The Banner
Making a submission to our weekly newsletter?
Submissions for our weekly newsletter should now be sent to
naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca. The deadline for inclusion in Wednesday’s edition is noon the Monday prior.
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1.
Fall Business Meeting and Pizza Potluck: TONIGHT!
Trunk or Treat: October 29
Giving God Time at The Drive: November 1
Brunswick Street Baptist Church 2023 Christmas Choir
Social Media Coordinator Opportunity
Ministry and the Nominating Committee
Reverend Ross Watters Recap
Fredericton Youth Rally Recap
Weekly Financial Countdown
AED Awareness Training
Invitation to Prayer
Social Action Team Update
Street Ministry Update
Mandarin Baptism
Programming for the Fall
Pastoral Care
NextGen Ministry @ BSBC (Children/Youth)
Fresh Start Young Adults Group
This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: October 29
Community Opportunities
This Week @ BSBC
1. Fall Business Meeting & Pizza Potluck: TONIGHT!
Our moderator, Calvin Smith, has called a Fall Business Meeting to be held in the sanctuary tonight, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 6:45 pm. Please join us for our Church Family Pizza Potluck in the gym at 5:30 pm. Feel free to bring a salad or dessert to share — pizza will be provided!
Following our Church Family Potluck, we will open our Fall Business meeting at 6:45 pm in the sanctuary. Calvin has prepared an agenda based on reports from the Board of Deacons and the Board of Management, as well as other committees and teams.
Attending on Zoom?
For those members who are unable to attend in person, please contact the church office via email naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca before 3 pm this afternoon for the Zoom meeting link to attend online. We look forward to seeing you there.
3. Giving God Time at The Drive: Nov. 1
On Wednesday, November 1, from 8:30 – 10:00 am, we will be taking a trip to Greenwood Drive Baptist Church where we will join their Giving God Time devotional and visiting their food and clothing bank. This visit is with the intention of finding out if this is something we can partner with or even potentially offer here at BSBC. If you have a heart for our downtown community and are looking for ways to serve, please come and join us as we visit The Drive.
We will be meeting at the BSBC parking lot at 8:20 am and will be organizing a ride-share option. If you plan to join us for this visit, please let us know by contacting the church office or Pastor Ross at ross@bsbc.nb.ca.
4. Brunswick Street Baptist Church 2023 Christmas Choir
Our purpose is to bring together young and mature singers in our church to offer glory and praise to our Saviour Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate during the Christmas Season. We want to proclaim the Gospel Message through song so that all may come to know him as their Saviour.
Who: All children from Grade 3 to Senior Adults who enjoy singing
What: A Christmas Choir is being formed to provide a special ministry in music for our Blended Family Worship “Starting Local/Going Global” service on Sunday, December 3 at 10:30 am;
And: To represent BSBC at the “Fredericton Carol Festival” at St. Paul’s United Church on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 pm.
Rehearsals: Sundays Nov 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 11:45 am – 12:10 pm and Sunday, Dec 3 at 9:15 am
Where: Rehearsals will be held in the church Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center
For more information, please contact David Steeves at gracemusic@rogers.com or Gloria Tranquilla at momsplace70@hotmail.com.
5. Social Media Coordinator Opportunity
POSITION OUTLINE
The Social Media Coordinator is primarily responsible for developing and managing Brunswick Street Baptist Church’s digital presence.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and Update the Church Website (thestreetonline.ca)
Manage the Set-Up and Posting of Live-Stream and Pre-Recorded Services
Manage and Develop Content for the Church’s Facebook and Instagram Accounts
Edit and Post the Weekly E-Newsletter (i.e., The Banner)
Video Editing
Light Graphic Design (working within existing Brand Guidelines)
Advise Pastoral Staff on Appropriate Promotional Measures for Special Events
POSITION ACCOUNTABILITY
The Social Media Coordinator is responsible to the Board of Deacons.
TERMS OF THE POSITION
Remuneration for the position is $17.50 per hour, payable upon monthly submission of a detailed invoice for services rendered. It is anticipated that this will be between 25 and 35 hours per month.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca by Nov. 6.
6. Ministry and the Nominating Committee
Want to know something about the ministry of the Nominating Committee at BSBC? Then read on!!
BSBC provides many ministries to the church body and to the community. The work is carried out by Boards, Committees, and Teams that are approved by the church. The overall governance of the church is based on the Brunswick Street Baptist Church Constitution (available through the Church Office).
