This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This week, I have been away at the annual clergy conference. It was held at Mont-Gabriel, a lovely retreat centre just north of Montreal. Our conference had a guest speaker, time for community building with the clergy of our diocese, and time to look ahead with our bishop. This was our final gathering with Archbishop Shane before he leaves us for the role of Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Archbishop Shane was very candid with us about the challenges ahead for the Anglican Church of Canada and his leadership role as a change agent.

In the weeks leading up to the conference, there were conversations about a farewell gift for him, and with thanks to the Rev Canon Catherine Ascah of St Bartholomew's Church, we chose an icon of Christ the Teacher from St George's Store, a small shop near St George's College in Jerusalem. We presented the gift at the conclusion of our conference. We then formed a circle around Archbishop Shane to lay hands on him for a prayer of blessing.

We know there will be an episcopal election in the new year, but thankfully, there was no discussion of this at our conference. It's important not to get ahead of ourselves - to be in the present moment and to be grateful for it.

For those of you who would like your own opportunity to give your best wishes to Archbishop Shane, there is a special Farewell Service of Thanksgiving at Christ Church Cathedral this coming Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

This Saturday, we hope you will join our special gathering at the church to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Starting at 9:30 a.m., Elder Louella will guide us through the role and significance of the Medicine Wheel in Indigenous traditions. And at 3:30, we rejoice with Patrice and Hayden as they celebrate their marriage.

Please join us for worship this Sunday at our regular worship times at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. You are also welcome to participate in the Children's Service on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

Gary+

Diocese of Ottawa Clergy Conference - which ones do you recognize?

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Scriptures: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28 | Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scriptures: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Holy Cross Day - September 14, 2025

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 7, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

Archbishop Shane with the icon given to him for the Primate's Office in Toronto

Music for this Sunday's Children's Service - don't miss it!

The Rev Karen McBride served at St John's last year for a parish internship prior to being ordained. Karen is now incumbent at Julian of Norwich Church in the Merivale and Baseline neighbourhood. Gary and Karen will "trade places" on Sunday, October 19. Karen will preach and preside at the Eucharist for both services.

THIS WEEKEND

CHILDREN'S SERVICE

Sunday, September 21 - 3:00 p.m.

Come to our next Children's Eucharist on Sunday, September 21, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

We are going to tell the story of Jesus' baptism to prepare for a baptism in our church on September 28. Our children will be practicing to be ready to give the bread and wine for communion during the 10:15 service of baptism. Our fun activity on September 21 is a demonstration to learn how to play the organ. Come for the tour of our musical instruments by Nick Busch. Plus wonderful snacks as always. All children welcome.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MOSQUE TOUR

Saturday, September 27, 10:00 a.m.

Imam Samy Metwally of the Ottawa Mosque came for a tour of St John's and he was very impressed with how we use our building for outreach, notably the Community Thrift Shop and Belong Ottawa. We are invited for a tour of the Mosque's outreach programs and an introduction to Islam on Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 a.m. We will share rides from St John's, where we will meet at 9:30 a.m. Or drive directly to the Mosque at 251 Northwestern Avenue and Scott Street for our program to begin at 10:00 a.m.

A FUN BIKE RIDE

Sunday, October 5, 1:00 p.m.

Linda Truglia, Executive Director of Bruce House,

with Ottawa cyclists Sam Mickelson and Gary van der Meer

Supporting Bruce House:

The annual fundraising bike ride that I do to support services for people with AIDS is entering a partner relationship with Bruce House to support housing security programs in Ottawa. Linda and Gary are hosting an easy bike ride for you to try. We will meet at the Somerset pedestrian bridge, ride up the canal to Mooney's Bay, down the Rideau River to the Ottawa River and back. You might decide you would like to try the long ride next summer from Toronto to Montreal. This ride is to enjoy our beautiful Ottawa paths! Ride with us on Sunday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m.

P.S. The annual meeting of Bruce House is this coming Tuesday, September 23 at 5:30 in the St John's Parish Hall.

