A PASTORAL LETTER TO THE CONGREGATION
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St. John’s United Church, 75 Alma Street, Moncton, NB E1C 4Y3
T: 858-8289 E: sjuc@nb.aibn.com W: www.StJohnsMoncton.ca
F: St. John’s United Church, United Church of Canada
A PASTORAL LETTER TO THE CONGREGATION
March 12, 2021
Recently we watched the movie ‘My Salinger Year’ based on the book of the same name which is the
work of the writer and former literary agent assistant Joanna Rackoff. In one moment during the movie,
the author JD Salinger (they are asked to call him ‘Jerry’ at the agency) calls and, hard of hearing,
never gets Joanna’s name right until the end of the movie. He learns during their conversations that
she writes poetry. With each call the reclusive author makes at random times to the agency that
manages his affairs, JD Sallinger encourages Joanna to write. Every day.
Not so long ago, before the pandemic, I was honoured by the
congregation for twenty years of ministry within the United
Church. One woman in the congregation, knowing that I write
with a fountain pen, gifted me her mother’s Parker 51 fountain
pen. It was dated to the 1940s. The favourite pen of the Queen,
it was also used by other famous sorts such as Frank Sinatra.
I love it each time I write with it. It’s become my way of praying.
I often think of these words: “Rejoice, always, and pray without
ceasing.” Ask, knock, seek are all words asking us to pray.
Write, sing, speak. Do whatever you can to connect with your
soul and your God.
I have two journals that I keep. One to record my daily
moments, and the other to write not-very-good poetry. I often
write poems while sitting in a pew in the middle of the
sanctuary. It helps me to see what you see and allow myself to
feel things as the result of being a husband, father, and
minister. I like the sensation of pen and ink on paper. I exist in
a mostly-digital world now, and anything that can take me out of it is a welcome practice. I am in awe
of the old letters I have that belonged to my relatives from the last world war, written on beautiful paper
provided by The Salvation Army.
My question is: what are you doing to express yourself during these times? Are you cooking good
food and discovering new recipes? Are you making music? Are you planning your summer gardens
and ordering seeds? All of these things are hopeful acts that require deliberate thoughts. I watch my
son doing countless science experiments and my daughter practice her piano daily and normally I
wouldn’t think a lot of such things but when I look at it: this is their way of coping and occupying time
with the halt to their normal rituals of time with friends and school activities.
One of the things I think we are becoming better at due to this pandemic is having conversations. I let
phone calls linger longer. I am more deliberate in my seeking out of people. I really want to know how
someone is doing when I ask, “How are you?” I let people care about me and I’m more open to sharing
how I feel than I have previously. Isn’t ‘honesty’ lovely? In Cape Breton years ago during the
Summertime Revue a character played by Bette MacDonald always answered, “Good, dear, Good.”
Now the answer seems to be, “It’s hard, sometimes. I miss people.”
This week we said “Good Bye” to Edie MacQuarrie. Edie sang in our choir for decades, was part of
our social groups, and she was a good friend. When she had her stroke, we never expected her to be
among us for so long; however, as her beloved husband Bob said, “She gave us ten more years.” The
last time I was with both of them together, pre-COVID, I was visiting Edie at Lakeview Manor. After a
bit, Bob walked in with two coffees and I said to her, “What a guy!” and Edie being Edie pretended to
be offended and swiped her hand up and we all had a big laugh.
She couldn’t use words anymore. She could no longer walk. But, she could make us laugh. She could
minister to us. And she will be deeply missed.
On the Friday before she died, I was with her. She was past the moment where you hope someone
will recover. So I sat beside her bed and read scripture. I stood up to leave and I saw that her eyes
were wide open even though she wasn’t looking at me as I spoke. She started verbalizing so I started
talking more and told her who I was and that I loved her and thanked her for her faithfulness. I ran out
of words so I told her that I was going to say the Lord’s Prayer. As I started with the words, “Our
Father…” she made sounds that seemed to join with my words so I continued. And as I spoke she did
too in her way. We finished the prayer together.
I am humbled by such faithful witness. When Edie had just a day longer to live, she prayed with
everything she had. I will never, ever forget that.
Whether it’s with a pen, or with a voice, or with a prayer, God’s spirit joins with us in our acts of
faithfulness. In your cooking, in your planting, in your reading. In your laughing, in your crying, in your
quiet moments, God is with you. These are all faithful acts.