As general background, those nominated to serve on the Board of Management, and the Committees within the church must be members of BSBC. Those nominated to serve on the Teams within the church may be a member or an adherent of BSBC, subject to the condition that the majority of those on a Team are members of the church. Those nominated to serve on the Board of Deacons are selected by a Special Nominating Committee.
The terms of those serving on the Board of Management, Committees and Teams are presented on pages 37 to 39 in the 2022 Annual Report and the details related to the responsibilities of each position are presented in the Church Constitution dated February 22, 2023.
The Nominating Committee considers individuals for each position. Then the committee prayerfully considers all of the names brought forward for each position and selects the nominees after prioritizing the names for that position. The Nominating Committee reaches out to confirm interest with each nominee. With their approval, the name of the nominee for each position is presented to the Annual Church Business Meeting in February for approval.
Members of the Nominating Committee for selecting nominees for the year 2024 are: Doris Ashfield, Dale Bray, Mary Kaye, Heather McAllister, Ron McMullin, Keith Thompson, Stephen VanSlyke (Board of Deacons Representative), and Roger Kierstead (Board of Management Representative).
Blessings,
Your Nominating Committee
October 19, 2023
7. Reverend Ross Watters: Recap
The BSBC congregation were thrilled to share in the Ordination Service of Reverend Ross Watters on October 22, 2023. We welcomed Rev. Dr. Paul Beautyman, mentor to Pastor Ross, as our guest speaker. Dr. Beautyman reminded us that as Jesus moved through the field of ripe grain with his disciples, he was walking with them. Ross’s journey with us has just started and we will need to walk with him through the highs and lows as we continue on this journey with Ross and with Jesus as our guide.
We are so thankful for Julianne Moore and Denise Mersereau and the rest of the team that put this beautiful service together. The Call to Worship by Eden, Ariel, and Zion was priceless. Ross felt our love when the audience stood en masse to affirm his call.
The in-person assembly included people from our church family as well as members of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, Acadia Divinity College, and the York Association of Baptist Churches for an approximate total of 250 attendees. We were joined by 329 other friends and family who viewed this service on YouTube!
If you missed the service, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking the link below.
Congratulations Reverend Ross Watters!
8. Fredericton Youth Rally: Recap
On October 20, the city of Fredericton had its second annual Fredericton Youth Rally (FYR) and this year, it happened at BSBC! Youth from across the city – and as far away as Grand Bay! – joined us from 6 – 9 pm.
The youth enjoyed a bouncy castle, French fries, snow cones, popcorn, games, and so much more!
Our neighbours at the Lofts on York shared this picture with us:
Our games were led by Kade from Corbett Wesleyan and the pizza party prize was won by the youth group at the Chapel of Living Water. The grand prize winner of the Air Pod Pros was a youth from Faith Baptish Church.
Our musical guest this year was Jachin Israelson, a Christian Rap artist from the Fredericton area. His most recent album, Seasons, was released on October 20, 2023! You can find him on Spotify.
Our worship service was led by the worship team from Douglas Baptist:
We heard about Day One from Pastor Luke of Journey Wesleyan as our guest speaker. He shared the story of Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego at King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Each day was a new day for Daniel to pray to God and keep with his teaching.
The FYR, of course, was MCed by our own Pastor Nikki:
For more information, check out the Fredericton Youth Rally (FYR) Facebook page.
9. Mandarin Baptism
God always give us surprises – like the baptism on Sunday. It wasn’t on our schedule, but it was on God’s schedule.
10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10.
Let us share the joy with brother Hao Zhu and his family.
Blessings,
Pastor Changbin Tian
10. AED Awareness Training
You are invited to attend a demonstration of how to use our AED & a short review of the basics of CPR.
Dates: Sunday, November 12th - OR – Sunday, November 19th
Time: Right after church services for about 45 minutes
Place: Meet at the Connection Centre (then we will proceed to Kidz Town)
Thank you,
Roz Thompson & Cheryl Gibson
Parish Nurses
11. Invitation to Prayer
Hello, dear brothers and sisters. I am continuing to host a time of prayer in the sanctuary, daily, Monday to Friday till November 8th.
I know God answers prayer.
This is for anyone who would like to pray or to receive prayer ministry. Anyone can come for any amount of time in that daily 1.5 hr. period.
No pressure, but whosoever would like to come, please come!
