THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
SCRIPTURE READINGS
John 3:1-5, 10; Psalms 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20
TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts
Shirley, Jason, Archdeacon Pat, Reverend Dr. Caroline Ducros, Gordon, Gregory and all who minister at St John's; The Reverend Canon Gary van der Meer and the community of St Anne's in Toronto.

Our Diocese
St. Paul’s, Hazeldean-Kanata and their priest The Reverend Stephen Silverthorne.
The Postulants of our diocese: Bob Albert, Jordan Sandrock & Claire Bramma.
Faith Lutheran Church and their pastor Martin Malina.

Our Companion Diocese in Jerusalem & the Middle East
Archbishop Suheil Dawani, and their Coadjutor Bishop, The Right Reverend Dr. Hosam Naoum.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Most Rev. David Edwards, Metropolitan, and the people and clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)
The dean, council, and congregations of the Atlantic and Montreal Areas of the Eastern Synod.

Parish Prayer Group
If you wish to have someone prayed for, please call (613) 232-4500 ext 21 or send an email to prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.
STAY CONNECTED
THIS WEEK'S MESSAGE FROM
PAT AND GORDON

JOIN US ONLINE
SUNDAY SERVICE

The Third Sunday
After The Epiphany
Sunday, January 24 at 9:30am

Join us here at St John's for online worship this Sunday. There is something magical about being able to greet one another in the chat bar while we worship together virtually from the comfort of our own homes. Enjoy the service live at 9:30am, or watch it later at your convenience.
SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
Sunday January 24, 2021
Following the online service, there will be a Zoom "coffee hour", a time 
to check in with each other and share thoughts and feelings.

To join the Zoom:
PARISH COFFEE HOUR

Wednesdays
10am, via Zoom

We welcome anyone and everyone to join our Interim Rector Pat Johnston for virtual coffee and conversation on Wednesdays.

Mark your calendars and on the day "zoom in" at this link at 10 am to catch up with parish friends both new and old.

ps: If you don't have computer access and would like to join this coffee hour call the Church Office and we can provide you with instructions on how to access via telephone.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUSPENDED
BEGINNING DECEMBER 27, 2020

Due to a province-wide lockdown, In-Person Worship was suspended beginning December 27, 2020. We have moved to an Online Worship format. See the link above or visit our YouTube Channel to watch our services online.
AN EVENING TO ENJOY BISHOP CURRY'S BOOK TOGETHER

Quite a number of parishioners have read Bishop Curry’s book: Love is the Way. We will meet this Wednesday evening at 7 pm to discuss this engaging read. No need to sign up, just come along.

Bring your favourite beverage and join us on Wednesday by using the link below.



TAKE NOTE
DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY PANEL
Brian Cameron, Chair


Bishop Shane Parker has identified improving communications as strategic priority one for the Diocese of Ottawa. To address this priority, he appointed a Communications Advisory Panel in May 2020, and tasked it with developing a strategic communications plan for the diocese. In addition, the panel is to provide advice and guidance on an ongoing basis to the bishop and diocesan staff to help advance the goals of the strategic plan. St John’s parishioner Brian Cameron chairs the panel. The panel completed a three-year strategic plan in December 2020, including an action plan that identifies the top priorities for improving communications. Diocesan staff have already started work on these priorities, including building a new, user-friendly web site, and developing a common look and consistent messaging for all diocesan communications channels.

Congratulations, Brian!

*Note: In last week's TWSJ we noted that Ann Chaplin has begun a ministry as Lay Secretary to the diocesan Synod. In error we said she was appointed to this. In our diocese this position is an elected one, and members of diocesan council elected Ann to serve in this way. Congratulations, Ann!
FAKE EMAIL REQUESTS

There have been several reports this week of fake emails that appear to come from clergy in the Diocese of Ottawa requesting help of various kinds. Often these ask for the purchase of gift cards to help with pastoral matters. Please do not fall prey to these scams! If you think a request might be legitimate, first call the clergy member and be certain you have the right person. It would be highly unusual for clergy to ask for your help in this way.
THE THOUSAND DOVES PROJECT

Building on 40 years of experience, our diocesan refugee ministry has been able to support hundreds of the world's most vulnerable people to have a new beginning in the Ottawa region. Together, we can do even more to help our global neighbours who are forced to seek a safe place to rebuild their lives.

