PARISH OF RICHMOND

7 December 2023

“Not only with our lips but in our lives”

Richmond This coming Sunday
December 10, 2023

Second Sunday of Advent
Alter Colors:  Blue

• 9:00 AM - Morning Prayer Service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Hartland, NB

• 11:00 AM - Morning Prayer Service and Sunday School Christmas Presentation at St. John's Anglican Church, Richmond Corner, NB

• 7:00 PM - Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Mark's Anglican Church, Jackson Falls, NB

• Find Sunday Bible readings at [link]

Among those we uphold in prayer:  Allen, Cecil, Cole, Connie, Debbie, Doris, Frankie, George, Græme, Helen, Joyce, Lawrence, Lynn, Maddie, Marg, Max, Melba, Michelle, Nadine, Nicole, Peggy, Phyllis, Ronald, Shawn, Sheldon, Steven

The prayer list is long again. Please advise Pat Margison (328-8146) of name deletions as well as additions.

This week’s birthdays: Nancy Clarke, Emma Sewell

Whom do you know in hospital?  There’s a convenient way to get a cheery greeting to the hospitalized.  The hospital delivers it.  Parishioners receiving these notes have mentioned how important they are.  Check out:  [Link]

Archbishop Edwards has authorized Cindy Derksen to provide home communion to people associated with the parish of Richmond. For further information please contact her at 506-375-4642 cinder46@bellaliant.net

Please continue to remember the Food Bank when you shop. They are currently in need of canned beans, saltine crackers, canned cranberry sauce and non-sugary breakfast cereal.

Have you checked the parish’s Facebook page lately?  [Facebook]

This Saturday (9 December) is the date of St. Luke’s annual Christmas bake sale, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.  A food critic writes: “Rosalie Brown’s mince pies (grandmother’s recipe) are outstanding”.

Note that this Sunday (10 December) at St. John’s the Sunday School kids will present their "New Star" Christmas production, 11:00 AM.

• Later this Sunday, an Advent/Christmas service of Lessons & Carols takes place at St. Mark’s, 7:00 PM.
• Also this Sunday, Holy Trinity’s Charles Wilson Mitten Tree returns to seasonal operation. During Advent and Christmas it will accumulate mittens, socks, toques, scarves, etc, after which the knitwear goes to a local school for children this winter. All are invited to donate. Some parishioners are already knitting up a storm for this worthy cause.

This coming Sunday there is also a final opportunity to contribute to one of the blue Seafarers' Mission boxes in the churches. They solicit donations for seafarers from distant parts who arrive at the port of Saint John. Donations must be unwrapped. With each box is a list of suggestions, such as toiletries, warm items (esp gloves, scarves), playing cards, game books, individually-wrapped candy. Financial donations are also accepted. Bev from the Mission is amazed each year that our landlocked parish supports this outreach to welcome strangers to NB.

Large-print Upper Room -- Cindy Derksen has a large-print Upper Room. Please contact her (506-375-4642) if you know who might need it.

On Tuesdays, Advent book discussion continues at the Parish Centre, 10:30 am. The book is Paula Gooder’s The Meaning is in the Waiting: The Spirit of Advent:  [link]

Parish events ~

• On Thursday 14 December Vestry meets at the Parish Centre, 7:00 PM

• On Sunday 7 January Archbishop Edwards will lead a Richmond parish service

Tuesday’s Diocesan e-News had a lovely item on the popularity of Wednesday-evening “supper Church” in the parishes of Andover and Denmark. Harold Boomer is chef:  [link]

The annual Small Works show of fairly inexpensive items suitable for seasonal giving is on at the McCain Gallery, Florenceville.  Work by at least two parishioners is on display.  Also to be spotted is a charming painting of Holy Trinity, though not by a parishioner.

Advent Sunday’s parish service was a wonderful occasion. Canon Williams and all five parish layreaders took part. Marilyn Wilson was recognized as having completed five years in the parish as a server followed by a quarter-century (and counting) as layreader.

Before the dismissal of Sunday’s service the wardens read a letter from Archbishop Edwards announcing that the Rev. Maria Shepherdson of Upper Kennet in rural England will be licenced in March 2024 as rector in the parishes of Richmond and Woodstock. Actual arrival of the new cleric is not quite finalized, depending on immigration, work permit and such like. She and Philip, her antipodean spouse, will reside at Richmond Corner.

• As Sunday’s announcement was being revealed in Carleton County, it was also being made at services in Upper Kennet. To see the Rev Ms Shepherdson’s announcement, and to receive a friendly wave from her congregation, view this video beginning at minute 1:01:11:  [YouTube]

• As a sometime teacher/principal, trained musician, linguist, former resident of Libya, chaplain to Roma, 10 years involvement in Gaza and the West Bank, etc, it seems fair to say that God has blessed Maria Shepherdson with an uplifting outlook on life, which she has embraced. Her address to her flock last Sunday (see above) notes that she has turned down two earlier opportunities, as not feeling called. To Richmond and Woodstock she feels a call. Are we, too, called?

A variety of photos accompanies this week’s e-News. They need no introduction.

RICHMOND NEXT SUNDAY
December 17, 2023
Third Sunday Of Advent
Alter Colors:  Blue

• Holy Trinity - Communion Service, 9:00 AM
• St. Mark's - Morning Prayer Service, 9:00 AM
• St. John's - Communion Service, 11:00 AM

Parish Outreach:

Used eye-glasses?  There is a depository at Progressive Credit Union, Richmond Street, Woodstock.

To join the 1000+ people who already subscribed to the diocese’s Tuesday evening e-newsletter, visit the eNews section of http://anglican.nb.ca/news.

KEEPING INFORMED