This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear St John's Church family,

One evening, years ago, a businessman who was visiting the United States wanted to make a telephone call. He entered a phone booth, but found it to be different from those in his own country. It was beginning to get dark outside, so he had difficulty finding the number in the directory. He noticed that there was a light in the ceiling, but he didn't know how to turn it on. As he tried again to find the number in the fading twilight, a passerby noted his plight and said, "Sir, if you want to turn the light on, you have to shut the door." To the visitor's amazement and satisfaction, when he closed the door, the booth was filled with light. He soon located the number and completed the call.

I don’t know about you, but for me, the world feels very much like that phone booth must have felt to that businessman, hard to figure out and seemingly devoid of light. It can be challenging, to say the least, as we try to navigate and manage the uncertainty of our time in the midst of crisis after crisis… political, economic, natural. As Anne Murray has sung, “we sure could use a little good news”.

The Good News for us, as followers of Jesus in the midst of the chaos and noise of our age, is that while we have been called to love and serve those around us, to do the binding and unbinding that is Gospel love, this ministry is a co-mission, one that we share with God… “where two or three are gathered in my name” Jesus tells the disciple. “I am there among them.”

As we begin this new season of ministry, in this interim time, it is a privilege for me to take this journey with you and to share with you the mission to which our Lord has brought us, in this time and place. I look forward to getting to know you over these next weeks and learning and discerning with you the ways and places that we are called to bring light to those who are struggling in the darkness.

Wishing you every Blessing

Paul+

The Very Reverend Paul Millward

Sabbath Clergy from September 6 to October 15

SUNDAY September 6 | Season of Creation 1 | 9:30 am

Job 38:1-8; Psalm 19; Romans 1:16-25; Matthew 4:1-11

SUNDAY September 13 | Season of Creation 2 | 9:30am

Isaiah 55:6-13; Psalm 150; Romans 8:18-27; Matthew 5:13-20

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - August 23, 2026

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - August 16, 2026

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost - August 9, 2026

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN THE COMMUNITY

THE CAPITAL PRIDE PARADE 2026

It was a party! Lots of enthusiastic parade participants and a cheering crowd of onlookers.

The weather cooperated. The rain held off and the overcast skies made it a comfortable temperature.

The Anglican Diocese group was about 30 people from five different parishes. We carried banners and signs, waved at the crowd and had a marvellous time. We got several positive reactions to the messages on our posters. The parade as a whole was a joyful celebration of love and inclusion. (And it was disruption free!)

The after party was a great success. It was lovely to gather together and share the parade experience. The snacks and decorations and conversations were enjoyed by all.

Marianne Harkema

Enjoy the photos below of some of our marchers, courtesy of Leigh Anne Williams, and of the St. John's Pride Party, courtesy of Caroline Trippenbach. You can also check out CTV's coverage of the parade, which includes St John's marchers at around the 1-minute mark in this clip

Above: Special guests at the Pride Party were (left to right) Rev. James from St Helen's with his family, and Miles and Lanre from Trinity Anglican Church.

UPDATES

A NEW STEP FORWARD AT THE PARISH HALL!

Recently, a team of parishioners got together to give the street entrance of the Parish Hall a much-needed makeover. The old wooden platform was removed and replaced with a new, solid platform featuring a step on three sides and topped with durable composite decking.

The project took a full day of teamwork that included some collaborative and creative problem-solving along the way. Whenever we ran into a challenge, someone had an idea that led to a solution! It was a great example of what can happen when people work together and everyone is willing to pitch in.

There is just one small item left on the to-do list: handrails will be installed on both sides of the platform where it meets the building. That final touch should be completed in the coming weeks.

A big thank-you goes to our amazing volunteer crew—Denis, Ted, Jim, Ed, and Detlef—for giving their time, energy, and good humour to the project. The Parish Hall has definitely taken a step in the right direction!

"SMALL BUT MIGHTY" BELL CHOIR

Starting this September, we are starting a bell choir at St. John's! You can expect to hear our bells at select services throughout the year, and perhaps some other impromptu appearances. If you are interested in joining the bell choir, please email our Director of Music Nicholas Busch for more information [music@stjohnsottawa.ca]. The bell choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at St. John's, and if we get enough new members, we will change the name to just "The Mighty" Bell Choir.

