This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

We are now able to return to shaking hands at the peace!

The Bishop commented to me that the pandemic safety requirements have given us perspective. I heard it as: Don’t go back to being one of those churches where it takes 15 minutes for everyone to hug each other. Going forward, the peace is symbolic - with the people immediately around us – that we hold no grievances. If there are people with whom we need to reconcile, the Peace commits us to taking action. We are to be forgiving and forgiven people.

This return to the Peace marks a new phase and I have been thinking about how St John’s really is in a new phase. Immediately post-pandemic, the focus of our worship, events, and activities has been bringing people back together. It’s happening. I would say it’s happening so much that we might call this new phase “momentum.”

Consider our most recent events and the ones coming up. We have just concluded a wonderful Art Credo. There were so many visitors, plus new add-on events – a paint-along and a poetry evening. See the pictures of the poetry evening.

Thanks to the host for our first Poetry Open Mic - the Rev Al Budzin

These wonderful events coincided with the celebration of life for a beloved parishioner, Cliff Parfett, and our first “Caring for the Caregiver” support gathering. The momentum increases as we look ahead. There are more leaders organizing events. See details in this newsletter about the Odawa Pow Wow and plan to join Kimberly Johnson-Breen, St John’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator. See also the plan for a Karaoke Evening, organized by Alex Spiess and TJ Purves. Looking further ahead, you can expect a movie evening and a summer hike!

The heart of it all is worship. I hope to see you this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

PS This week, I dug out my photo album for some pictures. A few friends were quick to comment, “So who is the kid in the picture?” I’m so grateful to be here 30 years later.

Ordination - St James Cathedral, Toronto - May 1993

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Gordon Johnston – Celebration of Ministry

Gordon is retiring at the end of June! Come celebrate Gordon’s 40 years of leadership that has been formative for St John’s – Sunday, May 28, 5:00-7:00 p.m. You are welcome to contribute to the retirement gift to be presented on Gordon’s final Sunday, June 25. Please indicate “For Gordon” with your donation.

Listening Sessions for the future of music at St John's

Please join us to offer your input. What are your hopes for music? What do you hope for in our future music director?

Sunday, June 4 (in the church immediately following the service)

Thursday, June 8 (especially for the choir)

Sunday, June 11, 7 p.m. on Zoom. LINK. **Please Note Revised Time.**

Siyo Nigadv! Hi Everyone!

For those that would like to attend the Pow Wow, together on May 27, 2023, there will be a sign up sheet at church this Sunday, We can leave from St. John's on May 27, 2023 at 9:30 am and stay until lunch time unless anyone would like to stay later. There will be more details to follow. If anyone may need a ride or can provide drives to and from the Pow Wow, please let us know.

Wado! Thank you!

Kimberly

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

2023 Tulipathon

Please support Multifaith Housing Initiative's annual Tulipathon Walk. Your donation will support rent subsidies for MHI tenants. If you would like to see more about present and past Tulipathons visit Tulipathon.

Tulipathon 2023 will take place at Dow's Lake on the last Sunday in May (May 28). Opening ceremonies will begin at 2:45. The two-kilometre walk will begin at 3 p.m.

Please donate to the St. John's Team online at St. John's. Cheque donations (with St. John's on the comment line) can be mailed to Multifaith Housing Initiative, 206-404 McArthur Ave., Ottawa ON, K1K 1G8 or given to Gay for delivery to MHI.

If you would like to walk with the St. John’s Team, please let Gay Richardson know (gay@sympatico.ca). For more information, contact Gay.

Reserve a seat

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

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.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Sacred Circle, the ministry of reconciliation and National Indigenous Bishop, Sidney Black.
The Area Parish of Mississippi Lake, the Venerable Brian Kauk and the Reverend Jonathan Askwith.
For custodial staff serving the parishes and ministries of our diocese.
For vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Rt. Rev. Shane Parker, Bishop, and the people and clergy of the Diocese of Ottawa.

ACC/ELCIC

Jerusalem Sunday: The Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and for peace in the Middle East.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Church in the Province of the West Indies.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.