Who is God? That is just one of the many questions asked and answered during this year’s St. Michael’s Youth Conference.

SMYC is an annual week-long conference for teenagers 13-19 that includes study, prayer and fun. That means everything from praying the daily offices, to tackling the big questions about God and life, to scavenger hunts, board games, soccer baseball and swimming. 

The Ven. Cathy Laskey has been appointed honorary assistant in the Parish of Gondola Point. 

Our Companion Diocese of Ho is turning 20!

The diocese will celebrate this milestone with a week of activities culminating in a service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, Sept. 24.

They have asked for our prayers, giving thanks to God for how far the Lord has brought them, and to commit the future years to His guidance and care.

Their theme is Holding on to Christ, Being Faithful and Truthful in Uncertain Times (John 15:1-10).

Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.  Blessing Of The Animals service on the lawn of St. Peter’s Church, Woodstock Road in Fredericton. Our animals are a very important part of our lives and in recent years liturgies for the blessing of animals have been developed and used around the Feast Day of St. Francis. All dogs must be on leashes, cats must be in pet carriers or on leashes, birds in cages, fish in bowls, etc. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair for your comfort. See you there.
 
 Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m.  Homecoming Sunday at St. Peter’s Church, Woodstock Road in Fredericton. Our Vestry sends this church homecoming invitation to you! We celebrate and look back over the blessings of the past year and into the future with anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in the year to come. We especially want this Homecoming Sunday to be a time for those who have been a part of our church community in the past to “come home” and join us to celebrate their time as a part of our congregation and visit with friends. Feel free to share this invitation with others.

Come, relax and enjoy camp life. Experience archery, canoeing, specialty art projects, hiking, wellness stretching, work projects, games and campfire (storytime) while living in a Christian community. Great food and lodging provided.

Location: Camp Medley

Arrival: Sunday, 4pm
Departure: Wednesday, 4pm

Cost: $150.00

Register via the Camp Medley site on Camp Brain

Door Persons are key figures in supporting children who gather in community. This 5-hour workshop offers a unique way to encourage and support volunteers helping with children’s programs. Leadership will be provided by experienced Godly Play trainers: Archdeacon Cathy Laskey and Anne Pirie. We will explore the principles and practices of Godly Play especially for door persons, and deepen and expand an experience of Godly Play, particularly the role of door person.  Participants may be part of a Godly Play program, and/or have an interest in leadership with children.

During the day participants will

• Gain a deeper understanding of how a Door Person supports the circle of children in gathering, listening, wondering, work, the feast and leaving.
• Experience a full session of Godly Play
• Participate in discovery sessions on Supporting a Godly Play Environment, Supporting Children in their Work, Relationships & Managing Disruptions  

Hosted by the Godly Play Maritime Co-ordinating Circle 

Participant cost:  $35 – bring your own lunch 

This core training for Storytellers will be offered in modules over both weekends.

It is an opportunity to learn about Godly Play and supporting children’s spirituality. It also includes experiencing a variety of Godly Play stories, telling a story by heart, and receiving supportive feedback.

See the Godly Play Maritimes site for further details and to register.

Godly Play is a creative approach to nurturing children’s faith. It values process, openness, discovery, community, and relationships. And it supports children in being more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.

A clergyman was walking down the street when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys between 10 and 12 years of age.

The group surrounded a dog. Concerned that the boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked "What are you doing with that dog?"

One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we've decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

Of course, the reverend was taken aback. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a 10-minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie," and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie."

There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the reverend was beginning to think he'd gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, give him the dog."