Thank you,
Debbie Kierstead
12. Social Action Team Update
Thank you
Thank-you to everyone who donated financially or through nonperishable items to our Harvest for the Hungry collection for Thanksgiving. Thanks to your generous donations, the New Life cupboards are not nearly as bare, and we were able to also give many bags of groceries to our neighbours outside the church through the Greener Village Community foodbank. This year, we have raised $1,660.00 so far. Your donations help at a time when many are struggling to pay bills, put food on the table and afford necessities.
Clothing for Souaibou
Souaibou Bakari, the refugee Lori Wightman has been helping support on behalf of BSBC for the past year, is in need of some additional items in his wardrobe. We are looking for donations of good condition men's 32” waist pants, and medium long-sleeved shirts or sweaters for him. Donations of clothing in good condition can be dropped off to any member of the Social Action Team and we will make sure they get to him.
Winter Clothing Donations
UNB is having a Winter Clothing pick up for international students in need of warm clothing.
If you’re interested in donating, we are looking for clean and gently used winter items such as hats, toques, mittens, gloves, scarves, jackets & coats, boots, etc. They can be dropped off at the Student Union Building Ballroom on Tuesday, October 24 between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm. If you cannot arrange drop off at UNB during those hours, please leave them in the bin in the Connections Centre before 8:00 pm on Sunday, October 22, and someone from the Social Action Team will ensure they are dropped off during the on campus drop off time. UNB will have one full day of open house today, Wednesday, October 25 for students to drop in and pick up the items.
13. Street Ministry Update
Hello friends of our Sunday night street ministry,
We have great news that we would like to share with you.
For all of you out there who have so faithfully prayed for us, and supplied us with items like batteries, hand warmers, gloves, and hats, in addition to a generous and steady supply of magnificent home made muffins, water, and hot chocolate, you will be encouraged to know that we are not alone in making Sunday night life in the streets a little more bearable.
On two separate occasions this fall, two other great churches joined us in our ministry. After a potluck they had held, Serenity Free Will Baptist Church offered us two dozen packaged hot spaghetti dinners complete with fresh bread, knives and forks and, for the second year in a row, HopeCity Fredericton Church made a huge contribution of 35 winter coats and over 100 “emergency” kits, each containing socks, hats, and gloves, batteries, hand warmers, and soap to be given out once freezing weather is upon us.
All this is in addition to the year-round enormous help offered by the Fredericton Community Kitchen and Kim’s Kitchen in preparing ALL of the sandwiches and snacks that we distribute.
If you know anyone who attends either of the two congregations or helps in the community kitchens, please offer them our sincere gratitude for the blessings they have been to us and the generosity and encouragement they have shown our ministry.
… and keep up YOUR great work making this coming winter less bleak for those living rough in Fredericton.
Thank you,
The Street Ministry Team
Social Action Team
14. Weekly Financial Countdown — 10 Sundays Remaining
15. Programming for the Fall
If you would like more information on our Fall Programming, please click the link below.
16. Pastoral Care
Your Deacons want to affirm that BSBC is equipped to provide Pastoral Care. We are grateful for the engagement of Pastor Ross and Pastor Nikki, and we are blessed to have additional support from Rev. Kevin Culberson, the Baptist Chaplin at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital.
Here are some suggested approaches:
Hospitalizations
Your pastors will only know of hospitalizations if the church office or individual pastors are contacted directly
We’d appreciate you notifying the office if you know of the hospitalization of a member of the BSBC family
Critical Incident
If a pastor is needed in an emergency situation, between Monday to Friday, 8:30 am and 4 pm, please contact the church office
Outside of office hours, please contact a pastor directly
Bereavement
Pastor Ross and Rev. Kevin will be available to support families at a time of loss, to conduct funeral and committal services
Contact the church office during office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm
Outside of office hours, please contact a pastor directly
We have provided McAdams, Bishops, and York Funeral Homes with the contact information for both Pastor Ross and Rev. Kevin
If you are not a member of a bereaved family but know of a death within the BSBC family, please contact the church office to make sure your pastors are aware of the need
Contact Details
Church Office
506-458-8348
Pastor Ross Watters
506-282-3443
Pastor Nikki Leftley
506-282-1075
Rev. Kevin Culberson
506-260-6240
Denise Mersereau, Chair of Deacons
506-262-0197
Please pray for our pastoral care team as they seek to partner with you in caring for the BSBC family.
