PARISH OF RICHMOND

23 April 2026

“Not only with our lips but in our lives”

Services This Sunday
April 26, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter

• 9:00 AM - Parish Communion Service at St John's Anglican Church, Richmond Corner, NB, with a light breakfast from 8:00 AM

• 11:00 AM - Communion Service at St Luke's Anglican Church, Woodstock, NB

  Find Bible readings at [link]

• Most weekdays the rector offers morning prayers and reflection live at 8:30 AM and viewable any time later. See Parish of Richmond and Woodstock - YouTube

• Sunday services from St John's are broadcast live on the internet and remain available for viewing. Find them at [YouTube link]

Among those we uphold in prayer:  Allen, Cole, Connie, Doris, Ivan, Joyce, Lynn, Melba, Michelle, Peggy, Phyllis, Shirley, Steven

Please advise Pat Margison (506-328-8146) of name deletions as well as name additions.

This present week’s birthdays: Cindy Derksen, Marion Parkinson, Kim Tompkins

Anniversary: Robert & Alice Flewelling

Who doesn't know someone in hospital?  There’s a convenient way to get a cheery greeting to the hospitalized:  Hospital volunteers deliver it.  Folk receiving these notes have mentioned how important they are.  Check out:  [Link]

Food Bank families rely on our weekly and monthly generosity.

Have you checked the parish’s Facebook page lately?  The Anglican Parish of Richmond, Diocese of Fredericton | Facebook

F  To receive the every-Tuesday Diocesan e-News, subscribe at [link]

F  To receive an emailed version of the monthly Anglican Journal, subscribe at [link]

Parish Service - Public worship in the parish this Sunday will be at St John’s (9:00 AM), with a light breakfast on offer from 8:00 AM onwards. Includes low-carb options.

Last Saturday’s special Diocesan Synod on the future of Christ Church Cathedral disfavoured – for now -- the idea of conveying the building and land to a (secular) foundation. This possibility had been raised on the theory that it would be easier for a non-church owner to raise needed repair/endowment funds from government and private philanthropies than for the church to do so. Here’s a useful CTV report on the Synod:  [link].  Discussion was measured, quite fulsome, and at times moving. The result is that NB parishes, individuals and the Synod will be asked to supply the needed funds for the more urgent repairs, running to quite a few millions.

On the tension between buildings and mission, here is Walls or Worship?, Lisa Cummings’ opening meditation at last week’s Vestry meeting. Lisa writes: This meditation is designed to prompt reflection on the balance between appreciating a physical church building & prioritizing the living community – the people – as the true Body of Christ.

We begin by inviting the Vestry to take a few breaths, focusing on the space around them – the ceiling, the pews, the light. You are in your home church.

Pause

As we sit here tonight, feel the weight of this space. Consider the wood, the stone, the glass, it is a beautiful place. It is a place of memory, where marriages were made, children were baptized, and tears were shed. A sanctuary is a gift – a pause button in a noisy world, a space that brings us closer to a sense of peace.”

Pause

But let us listen to the rustling of the walls themselves. What do they ask of us? Sometimes, we treat these buildings as ‘The House of God’, yet 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that we are God’s Temple and that his spirit dwells in us. Are we holding on to the brick more tightly than we hold on to each other?

Pause

Consider the temptation of the ‘idol of place.’ When we are worried about the cost of repairs then the cost of loving our neighbour, we have made the building our god. When we focus on the beauty of our sanctuary but neglect the broken people outside-or even inside-our doors, we are prioritizing the vessel over the wine.

Pause

Close your eyes and imagine this church, empty of people. Imagine it empty of pews, empty of art. Now, imagine yourself leaving this building, carrying its essence with you. The church isn’t about sitting in a building; it’s about being connected when it is easier to be apart.

Pause

Lord, show us where our hearts are. Forgive us for the times we have loved our building more than your people. Teach us to treat this place as a servant of the community, not as our master. Let us build up one another, not just the walls.”

Pause

As we move from the meditation, let us appreciate this space, but let us by truly in love with the people.

Yard Sale 13 June – Vestry is calling parishioners to join in a yard sale on Saturday, 13 June. It will be held indoors at the Parish Centre, so no one need be lugging tables. Let Vestry members know what good work the proceeds of the day should support. Particularly wanted are donations of gardening and other tools, household items and small furniture, house décor, craft supplies, kids’ toys, puzzles, jewellery, tableware, pet stuff, collectables. No clothing, please. Folk can start bringing contributions to the Parish Centre as soon as the Parish Service at St John’s this coming Sunday. A room has been cleared for them.

Clean for Spring – This week the Parish Centre’s large storage room was cleaned and, just to be sure, cleaned again. The source of mouse attraction was eliminated, with contaminated materials laundered or discarded. Related items were consolidated in totes. Some discoveries were moved to better places, notably the St John’s war memorial, the parish pall and the 1951 communion set. A few “what is this?” and “should this go into the yard sale?” items were left for decision. A second Parish Centre room was renovated for receipt of yard sale material. Please look it all over this Sunday.

Home visits – In times of crisis the rector will be there. Other visits can be arranged by speaking to her or leaving a call back message at 506-328-3042.

Forthcoming ~

• Wednesday 29 April:  Communion at Riverside Court, 10:30 AM

• Thursday 14 May:  Vestry meets at the Rectory and on Zoom, 7:00 PM

• Monday 1 June:  8^th anniversary of the consecration of St John’s

• Saturday 13 June:  Yard sale at the Parish Centre

• Thursday 18 June:  Vestry meets at the Rectory and on Zoom, 7:00 PM

• Tuesday 7 July:  119^th anniversary of the consecration of St Mark’s

• Saturday 12 September:  Mass ordination at Christ Church Cathedral

• Thursday 17 September:  Vestry meets at the Rectory and on Zoom, 7:00 PM

• Tuesday 3 November:  97^th anniversary of the consecration of Holy Trinity

• Saturday 7 November:  Diocesan Synod, Christ Church Cathedral, 8:45 AM