This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Here's a piece from our Director of Music, Nick Busch, about the music this coming Sunday:

This week’s anthem features a familiar tune with a new text. You may recognize the tune as the Huron Carol. Believed to be first written in the 1640s by Jesuit Priest Jean de Brébeuf, and colloquially described as ‘Canada’s first Christmas Carol’, the text for this piece has changed significantly three separate times amid an evolving historical landscape, from Wendat, to French, and finally to English. The English version bears little resemblance to its Wendat or French predecessors, and has become notorious for its use of cultural appropriation, and misrepresentation of the Wendat people. Even the term “Huron” is considered derogatory, since the term refers to “the way the French [settlers] referenced the bristled hairstyle of Wendat men in colonial times.”

The arrangement we will be singing this Sunday by Sarah Quartel aims to tell this story in a way that can further our work of reconciliation. Featuring a text by Wendat poet Andrée Levesque Sioui which “invites choirs and audiences alike to reflect on the truths of the past while preparing for a more cohesive future,” this new text takes us through four verses that tell the story of our history from the perspective of the Wendat people: from the Wendat creation story, the arrival of the missionaries, the ensuing conflict, and a path ahead to a future of peace and unity. The title likewise has been changed to Iesous ahatonnia’, a Wendat phrase that translates to “Jesus is born (lit. Jesus, he is newly made).”

While traditionally a Christmas Carol, I thought it fitting to hear this piece on the fourth Sunday of Advent, where we are called to reflect on Love. As we hear this wonderful music, let us prepare our minds to love one another, and work together from a common understanding of our history towards a brighter, peaceful future together.

Nick Busch, Director of Music

Please join us for worship this coming Sunday at 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

St John's Director of Music, Nick Busch

SUNDAY DECEMBER 21 | Fourth Sunday of Advent

Scriptures: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24 | Christmas Eve | 7:00 & 10:30 p.m.

Scriptures: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25 | Christmas Day | 10:15 a.m.

Scriptures: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-14

SUNDAY DECEMBER 28 | The First Sunday of Christmas
Scriptures: Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

First Sunday of Advent - November 30, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

Christmas Concert at St John's

Combined Choirs of St John's & Woodroffe United

Conducted by Nick Busch & Katarina Jovanovic Jovic

Thanks to Petr Maur, photographer

Below:

"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!"

Microphone dismissal at the conclusion of the service

Lighting the Menorah on Parliament Hill

Following the antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach in Australia, Jews, Christians and Muslims gathered together on Parliament Hill for the lighting of the candles of Chanukah. In my remarks, I described how, for churchgoers, the regular posting of security and police guards at synagogues is beyond our experience. If we ever wondered about the emotional toll of always having guards, always wondering if this is the time when they are needed, the reality is before us. We are committed to solidarity and friendship.

Gary van der Meer

Temple Israel's beautiful outdoor menorah made from skis

IN MEMORIAM

MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS

Decorate St John's for Christmas

This year there are two ways to participate in filling the church with poinsettias for Christmas.

Bring a poinsettia or several to church on Sunday, December 21. Join in the great poinsettia hunt. If you wish to donate the flowers and designate them as a memorial to loved ones, please include a card noting the names of those being remembered. If you prefer to be reimbursed for your purchase, please include your receipt with your contact details.

Make a financial donation for the purchase of poinsettias. Please note the names of the people to be remembered. Donations can be put on the collection plate any Sunday or dropped off at the office.

Please note that we invite Christmas morning worshipers to bring poinsettias to their homes and to loved ones.

YOUR SUPPORT INVITED

ALONGSIDE HOPE

Christmas Cards

A very big thank you to all those parishioners who purchased most of our 2025 Alongside Hope Christmas cards. Due to their popularity 10 more packets have been ordered. There are still cards from previous years available for sale.

For those who are new to the parish, Alongside Hope is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. It has been working with partners in 35 countries around the world and in Canada for 67 years. Your donation toward Alongside Hope Christmas cards supports our partners around the world. A packet of 12 cards costs $25.

World of Gifts - St. John’s Christmas gift

As its Christmas donation to Alongside Hope in 2025 St. John the Evangelist is proposing to fund the “Garden Lover” group of projects among the World of Gifts. The focus is on food security and equipping our partners to grow and eat both abundantly and healthily. We are proposing to fund 7 projects in Cuba, Colombia, Zimbabwe and Uganda. Please help us reach our goal of $890.

Garden Lover Bundle: Support food security and good soil in four countries!

Seeds and seedlings in Cuba - $170

Food preservation in Cuba - $70

Vermicomposter in Colombia - $280

Farm tools in Zimbabwe - $270

Permaculture with kids in Uganda - $100

Total Fundraising Goal for the Garden Lover Bundle: $890

You can donate by cheque to Alongside Hope - World of Gifts or donate to St John the Evangelist, subject line: Alongside Hope - World of Gifts.

Thank you for your support!

