online program helps us recognize our own worship preferences as well as learning from the practices of others, drawing from contemporary, modern, historic and new expressions.

Click here for more information. 

Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Honourable Mayann Francis Faith in Action Award for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. 

The Awards, to be presented by AST, honour exceptional community outreach that is recognized as having provided significant benefit to the wider community. This outreach award is given to individuals whose honoured work is driven by his/her religious commitment to the faith tradition to which he/she belongs.

We are seeking nominations for three years, because faith in action continued during the pandemic, and now it is time to recognize it!

More information about the award and how to nominate a potential recipient can be found on the AST website at https://www.astheology.ns.ca/news/index.html.

All submissions must be postmarked or emailed no later than June 30, 2022.

Completed submissions can be mailed to:
Advisory Committee
The Honourable Mayann Francis Faith in Action Award
Atlantic School of Theology
660 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS  B3H 3B5
Submissions can also be sent via email to lmoxsomskinner@astheology.ns.ca.

A man who hadn't attended church in years suddenly began attending faithfully on Sunday mornings instead of going fishing, as was his normal habit.

The pastor was highly gratified and at the end of service one morning told him, "How wonderful it makes me feel to see you at services with your good wife!"

"Well, Preacher," said the man, "Quite honestly, it's a matter of choice. I'd much rather hear your sermon than hers."