Happy Birthday Matt

Sherry and I spend my day off in Fredericton. We got back into Woodstock (20 mins from Florenceville) at around 8:30 pm and did some shopping and then went to grab a bite for the kids at McDonalds. Who came in as we were deciding what to get... Archdeacon Williams and his wife Lorna... who BTW catered the Bishop's Dinner! Their son Matt, their youngest, following the tradition of all their children as a faithful McDonalds employee, turned 17 today!!!! And there Sherry and I were to witness this... and I had may camera (actually to mark the day away and not for this). Is the Lord funny how things work out.

Happy birthday Matt! Thanks for permission to publish this: COOL EH?! :-)

Bishop's Dinner II

I was very impressed with the Bishop's Dinner in Woodstock. Though I wish more were there to hear the message, those who attended received a wonderful supper, great fellowship, and the charge to give for the future of the Kingdom of God.

Peter Irish spoke of the current conditions of the camps and the need for improvement, in many cases just in order to meet "code." Kevin Flanagan, Chair of Camp Brookwood, offered an impassioned account of one particular girl who would never have had the opportunity to camp, but with the support of many in the deanery and diocese, she has developed a deep faith as a result of her time; next year she can be a councilor. An senior life member of the board spoke about the joy Brookwood and the importance of this camp. Both Medley and Brookwood were the focus yet particularly Brookwood, as it resides in the deanery (actually in my parish). A youth who loves Brookwood made all who have been to a Christian camp return again to the great moments that can only come from such an experience.

The bishop, after just returning from Provincial Council held this year in Western Newfoundland, spoke of the camping experience, and the whole enterprise of Anglican Camps, as one similar to that of Canadian Idol. How? When he arrived in Deer Lake, one of the contestants was on the plan returning home. The signs spoke of giving it all for family and home. That giving it all not only ties in with the sacrificial nature of turning to Christ, and Christ's sacrifice for us, but also shows the youthful exhuberance that brings about a spark of hope; just as Casey LeBlanc did for Nackawic, and New Brunswick. This reference is strange in that Archdeacon Sharp made a similar reference at Elaine Hamilton's Induction service. When the mill closed in Nackawic, the hope was brought about by this young woman who inspired a community. Rex did the same in rural Newfoundland. He inspired and built up his community. The camps in our diocese provide inspiration to our youth and bring about pride in their faith and region. The camps bring about hope to those from what seems a small world. But in the same way that the Anglican Church of Canada is promoting "Letting Down the Nets" in order to renew diocese and parishes, so too do our camps let down the nets as we fish for people, youth, who bring about hope in our world and through Christ in the Church.

I pray that you will all be inspired to give to the Camp's Capital Campaign and support the development of our camps in order to build up the faith of the youth.


Here is the band "Flat Top," who are very good and who have donated much time to the church in Woodstock... the next few nights they were in Fredericton at a popular pub.


Look who was jigging to the music... our Archdeacon!


A youth who knows camp first hand


Kevin Flanagan, my warden, a McCain VP, and a devoted Brookwood Chairman

Bishop's Dinner

Last night a wonderful time was had by well over a hundred individuals who came to the Woodstock Civic Center to celebrate and hear about the Camp's Capital Campaign here in the Diocese of Fredericton.

As time is short at present I will submit another blog this afternoon with more detail and pictures. Here is a smattering of sights from the event.

Refreshing the Vision

Last night in the Church of the Good Shepherd, deanery of Woodstock officers and members met with the Executive Archdeacon, the Ven. Geoffrey Hall, to engage the diocese and our own parish understand with a view to the future.

The focus was on visioning and stewardship, but not as one might expect. Stewardship is truly the management of all our resources, and as our Lord states time and time again we are the resources, the people of God. So in many ways last night was people raising, a development and investigation of a shared vision as parish, deanery and diocese. What is most important is to know that "the diocese is the parishes," and though "we are big, we are small." It is in our unity together that we are called by Jesus to be Church.

Here are some sights of last night.

The Archdeacon of Woodstock, the Ven. Walter Williams addresses the gathering.


Archdeacon Hall


The Power Point presentation


Some of the small groups (why is it that the Rev'd Hayes always has a coffee in his hand ;-)

Sermon for Pentecost 19

Here is today's sermon given in St. James, Centerville, for our monthly parish service, where the four congregations gather and then join in the hall for a wonderful meal prepared by the ladies.

Sermon: Pr26A2005.wav

Look down the blog for the bulletin and the readings for today.

Toes... I like my toes!

Bulletin: Pentecost 19

Recent funerals have prevented me from my normal blogging, so here is an offering of tomorrow's bulletin: a whole day early!

Pr26A09252005.pdf

* Please note that the bulletin is in PDF and for "legal" sized paper. It is the one that has been printed for parishioners and is shared for your prayers for the greater church and this parish.

A Steeple Erected

Today, the Feast of St. Matthew, 2005, the Church of the Good Shepherd, once again entrenched itself as a beacon of hope in the community of Florenceville as the steeple once again stood proclaiming our Lord through the cross. As I share the pictures, maybe a round of "Lift High the Cross" should be sung!












