CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Parish office hours are Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to noon

Phone: 506-635-8145     Email: goodshep@nb.sympatico.ca

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Sept. 20th was Welcome Back Sunday.  We were encouraged with the attendance!  It was great to see the parking lot full of cars, a fresh new look to our front door and entranceway and so many friendly faces worshipping with us, even with the mask wearing and social distancing. Sunday School “JAM” (Jesus and me) also started Sept. 20th. We revealed our Capital Financial Campaign, and had available a small gift for parishioners to take to friends to let them know we were thinking of them.

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Starting Sept 27th, 2020 we are returning to having Sunday services at 9:00AM and 10:30AM.  We ask that you pre-register at our church office for the Sunday Service you plan to attend by phone or email, unless you  have already added your name to the next Sunday's list on the previous Sunday.  If you forgot to register, please do not stay home!  We can add your name to the list when you arrive! Masks to be worn at the service with social distancing.  There will be a signup sheet at the back of the church for GREETERS for the 9:00AM and 10:30AM services.  If anyone is interested in signing up, please tell the greeters that week and they will add your name to the list for the week that you are interested in covering.

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Thank you to everyone who is willing to help out!!!

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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. 

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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.

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Confirmation classes started September 9th.  This Wed. Sept 23rd is the final deadline to join this class (call 635-8145 to register).  Confirmation with Bishop Edwards will be on December 6th, 2020

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Bible Study on the Book of Deuteronomy will start September 29th, 2020 at 7:00 pm.  Please call the office at 635-1145 to let them know if you are interested in attending, or show up on Sept. 29th.  

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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).

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Thank you to everyone who is able to still continue with your regular offerings - electronic or otherwise. Our deficit this year may be more than we predicted due to COVID-19, so we ask that you prayerfully consider participating in our Capital Financial Campaign by increasing your weekly offering (if you are able) or selecting an envelope from the board at the front of our church, which has envelopes marked from $1.00 to $200.00 with a blessing inside each.   You can select the envelope corresponding to the extra amount you are able to donate and put that amount in the envelope and place it on the offering plate.

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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. 

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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.

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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 #.

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​If someone is on your mind then reach out and call them. On Sept 20th we made available a small gift and card that you can take to a friend to encourage 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.

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In Christ,

The Rev. Jonathan Springthorpe

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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". The Springthorpe family has now moved in!

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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.

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BIKER'S BREAKFAST - MAY 30TH, 2020 - was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic!

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.

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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.

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Vestry usually meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  Our next meeting will be Sept 17, 2020.  

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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!

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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!  They had their first meeting since COVID-19 closure in the small hall on September 10th.

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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.

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Saint John Mission to Seafarers Prayer Cycle:

In September, We pray for Shipping Agents that they may have a constant spirit of service in their dealings with ship’s crews.

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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 $485) to date, and who continue to do so going forward.

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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:

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September 23, 2020

https://nb.anglican.ca/newsletters/127/display

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NB Anglican - September 2020:

https://nb.anglican.ca/news/september-edition-of-the-new-brunswick-anglican

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Anglican Journal National News - September 2020:

https://www.anglicanjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/aj-sep2020_web.pdf

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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.

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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.

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Saint John Jewish Historical Museum Extends 2020 Season

Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
91 Leinster Street
Saint John, N.B. E2L 1J2
Tel: 506.633-1833, Email: sjjhm@nbnet.nb.ca

The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum will be open to the public September 9 to October 9, 2020 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons between 1:00 and 4:00 pm

Tours will also be available by appointment.

Admission fees are $5.00/person, $10.00/family,
$50.00 for groups of ten or more.

On arrival visitors will be asked to self-assess for COVID symptoms and will be required to leave their name, town of residence and telephone number in the event that contact tracing will be required. All visitors will be asked to sanitize their hands, be encouraged to wear a cloth mask and maintain physical distancing from Museum staff and other visitors during their visit.

Please note that the number of visitors or groups in the building will be limited to ensure that distancing can be maintained

2020 Exhibits:
- Immigration
- Preparing for the Sabbath
- From the Cradle to the Grave
- Starting a New Life: Holocaust Survivors in New Brunswick
- Family Stories
- Open for Business: Jewish Businesses in Saint John

Visitors can also enjoy the Shaarei Zedek Synagogue.

For further information please contact the Museum
Telephone – 506-633-1833
Email – sjjhm@nbnet.nb.ca

Katherine Biggs-Craft, Executive Director and Curator
Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
91 Leinster Street
Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada E2L 1J2
Telephone: (506) 633-1833
Email: sjjhm@nbnet.nb.ca
Web: http://jewishmuseumsj.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishmuseumsj/

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TRINITY CHURCH COLUMBARIUM

See attached LINK