This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends

This Sunday, we begin our summer worship schedule of one service at 9:30 a.m. followed immediately by lemonade at the front entrance of the church. As our two congregations combine for the next 3 months, you are most welcome to worship with us.

As the “Pride Season” begins, our bishop has sent a pastoral letter about the “alarming increase in offensive or hateful words, actions, and political posturing directed at the 2SLGBTQI+ community.” Bishop Shane’s letter includes a list of principles created by the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives, “Declaring the Sanctity of Life and the Dignity of All.” I followed the links to join the Bishop in signing the letter and I invite you to do so as well. See the attached pastoral letter HERE.

Today I attended a forum presented by the All-Party Parliamentary Interfaith Caucus of the House of Commons: “The Threat of Polarization in Canada: How Can We Move Forward.” I recall that following the shooting at the mosque in Quebec City, I participated in an interfaith community gathering at my local mosque. The imam made a public commitment that the mosque would put significant energy into “reining in” radicalized Muslims. It seemed a good idea until I imagined whether I would be able to do the equivalent with radicalized Christians. From my “silo” of a progressive Anglican congregation, how would I even begin, would I know who to talk to, how would I reach them – the questions were endless!

All-Party Parliamentary Interfaith Caucus

Gary with Blandine Stringer (Women’s World Federation for Peace)

At this event, I heard helpful words from Elizabeth May, co-leader of the Green Party. Elizabeth May stressed the commonality across all acts of violence and polarization, whether against Muslims, Jews, 2SLGBTQIAA+, women or any other group, appears to be lonely young white men aged 22-26. She described “rage-farming” as a web-based process that is corporate-driven. May emphasized a political solution of declaring internet corporations (Facebook, YouTube, Google etc) to be “publishers.” She concluded: “Hate makes victims of us all, including those who hate and are drawn into hate.”

St John’s is all the more important because we know who we are. If you have encountered hate in other settings, this is a community with a long history as safe space. Come and add your voice to the St John’s story of radical inclusion and welcome.

Gary+

SUMMER READING

If you’re looking for good books and you like talking about what you’re reading, these two books are coming at St John’s.

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

Read this book over the summer and join us for three sessions this fall. Our co-leaders Kimberly Johnson-Breen and Margaret Kasurak will host this book discussion on Saturdays Sept 9 and 23, and Oct 14, 9:30 to 11 am.

ST JOHN’S VIDEOS

St John’s is returning to making videos. We are well past the time of making worship videos during lockdown, but we learned a lot. We learned that videos celebrate our connection to the community. We are making more of those and there will be a new one next week!

Some churches are taking down their past worship videos. All of our St John’s videos are available HERE. Following up on Trinity Sunday, this video below featured interviews with past Rectors. Each shared how their understanding of the faith has changed over the course of their ministry and it’s wonderful to hear them: Herbert O’Driscoll, Allen Box, Garth Bulmer, Dana Johnston, Beth Bretzlaff – with my own reflections included at the end. It’s well worth watching (either again or for the first time!).

WHAT'S HAPPENING

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Several of us at St. John’s care for others in our families, sometimes all day long and other times only occasionally. Recently a few of us got together and shared our experiences – the challenges, the loneliness, the search for resources to help us, and of course the rewards. Another conversation is planned for Wednesday, June 14, 2:30-3:30, by Zoom. If you are a caregiver for a family member or friend or know someone else who is, this is a conversation you might want to join. Of course, participants from our first conversation are welcome to join in as well. Zoom Link

In the meantime, if you would like more information, please get in touch with Monica Patten (monica.patten@rogers.com ) or Vicki Robinson (v.g.robinson@sympatico.ca)

Reserve a seat

Osiyo, Aanii, Tansi, Hello.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

The National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st is a national holiday established in 1996, this day encourages Canadians to honor and celebrate the legacy and culture of the country’s Indigenous communities.

This day also aligns with the Summer Solstice, a sacred time of ceremony, music, dancing, drumming, feasts, and story sharing. This day begins the shift from Spring to Summer and a time to set your intentions to move forward in a good way!

A day to take a moment to learn a Creation Story.

*See the Anishinaabe Creation Story below:

https://youtu.be/ZaxHDZptL9U

A time to attend festivities:

https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/

A time to watch Indigenous-created content, listen to a podcast or read a book written by an Indigenous author.

Take deliberate moments during the month of June to continue your commitment to acknowledgement and commitment to learning more about the land, the people, and the history of what is now called Canada.

Wado, Chi-Miigwech, Niá:wen,

Merci, Nakurmiik, Thank you!

Ditsaligohi itsehesdi (Live united, work as a team)

Kimberly Johnson-Breen

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

Listening Sessions for the future of music at St John's

Please join us to offer your input. What are your hopes for music? What do you hope for in our future music director?

Thursday, June 8 (especially for the choir)

Sunday, June 11, 7 p.m. on Zoom. LINK. **Please Note Revised Time.**

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.
Our Community Ministries: Belong Ottawa: Centre 454; St Luke’s Table; The Well/La Source; `Centre 105 (Cornwall); Cornerstone Housing for Women; Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre; Refugee Ministry.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Most Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Metropolitan, and the clergy and people of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land.

ACC/ELCIC

Lutheran and Anglican global partners and companions.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

FLOWERS

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Peggie and Hugh Andrews by their daughter Sally.

TAKE NOTE

Cornerstone Housing for Women is an Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Community Ministry that helps over 230 women every day and nearly 600 women each year transform their lives from crisis to hope, housing and healing.

The Purple Tie Gala in October is Cornerstone's anchor fundraising event each year. It features a silent auction, which raises a good proportion of the funds intended to support Cornerstone's facilities and programs. They are looking for businesses to donate items for the auction this year. Auction items should be over $100 (items can be paired together to get to that range), and particularly valued are items that involve experiences in the community, auction items that get people out, and into the community.

The attached letter addressed to business owners explains the process in more detail and provides contact information. Please consider if you or any of your contacts would be interested in donating an auction item to support this important Ministry.

Doors Open Ottawa 2023

We had a great day! The tally for the day was 213. Great to have The Shop and The Well also open to welcome visitors.

Big hits were bell ringing, the stained glass windows and the history/architecture of the church. Lots of young people, many who wanted to have interesting conversations. Visitors often stayed for quite a while, and many thanked us for “being so friendly”. Some commented on how odd (and I think encouraging) it was to be in a church that seemed to be thriving. Of course, we bragged just a bit! It was good to have Garth and Ed chatting with passers-by as they made our front gardens beautiful.

Thank you all for your part in making today such a success. You – we - were a welcoming, warm and an informed group of tour guides who represented St. John's so well.