This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This past Sunday, the children gave out the bread and wine of the Eucharist. We practiced the week before at a special afternoon children’s service. The children surrounded the font and each child took a turn to add water to the font. They had the best view of the baptism. For the Eucharist, our scheduled communion ministers in place in case we would need them. Parents were waiting in the wings making sure each child would have a turn giving out the bread. Hand sanitizer was repeated in abundance. People came forward and leaned down lower to receive the bread from our children.

It was beautiful. If we ever needed an example of the final sentence of one of Sunday’s readings, we have it: “Take hold of the life that really is life.” (1 Timothy 6:19)

When you’re new to church, everything is new and different, and maybe even a bit strange. It’s all intended to flow together, and as you come more often, you become aware of the flow. Sometimes we are so "in the moment" that it feels like time stops.

It’s a blessing. Sunday by Sunday, expect a blessing. This week it might be in the words of a hymn or a verse from the Bible, the next week in the sermon, and again in the nice person sitting beside you, or children giving you bread.

It’s God. The word communion is a good one for the connection we feel to the Creator especially when we are together with other people, each of them beautifully made in God’s image. So come! Come expecting to notice that the Creator sees you. Stay after if you can – the blessing might also be in the star word or the lunch.

This coming Sunday, you are welcome to join the Star Words conversation during refreshments, the youth picnic, or the walk to support the Centretown Food Centre. The fall colours bike ride is postponed until spring. Details for all of this below.

Join us for worship at 8:00 and 10:15 this Sunday!

Gary+

SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 | Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Scriptures: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12 | Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scriptures: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c; Psalm 111; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - September 28, 2025

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 21, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

Baptism on Sunday

Visit to the Ottawa Muslim Centre - Ottawa Mosque. Thanks to Imam Samy Metwally for the tour and gracious responses to our many questions.

Sam is a new sidesperson; first time ringing the bell!

With thanks to Bea the teacher.

Servers: Wendy, Idris, Mary

THIS WEEKEND

STAR WORDS CHECK-IN

Many parishioners received a star word back in January. Words such as “hospitality”, “prayer”, “confidence”, were printed on little wooden stars and distributed at worship. The idea of the star word is that you see how the word you received could help you in your faith throughout the year. What’s your word?

On Sunday, October 5, after the 10:15 a.m. Eucharist, bring your coffee to the Chapel and we’ll have some conversations about our words. And if you didn’t receive a word, but would like one, come along, we’ll have some extras. Canon Pat will lead us as we reflect on our words.

NEW YOUNG ADULTS GROUP

Picnic at Minto Park - Sunday, October 5

On October 5, the young adults of St. John’s will be holding a picnic in Minto Park after the 10:15 am service. If you wish to join us, please pack a lunch or buy one from one of our wonderful neighbouring Elgin Street vendors. Small nibbles will be provided.

In the event of rain, we will be playing pool at MacLaren’s.

If you aren’t able to join us this time, stay alert for information about our ongoing events on the first Sunday of every month.

For further information, please email youngadults@stjohnsottawa.ca or find a young person at refreshments after the 10:30 am Sunday service.

PS - if you think you might qualify as a young adult, you do, so please join us!

Chris Chiavatti

WALK TO SUPPORT

CENTRETOWN COMMUNITY FOOD CENTRE

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.

COMING SOON

TELL OUT MY SOUL

St John's is about to begin our annual stewardship campaign on the theme of telling stories. Our guiding story, in the words of the favourite hymn "Tell Out My Soul" is about Mary telling about how the Angel Gabriel came to her announcing good news of great joy i the baby she would carry. For the next three months, we will be encouraging you to share your story. Say to people, "Please tell me about yourself."

This week you will receive an additional email launching our season of telling stories. Look for it, as well as opportunities for you to hear stories and tell your story.

Gary+

UPDATE

The St John’s Community Shop will be closed on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 for the changeover to Fall & Winter Stock. The Shop will re-open on Thursday, October 9th. The shop hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from noon - 4:00 pm.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Siyo Nigadv (Hi Everyone)! Welcome to September!

As the seasons change and we witness the turning of the leaves, we are reminded that some commitments must remain steadfast. For us in the Anglican Church, reconciliation is not tied to a single day or season — it is an ongoing journey. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) continue to call us to honesty, humility, and responsibility. As we move through this season of change, may we also renew our commitment to walking alongside Indigenous peoples with respect, accountability, and hope for a more just future.

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

PICTURES FROM NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH & RECONCILIATION

Pictures from Jane Maxwell: Since I live in Ottawa's west end this year I decided to head west (and not downtown) for TRC events. I took in the celebrations at the Diefenbunker site! A lovely location with a great view. There were many busloads of school kids who kept arriving, a lot of speakers (both Indigenous and many local politicians), drummers and young dancers. It was a perfect weather event for the day.

Pictures from Kimberly: TRC observance with Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and University of Ottawa led by Elder Irene Compton. Photo includes Shilo from Quality Quills, Alexie (CHEO social worker) and Kimberly Johnson.

THE YELLOW BOX

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY

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

Sunday, October 5

Star Words: review your word during refreshments, 11:30 a.m.
Young Adults Picnic Lunch, Minto Park, 12:30 p.m.
Walk for the Centre, to support Centretown Community Food Centre, 1:30-4:00 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.

Sunday, November 9

Children's Eucharist: All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance. We will explore how we remember. 3-5 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: Alex, James, Alice, David, Barton, Sara, Doug.

Our Diocese

Archbishop Shane Parker, Primate of Canada; Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, as well as
Our Diocesan Partners: Alongside Hope and the Anglican Foundation
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Carla Blakley
and 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. Matthew’s, Ottawa and The Reverend Geoff Chapman

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Anna Greenwood-Lee, Bishop, and clergy and people of the Diocese of British Columbia.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Lower Mainland Region of the British Columbia Synod.

Together

Remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people and their families, and pray for an end to gender-based violence.

Moravian Church in Canada

The Moravian Church has joined Full Communion with Anglicans and Lutherans - read about the Moravian Church HERE
The Labrador Mission Province.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Anglican Church of Tanzania.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dora Broughton by Bill Broughton.

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