(sorry dialup friends, today's offering is jpg intensive)

Chris you Dog

When the cat's away... I guess. Look who Fr. Chris picked up at the Induction... my O my. I know one little daughter though who will be quite enthralled by this paparazzi-esque picture.

Induction: Elaine Hamilton

Last Evening was bright with the love of Christ in St. Clement's church, as the Rev'd Elaine Hamilton began her new ministry as Priest and Rector of Prince William & Dumfries.

A soloist, of possibly not so local fame, sang Amazing Grace


An episcopal announcement is made by our friend the Rev'd Chris Hayes


The Licence is read by the Archdeacon of Woodstock


Some Clerics present


Our Current Deanery Clerics (san Rev. Fran)

The Cross

The cross is now in place

Bell & Cross

The bell was put back in place today.


The Cross also arrived after receiving a wonderful welding job yesterday by a copper specialist.


On this the Eve of the Feast of St. Matthew, I blessed the Cross before it is set in place a top the steeple.

Even More Construction

If you thought the work at the rectory was enough... did you forget the Steeple? Last few weeks they were working on the louvers and the cross. Today the puzzle comes together. Part one is already done. Stay tuned for the Steeple itself to be set a top once again.



BTW: Happy Birthday Dad!

More Construction

Once again things are a foot in the parish as the Rectory undergoes a makeover. No, it's not a windstorm that has done the damage, it is our contractor who is taking down the old clapboard siding and replacing it with foam and plastic... we won't need to invest in paint and it will last!

Pentecost 18: Sermon & Bulletin

What follows are the readings and bulletin throughout the parish this Sunday, and the Sermon preached in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Florenceville, this morning at 11:00 am.

Bulletin: Pr25ASeptember182005.pdf

Sermon: Pr25A2005.wav

Centreville Sale

At this moment the very active ladies of St. James ACW, Centreville, are holding their annual fall sale. I just got back, but horror or horrors, the bloging-minister forgot his digital camera, and so I have no pictures of the sale.

Thanks go out to all the women who work so very hard on this ministry, and the ministries of others whom they touch.

Dear Friends

Many of you have heard the comments given by Roxanne... she comes with an other half, David (and three children who I'll get to at another blog). They were a great inspiration while I was on the coast and have a great faith. As we are a small internet community of faith, here are faces to put to those prayers.



Did I mention my last pastoral act and celebration of the Eucharist on the coast was at their wedding, June 4th!

Holy Cross Day

Here are the bulletin & Sermon from tonight's service of Holy Communion in St. Barnabas, Greenfield.

Holy%20Cross%20September%2014%202005.pdf

Holy%20Cross%202005.wav

BTW: I believe ll those weird marks are replacing spaces in my documents :-(

ACW Woodstock Deanery Meeting

Yesterday I had the privilege of being present at part of the ACW Annual Deanery meeting, this year held in the Parish of Prince William and Dumphries. It was wonderful to meet so many dedicated members of the ACW, as well as the future national president.

The classic ACW understanding of it's own mission is to provide for mission at home and abroad through fund raising and fellowship. It is a witness to the compassion and dedication of so many volunteers who live their faith by giving up of themselves for the service of others; often of mature age these women organize and run teas, dinners, sales, and crafts, all to aid the greater Church. These ladies do not raise money for stipends (the priests salary) within their own parishes but serve the wider community meeting needs that often get left; such as sponsoring children at camps, bursaries for college students, missionary work and so much more.

Here the Rev'd Chris Hayes explained the financial situation at Camp Brookwood.


Before this, we celebrated the Eucharist with the Archdeacon and the new Rector elect, the Rev'd Elaine Hamilton. This church is only a few years old and called, St. Clement's.


Here are just some of my ACW and guild members who attended this conference... I see some were hiding :-)

I Must be Busy

I was using the "goto" command in my browser, which sends you to the first Goggle search line, with my name, when this came up. Click here for Douglas Painter. I get around don't I? I am worried though about my hair line... and maybe the riffle :-(

Pippa Making Pie?

... You would think we would have learned not to leave a toddler alone for more than five minutes...

Pentecost 17: Sermon & Bulletin

Everything that Florenceville received today, so have you .... Oh, except the brownies and tea afterward.

Sermon: Pr24A-Florenceville.wav

Bulletin: Pr%2024%20A%20September%2011%202005.pdf

Greenfield's Big Day

I have just returned from the Greenfield "Flea Market & Home Bake Sale" presented by the St. Barnabas Ladies Guild.

In the way nearly all ladies groups function, a sale is held to support ministry and mission in the church. But it is not just about the "sale"; it's fellowship and bringing a community together. It's far too simple to say they are raising funds for oil or missionaries, it is so very much more.

Little communities are scattered around rural Canada and as their post offices and schools vanish, along with many of their young, there are events like this that bring the community together. It's social, and truly, ministry! Friends meet and old acquaintances renew old friendships and family news. What else is church for than to bring good news. This event very much brings good news to the community.

Here are some pictures of what is taking place today in their Hall on the Back Greenfield Road:

Steeple Update & NB Anglican

Here is a picture of the progress so far...


