The Woodstock Coffee Girls got their start because their rector, the Rev. Maria Shepherdson, made a Facebook post about something that began more than a decade ago.

On March 27, 2013, John Sweeney, a plumber from Ireland, started a Facebook page called Suspended Coffees. His message was simple: Buy a cup of coffee for a stranger, because an act of kindness can change a life. 

Eight hours later, the post had attracted more than 20,000 likes.

Tuesdays, running Feb. 25 to May 20, 2-3:15 p.m.  Grief support group providing help and encouragement after the death of a loved one. This is a safe space to navigate the challenges of grief. St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Grand Harbour, Grand Manan.  Griefshare.org

March 19, 7 p.m.  The Parish of Salisbury & Havelock presents the Crucifixion of Christ in Art: A presentation and discussion. This is an evening of looking at various artworks on the topic of the crucifixion of Christ and hearing a little about them, and discussing their impact together. Event takes place at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church hall, 62 Church St., Petitcodiac. Light refreshments provided. Call 506-756-2296 for more information.

Saturday, March 22, 6 p.m.  Holy Trinity, Hammond River will host another Mystery Auction fundraiser for mission projects. Arrive by 6 p.m. for desserts and to view silent auction items. Bring a wrapped item for the mystery auction and join the fun! Auction starts at 7 p.m. with Mark Allaby and Pat Hanratty as auctioneers. Call 506-847-0850 for more information.

Friday, April 4th, 6:30 p.m. Homecoming Reunion Service, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Parish of Riverview. Event takes place at St. John the Baptist Church, 28 Woolridge Street, Riverview, NB. Reception to follow.

Sunday, May 4, 9:30 a.m.  75th Anniversary Men's Club Breakfast, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Parish of Riverview, taking place at St. John the Baptist Church, 28 Woolridge Street, Riverview, NB.

Did your parish hold a Shrove Tuesday event? Did you take photos?

If so, send them in so we can showcase them in the NB Anglican.

Send to gmcknight@diofton.ca by March 21. Photos should be at least 1 MB in size. Please include the W5 – who, what, where, when, why for a caption. Thank you!

Thinking about Lent? Join the diocesan Lenten book study.

We'll look at John Mark Comer's Practicing the Way

About the book: We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice. 

To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him. 

The series starts on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, and runs six sessions (until April 16, 2025) at 6:30PM for 60-90mins. Registration is required for the Zoom link. Participants will receive the reading schedule after they register.

The bishop's office has some copies available for purchase at $20, otherwise, it is available through your favourite book or ebook retailer.

• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593193822
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593193822

For more information on the study, contact Shawn C. Branch.

Join us for the Diocesan Lenten Retreat, March 28-29, at the Villa Madonna Retreat House. As we prepare for Holy Week and the Easter celebration, join others in taking 24 hours for teaching, reflection, and prayer.

Disciplines for a Holy Lent

Kurt Schmidt, Diocesan Director of Young Adult Formation and Cathedral Director of Christian Formation, will lead our retreat and provide teaching to help prepare us for the week ahead. All are welcome, but pre-registration is required.

Parish Officers' Day will take place on Saturday April 5th from 10.00am - 3.30pm at St. John the Evangelist Church, 75 Main Street in Fredericton with registration starting at 9.00 am.  

Topics of discussion will include information on responsibilities of parish officers, the new cemeteries policy, Diocese budget and funding, investments, insurance, Safe Church and diocesan website.

 Registration is required for lunch numbers, also please indicate within the form if you have any special dietary requirements and if you have any questions you would like addressed at the session. 

 Registration can be done through the Diocesan website. 

 Deadline for registration is March 25th.

This service provides an opportunity for ordained and lay ministers to reaffirm their commitment to their appointed ministries, as well as have oil blessed for use in the year to follow. Traditionally held on Maundy Thursday, it is now scheduled for the week before so clergy can be in their parishes during Holy Week.

All lay persons are also welcome to attend.

A lunch will follow. Please RSVP for the lunch.

Regarding the blessing of oil

Clergy are encouraged to bring oils for the bishop's blessing, placing filled stocks on the table provided before the consecration. Oil or Chrism is available from the Cathedral supply any time through the year, if and when requested.

For those who may be looking for material for the Reception of Oils to use in your parish following the blessing, this option from the Church of England's Common Worship, adapted to the oils used, is suggested.

Our Belovedness in Jesus

This retreat invites you to deeply encounter the life-transforming truth of your belovedness in Christ. Through scripture, worship, and reflection, we will explore how understanding God’s love shapes how we see Him, ourselves, and others. Together, we’ll engage in meaningful conversations and connection through small group discussions as we discover our position as cherished guests at His table, our identity as His prized possession, the relentless pursuit of His love, and the sustaining power of His provision. Come and be reminded that you were made by love and for love—a love that invites you to lean fully on Him and live in His abundance.

Details and registration form will be in the April edition of Launching Out.

Our main speaker will be the Rev'd Canon Grayhame R Bowcott, DMin, Program Director of The Licentiate in Theology Diploma Program at Huron College at Western University. His theme will focus on how we can use prayer to grow spiritually and our congregations to grow relationally and numerically.

There will also be a time for questions with Archbishop David.

Lunch will be provided.

Further details and registration to follow.

When you turn 80 years old, there ought to be a big celebration. That’s what’s planned for Camp Medley, the diocesan camp which opened in 1945 as a place for kids to get out of the cities and back to fresh air and nature. Everyone is invited, especially those with a link to the camp.

The day will include a worship service, live music, memorabilia, food, tours and more. Accommodations will be available for those needing or wanting to stay the night.

If readers have any memorabilia from camp — crafts, photos, t-shirts — they’d like to show off, they’re asked to contact John (director@campmedley.ca). As well, if readers have stories from camp they’d like to share, please send them to this address:  friends@campmedley.ca.

Read the eNews story here | Join the Facebook Event here