Dear Friends,

Over the past week, we shared pictures taken last Sunday with our new Pride and Trans flags. All that was required was a big smile while posing with the flags. The pictures are so good we don’t want you to miss out, so here they are again!

While we are at it, you might appreciate knowing more about these flags. The Pride flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in San Francisco in 1978. It was hand-dyed and sewn by Lynn Segerblom, known at the time as Faerie Argyle Rainbow. The first design had eight colours, each with a symbolic meaning:

The flag was revised twice. First, the pink was dropped because of unavailability of the pink fabric (1978-79). Then the turquoise and indigo were merged as blue from 1979 onwards. This six-colour flag became the Pride Flag as we know it and is the one we use in our pictures.

The Transgender Flag was created in 1999 by Monica Helms, a trans woman who underwent transition surgery in 1998. The flag was first flown at the Phoenix Arizona Pride Parade in 2000. The Trangender flag has five horizontal bars – from the top: light blue, pink, white, pink, light blue.

Over the past few years, other flags have been created for other communities identifying with Pride. Variations on the Pride Flag have also been created, notably in 2017, Phildelphia Pride added black and brown at the top of the six-colour flag to represent people of colour. Since then, many other versions have been created (each with their own story) and you will see them on display over Pride Month (June) and during Ottawa’s Pride Week.

The plan this weekend: Everyone is welcome for this Sunday’s Pride service. Our focus, to be explored during the service, is “Let’s Talk about Trans! Supporting Trans lives in our families, among our friends, in our community.” There will be regular refreshments following the service (lemonade, cookies and squares). We have an hour between the conclusion of the service and the invitation to join other Anglican parishes that are celebrating Pride for the Parade. Bring a brownbag lunch and we will eat together before walking to Kent and Somerset to meet them at 1 p.m. to walk in the Pride Parade.

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

Special Vestry will be held Sunday, September 11 immediately following the 10:15 service to discuss and vote on a redevelopment plan for St John's and the required financing.

Those On Our Hearts

Bill and Family, Ann, Steve and Family, Robin, Margaret, Pat H., The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well.

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, 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.

Staff at Ascension House.

St. Bartholomew’s, Ottawa

The Reverend Canon David Clunie. 

For the new school year, for students of all ages, and for their teachers and parents.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Rt. Rev. Chris Harper, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Saskatoon

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)

Bishop Kathy Martin, the people and rostered ministers of the British Columbia Synod

ACC & ELCIC

The World Council of Churches Assembly. 

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, please call (613) 232-4500 ext 21 or send an email to prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

Sirach 10:12-18; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Supportive parishes are invited to walk together under the banner of the

Anglican Diocese of Ottawa in the annual Pride Parade, to be held this

Sunday, August 28 after a 2-year hiatus, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Participants will be marshalled on Kent Street south of Somerset. We have

been advised that groups like ours will gather on Kent Street between James

and Florence.

The new season for St John's choir begins in September, and it promises

to be a busy, exciting year. If you or someone you know would be

interested in joining the choir, now would be the perfect time. We

rehearse every Thursday evening and sing every Sunday morning; as well,

we perform two concerts a year with orchestra. The choir is a friendly,

devoted group of singers, and new members are welcome. For further

information, contact the Director of Music, Gordon at

gordon@stjohnsottawa.ca

St John's Centering Prayer group invite you to a two day retreat on September 13 and 14 at Galilee Centre in Arnprior. The retreat will begin at 1 pm on September 13 and end at 3 pm September 14. Cost for one person including lodging and 3 meals is $150;

The event will include periods of silent prayer, liturgy and sessions of sharing on the practice and teaching about the Christian tradition of silent prayer as spiritual transformation. 

All are welcome. If you are interested or want more information please contact

Garth Bulmer at (343)204-3340 or garthbulmer@gmail.com 

St. John's Demystified! 

Did you ever wonder why people come to St. John's? What they believe? Why they worship the way they do? Why they always seem so busy with outreach programs, community engagement, social justice activities, and a million other things? You are not alone!

