This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

Summer is upon us. This week, we reached the solstice, appropriately also kept as National Indigenous Peoples Day. If you let the light come in your bedroom windows, you have probably been awake early.

I have been thinking about the light, especially because Jesus comments on it in the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday (from Matthew chapter 10): “What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light…” Jesus’ words are enigmatic, especially in the summer Gospel passages. Once I hear one of these passages, I notice echoes of it everywhere, almost like an earworm. There is an editorial cartoon of someone holding onto a candle for dear life - and the phrase: “So much darkness, offer whatever light you can.” I wonder about the light while waiting for news about the missing submersible near the Titanic. Do we see light and how do we offer it?

Maxine Payne and Christine Unrau in the video “Why We Are Here: Our Stories”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/SZ8V-Q8urJw

I see light in the abundant joy in our community at St John’s. Our most recent video, “Why We Are Here: Our Stories” is filled with moments of laughter. This week’s Parish Council meeting was full of energy and ideas, and we look forward to sharing them with you this Sunday. And this coming Sunday, we celebrate Gordon’s final Sunday as Director of Music. Of course, the music will be fantastic – and there’s cake after.

Plan to join us for worship this Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Gary+

WHAT'S HAPPENING

SUMMER READING

Falling Upward

What says "summer" better than a lively discussion with friends over delicious food? Mark your calendars now for this year's edition of "Books and BBQ"!

On July 26th, Ian and Michelle will host a BBQ to discuss the book "Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life" by Richard Rohr. The book explores how losses and set-backs often provide important opportunities for spiritual growth, and how this growth often requires letting go of some of the things we have worked hardest for during the earlier parts of our lives.

The event will begin at 6pm. Food and beverages will be provided. Weather permitting, the gathering will take place on Ian and Michelle's back patio. Feel free to bring your bathing suit for a dip in the pool!

To confirm numbers and to obtain directions, please speak to Ian or Michelle or register through the church office.

Our Home and Treaty Land: Walking Our Creation Story

This is our book study for early fall. It is written as a dialogue between Rev. Dr. Raymond Aldred, a status Cree and Rev. Dr. Matthew Anderson, a settler-descended biblical scholar.

"Treaty is the key to the shared narrative, shared spirituality and shared respect for the land." Through each author's chapters we learn the importance of understanding what Treaty meant to First Nations and to Newcomers.Accepting the truth of what happened is the first step in reconciliation.

Copies are available at Perfect Books on Elgin Street. There are three sessions, all on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11, beginning on Saturday Sept. 9th, then Sept. 23rd and the third on October 14th.

POW WOW INVITATION

Osiyo, Aanii, Tansi, Hello.

Happy Summer Solstice!

I wanted to send a quick reminder that Mādahòkì Farm will be hosting a Pow Wow on June 24th and June 25th. See the link below for information and a schedule of events.

Hope to see you there!

https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2023-competition-pow-wow/

Wado, Chi-Miigwech, Niá:wen,

Merci, Nakurmiik, Thank you!

Kimberly Johnson-Breen

St John’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well/La Source

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, Gordon, Josh, Kimberly, Kerry, Stephen, Brian, 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. Paul’s, Renfrew and the Reverend John Stopa.
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. Joey Royal, The Rt. Rev. Annie Ittoshat, The Rt. Rev. Lucy Netser, Suffragan Bishops, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of the Arctic.

ELCIC

The congregations of the northern area of the Saskatchewan Synod.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Church of Bangladesh.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

TAKE NOTE

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Two parking spots from our collection of 20 spots at Somerset Gardens have sold! The transactions close on 30 June. Offers on four other spots were received, but we were unable to agree on terms. After marketing exclusively to residents of Somerset Gardens, we approached neighbouring condominium buildings. These efforts proved ineffective. As of July 1^st, the remaining 18 spots will be listed on MLS. In anticipation of more traction on the sales front, we terminated our agreement with Indigo as of 30^th of June. As a result, as of 1^st July, 18 of the 20 parking spots revert to St. John’s and we may freely use them for parish business until further notice.

As discussed at Vestry, our redevelopment consists of six projects: Bell Tower, Wiring, Parish Hall, Chapel and two in the Nave. Work has begun on the first two projects. We will see evidence of this in the coming week when restoration of the brickwork on the Bell Tower is to begin. This will result in closure of the sidewalks around the Bell Tower during the day. Two of our parking spots in front of the Parish Hall on Elgin St. will be devoted to construction equipment and materials during this phase of the Bell Tower project. Subsequent phases of the Bell Tower project will include work on the foundation, painting the wood louvers and windows, and managing waterflow from the roof.

The second project that has started is the Wiring project. The building has been investigated for hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, mercury, silica, etc. With this report in-hand, electricians will begin poking around in all corners of the building to review electrical panels, wiring, switches, outlets, etc. to determine any safety issues that need remediation.

Finally, talks continue with the Diocese to iron out the process and logistics of the financial plan associated with our group of redevelopment projects.

Detlef Dransch

Property Coordinator

FLOWERS

The flowers at the font are to the glory of God and in loving memory of Anthony King.

The flowers at the nave altar 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.