One mid-September morning, Rev’d Shirley Noseworthy quoted the Gospel of Mark, which inspired the most fitting theme for this article, tying together the past several weeks in the Parish of Upper Island Cove. Referring to the act of responding to the call to serve in the community of faith she read from the Gospel of Mark: “Anyone wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Life in the parish has been full and vibrant with many receptive to hearing the call to serve and finding ways to serve the community, together.
Beginning with early August, the ministry team of Vacation Bible School (VBS) invited the children of the parish to explore beaches and coves of Upper Island Cove and Bryant’s Cove to first search for Jesus, move to develop an understanding of God’s love and appreciation for their uniqueness, and to finally, be invited to rest in the safety of God’s protection throughout the stillness and storms of life. Each lesson was brought to life through art, story and song, and in the context of the fellowship of children. One inspiring feature of this VBS program was a centring prayer the children learned throughout the duration of the program, which is now used during Sunday School to empower them to be in stillness and connect to God’s presence and love within themselves.
September brought much vitality to the parish and the relationships it shares within its communities. Firstly, on September 15th, St. Peter’s Church in Upper Island Cove was filled with people in attendance to support The Rev’d Aubrey Young in his ordination to the sacred priesthood. Bishop Sam Rose, clergy from all over St. John’s/Metro/Conception Bay North, vestry members across the parish, many parishioners from St. Andrews, St. John the Evangelist, St. Peter’s were in attendance. Representatives from The C.L.B. on Regimental, Battalion and Company levels were present to support Rev’d Aubrey, who grew up through the ranks of The C.L.B., starting off as a youth member, and going on to become the Commanding Officer of #4547 Upper Island Cove Co. He currently “Fights the Good Fight” as the Chaplain of Trinity Conception Battalion. Additional ministry of music was provided by St. Peter’s Church choir and the A.C.A.A. Band. It was a joyous and moving evening with a sermon from Canon John Courage, former minister at and friend of St. Peter’s Church. The service was followed by a reception and fellowship, supported by the vestry team of St. Peter’s Church and many helpful parishioners, called to serve by offering their helping hands of support.
On September 22nd, the very evening Rev’d Noseworthy held her inspiring Sunday morning church service with her message of the transformative power of Living Faith through a wiliness to serve, she herself was served in-kind by virtue of her induction service to St. Peter’s Church. Once again, Bishop Sam was in attendance, delivering a powerful message in his sermon about the unity of Christ in the context of inclusivity and diversity, and by committing to be of service for all. St. Peter’s Church was filled again with vestry members across the parish, and representatives from the C.L.B. on a personal, company level were there to proudly support Rev’d Shirley who gives her unwavering support to this youth organization. Music ministry was once more provided in part by St. Peter’s Church Choir and the A.C.A.A. Band. Standing out as a most special part of this service, however, was music ministry provided by Rev’d Shirley herself, accompanied by her family.
Clergy and congregation remained deeply moved by this moving performance, making meaningful, this celebration of the many gifts Rev’d Shirley willingly gives in service to the parish of Upper Island Cove. Following this service a reception followed, supported by vestry members and many supportive parishioners to celebrate this new ministry—and Rev’d Shirley’s birthday, what a blessing!
Just one week later, the aptly named “Annual Goods Services and Talents” (GST) parish fundraiser came to an exciting, and successful, end. In its second year, the fundraiser, facilitated by a special committee in the parish, raises money for the church via an online auction of goods and services donated to the parish by local individuals and businesses.
The other piece of the fundraiser includes a dinner theatre, and is held at the Upper Island Cove Community Centre. This year’s dinner theatre was a hot turkey supper and variety show performed by a large crew of community volunteers who willingly served goods, services, and as was most evident on this evening, incredible talents. A comedic play—rife with unique idioms and dialects from Upper Island Cove and area—written, directed and performed by community volunteers was delivered in several acts; each act was followed by a musical intermission from a second large crew of talented community musicians. One remarkable feature of the evening, besides the evident countless hours of hard work that went into this event, was the large-scale teamwork behind it. Dozens of people volunteered from youth to elderly and all ages inbetween, to set up, act, sing, play an instrument, make or serve a supper. A large audience of 250 people was heard laughing and cheering throughout the evening together. A parish and its communities celebrated such a herculean effort together. At the end of the evening, people from the audience got up and cleaned up together. A willingness to serve, support each other and grow in relationship together through fellowship is what scripture translated into daily life looks like. Many people that night were people who you might see in St. Peter’s or St. Andrew’s on a Sunday morning, and yet, some you would not. But from a spiritual point of view, some might say we were all there in church that evening as a community, all in service together, all held together in the unity and love of Christ.