The Lifelong Learning Committee is planning a series of conversations to help all parishioners, new and old, to deepen their understanding and appreciation of who we are and what we do at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. Over 4 sessions there will be time to engage in thoughtful dialogue on topics like these:

1. Where does Christianity fit among religions of the world, and where does Anglicanism fit among Christian traditions, and where does St John’s fit in the Anglican tradition?
2. Why do we worship the way we do?
3. How do we live out our faith in practice?
4. How do we engage with the world?

The above topics will be explored through four 2-hour Saturday morning sessions to be held (in person) on Oct. 29th, and Nov. 5th, 12th and 19th (10 AM-12PM). This is intended for everyone – you might be new to these questions or maybe you have been thinking about them for a long time. Join us for a chance to learn from each other and to share your views and insights.

John Liddon Nesbitt Q.C.

1931-2022

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Liddon Nesbitt, on the 18th of August, 2022 at his home. Loving and devoted husband of 67 years to Wendy Nesbitt (nee Trump) and proud father to Heather Borquez (Antonio), Rosemary Bickerton (Barry), Michael (Dawn), David (Hélène), Peter (Sue). Predeceased by daughter Catherine. A wonderful and inspirational grandfather to Sergio, Rebecca, Gregory, Erin, Patrick, James, Shane, Chase, William, Aysha, Callum and Ethan. A loving great-grandfather to Hayden, Melanie, Isla, Charles, Henry, Teagan, Elliot, Harper, Sophia, Leonora and Ava. Beloved brother of Judy Reid (nee Nesbitt) and uncle to many nieces and nephews.  

John was born on the 4^th of January, 1931 in Ottawa. John was the son of the late Reverend Liddon Nesbitt, formerly Vicar of Stanbridge East, Quyon and Wakefield and the late Ethel Nesbitt (Lees). John was the grandson of the late Canon Andrew Nesbitt (Catherine) of Smiths Falls.

John grew up in Stanbridge East, Quyon, Wakefield and Ottawa. He attended Ashbury College and Carleton University and studied law at Osgoode Hall. He was called to the bar in 1955 and became a senior partner with Hewitt, Hewitt, Nesbitt, Reid in Ottawa, where he practiced law for many years. He was a lecturer for the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa until 1975. John’s successful law career was recognized when he was appointed to the Queen’s Counsel in 1974. 

John was a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and was appointed a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen, and was a people’s warden at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Ottawa. John was a member of the Larrimac Golf & Tennis Club. 

John loved road trips. He was happiest studying a map, planning camping trips with his family and spending time with his best friend Michael Roome. An avid skier, camper and golfer, John taught all five children to ski and introduced them to the beauty of nature and camping while travelling across the country in the family station wagon. John enjoyed many holidays in New England, Nassau, England, Ireland, Scotland and Mexico. Most recently, John and Wendy called Victoria, B.C. their home away from home.

Most importantly, John was a devoted husband to Wendy and a wonderful father. He is survived by his loving wife, sister, 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Our heartfelt thanks to the New Edinburgh Square Retirement Home, and the loving care provided by Heather, Gloria and Imelda. A service will be held in the chapel at Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on August 30^th  at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca).

Purple Tie Gala: October 1st

Cornerstone Housing for Women is hosting its fourth annual Purple Tie Gala back in-person on

October 1st, 2022!

Start your fall off the right way – at a fresh and funky gala on the rooftop of the Ottawa Art Gallery! Get your best purple attire on and get ready to join us for a special night of music, connecting with old and new friends, delicious food, and hopeful celebration.

After running our second at-home virtual Gala in response to the pandemic, which raised over $100,000, we are proud to announce that the gala will once again be live this year! We are excited to celebrate with you in person on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.



Early bird tickets are now on sale for $100 until September 9th when the price will increase to $145 – don’t wait and get your tickets today!

Here is the schedule for community organizations for the Elgin Street Market

• Concorde Housing - August 28
• Ottawa Rambling Club - September 4
• Centretown Emergency Food Centre - September 11
• Cornerstone Housing - September 18
• Centretown Community Health Centre - September 25
• Dementia Society - October 2
• Envirocentre - October 9

THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTCOST

4 SEPTEMBER 2022

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke 14:25-33