This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Over the summer, safe injection sites (also known as supervised consumption sites) became a politicized issue. Suddenly, it was all over the news that these should be closed because they bring crime to neighbourhoods, make illicit drugs accessible to children, and that they imply societal approval for expanded use of drugs.

There was an immediate response of alarm at the prospect of closures, expressed in a memorable phrase: “If supervised drug injection sites are closed, the whole city will become an unsupervised drug injection site.” More and more, I found myself noticing people using drugs – on Rideau Street, Bank Street, and even Elgin Street. Residents’ associations, including the building where I live, began to focus on safety concerns, especially people sleeping or unconscious in their doorways and drug paraphernalia left on the sidewalks.

I learned more, notably about the high death rate and I learned more about safe or supervised consumption sites. These are located in community health centres in areas where injecting in public places has become common. People who use drugs are provided with sterile drug use equipment and can use illicit drugs under the supervision of trained staff. The staff intervene to prevent overdose deaths. The sanitary equipment reduces the risk of disease transmission. The staff are able to connect people with addiction treatment counseling, and intervene to reduce public nuisance. Drug sellers, however, may also be attracted to connect with their customers.

It all seems complicated with no obvious solutions. But what would it be like without supervised consumption sites? It would be worse.

This past Sunday, as I reflected on the gospel text of the Syrophoenician woman advocating to Jesus on behalf of her daughter who “had an unclean spirit” (Mark 7:24-37), I made a connection. Who will take up the advocacy of the Syrophoenician woman for the people who will die on our streets?

It turns out that many other faithful people are also thinking about this – and are ready to act. I have been invited to sign the statement: “Faith Leaders Statement on Provincial Decision to Close Safe Consumption / Overdose Prevention Sites.” I encourage you to read a copy of the statement HERE.

The statement has been signed by 120 clergy to date: Christians, Jews, Muslims from across Ontario. I want you to know that I have signed the statement.

Since this issue is now part of public discussion, I encourage you to read, learn, and pray in the days ahead.

We are excited to be worshiping in our renewed space! You are very welcome to join us for services this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. See the picture below with the invitation on the baptismal font, taking up words of Jesus: "Come Unto Me."

Gary+

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, September 15 - Holy Cross Sunday

Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 98:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 3:13-17

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, September 22 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Synagogue Lectionary: Isaiah 60:1-22; Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8;

Church Lectionary: James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:38-50

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 8 2024

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost - August 24, 2024

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

The St John's nave with new seating - more pictures to come!

TAKE NOTE

CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY

Rev John Holgate

Many people have helped me out so much on my journey from Christ Church Cathedral via St. Paul University and my placements at Julian of Norwich, St. John the Evangelist - Elgin Street, St. James' - Perth, and St. Bartholomew's, and finally through my curacy at St. Helen's - Orleans and on to Manotick. I am so grateful for all of your support, commiseration, and wisdom.

All of you are invited and most welcome to join us at a Celebration of New Ministry service at St. James - Manotick at 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 22, which will, of course, as is the Anglican way, be followed by a reception. While this service officially recognizes me as the Incumbent priest at St. James, it also celebrates the joint ministry carried out by the people of St. James and myself. (Clergypersons, you are most welcome to vest, remembering that the colour is green.)

Even if you aren't able to join us, I ask for your prayers for the ongoing ministry of the parish of St. James the Apostle, Manotick, that it may continue to grow and serve Christ in the world. And I humbly ask for your prayers for me in this new ministry.

Once again, I remain eternally thankful for your support over the years.

Peace,

John+

TRUTH & RECONCILIATION WEEK

As we approach Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) invites you to join us for Truth and Reconciliation Week from September 23 to 30. This week is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action.

About DWF: Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, DWF aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Its goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.

Visit Website Here

ST JOHN'S FOOT CLINIC

Celebrating 25 Years of Outreach Ministry

The St John’s Foot Clinic has been in operation for 25 years. It was started in 1989 with the goal of providing a source of affordable foot care in Centretown. Clinics were held twice a month on Thursday mornings until the fall of 2006, when we changed to monthly clinics on the second Thursday of the month. Through a contract with the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) and later with Carefor Health and Community Services, qualified nurses provided the foot care and a team of St John’s volunteers looked after the clerical work – booking appointments, collecting fees, managing the bank account, paying for nursing services, setting up the clinic space and coordinating the monthly clinics. At its busiest in 2018 and 2019, the clinic served up to 29 clients in a morning, the care being provided by three nurses.

