This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Upon being elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Shane Parker nominated me as his replacement on the Mayor's Faith Council. This is a small clergy group that meets occasionally at the request of the Mayor to provide advice and support in response to significant events in the life of our city. While past meetings have been convened to address incidents of violence and racism, my first time joining the group last week was a happier occasion as the Mayor invited our support and involvement in this week's Symposium on Kindness.

The Symposium on Kindness was held this Thursday at City Hall. It brought together community leaders from business, government, community organizations and faith groups in preparation for Kindness Week. Our gathering remembered Rabbi Reuven Bulka, whose significant leadership brought about the first Ottawa's first Kindness Week in 2008, and the national designation of the third week of February in 2021.

We reflected on many facets of kindness. Algonquin leader Claudette Commanda invited us into silence following this week's tragic shootings in the communities of Tumbler Ridge and Kitigan Zibi. Her words to conclude the silence: "Creator told us we must walk together." Councillor Rawlson King recalled his election in 2019 as the first Black political leader and how an incident of racism in his ward engaged the whole community for the creation of an anti-racism secretariat that would go on to develop an anti-racism strategy for Ottawa. The day featured presentations by the leadership of University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Ottawa Police Service. It concluded with a panel discussion by religious leaders: Rev Dr Anthony Bailey, minister emeritus of Parkdale United Church; Danya Vered, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, and Imam Ahmed Eleman of the Stittsville Mosque.

I noticed that when people describe kindness, so often it is with metaphorical language. Kindness is infectious and contagious. Kindness is the antidote. Kindness is like ripples in a pond. Kindness is about daily choices. Smile more often in public settings to encourage a culture of kindness.

Here are a few quotes that stay with me from the day:

Imam Ahmed Elman: "If God gives you an extra breath and an extra heartbeat, God has not given up on you becoming a more loving person."
Danya Vered: "Have courage to go into other spaces to counteract stereotypes and hate."
Wisdom Teddy, President of Carleton University: "Lets come together to transcend the ugly, or we will succumb to the ugliest versions of ourselves. Let's sow seeds of partnership from a foundation of trust."

The whole day was a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to getting to know some of the community leaders I met. What I most appreciated was the sense that we are all in this together. When we describe the ministry of our church as a place of safety and welcome, we have so many potential allies, partners and friends who share this vision and are ready to stand with us.

You can expect to hear me to be quoting from the Kindness Symposium over the coming weeks. I want to make the connections to what we do as a church. It's timely that St John's is introducing our new Circle of Care to help people in our community to stay connected and receive the help they need. Please note the special meeting inviting your participation in our Circle of Care on Sunday, February 22, following the 10:15 service.

I hope you will worship with us this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:15.

Gary+

PS Don't forget to bring in your palm branches to be burned for Ash Wednesday.

Gary with other members of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's Faith Council.

SUNDAY FEBUARY 15 | Transfiguration Sunday
Scriptures: Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

SUNDAY FEBUARY 22 | First Sunday of Lent

Scriptures: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - February 1, 2025

Third Sunday after Epiphany - January 25, 2026

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

Top: Mary and Allen

Middle: Leandro, Mary Frances and Sheila

Bottom: Jane and Amina

Kindness Symposium: City of Kindness

UPDATES

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Here at St John's, I hope you appreciate the ways our congregation has been blessed over the past two years with newcomers from Africa. You can see from the regular photographs in this newsletter (and the pictures above) that they are very involved in our community. We recognize the hardship and challenges of coming to a new place and starting over. This month, we are celebrating the richness of languages, cultures, music and food as we continue to grow in friendship. While each Sunday will bring its own blessings, we especially invite you to attend this Sunday, February 15.

There will be African music during the service with dancing and lunch following.

Gary+

Questions for 2026 Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, a series of four questions have been developed to help you test your knowledge of Black History in Canada. Special thanks to Marilyn Collins for creating the questions.

To further deepen your knowledge, why not find out more about each of the proposed answers and discuss what you learned this Sunday. The answer will be included in the newsletter for the following week.

THIRD QUESTION: Who blazed the way for black athletes in boxing?

