This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Tonight (Thursday) is the Evensong Service for Ascension Day, with music composed by Music Director Nicholas Busch at 8:00 p.m.

Tomorrow (Friday) evening is the Christian sermon at the Reform Synagogue (Temple Israel) at 6:15 p.m. I am so honoured to be invited to address the synagogue again for Shabbat. This Sunday at 10:15 is the Jewish sermon at St John's, welcoming Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg's words. Both reflections will focus on 1 Samuel 20:1-42.

In addition to these celebrations, Art Credo is open everyday. Please note Art Credo's Paint-Along this Sunday evening at 6:30. Painting while surrounded by beautiful paintings - wonderful!

Next Thursday, Art Credo's Poetry Night is from 7:00 p.m. I am the host, with the able support of my clergy colleaugue Allan Budzin (a great lover of poetry) and my sister Carolyne Van Der Meer (a published Montreal poet). The evening will include poets reading from their own work, poetry lovers reading from their favourite poets (dead and alive) and concluding with a time of Open Mic. Please let me know if you would like to read your own poetry or poets by your favourite poets. Word artistry while surrounded by beauty on canvas - wonderful!

Hope to see you tonight, Friday, Sunday and next Thursday!

Gary+

Thursday May 14 | Ascension of Our Lord | 8:00 p.m.

Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53

SUNDAY May 17 | Seventh Sunday of Easter | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

1 Samuel 20:1-42; Psalm 11; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

SUNDAY May 24 | Day of Pentecost | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 10, 2026

Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 3, 2026

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

ABOVE: Bishop Peter Coffin, Mary, Idris, Maxine & Gary

BELOW: Pictures from Sunday

ABOVE: Bishop Riscylla Shaw (right) and Jana Shaw (left) visiting Ottawa for the Consecration of Bishop Kathryn Otley.

BELOW: Consecration of Bishop Kathryn Otley at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, May 9. Bishop Kathryn was Assistant Curate at St John's with Rev Canon Garth Bulmer as supervising rector.

PHOTOS: With thanks to Bishop Riscylla Shaw, Mary Gorreth, Detlef Dransch & Diocese of Ottawa

UPDATES

SHARING STORIES OF FAITH

St John's celebrations of baptism and confirmation this past Sunday featured congregational sponsors and, in addition to the scripted vows, an opportunity for the candidates to tell their faith story in their own words. Hearing a testimony is always moving and delightful and we were blessed with two of them this Sunday:

Karma Fraser (centre left) and her baptismal sponsor, Mary Frances Marshall;

Brendon Fraser (centre right) with confirmation sponsor Gloria Fox

Karma Fraser:

My name is Karma Fraser. I have been coming to St John's for about a year as part of my journey into Christianity. Even though I was raised in Finland, I was not raised Lutheran, so this was very new to me, as my spiritual framework comes mainly from Buddhism, as well as finding spirituality in nature and some knowledge of world religions as a whole. This background still shapes me and guides me, but I am excited to accept this baptism to fully join the Christian community.

I would like to share some reflections why I wanted to get baptized here at St Johns:

I have enjoyed all the little things that are full of meaning: the bread, that is shared with all, such a simple but ancient act that connects us. The bell that I’ve had the joy of ringing once. It’s big, old and loud and does only one thing but it does it well. I wish to be like that bell one day.

I also appreciate the windows that bring in light and blend old and new, even if they’re so high up I don’t always even notice them.

I have enjoyed the darkness of my first ever Maundy Thursday service, with the words “I am a worm” from Psalm 22. I´m looking forward to hearing more weird and wonderful metaphors as I continue exploring the Christian faith.

Last but not least; I have enjoyed the opportunity of being part of something bigger, being part of a community that has always welcomed me, never asking for credentials. A community that has room for different people, different traditions and different practices, all rooted in love, justice and respect for Creation.

I want to thank this congregation for accepting me as I am, and for being here today. I also want to thank Mary Frances for being my sponsor for this, and helping guide me as I grow spiritually. And finally, I want to thank wombats and beavers, rocks and rivers, cedars and pine trees; everything there is. Thank you.

Brendon Fraser:

The way of myself, Brendon Fraser, is a trifold path.