St John's Alongside Hope Committee

COMING SOON

LIFELONG LEARNING SESSIONS

Starting in January, St John's will hold learning sessions open to everyone. These are preparation for baptism or confirmation at the Easter Vigil or in the Easter Season. They will include small group sessions on Saturday mornings starting in January. Larger learning events in January are intended to be part or the preparation for sacraments and also open for everyone. Maybe you have been away from church and would like a refresher? Please reach out if you're interested in participating HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY

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

CHRISTMAS SERVICES:

Early Christmas Eve, 7:00 p.m.
Carols, 9:45 p.m.
Late Christmas Eve: 10:30 p.m.
Christmas Day: 10:15 a.m.
First Sunday of Christmas: December 28, 8:00 & 10:15
Epiphany Sunday: January 4, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Sunday, January 4

Star Words - get your prayer word for 2026

Sunday, January 11

Gospel Read-Through: Matthew Part 1. 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Children's Eucharist, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 17

Learning Session: Prayer. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, January 24

Learning Session: Structure of the Bible. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, January 31

Learning Session (Weather back-up date for January 18 & 24). 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 8

Gospel Read-Through: Matthew: Focus on First Nations Version. 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 15

Gospel Read-Through: Matthew Part 2. 12:00 p.m.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

JESUS IS OUR ANCESTOR

Osiyo Nigadv (Hello Everyone)!

I write as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, living on Algonquin Anishinaabe lands, part of Turtle Island, and I acknowledge with respect the enduring relationships that hold this land and its people. I’m a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, with family roots in Stilwell, Oklahoma. During this season of Advent, I share this reflection as part of our lives at St. John’s, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas Eve.

In many First Nations, Inuit and Métis ways, we honour the ones who came before us. Our ancestors carried us through removal, loss, and rebuilding. They kept relationship alive when everything tried to tear it apart. Because of them, we’re still here.

The Original People understand the world through relationship. Kinship shapes how we see creation, responsibility, and belonging. Advent invites us into that same way of being, slowing us down and drawing us into deeper attentiveness.

Over these past weeks, we’ve marked the journey together. We began with hope, not as wishful thinking, but as a steady trust that Creator is still at work, even when the path feels uncertain. We moved into peace, not as the absence of conflict, but as the presence of right relationship, the kind that restores balance within us and among us. Then came joy, not shallow happiness, but a deep gladness that rises even in the midst of struggle, reminding us that life and light persist.

This coming Sunday, we light the candle symbolizing Love, Love holds hope steady. Love makes peace possible. Love gives joy its roots.

Christ stands at the beginning of creation. Everything came through him, and nothing exists apart from him. When he enters the world as a human being, he steps fully into our circle, walking among the people rather than standing above them. This is love made visible.

His life matters because he lived in relationship. He taught, healed, listened, and restored. This is how love moves among the people. His death matters because he carried human suffering with him. Among Indigenous Peoples, someone who gives their life for the people becomes woven into the story of the community across generations. This is love that refuses to abandon us. His resurrection matters because it restores balance. Many Indigenous traditions speak of renewal, healing, and the return of harmony. His rising shows us that love is stronger than brokenness and death. His ascension matters because he returns to the fullness of sacred life while still carrying our humanity. He doesn’t leave us behind. Through the Spirit, love remains close, guiding, comforting, and strengthening us.

When I speak of Christ as ancestor, I’m not speaking of bloodline. I’m speaking of sacred kinship. The One who created, entered human life, carried suffering, restored balance, and continues to walk with us through the Spirit. In that sense, he stands at the beginning of our spiritual story, holding us in belonging.

This reflection comes from my Cherokee heart. With respect, I also acknowledge that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples each carry their own teachings, languages, and spiritual understandings. I don’t speak for those Nations. I honor that many Indigenous Christians understand Christ through their own traditions, as a sacred relative, helper, or guide, rooted in their distinct ways of knowing.

As we light the Love candle, may we carry forward the hope, peace, and joy we’ve already received, and may love draw us more deeply into relationship with Christ, with one another, and with all our relations, as we walk together toward the light coming into the world.

Wado, Chi-Miigwech, Niá:wen, Nakurmiik,

Qujannamiik, Wela'lin, Marsii, Thank you,

Kimberly Johnson

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

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: Connie, Doug, Alice, David. Rest in peace, Herman.

Our Diocese

Archbishop Shane Parker, Primate of Canada; and Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.
Our Diocesan Partner: Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI).
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Sacred Circle Events, and the ministry of reconciliation.
For the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we prepare to elect a new Bishop: for those discerning a call to let their name stand for election; for the candidates; for Members of Synod; and for our Diocesan Administrator, Bishop Michael Bird.
St. James, Otter Lake and all who minister there.
St. Paul’s, Hazeldean-Kanata and The Reverend Canon Stephen Silverthorne.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, and the staff of Indigenous Ministries; the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples; Dawn Maracle, Indigenous Justice Animator.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Carmen Ramirez, Assistant to the National Bishop, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Peter Wall, Assistant to the National Bishop for Worship.

Moravian Church in Canada

Mr. David Jones, District President, and the members of Board of Elders of the The Rev. Sue Keonig, Director, and team of Northern Province Racial Justice and Healing.
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 Burundi.

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