This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Welcome to St John’s this coming Sunday. It’s an eventful day. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Peter Coffin who will preach at both services. Peter was Bishop of the Diocese of Ottawa from 1999 to 2007 and has had many visits to St John’s over the years. I have known Peter for a long time and I’m looking forward to sharing the service with him.

Bishop Peter Coffin

In addition to presiding at the Eucharist, I am looking forward to lighting the second Advent candle. The candles for the four Sundays of Advent each come with a theme or focus for our prayers. The first Advent candle was a light of Hope against the darkness of despair. This second Advent candle is a light of Peace against the reality of war. The third Sunday of Advent is a candle for Joy (traditionally a rose-coloured candle), and then on the fourth Sunday, a candle for Love. The final candle, the white one, is for Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Concert this past Sunday at Woodroffe United Church

Woodroffe Choir on the Left - St John's Choir on the Right

This Sunday is also the second Christmas Concert, featuring the choirs of St John’s and Woodroffe United Church, hosted at St John’s. We already know from the first concert, hosted at Woodroffe United, that the singing is beautiful! You can reserve tickets online using the link below and there will also be tickets at the door. The concert starts at 2 p.m. Come for worship at 8:00 and 10:15 – and come back after a quick brunch for more wonderful music!

Gary+

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, December 10, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2,8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, December 17, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

For more information about the services noted above click for details HERE.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

CHRISTMAS DECORATING PARTY

Stay for the Party on Sunday December 17!

Christmas songs at the piano
Sandwich lunch provided
Help decorate the church
Bring poinsettias (see below)

The party begins right after the 10:15 service!

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

This year there are two ways to participate in filling the church with poinsettias for Christmas.

Bring a poinsettia or several to church on Sunday, December 17. If you wish to donate the flowers and designate them as a memorial to loved ones, please include a card noting the names of those being remembered. If you prefer to be reimbursed for your purchase, please include your receipt with your contact details.

Make a financial donation for the purchase of poinsettias. Please note the names of the people to be remembered. Donations can be put in the collection plate any Sunday or dropped off at the office.

Tickets

BUY THE FARM!

Support PWRDF for Christmas

With thanks to Marilyn and Allan Box for launching St. John’s campaign to support PWRDF’s World of Gifts program, an annual event that happens every fall to support a variety of PWRDF projects around the world. Marilyn and Allan have designated their gift to “Buying the Whole Farm” which will support 9 food security projects in 8 different countries (Colombia, Tanzania, South Sudan, Malawi, Cuba, Mexico and Guatemala). Total cost = $615.

If you would like to participate in St. John’s campaign to ‘buy the whole farm’ please make out a cheque to PWRDF for whatever amount you choose; write “Buying the Whole Farm” – St. John the Evangelist, Ottawa in the bottom left corner, and give it to Jane Maxwell at the PWRDF Christmas card table on Sunday. You may also leave a cheque (or cash) in the office.

Thank you for joining the campaign!

2024 CHURCH CALENDAR

Gay Richardson is taking orders for 2024 Church Calendars. Calendars are now available and cost $5. Order deadline is December 10th. Please make payment to Gay by cash, cheque or e-transfer by December 17.

PWRDF CHRISTMAS CARDS

Now On Sale!

PWRDF Christmas cards have arrived and we will be selling two different designs illustrating “Peace on Earth, Good Will to All”. Each pack contains 12 cards. A donation of $25 is suggested. If you wish to purchase cards please bring cash in the amount of $25 or a cheque to church in the next few weeks. Christmas cards have continued to be popular at St. John’s and we usually sell out every year. The funds raised from Christmas cards go to support the life-saving work of The Primate’s Fund and its partners around the world. Thank you for your support. St. John’s PWRDF Committee

OF INTEREST

A DARING ESCAPE FROM KABUL AND A NEW LIFE IN OTTAWA

Wahida Azizi and Tajuddin Farzam were both in great danger when the Taliban entered Kabul in August 2021. Wahida was working to promote women's rights and Tajuddin was on the staff of the president of Afghanistan. You can read the story of their narrow escape and their sponsorship by St John's Refugee Assistance Group in the December issue of Crosstalk, available HERE.

The Centretown Community Food Centre is looking for people to join our volunteer team.

The Food Centre is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and there are two volunteer roles:

Food Portioning and Shelf Stocking

Portioning bulk items such as rice,
Ensuring shelves are stocked prior to client service (must be able to lift 20lbs.)
9am to 11am

Shopping Partner

Accompanying food centre visitors as they make their food selections
Ensuring that visitors respect quantity guidelines based on household size
11:45 am to 3:00pm

If you are interested in volunteering in either of these positions, please email manager@ccfcottawa.ca. Include any experience you have in this kind of work or what draws you to volunteering at a food bank. The ability to communicate in a language other than English or French would be an asset for the shopping partner role.

Click here for the CCSAC December Newsletter

UPDATES

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC POSTING

The Christmas Season comes, as always, with a great focus on music. Special thanks to Barb Hallam-Price for her very able leadership as Interim Director of Music.

At the same time, we are preparing for the future. The position of Director of Music has now been listed online. We are grateful for input from Barb Hallam-Price, Gordon Johnston, Frances Macdonnell, and Paul Lex (Director of Human Resources for the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. We are advertising with the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, Indeed, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and our own St John’s website.

Read the posting on the St John's website HERE.

THE SHOP NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Colder weather is here, and there is an urgent need for:

Men’s winter jackets/coats
Men’s winter boots
Mitts and gloves

Also, do you have a surplus of reusable bags that are taking up space in your cupboards?

Please donate them to the Shop!

PWRDF GAZA Hospital Appeal

For several years, PWRDF has supported the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza with surgical equipment, improved access to health care and during emergencies. The hospital is run by the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, with whom the Diocese of Ottawa has had a partnership for many years. Shortly after the war started in Gaza, the Al-Ahli Hospital was hit by a strike sustaining damage to upper floors and the ultrasound and mammography departments. A second deadlier strike a few days later injured four staff. After the violence, the hospital’s director, Suhaila Tarazi, issued an emergency appeal to support its health services in this time of crisis. PWRDF has responded with a grant of $30,000. This grant will cover the cost to employ six additional nurses, two doctors, five operating room specialists, one psychosocial specialist and four cleaners to work at the hospital for the next three months.

Through our membership in the Canadian Food Grains Banks, PWRDF has joined the Humanitarian Coalition in an emergency appeal to respond to mounting needs. To support the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, we ask you to donate to PWRDF’s Gaza Hospital Emergency Appeal. You may donate online, by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a cheque on the collection plate made out to PWRDF - Gaza Hospital Appeal. Thank you for your support.

St. John’s PWRDF Committee

Photo Credit: The New York Times

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: 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