In eastern Cannada, nestled among the trees and mountains of New Brunswick, is a friendly, bustling farming community called Sussex. Sussex serves a population of about 35,000 people and is situated roughly in the center of three larger cities: Fredericton, Moncton, and St. John. All of these cities have major universities, which cater to a wide range of career choices. Each city has something special to offer in its own way, a heritage to share.
About 40 minutes from Sussex is the beautiful and picturesque Fundy National Park, along the Bay of Fundy, and for those who enjoy hiking, there are many designated and well-mapped trails for both young and old to enjoy.
In this beautiful town is an ecclesia that consists of 23 local members and 5 non-resident, with several speaking brethren. In 1973, Bro. Cliff Baines offered his services as a missionary. Later that year Bro. Cliff and his wife, Sis. Julia, along with their two young children, moved to Moncton. Later on they learned of a Bible class being run in the Sussex area by Bro. Al and Sis. Marlene Briggs. This Bible class was catering to the needs of about four interested friends.
In 1975, Cliff and Julia moved to Sussex to help with this small light stand and they have been living here ever since. In 1980, Sussex appealed to Great Lakes ASK for a study-day speaker for a study day in April of that year. This ASK-supported study still continues and the ecclesia now supports, on its own, a Thanksgiving gathering in October every year.
Sussex now has its own ecclesial hall, which can seat some 80 people. There is a quiet room at the rear of the hall and an additional building across the parking lot. The hall is being put to good use with weekly Sunday school and Memorial meeting, Monday-night choral sing, Tuesday-night Bible class, Wednesday-night seminar follow up and different functions for the wide range of ages of our young people.
The ecclesia continues to try different preaching efforts and has presented the “Learn to Read Your Bible Effectively” seminar several times. With the instructional guidance of the seminars, the ecclesia has had three baptisms and the prospects of more to come.
One thing the ecclesia lacks is another large ecclesia with which to share fellowship. The nearest large ecclesia is 500 miles away in Boston, and the next largest Canadian ecclesia is Toronto, 1000 miles away, which is the same distance from St. John’s, Newfoundland. In between the April study weekend and the Thanksgiving gathering, members of the ecclesia travel hundreds and thousands of miles to share fellowship with other brethren and sisters.
The brethren and sisters in this area have warm hearts and fantastic hugs. They are always willing to open their homes for brethren and sisters passing through. The ecclesia would appreciate any willing brother stopping by or passing through the area to give an exhortation or Bible class. Any brethren and sisters on holiday who need a place to stay with warm fellowship, please feel free to contact any of the members.
Following is our ecclesial schedule: Sunday, 9:45, Sunday school; 11, Memorial meeting (Summer months 10 a.m.); Monday, 7 p.m., choral ; Tuesday, 7 p.m., Bible class; Wednesday, 7 p.m., seminar follow up; Friday, CYC.
Recording Brother: Bro. Philip Baines (506) 433-5197 e- mail: upandaj @Ai uno.com
See the Christadelphian Directory etc., August, 1999, Eastern Canada, for further information.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One