St John's Newsletter 26 June 2022

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

We learn from our own life experiences. We also learn from literature as we experience vicariously what happens to our characters. You don’t actually have to marry Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice), join a cancer support group for youth (The Fault in our Stars), or travel to another dimension (too many to count) to get the “feels” and learn the life lessons. And then there’s learning from the life experiences of friends. When they tell us about it themselves, it’s called testimony. You hear that first person “I” from someone you know and you’re immediately drawn in (we need more testimony in church!).

But it’s almost as good when someone else tells their story. This past weekend, our own Josh Zentner-Barrett and Anneli Loepp Thiessen got married. And Malcolm Gladwell blogged about it. Yes, that’s Malcolm Gladwell of The Tipping Point, a title giving a strong visual about seemingly small things that bring change to a whole culture. Picture a dump truck full of top soil; it’s that moment when it all comes down in a rush.

Malcolm describes Josh and Anneli’s wedding and especially the reception that followed. It’s a short read but there’s a lot to think about. (Read it HERE)

Some cultures have a great need to respect hierarchy, to have a “power distance” between your average person and those at the top. I haven’t really thought about that, though here in Ottawa, it seems that the idea of “six degrees of separation” is really about two degrees. Everyone is connected to everyone somehow.

What creates this power distance? Symbols of power, titles, formality?

As for myself, I have been thinking about names and titles. As clergy, we have many of those and they are baffling to anyone. I find that’s especially true for parents on behalf of their children, or people who have long-ago memories of their own church family connection. Hardly a week goes by without someone asking me what they can call me. Is it Rev. Gary, Father Gary, Canon Gary? I guess these words have their time and place, but I generally tell people that I always answer to my first name.

I have come to see that St John’s is an intentionally approachable place. I hope you find it to be so as well.

Congratulations, Josh and Anneli! Check out the pictures. We also look forward to hearing all about it first hand - as testimony.

Welcome to St John’s this coming Sunday, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Robin, 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.

Diocesan staff and senior staff at Ascension House.

St. Paul’s, Renfrew and the Reverend Carol Hotte.

The Parish of West Quebec and the Venerable Eric Morin and the Reverend Susan Lewis.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Stittsville and the Reverend Lee Lambert.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Rt. Rev. David Parsons, Bishop; The Rt. Rev’s Joey Royal, Annie Ittoshat, and Lucy Netser, Suffragan Bishops, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of the Arctic.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)

The congregations of the northern area of the Saskatchewan 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, please call (613) 232-4500 ext 21 or send an email to prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

JOIN US

THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

26 JUNE 2022

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Join me for my birthday -

Saturday, July 2, BIKE TO ICE CREAM! Join me for a bike ride to two of the best ice cream spots in Ottawa: The Merry Dairy (Gladstone & Fairmont Avenues) & Beachconers Microcreamery (Howe Street and Britannia Road). Yes, you really can eat two ice cream cones in one day! Would you prefer to drive or use a battery-assisted bike?? It’s all good even though you’ll burn fewer calories!! Leave from the church 11:00 a.m.

Lifelong Learning

Books and Barbeque

There will be 2 'Books and Barbeque' events over the summer. The book is On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times by Michael Ignatieff (available at Perfect Books on Elgin Street, at the Ottawa Public Library, both print and audio, and in Kindle format).

At the first session in July, the book will be introduced and the first few chapters discussed. At the second session in August, discussion will focus on the book as a whole.

For now... mark your calendars!

The first gathering will be on Wednesday July 6 at 6 pm at the home of Michelle Smulders and Ian Myles.

Come to enjoy a burger and a lively discussion!

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. 15 and 29th, and Nov. 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 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of

Roger and Ruth Marshall, and William and Emeline Smith by the

Marshall family.

IN MEMORY

TAKE NOTE

Food basket for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre

Please remember to bring an offering for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre.

St. John's is one of 23 downtown churches supporting this ministry, and our food and money contributions are essential, since the city is no longer funding it(The Centre no longer meets their funding parameters - there's no problem with its administration). Anything is welcome, but obviously not out of date cans or dried goods.

Money is better than a gift card, because the Centre deals with suppliers who sell them food at cost.

These days, and particularly in the summer, many people need this help.

Please give regularly and generously.

Our neighbour and partner in community ministries The Well is in need of bath towels and socks. Donations can be dropped off at The Well.

PWRDF responds to ACT

Alliance appeal for Ukraine

PWRDF is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. A grant of $20,000 has been issued to an ACT alliance appeal funding the work of ACT member, the Hungarian Interchurch AID (HIA). HIA has been working in Ukraine for more than 25 years in humanitarian and development projects. It had already shipped 28 tons of food to support those fleeing to Hungary, and their staff have been working with refugees at the Ukraine/Hungary border.

To make a donation go to pwrdf.org/give-today and click on Response in Ukraine. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF will return your call. You can mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2 or give through St. John’s. Please mark Ukraine in the memo field. Thank you for your support. St John’s PWRDF Committee.