The Foot Clinic served people from the parish and the local community. In addition to affordable foot care, it provided opportunities for networking and social outreach within the community. The relationships developed among the clients and between the clients and St John’s through the volunteer coordinators helped foster this networking.

The services of the St John’s Foot Clinic were appreciated by the clients and the nursing staff. The 1999 Vestry report states “Our clients still remark about the pleasant surroundings the Northcote Burke Room provides when they visit the clinic. The VON Registered Nursing Assistants comment that our volunteers operate one of the best run clinics in the city”.

In July, 2024 we were informed by Carefor that, as of September 2024, Carefor was no longer going to provide foot care services anywhere in the Ottawa region. Carefor has provided us with a list of agencies that provide foot care services. It appears that none provide staff who would come to St John’s to continue this outreach ministry. Our last clinic was held on August 15, 2024.

Let’s celebrate the commitment of the following volunteer coordinators who kept this ministry active and strong for 25 Years:

Joan Gazeley, Jeanette Barnes, Arlene Bellinger, Gertrude Doyle, Doris Pringle, Elinor Linney, Katie Seymour, Phyllis Herbert, Linda Crowder, Cathy Hannah, Georgina Bartos, Diana Stimson, Joyce Weippert, Pat McClenahan, Jo Cassie, Marietta Stenman, Bea Robertson, Judy Threinen, Lannie Mitchell, Peggy Lister.

CENTRETOWN CHURCHES SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Uniting Christians of all denominations through joint participation in social projects and prayer.

Read the monthly CCSAC newsletter HERE

IN MEMORIAM

SARAH WHITEHEAD

FROM SARAH'S FAMILY:

Sarah Whitehead, suddenly left peacefully Sept 8, 2024. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in early March which then spread to her bones and affected her spine. As we all thought she was getting better, her body couldn’t hold on any longer.

Many of you knew her very well and this must come as a shock. There was so much love in her life and we will continue to keep her in our hearts.

A memorial service will be planned for a future date - more information to follow.

KATIE EMMA WILLIAMS SEYMOUR

April 22, 1920 - May 1, 2024

Katie Seymour's Celebration of Life will be held at St John's on Saturday, September 21, 2:00 p.m.

Read Katie Seymour's Obituary HERE

INTERFAITH UPDATES

PREACHING EXCHANGE WITH TEMPLE ISRAEL

Sunday, September 22 - 10:15 a.m.

We look forward to welcoming our friends from Temple Israel, Ottawa's Reform synagogue. Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg and Canon Gary van der Meer will each reflect on the Jewish and Christian lectionary scriptures of the day. Please see the scriptures indicated above for September 22.

SOLIDARITY INVITATION - TERROR ATTACK

Monday, October 7, 2024 - 7 pm

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa, in partnership with the Embassy of Israel and the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, invites you to join us for a commemoration and memorial event marking the first anniversary of the October 7 terror attack.

This solemn gathering will feature a monument unveiling, as well as community speeches, prayers, and inspiring songs by a Christian & Jewish interfaith choir, as we come together to honour the memory of those who were lost and to find hope for the future. Join us as we gather in solidarity and remember.

Register HERE. Location will be shared in confirmation message after registration. Please bring your proof of confirmation for admittance to the event. I.D and bags will be checked on entry.

LOOKING AHEAD

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, September 21

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

Thursday, September 26

Retirement Celebration: Rachel Robinson, Executive Director - Belong Ottawa - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Monica, Barb, Jeff, Marianne, and all who minister at St John's. Those in need of our prayers: Ted, 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.
St. Mary’s, Russell, and all who minister there.
For university and college campus chaplains.
For vocations to the diaconate, the priesthood and religious life.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Southern Interior Region of the British Columbia Synod.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

Parish Prayer Group

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

office@stjohnsottawa.ca

A Time of Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for the faithful service of those you appointed to go ahead of you to spread your love and your message to those around them. We pray that you would help us to do our part to continue sharing your love and message to those around us: in our parishes and community where you have put us. Guide us to the places where you want us to go and bless our efforts to further your kingdom here on earth. In your holy name we pray, 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