This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This coming Sunday concludes a very rich observance of Indigenous History Month at St John's. A wonderful team of Indigenous leaders has grown over this past year. Special thanks to Rebecca, April, Glenn, Patrick, Megan, and to Kimberly, St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, for sharing your wisdom, personal stories, smudging, readings, prayers and hospitality.

We have one more Sunday, and we invite you to hear more about how the Anglican Church is changing to Indigenous ways, structures and leadership in a special sharing circle following the worship service.

As I prepare to preach this Sunday's scriptures, I am inspired by how the "fruits of the spirit" are described in Paul's Letter to the Galatians (Chapter 5:1, 13-25). We live in a time when it seems there is so much to do and so many ways to go about it.

Thank God that in healthy community life, we are able to honour many ways. We are able to celebrate our diversity of ways especially when they unite us in these qualities or fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

On a personal note, I thank the Creator for the life of my mother, Wilma Van Der Meer, who departed this life. I am grateful for your kind words and support. As my family prepares for her funeral, I am sharing her obituary. Her funeral is in Brockville this coming Saturday, and I will be back with you this Sunday.

I hope you will join us for worship at St John's this Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Gary+

SUNDAY JUNE 29 | Third Sunday after Pentecost | 9:30am

Scriptures:1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

SUNDAY JULY 6 | Fourth Sunday After Pentecost | 9:30 a.m.

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

Megan led the prayers of the people for the National Indigenous Day of Prayer.

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

Worship recordings include the following portions of the service: prayers, readings, the sermon, and music.

National Indigenous Day of Prayer - Sunday, June 22, 2025

Pentecost - Sunday, June 8, 2025

Seventh Sunday of Easter - Sunday, June 1, 2025

Ascension Day Hymn Sing - Thursday, May 29, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

Rebecca Gregg will be leading a sharing circle this coming Sunday about moving forward with Indigenous leadership and changes in the Anglican Church of Canada.

Many of you may have been aware that Nick was preparing to take the Associate level exams with the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO), and this week he is grateful to announce that he has successfully passed the exams. Furthermore, he is delighted to share that he has been nominated for four scholarships by the RCCO, based on the results of his exams, including the Willan and Wayne C. Vance prizes for the highest marks in the country this year. Nick would like to express his gratitude for the mentorship and support he has received from Wesley Warren, Gordon Johnston, and the community of St. John's, which have been integral to his preparations for these exams.

TAKE NOTE

BOOKS & BARBECUE

We’ve made it a habit in the summer of reading a book together, then gathering for food and fellowship as we discuss what we’ve read and how it impacted us. This year, the Lifelong Learning Committee has chosen the book Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis-Shaped World by Jesse A. Zink.

One reason we chose this book is that is actually a series of theses (or essays). We’ve chosen to highlight two chapters for discussion:

Chapter 5: "Enough is a response to a world of more"
Chapter 13: "In a mistrusting world, the church is called to be a community of responsibility and solidarity"
The chapters are not long, and if you're feeling ambitious, you might add Chapter 8: "Christian witness is rooted in hope - even if we don't want it to be"

Our thinking is that with less content to cover, we can have a deeper discussion when we are together.

Faithful, Creative, Hopeful is available at Perfect Books for $42. If that is a bit pricey for you, it is also available at Chapters for $30. Unfortunately it is not available at the library.

Whether or not you were able to complete the reading of the book, we hope you will join us on Saturday, August 16. Thanks to Ian and Michelle who are hosting us in their home for food and discussion. Please email the office at admin@stjohnsottawa.ca to confirm your participation. More details will be provided for participants closer to the date.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS

Celebrate a special date in your life or remember a loved one by donating flowers for the Sunday worship service. Flowers are welcome at the altar, the chancel, or the font. Flower dedication names will be included in the Sunday prayers of the people.

Please contact Vicki Milnes on a Sunday or by email.

FUNDRAISER FOR BRUCE HOUSE

Bike Ride for People with AIDS

This will be my 11th time cycling from Toronto to Montreal in support of people with AIDS. What is new is that I'm doing this ride for Bruce House, our local Ottawa charity providing services and housing support for people with HIV. Toronto People with AIDS Foundation, the ride's organizer and founder, has broadened the ride to support local community AIDS service organizations.

Every dollar that I raise over $2000 will be split 50/50 between PWA Toronto and Bruce House. My fundraising goal is $8000, and I have just reached $6260.50.

Each of us has many causes you care about and support. I hope you're excited to support Bruce House with me! Make a secure online donation by clicking here. No donation is too small.

Thanks for your support!

Gary+

LOOKING AHEAD

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Osiyo Nigadv! Hello everyone!