The first is the way of the pilgrim. This is natural for me, as many of you may see me walk along Elgin Street to work, or as I go to see friends at The Manx, or to play tennis at the local courts. However, to walk the way of the pilgrim, the way of myself, is to search and to walk with Soul, not only for an inn, but to go in.

I've been coming to St John's the Evangelist for 2 years, and by dwelling in the stained wood walls and opening my heart, I continue my search within, and share those throughout with ease, serenity, and fragrance. I quite enjoy walking along my path, as I have walked since I was very young, but I treasure this path. Now, I may walk with all of you. Now, I may walk St. John's Way, with Gloria as my sponsor to this new path.

The way of myself, Brendon Fraser, is the way of the Master Builder. I am an architect by trade, and it's something I hold dear to myself, but it is not the only foundation I rest on.

I rest on my loved ones: on my mother and father, who showed me a world that is kind, loving, fantastical, cruel and above all, meant for all of us. I also rest on those before me: if you ever see me with an alias, I have two of them. Don is one I use for formal events and is both my name of BrenDON and my grandfather's name from Toronto, Donald. Thru him, my father, and my family, I was given the cornerstone of justice, courage and the fantastical. My other alias, Vinko, I use for karaoke and festive events, named after my grandfather or "Dida" from Virovitica, now Croatia.

From Vinko, my mother Verica, and my family, I was given caring, strength, and belonging. Hvala Mama, thank you Dad. I'm also built upon my music - both the songs we sing here, the touching psalms, the work done by Nick and the Choir, but also the moments when I play guitar with my bandmates and feel reason leave me to leave love and soul to remain with us. I cannot put into words what I feel then, but I know others here know what I describe.

Finally, the way of myself, Brendon Fraser, is the way of Time.

Time was when I felt the Divine around me. I've found Great Providence in the rocks that I held, in the cracks, searching deeper and deeper with curious intensity as to squeeze myself into this precious stone; dwell in the earth and see the Rockies as the bridge of my nose and the clouds as tears of my joy. My words returned to me from the surrounding mountains, creating the awe and fear of being swallowed whole by them. I try to remember Time: of them seeing the first humans, seeing the first flower, of them seeing me. I have never felt the earth between my hands, yet in this moment, I feel the music of generations beyond generations. The song is deafening to hear, but easy to forget. This is the feeling of divinity, of the pale blue dot, of the Red Sun, of the white sky, of the yellow earth, racing thru the rivers and valleys of my home.

May this comfort rest in my tongue, gifted with the power to create beautiful worlds, and may this comfort rest in my hands, gifted with the power to create a beautiful life. May I polish the mirror of my soul to better reflect the glory of the fragrant Lord to those near and far, and carry these memories forward.

May Newsletter

LIFELONG LEARNING

A book for this summer!

In the summer we've made it a habit to read a book and then get together to talk about it. The book we've chosen for this year is Encampment: Resistance, Grace, and an Unhoused Community by Anglican priest Maggie Helwig.

Encampment is the story of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields, an Anglican church in Toronto's Kensington Market, and how they responded when economic pressures and lack of housing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, pushed those without shelter to set up tents in their courtyard. It is also the story of those residents, of what brought them to that courtyard and what they found there, and how the church fought to let them stay when the city sought to evict them.

Our plan this year is to have a BBQ in July where we have time to discuss the book, our reactions to it, and its application for our own context. We will then also have a follow-up Zoom discussion for people who were unable to attend the BBQ and to continue any unfinished conversations.

Encampment can be ordered from Perfect Books and Indigo for around $25. It is also available at the Library, but there is currently a long wait list.

The Rev Canon Maggie Helwig was interviewed about Encampment on CBC Radio Ottawa on April 30, 2026. Listen to the interview HERE.

BOOKS & BBQ DATE: Saturday, July 18 - hosted by Ian & Michelle

ZOOM FOLLOW-UP DATE: Wednesday, July 22 - 7:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Art Credo Returns for Its 47th Year!

The Art Credo Exhibition and Sale will run from Saturday, May 9 to Sunday, May 24.

This year’s show features 111 works by 60 artists—nearly half of whom are participating for the very first time!