PRESERVE AND PROTECT CENTRE 454 -

ADD YOUR VOICE!

As you may know, Belong Ottawa is scheduled to move Centre 454, a mission-critical, low-barrier drop-in day program, in January 2027. Belong Ottawa is asking the Mayor and City Councillors to extend the January 2027 relocation timeline, giving them the time they need to identify and secure the right interim and long-term locations for Centre 454 and, most importantly, to protect the continuity of the essential services on which so many people rely.

Please consider signing the advocacy letter linked below and sharing it with those you know. The more voices we can bring forward the stronger our collective message will be.

Please take a moment and click here to add your voice

COMMUNITY SHOP DAYS OF OPERATION

Please take note that on Tuesday, September 8th, following the Labour Day holiday, the St John’s Community Shop will return to it’s regular days of operation:

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE

For the next four months, during Gary's absence, This Week at St John's will be published every second Thursday. Please contact Brian Cameron if you have something you would like included. The deadline for the next issue will be Wednesday, September 16, but the earlier the better!

INTRODUCING ST JOHN'S SABBATH CLERGY

The Very Reverend Paul Millward - Sabbath Clergy from September 1 to October 15

The Reverend Tim Taylor - Sabbath Clergy from October 16 to October 31

The Reverend Canon Pat Johnston - Sabbath Clergy from November 1 to November 31

OF INTEREST

CIRCLES OF SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY (CoSA)

CoSA Ottawa is recruiting new members to join our Board of Directors. We welcome individuals who are committed to community safety, restorative justice, and effective governance to consider contributing their skills and perspectives to support our mission. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of the organization and strengthen our impact in the community. Interested candidates can contact director@cosa-ottawa.ca to learn more.

CoSA Ottawa is looking for Circle Volunteers and on September 28, 2026, at 6:30pm we are hosting a Fundamentals of CoSA Training Session. This session is for anyone interested in learning more about volunteering with CoSA Ottawa. Anyone interested in attending can contact admin@cosa-ottawa.ca to register and to learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY

Sunday, September 6

Last Sunday with summer hours at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, September 13

Sunday services at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Return to regular worship schedule.

Saturday, November 21

Christmas Market, 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m.

Sacrament Preparation with Gary: First Meeting

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Pray for St John's Sabbath Clergy: Paul Millward, Tim Taylor & Pat Johnston

Prayer Requests: Linda, John, Sandy, Dixie, Alice and David.

Our Diocese

Kathryn, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Shane, our Primate, as well as (Sept. 6): The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Bishop Larry Kochendorfer and Bishop Carla Blakley; and for all who labour for the good of our society on this Labour Day weekend; and for the new school year, students of all ages, and their teachers and parents. (Sept. 13): Our Community Ministries: Belong Ottawa: Centre 454; St Luke’s Table; The Well/La Source; and Centre 105 (Cornwall); Cornerstone Housing for Women; Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre; and the Refugee Ministry Office
Our Diocesan Partners: (Sept. 6): Kairos Ottawa, Saint Paul University; (Sept. 13): the International Anglican Women’s Network in Canada
(Sept. 6): St. Mary’s, Russell,The Reverend Tom Hubschmid; (Sept. 13): The Parish of St. Helen’s, Orleans, The Venerable Rhonda Waters and The Reverend James Duckett

Anglican Church of Canada

(Sept. 6): The theological colleges and training programs within the Ecclesiastical Province of Northern Lights: Arthur Turner Training School, the Centre for Christian Studies, the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, Henry Budd College for Ministry, Saint John’s College, Dr. William Winter School for Ministry, James Settee College for Ministry; and for the Season of Creation which continues in the month ahead and a renewed commitment to a healthy relationship with the Earth (Sept 13): The Most Rev. John Stephens, Metropolitan, and the clergy and people of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Sept. 13: The Assistant to the Bishop and staff of the British Columbia Synod

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