CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Parish office hours are Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to noon (except Tue July 21st & Fri July 24th).  Phone: 506-635-8145

​

For the summer, our Sunday Service is at 10:00 am and Wednesday Service is 6:30 pm.  You need to pre-register at our church office for the Sunday Service, but not at the Wednesday Service.  Masks to be worn at both with social distancing.  The last Wednesday evening service is Aug 12th.

​

Confirmation classes will be starting in September and Confirmation with Bishop Edwards will be on December 6th, 2020

​

Our Bible Study on 1 Peter was completed on June 30/2020.   Stayed tuned for another in Sept 2020!

​

Communications Alert:  We want to make sure we are reaching parishioners during this COVID-19 pandemic.  Any parishioners who have an email address and haven't yet provided your email to the church office, please email (goodshep@nb.sympatico.ca) or call (635-8145) to let the office know you would like to be added to the email distribution list. We are now on our Summer Schedule of one 10:00 am Sunday Service, but it will be recorded and emailed Sunday evenings and put on our Facebook Page "Church of the Good Shepherd, Saint John NB" and here on our website (goodshepherdsj.ca).

​

Thank you to everyone who is able to still continue with your regular offerings - electronic or otherwise. Whether you are able to still give offerings or not is secondary to the trust that we have in God that our needs both as individuals and as a church family can be met. 

​​

If you are willing to consider E-Offering, there is a link to the application on the home page of this website (right side). Lori Maker (635-8145) is your contact if you have any questions or wish to begin with E-Offering.

​

We are also set up to receive e-Transfer donations:

e-transfer: goodshep@nb.sympatico.ca (security: Lancaster)

There is a comment field available in e-transfer where you can put your envelope #.

​

Pastoral care is still offered as usual with the exception that access has been restricted at the hospitals unless there is a life-threatening emergency - and even then only one visit will be allowed. Please let Jonathan know if you are admitted to the hospital under these conditions or if you would like a pastoral visit (506)-343-7748.

​​

If you need any practical help for example a drive to the grocery store or pharmacy please contact the church office as there are people who are willing to help you in this difficult time.

​​

If someone is on your mind then reach out and call them. Look to God the author and finisher of our faith. He is able to uphold us and help us to stand even in the darkest hour. May God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you now and forever more.

​​

In Christ,

The Rev. Jonathan Springthorpe

​

The Great Rectory Makeover: Several members of our parish have worked on the Rectory to make it ready for the Springthorpe family.  Many thanks to all of you!  If you would like to see some of the work that has been done you can sign in to Facebook and ask to join the group "The Great Rectory Makeover".

​

Need a place to hold an event or meeting? 

Contact our church office Tue-Fri 9am-12pm (635-8145) for availability and shared cost of using our large hall/gym, small hall or small meeting rooms.  Individuals and companies welcome to inquire.  See facility pics at this link:

https://www.goodshepherdsj.ca/facility-space-availability  ON HOLD during COVID-19 Pandemic.

​

BIKER'S BREAKFAST - MAY 30TH, 2020 - RAIN OR SHINE!

Our Biker's Breakfast had been planned for May 30th, 2020, but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions! This year was 18 years since we began this Blessing and Breakfast. We hope that we will be able to host it once again the last Saturday in May 2021, God willing. Breakfast is normally served from 9AM to 10AM with the Blessing by 10:15 AM. We serve a big breakfast for a free will offering. All are welcome and if for some reason you can't bring your bike, by car, truck or bus get your self to this event. Check out pictures from previous years at the links below! In the meantime, Stay Safe and God Bless! Please see the message here from our Rector, the Rev. Johnathan Springthorpe.

​

ANNUAL BIKER'S BREAKFAST AND BLESSING OF BIKES:  Was held Saturday, MAY 25TH, 2019

Thank you to all who helped out and attended our bikers breakfast.  We had more than 105 bikes and many more people!  Check out the pictures from this year and past bikers breakfasts at the following links:

2019:  Click here for pics on Facebook

2018:  https://www.goodshepherdsj.ca/2018bikersbreakfast

2017:  https://www.goodshepherdsj.ca/2017bikersbreakfast

Prayer, Mission and Outreach

Our Parish Prayer Tree

A team of volunteers is available upon request, to pray for you or your loved one daily, for two weeks. These prayers will be treated with the strictest confidence. Prayer-requests should be short and to the point, and will be passed on verbatim. The Lord knows what we need best! A follow-up of thanks or an update encourages our intercessors in their ministry.  To initiate the prayer-tree ministry please call your request to our “Captain”, Ngaire Nelson 672-8666.  Our prayer tree ministry continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

​

Vestry usually meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  Our last meeting was June 18th on Zoom.   We will meet next on Sept 17th, 2020 (or earlier if any situation requires).

​

Food Bank

Please remember the West Side Food Bank with a toonie or a loonie in the can in the Narthex, or a donation in a special envelope marked with your name or number. We aim to support the Food Bank by at least $200/month, since they can purchase more groceries with our dollars than we can purchase at the retail stores!

