Several seniors in St. Andrews have a home thanks to the forward thinking of Shiretown Community Services.

It recently purchased Quinn House, an eight-unit apartment building with rents subsidized by NB Housing for seniors.

“We wanted to ensure that lower income seniors had a safe place to live,” said Linda Walsh, vice-chair. “We knew if we weren’t able to do this, if a commercial venture went in and bought it, they’d probably do a reno and everyone would be displaced." 

The Rev. Julie Golding-Page and the Rev. Steven Page, of St. Stephen, have transferred their canonical residency to the Diocese of Fredericton from the Diocese of Toronto and are authorized to officiate at worship services.

Donna Beek will begin work as the bishop’s secretary on Monday, Dec. 1. She replaces Cheryl Jacobs, who is now the synod executive officer, replacing Canon David Peer.  Welcome, Donna!

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, 10:30 a.m.  to 1:30 p.m.   Christmas Bazaar, at St. Mary’s, 780 McEvoy St., Fredericton, featuring chicken pot pie and strawberry shortcake for $15 per person. Also featuring a silent auction, hand-made crafts, home-cooked, canned and pickled foods, and a white elephant table of gently used items. No admission fee. 

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.

Saturday Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Christmas Community Lunch & Bake Sale at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 2 Hammond River Road, Quispamsis (next to the bridge).  Delicious community lunch (starting at 11 a.m.) and bake sale (starting at 10 a.m.). Photo booth and silent auction. Call 506-647-8170 for more information. Tickets not needed; just drop in!  Free-will offering for the lunch is appreciated! All Proceeds for local mission projects: food banks, lunch programs, shelters and more.

Sunday, Nov. 30, 4 p.m.  The Archdeaconry of Moncton will hold its annual Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent at St. George's Church Moncton (corner of Church and Queen). Archbishop David will be in attendance; all are welcome to begin your Advent journey here. Any interested choristers are invited to attend practices at St. George’s on Nov 22 and 29 at 10 a.m. All voices are welcome.

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.

See all parish event here.   

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. 

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

Send your parish news to the NB Anglican:

gmcknight@diofton.ca

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day, highlighting that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights  worldwide.

The campaign was launched by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and has since mobilized individuals and organizations, including the United Nations and partners worldwide to advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG). 

Suggestions for how to observe the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
(from the Cathedral Branch of Mothers' Union and St. Paul's Hampton)

Lord, today we make a commitment to take a stand:
to say ‘no more 1 in 3’,
to use our eyes to see where change needs to be made,
to use our voices to challenge injustice in our world.
May we support people experiencing abuse,
enabling them to reach their full potential and may we call for change.
Amen.

A prayer for those working to end sexual and gender-based violence

May God bless us with insight to recognise violence in all its forms,
and courage to name it, speaking out for justice.
May the Lord Jesus bless us with compassion for the vulnerable,
and grace to stand with them, sharing his strength.
May the Holy Spirit bless us with a prayerful heart,
and power to breathe peace, transforming the world.
The blessing of the holy and glorious Trinity,
eternal Wisdom, living Word, abiding Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
(With thanks to the Anglican Church of Australia)