Sam Langford
Andrew Harris
Willie O'Ree
Angela Issajenko

ANSWER TO THE SECOND QUESTION:

Who is the first Canadian woman to be featured on a Canadian banknote?

Viola Desmond

Viola Davis Desmond (1914–1965) was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was an African-Canadian who ran her own beauty parlor and beauty college in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On November 8, 1946, while waiting for her car to be repaired, she decided to go see a movie in the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow. She refused to sit in the balcony, which was designated exclusively for Blacks. Instead, she sat on the ground floor, which was for Whites only. She was forcibly removed and arrested. Viola was found guilty of not paying the one-cent difference in tax on the balcony ticket.

Viola Desmond was also featured on a Canadian stamp

Black History Month Reading List

As St. John’s continues to celebrate Black History Month, we asked our intrepid friend, Erin Biggs, to do some sleuthing to see what online resources are out there that can help our parish to become more familiar with the history, contributions, and achievements of Black Canadians. Below are some of the resources she found to help us to explore this rich history!

The Black History page of Perspective, the online newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, is a great place to start: https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/tag/black-history-month/

Among other things, you’ll find a fascinating series of articles on the history of Black Anglicans in the Diocese of Ottawa, looking at different time periods:

Black Anglicans in the Diocese of Ottawa, 1833-1880 (2024)

Black Anglicans in the Diocese of Ottawa, 1881-1923 (2025)

Black Anglicans in the Diocese of Ottawa, 1929-1977, Blaire Dixon (2022)

In 2023-24, the Diocese of Toronto also put together this 6 part series on Black history in Canada called The Art of Resistance, and it is now publicly available.

You may also want to explore the Government of Canada’s Black History website:

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html

This is the first half of the list - stay tuned for the second part next week.

Ian Myles

Lifelong Learning Committee

VESTRY REPORTS

It is that time of year when we are preparing for our Annual Vestry, which will be held on Sunday, March 8 following the 10.15 am service. In order to have our Vestry Circular available in advance, please submit your report by the end of day Monday February 23rd to Kerry.

Please do not simply send last year’s report! Instead, here are some guidelines:

Name of group, name of leader
Number of members, names of members (if appropriate)
Regular meeting time/place (if applicable)
Brief description of your group’s ministry/purpose/mandate
One thing that was exceptional for your group last year
One hope for the upcoming year

Thank you so very much for your leadership!

TAX RECEIPTS FOR 2025

Tax receipts for 2025 donations to St. John’s have been prepared. They will be at the back of the church for parishioners to pick up on Sunday, February 8th and Sunday, February 15th. Those not picked up will be mailed out after February 15th. A printout of quarterly donations by category is included with the receipt. Please review this to ensure that you have been credited with the full amount of your donation to St. John’s for 2025. Should you have any questions please email Peggy Lister, Envelope Secretary or leave a message for me at the church office.

ASHES

Note that the ashes come from burning our palm crosses and branches on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Palms were blessed and given last year on Palm Sunday. Bring back your palms! Place them in the basket at the back of the church over the next 3 weeks and join us as we burn them on Sunday, February 15 following the 8 a.m. and 10:15 services.

CHOOSING OUR NEXT BISHOP

On Saturday, February 28, lay members and clergy from all parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa will gather at an Electoral Synod to choose the next Bishop of Ottawa.

This will be a significant moment in the life of our diocese.

Our bishop is the spiritual leader and chief pastor of our diocese, providing oversight to clergy, parishes, and diocesan ministries. Our bishop guides our diocese in its mission, safeguards the faith and unity of the Church, and ensures that its ministry is carried out in accordance with Anglican tradition and canon law. Working in collaboration with Diocesan Council, committees, and community partners, our bishop offers pastoral care, fosters spiritual growth, and represents our diocese within the wider Anglican Church of Canada and the global Anglican Communion.

Three candidates have been nominated for the position of bishop: the Ven. Brian Kauk, the Ven. Kathryn Otley and the Ven. Monique Stone. You can read their curricula vitae on the diocesan web site HERE. There will be four public meetings across the diocese which everyone is welcome to attend. The details of the meetings are on the same web page noted above.