​​

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL VOLUNTEER “MISSIONAL” WORK
FOR BLESSING IN OUR COMMUNITY BY MEMBERS OF THIS PARISH:

Alcoholics Anonymous; Bibles for Missions Store; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; St. Rose Breakfast Program; Carleton Kirk Lodge; First Steps Housing; Gentle Path Counselling Services; George’s Café; Hospice Greater Saint John; Loch Lomond Villa; NB Foster Parents Association; Outflow Ministries; Pregnancy Resource Centre; READ Saint John; Rocmaura Home; Romero House; Safe Harbour Youth Shelter; Saint John Theatre Company; the Salvation Army; the Seafarers’ Mission; Volunteer Services at the Regional and Centracare Hospitals; and the Westside Food Bank.

​

St. George's Tintinnabula Hand-bell and Chimes Choir: Want to try something new? Meet new friends and learn a new skill?  Our Hand Bell Choir is looking for new members. Can’t read music....that’s ok, we will train.  Our mission is to play for others who would enjoy this unique musical choir while having fun ourselves.  Call Lynn Adams at 635-8474, you can leave a message with your name and number and we will get back to you. ON HOLD
​

Still Waters meet Mondays at 7:00 pm, upstairs in David's Music Studio. Check with David Mitchell.

​

Are you interested in learning to “Rug Hook” or are a “Rug Hooker” now?  Come out on Mondays at 7:00 pm in the Sunshine Room.  If you have an embroidery hoop bring it along.  Please call Deanna Wong at 738-8996 if you are interested. ON HOLD

​

Saint John and District Senior’s Shuffleboard League: meets on Wednesdays at 10:00am at The Church of the Good Shepherd in the gym.  New members are always welcome for information please contact Ngaire Nelson at 672-8666. ON HOLD

​

JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP (ages 8-12) - WEDNESDAYS 6:00-7:15 pm:
Church of The Good Shepherd, 668 Manawagonish Road
New members welcome! There will be crafts, games, bible story, and snacks. Rev. Jonathan is looking for a few more volunteers to help with supervision. No experience necessary.  ON HOLD

​

Choir Practice meets Wednesdays at 7:00pm.  New Members are always welcome!!! Check with David Mitchell  

​

L.I.F.T. (Ladies in Fellowship Together) holds their regular monthly meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Sunshine Room. All women in the parish are welcome at all our meetings!  Meetings ON HOLD until further notice.

​

Earlier in 2019 we were assigned a new student to sponsor from Bishop McAllister College.  Her name is Amutusiimire Honest and she is 14 years old with 2 older brothers, one older sister, and 2 younger brothers.  She has missed some education because her parents have not been able to pay education fees, so we are very happy to be able to sponsor her education.  We have already received 2 letters from her, and she sounds like a very interesting young woman.  The student we have been sponsoring before her, Tumwekwatse Hellen, completed ordinary level last year and she is now earning a Certificate in Business Administration.  We also enjoyed receiving letters from her during the time that we were her sponsor, and we wish her continued success.  We have now cancelled our Fashion Show on April 4, 2020 2-4pm If you have already bought a ticket, please contact the person who sold you the ticket, so that you will receive your refund, or call the church office at 635-8145.

​

Saint John Mission to Seafarers Prayer Cycle:

In August, We pray for unions that assist the seafarers, the International Labor Organization, the Seafarers International Union and the International Transport Workers Federation that they may bring about justice and continue to seek the fair treatment of seafarers.

​

Recycling Bottles and Cans! In March 2017 L.I.F.T purchased and placed 3 blue recycle bins around our church hall and gym areas for your convenience. They have also opened up a “Church of the Good Shepherd” account at the Golden Mile Redemption Center, 35 Linton Rd. To donate, all you need to do is take your bottles/cans to the Golden Mile Redemption Center on Linton Road (West SJ) and tell them you want the proceeds put on the "Church of the Good Shepherd" account. Proceeds of donations to this account for now will go to our Sunday School, so any help you can provide with your recycling donations will be most appreciated. Thank you to all who donated their recycling proceeds (about $460) to date, and who continue to do so going forward.

​

​​​​

Are you on eNews? The diocese sends out an eNews reminder each Tuesday (every 2 weeks in the summer) with a new story and all the news and events to keep you up to date. Join up by emailing the editor:  gmcknight at diofton.ca or find eNews on the diocesan website:

​

July 28, 2020

https://nb.anglican.ca/newsletters/121/display

​

NB Anglican - June, 2020:

https://nb.anglican.ca/news/new-brunswick-anglican

​

Anglican Journal National News:

https://www.anglicanjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/aj-jun2020_web.pdf

​

Diocese of Ho (Companian Diocese) Mobile Medical Clinic:

Please give if you can to this worthy cause. COVID-19 has devastated the Volta region where Ho is located. There is no healthcare in the area and no testing kits, and the Diocese is hearing that authorities are completely overwhelmed.  Prayers for Bishop Matthias and his community are greatly appreciated.  ClickHere for more details.

​

​

Our Saint John Neighbours

Canadian Blood Services: 405 University Avenue, Saint John.  Go to www.blood.ca to see COVID-19 updates and to book an appointment to donate blood. The need for blood is constant.