News of official status as a Canadian charity has meant Kigando Community Support for the Elderly is stepping up its activities in the Pennfield area.

The charitable status has given KCSE legitimacy, as well as the authority to issue tax receipts for donations. And donations are what it needs to help elderly widows in Uganda who have no family, no support system, no medical care and no transportation.

The appointment of the Rev. Canon Gerry Laskey as regional dean of the deanery of Miramichi-Chaleur has been extended to May 31, 2027.

September 28: Celebration of New Ministry of rector, the Rev. Dan McMullen, and vicar, the Rev. Canon Paul Ranson, within the parishes of Sussex, St. Mark and Waterford, starting at St. John's, Waterford, at 3 p.m. Please click here for further details. https://nb.anglican.ca/events/celebration-of-new-ministry-rector-and-vicar/2024-09-28

October 9: Induction of the Rev. Stephen Harnish into the parishes of St. Mary, York, and Marysville, 7 p.m. at St. Mary's, 780 McEvoy St, Fredericton. 

• • • 

Belated anniversary blessings to Archbishop David Edwards, who marked 10 years as Bishop of Fredericton on Sept. 20. 

We are seeking nominations to fill a lay position on the Human Resource Committee.  Experience in human resources would be an asset.

Click here to read the Roles and Responsibilities for the committee.    

Deadline for nomination is TOMORROW - Sept. 25.  Nominations to be sent to Trevor Fotheringham, chair of the Nominating Committee.   fottr2@outlook.com

PWRDF Day is Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Archdeaconry of Woodstock at St. John’s Church in Richmond Corner. The day starts at 9 a.m. and will feature worship, social time, singing, and sessions on PWRDF by diocesan representative Debbie Edwards.

All are welcome to come and learn about the compassionate and wonderful work of PWRDF, at home and around the world. For more information, contact the Rev. Canon Bonnie LeBlanc: revbonnieanglican@gmail.com .

In keeping with the TRC’s Call to Action, I am co-hosting, with the Imperial Theatre, what I believe is the first New Brunswick screening of the award-winning documentary, “We Are the Warriors,” which tracks the discussions of the Town of Wells, Maine in respect of extinguishing its high school’s use of an indigenous mascot.  
 
DATE, TIME & PLACE:  Monday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. at Imperial Theatre, King’s Square, Saint John
 
COST:  Free, but please reserve tickets here.  
 
SYNOPISIS:  For nearly 70 years, students and alumni of Wells High School in Maine have called themselves the “Warriors.” Their yearbook is named for the Abenaki, the Indigenous people the town’s settlers first encountered in the 1600s. The school’s mascot, variations of a stoic Native American head in profile with braids and feathered headband, has drawn both support and criticism in the past. However, during the 2017 fall athletic season, an incident shocks the town and reignites the debate.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m.   St. Luke’s, 12 Quispamsis Road, Quispamsis will hold its annual roast beef dinner at the parish hall. Menu:  delicious roast beef, baked potatoes, gravy, veggies & roll, sour cream, pickles, and dessert. Take out, drive-thru style only. Tickets are $19 and are limited, so call early: 506-847-7609.

Friday, Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m.  Bowling and auction party featuring prizes and pizza at Bowlarama, 248 Lancaster Ave., Saint John. This event is in support of the Church of the Resurrection, Grand Bay-Westfield. Form a team or join one. For more information, contact Barb Keir:  506-647-8375 or barb.keir@gmail.com .

Saturday, Oct. 5 (NEW DATE)  Take-out chicken dinner at St. Augustine’s in Quispamsis. Menu: Chicken breast, potato and pasta salads, roll and desert for $17. Pick up times 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Pre-orders required. Please call Art Scott for tickets at 506-849-2430. 

Oct. 5, 11 a.m.  The Rev. Canon Elaine Hamilton will preside over a special blessing of animals service at the East Coast Leadership Academy, next door to St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Woodstock Road in Fredericton. Bring your dog, your cat, your goldfish, your friends and family, and bring a chair.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Fall food sale, a fundraiser for Mothers’ Union outreach ministries, takes place at St. Paul’s in Hampton. Pickles, jams and baked goods will be for sale.

Monday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.  “Mrs. Coats” and the Parish of Riverview present Autumn Ablaze, a fall fashion show with desserts and music, at St. John the Baptist Church, 28 Woolridge St., Riverview. Tickets are $20, available from Ruth Anne (robindalerar@gmail.com) Maureen (506-386-3011) or Betty (506-386-6572).

Sunday, Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m.   Stone Church Saint John (St. John, Parish of St. Mark) is celebrating its 200th anniversary. Friends and former parishioners of Stone are invited to the service and shared lunch afterwards. There will be a time of fellowship when people can share their stories of Stone Church.

