This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Happy Easter! We have so many pictures. This newsletter includes the first batch from Maundy Thursday and Saturday night's Easter Vigil. We have more coming - be sure to open next week's newsletter for additional glorious pictures of Easter Sunday.

The Sunday after Easter used to be known as Low Sunday - because people took a rest after attending services on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Not so at St. John's this year! Here's what's happening this weekend:

Friday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. is the Vernissage for Art Credo, St John's annual transformation into an art gallery. Come check out the art, enjoy some wine and cheese, and get first dibs if you see something you want to buy.

Saturday: We have a fully subscribed field trip to Mādahòkì Farm led by St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Kimberly Johnson. If you're coming, be at the church to share rides at 8:45 a.m. It's also the first day of Art Credo and the church is open for viewing from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Learn how to knife-paint at this year's Paint-Along event from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required for the farm trip and the knife painting.

Sunday: Worship with us at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. This week's Easter story is about Thomas, the disciple who doubted because he was not present when the resurrected Jesus appeared. I take heart in "Doubting Thomas" because I know how it feels to be "Doubting Gary"! Doubt is an important part of coming into life-affirming faith. At noon, we are holding part 1 of our Scripture read-along for the Book of Acts. Stay and get to know the flow of the story with us. Finally, if you care about affordable housing in our city, come with us to the AGM of Multifaith Housing (Rideau United Church 1:30 p.m.). St John's is a passionate longtime supporter.

See the details for all these events below. I hope to see you this weekend!

Gary+

Joyful Easter Sunday! More pictures in the album below.

SUNDAY APRIL 27 | Second Sunday of Easter | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Scriptures: Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

SUNDAY MAY 4 | Third Sunday of Easter | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Scriptures: Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Easter Sunday - April 20, 2025

Easter Vigil - April 19, 2025

Good Friday - April 18, 2025

Palm and Passion Sunday - April 13, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES THIS WEEK

Maundy Thursday Dinner:

Thanks to our co-leaders, Rebecca Gregg and Chris Chiavatti, and to all our volunteers who helped with the supper. Thanks to all who donated extra dinners so we could welcome everyone to participate.

Easter Vigil:

The service on Saturday night began with chanting by candlelight.

Easter Vigil: Maroua's Baptism (below):

Maroua was presented for baptism by Monica and Idris. Maroua then gave her testimony:

"Today, I stand here not only with faith, but with peace in my soul. I’ve searched for a long time to find where I truly belong, and now I know. I have found my home in Christ. I give my heart fully to Jesus, who found me, saved me, and loved me exactly as I am. With this baptism, I surrender my old life and embrace the new. I vow to follow Christ with all that I am, not perfectly, but faithfully. I promise to walk in His light, to grow in His love, and to live with compassion, courage, and truth. I am no longer a visitor in this faith . I am part of the body of Christ. I am His, and He is mine."

Congratulations, Maroua!

Maroua invited her friends to witness her baptism - for many, their first visit to a church.

The congregation was sprinkled with waters of baptism by Idris. Idris was baptized at the Easter Vigil last year.

Thanks for the pictures: Maroua, Erin & Brian.

TAKE NOTE

SCRIPTURE READ-ALONG

Sunday, April 27, 12:00 p.m.

Are you afraid of the Bible? Or maybe intimidated by it? Many people are - especially when it has been used to stomp on people you care about, or maybe even on you.

The Bible is beautiful, rich with meaning, and it helps us to meet the Creator. When the Bible gets weaponized, many people don't know what to say or where to start. They may even give up on the Bible.

Our read-along sessions are intended to help you get to know what's in the Bible and how the stories flow. As we learn, we hope to grow more comfortable with questioning what we hear and responding to people who use scripture as a weapon. Coming to the Acts read-along is a great place to start.

Join us for Acts Part 1: Chapters 1-14 on Sunday, April 27, at 12:00 p.m.

We will meet in the Parish Hall immediately after the 10:15 service (approximately 12:00 noon). Our session includes an introduction to the book by Canon Pat Johnston. The time frame is approximately one and a quarter hours. Bring a sandwich.

Please note: Part 2: Chapters 15-28 will be on Sunday, June 1 at 12:00 p.m.

MULTIFAITH HOUSING PRESENTATION

You are invited to a presentation in the Warriors Chapel regarding the Multifaith Housing Initiative on May 4, following the 10:15 am service. Sandwiches will be served. Please express your interest in participating in this presentation by clicking HERE.

