This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

There was a time when I told my mother, "I am having difficulty remembering names." She replied that it must be genetic. I have since learned that I really am not alone in this challenge. I have tried all kinds of word-association tricks but I have come to the conclusion that repetition is best. By this, I mean seeing the name (and the person) again and again.

This challenge is very real in a church community. After years and years, you're embarrassed to ask, if you ever knew in the first place. It used to be quite common to "make your communion" and leave without ever speaking to anybody. There has been a growing recognition that community is valuable, important and not easily found. Churches today are very intentional about community.

The potential for community is hardwired into what church is:

Community is the "Our" in "Our Father."
Community is the person helping another person to walk up the aisle to receive bread.
Community is the eye contact when we say that God's power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.

Community isn't automatic. Spending time together matters. Sunday might offer the one kind word someone hears all week. Remembering names feels right. We have name tags and we will make you one. And this week: Let the pictures in this newsletter help you learn some names!

Welcome to community at St John's. Worship with us this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Come to the wooden ramp just south of the glass doors into the church. We are in the parish hall during construction - but also take a look at our fabulous progress.

Gary+

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, Aug 4 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15; Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16; 6:24-35

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, August 11 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35; 41-51

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

Worship recordings include prayers, readings, a sermon, and music.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - July 28, 2024

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - July 21 2024

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost - July 14, 2024

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost - July 7, 2024

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ABOVE: Jim, Bosco & Olave

BELOW: Gaston, Muriel & Gordon

ABOVE: Bill, Pat, Max

BELOW: Mary Frances, June & Denzil

ABOVE: Barbara & Bea

BELOW: How church looked this past Sunday!

TRANSFORMING OUR NAVE

REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UPDATE

The new floor is in!

We completed a large task this week…the new Nave floor has been installed. Some finishing touches like baseboards and vent grills are still to be done, but it already looks great!

While we have the work crews on-site, we will be replacing the lightbulbs in the hanging light fixtures in the Nave. The new red chairs are to arrive on the weekend.

Work in The Community Shop area of the basement is done. The St John’s volunteer team have been working hard this week to get the space ready to re-open next week.

Our attention now turns to the Chapel and the Chancel. The separating wall is mostly in place. In order to facilitate other tasks, we will be emptying these two spaces by moving items into the Nave for the next few weeks. One of the major tasks, refinishing the solid wood floors, is scheduled to take place in this timeframe.

CHAIRS ARE COMING!

We reached last Sunday's goal of 78 chairs that have been purchased in our Buy-A-Chair Campaign, with over 40 people participating.

If we reach 100 chairs, we will have supported the purchase of half of the chairs that will be arriving to fill our beautiful Nave. Please consider joining in.

Each chair is $200. Buy one or buy more.

How high can we go?

Donations can be made:

By e-transfer to office@stjohnsottawa.ca
Through Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/108084658RR0007-church-of-st-john-the-evangelist/
By cheque made out to St John’s Anglican Church Ottawa

If you want to know more, please speak to Pat Fisher, Jill Moll or Barb Dransch.

SHOP RE-OPENING!

The church renovations that impacted the Community Shop have been completed and the shop will be open to all customers beginning Tuesday, August 6th.

Summer hours are Tuesday and Thursdays from noon - 4:00 p.m.

BELONG OTTAWA UPDATE

Belong Ottawa is now open on Saturday and Sunday for a women's program from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At this time, there are around 25 attending. Summer participation is lower with the nice weather but this number is expected to grow both during heat waves and when it starts to get colder.

Please note that the entrance to The Well is at the base of the same ramp we are using to enter the Parish Hall for Sunday worship. We are grateful to Tanya whose friendly welcome is guiding The Well's participants into the entrance to the lower level. Please go all the way to the top of the wooden ramp for the Sunday service!

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD

BOOKS & BBQ

TRUE RECONCILIATION BY JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD

What says "summer" better than a lively discussion with friends over delicious food? Mark your calendars now for this year's edition of "Books and BBQ"!

On August 13th, Ian and Michelle will host a BBQ to discuss the book "True Reconciliation" by Jody Wilson-Raybould. The book explores how individuals, communities, organizations, and governments can move forward on the journey of indigenous reconciliation. The discussion will be led by our Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, Kimberly Johnson.

Unfortunately, there appears to be a long waiting list for the book at the Ottawa Public Library, but the book is also available through Amazon and Kindle. The Lifelong Learning Committee hopes to also work with Perfect Books to secure a few copies.

The event will begin at 6pm. A main course (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and beverages will be provided, but contributions of salads or desserts would be most welcome (but not required). Weather permitting, the gathering will take place on Ian and Michelle's back patio. Feel free to bring your bathing suit for a dip in the pool!

To confirm numbers, please register through the church office. Additional details will be provided to participants in early August.

Tuesday, August 13 - 6 PM.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Sunday, August 11

Pride Service

Tuesday, August 13

Books & BBQ. Featured book: "True Reconciliation" by Jody Wilson-Raybould.

Saturday, September 21

Memorial Service for Katie Seymour. 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 26

Retirement Celebration: Rachel Robinson, Executive Director - Belong Ottawa

Sunday, September 29

Service for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Saturday, October 26

Church Safety Training - Second Session, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, November 23

St John's Christmas Market (Back-up date is Saturday, November 30)

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Christina, Pat, Barb, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Monica, Barb, Jeff, Marianne, and all who minister at St John's. Those in need of our prayers: Barb, Diana, Sarah, Marcela, Pat and Wilma.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, The Rt Rev Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Sacred Circle Events, and the Ministry of Reconciliation.
The Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Michael Pryse.
St. Clare’s, North Dundas. The Reverend Stephanie McWatt.
For the residents, staff, and chaplains of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Helen Kennedy, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Northern Area of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Anglican Church of Kenya.

Parish Prayer Group

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

office@stjohnsottawa.ca

A Time of Prayer - O God of Love, your compassion fails none you created. Thank you for Jesus Christ and his example of a life that demonstrates how to live our daily discipleship. May we be instruments of your love, bringing you the pains of the sick, the injured, the weary, the heavy laden, those in sorrow or darkness, the hungry and weak. Grant us loving hearts and ready hands to help serve those in need among us. May our willingness to serve show our love and gratitude to you, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

DONATE

CANADA HELPS QR CODE

e-transfer office@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

office@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