Main Service

SCC is a contemporary church located in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. Services are held on Sunday mornings. There are also various groups or events at different times throughout most weeks.

Sunday services are informal. Everyone is welcome. Our most regular teachers are Peter Fitch and Walter Thiessen but quite a few men and women share their thoughts from time to time. Some messages seem serious and are touching; others are light-hearted and fun. There are usually questions or comments and, at times, banter from the rest of the crowd.

At the end of most services there are opportunities to sing, pray, or chat.

Celtic Service

Sunday mornings, upstairs in the café
9:15 am: coffee/tea and muffins
9:30 am: Celtic liturgy (40 minutes)
(last Sunday of the month, we are meeting only by Zoom. Join our Facebook group for info or email Walter Thiessen (waltert@nb.sympatico.ca)

Since 2007, a smaller, early service has been meeting in a style we refer to as Celtic – mostly because we identify with this tradition’s valuing of the informal use of liturgy.

We alternate between two liturgies that draw on our own creativity as well as Celtic communities like Iona and Northumbria, modeled on a contemplative approach that engages positively with culture. We hope the liturgy can create a beautiful and consistent framework that will allow the meaning of the words to soak into us as we grow more and more familiar with them over time. Within the form created by the liturgy, there are moments for sharing reflections on the weekly readings and shared prayers for others.

After the service, people often linger and chat around the tables in the cafe reflecting on their week or thoughts from the service. Everyone is welcome!

SCC Kids

Over the last 18 months, very little has been possible for families and kids at SCC. We’ve certainly felt this loss in the ways we’ve been able to gather throughout the pandemic. While we know that Covid isn’t behind us, we are grateful the Province has been able to reach it’s vaccine goals, allowing restrictions to be lifted. This made it possible to gather with kids for an Art Club over the summer months, (so FUN!) and to begin to dream a little about what we can offer families this fall.
Beginning this Sunday, we’ll be returning to our pre-covid Sunday School model for children and youth. This means kids will remain downstairs for the music time, and will be invited upstairs just after announcements have been made. This fall, our time upstairs will be focused on building connections. (i.e. getting to know each other!) Stories, art projects, and games will centre around sharing who we are –what makes each of us uniquely ‘us’, and celebrating this together.
I’m looking forward to this new season, and to getting to know the children in our community even more.
If you’re interested in participating in any way, please reach out. I’d certainly love the company! Email tojesswilliams@gmail.com

SCC Youth

I had such a fun time popping around your backyards with the youth over the summer (I hope they did too). Thank you so much to all who offered their time and space to spend with us! It was a real treat!

Heading into the fall we’ll be switching our gatherings to Sunday mornings at the church. During my piano teaching season my evenings are unavailable, but hopefully we’ll do some weekend evenings here or there too. BUT our regular weekly gathering will be Sunday AMs at SCC during the service, beginning THIS Sunday. Kids and youth will gather downstairs with everyone for the music time and announcements. After which we’ll head up stairs to the youth room to do our own thing.

I hope to foster a fun and safe space for these pre-teens and teens to explore who they are individually and together. And take a crack at learning how to navigate this thing called life…in an open minded and approachable manner, with kindness and humility for others and ourselves. I hope these teens can find even a glimpse of their own self-empowerment and how to use their voice and Beings to participate in creating a safer and more inclusive community and world around them.

Victoria Street Community Garden

In 2012, we decided to start a community garden. We named it the Victoria Street Community Garden to help ensure it would be a welcoming place for everyone in the community, not just those from SCC. With the help of some grants and lots of hard work from volunteer work parties over the years, we’ve added raised beds, a garden shed, trellises, and a high-tech rain collector from the church roof!

 “Garden beds available – come join us!”

The garden has a perennial border to face the street and eight beds dedicated to grow food for the local food bank. If you’d like to adopt one of the food bank beds (care for it through the growing season), please email vicstreetgarden@gmail.com.

You can also get a better sense of the garden by checking out our Welcome Packet 2021. Or join our Facebook group .

Prayer and Healing Team

Where?

At the Victoria Street Centre, at home, or somewhere else.

Purpose

The purpose of the prayer and healing team is to provide people support, compassion, and a safe place to seek something from God, whether it is healing or otherwise.

What to expect

  • To be listened to by caring people who will offer prayers
  • Two team members will be present, at a minimum
  • What you share is confidential unless there is an indication of danger to self or others
  • To be asked how you would like to be prayed for

 What not to expect

  • Counselling on personal issues
  • Pressure to contrive a spiritual experience
  • Long religious prayers
  • Guarantees on the result you seek
  • Advice contrary to medical professionals

How to meet with the Healing & Prayer team?

  • Email alexander.r.henderson@gmail.com or call Alex at 506-321-1884 to set up a prayer time.
  • Interested in helping the for now ‘virtual’ prayer room? Contact Alex

***This group is on hold until the Gorries return from travels in October. Looking forward to some great fall walks!

We have started an all-ages group for a variety of Sunday walks. It’s an opportunity to walk, chat and visit.  We will post the hike info each week in the Friday E-News and on the Events page. If anyone needs a ride, let us know and we will arrange to pick you up.
Please email Dave or Marion Gorrie (davegorrie05@gmail.com or gorriemarion51@gmail.com) on Sunday morning if you are coming. You can also text Dave at 306 570 9671 or Marion at 306 533 0426.
Come when you can. No need to bring anything other than something to drink and maybe a snack.

 

Hike Options:

Ganong Nature Park

The McAdam Trail by the train station

St. Stephen Cemetery

New River Beach Trail

Chance Harbour Walk

Black Sand Beach Trail (near Lorneville)

The VanHorne Trail in St. Andrew

Ministers Island Trail

Sam Orr’s Pond

Paddy Falls

Elm Park

The River Walk in St. Stephen

The Trail by the Axe Factor or the Animal Shelter.

 

Other suggestions are welcome.

The Gathering

**on hold due to Covid restrictions.

The Gathering is a ministry of SCC. Every month on the 3rd Saturday, a group meets to prepare and celebrate a meal together. During this time, a store is run upstairs and the proceeds go to the Food Bank in St. Stephen.

The Gathering is centred around 4 values: friends, faith, food and fun.To learn more about what’s happening and how you can be involved please talk to Geordie or Kathy Hull or email or contact Peter or Mary Ellen Fitch (506-466-5725). Also you can check us out on Facebook under “The Gathering”!

Helpers are always welcome and needed! You can help with set up/ clean up, cooking, or just hang out and have conversation and enjoy people.

Thanks to all who donate gently used clothing and household items to the Gathering Store.  If you, or someone you know has a need for these items, please contact us and we’ll try to hook you up!