The Banner

COVID-19 Precautions: Cancellation of BSBC Church Programs and Services

Due to the recommendation of New Brunswick’s Chief Medical officer and the quickly evolving efforts to minimize the effects of CoVid-19, the Board of Deacons has decided to cancel all church programs and services, including Sunday services at BSBC effective noon Friday, March 13, until further notice.  The church office will remain open.

Please be in prayer for the people who may have been exposed to the virus and those making decisions that affect others. Pray for the front line workers treating those who become exposed and need significant medical treatment.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates through e-mail, Facebook and the church website. Please continue to check these sources and share this cancellation information with others.

Our Treasurer would like to remind you that you can still give financially through e-transfers or personal delivery of your envelope to the church office.                     

Your Board of Deacons and Pastoral Staff

Discerning God’s Will re: Housing First 

At our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Social Action Team launched the congregation’s discernment process regarding the Housing First initiative.   Part of their process was the release of a comprehensive document which contains discussion items from both Boards over their time of consideration of this project.  These are provided with a desire to invite the congregation to see the questions and concerns that were raised in our deliberations so that the church family might have a sense of the depth of discussion that has surrounded this initiative coming to you. 

On Sunday, February 2 the joint Boards met to receive a final presentation from Jason Lejeune of Housing First and an opportunity for questions to be asked and answered.  Following that time, Jason and members of the Social Action Team excused themselves from the meeting and the joint boards considered the following motion from our Social Action Team:  Moved that the Board of Deacons and Board of Management recommend to the congregation that Brunswick Street Baptist Church adopt the Housing First Proposal to turn the Barnabas Center into low income housing as presented by the Social Action Team.  The motion passed by a 16 to 10 margin, 61%.  Preceding this vote was a suggested amendment to the motion, duly moved and seconded:  That the Board of Deacons and Board of Management recommend to the congregation that Brunswick Street Baptist Church adopt the Housing First Proposal…at a location to be determined by Fredericton Housing First, Brunswick Street Baptist Church and the Social Action Team.  The intent of the amendment was to show support for the concept, but at a location not within the BSBC campus.  Voting produced a tie, meaning that it was not adopted and the original motion was processed as described above.

 Both Boards understand that this is a complicated matter, having considered it prayerfully, conducted serious review of it and voted on the recommendation to the church.  We feel that it is not a matter that should be decided by the Boards alone. Given our model of congregational government, the import of the decision, and its implications for future ministry, we feel the proposal must be submitted to the church family for review and final decision.

 We heartily encourage you to engage in the process and to bring questions or concerns that you identify as crucial in your decision making process which will aid in the overall decision by the church family.  We are praying for you as you engage in this discernment process.            

Your Boards of Management and Deacons 

Over the next little while, our church family will engage in a process to determine whether we as a congregation are to support the Housing First initiative, which would see the Barnabas Center turned into low income housing units with additional professional supports provided for our potential tenants. To date, three other Fredericton churches have partnered with the United Way Fredericton Housing First Fund to conduct similar projects.

 Please note that as all church programs and services have been cancelled until further notice, as announced, all information sessions associated with the Housing First Initiative have also been cancelled until further notice.

 An electronic copy of the Housing First Proposal is available upon request at receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca)                                  

 Prayer Corner 

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Connie McCorkell and family on the passing of her great nephew, 2 month old Casper Ian DeMerchant, on March 1 at the DECH.  Please pray for his mother Amber Jean and father Matthew. Casper had been moved from Halifax to Fredericton last week to be with his family.

PLEASE PRAY for our senior friends not always able to be with us: Freda Anderson, Mardi Bartlett, Bob Burridge, Curtis Chapman, and Gerald Covey.

PLEASE PRAY for Pastor Greg and Margaret who are away on vacation.  Pastor Greg is scheduled to return to the office on Tuesday, March 17.

Church Family News

THE RITCHIES’ FUNDING NEEDS HAVE BEEN FULLY MET! 

A few weeks back, the BSBC congregation was made aware that CHARLIE and BETTY RITCHIE, one of our Partners in Mission, were struggling financially and required a substantial amount of additional monthly support to meet their everyday needs. The congregation was asked to pray for the Ritchies and individually consider the possibility of providing additional support for their ministry.  A number of churches and individuals have obviously responded and we have just received word back from Betty...along with a BIG THANK YOU to our BSBC congregation....that God has answered those prayers and provided the additional monthly support necessary to fully fund their ministry needs! This is a praise item that should be both recognized and celebrated. It is always a special blessing to see God at work in such a personal way and to be reminded of His awesome faithfulness and love.  God is so good. 

HOSPITALITY FOR CHINESE PASTORAL COUPLE

Our Chinese Congregation will have the benefit of a visiting pastoral couple between April and July.  They will welcome Pastor Thomas Chan and his wife Cindy Ma, a retired pastor from the Montreal Chinese Alliance Church.  They will come to Fredericton on April 16 to serve voluntarily in Chinese Congregation until July 5.  Our Chinese brothers and sisters are looking for a small apartment for their stay and the provision (occasionally or on an ongoing basis) of a car for ministry purposes.  If you can help or know someone who can, please email the church office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca) and someone from the Chinese Ministry Committee will be in contact.  Thank you for praying for Pastor Thomas and Cindy as they come to bless our Chinese ministry.