You are also invited to attend the Multifaith Housing Annual General Meeting this coming Sunday, 1:30 p.m. at Rideau Park United Church, 2203 Alta Vista Drive Ottawa, ON K1H 7L9.

ART CREDO IS COMING!

The 46^th Art Credo Exhibit and Sale promises to be another wonderful art show! It will run from Saturday April 26^th to Sunday May11^th. We will have over 100 works of art from 45 artists.

The Vernissage will be in the evening of Friday April 25^th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.. Everyone is invited to come and to bring a friend. Get an early peek at the artwork, meet some of the artists, and enjoy some wine & cheese.

Volunteers needed: If you can offer 3 hours of your time to welcome guests and watch over the artworks (in teams of two people), please sign up on-line at https://tinyurl.com/mubyn8j3 , or you can contact Detlef or Mary Ann (contact details below).

In conjunction with Art Credo, there will be a Paint-Along workshop on Saturday afternoon April 26^th (the first day that Art Credo is open to the public), and a Poetry & Music Night on Thursday evening May 8^th. See the details in the posters below.

Contacts:

Detlef Dransch: ddransch@sympatico.ca 613.592.9897

Mary Ann Varley: varleymaryann1@bell.net 613.745.2996

ART CREDO - PAINT ALONG

ART CREDO - POETRY & MUSIC NIGHT

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

A Note from Kimberly:

Osiyo Nigadv (Hello Everyone):

I hope this note finds everyone following the bright sunshine.

As we start a new seasonal cycle, it is good to remember that Red Dress Day is on Monday May 5, 2025. This day honours the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ across Canada. Métis artist Jaime Black helped inspire the red dress movement, where red dresses are hung from windows and trees to represent the pain and loss felt by loved ones and survivors.

Parishioners are encouraged to wear red to morning services on Sunday May 4, 2025 in recognition of this important issue. This is more than history. This is an ongoing national tragedy.

“Reconciliation is not a single act, nor does it have an end date. It is a lifelong journey of healing, respect and understanding.” Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada

LOOKING AHEAD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Every Sunday

Worship Services at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. (Summer schedule is one service at 9:30 from June 1 to Labour Day).

Friday April 25

Art Credo Vernissage 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday April 26 - Sunday May 11th

Art Credo runs daily.

Saturday, April 26

Church Field Trip to Mādahòkì Farm, 10:00 a.m.
Art Credo Paint Along 1-3 p.m. in the Nave.

Sunday, April 27

Scripture Read-Through: Acts Part 1 (Chapters 1-14) 12:00 p.m. in the chapel.
Multifaith Housing Initiative AGM, 1:30 p.m. Rideau Park United Church.

Sunday, May 4

Multifaith Housing Presentation, Warriors Chapel, 12:15 p.m.
Strings of St John's Spring Concert at St John's, 2:00 p.m.

Monday, May 5

Red Dress Day: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered, Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIIA+ Peoples

Thursday, May 8

Art Credo Poetry and Music Night. 6 p.m. in the Nave.

Saturday May 10

Roger Broughton Celebration of Life. 2:00 p.m.

Sunday May 11

Interfaith Conversation with Temple Israel and Ahmadiyya Mosque at 3:00 p.m. hosted by Temple Israel. Conversation Theme: "My Canadian Home: Navigating the Questions of Citizenship as a Jew, Christian, and Muslim."

Sunday, May 25

Tulipathon, Fundraising Walk for Multifaith Housing Initiative. Commissioners Park (across from Dows Lake), 3:00 p.m.
Ascension Children's Service, 3-5 p.m.

Thursday, May 29

Ascension Day Hymn Sing. 7:30 p.m. in the Nave.

Saturday, May 31

Thrift Shop Fashion Show. 7:00 p.m. in the Nave.

Sunday, June 1

Scripture Read-Through: Acts Part 2 (Chapters 15-28) 12:00 p.m. in the chapel.
Pride Month Begins

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: Alice, David, Inga, Peter & Jack. We give thanks for the life of Denise Torunski who died on Tuesday April 15th at age 82. Denise and her husband Pete were longtime members of the St John's community.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
The staff at Ascension House.
St. Barnabas, Deep River and The Venerable Patrick Stephens.
Members of the Licensed Lay Readers’ Association and their warden, The Reverend Bob Albert.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Todd Townshend, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Huron.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The congregations of the Western Manitoba area of Manitoba of the Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Synod.

Together

For our full communion partner churches The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the US-based Episcopal Church (TEC).

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 the Indian Ocean.

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