For many years, whenever the Rev. Eric Phinney crossed the Harbour Bridge in Saint John, he would look out into the bay and feel a tug at his heart. The sea was calling to him.

It’s no wonder the sea is in his blood. His great grandfather, Hammon Evans, was a shipping agent, responsible for the welfare of seafarers.

Clergy Anniversaries

Nov. 26 - Patricia Drummond - 25 years a priest  
Nov. 26 - Elaine Hamilton - 25 years a priest
Nov. 30 - Douglas Painter - 25 years a deacon

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

TOMORROW -- 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. 

Thursday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m.  ACW annual church pre-Christmas auction at St. John’s in Salisbury. Bake sale, auction, refreshments. Everyone is welcome. 

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. 

Saturday, Nov. 29, 5 p.m.  St. Luke’s Portland in the north end of Saint John, will host a potato scallop and ham supper. Silent auction. Doors open at 5 p.m. and meal is served at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the church office at 506-693-4152. Please leave a message if necessary. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 12:10 p.m.  Advent Series of Music & Message: Finding the Light in the Darkness of December, Christ Church (Parish Church), 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton. This event will feature music by Dorothy Brzezicki and Sean O'Brien, with message by Pastor Greg Geldart.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.  Annual Christmas Tea at Kingston Parish Hall. $15 per person. There will be a Christmas “New to You” table. Hosted by the Anglican Parish of Kingston.

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 12:10 p.m.  Advent Series of Music & Message: Finding the Light in the Darkness of December, Christ Church (Parish Church), 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton. This event will feature music by The Elm City String Quartet and message by Canon Albert Snelgrove.

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 12:10 p.m. Advent Series of Music & Message: Finding the Light in the Darkness of December, Christ Church (Parish Church), 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton. This event will feature music by Alice Boyd, Justine Everett and Douglas Vipond, with message by retired Bishop Bill Hockin.

For more parish events, click here.   
 

We are collecting gifts for Santa at Sea now so we can provide gifts to seafarers at Christmas time.  

Items needed include:
Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, razor, shaving cream, deodorant, hand cream
Warm clothes: toque, gloves, mittens, scarfs, warm socks, foot warmers
Leisure: 2026 calendar, playing cards, sudoku puzzle books, flashlight or headlamp with batteries, Canadian souvenirs like magnets or mugs
Snacks: chocolate, cookies, nuts, candy

Traditionally, churches have played a big part in our gift giving to seafarers and we would be grateful for continued support.  If anyone wants more information, they can visit our Facebook page, call at (506) 635-1731, or email hello@sjseafarers.com.  We would prefer gifts dropped off by Dec. 15 please.

• • •
You're invited to the 2nd Annual Portside Cheer Luncheon!  Join the Saint John Seafarers Mission and Port Saint John for a meaningful midday gathering in support of the Mission’s work with seafarers visiting our port.
Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, 111 Water St. 
Thursday, Nov. 27 
11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Come enjoy lunch, connect with our community, and learn how the Mission supports those who spend their lives at sea.
Email hello@sjseafarers.com to find out more or reserve your ticket now by clicking https://bit.ly/4nni5pw.

Got someone on your Christmas list who's hard to buy for? How about this book, It Remains For Me To Say, a memoir of Bishop Harold Nutter, filled with history and wisdom!

Available at the Synod office (upstairs in Cathedral Memorial Hall, open Tuesdays and Thursdays), or at Westminster Books in downtown Fredericton.

Zoom link  |  Recordings Playlist (YouTube)

Synod staff members are pleased to begin offering the Synod Commons - a regular open forum online for clergy, parish lay officers and staff, and others who are interested.

Session topics will be announced in advance. Each session will typically include a presentation and time for questions (on the topic and if time, on any topic). Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 12:10 - 12:55 pm and will be recorded. 

For the rest of this calendar year we will begin with one session per month on the 1st Tuesday.

December 2: Small Parish, Big Impact

Canon Shawn Branch, Director of Mission & Ministry, will chat with Cleo Cyr from the Parish of Hammond River about how this small parish is making a big difference in its local community and what we can all learn from their journey. The conversation will also highlight how Shawn gets to come alongside parishes like Hammond River as they listen, dream, and respond to what God is doing in their midst.

In 2026, we will move to twice-monthly, skipping early January.

January 20: 

Past Commons Sessions

November 4: Shared Ministry Budget

     Key points:

• • Parish assessments are increasing as the early pandemic years have dropped out of the 3-year calculation formula.
  • Parishes want to separate reporting of investment income by operating and non-operating
  • Fundraising income for capital projects and emergency deferred maintenance may not necessarily need to be considered operating income.
  • For 2026 there will be a 2% cost of living increase to the minimum stipend scale and housing allowances. It is recommended the same increase be applied to parish lay staff salaries. Health premiums are expected to rise by about 15%. Insurance premium numbers are expected late November.
  • We are looking for requests for SMB reduction to be submitted by November 14.
  • The 2026 budget will be brought to the November 29 Diocesan Council meeting.

October 7: Overview of the Synod Website

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.