This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

The scriptures for this coming Sunday focus on how the Spirit of God helps us to understand each other. We have no shortage of misunderstandings and conflicts in our world these days. The Creator encourages understanding, and I love the way understanding flows into empathy and compassion.

I hope you will enjoy this newsletter as the bearer of many opportunities for growing understanding, empathy and compassion:

Indigenous History Month: Listen to this past Sunday's worship recording, which incorporates personal stories of Indigenous members of our St John's community.
Pride Month: Watch the video of Gordon and Gaston sharing the story of their life at St John's.
This Sunday, you are invited to stay for the newcomer lunch following the service.
The Joy of Faith is an interfaith gathering with music, food and celebration on Sunday afternoon.

Please also see the pictures and report from last week's Fashion Show supporting the outreach ministry of the St John's Community Thrift Shop. It was fantastic!

I hope to see you Sunday.

Gary+

SUNDAY JUNE 8 | Pentecost | 9:30 a.m.

Scriptures: Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:7-17, 25-27

SUNDAY JUNE 15 | Trinity Sunday | 9:30am

Scriptures: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5: John 16:12-15

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Seventh Sunday of Easter - Sunday, June 1, 2025

Ascension Day Hymn Sing - Thursday, May 29, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

Listen for the children giving the dismissal in this past Sunday's worship recording.

NEW TO ST JOHN'S?

Come to the Orientation Lunch

This coming Sunday, June 8, St John's Church is hosting a lunch to welcome newcomers to our church community. We especially welcome you if you have joined our congregation over the past year. And if you are still searching for a church and you're coming to St John's for the first time, we would be delighted if you would stay following the 9:30 worship service.

Come with your questions. Find out more about ways to be involved and belong in a community of support and friendship. St John's offers pastoral support through life's challenges and transitions. Find out more about baptism, confirmation, marriage, and ways to volunteer. Come and make new friends!

We are glad you're here and we hope you are able to join us!

Sunday, June 8, 11:00 a.m.

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

ABOVE: Worship Team this past Sunday: Pat, Nkundwe, Wendy & Gary

Nkundwe's Story: Nkundwe Scout Mwangomba comes from southeastern Tanzania, near the border with Malawi and Zambia. Nkundwe says her name means "Thanks God" in the Kinyakusa language. She was given this name because she was born on Christmas Day. Scout is her father's name. While Scout is easy to say, please call her Nkundwe. It's a beautiful name worth remembering.

Community Thrift Shop Fashion Show

ABOVE: Dancers from "Dance with TLC"; Fashion show runway: Gary out fishing, Emmy and Gloria. BELOW: Glenn Calder. All these clothes are for sale in the Thrift Shop.

Fashion Show Photos: Thank you, Ned Vani & Susan Love!

COMMUNITY THRIFT SHOP

Fashion Show Report

The Thrift Shop Fashion Show - An Evening to Remember: The church was filled with over 150 people – dancers, models, volunteers, community and parish members, shop clients – all enjoying a special evening together.

Who will forget: the energy, skill and style of the dancers from Dance with TLC as they performed a variety of ball-room dances; the enjoyment of the models as they displayed their chosen outfits; the enthusiasm of the crowd as they sang along with the dance music and showed their appreciation with vigorous rounds of applause; the unrehearsed rising of the audience to sing O Canada as Nick played the tune as background for Glen Calder’s ‘Canadian’ ensemble - a red and white shirt with maple leaves with a moose and a red cowboy hat?

The event was a great community builder and raised over $2000!

Special thanks to:

David Tappin who imagined and coordinated the whole event.
The dancers from Dance with TLC, and especially Chris Rader, their instructor, who partnered every dancer.
Mary Frances Bell, who facilitated the participation of Dance with TLC in the show (and was one of the dancers).
Jeff Biggs, who introduced the dancers and models with wit and humour.
Nick Busch, who provided music to match each outfit, all on the spur of the moment (there was no rehearsal).
The models who included Shop volunteers, St John’s parishioners, and Community volunteers, and spent endless hours choosing their outfits and preparing for the event.
The hospitality team – Bea, Lannie, Barb and Detlef who provided food and beverages.

