St. Michael’s Youth Conference had something this year they haven’t seen in several years: house kids.
House kids are the children of staff who are too young to participate in the conference. But they fulfill an important role, that of cabin inspectors.

So this Aug. 18-23, eight children took on the task of daily inspections, aided by the spouses of staff, with the results announced with great anticipation at lunch each day. And as kids so often are, they were delightfully honest in their assessments of messy rooms and rumpled bedding.

The house kids were one component of SMYC, which convenes each summer with a three-pronged, weeklong camp that includes serious study, daily prayer and recreation. There’s also a lot of fun and friendship thrown in.

NOTE:  This initiative is aimed at active clergy, parish wardens, treasurers, other officers and office personnel.

Beginning later in September, the Synod office would like to offer open sessions on Zoom for parish clergy and officers, and any interested people. The working title for this initiative is The Synod Commons.

Sessions, of about 45 minutes, will be hosted by synod office staff and may include a prepared presentation, but will always have time for questions from you. 

Eventually, we hope to offer a weekly session, always on a set day and time, with a set theme per week (e.g., the first week of each month might be Finance and Administration). Sessions would always be recorded and available for viewing later.

To gauge interest in this idea and in order to help with determining the best day and time, we would appreciate your response to this survey:  https://forms.office.com/r/GiNCY4BFMr

We would appreciate your response to the survey, even if it is to tell us you would not be interested. And please share with any others in your congregations who might be interested.

Sept 8 and onward    Essential Stretching Classes at Holy Trinity 2 Hammond River Rd, Quispamsis Mondays starting Sept. 8 from 10 -10:45 am with Paulette Haines. A dynamic and fluid full-body workout that focuses on rebalancing the body by stretching and strengthening every muscle group. Cost: $60 for 12 classes or $5 drop in. Pre-register by calling 506-609-9099

Sept 8 and onward  'Tai Chi Chair' Exercise at Holy Trinity 2 Hammond River Rd, Quispamsis Mondays starting Sept. 8 from 11-11:30 am.  This wonderful form of exercise enhances balance, stress management, health and healing and is great for any fitness level, from active seniors to those recovering from an injury. Led by certified personal trainer Paulette Haines. Cost: $60 for 12 classes or $5 drop in. To register or for more information call 506-609-9099.

Sept. 10 and onward   Ballet Inspired Chair Exercise with ballet instructor Kimberly Hall. This exercise program focuses on good posture, mobility, core strength, balance and toning while bringing out musicality and artistry. This 10-week program will be held on Wednesdays from 1 -1:45 p.m. starting Sept.10 in the Holy Trinity Church Hall, 2 Hammond River Rd, Quispamsis Cost: $50 for 10 classes Pre-register by calling 506-647-8170.

September 12 and onward   Chair Yoga at Christ Church Cathedral is a gentle way to stretch and get in shape, suitable for all ages. Only $5 per session. Held Fridays 10:15  - 11:00 a.m. with instructor Monique Smith. Drop-in as you are available; no need to register for the whole term. Bring a friend and try it out! Held inside the Cathedral for ease of entry to those with mobility challenges. Christ Church Cathedral, 150 Church Street, Fredericton.

Sunday, Sept. 14  75th anniversary (Parish of Riverview) Mother's Union Corn Boil. This event will take place after the 10:30 a.m. service. 

Sept. 17 and onward   The Healthy You Program at Holy Trinity 2 Hammond River Rd, Quispamsis facilitated by parish nurse Cleo Cyr, starts Sept.17 from 6- 7 p.m. This group focuses on the five basics for leading a healthier life: faith, food, fitness, focus and friends. The get-togethers are held weekly. Cost is $2 per session. Call 506-647-8170 for more information. Everyone is welcome - bring a friend!

Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.  Trivia night at Stone Church. A fun night in support of Stone, tickets are $15. Prizes for winners, canteen run by Youth Connection. 87 Carleton St, Saint John.

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2 p.m.  Bach, Beach and Beer at Waterside, 20 Knights Lane, New River. One-km beach tour with Fundy shore stories with David Goss. Or forego the walk, take a gentle garden tour or just relax on the veranda. From 3:30-4:30 p.m. enjoy Bach’s Goldberg Variations with pianist Sarah Hagan. Refreshments to follow. Tickets are $60. Contact Denise:  trinsj@nb.aibn.com or 506-693-8558. This is a fundraiser for Trinity Saint John’s great east window. 

Sept. 23 and onward   Grief, Loss And Life Transitions 7-Week Program with Grief Counselor Rick Benson will be held at Holy Trinity, 2 Hammond River Rd, Quispamsis starting Tuesday Sept. 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sessions 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. Call 506-647-8170 to register. There is a $50 fee to reserve a space.

Friday, Oct. 3, 5 p.m.  75th anniversary Gala Dinner for the Parish of Riverview, at the Dan Bohan Centre. Limited tickets will be on sale for this event. Each ticket purchased will also receive a special personalized parish mug and a pen. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Saturday, Oct. 4, 5 p.m.  Salmon dinner at Kingston parish hall. Menu:  salmon, white sauce, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, apple crisp. $25 per person. Call for tickets: 506-769-3183, 506-650-6037 or 506-651-2187.

Thursday, Oct. 16   The annual meeting of the ACW Fredericton/York deanery will be at St. Michael's and All Angels Church in Minto beginning with registration at 9 a.m. followed by a church service with the Rev. Harley Clowater. Afternoon guest speaker. Wheelchair accessible. 

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m.  Michael Molly will give an organ recital on Trinity Saint John’s recently installed Phoenix Digital Organ. A screen will be installed to enable the audience to see this renowned Saint John organist as he plays a one-hour program of sacred music. Cost is $20. This is a fundraiser for Trinity Saint John’s great east window.

Nov. 16, 2 p.m.   Happening at Trinity, Saint John: a second recital by Michael Molloy with the program based on specific panels of the seven-light Kempe window, and commentary will be offered on the music chosen to augment the Christ story Kempe so ably fashioned. Fee is $20. This is a fundraiser for Trinity Saint John’s great east window.

Nov. 21 & 22  Trinity Saint John’s semi-annual book sale, and the annual Christmas craft corner, will be staged in the Bennett Room. Open Friday from 4-6 and Saturday from 9:30- 12:00.

Not many Sundays left this season!

Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) is currently running a campaign to supply 49 solar suitcases — a bright yellow unit containing powerful LED lights, a fetal Doppler, headlamps, and phone chargers.

These units have the power to transform maternal health care in rural clinics in Mozambique and Madagascar. They bring life-saving light and medical equipment to moms, babies and health care workers. With the suitcases, we can ensure that no more babies are delivered in the dark in these clinics, and no more nurses and midwives have to rely on cell phone flashlights to delver babies at night.

Until Oct. 31, every gift made to support solar suitcases will be matched by a generous donor, up to $150,000. To donate: https://alongsidehope.org/solar-suitcase/

Some helpful links to more resources:
•    Campaign page: https://alongsidehope.org/solar-suitcase/
•    Fundraising toolkit: https://alongsidehope.org/solar-suitcase-fundraising-toolkit/ 

On Sept. 23, our Mozambique partners will join us for a webinar to share more about the impact of solar suitcases. Everyone is invited to join us. Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/li86GFzPSQWWt9tt_rOSLw