This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

What a week! I'm sure you have been following the news… feeling concerned about what will happen… wondering what to believe.

This week, St John’s joined with parish churches across the Anglican Communion to pray for peace. On Tuesday, October 17, the church was open for prayer all day. People dropped in and stayed a while, or attended the two services of prayers. I have come to appreciate how many people have real connections in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon. People submitted names for our prayers. Many of the names came from synagogues through my role as the Bishop’s Interfaith Officer, and also from visits to the Land of the Holy One by St John’s parishioners. We will keep praying these names and if you have others you would like to add to our church’s prayers, please submit them HERE.

It's hard to pray when we are in shock or deeply worried. Here is a prayer if you need one:

O God whose desire is that all peoples of the world should be one human family, living together in harmony, grant that our home, by its worship and witness, may help to hasten the day when your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

(Book of Alternative Services, page 697)

What else can we do? Keep going in faith! Here are the ways to keep going with us at St John’s this weekend.

Medicine Walk: Come and walk with us this Saturday afternoon. Meet at the church to share rides at 1:00 p.m. We are going to walk the boardwalk through the beautiful Mer Bleue Bog. You can also meet us there – at the P22 parking lot at 1:30 p.m. A Medicine Walk is a shorter meditative walk rather than a challenging hike. It is a time to be with the Creator, the Creation, and the plants that are medicines – all of it as medicine for our hearts. This is an Indigenous practice that is open to all of us. We will be guided by St John’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Kimberly Johnson-Breen.

Honouring Interfaith Leaders: A celebration of the deep roots of interfaith friendship in the Ottawa area, remembering and celebrating: The Rev. Canon Bern Barrett (Anglican), Dr. Jagmohan Humar (Jain), Abdul Rashid (Muslim), Behnaz Bahrami (Baha’i), Lloyd Spencer (Latter Day Saints), Nazira Tareen (Muslim), Dr. Daniel Stringer (Federation for World Peace), Dr. Madhu Sahasrabudhe (Hindu). Presented by the Capital Region Interfaith Council at St John’s on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

Belong Ottawa: After-Church Forum this Sunday about the challenge of homelessness in downtown Ottawa. Rachel Robinson, executive director of Belong Ottawa, and Heather Wacyk, manager of The Well, will give us an update on growing needs and plans for The Well to increase its programs. Please join us in the Parish Hall at noon.

When times are uncertain, I have always found that focusing on gratitude really helps. Please see the Gratitude section below as we give thanks for blessings.

Looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday.

Gary+

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, October 22, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Isaiah 45:1-7; Psalm 96:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, October 29, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Leviticus 19:1-18; Psalm 1; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46

SERMON – Sunday, October 15, 10:15 a.m.

Listen to last Sunday’s Sermon by Allen Box HERE.

GRATITUDE

ROOTED IN ABUNDANCE

The focus is gratitude for this year’s stewardship campaign, Rooted in Abundance, which begins Sunday, October 29. This week’s letter by our churchwardens focuses on gratitude and abundance. Read the letter HERE.

OUR HOME AND TREATY LAND

Special thanks to Kimberly Johnson-Breen and Margaret Kasurak for a wonderful informative series featuring the book Our Home and Treaty Land by Rev Dr. Matthew Anderson and Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred. Go deeper with the authors for a special Zoom conversation presented by the Christian Council of the Capital Area Christian Council. Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 p.m. Register HERE.

PREPARING FOR LIFE'S TRANSITIONS

Special thanks to the guest speakers for our series, “Preparing for Life’s Transitions”. We are grateful to Heather Austin-Skaret, “Preparing a Will – Introducing Wills & Estates”; Paul Beverley, “Making Decisions about Longterm Care”; and Sean Copeland, “Planning a Funeral.”

All our guest speakers welcome further questions – we will forward your questions HERE.

HOLY BAPTISM

Special thanks to the Marks family for celebrating the Baptism of Darien with our community at St John’s. Welcome, Darien, into your family of faith!

WHAT'S HAPPENING

ALL SAINTS / ALL SOULS / REMEMBRANCE

These three celebrations are always close together. Here is how we are celebrating at St John’s this year.

ALL SOULS - READING OF THE NAMES

Remembering those who have died this past year: Sunday, October 29, 10:15 a.m.

ALL SAINTS HYMN SING

Cara Gilbertson, Artist-In-Residence & Grayson Nesbitt, Choral Scholar collaborate with Interim Music Director Barb Hallam-Price to encourage the congregation and choir of St John’s to have fun singing hymns of your choosing. This event is perfect for beginners, professionals, and everyone in between.

Get your voice in shape
Feel the joy as you sing
Suggest a hymn - HERE.

Everyone is welcome. Send us your hymn suggestions by Wednesday, October 25, so we can prepare. Take a break for lunch and come back to church to sing!

Sunday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m.

ALL SAINTS - THE FOUR AMIGOS CHURCHES

St Theresa’s Roman Catholic, Knox Presbyterian, First Baptist, and St John the Evangelist Anglican - are once again bringing the four congregations together for an evening of reflection, sharing, learning, singing, and fellowship. We will keep All Saints Day together. You are invited as we compare how our four traditions approach and celebrate saints. Ask questions and think about the saints in your life. We invite your ideas for future collaboration! Hosted by First Baptist Church at Elgin & Laurier - Enter off Laurier through the accessible doors marked Main Entrance. Wednesday, November 1, 7:00 p.m.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

Reading of the Names: Sunday, November 5, 10:15 a.m.

ST JOHN’S CENTERING PRAYER GROUP QUIET DAY

This Quiet Day is a one-day retreat for the practice of silence and stillness. Silence and stillness are key elements for contemplation in all religious traditions. The day will include two sessions of centering prayer with introductory comments for persons who are not familiar with this type of contemplation to learn the simple basics. It will also include a session of lectio divina, an ancient form of bible reading. This will be followed by periods of silence.

This is not a conference. Except for the bible study, participants will remain silent in silent prayer.

For more information and to register, please contact the Reverend Garth Bulmer HERE.

Let us know if you need transportation. Bring a bag lunch. $15/person.

Location: St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church - Chelsea, Quebec.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 - 9:30 - 3:30 P.M.

ST JOHN'S CHRISTMAS MARKET

COME TO THE CHRISTMAS MARKET!

Thanks to Mary Ann Varley for the poster. Please save and share it with your friends, watch our social media for updates, and plan to join us on November 25!

UPDATE FROM CoSA

Susan Love, Kathleen Weedmark & Lyse Morin

Circles of Support and Accountability Ottawa is delighted to announce the appointment of new Program Director Kathleen Weedmark. Kathleen comes with extensive experience with Corrections Canada, especially with the Ottawa Parole Office. Kathleen begins in this role on November 20. Susan Love, Program Director (retiring) and Lyse Morin, President of the Board, will assist with the transition. Congratulations Kathleen, Susan, and Lyse on this excellent appointment.