Join us as we kick things off at the Vernissage on Friday, May 8, from 7:00–9:00 PM. Enjoy an exclusive first look at the artwork, meet some of the artists, and take in the evening with wine and light refreshments. All are welcome—bring a friend!

In addition to the exhibit, we’re offering a Paint-Along workshop on Sunday May 17th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. This is an opportunity for you to create your own artwork with guidance from artists Josie DeMeo and Mary Ann Varley.

Poetry Night is back! This Art Credo extension event welcomes local Ottawa poets and your own works of inspiration, Thursday May 21 beginning at 7 p.m.

Volunteer Help Needed: We’d love your help in making this event a success! We could use sitters to welcome visitors and help monitor the artwork (3-hour

shifts). Please contact Detlef or Mary Ann (see below).

Contacts: Detlef Dransch at ddransch@sympatico.ca , tel. 613.592.9897

or Mary Ann Varley at varleymaryann1@bell.net , tel. 613.745.2996

JOIN THE TULIPATHON TO SUPPORT

MULTIFAITH HOUSING INITIATIVE

Tulipathon will soon be here and I would like to invite you to join Team St. John’s. You can be a member of our team whether you are able to walk or not supporting the walkers with a donation and/or reaching out to friends and neighbours to encourage them to donate. The 2 to 3 km walk will take place on Sunday, May 24 in Commissioners Park. The goal of Tulipathon is to raise funds and awareness about housing insecurity and homelessness in Ottawa. Every dollar raised through Tulipathon helps to provide housing ‘below market rent’ for low-income families and individuals in MHI communities. As a proud member of MHI, St John’s is helping to create safe and affordable housing.

To join St. John’s team, or to donate, please visit the following link:

Tulipathon 2026 | St John the Evangelist.

A pledge form is available at this link:

tulipathon_2026_pledgeform.pdf.

When visiting with friends, colleagues and neighbours, please encourage their support of Tulipathon and tell them about the Multifaith Housing Initiative, Tulipathon and the need for affordable housing in Ottawa. Each donation of $15 or more will receive a tax receipt.

Marilyn Collins

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.
St John's worship services begin "summer hours" on June 7, with one weekly worship service on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 9 to Sunday, May 24

Art Credo. 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. most days

Thursday, May 14

Ascension Day Evensong, Music Setting composed by Nicholas Busch, 8:00 p.m.

Friday, May 15

Shared Preaching with Temple Israel, Temple Israel, 6:15 p.m.

Sunday, May 17

Shared Preaching with Temple Israel, St John's, 10:15 a.m.
Art Credo Paint Along, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 19

Safe Church Leadership Workshop: Best Practices, Boundaries & Police Records Checks, 7 p.m. (Additional Session Sunday May 24 2 p.m.)

Thursday, May 21

Art Credo Poetry Night, 7-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 23

Safe Church Public Interaction Workshop, Workshop by India Bedson, Belong Ottawa, Parish Hall, 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 24

Children's Service, 3-5 p.m.
Tulipathon 2026 2:30 p.m. Commissioners Park

Saturday, June 6

Doors Open Ottawa. The Church is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, June 7

Summer Worship schedule begins, one service at 9:30 a.m. to Labour Day.
Joy of Faith Celebration (Capital Region Interfaith Council), hosted at St Augustine's Catholic Church (Baseline Road), 3-5 p.m. The Annual Joy of Faith Award will be presented to Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg and Rev Canon Gary van der Meer celebrating the shared friendship between St John's and Temple Israel.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: David, Earl and Alice.

Our Diocese

Kathryn, our Bishop-Elect; Anne, our Metropolitan; Shane, our Primate.
Our Diocesan Partner: Alongside Hope and the Anglican Foundation.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Archbishop Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Sacred Circle Events, and the ministry of reconciliation.
The Parish of Maberly-Lanark
St. Alban’s, Maberly
St. Paul’s, Lanark
St. Stephen’s, Brooke
The Reverend Allan Gault

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. William Cliff, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Ontario.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Assistant to the Bishop and the staff of the Saskatchewan Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The Rt. Rev. Kay Ward, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Art, Donna and Elizabeth Fox by Gloria Fox.

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