The new bishop’s installation is schedule for Saturday, May 9, 2026.

FOOD DONATIONS

Keep them coming!

Thank you to all who bring food donations to be presented as part of our Sunday offering. The amount in the black basket at the back of the church has been diminishing in recent weeks, while the need at the Centretown Community Food Centre keeps growing. Please think of adding some extra items while grocery shopping, and bring them with you on Sunday. Suggested items include: peanut butter; canned tuna, salmon, meat and stews; canned vegetables; canned soups; canned beans, including baked beans, kidney beans, and black beans; breakfast cereals; dry pasta and pasta sauce; Kraft Dinner; toothpaste and toothbrushes; toilet paper; and period products.

Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

SOUP SUPPER

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join us before the Ash Wednesday service for delicious soups and good fellowship!

St John's annual Poverty Supper is about solidarity and support for people and communities through Alongside Hope. Alongside Hope is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for emergency relief and sustainable development. The Fund works in over 30 countries around the world. We welcome a presentation by former Board Chair of Alongside Hope – Valerie Maier. We will bring you up to date about the activities and projects funded by Alongside Hope during the past year.

The soup-supper is free but we ask parishioners to bring contributions of soup or bread/rolls.

Come out and meet fellow parishioners and support the life-changing work of Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF). Plan to join us in the Parish Hall and stay for the service.

RITES OF PASSAGE

Changing Ways of Marking Death and Dying in Our Communities

Imam Sikander Hashmi, Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Rev Canon Gary van der Meer

Everyone is welcome to attend this online session presented by Compassionate Ottawa.

Join the conversation HERE. See also the QR code directly below.

Thursday, February 18, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

The Coldest Night of the Year is a fundraising walk to support the Ottawa Mission. The Mission provides multiple services from hot meals to housing, health care & end of life care to those in need. Donations of whatever you can spare will be most happily received. To support Barbara Dorrell's walk, please click HERE.

CAPITAL REGION INTERFAITH COUNCIL

Social Media and Values for High School Students

MUSIC & POETRY BY WOMEN MARATHON

March 7, 2:00-8:00 p.m.

We are delighted to announce the second Music & Poetry by Women Marathon. The event will take place on March 7th, 2026 from 2-8 PM, at St. John's.

The mission of this festival is to elevate women through the performance of female composers and poets while raising money for the women’s shelters in Ottawa during women’s history month. We hope to connect musicians across industries, genres, and generations by including every variety of composition, genre, ensemble, level, and ability in this event. Anyone can participate! The only criterion for participating in this event is that the music you perform or poetry you read/recite must be composed, arranged or co-written by a woman.

We hope you can join us even if you don't wish to read or perform. The event will be structured in 50 minute blocks starting on the hour with a 10 minute break in between. Attendance is by donation and 100% of the event proceeds will go to the Ottawa Women’s Shelters (Cornerstone Housing for Women, The Well, & St. Joe’s Women’s Centre). People can donate through the event’s PayPal page, by donation at the door, or directly to the organizations themselves.

We are also looking for volunteers for this event! If you are interested, you can sign up here.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Read-Through of the Gospel of Matthew:

This year, Sunday by Sunday, we are reading the Gospel of Matthew. Get to know the flow of the story. We will sit in a circle and take turns reading aloud - with time included to react and ask questions.

Part 3 will include readings from the First Nations Version.

Part 3: Sunday, March 15, 12:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY

Please join us at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. Special services listed below.

Sunday, February 15

Black History Month: Special Music, Dancing & Lunch

Wednesday, February 18

Soup-Supper for Alongside Hope: 5:30 - 7:15 p.m. Parish Hall.
Ash Wednesday Service. 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 22

Chinese New Year Refreshments
Circle of Care consultation 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 1

Lent Discussion: Grandfather Teachings. 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 8

Annual Vestry Meeting. 12:00 p.m.
Children's Service, 4 Amigos Churches at St John's, 3-5 p.m.

Saturday, March 14

Church Clean Up for Holy Week, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch included.