With your help, the people of the Diocese will celebrate and support this work by creating 1,000 paper doves and, beginning on Pentecost Sunday, spreading their wings of hope above the nave of Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa.

This will be a unique art installation celebrating the contribution of refugees in our communities, raising awareness of the need for refugee sponsorship, and enhancing our capacity to engage in this life-giving ministry.

BE PART OF THE THOUSAND DOVES PROJECT BY FOLLOWING THESE 5 EASY STEPS!

Step #1: Register your willingness to make paper doves and collect pledges for the refugee ministry, at thousanddoves@ottawa.anglican.ca.

Step #2: Collect pledges from family, friends, and other sponsors for your doves. Visit online donation form.

Step #3: Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your doves Video, how to make a paper dove (you can use any white paper, but larger squares make bigger doves).

Step #4: Bring your doves to one of our church drop-off locations by May (you will receive detailed information on the process for collecting the doves).

Step #5: See your doves as part of the flock of a thousand at Christ Church Cathedral! You will receive information on the May 23 livestream "reveal", and how to view the installation safely in person.

THANK YOU FOR SPREADING WINGS OF HOPE IN SUPPORT OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF OTTAWA'S REFUGEE MINISTRY. For more information please visit the following link.

PARISH ADMINISTRATION AT ST JOHN'S

In the interim time between Laura's departure and the arrival of our new incumbent Gary van der Meer, Corporation has decided not to hire a new Parish Administrator. Instead, we will cover the many activities that Laura Macdonald handled in a number of ways.

Firstly, our music director Gordon and Cara Gilbertson will manage parish communications (Sunday bulletins, This Week at St John's e-newsletter and the website).

Secondly, a roster of volunteers comprising Vicki Robinson, Emmy Verdun and Bea Robertson will cover most of the day-to-day administration tasks including handling correspondence such as email, regular mail, phone messages, etc., procuring church supplies, coordinating activities of various church groups, and so on.

Finally, Ted Reeves, a member of our newly established Property & Building Committee will look after rentals. Many thanks go to all those who have agreed to help out.

Corporation believes that this arrangement will carry us through until such time as Gary is here with us at St John's and we can work together to develop a long-term plan for the various activities related to parish administration at St John's.

THE WELL, ST LUKE'S TABLE & CENTRE 454
NEED YOUR HELP!
Ottawa has witnessed huge upheaval because of the effects of COVID-19. Despite the added challenges and increased numbers of people seeking services, we have remained true to our mission of supporting our homeless and vulnerably housed people. 
We continue to provide food, respite from the street, access to showers and washrooms, and referrals to housing and health services, connecting people so they feel safe and supported. The emotional toll for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed is overwhelming. Many people have found it unbearable and their mental health has deteriorated.
Our outreach proved invaluable during Ottawa's lockdown. When services could not be offered indoors, we took our programs outside: on the street, at rooming houses, or in City respite facilities.  
We remain concerned about the increased costs we are facing due to COVID-19 and our outreach programs still urgently need additional funds. As the festive season approaches, we know many of you are looking for meaningful ways to help those in need.
Please support our Year-end Appeal by making a donation online or by mailing a cheque payable to The Well or St. Luke's Table or Centre 454 referencing Year-end Appeal.
Thank you for your generous and continued support! 
DONATE NOW
ONLINE RESOURCES
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEXT SUNDAY - JAN 31
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalms 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
ANGLICAN CHURCH

 154 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K2P 0H8
613-232-4500
office@stjohnsottawa.ca

The Venerable Pat Johnston, Interim Priest-In-Charge
The Reverend Dr Caroline Ducros, Deacon 
The Reverend Michael Hicks, Honourary Assistant Emeritus
Dr Gordon Johnston, FRCCO, Organist and Choirmaster  
Detlef Dransch, Rector’s Warden 
Stephen Giles, People's Warden