St John's Newsletter

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

This year it has been widely publicized that the calendars of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam converge. We are all celebrating our sacred observances at the same time. It has been suggested that this makes it an ideal time to make joint statements of solidarity. I went to one such occasion this week – a protest on behalf of the Uyghurs (who are Muslim) across the road from the Chinese embassy. The organizer, Philip Kretzmar, a member of Kehillat Beth Israel (the Conservative synagogue of Ottawa), was hoping for such a shared witness. I went and I stood with them, though mostly I prefer to express solidarity in other ways. Yes, there were representatives of our three traditions but their number was small. We are all busy!

As you may have already seen, our solidarity is expressed in other ways. Just last week, we had a shared pre-Passover event with Temple Israel (the Reform Synagogue of Ottawa). We came together for worship and Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg and I shared slides from our spiritual pilgrimages in the Land of the Holy One (pictures below). And next week, we are invited into a celebration of Ramadan at an Iftar, the meal that concludes the daytime fast. I am so grateful to Imam Farhan Iqbal of the Ahmadiyya Mosque for this opportunity to learn about each other’s traditions and make new friendships. We are limited to 10 (+/-) so please let me know if you’re interested; I will add you to the list and give you detailed directions of time and location.

This week is “Good Busy.” We have arrived at our holiest occasions known as the Triduum, Three Days – one worship service spread over Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Eve – and that is immediately followed by the Glorious Easter Day. I invite you as we share this journey of community called by God into the ways of Jesus Christ.

Gary+

Holy week services and readings

Maundy Thursday 6:00 p.m.

Liturgy During Dinner

Good Friday 12pm

Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:42

Easter Vigil 7.30pm

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 136; Genesis 2:4b-15; Psalm 8; Genesis 22:1-8; Psalm 16; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Matthew 27:57-66

Easter Sunday 8am and 10.15am

Jeremiah 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2; 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Pat H, The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well/La Source

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, Gordon, Josh, Kimberly, Kerry, Stephen, Brian, Michelle, Jill and all who minister at St John's.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
Trinity Church, Ottawa South and the Venerable Mark Whittall.
Members of the Licensed Lay Readers’ Association and their warden, The Reverend Canon Pat Martin.

Our Community Ministries

Belong Ottawa: Centre 454; St Luke’s Table; The Well/La Source
Centre 105 (Cornwall)
Cornerstone Housing for Women
Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre
Refugee Ministry

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.

ELCIC

The congregations of the Central Manitoba area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

Parish Prayer Group

If you wish to have someone prayed for send an email to:

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

During Holy Week, our choir will be joined by the Strings of St John's chamber orchestra to perform the Requiem by John Rutter, one of the most prolific and well-loved composers of our time.

The concert will be presented on: Good Friday, April 7 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are available online at www.RutterRequiem.ca.

Come join us for an hour of beautiful music for contemplation and meditation.