I am thankful for this congregation of God’s people. You have been an anchor during a year which we
could not have imagined. One woman wrote to me after our online Lenten Bible Study, “I didn’t realize
how much I missed people’s faces.”
Me, too.
The Rev. Aaron Billard
Minister
The pastoral letter is dedicated in Loving Memory of
Edris Colpitts , who passed away on March 20, 2018
by Jamie Colpitts
2
The Church extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the
family of Edith “Edie” MacQuarrie (wife of Robert “Bob” MacQuarrie)
who died on March 7, 2021.
MEMORIALS
Donations have been made to St. John’s United Church in memory of:
Grace “Marie” Kelly (wife of wife of Jim Kelly)
by Claire & David MacNevin
Laura Leighton (wife of the late Dr. Claude Leighton)
by Claire & David MacNevin
A. Ralph MacDonald (husband of Lois MacDonald)
by Claire & David MacNevin
Edith “Edie” MacQuarrie (wife of Robert “Bob” MacQuarrie)
by Art & Sonja Buck and Kimberley & Luiz de Jesus
Announcements:
ZOOM BIBLE STUDY will be held each Wednesday evening at 7pm in March on
the weekly readings for Sunday as we prepare for Easter. We are asking you to
sign up for this study so that we can send you the readings well in advance. All
you will need is a Bible or the website www.biblegateway.com and bring your
questions. We’ll read the text together and try to understand it as best we can in the context of our
church community. If you would like to take part, email or phone the church office and we’ll record
your name.
NEW MEMBERS AND CONFIRMATION
We are welcoming new members to the congregation. If you would like to formalize your membership
within St. John's, please contact the minister.
2020 TAX RECEIPTS have all been sent via email or mail. If you did not receive your receipt, please
contact the Church Office.
UPCOMING:
March 28 – Palm Sunday
April 4 – Easter Sunday with “contactless” Communion
- Bible presentations
3
PLEASE ADVISE THE CHURCH OFFICE at sjuc@nb.aibn.com if your email, mailing address,
residence or telephone number changes.
ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH CARES... To notify the Minister of personal concerns, anxieties,
illnesses, hospitalizations or deaths, or to pass along a prayer request, contact Rev. Aaron Billard at
858-8289 or sjucrev@gmail.com
In-person Worship – March 14, 2021
Registration now open and closes on Saturday, March 13th at 5:00 p.m.
Here is the link to register to attend:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/march-14th-4th-sunday-in-lent-tickets-143478599353
(The link changes every week.)
In-person Worship – March 21, 2021
Registration opens Sunday, March 14th at 12:00 p.m. and closes on Saturday, March 20th at 5:00 p.m.
Here is the link to register to attend:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/march-21st-5th-sunday-in-lent-tickets-145718583205
(The link changes every week.)
+++++++++++++
Have you watched our online Worship? If not, join us every week online using one of the links below:
via our Church website - http://www.stjohnsmoncton.ca
via our Church Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/16465565858
via YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNHB60ajQtwsf7-vCfXGHBw
CHURCH MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND STAFF
Rev. Aaron Billard, Minister
Mike Day, Music Director
email: sjucrev@gmail.com
Karen Geldart, Office Administrator
Pat Arsenault, Custodian
email: sjuc@nb.aibn.com
Rev. Dr. Douglas MacEachern
Bruce Lawson,
Minister Emeritus Property Manager
email: dougjune@nb.sympatico.ca
4MEMORIAL DEDICATION FORM
Easter plants will be placed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday,
April 4. If you wish help us with our plant order and make a memorial
in memory of a loved one, below are ways to reach us:
- complete this form and place in the offering box with payment
- complete this form and drop off in the mail slot on the Victoria St.
church entrance with payment
- complete this form or provide the same details in an email and
send to the office at sjuc@nb.aibn.com and pay by either an e-
transfer, mail a cheque or drop off a cheque/cash in the church mail
slot on the Victoria St. door
The cost is $15.00 each. The deadline to have your memorial
form/payment to the Church Office is Monday, March 29. All
memorials will be listed in the pastoral letter on the Friday before
Easter Sunday. (We will bring in only a few plants needed for the Sanctuary,
and the extra proceeds go to the Chancel Fund to help cover costs associated with
the Sanctuary.)
Name: __________________________________________________
Phone:__________________________________________________
Email:__________________________________________________
Quantity: ____________
In Memory of: ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
From: __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Office use only: □ cash
Total Amount $_________ □ cheque
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