Peggy Lister

Peggy and Mary Frances: powerful, resourceful, problem-solvers!

TAKE NOTE

JOURNEY TO INCLUSION

2SLGBTQIAA+ Stories of Welcome

“I think St John’s has a unique charism that makes it very attractive because it supports people and validates their thoughts and experiences.”

Gordon Johnston, Director of Music at St John’s for 37 years, is joined by his partner Gaston Michaud as they share their story. Gordon and Gaston describe how St John’s has been a church “on the edge,” always ready to try new things and always ready to welcome. The welcome is real, genuine, and longstanding. Following Gordon’s retirement in 2022 and a time to get their bearings, Gordon and Gaston have returned to enjoy worship and community life at St John’s.

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 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.

There are 10 Ottawa cyclists joining this year's ride. This month, we met with Bruce House executive director Linda Truglia to learn more about how Bruce House provides many supports that prevent people with HIV from becoming homeless, including food pantry, therapeutic services, assistance with medication, and designated affordable housing units.

My fundraising goal is $8000, the same amount that I was able to raise last year. Like me, you may have many causes you care about and support. I am excited to be able to support Bruce House. I hope you will consider donating to support my ride this summer. I will share pictures and updates along the way. You can make a secure online donation by clicking here. No donation is too small.

I have begun my training rides. My favourite ride is called "Bike to Ice Cream." The picture above is strawberry coconut, a most delicious flavour at Beachconers near Britannia Beach.

Thanks for your support!

Gary+

Linda Truglia, Executive Director of Bruce House, with Ottawa cyclists.

LOOKING AHEAD

SCRIPTURE READ-THROUGH

The Book of Acts - Part 3

We met last Sunday for part 2 of the Book of Acts. There are 28 chapters filled with action and adventure and we still have Chapters 14-28. We will try to finish it on Sunday, June 15 following the 9:30 service. Please join us!

Sunday, June 15, 11:00 a.m.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Osiyo Nigadv! Hello everyone!

As June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, I hope everyone appreciates how we are sharing our Indigenous Stories and that this helps you to be mindful and appreciative about the achievements and resilience of Original Peoples! Thank you for your expressions of support.

Please note these upcoming events:

Monday, June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day/Summer Solstice - June 21, 2025.
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. 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

LOOKING AHEAD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Every Sunday from June 1 to August 31

Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, June 7

Doors Open Ottawa

Sunday, June 8

Newcomer Orientation Lunch to St John's, 11:30 a.m.
Joy of Faith Celebration: Many faiths come together for food, friendship, and honouring a local Indigenous leader. Presented by the Capital Region Interfaith Council, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 22

Sunday Worship for the National Indigenous Day of Prayer.

Saturday, August 23

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

Saturday, September 20

Sharing Circle with Elder Louella: Medicine Wheel Teachings

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: Diana Stimson, Joe Dubowski, James, Alice, David, Inga, and Doug.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
Our Community Ministries:
Belong Ottawa: Centre 454; St Luke’s Table; The Well/La Source
Centre 105 (Cornwall)
Cornerstone Housing for Women
Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre
Refugee Ministry
St. Thomas the Apostle, Stittsville and The Reverend Lee Lambert.

Anglican Church of Canada

The theological colleges and training programs within the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario: Canterbury College, Huron University College, Renison College, the Anglican Studies Program at Saint Paul University, Thorneloe University, Trinity College, Wycliffe College.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Luther College at the University of Regina and Luther College – High School.

Moravian Church in Canada

The School of Theology at Moravian University (formerly Moravian Theological Seminary and Lancaster Theological Seminary) in Bethlehem, PA.
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 Anglican Church of Melanesia .

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Sam and Betty Milnes by their daughter Vicki.

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