This past week, we celebrated the Summer Solstice on June 21, which coincided with National Indigenous Peoples Day, providing a broader platform for Indigenous celebrations and cultural exchange.

Here are some upcoming Indigenous events at St. John's:

Sunday, June 29: Sharing Circle conducted by Rebecca Gregg concerning the Anglican Indigenous Church and moving forward.
Saturday, August 23: St John's Field Trip - Pow Wow at Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. If you would like to join our field trip, and be part of our shared rides to Golden Lake, please email me at the address below, or use the sign-up sheet at the back of the church. We will have more details soon.
Saturday, September 20: Sharing Circle with Elder Louella. Knowledge sharing about the Medicine Wheel Teachings, including the Four Directions. Please send me an email if you would like to participate.

Kimberly Johnson

indigengcoord@stjohnsottawa.ca

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

CAPITAL PRIDE PARADE ORGANIZING TEAM

St Johns' Capital Pride organizing team: Maroua, Marianne, Luka, Laura, Mary Frances, Sherrie, Diana, Ron. Our team also includes Denis and Krisha (away).

St. John's will be organizing the Anglican presence in the Capital Pride parade on Sunday afternoon, August 24.

We have a St John's team getting us organized!

We are planning a sign-decorating party on Sunday, August 17 following the 9:30 service. Our signs will be for walking in the parade and will include scripture quotes in the languages we use at St John's, scripture quotes and memorable phrases. We hope to make enough signs to share them with parade walkers from other Anglican parishes.

St John's is on the parade route so we are planning a space for watching the parade (especially if you're not able to walk the whole parade route) including water and washroom station.

LOOKING AHEAD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Every Sunday from June 1 to August 31

Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 29

Sharing Circle conducted by Rebecca Gregg concerning the Anglican Indigenous Church and moving forward.

Saturday, August 16

Books & Barbecue, 5:00 p.m. Chez Ian and Michelle.

Sunday, August 17

Pride Parade Sign Making Party, 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel

Saturday, August 23

Pow Wow Field Trip to Golden Lake - Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation

Sunday, August 24

Capital Pride Parade

Saturday, September 20

Sharing Circle with Elder Louella: Medicine Wheel Teachings

Saturday, September 27

Field Trip to Ottawa Mosque, 10:00 a.m. 251 Northwestern Ave.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Christina, Pat, Nicholas, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Monica, Barb, and all who minister at St. John's.

Prayer Requests: James, Alice, David, Barton, Sara, Ted, Doug, Wilma.

And for those who have died: Adrian Crane, Wilma Van Der Meer, Bert Hopkins and Michel Landry.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
The Parish of Chelsea, Lascelles, Wakefield
St. Mary Magdalene, Chelsea
Holy Trinity, Lascelles
Good Shepherd, Wakefield
The Reverend Dr. Caroline Ducros
For General Synod taking place this week in London Ontario. For the election of the new Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. David Parsons, Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Annie Ittoshat, The Rt. Rev. Lucy Netser, Suffragan Bishops, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of the Arctic.

ELCIC

The congregations of the northern area of the Saskatchewan Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The Moravian Church has joined Full Communion with Anglicans and Lutherans - read about the Moravian Church HERE

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma).

Flowers

Invited for this week by contacting the office.

Parish Prayer Group

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

office@stjohnsottawa.ca

DONATE

CANADA HELPS QR CODE

e-transfer accounts@stjohnsottawa.ca

HOW YOU CAN DONATE TO ST JOHN'S

Identified donations to St John’s are charitable donations and are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Receipts for donations made directly through St John’s are usually generated on an annual basis. Donations to St John’s through Canada Helps are receipted by Canada Helps.

Here are the different ways that you can give:

E-Transfer

accounts@stjohnsottawa.ca

PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance)

Enrol in the PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) program, whereby a designated monthly amount is withdrawn from a parishioner’s bank account or credit card. Peggy Lister, the Envelope Secretary, will provide you with the application form required to enrol in this program.

Weekly Offering Envelopes

Use identified weekly offering envelopes to make your cash or cheque donation to St John’s. A request for such envelopes goes to Peggy Lister, the Envelope Secretary, who will provide the envelopes.

Cash or Cheque Donation on Sunday

Make a cash or cheque contribution during a weekly service. The donation must be identified (i.e. a name & address on the envelope or a cheque with the donor’s information) if the donor wishes to receive a charitable receipt for the donation.

Canada Helps

Make a donation to St John’s through Canada Helps by scanning the QR code on the weekly bulletin, the QR code on the sign at the back of the church or through the ‘donate’ button on the St John’s website. Canada Helps donations can be for a single time or set up as an on-going monthly donation.

With thanks to God for your generous support