St John's Newsletter 25 September 2022

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

Welcome to This Week at St John’s!

St John’s is getting busier. In pre-pandemic times, the church building was crazy with activity. It’s coming back and we are glad it is.

We have had a busy month and let’s celebrate the great things that are happening. I want to share some pictures from this past weekend, notably two events:

On Saturday, we held our first Messy Church. That’s the name of our new regular event with children and their families. We met this past Saturday at McNabb Park for games, lunch and DIY sundaes. After we all introduced ourselves and talked about things we love doing, we played games. We talked to a lot of people in the park and we hope to meet them again – at our next Messy Church and even for the Sunday Children’s program. Based on what everyone says they love doing, our next Messy Church is a Bake-Off. Saturday October 15, we will be in the kitchen making and eating. And then on Sunday, October 16, we will serve our creations as Sunday Refreshments!

On Sunday, we held our first shared Open House of St John’s and The Well. All our spaces were open for touring, including the wonderful St John’s Community Thift Shop. The worship service included a special presentation about The Well. We are grateful to Heather Wacyk, manager of The Well, for a compelling presentation about The Well’s programs, values and participants. We invited our neighbouring businesses (on Elgin between Gilmour and Cooper Streets). We also invited our elected representatives to read the scriptures and offer words of support for The Well. Thanks to Joel Harden MPP and Yasir Naqvi MP – especially thanks to Yasir for a reading from the Qur’an. Thanks to all The Well participants who attended worship with us and Rachel Robinson, executive director of Anglican Day Programs, for your encouraging words. For the first time, our refreshments came from the Chez Ric’s food truck of the Ottawa Mission. We are grateful to Together Ottawa for their support. Free hamburgers and drinks for everyone attending and anyone walking by!

It’s official, I work at the coolest church around! Not only did we have a reading from the Qur’an to begin the service (read by our member of parliament, a Muslim), we had a free food truck outside after the service feeding hamburgers to everybody. (“Free” meaning Jesus paid.) Gordon Johnston Facebook.

Expect the church to be busy! We are the urban church for our neighbours and our city – and we want to be the gathering spot for Centretown and a safe space for searching souls. When you see upcoming events, you might not be able to participate in everything. Just know that our heart is in the welcome and it is the love of God that we are sharing here.

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Bill and Family, Pat H., The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well.

Our Parish

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

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.

In our Companion Diocese, the Diocese of Jerusalem, we pray for St. Matthew’s Church, Zababdeh, West Bank. We also pray for the Theodore Schneller Chapel, Amman Jordan, and for the School for Boys.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

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

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)

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.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Anglican Church of Burundi.

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.

JOIN US

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

25SEPTEMBER 2022

Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Join us on Parliament Hill for The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Plan to meet and leave from St John's at 9.30am. Wear your orange shirt.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

INTRODUCING SING A NEW CREATION:

In this workshop, you will be introduced to the new supplement to Common Praise, discovering its contents and exploring its songs. Led by Rev. Canon Kevin Flynn and Josh Zentner-Barrett, this session offers an opportunity to enrich the worship life of your congregation.

Please bring your own copy of Sing a New Creation.

The workshop takes place in De Mazenod Chapel at Saint Paul University, located on the second floor of the Laframboise building on Saturday October 1st from 9.30am - 12pm.

Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be available.

Please contact Josh with any questions: jzentner@ustpaul.ca

ST JOHN'S DEMYSTIFIED

Did you ever wonder why people come to St. John's? What they believe? Why they worship the way they do? Why they always seem so busy with outreach programs, community engagement, social justice activities, and a million other things? You are not alone!

The Lifelong Learning Committee is planning a series of conversations to help all parishioners, new and old, to deepen their understanding and appreciation of who we are and what we do at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. Over 4 sessions there will be time to engage in thoughtful dialogue on topics like these:

Where does Christianity fit among religions of the world, and where does Anglicanism fit among Christian traditions, and where does St John’s fit in the Anglican tradition?
Why do we worship the way we do?
How do we live out our faith in practice?
How do we engage with the world?

The above topics will be explored through four 2-hour Saturday morning sessions to be held (in person) on Oct. 29th, and Nov. 5th, 12th and 19th (10 AM-12PM). This is intended for everyone – you might be new to these questions or maybe you have been thinking about them for a long time. Join us for a chance to learn from each other and to share your views and insights.

