St John's Newsletter 1 May 2022

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

It’s a great week to come together. Despite a downtown demonstration, worship services will proceed in person as scheduled at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. You are very welcome.

In addition, come and be part of Art Credo. Worship surrounded by incredible beauty for the next three Sundays.

Consider this: Our sacred stories tell that God the Creator made humanity in the image of God. No surprise that imitation is one of the greatest compliments we can make to the Creator. Shout out to the wonderful creator artists among us.

It goes further: God has always called us to be co-creators. We are co-creators of a just and compassionate community. We are co-creators raising children in safety and love. We are co-creators when our passions are roused to intervene on behalf of those who are broken – as we welcome them back into loving community.

What is creativity? You might not have thought about it, but you are a creator too. Public speaking, being a change-agent, finding opportunities to befriend and build relationships. All these and more. Don’t stop – your creative efforts are actions of praise to the ultimate Creator!

Peace,

Gary+

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Robin, Pat, and The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well.

Our Parish

Gary, Catherine, Allen, John, Gordon, Josh, Gregory, Kerry, Stephen, Steve, Michelle, Jill and all who minister at St John's.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.

The Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Michael Pryse.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

Bishop and The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Assisting Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Missionary Area of Moosonee.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)

The congregations of the Winnipeg area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Episcopal Church in the Philippines.

Parish Prayer Group

If you wish to have someone prayed for, please call (613) 232-4500 ext 21 or send an email to prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

JOIN US

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

1 MAY 2022

Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

WHAT'S HAPPENING

ART CREDO RETURNS!

This year’s 43^rd Art Credo Exhibit and Sale will run from Saturday April 30^th to Sunday May 15^th . The Vernissage will be in the evening of Friday April 29^thfrom 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Everyone is invited to come to get a sneak peek at the artworks and perhaps chat with some of the artists. Feel free to bring a friend.

We need your help to keep the doors open during Art Credo! We are looking for volunteers who can offer three hours of time during the exhibition to act as a sitter, there is a sign-up sheet on-line at https://tinyurl.com/ycknb4rr .

Lifelong Learning

Book Study on the Acts of the Apostles

Are we still in the time of the Early Church? We start from this idea as we delve into 3 stories over the month of May. Read all of Acts – but it’s long! If you don’t have time for all 28 chapters, read Chapter 8 for the first session. And watch the new video: 20 minutes of background and questions to focus our time together.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1 - ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST - 03 MAY 2022

First session Tuesday May 3, 7:30 p.m.

Connect Here

Trillium Hike

Walk with us as we check out the beautiful flowers. We’ll meet at the church and share rides to Gatineau Park. Or meet us at the Parking Lot P11. It’s a walk with some hills but they are gentle enough for all abilities. This hike also includes a brief service of communion in the woods: informal inclusive worship with bread and wine on the earth as the altar. Bring a picnic snack and plan for a pub visit in Old Chelsea afterwards for liquid fortification.

Especially let us know if you can be a driver so we have enough room for everyone to travel together.

Saturday, May 14. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the church!

Upcoming schedule changes for

Ottawa Race Weekend

Here’s what we are planning. The 8:00 a.m. service will continue as usual. If you’re able to be with us at the church, we’ll stick around to ring the bell and cheer on the runners. And here’s the experiment: We are holding the 10:15 service at 4:15 p.m. That might be a time for future worship experiments so let’s see how it feels. With option of post-worship patio hangout time. By the way, it’s going to a music extravaganza – we actually have big plans. And remember, it’s an experiment. Experiments encourage growth and learning. Put it in your calendar!

TAKE NOTE

PWRDF responds to ACT

Alliance appeal for Ukraine

PWRDF is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. A grant of $20,000 has been issued to an ACT alliance appeal funding the work of ACT member, the Hungarian Interchurch AID (HIA). HIA has been working in Ukraine for more than 25 years in humanitarian and development projects. It had already shipped 28 tons of food to support those fleeing to Hungary, and their staff have been working with refugees at the Ukraine/Hungary border.

To make a donation go to pwrdf.org/give-today and click on Response in Ukraine. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF will return your call. You can mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2 or give through St. John’s. Please mark Ukraine in the memo field. Thank you for your support. St John’s PWRDF Committee.