Saturday, Oct. 26   Holy Trinity Church 2 Hammond River Rd., Quispamsis will hold a delicious fall take-out meal, with a choice of homemade Boston baked beans and sausage or chili. Meal includes brown bread and apple crisp. Cost $12 per take out. Call Mark & Kathy by Oct. 22 to pre-order at 506-832-3759. Pick up times are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church.  Treat yourself to a lovely fall meal. Proceeds will help support local food banks.

CORRECTED INFORMATION:  Enjoy a tasty dinner, socialize and participate in an auction while supporting Farraline Place residence for seniors. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Fredericton Inn. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. for entry and drinks, with dinner served at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $100 each with a $50 income tax receipt issued. Contact Judy at Farraline for tickets or information. (506) 455-6443.

Registration is now open for the Grief, Loss and Life Transitions Program at Holy Trinity Hammond River starting Saturday, Oct. 5. 

This six-week program offers a total of eight sessions that will cover topics such as coping with grief and loss; how to care for yourself as a caregiver; the healing effects of nature; personal coping; living with life's transitions and much more. 

The leader is Rick Benson, licensed counseling therapist (ret'd), grief recovery specialist, end of life care, and author of "My Chaos: Searching for my New Normal."  

Call 506-647-8170 to Register. There is a $50 fee to reserve a space.

A workshop to empower and inspire - to explore Godly Play as a creative approach to nurturing children’s faith.

Training is offered in modules over two weekends: Friday pm to Saturday pm.  October 18-19 and November 15-16

This training includes the art of Christian language in parables, sacred stories, liturgical actions and silence. It highlights creating sacred space, supporting children’s spirituality and community.

Together participants will explore the principles and practices of Godly Play including plenary sessions on the Godly Play Environment, the Spirituality of the Child, and the Community of Children. Participants experience telling stories and receiving supportive feedback.

Both those new to Godly Play and experienced storytellers and doorpersons who want to refresh their skills are welcome.

For more information and contacts, please see the Godly Play Maritimes webpage.  

Archdeaconry Greater Chapter meetings

Chatham - October 26 @ 10:00 am, St. Andrew's (Newcastle), Miramichi
Fredericton - October 16 @ 6:30 pm, Christ Church (Parish), Fredericton
Kingston and the Kenn. - October 21 @ 7:00 pm, St. Paul's, Hampton
Moncton - October 24 @ 7:00 pm, St. John the Baptist, Riverview
Saint John - October 17 @ 6:30 pm, St. Luke's, Main St.
St. Andrews - October 18 @ 6:30 pm, St. Margaret's, Musquash
Woodstock - October 23 @ 7:00 pm,  Good Shepherd, Florenceville-Bristol

Join friends from across the diocese and beyond for a 24-hour Advent breakaway. Our Advent Retreat is open to anyone (Anglican or not) looking for a moment to pause and reflect on the season's true meaning.

Our retreat leader (teacher) is Bishop Sandra Fyfe. Bishop Sandra is the 17th diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, having been elected and consecrated to that role in 2020. Before that, she served as rector of the Parish of Horton (Wolfville NS). She is a gifted retreat leader and has led a variety of retreats across the Atlantic provinces.

All are welcome - pre-registration is required.

Costs - Overnight: $140 | Couples: $215 | Commuter: $95 (meals included) 

Registration deadline is December 4, 2024; spaces are limited. (Some bursary funding is available.)

For more information, contact Shawn C. Branch: 506-459-1801 ext 1008.

Are you considering Adult Faith Formation programming resources for the fall? Do you want to increase Christian discipleship in your community of faith? Register now for the Atlantic School of Discipleship. This new program begins in October 2024. (Deadline to apply is Sept. 30. Registrations will not be accepted after Oct. 1).

We encourage participation by group (parishes/congregations/pastoral charges, etc.) to create stronger and more long-lasting results.

Cost:  $1,000 per group (Leader plus four participants from the same faith community)
•    $300 per person (Individual participants)
•    Visit our website to learn more.

Questions and requests for further information can be directed, via email, to discipleship@astheology.ns.ca 

A big, burly man visited a pastor's home and asked to see the minister's wife, a woman well known for her charitable impulses.

"Madam," he said in a broken voice, "I wish to draw your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in this district. The father of the family is dead, the mother is too ill to work, and the nine children are starving. They are about to be turned into the cold, empty streets unless someone pays their rent, which amounts to $400."

"How terrible!" exclaimed the preacher's wife. "May I ask who you are?"

They sympathetic visitor applied his handkerchief to his eyes. "I'm the landlord," he sobbed.