St John's Newsletter 3 July 2022

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Let me tell you about our plans for this summer at St John the Evangelist. This includes special events to add to your calendar and some changes to our regular schedule.

Bike to Ice Cream. If you’re planning to join our group this Saturday for my informal birthday celebration (actual birthday is Sunday but not a significant number), please meet at St John’s Saturday morning to leave at 11:00 a.m. Alternatively, if you are not cycling, meet us for Ice Cream Round One at Merry Derry (102 Fairmont at Gladstone) at 11:30 a.m. Meet us for Ice Cream Round Two at Beachconers Creamery (273 Britannia at Howe) at 12:30.

Books & Barbecue. For our summer read, we are starting Michael Ignatieff’s newest book, On Consolation. Finding Solace in Dark Times, with a barbecue on Wednesday, July 6, 6:00 p.m. See the details below.

Messy Church. In addition to the regular Sunday School (which takes a break in the summer), we are starting a new occasional gathering for children and their families. It’s called Messy Church. The name actually comes from the Church of England and recognition that children don’t really get to know each other in the short time of Sunday School. This is an additional gathering for fun, friendship and food – with activities that model Christian community. I like the phrase “It’s church, but we can be messy!” I hope you will support these occasional gatherings for a couple reasons. First, I would like every child in our church to know that the priest knows them by name and cares that they do well in life. Second, I know that many adults in our church cherish your church friends; I want this for our children as well. Thanks to Mary Ann Varley for hosting our first one. It’s a spash-pad party with make-your-own sundae’s. Saturday, August 13, 10:00 a.m. Please see details below.

Pride Worship Service. We are planning a special service on the day of the Pride Parade. Appropriate readings, fabulous music, some food after – as we send off our St John’s reps to walk in the parade. You are welcome to rep St John’s! Sunday, August 28, 10:15 a.m.

And now for the changes to our regular plans. Sunday services continue at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. We will continue to offer lemonade at the church entrance following the 10:15 service – please be in touch with Gay Richardson if you are able to assist. Subject to availability of volunteers, we intend to continue Open Doors on Thursday 12-1 and Saturday 2-3 p.m. Please do drop in to greet our Open Doors hosts.

Please note that this e-newsletter will miss a few Sundays to accommodate staff holiday times. Don’t worry, we are not going away! Next e-newsletter date: Thursday July 14th.

Please note that I will also be on holiday. I am with you this Sunday and would be glad to see you. Then I’m away July 7 to August 7. I am grateful to the Rev. Canon Allen Box who will officiate at the worship services. For any urgent pastoral matters, you can reach Allen by contacting the church office.

With thanks to God for all of you,

Gary+

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Robin, 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.

The Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Michael Pryse.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Ottawa

The Reverend Tim Kehoe.

St. Thomas, Woodlawn

St. George’s, Fitzroy Harbour

The Reverend John Stopa.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Rt. Rev. David Greenwood, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Athabasca.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)

The congregations of the southern area of the Saskatchewan Synod.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Anglican Church of Tanzania.

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 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

3 JULY 2022

Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-9; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Join me for my birthday -

Saturday, July 2, BIKE TO ICE CREAM! Join me for a bike ride to two of the best ice cream spots in Ottawa: The Merry Dairy (Gladstone & Fairmont Avenues) & Beachconers Microcreamery (Howe Street and Britannia Road). Yes, you really can eat two ice cream cones in one day! Would you prefer to drive or use a battery-assisted bike?? It’s all good even though you’ll burn fewer calories!! Leave from the church 11:00 a.m.

Lifelong Learning

Books and Barbeque

There will be 2 'Books and Barbeque' events over the summer. The book is On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times by Michael Ignatieff (available at Perfect Books on Elgin Street, at the Ottawa Public Library, both print and audio, and in Kindle format).

At the first session in July, the book will be introduced and the first few chapters discussed. At the second session in August, discussion will focus on the book as a whole.

For now... mark your calendars!

The first gathering will be on Wednesday July 6 at 6 pm at the home of Michelle Smulders and Ian Myles.

Come to enjoy a burger and a lively discussion!

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:

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?
Why do we worship the way we do?
How do we live out our faith in practice?
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. 15 and 29th, and Nov. 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.

FLOWERS

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of

Douglas and Margaret Hayward by Ann Chaplin and family.

TAKE NOTE

Thousand Doves Project at Christ Church Cathedral

Photo's taken by Wendy McCutcheon

Food basket for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre

Please remember to bring an offering for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre.

St. John's is one of 23 downtown churches supporting this ministry, and our food and money contributions are essential, since the city is no longer funding it(The Centre no longer meets their funding parameters - there's no problem with its administration). Anything is welcome, but obviously not out of date cans or dried goods.

Money is better than a gift card, because the Centre deals with suppliers who sell them food at cost.

These days, and particularly in the summer, many people need this help.

Please give regularly and generously.

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.