Holy Trinity Church, New Maryland

Parish News – Sunday, June 14, 2020 2nd Sunday of Pentecost

Dear Friends,

It was truly wonderful to gather for worship last Sunday. The Wardens, Cheryll & Steve, prepared the church according the guidelines and we all followed the directions and answered the questions, kept our distance and washed our hands. It was happy to be together. 43 people gathered for worship. We are OPEN AGAIN! Praise the Lord! We also held our first Wednesday Communion service at 6:30. This smaller gathering provides another opportunity for people to worship and to receive their communion. Please consider attending this service, especially if you are concerned about being around larger numbers of people. Six people gathered this past week. This coming Sunday, Dr. Noble has prepared the choir to sit at a distance and to offer three hymns. Congregational hymns are not encouraged at the moment but choir/soloists, keeping an extra distance are able to sing. We shall enjoy their contribution to our worship. It is a step in the right direction. Hope to see you Sunday!

Canon Albert Kathleen McCombe Our hearts go out to the family of Kathleen upon her passing a week ago. We especially want to pray for sons Simon and Padraic. Because of travel restrictions funeral arrangements have been delayed. I have copied the lovely obituary for our newsletter to help us remember and give thanks for her wonderful life.

Kathleen Edith (nee Lewis) McCombe 1943-2020

Kathleen McCombe, aged 76, beloved wife of the late Rev. George Albert Stephen McCombe, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2020 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in , N.B. after a brief illness. Kathleen was born in Tatworth, Somerset, England on August 25, 1943 to the late Alice Mary (Puddy) and Charles Frederick Nugent Lewis. She came to with her family in 1946, and grew up on the West Side of Saint John, N.B. Following her graduation from Saint John Vocational School she worked in a pediatric clinic and for Warner Brothers films. In 1966, Kathleen responded to a letter written to her family by Rev. McCombe, then a newly minted Anglican minister, who had emigrated from Liverpool to take an assignment in Saskatchewan. He knew no one in Canada but a mutual family friend in England (knowing nothing of the distances between places in Canada), suggested that he write to the Lewis family in . Kathleen and Stephen struck up a correspondence which turned into a life-long romance, including a marriage proposal by mail after they finally met in 1967. Embracing her new role, Kathleen became the quintessential minister’s wife and took great pride in the partnership she and Stephen had serving the members of their parishes in Maidstone Saskatchewan, Fredericton, , and while they raised their boys. They retired to New Maryland in 1991 and later to Fredericton, where Stephen studied for a degree in Classics and Kathleen audited some of the same university courses. Kathleen and Stephen had a wonderful marriage. They joyfully finished each other’s sentences for 47 years until Stephen’s death in 2015. An artist with any kind of needle, Kathleen always had a project on the go creating something beautiful for her family, a parishioner, or a church sale. Many babies have napped under her lovely blankets and quilts or been bundled up into cozy sweaters, mittens or pretty dresses that she made with love. She was a superb cook and baker, and "Nana’s baking squares" are legend among her grandchildren’s friends. A life-long learner, Kathleen was a talented and keen amateur genealogist and historian who traced the history of her family back as far as the mid-1500’s. As keeper of the family records, she documented many stories for her children and grandsons to pass down to generations. Kathleen was a loving mother to her sons and her daughter-in-law, an adoring "Nana" to her grandsons, a wonderful sister and a lovely aunt. She delighted in her family and never forgot to mark an occasion for any of us. Kathleen is survived by her sons, Dr. Padraic McCombe of Fort McMurray (Judge Stephanie Cleary) and Simon McCombe of Fredericton, grandsons James and George McCombe, sister Avis (the late William) Booth (nee Lewis) and brother Edward Lewis (Linda) of Saint John, and nieces Melissa Connor (Stephen) of and Sarah Foye (Darcy) of Halifax. A service celebrating Kathleen’s life will be held at a date in the future. Donations in memory of Kathleen may be made to the New Brunswick SPCA at PO Box 1412, Fredericton, NB E3B 5E3 www.frederictonspca.ca.

Church at Home or On-Line Not everyone is comfortable returning to church. People will health issues are understandably hesitant. There is no cure or treatment for this virus and we need to continue to be careful and vigilant. We understand if people decide not to join us for worship. It is hard to know what Parishes are going to continue to offer on-line services. Many sites have been very popular and some of our clergy have become YouTube stars! I have been providing Home Prayer Services and would appreciate hearing from those who would like to continue to receive this. The Parish of Fredericton is planning to continue their YouTube service available through the YouTube link at CCPC Fredericton. We will continue to send out weekly Parish News as church bulletins are discouraged at the moment. We want to keep in touch, and we want to help people in their prayer and devotion to our Lord. Please let us know what is helpful and needed.

Mid-Week Communion Service Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Beginning June 10th

Some notes from the June 10 Vestry Meeting * we thought the fencing around St. Mary’s cemetery was complete, but upon closer investigation there is still work to be done. It looks better, but it will look even better when complete * our parish qualified for the Federal Government Wage Subsidy Program. We applied for this through the Diocese and received a cheque for $5,537 in May * Canon Albert will be leading the service at St. Mark’s, King’s Landing on Sunday, July 5 at 3 pm. In past years he could invite parishioners to enter the park (for free) if they were going to the service. This feature is not available this year * The popular and unique Author’s Coffee House is planning to resume in the fall. Heather Browne is scheduled for September 24, reading from her book A Moose in the Dark. Neil Sampson will be with us November 26 to read from Apples on the Nashwaak, a history of Irish settlement in the area * The New Maryland Heritage Association has made application to the Provincial government for funding to develop a Restoration Plan for St. Mary’s Church * Vestry spent some time discussing what church life will be like in the fall. We are hoping for some easing of restrictions, but we are aware that until a vaccine is developed we are going to be living with limitations. If anyone in the congregation has thoughts/suggestions of how we can provide meaningful ministry and mission, please speak with the Wardens or Canon Albert * the Parish financial reports were very encouraging. Our envelope offering to the end of May was very close to the offerings for the same time period in 2019. The congregation is to be thanked for their faithfulness and financial support of the Parish despite the interruption of worship services. Thank you for remembering the financial needs and commitments of the Parish

Happy News to Share The Hayward family continues to grow! On June 4th Michael James & Stephanie welcomed Jackson James into their family. The little fellow has two older sisters Abigail and Gracelyn to show him the way. Of course, grandparents Michael and Carol have lots of love for the whole clan. God Bless this little one with joy and happiness.

Together, but distancing!

Late Breaking News Since our Vestry meeting on Wednesday evening, we received news that the New Maryland Heritage Association received the applied for Provincial funding to assist in a Restoration Plan for St. Mary The Virgin Church. The plan will be done by Heritage Standing Inc. The letter of approval reads “this funding will assist with undertaking a building condition report/conservation plan. The Report will identify issues with the building in addition to providing recommendations for future interventions. The long-term objective is to ensure the building’s continued usage in addition to the heritage value”. We offer our congratulations to the members of the NM Heritage Association in achieving this significant funding and wish them continued success in their efforts to preserve St. Mary’s.

Scripture Readings for Next Sunday – Pentecost 3 Genesis 21: 8 – 21 Psalm 86: 1 – 10, 16 – 17 Romans 6: 1b – 11 Matthew 10: 24 - 39