Sunday, March 15

Worship featuring the Strings of St John's, 10:15 a.m.
Gospel Read-Through: Matthew Part 3. 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 22

Lent Conversation: Grandfather Teachings. 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24

Parish Council Orientation, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 29

Palm & Passion Sunday. 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
St John's Choir Spring Concert 1: Fauré Requiem, 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 2

Maundy Thursday: Paschal Meal. 5:30 p.m. The Well
Worship Service to follow 7:30pm

Friday, April 3

Good Friday Liturgy. 10:15 a.m.
St John's Spring Concert 2: Fauré Requiem, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 4

Easter Vigil with Baptisms. 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 5

Easter Sunday. 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

THE SEVEN GRANDFATHER TEACHINGS

This is part of an ongoing series featuring the Seven Grandfather Teachings and noting their alignment with Trinitarian, sometimes called Relational Theology

Second Teaching: Debwewin: Truth

In Anishinaabe tradition, Debwewin speaks of truth as something lived from the heart. It is not only what we say. It is how we walk, how we relate, and how we act. Truth carries honesty, clarity, and a harmony between our inner spirit and the world around us.

The turtle holds this teaching. Turtle moves slowly and steadily. It does not rush and it does not bend to changing opinions. Turtle carries the teachings on its back and moves with patience, strength, and care. The way it walks shows that truth is both firm and gentle. It grounds us like the earth beneath its shell and carries life like the waters it swims through.

Truth helps us see ourselves and the world without distortion.

Sometimes truth means naming what has been avoided.

Sometimes it means admitting when we were wrong.

Sometimes it asks us to stop hiding behind old stories.

Sometimes it calls us to speak with a calm and steady voice when silence would be easier.

Often it is letting light enter places we kept in shadow, not to shame us but to help us breathe again.

In everyday living, Debwewin teaches us to be real with ourselves and real with others. It reminds us not to use truth as a weapon. It shows us how to carry honesty with gentleness and how to let clarity make us wiser rather than harder.

There is a meeting place between Debwewin and Trinitarian understanding. Creator, Creator Sets Free, and Spirit live in a circle where truth is not cold or demanding. Truth in that circle is always connected with compassion. It reveals in order to heal. It uncovers in order to restore. It speaks in a way that protects dignity and strengthens relationship.

Many Indigenous teachings speak of truth as walking straight. Trinitarian thought speaks of truth as the life Creator Sets Free embodied, showing that truth is relational, not abstract. Both speak of honesty that strengthens community. Both teach that truth and love are never meant to be pulled apart.

When we walk with Debwewin, we learn to live openly and without fear. We learn to speak from the heart instead of from defensiveness. We learn to let truth steady us instead of shame us. And we learn that real truth always leads us back into connection, not away from it.

Note

This teaching is written by Barton Breen. I am not Indigenous. I live in an Indigenous household on Anishinaabe territory with my wife. I work as a helper in our community. These teachings are shaped in conversation with her and shared under the guidance and correction of Elders Sadie and Louella, who are Delaware. We use Anishinaabe teachings because they reflect the land we live on. All content is offered with respect and reviewed to remain faithful to the wisdom of Original People.

Wado, Chi-Miigwech, Niá:wen, Nakurmiik,

Qujannamiik, Wela'lin, Marsii, Thank you,

Kimberly Johnson

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: Louis, Ian, Alice.

Our Diocese

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts: look on your Church with grace, and guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for our diocese, that we may receive a faithful servant, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Shane Parker, Primate of Canada; Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, Bishop Michael Bird our diocesan administrator.
Our Diocesan Partners: Anglican Fellowship of Prayer.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Archbishop Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Sacred Circle Events, and the ministry of reconciliation.
Trinity Church, Ottawa South and The Venerable Mark Whittall.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rose, Bishop, and the people and clergy of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Central Toronto Area and Greater Toronto Areas East and West of the Eastern Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The people and ministries of Rio Terrace Moravian Church in Edmonton.
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 the Indian Ocean.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Eeke de Vries and Arie Verduijn by their daughter Emmy Verdun.

Parish Prayer Group

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

Prayer Request

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