THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

Welcome to church for our services this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

And now for an update. When we do something new, I try to ask, “Was it a People Success?” Let me tell you about our three “People Success” events of the past week:

Hindu Temple Visit: There were 10 of us for a teaching visit to the Hindu Temple of Ottawa Carleton. The president of the temple, Dr Shiv Jindal began with an orientation. He presented the history of the development of Hinduism as a religion, and the basic principles that are the foundation of the eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism). The principles are: God exists, all human beings are divine, unity of existence through love, religious harmony and a life of service and duty known as Dharma. We observed the morning prayer and then had an opportunity afterwards for our questions. Dr Jindal was very knowledgeable about the Abrahamic traditions and moved freely between concepts in Hinduism and specific aspects of Judiasm, Christianity and Islam. The format was an excellent one for future worship field trips – Saturday morning 2-hour visit. We hope for another one in January.

World AIDS Day: Although St John’s has hosted World AIDS Day before, this was our first time as a reception celebrating the lives of our departing leaders in HIV/AIDS. We were able to honour Jay Koornstra and our own parishioner, Dr Bruce Marshall as well as other names raised by those present. We were grateful for the presence of representatives of the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, Le Choeur Gay/Gay Men’s Chorus of Ottawa, and Bruce House. Special thanks to Bruce House, our partner and co-sponsor in presenting this event. It was very meaningful to all who attended. We also celebrate the potential of partnership with all these organizations in future endeavours.

Christmas Market: Last Sunday, for the first time, we combined a wreathmaking, a parish lunch, and a sale of Christmas Baking. Newcomers to St John’s received a personal invitation, and the church was full for the service, with new visitors above and beyond those we know! Thanks to everyone who baked and also to everyone who supported St John’s by purchasing each other’s baking. Thanks especially to Jill Moll for her leadership and also for her helping team, notably Mary Frances Marshall and Brian and Margot Cameron, as well as to many others who helped set up, serve and clean up.

We learned that St John’s doesn’t do bake sales! From Garth Bulmer: Since the 1960’s St John’s has had a policy of not doing bake sales, rummage sales, tea parties or suppers to support the church. After World War II, “The model that predominated in Canada was that the women would raise the money (in other words do the work because they were not in the workforce) for the church by holding bake sales and suppers. The men made the decisions… St John's made the decision to step away from this model so women would no longer be confined to this role. Supporting the church financially was to be a matter of stewardship and not fundraising.”

But we had a bake sale. Notably baking was donated by men as well as women. And it was less about the money and more about enjoying being together. It was about a People Success. Going by the liveliness of the occasion, it was a great time for our community.

We also raised almost $1000! We have decided to put this amount towards St John’s Fair Share commitment to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. In case you don’t know about Fair Share, that is the amount we commit to the outreach ministries of the Diocese (The Well, St Luke’s Table, Centre 454, and others). Fair Share also gives us access to the Chancellor (diocesan lawyer) and the Human Resources Director, services we have especially appreciated over the past year. St John’s is catching up our Fair Share (the wall repair and the pandemic were financially challenging).

Thanks again to all of you for being part of an amazing church community. Hope to see you Sunday.

Gary+

COVID Safety Update from the Diocese of Ottawa:

“Winter is on the horizon, people are indoors more, and COVID infections are on the rise. Throughout the pandemic, our response to the reality of the virus has been science-based and in line with public health, and this latest challenge must be met the same way. Effective this Sunday, October 30^th, all liturgical leaders — including clergy, choirs, servers, chalice bearers, readers, intercessors, and sidespeople/greeters — must wear a mask before, during and after services except when speaking into a microphone, eating or drinking.”

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Pat H., The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well and St Luke's.

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, Gordon, Josh, Gregory, 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 Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Michael Pryse.
For all vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Primate: Archbishop Linda Nicholls and the staff of the Primate’s Office of the Anglican Church of Canada.

ELCIC

National Bishop: Bishop Susan Johnson and the national staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & The Middle East.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

JOIN US

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

4 DECEMBER 2022

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

24 DECEMBER

7PM and 10.30PM

25 DECEMBER

10.15AM

1 January

10.15AM

WHAT'S HAPPENING

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Our choir will join with the choir of Woodroffe United Church and the Strings of St John's chamber orchestra to present a concert of music for Advent and Christmas, featuring Vivaldi's "Gloria".

Performances will be Sunday, December 4 at 2pm at Woodroffe United Church, and Sunday, December 11 at St John's. Tickets ($20) will be available at the door.

They are also available online at www.VivaldiGloria.ca. We hope you'll join the choirs and orchestra for a concert of festive music.

Please find an updated Advent Booklet at the back of the church. Revisions and corrections complete. Or if you prefer click the link for a digital copy.

Climate Change and You

Are you concerned? Do you feel anxious, overwhelmed and lost on how to act? You are not alone. Connect with like-minded people to explore the relationship between your life and climate change.

Climate Change and You - A six part program of discovery and learning.

Wednesdays starting January 11, 2023

6:45 to 9:00 pm on Zoom

Registration form here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19fLd5KaGaqho1hHonSG3V4tFbEItmP96kbIRwb3f7Xo

This program encourages you to explore the relationship between your life and climate change and helps you work with the complex emotions that make it difficult to act. We do this through two-hour facilitated group workshops over the course of six weeks. Each week, you explore a new way climate change relates to your life.

Offered to St John’s and friends of St John’s by trained facilitators from Carbon Conversations Toronto.

FLOWERS

You can help the Altar Guild decorate the church for Christmas and remember your loved ones with flowers. Make your donation to St John's noting that it is for Christmas Flowers and if applicable, please include a note to indicate the names of the people to be remembered. You can put your donation in the collection plate any Sunday or drop it off at the Office.

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jim

by his friend Sally Andrews.

TAKE NOTE

PWRDF Christmas Cards are coming to St. John’s! Sales begin Dec. 4th

PWRDF Christmas cards are on order and should be available for sale by Dec. 4. This year’s Christmas cards feature two unique designs. The cards contain the message “Christmas Peace” in Oji-Cree, Inuktituk and the five official languages of the Lambeth Conference of the worldwide Anglican Communion: English, French, Japanese, Spanish and Kiswahili.

The design we have access to right now is the “Peace on Earth” card. The Holy Family card is on order. The cards come in packs of 12 and a minimum donation of $25 per pack is recommended.

Thanks to the prayers, actions and gifts of Anglicans across the country, PWRDF has supported partners in Canada and around the world for more than 60 years, making a world of difference.