In this month's NB "Anglican" there's an article on the lightning strike: click here for the pdf.

Induction: Sights

It was a wonderful night with many joys. The Very Rev'd Keith Joyce, Dean of our Cathedral, The Rev'd Neville Cheeseman and Mr. David Watts, drove one and a half hours from Fredericton to join the parish in celebrating our new ministry. Also the Rev'd John Mills, the Rev'd David Plumber and (guess who)... the Rev'd Chris Hayes represented my colleagues here in the deanery. The Ven. Walter Williams led the service of the Word and represented the bishop in this induction. A good 80 people were in attendance representing not only the parish but also the United church and many neighbouring parishes. It was also the first time we used the festive candles behind the Altar.

Here, the Archdeacon reads the license.


I receive the Oil of Healing (Unction).


I receive the Canons of the Diocese of Fredericton.


Here are all the clergy present, after the service.


Here Mr. Kevin Flanagan, Warden & Parish Advisory Committee Chair, presents me with the keys a second time for the cameras.

Induction Bulletin

Tonight, God Willing, I will be Inducted as Priest and Rector of the Parish of Wicklow, Wilmot, Peel and Aberdeen. Here is a PDF copy of the service.

induction2005.pdf

BUT WAIT BEFORE PRINTING! It is for 8.5x14, Legal, paper, not the regular stuff most people have in their printer. Also if that wasn't enough, it is for the photocopier as it has 2 back to back printed sheets (then to be folded). So it's four sheets. Just pretend it's a puzzle, and place the sheets back to back and then fold... everyone will figure it out if printed. Otherwise you'll believe I lost my mind.

The Chain Gang

How beautiful are the fingertips that stuff envelopes!

My first mailing for the parish is only a few days away. After photocopying seven different pieces of information it was time to stuff. It was a joy to have so many volunteer to help me do this tedious work; together, for the Lord. We stuffed well over 200 envelopes in less than 25 mins.

I know many priests who wish this was commonly practiced in other parishes.

Let's not get too dizzy now folks :-)

Steeple Progress

Here it is after just a few days work last evening.

Summer Winds Down

For many summer ends this weekend: Labour Day. How better to celebrate:

Pentecost 16: Proper 23

Here is the bulletin for today, along with the sermon given in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Florenceville.

Pr%2023%20A%20September%204%202005.pdf

10-50-am.wav

Bad Gas

.... and not the kind due to any cabbage or bean soup. Roxanne just wrote that her price was 1.59. Chris Hayes+ sent along this "New Brunswick Gas Prices" site. Click and compare.

But remember... we sleep in our own beds tonight. We have our children near. We eat food we choose. We have a roof over our heads. We have gas, while others have none... many today without any transportation. I will be very humble for quite some time.

Gas in Blanc Sablon

Well ask and ye shall receive... here is the pump at my 2nd favorite gas station in the world: "Station Service Blanc Sablon" (wonderfully taken by David & Roxanne). What's was number 1? Roger's; actually whichever has the cheaperst Gas.



And that's not that bad. My mom and dad said it was 1.49 in Deux Montagnes, Qc.

Gas Prices

Today the gas went up again. A few days ago I paid $1.34 in Fredericton. This evening the price at our Irving station was:


I can't imagine what it is in Blanc Sablon or in St. Augustine.

For Those Cold Days Ahead

I was searching something completely unrelated when I came across this image preparing Canadians for the winter. Be prepared:

Prayer & PWRDF: response to Katrina

I had a girlfiend named Katrina about 23 years ago... it didn't go well. Funny how we personalize disastrous natural weather systems. I wonder if it helps us remember them or soften the blow. This ancient girlfriend was called Trinxie... I doubt a cute name will be carried on for this hurricane. There is no softening for this.

Katrina will never be a forgotten name, and I dare say not many will choose this name for a child in the near future. To say this storm will do down in history is an understatement. This will impact all of North America in ways we have yet to even contemplate for decades; Gas, oil, hydro, food, appliances, clothing, electronics, all good and services that rely on transportation will be effected.

The people of New Orleans will rebel in a short time as frustration will take over from sense and sobriety. This is a major city with great poor, the marginal are in constant view on CNN (tv) for all to see. This is the great nation of the USA, with a people unable to remove themselves from the city due to the economic marginal. These people who are dying and potential victims of, what we coin, "third world" diseases such as cholera, are mired in despair... a despair beyond reason. For North Americans do not expect this on our back door. The sewage, mold & mildew, human waste, garbage, and bodies, will all make the recovery of this disaster more than a quick mop up. This is a great psychological & spiritual disaster. Years of fear and frustration will happen as a result. Post Tramatic Stress Disorder will remain for many who are on the frontlines of this, downtown, on the roofs, sleeping next to the dead. It is beyond belief.

The immediate need is prayer for all involved, victims, security, those missing and searching, the medical workers, the relief workers, the aged and young, and clerics of all kinds.

Financially I encourage you to visit this site and donate directly through the Primates World Relief and development Fund (this is the same Anglican organization that helped the Lower North Shore in 2003 with the Fishery Crisis).

In Christ's Name We Pray