THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY |
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Dear Friends,
Over these past weeks, the trucker convoy has been a huge challenge, especially for residents of Centretown. This was palpable during the social time at this past Sunday’s worship on Zoom. As a Centretown resident myself, I want to express my deep solidarity with you.
I have been reflecting on my role as parish priest in the geographic parish of St John’s – especially that I am committed to pray for all who live, serve, and spend time in the St John’s parish. I took a walk up there this week. Jesus says “Love your neighbour as yourself” – are the people I saw neighbours? On the other hand, Jesus also says “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” – are they enemies?
What I saw: There were people in tents, campfires, endless trucks with the engines running and the fumes going. There were propaganda signs everywhere. Right after I took this picture, someone took down the “Free Ottawa / Please Leave” sign (top right) and replaced it with a pro-convoy sign.
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Was I seeing marginalized people who have been manipulated by larger forces? The latest news about how demonstrators have expanded to other cities and national borders would suggest this is the case. If they are “neighbours” (in the Jesus-sense), it is also the case that their care for the wellbeing of “neighbours” (in the sense of residents of Centretown) is well down their list of priorities. I would like to celebrate a wonderful neighbour, Centretown resident Zexi Li, whose engagement brought about a 10-day injunction from an Ontario Superior Court judge ordering an end to the incessant honking by truckers parked on downtown streets. Read about Zexi here.
As initial steps, here is where I am going with this. I support the statement released by Bishop Shane Parker against the convoy (Read it here.). I have also signed the statement presented by the clergy of the Centretown Churches (Read it here.).
I have been reflecting on our social time conversation last Sunday. While the service itself was joyful, I also received feedback that it was “heavy” to have the social time both before and after so exclusively focused on the impact of the protestors. Our first priority in the social time is to create space for the many ways that we care for each other, get to know each other, and support each other.
I think this past Sunday’s discussion arose out of lots of frustration. That’s natural – and we can set up a separate Zoom time if we need it. But going forward, let’s make sure Sunday’s social time has enough open space in it for all the ways we care for each other and support each other.
I am grateful for all of you. May God bless our community as we come together this Sunday. This will be our final service on Zoom for a bit so I am looking forward to seeing you in person. For those of you not yet ready to come in-person, we will be moving back from a worship highlights video to an advance reflection video.
Sunday service times at 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Please join us by connecting here.
Gary+
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Those On Our Hearts
Robin, Maura, John, Pat, Bill, The Reverend Gary van der Meer, The Reverend Canon Allen Box, Major the Reverend Canon Catherine Askew, Ministry Intern John Holgate, Gordon, Gregory, Kerry and all who minister at St John's.(Please note Prayers will be posted for two consecutive weeks unless requested to be posted for a longer period of time.)
Our Diocese
For the Director General of Community Ministries The Reverend Canon Dr. Peter John Hobbs and members of the Community Ministries Committee.
Resurrection Lutheran Church and all who minister there.
For all called to vocations in the diaconate, priesthood, and religious life.
Our Bishop, The Right Reverend Shane Parker, our Metropolitan, The Most Reverend Anne Germond and our Primate, The Most Reverend Linda Nicholls.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Rt. Rev. Sam Rose, Bishop, and the people and clergy of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)
The dean, council, and congregations of the Central Toronto Area and Greater Toronto Areas East and West of the Eastern Synod.
The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand
The Nippon Sei Ko Kai.
Parish Prayer Group
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
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Sunday at 8:00am & 10.15am
Each service begins with 30 minutes of social time, i.e. 7:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.
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With the blessing of Bishop Shane Parker, I have appointed the Rev. Canon Allen Box as Honorary Assistant Priest at St John’s. I have known Allen for many years, and I know some of you remember him as Rector of St John’s from 1982 to 1991.
Allen will be taking up a regular role as preacher and presider at the Eucharist and as a member of our pastoral team along with Major the Rev. Canon Catherine Askew (also Honorary Assistant Priest) and John Holgate (Ministry Intern). In addition, Allen and Marilyn will be with us Sunday by Zoom as we worship at St John’s.
Please join me in welcoming Allen and Marilyn.
Gary+
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Annual Vestry Meeting via Zoom at 2pm,
February 27th
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LENT PROGRAM:
REFECTIONS FOR ST JOHN'S
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You are invited to join the following Lifelong Learning gatherings at the following LINK
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Debriefing the Diocesan Anniversary Lecture |
Michelle Good – “Five Little Indians”
Wednesday March 9, 7:30 p.m.
