Here are some of the highlights of 2017 at SPC!
Shared Ministry Gathering at SUC
Have you participated in a circle of service or a particular event this past year? Do you have an idea, no matter how big or small, for a project, group, or event that could be part of living out our mission and celebrating our ministry in our community near and far?
The Elders are encouraged to have a Shared Ministry gathering three times a year. At this meeting, folks from each Circle of Service are invited to share. This is a time of fellowship to review and celebrate what has been happening within this Community of Faith and plan, enhance, and explore new ideas for this new year. Our most recent Shared Ministry Gathering was held on January 16.
A Christmas in Pictures
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Decorating for Advent at SPC
Anyone who wishes to join us can come to the Sackville United sanctuary at 4pm on Saturday, December 2 to help decorate the sanctuary as we prepare for a new church year! The elves at Upper Sackville United have already been hard at work and are ready to show off their decorations!
TAG Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers
On Sunday, Dec 3, we welcome members of the local TAG Grandmothers group, affiliated with the Stephen Lewis Foundation, who will form part of our service on Hope Sunday which falls closest to World Aids Day on Dec 1.
Hope for Equal Access to Life-Saving Treatments
Food Bank, Christmas Cheer and White Gift Sunday
On December 10, we will have both Food Bank Sunday and also our annual White Gift Sunday, where we are invited to bring contributions for the Christmas Cheer project of the Sackville Community Association, which helps families in need of assistance at all times of year, but especially at Christmas. Please see here for a list of suggested items by age group.
Beer, Cocktails, and Christmas Carols
Join us on Sunday, December 17 at 7pm at Ducky’s Pub for a time of Christmas music and merriment! All ages are welcome, provided that those under 19 are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Raise your voice (and your glass)!
Sackville Pride Parade
As a congregation on the road to being officially designated as “Affirming” within the United Church, we rejoice in the celebration of love for people of all genders and sexualities.
We Support All Families!
Beginning at 5pm, we gathered at the flagpole by the MTA Chapel, and proceeded down York St and Main St toward the Town Hall for the raising of the Pride Flag.
Walk the Talk
We are invited to stand in solidarity with Canada’s Indigenous peoples: they are our neighbours and partners in seeking justice and right relationship with oursevles and our environment.
Walk the Talk on Oct 15
Affirm United Special Worship
On October 22, Affirm United led our worship in a special celebration of diversity in faith. This is an important step in Sackville United’s journey to becoming an Affirming Congregation.
Draw the Circle Wide – All Are Welcome
Beer and Hymns
God is in every place!
Every two weeks, on Sunday evening, we gathered at Ducky’s Pub and learn about more about the interesting history of many of our favourite hymn tunes and to make a joyful noise together!
Themes: July – “She Done Left Me” August – “Pastoral Charge Favourites” September – “Harvest Time” October – “Thankfulness” November – “Potluck”
So come on out and raise your voice (and your glass!)
Pencils and Prayers
Pencils and Prayers in September
We will mark the return to school around the theme “Pencils and Prayers”. The teacher in my life tells me that one can never have enough pencils in the classroom. You are invited to bring a box or bag of pencils (sharpened or unsharpened) and as we gather them together to donate to local schools we will hold those who will use them in prayer for a school year filled with learning and healthy relationships.
Sunday School at SUC
Sunday School at Sackville United Church will begin again on Sunday, September 10. Families are invited to come upstairs for a snack and registration time starting at 10:15. We’ll head down for the beginning of the service at 11:00 and then back up to our Godly Play space at the appropriate time in the service. Children younger and older are always welcome to join us! In addition, like last year, we hope to hold a class especially for the older children at least once a month. We are also very open to the possibility of providing a “nursery” for babies and toddlers. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss this! We will be continuing with the Godly Play curriculum, which we’d also be happy to discuss anytime. Some information can be found on the Godly Play Canada website (actually currently featuring a picture of our church on their home page to announce the up-coming Maritimes Godly Play training!): http://godlyplay.ca/.
The “227 Cans” Project
Elsie MacDonald, a Sackville United member and food bank volunteer writes:
“As many of you may know, I volunteer at the Local Food Bank, as do Bill and Janet Geier. Our Food Bank receives many items from the Moncton Food Depot.
“227 Cans” Project September 17
For the past three months, we have not received many can goods…items like tomatoes, fruit, soups, vegetables, meats, beans, etc. I am wondering if our congregation could aim at 227 cans (in honour of our 227th year as a pastoral charge) for our Food Bank Sunday, Sept 17th.
We know the need is there….there were fifty client families needing food two weeks ago and forty client families yesterday…we average forty families weekly which would probably be over one hundred people whom we help.”
