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‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from Feb. 16 to 23.
BSBC Returns to Level 1 of the NB Covid Plan
The Annual Congregational Meeting: THIS COMING Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.
Annual Report Booklets
Invitation to Refugee Sponsorship
A Second Sponsorship Opportunity at Denominational Request
Details of the Family Sponsorship Request
A Letter from Rachel Nesbitt, Our Connection with the Proposed Refugee Family
Fredericton’s “12 Neighbours Community” and BSBC
2021 Surplus Motion
Bi-Annual Review of the Ministry of Pastor Greg Geldart
Sunday Morning, Feb. 20
A Video Thank You From Our Partners in Missions
Youth News
Online Community Options for This Week
Bereavements
This Week @ BSBC
1. BSBC Returns to Level 1 of the NB COVID-19 Plan
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters,
Changes are (once again) ‘a foot’ in the province of New Brunswick. As of 11:59 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 we will return to Level 1 of the Covid Winter Plan. What does that mean for Sunday morning at BSBC?
Well, here’s what you can expect:
we will discontinue pre-Sunday reservations
we will continue requiring proof of vaccination screening at the doors
we will continue keeping attendance records for contact tracing
everyone must be masked at all times except for worship leaders during their times of leadership
congregational singing will begin again (masked)
we are no longer required to limit seating
while physical-distancing is not strictly required, we will continue to keep the centre section of the sanctuary taped to accommodate those who feel more comfortable with some distance between seated groups, in the gym we will continue with the café style seating with more tables available
We look forward to taking this step toward more fulsome engagement in our worship time. When the Deacons meet on Monday, Feb. 28, they will discuss our approach going forward in light of Premier Higgs proposed removal of all restrictions in April.
Thank you for continuing to help us navigate these days. Let me ask that you respect the desires of others for physical-distancing. When coming into, inside and leaving the building, please don’t compromise the security of others by assuming that they are longing for “up close and personal” fellowship! 😊
Upward and onward,
Pastor Greg
2. The Annual Congregational Meeting
Our Moderator, Dr. Calvin Smith, calls for the congregation to gather for The Annual Congregational Meeting on THIS COMING Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. (Storm Date: Thursday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.). Attendance at the meeting can be in-person or online through Zoom.
This is an important event which highlights our ministries, opportunities to serve our world and financial direction for 2022.
How to attend
Please make a reservation to attend either in-person or on Zoom. We invite you to click the button below. In order to guarantee receipt of the Zoom link, please register by Sunday, Feb. 20.
3. Annual Report Booklets Are Ready
Each year we compile a booklet of reports from all: full- and part-time staff; all boards, committees, teams; the financial report for 2021 and the budget proposal for 2022; the report of the nominating committee who have recruited volunteers to serve in all aspects of church life; membership list and adherents list. As you can tell, it’s a big job and we’re grateful to Janet Mitchell who has brought all these individual submissions together under one cover.
The 2021 Annual Report is available from the church office during the week AND the sanctuary and gym foyers on Sundays.
To have a printed copy mailed to you (we cannot guarantee delivery by the time of the Annual Meeting) please click here:
OR, if you would like an electronic copy of the report booklet, please click here.
4. Invitation to Refugee Sponsorship
A New Opportunity for Sponsorship
The Social Action Team has another exciting opportunity to share with you prior to next week's annual business meeting. The Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC) office has approached us regarding a family in Canada that is seeking sponsorship to bring another member from a refugee camp to Canada and their home in Fredericton.
Sponsorship Details for the Family You're Asked to Consider
It has been four years since our church family actively pursued a refugee sponsorship. Your Social Action Team would like to introduce you to a family that we recommend our church sponsor to settle in Fredericton. The Bdeiwi family are originally from Syria and currently living as refugees in Lebannon.
Meet Rachel Nesbitt
Your Social Action Team invited Rachel Nesbitt to write you to share about her connection with our proposed refugee family. We commend her letter to your attention and thank Rachel for her heart for this opportunity.
5. Fredericton's 12 Neighbours Community & BSBC
As a church rooted in our downtown core, reaching out to the most vulnerable members of our community IS an important focus for Brunswick Street Baptist Church. Your Social Action Team invites you to consider partnering with a new organization, 12 Neighbours Community Inc., that is taking an innovative approach to supporting those who are experiencing homelessness and insecure housing.
6. Our 2021 Stewardship Surplus
If you have reviewed the financial statement in our 2021 Annual Report Booklet then you will know that with your faithful giving and lowered expenses due to the pandemic, we have ended 2021 with a surplus of $107,474.
At the Annual Meeting, both Boards will be recommending that the surplus be divided as follows:
$15,000 in support of the Social Action Team’s “12 Neighbours” Initiative — as noted in the above article.