Your Board of Deacons
17. NextGen Ministry
Children @ BSBC
Scouting Boys Elementary, Aged 5-10 years: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm (Gym)
BSBC offers a scouting program for boys from kindergarten to Grade 5. Outdoor adventures, fun activities, and community service projects are used to teach boys how to live the great commission and to love God and our neighbours. Meetings will be held weekly in the church gym. For more information, please contact the church office at 458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca.
Sunday School: Sundays, 9:30 – 10:15 am
We welcome all of our youth and children to join us at 9:30 am! Please bring your children to their respective areas. There will be someone in the connection center to help direct you to the correct location. Please remember to pick up your children from their classrooms at 10:15 am. Our children will be joining us in our worship services until 10:45 am.
Youth @ BSBC
YOUTH GROUP: Sunday Evenings 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Youth group will be happening on Sunday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm with doors open at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary. The new format will run both high school and middle school youth in simultaneous and separate events.
Middle schoolers will remain in the sanctuary for their large theme event from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. We will branch out to the gym and fellowship hall or other areas in the church as necessary. At 7:30 pm, the middle school youth will move to the assembly area, 3rd floor, FLC for a chat and devotional from 7:30 – 8 pm, moving into a hangout time from 8 – 8:30 pm. The youth group evening will end at 8:30 pm when parents pick up their youth.
High schoolers will be in the assembly area, 3rd floor, FLC from 6:30 – 7 pm for a hangout time and moving into a chat and devotional from 7 – 7:30 pm. The high school youth will move to the sanctuary, gym, or fellowship hall for their large theme event from 7:30 – 8:30 pm. The youth group evening will end at 8:30 pm when parents pick up their youth.
Youth Bible Study: Tonight Wednesday, 6:30 – 8 pm (Third floor)
Tonight, we will be chatting about our next series that we will be doing as a youth Bible study group. Youth grades 6 – 12 are welcome to join Carol Reimer for Bible study tonight from 6:30 – 8 pm. Even if you did not come last week, you are welcome to come this week, all are welcome! For more information, please reach out to Pastor Nikki at youth.bsbc.nb@gmail.com.
Greenhouse Band/Youth Choir: Wednesdays, 6 pm (Barnabas Center)
If you are a middle school or high school student interested in learning to sing or play instruments at our monthly Greenhouse Services and/or special events in the Gym and Sanctuary, rehearsal times are from 6 – 6:30 pm. No previous experience necessary in order to join! Please contact Julianne Moore, julianne.d.moore@gmail.com, text (506) 261-0876.
Youth Greenhouse Service: Sunday, October 29, 10:30am (Barnabas Center)
October 29th is our first youth Greenhouse Service of this school year! This is where our youth all come together in our Barnabas Center for a youth-led/youth-run worship service! If your youth would like to volunteer, please reach out to Pastor Nikki at youth.bsbc.nb@gmail.com. We would love to have students greeting, reading scripture, leading prayer time, leading our front icebreaker game, leading worship, and other areas. This is a place for all of our youth to use their gifts and talents! We can not wait to see our youth for this worship time together. Remember to wear your new Tie Dye shirt that we made on September 17! If you were unable to join us for our tie dye event, wear a bright shirt you already have! For more information, please reach out to Pastor Nikki.
Trunk or Treat: Sunday, October 29, 4 pm
Trunk or Treat is back on Sunday, October 29th for our 3rd annual event! We would love for our high schoolers & middle schoolers to get involved with this event. We are also looking for volunteers who will RSVP and decorate their cars as stations for giving out treats. If you and your family are willing to decorate and have your car in this event, please contact Pastor Nikki by email at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca to register your vehicle and get some ideas on how you and your family can decorate your vehicle. If you prefer to have a lower profile, we are also looking for donations of treats to be passed out to all our visitors. If you have any questions or to register your youth and your car, please email Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Youth Group for Trunk or Treat: Sunday, October 29, 5:30 – 7 pm
Youth from grade 6 – 12 are invited to a pizza party for our blended youth group at 5:30 pm on our Trunk or Treat Sunday. Come dressed in your favourite costume for a night of candy, food, games, and fellowship. For more information, please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Friends Are Us Puppets: Will Resume Late November
Have you ever wondered how a puppet show gets made? All middle and high school youth are invited to join Chris Graves for an hour of fun and fellowship while using our puppets.