(75 minutes - on Zoom)
Preparation: Watch the Lecture
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Debriefing the Diocesan Anniversary Lecture |
Jason McKinney - “The Church as Commons: A Theological Case for Affordable Housing”
Wednesday March 23, 7:30 p.m. (75 minutes on Zoom)
Preparation: Watch the Lecture
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Learning from the Diocese of Ottawa's Communications Planning and Branding Processes |
Brian Cameron – Chair, Diocesan Communications Advisory Panel
Wednesday April 6, 7:30 p.m. (75 minutes on Zoom)
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The Lifelong Learning Steering Committee would like its events to be as relevant and helpful as possible to the faith journeys of all St. John's parishioners and visitors. What are the questions, issues, and ideas that you would most like to explore over the year ahead? Please send your suggestions to the Lifelong Learning Steering Committee by emailing Vicki Robinson. |
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Vicki Robinson
Sally Andrews
Margaret Kasurak
Ian Myles
Gary van der Meer
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Lifelong Learning Steering Committee |
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ADO 125th ANNIVERSARY
Lecture Series
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Panel Discussion on
February 21, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Our panelists are:
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Jacob Crane
Citizen of the Tsuut'ina Nation, entrepreneur and community leader, and the just transition lead for Indigenous Climate Action.
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Dr. Stewart Elgie
Director of the University of Ottawa's interdisciplinary Environment Institute, as well as founder and chair of Smart Prosperity, a Canadian green economy think tank and policy-research network.
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Dr. Robert Gifford
University of Victoria professor of psychology and environmental studies, specializing in environmental psychology and barriers to sustainable behaviour or "the dragons of inaction."
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As experts gathered in Glasgow for the UN Climate Change Conference in late 2021, their message to the world was that there is an urgent need for humanity to change the way we live on the Earth and to find creative solutions to lower carbon emissions globally. We need to act as individuals, communities, and nations. The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa is bringing together experts to educate and inspire action for the third installment of an online lecture series that commemorates the 125th anniversary of the Diocese and looks forward to the future with hope.
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It will be livestreamed on Zoom and on the ADO YouTube channel. |
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PWRDF Vaccine Equity Fund - “Pay it Forward”
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has launched a new Vaccine Equity Fund to contribute to the worldwide vaccination effort against COVID-19. Money donated to this fund will be used to support our overseas partners (e.g. Partners in Health in Liberia and Lesotho) as they prepare for vaccine rollout in the coming months. With the cooperation of the Anglican Church of Canada and our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, PWRDF has created a fund for Anglicans who would like to “pay it forward.”
The Primate writes: “We must ask how we can share the benefits of health care and vaccinations many of us enjoy, with others who need it. Canada will have excess vaccine – will we donate it to other nations? Vaccine equity is a fundamental expression of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) through which we demonstrate our love of God and of neighbour.”
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You may also call PWRDF Donor Relations Officer, Mike Ziemerink at 416-822-9083 or send a cheque to PWRDF National, 80 Hayden St., Toronto, M4Y 3G2.
Thank you for your support.
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Theology Study on the Book of Revelation |
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The Ecumenical Book Study on Revelation is now at its sixth of seven weeks.
You are welcome to join this lecture, even if it’s your first one, on Tuesday February 15, 7:00 p.m
Rev. John C. Perkin is minister at First Baptist Church. He spent twenty-five years as chaplain and professor at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, where he taught in the area of faith and culture, including a course called The Apocalyptic Consciousness; this course in apocalyptic studies explored the book of Revelation and its interpretation through the centuries. John has been a frequent spokesperson in national media on themes of Revelation and apocalypticism; his course was noted by Macleans magazine for its popularity.
*Please note that additional participants are welcome to attend the Revelation study. Each session stands on its own.
Register on Eventbrite and you will receive an email with the Zoom Link. Note It’s a new Eventbrite link for each week – register HERE.
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SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
20 FEBRUARY 2022
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ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
ANGLICAN CHURCH
154 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K2P 0H8
613-232-4500
office@stjohnsottawa.ca
The Reverend Gary van der Meer, Rector
Major the Reverend Canon Catherine Askew, Honorary Assistant
Dr Gordon Johnston, FRCCO, Organist and Choirmaster
Detlef Dransch, Rector’s Warden
Stephen Giles, People's Warden
Steve Chaplin, Deputy Rector's Warden
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Anishinabe aking ate awaso kikinawadjichigan.
This land we are upon is the traditional territory of the Algonquin people.
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