This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends

This week’s newsletter is for the next 3 weeks. Kerry, our parish administrator goes on holidays starting next week, and we will have the next newsletter when she’s back. In the meantime, some great news. Our plan to have daily office volunteers is now up and running. Going forward, there will be volunteers in the office Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. With increased security concerns, the Somerset door will remain locked, but if you’re coming by, ring the bell. Better yet if you can give us notice that you’re coming!

We are really grateful for this addition to our church’s life during the week. The actual pattern of volunteer responsibilities will gradually come into place with practice. We look forward to engaging more volunteers in the future if you’re interested!

In the meantime, here are some great ways to be involved at St John’s:

Gary's 60^th Birthday

Family Dinner with Alicia, Carolyne and Robert

BOOK EVENING – Wednesday July 26, 6 p.m.

The book is Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr. Now that I have reached a significant birthday (60), I am thinking more and more about how Richard Rohr describes how the second half of life differs from the first half which was more about forming who you are and achieving. All that was very good while you were in it, but you come to a point of re-evaluating what you care about and where you put your energy. I’m looking forward to the conversation. If you would like to join us, send an email to our hosts, Michelle Smulders & Ian Myles HERE for location and supper details.

ST JOHN’S PRIDE SERVICE – Sunday, August 27, 9:30 a.m.

On the day of the Ottawa Pride Parade, you are invited to walk with St John’s as we join the other affirming Anglican congregations to walk in the Parade. It has been my experience at Pride Parades that there are many people in the crowd who have had a repressive experience of religion. Seeing us representing a church gives them hope that what they have felt isn’t true of all congregations. They are grateful – and so are we when we can give a person hope along with open hearts and open doors. This year, we are sharing the Pride service with Temple Israel, the Reform Synagogue of Ottawa. We are invited to Temple Israel on Friday evening 6:30 p.m. for their service, and then Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg and synagogue members will join our service on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Rabbi Daniel and I will share both sermon times to talk about how your traditions and our congregations have made the journey to becoming welcoming and inclusive and actively engaging people who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+. There is much to celebrate and we will both talk about the work that we think still needs to be accomplished.

LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL

St John’s Stewardship Committee is planning three after-church sessions to help us prepare for “the second half of life” – Preparing your Will, Decisions about Long-term Care, and Planning a Funeral. Dates and details coming soon.

Finally, since this newsletter will take us beyond my departure on my group bike ride to support people with AIDS, a little update: I am going on lots of training rides to be ready for 600 km in six days (from Toronto to Montreal). And also, thanks to so many of you who have supported the ride with a donation. With thanks for your help, as of today, I have raised $7,728.50 towards my goal of $10,000. If you would still like to donate, find out more HERE.

Please join us for worship this coming Sunday – and all Sundays up to and including September 3 – at 9:30 a.m.

Gary+

WHAT'S HAPPENING

SUMMER READING

Falling Upward

As Gary describes above, on July 26 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!

Our Home and Treaty Land: Walking Our Creation Story

This is our book study for early fall. It is written as a dialogue between Rev. Dr. Raymond Aldred, a status Cree and Rev. Dr. Matthew Anderson, a settler-descended biblical scholar.

"Treaty is the key to the shared narrative, shared spirituality and shared respect for the land." Through each author's chapters we learn the importance of understanding what Treaty meant to First Nations and to Newcomers.Accepting the truth of what happened is the first step in reconciliation.

Copies are available at Perfect Books on Elgin Street. There are three sessions, all on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11, beginning on Saturday Sept. 9th, then Sept. 23rd and the third on October 14th.

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.
Staff at Ascension House.
St. James, Manotick; The Reverend Kerri Brennan.
St. James, Perth; The Reverend Canon Kenneth Davis.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Rt. Rev. Stephen London, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Edmonton.

ELCIC

The dean, council, and congregations of the East Central Area of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Church of the Province of Central Africa.

Flowers this Sunday

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of husband John (Jack) Hampson and brother-in-law Ken Hampson and sister-in-law Libby Hampson by Jill Moll.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.