The dogs were out in full force to get their blessings as they and their parents gathered with the Rev. Canon Elaine Hamilton on Oct. 4.

The Blessing of the Animals service was held behind the former parish hall of St. Peter’s Church on Woodstock Road in Fredericton. 

Nov. 17 - Philip Pain - 40 years a deacon

Clergy anniversaries are recognized at 10 and 25 years and subsequent 5-year intervals.

Let us pause to remember the sacrifice of all those who met tyranny and war with action.

Let us pray for the departed soldiers, and pray for those who returned home with battle scars both seen and unseen. 

Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Christmas Bazaar at Christ Church (Parish Church), 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton. Christmas cooking, crafts, clothing, books, new-to-you items, and café. Cash only. 

Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  St John the Baptist ACW Christmas Bazaar, 28 Woolridge St., Riverview. Kitchen menu: tea and coffee, cinnamon rolls, soup, chili, rolls and pie. Bake table, preserves, crafts, books, puzzles, games and Christmas corner. Free admission.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas Tea and Quilt Show at St. Mary & St. Bartholomew’s Church, 646 Westmorland Rd., Saint John. Crafts, gifts, silent auction, baked goods. Sandwiches and sweets will be served. Adults: $10; children (12 & under): $5. Tickets available at the door or by calling the church (506-696-1347).

Sunday, 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.

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m.  The 17th annual Sounds for Sigowet benefit concert, silent auction and reception will be held at St. Paul’s Rothesay. The concert will feature John Buckley, Alberto Duran, Kevin Langford and Rosemary Drummond. This concert is in support of orphans going to secondary school in Kenya. Tickets are $25 ($10 for students), and available by calling 506-847-1812 or 506-849-2414.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4:30-6 p.m.   Annual turkey take-out dinner at St. Luke’s, Woodstock. Adults $16, children $9, families $40. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Call Ellen Kee (506-328-8138). 

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2-3:30 p.m.   Christmas Tea, hosted by the St. Paul’s ACW, Grand Manan. Join us for an afternoon of warmth, good company, Christmas music, holiday decor and festive treats. $10 per person. 

Thursday, Nov. 27, 9:30 a.m.   Advent retreat in the Parish of Grand Manan, led by Kurt Schmidt. Lunch provided, with the retreat wrapping up at about 3 p.m. Taking place at the home of the Rev. David and Esther Smith, 16 Seaside Lane. Please RSVP. 

Saturday, Nov. 29, 5-8 p.m.   One night only — the annual A Walk Through Bethlehem, celebrating the night of the birth of Jesus. Live music, refreshments and live animals at Christ Church, Pennfield.  This year it will be the signature event for the Christmas kick off for the municipality of Eastern Charlotte.

For more parish events, click here.   

The Rev. Maria Shepherdson and the Rev. David Peer will be installed as canons, and Chancellor David Bell and Director of Mission and Ministry Shawn C. Branch will become lay canons.

Canon Maria Shepherdson will subsequently be collated as Archdeacon of Woodstock, a role she officially began on October 15.

A reception will follow. All are welcome.

Clergy and layreaders are invited to robe and process if they wish to do so - choir habit with black scarf; vested Canons are invited to sit in the canon seats. Vesting will take place at the back of the Cathedral.

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.

Gathering at the Villa Madonna Retreat House in Rothesay, NB - our retreat begins at 4PM on Friday and concludes Saturday at 4PM. Our retreat includes times of prayer, meditation, rest, and personal reflection.

We’re delighted to welcome Bishop Stephen Andrews as our retreat leader. A former Principal of Wycliffe College and Bishop of Algoma, Stephen has served in parishes across Canada and taught widely on Scripture, worship, and Christian thought. His ministry was shaped early on through his work alongside John Stott in London, and he continues to teach and write today.

Stephen and his wife, Fawna, have recently retired to the Saint John, NB area. They have two children and two grandchildren. He enjoys birdwatching, travel, and the occasional woodworking project.

All are welcome - pre-registration is required by November 27.

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

Registration deadline is November 27, 2025; spaces are limited. (Some bursary funding is available.)

For more information, please contact Shawn C. Branch. 

AST is seeking a manager of operations. Please share this vacancy.

Click here for details. 

Returning from a trip to visit my grandmother in California, I was stopped by a state trooper in Kansas for exceeding the speed limit. 

Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, I gave him a small bag of my grandmother's delicious chocolate-chip cookies and proceeded on my way.

Later, I was stopped by another trooper. 

"What have I done?" I asked.

"Nothing," the trooper said, smiling. "I heard you were passing out great chocolate-chip cookies."