Then, following the pattern adopted last year, the remaining balance be divided as follows:
25% - Principal Payment on the Mortgage
25% - In Reserve for the Board of Management’s Use Addressing Facility Needs
25% - In Reserve for the Deacons to Fund New Ministry Initiatives
25% - In Reserve for the Audio/Visual Working Group to Continue Improvements
Thank you for considering this recommendation of both Boards as to this blessing God has provided.
Pastor Greg
7. Biannual Review of the Ministry of Pastor Greg Geldart
As per the requirement of our constitution, the Board of Deacons is to conduct a bi-annual review of the ministry of Pastor Greg. We are grateful for those who accepted the invitation to submit personal comments to the Deacon Review Committee.
The final report of the review is often presented at the Annual Meeting. However, this year, due to the many demands on Pastor Greg’s time in December, with both Christmas plans and Covid demands, the review process was delayed in getting off the ground. For this reason, the final report of the review will be presented at the Spring Business Meeting.
Your Board of Deacons are grateful for your understanding and patience.
8. Sunday Morning: Feb. 20
Again this coming Sunday, you have a choice! You can attend in-person or online. The contemporary service will be available in the gym in a return to our café setting or on Facebook Live. The traditional service will be available in the sanctuary or join on YouTube.
Attending on-line? Simply visit thestreetonline.ca and click “Worship Online” and then choose your service.
One way or another, we do hope you’ll be with us.
Contemporary Service
In the gym, the Dunfield/Akalusi Team will be leading the musical worship while Pastor Greg will be offering the next instalment in the “Unleashing the Church” series in Ephesians. This week, he’ll lead the gym congregation through a study of Ephesians 4:17-24, considering the all important “Three B’s of the Spiritual Journey.” We’re so pleased that we’re returning to our “His Name is Power” segment with Denise Mersereau interviewing Sarah Duguid.
Next Sunday, Pastor Ross will be preaching in the gym, concluding this instalment of the Ephesians series.
Traditional Service
In the sanctuary, we look forward to the return of a vocal ensemble and congregational singing! Dr. Keith will be offering the second in a three-week mini-series entitled “The Experience of Grace.” This week’s passages for consideration are 2 Chronicles 28:5-15; Luke 10:25-37.
Dr. Keith writes: In this short series on the parables we are aiming to experience afresh the words of the Lord Jesus, and recognize how these various stories invite us to rethink how we might live with wisdom and vitality rather than according to the values of our surrounding world. Our journey continues this week with a closer look at the “good Samaritan.” Even in the language of popular culture the idea of an act of random kindness (ark) is often heard, and usually defined as helping someone in need or responding to an emergency. But there are a number of aspects in this parable that require some further attention. So, we will start by exploring the larger context: rather than out of the blue, this story about bitter enemies is shared in the context of a debate between Jesus and an expert in the law, and that makes a difference to how we hear the parable. Moreover, there is some background buried deep in the book of 2 Chronicles 28. The passage might be hard to find, but it is quite easy to understand: in the aftermath of battle, one group helps another with clothing, supplies, bandages, and rides on donkeys to Jericho. When Jesus is talking to the lawyer, this connection with 2 Chronicles 28 expands the boundaries of mercy and encourages us to read the parable through an exciting new lens, providing a shift in perspective to the lawyer’s opening question, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
9. A Video Thank You From Our Partner in Mission
We are thrilled to share this video from our Canadian Baptist Ministries Partner in Mission, André Sibomana. If you don’t know André, you can “meet” him by visiting www.cbmin.org/andre-sibomana.
The following video comes from Andre as a thank you for your giving to our Going Global Christmas project which amounted to $10,360.08. This year’s project provides an opportunity for Rwandan women to empower themselves and their whole family. Many Rwandan women experience several problems including low self-concepts, poverty, illiteracy, and gender discrimination. Also, many women who rely on their husbands and/or traditional farming methods often have trouble in meeting their daily needs.
The key to helping Rwandan women improve their self-worth and the well-being of their families involves fostering personal growth and acquiring vocational skills. Through education and personal support, women can change their mindsets about themselves, poverty, their lack of basic literacy skills and gender discrimination. Improving their personal confidence levels enable them to have the courage to start new ventures, which in turn leads to improving the well-being of their family.
The funds raised will support this community transformation through programming such as:
Parenting clubs
Self-help groups for both men and women
Technical skills training
Literacy education
Coordinator training
Please enjoy hearing this beautiful servant of Jesus share what your partnership in Rwanda has done.
10. Youth News: Coming Up For Youth at BSBC!
Friday night was a grand time having some of our youth out! A Special thank you to Shelley and Toon Pronk for leading this event! We are so blessed to have intergenerational events like these! Everyone seemed to have a great time, even if there were a few falls!