18. Fresh Start Young Adults Group
Our Young Adults ministry, Fresh Start, continues to meet on Tuesday nights from 7 - 9 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Family Life Center. Come along for snacks and social time followed by a Bible study. We would love to see you there!
Please contact Pastor Ross ross@bsbc.nb.ca for details.
19. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: Oct. 29
This Sunday, our worship music leaders in the gym will be Sarah Hoyt and Mark McAllister who will be joined by their team. Pastor Keith writes: This past Sunday night at the Ordination Service of Pastor Ross, our special guest speaker Dr. Paul Beautyman emphasized the importance of long term "covenantal faithfulness." As it turns out, this story includes the theme in Luke 16. We had planned to study this passage a couple of years ago, but it didn't quite work out, so this Sunday in "The Gym" we will explore what it means to include the Kingdom of God in all aspects of our messy lives and our wonderfully messy church!
In the sanctuary, our worship team will be led by Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves with special music from the Ladies Choir. Reverend Ross Watters will be starting a new series on Growing Young. Today will be the first message on this topic.
Whether in-person or online, be sure to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.
20. Community Events
Newcomer Community Gathering
David Coons invites you to a Newcomer Community Gathering hosted by your MLA with your city councillor on November 9 @ 7 pm with Cassandra LeBlanc at Stepping Stones Seniors Center, 15 Saunders Street.
Dance Fredericton Danse Inc
Dance Fredericton Danse Inc, a nonprofit organization, is accepting donations of outerwear which can pass for Victorian Era garments for use in their Nutcracker ballet.
What: Adult and youth sizes, male and female. Wool peacoats, fur coats, velvet/velour or corduroy. No down coats or modern looking materials please.
Where: Items can be dropped off at the Dance Fredericton studio at 20 York Street (door off of the back parking lot of the Justice building, near the blue storage container)
When: Sat Nov 3 or Sat Nov 11 from 3 - 4:30 pm
21. This Week at BSBC
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre
Wednesday, Oct. 25
10:00 Senior’s Exercise (Gym)
10:00 Mandarin New Life Bible Study (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
12:30 Invitation to Prayer (Sanctuary)
5:30 Church Family Potluck (Main Kitchen, Gym Building and Gym)
6:00 Greenhouse Band/Youth Choir (Barnabas Center)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
6:30 Scouting Boys K-Grade 5 (Gym)
6:45 Fall Business Meeting (Sanctuary)
Thursday, Oct. 26
7:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Gym/Main Kitchen)
7:00 Women’s Prayer Breakfast (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
9:00 Benevolent Ministries (Gym Building)
9:00 Days for Girls (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
9:30 New Life Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
12:30 Invitation to Prayer (Sanctuary)
1:30 Book of John Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
6:30 Case for Christ Ladies Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
6:30 GriefShare (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
6:30 Choir/Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
Friday, Oct. 27
10:00 Senior’s Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
12:30 Invitation to Prayer (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (KidzTown, 2nd Floor FLC & Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 Parent Supervised Youth Hang-Out (Gym & 3rd Floor, FLC)
Saturday, Oct. 28
10:00 Gym Set-Up (Gym)
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, Oct. 29
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:00 Asian Sunday School (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:30 Together in Prayer (Counselling Centre, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:30 Child/Youth Sunday School (Various Rooms, FLC)
9:30 Adult Coffee Time (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Service (Gym)
10:30 Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
10:50 Preschool Classes (Nursery & Preschool Area, 1st Floor, FLC)
10:50 KidzTown Classes (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
11:30 Library Open After Services (Connection Center)
1:00 Mandarin Gathering (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Youth Groups (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC & Gym)
Monday, Oct. 30
7:30 Daniel Plan (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
10:00 Senior’s Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
Tuesday, Oct. 31
10:00 Pastoral/Planning Meeting (Admin Office)
11:15 Staff Meeting (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
12:00 Quilter’s Lunch (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
1:30 Quilter’s for Missions (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
6:30 Sports Friends (Gym)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start Young Adult Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Wednesday, Nov. 1
10:00 Senior’s Exercise (Gym)
10:00 Mandarin New Life Bible Study (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Church Family Potluck (Main Kitchen, Gym Building and Gym)
6:00 Greenhouse Band/Youth Choir (Barnabas Center)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
6:30 Library Committee Meeting (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Scouting Boys K-Grade 5 (Gym)
6:30 Choir/Ensemble Rehearsal (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)