FLOWERS

The flowers at the altar are to the glory of God and in loving memory of Eileen and Homer Thomas and are given by their daughter Margot Cameron.

TAKE NOTE

Donations received by September 28 will be matched 1:1

Heavy monsoon rains and flooding have poured down since mid-June, causing the deaths of more than 1,300 people and affecting the lives of 33 million people across the country. More than 6 million people are estimated to need assistance. Hundreds of thousands of houses have been destroyed. Livelihoods, livestock and crops are also severely affected.

Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Government of Canada will match donations to the Humanitarian Coalition, in response to the devastating flooding in Pakistan. Donations made by individuals between August 1, 2022 and September 28, 2022 will be matched up to $3 million.

What is the Humanitarian Coalition?

The Humanitarian Coalition is an organization of 12 Canadian relief and development agencies, including the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Through its membership in the Foodgrains Bank, PWRDF is able to participate in Humanitarian Coalition appeals.

On August 31, PWRDF announced it was allocating an emergency grant of $30,000 to a Foodgrains Bank-funded project in Sindh province, the area most affected by flooding. The project is being managed by fellow Foodgrains Bank member Presbyterian World Service & Development, with Community World Service Asia working on the ground.

“Canadians believe in helping others in times of crisis,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada. “This is why the Government of Canada is joining with Canadians in supporting Canada’s partners on the ground in Pakistan that are providing urgent, life-saving assistance in response to this devastating flood. We cannot forget the people of Pakistan, especially the women and girls who have been disproportionately affected. We continue to look at other ways we can continue to assist those impacted by this tragedy.”

How you can help

Download and share this emergency bulletin. Pray for the people of Pakistan.

You can also give to our Pakistan Flood response by September 28, 2022. Donate online or go to pwrdf.org/give-today and click on Pakistan Floods. You may also send a cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2, indicating Pakistan Floods on the cheque. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and we will return your call.

Give to PWRDF today to receive Government of Canada match

Purple Tie Gala: October 1st

Cornerstone Housing for Women is hosting its fourth annual Purple Tie Gala back in-person on

October 1st, 2022!

Start your fall off the right way – at a fresh and funky gala on the rooftop of the Ottawa Art Gallery! Get your best purple attire on and get ready to join us for a special night of music, connecting with old and new friends, delicious food, and hopeful celebration.

After running our second at-home virtual Gala in response to the pandemic, which raised over $100,000, we are proud to announce that the gala will once again be live this year! We are excited to celebrate with you in person on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for $100 until September 9th when the price will increase to $145 – don’t wait and get your tickets today!

Here is the schedule for community organizations for the Elgin Street Market

Dementia Society - October 2
Envirocentre - October 9

@CentretownCCA

#ElginStreetFarmersMarket

CENTRETOWN CHURCHES SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE is hosting a traditional Walk for the Centre on October 2, 2022, from 1:30 – 4:00 pm and are hoping for the support of our parishioners, youth groups and choirs for church teams as we raise much needed funds for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre. The Centre served 6,500 clients in 2021, turning no one away!

The traditional Walk is back in person this year meeting in Jean Pigott Place, City Hall and will Walk the scenic Queen Elizabeth Pathway. Masks and sanitizer will be available for a safe Walk. The Walkathon has been a celebration in solidarity serving Christ in our hungry neighbours.

Our event Program this year begins at 1:30 pm with music, followed by Guest Speakers and includes a Piper band to lead us into the Walk. Visit us online at www.centretownchurches.org/walkathon for information on teams and online donations. All welcome to join in this event. Please remember CCSAC in your prayers.

Dear friends of Multifaith Housing Initiative,

We would like to invite you, your friends and family, to celebrate MHI's 20th Anniversary at a special gala, as a thank you for what you have helped us build.

2022 marks MHI's 20th anniversary and we are taking this opportunity to bring together all of our supporters in one room!

The event, presented by Canso Investment Counsel, will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at the Centurion Centre, 170 Colonnade Road South, Ottawa.

Buy tickets

Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing as we reflect on two decades of challenges, accomplishments, growth and the future of Multifaith Housing Initiative.

The reception starts at 6:00 pm. This will be a business casual affair.

Our deepest appreciation goes to Canso Investment Counsel, as well as the event's two additional sponsors: Dream and Commissionaires Ottawa.

Don't miss this milestone celebration in our organization's history. Please mark your calendars and book your tickets today!

Best wishes,

MHI staff