Wednesday Bible Study
Coming up this week at BSBC Youth we have Bible study on Wednesday, from 6:30-8 p.m. both online zoom and in-person in the family room! Youth are welcome to come out as we talk about the book of Jonah.
Friday Youth Group
Friday at 7 p.m. we will be in the church, to do our table Olympics event! We are still in level 2 restrictions, so youth should be prepared to keep social distance with masks, and proof of vaccination. All are welcome to this event, and youth are encouraged to invite a friend! It should be a great night of competition!
Youth Greenhouse Service
Looking ahead, I am happy to announce that on the last Sunday of February, we will be having our youth Greenhouse Service! I welcome all of our youth to come out! It will take place in the Barnabas Centre at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 27th!
If you would like more information for these events please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. Also please be praying for our youth, and over these events! Thank you so much for your continual prayer.
11. Online Community Spaces
Creating space for community and wellbeing in a time of isolation
Let's do life together (online!) we're offering one opportunity to come together in community over Zoom.
Correction: There is no cardio with Pastor Ross this week due to the Annual Meeting on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Cook Supper with Anna Marie
Anna Marie Colpitts welcomes you to join her in the kitchen tomorrow Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. to make supper together. Then join us on this Zoom link for some fun! Get the recipe and grocery list.
Meeting ID: 875 4144 6372 | Passcode: 001910
Next week's recipe
Anna Marie will be cooking with us again next week too! If you're a planner and want to get your ingredients ahead of time, you can find next week's recipe here.
12. Bereavement
Again this week, we have the opportunity to celebrate wonderful, faith-filled lives with members of our church family who have lost loved ones.
Germain Wright
You are invited to pray for Kellie and Anthony Brown on the passing on Sunday, February 13, of Kellie’s precious grandmother, Germain Wright, at Enhanced Living in Oromocto. We also think of Kellie’s dad, Murry and stepmother, Barb Wright who share this loss. Some of you will recognize Barb’s name from our email prayer ministry. Germain attended St. Vincent de Paul Church and, for many years, was a member of the Catholic Women's League. Resting at the Oromocto Funeral Home, there will be a visitation from 2 -4 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 17 at 11:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with an interment in the adjoining cemetery in the spring.
Full details can be found by clicking this link: www.oromoctofh.com/obituaries/160186
Audrey “Betty” Simonds
Also, you are asked to pray for Ross and Janice Simonds and their daughters, Dara and Mari and husbands, on the passing on Monday, February 14, of Ross’ mother, Audrey “Betty” Simonds who, surrounded by the love of her family, passed away at her home in Centerville, New Brunswick.
Betty was a teacher, having graduated from New Brunswick Normal School in Fredericton in 1943. She worked in the public school system, a private kindergarten, and within the public kindergarten system. Her work took her to rural one-room classrooms, a high school, and to the two preschool environments in former schools. Her love for children and teaching extended into her personal life as a Sunday School teacher and girls’ program leader. She was also a member of the local Women’s Institute and strong supporter of their work. An avid crafter, Betty crocheted until a few months before her passing. Many are in possession of the results of her beautiful handiwork.
Visitation will be held from L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors, 207 Burnham Rd. Florenceville-Bristol on Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 3-6 pm. Respecting COVID -19 regulations, face masks, proof of vaccination and government issued ID are required. A private family funeral service will be held at the Tracey Mills Baptist Church. Full details can be found by clicking this link: https://necrocanada.com/obituaries-2022/audrey-betty-simonds-19262022/
Kellie, Barb, Ross and Janice, we pray for God’s peace and comfort in these days, for you and for your families.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed,
we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
II Corinthians 5:1
13. This Week at BSBC: Feb. 16 to 23
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, February 16
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
6:30 Not Your Usual PM (CM) (Zoom)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC And Zoom)
6:30 Green Hill Lake Camp (GHLC) Board Meeting (3rd Floor Conference Room, FLC)
Thursday, February 17
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:30 New Life (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (CB) (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Small Group Bible Study (MM) (3rd Floor Conference Room, FLC)
5:30 Cooking with Anna Marie (Zoom)
6:00 L’Arche Games Night (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, February 18
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
7:00 Youth Group Table Olympics Event (3rd Floor Assembly, FLC)
Saturday, February 19
1:00 Worship Team (Gym)
Sunday, February 20
6:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
5:00 Third Sunday Supper (Gym)
7:00 Fresh Start Skating (Officers’ Square)
Monday, February 21
Family Day - Church Offices Closed
7:00 Board of Management (Zoom)
Tuesday, February 22
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
1:00 Pastoral Staff (Family Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
6:30 DivorceCare (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Annual Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary & Zoom)
Wednesday, February 23
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary, Choir Room)
6:30 Not Your Usual PM (CM) (Zoom)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC And Zoom)