ST. JOHN’S BRIDGE CLUB

The St. John’s Bridge Club normally runs from October to early June. The purpose of our games is for meeting socially, and playing for fun. We welcome beginner players as there is a range of skill levels and the club is a friendly place to learn.

Each pair plays each other pair once, for about one game a month. There were six pairs for the 2024-25 season, so each pair played five games. The games are played in each other’s homes, either afternoon or evening as mutually arranged. Sixteen hands are played taking about three hours including a break for refreshments. The season concludes in June with a Saturday supper and pick-up game in the Parish Hall. Questions? Contact Bill at billndora@rogers.com or phone 613-769-9848.

CENTRETOWN CHURCHES SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The annual Walkathon to raise funds for the Centretown Community Food Centre will be on Sunday, October 5. Please join Emmy Verdun by walking and donating to this worthy cause. The walk starts at 2 pm from Canadian Martyrs Church on Main Street.

You can give your donations to Emmy Verdun or Gay Richardson — or better yet, donate online through Canada Helps.

INVITATION FROM TEMPLE ISRAEL

This powerful documentary offers a searing look at the eruption of antisemitism on college campuses, across social media, and in the streets of North America — beginning the very day after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th.

Following the screening, a moderated discussion will feature individuals with lived experience of the rise in antisemitism here in Ottawa. This promises to be a vital opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and action.

Date: September 20, 2025

Time: 7:00pm

Location: To be confirmed prior to the event

RSVP: October 8 Film - Form - Temple Israel

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Siyo Nigadv (Hi Everyone)! Welcome to September!

This is the time of preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Join us as St John's marks this day to honour children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as the survivors, their families, and communities.

On Saturday, September 20, we welcome Elder Louella who will lead us in a Sharing Circle focused on the Medicine Wheel Teachings. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church.
Wear orange for worship services on September 28, to observe Orange Shirt Day.
Join city-wide events for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on September 30. The day is a federal statutory holiday intended for learning, reflection, and commemorative activities related to the legacy of residential schools.

As a new initiative, Bishop Shane Parker, now Archbishop Shane, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, is inviting all parishes to consider displaying the Survivors' Flag as a sign of acknowledgement and respect. The flag is now displayed at Church House, the headquarters of the Anglican Church of Canada in Toronto. See the Survivors' Flag below.

Looking forward in Gadugi (a Cherokee word meaning "people coming together as one and working to help one another").

Kimberly Johnson

indigengcoord@stjohnsottawa.ca

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

THE YELLOW BOX

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

Worship Every Sunday

Please join us at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. each Sunday!

Saturday, September 20

Sharing Circle with Elder Louella: Medicine Wheel Teachings, 9:30-11:30 a.m
Bishop Shane Thanksgiving Celebration: Christ Church Cathedral, 11 a.m.
Marriage of Hayden & Patrice, St John's, 3:30 p.m.
Temple Israel Movie Screening and Selichot, 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 21

Children's Service, 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 27

Field Trip to Ottawa Mosque, 10:00 a.m. 251 Northwestern Ave.

Sunday, September 28

Celebration of Baptism, 10:15 a.m.

Sunday, October 5

Walk for the Centre, to support Centretown Community Food Centre, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. starting from Canadian Martyrs Church on Main Street.

Thursday, October 9

Sukkot Interfaith Celebration, Temple Israel, 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 12

Harvest Thanksgiving Services, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Sunday, November 2

All Saints/All Souls, 8:00 & 10:15 services

Thursday, November 6

Music Evening. An Evening of Music to Celebrate the Singing Traditions of our Churches. 4 Amigos Churches (First Baptist, Knox Presbeyterian, St Theresa Roman Catholic). Hosted by St John's. 7:30 p.m.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: James, Alice, David, Barton, Sara, Doug.

Our Diocese

We pray for Shane, our Primate and Bishop of Ottawa; Anne, our Metropolitan.
Staff at Ascension House.
The Parish of Orleans/Blackburn Hamlet.
St. Helen’s, Orleans
St. Mary the Virgin, Blackburn Hamlet
The Venerable Rhonda Waters

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.

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

Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.

Flowers

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