Boxes for cans were placed in the back of the sanctuary, and we collected items from August 27-Sept 17. Thank you for your support of this vital community outreach.
UPDATE – Elsie writes: “some of us got together yesterday and counted and packed the cans and miscellaneous foodstuffs which were generously given……(drum roll)……final count was 272 cans and miscellaneous…..thank you…thank you..Sackville United……”
Godly Play Core Training
Sackville United Church will host the Godly Play Core Training in September. On Sunday the participants will share in leading an Intergenerational Worship Service using principles and practices of Godly Play.
Worldwide Communion Sunday Oct 1
Worldwide Communion Sunday
In addition to breaking bread and sharing the cup at both 9am and 11am services on this Sunday we will begin again hosting a monthly service at the Drew Nursing Home at 3pm. Please plan to come out and embrace the residents there in the circle of care this is our vibrant faithful community! Also on this Sunday Rockport will be hosting their Thanksgiving Service at 2pm and Lloyd will be preaching at the Covenanting Service at the Cumberland Pastoral Charge as they begin to share ministry with Bill Drysdale (DLM).
Thanksgiving Harvest Table on Oct 8
Foodgrains Bank Service and Thanksgiving Harvest Table
Margaret Tusz-King led a service on a theme of food, hunger, and the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. As has been our tradition these past few years, for Thanksgiving Sunday we invite the congregation to bring in “harvest” items, both fresh and canned that will be used to create a harvest display for the service, and which will then be donated to the food bank. Unfortunately, no homemade canned or baked items can be used, per food bank regulations.
Sappyfest “Pancakes and Prayers To Go”
Thank you to everyone who helped to make Pancakes and Prayers a success!
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This summer we took our service to the streets with a free pancake breakfast during Sappyfest 2017!
Along with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, syrup and OJ, we invited our guests to take one of these prayer cards, if they wish, and join in our prayers and actions for the healing of the world.
The GO! Project
“Ready to GO!” at SUC
Thank you to everyone who helped make the GO! Project a success, especially Bailey!
One of the parents of our campers wrote:
“We have put our kids in many camps over the summer and agree this may be one of the very best. Even the kids recognized the difference between a camp that’s part arts & crafts and a bit of activity plus a lot of ‘daycare’ or ‘play school’ kind of time, and your camp where they had memorable experiences that will help shape them to be more thoughtful and better citizens.”
Sackville United is ready to “GO”!
Sackville United was pleased to host The GO Project Children’s Adventure Camp this summer from August 7-11.
The GO Project is an environment-based adventure day camp for children grades 2-7, with opportunities for youth volunteers. A mix of traditional camp games and activities mixed with exploration of local environment are lead by trained staff and hosted at our church space at 110 Main St.
We have up to 15 spots for curious young people, with financial support available.
Stay tuned for the return of the GO Project in summer 2018 – Sackville United is preparing to “ready, set, go!”
Three Months, Three Books, Three Indigenous Writers
An opportunity to explore three Indigenous writers. One book per month. Join in for one, two or all three. If you are interested in joining, or for more information, please email.
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The Inconvenient Indian: a Curious Account of Native People in North America: by Thomas King The Toronto Star writes: “Every Canadian should read Thomas King’s new book… It’s funny, it’s readable, and it makes you think. If you have any kind of a social conscience, The Inconvenient Indian will also make you angry.”
Medicine Walk: Richard Wagamese. A novel filled with insight and compassion in which a son is called to visit his estranged father.
The Break: Katherena Vermette. The Break is a story of a young Metis mother who looks out her window and sees someone in trouble on the Break. Madeleine Thein, writes: “ The lives of the girls and women in The Break are not easy, but their voices-complex, urgent, and unsparing- lay bare what it means to survive, not only once but multiple times, against the forces of private and national histories.”
SPC Summer Music Series
This summer, we’re doing something new and exciting at SPC! Each Sunday morning worship this summer will feature a specific musical theme/genre, with a mix of popular hymns and familiar favourites we don’t always get to sing in church! Join us for these joyful Sundays that will have you swaying in your seat!
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Click on each Sunday to hear one of the songs featured that week, or for a sneak preview of what’s coming up next!
July 2: Canadian Songwriters July 9: Country & Gospel July 16: Big Band/Crooners July 23: Folk July 30: Rock ‘n’ Roll Aug 6: Sappyfest Pancakes and Prayers to Go Aug 13/20: Pulpit Supply (Sara Jewell/Gary MacDonald) Aug 27: The Beatles Sept 3: More Canadian Songwriters
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