This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

As you read through this weekly newsletter, you may be surprised by the sheer number of activities, events and ways to get involved – over and above weekly worship. After the quieter summer months, this feels especially pronounced.

Some of these events come from outside organizations, especially ones we think of as “partners” in community life. Mostly, you will see St John’s events, and maybe you’re wondering where these come from. Notably, this week, you will see initiatives of our Lifelong Learning Steering Committee. These include the series, Preparing for Life’s Transitions, and the book study on “Our Home and Treaty Land” – see the details below. I will readily admit there are often events generated by me, especially activities that support the priority we give to building friendship and community life, both within the congregation and with our neighbours and the wider community. Looking ahead, I hope you will be interested in an upcoming karaoke evening and a fall colours hike.

St John’s Parish Council has a significant role in all our events. In addition to being the monthly forum where we plan, brainstorm and debrief events, our Parish Council has proposed an exciting new event, our first-ever Christmas Market, to be held on Saturday, November 25, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. This week’s Parish Council meeting had an exciting conversation about how our plans are coming together, thanks to the enthusiasm of artists, artisans and vendors (the list is approaching 20) and also a list of more than 30 volunteers. We are very excited about this coming event and we invite you to be part of it.

This is a great opportunity to introduce St John’s Parish Council. It is made up of a representative group of members of the congregation (nominated and elected at our annual meeting) and also synod delegates, treasurer, churchwardens, and clergy. We meet monthly and we welcome your interest in future participation! Here is a picture from our Parish Council meeting this week – not everyone could make it but it was a wonderful enthusiastic discussion.

Left to Right: Stephen Giles (churchwarden), Brian Cameron (churchwarden and delegate to synod), Monica Patten (chair), TJ Purves (treasurer), Michelle Smulders (deputy churchwarden), Rebecca Gregg (delegate to synod), Mary Ann Varley, Christine Unrau, Jill Moll (deputy churchwarden), Pat Fisher, Mary Frances Marshall.

You are very welcome to join us as we worship together this Sunday, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

WHAT'S HAPPENING

PREPARING FOR LIFE’S TRANSITIONS

First Session: Preparing a Will – Introducing Wills & Estates

This is a conversational presentation where questions are very welcome. Think of specific questions you have about preparing your will.

** You can also submit advance questions HERE.

Heather Austin-Skaret

Co-Managing Partner and Head of Wills and Estates/Estate Litigation at Mann Lawyers

Sunday, September 24, 12:00 p.m.

Second Session: Making Decisions about Long-Term Care

Paul Beverley, Executive Director, Southbridge Care Homes, Ottawa

Sunday, October 1, 12:00 p.m.

Third Session: Planning a Funeral

Sean Copeland, Funeral Director, Whelan Funeral Home, Ottawa

Sunday, October 15, 12:00 p.m.

BOOK STUDY - OUR HOME AND TREATY LAND

Our Home and Treaty Land:

Walking Our Creation Story

Saturday, September 23, 9:30 a.m.

St John's Parish Hall

For this second session on our book study, you are welcome whether or not you attended the first session!

This book is written as a dialogue between Rev. Dr. Raymond Aldred, a status Cree, and Rev. Dr. Matthew Anderson, a settler-descended biblical scholar.

"Treaty is the key to the shared narrative, shared spirituality and shared respect for the land." Through each author's chapters we learn the importance of understanding what Treaty meant to First Nations and to Newcomers. Accepting the truth of what happened is the first step in reconciliation.

Have a look at the website for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada HERE

Add the third session to your calendar - Saturday, October 14, 9:30 a.m.

TRUTH & RECONCILIATION WEEK

September 25 – 30, 2023

THIS SUNDAY

St John's begins Truth & Reconciliation Week this Sunday with Kimberly Johnson-Breen as the preacher at both services. Look ahead to the readings ahead of time and think about how they connect with the observances of the coming week: Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16. The Gospel will be read from The First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament.

DAILY LUNCH & LEARN

Day 1 – Sept. 25:

Indigenous Peoples and the History of Residential Schools

Day 2 – Sept. 26:

Unconscious Bias and Debunking Stereotypes

Day 3 – Sept. 27:

Intergenerational Impacts and Ongoing Systemic Discrimination

Day 4 – Sept. 28:

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Day 5 – Sept. 29:

Taking Action towards Reconciliation

https://nctr.ca/education/coming-soon-truth-and-reconciliation-week-2023/trw2023-gen/

SEPTEMBER 30 - PARLIAMENT HILL

Walk over to Parliament Hill from St John's, leaving 9:15/9:30 a.m. in time for the ceremony for "Remembering the Children." Wear your orange shirt. The event takes place starting at 10:00 a.m. on the West Block lawn if you would like to meet us there. You can also watch the National Broadcast beginning at noon: https://nctr.ca/

Kimberly Johnson-Breen

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND ARTISANS!

St John's First-Ever Christmas Market

Saturday, November 25, 12-4 PM.

If you’re an artist or craftsperson, we would love to hear from you. We want this first-ever Christmas Market to be a great event – the more the merrier! If you’re interested or have friends you would like to invite to participate, find out more from Jill Moll.

WALKATHON

The Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC) will hold its 8th Annual Walk for the Centre on Sunday, October 1. Registration starts at 1:00 pm in the Jean Pigott room in City Hall. The 2km to 4km walk starts at 2:20 pm, and will be along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway. Emmy Verdun, the St. John’s representative on CCSAC, will be walking and invites you to join her.

To participate or donate please go to centretownchurches.org/walkathon and scroll down to “Sign up to Walk or to Sponsor a Walker with an Online Donation". You can also contact Emmy for more information (emmy.verdun@gmail.com).

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, Barb, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Stephen, Brian, Michelle, Jill and all who minister at St John's. Prayers for those in need: Robin.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate
Staff at Ascension House
St. Matthew’s Ottawa, The Reverend Geoff Chapman
For the chaplain to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, The Reverend Canon Catherine Ascah

Anglican Church of Canada

The Bishop, clergy, and people of The Territory of the People.

Anglican Church of Canada/ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Every child matters. Remember the Indigenous children who did not return home from residential school. For survivors and their families. For truth, healing and reconciliation.

Anglicans Worldwide - The Anglican Communion

The Church of Ireland.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.