This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Welcome to Easter Season at St John's. We begin our 50 days with a special two-week edition of our newsletter. You will see wonderful pictures of our celebrations below. I especially want to draw your attention to the Baptism Testimony given by Amani Hamimid at the Easter Vigil. Here's what she said:

Good evening and happy Easter. Thank you all for being the warmest, most welcoming community that anyone could ask for. Your presence truly means the world to me.

Growing up, I came to believe (the hard way, unfortunately) that the world favors strength and self interest. Growing up in a place where a woman can only grow within a harsh, solid bone-breaking mold made me think that being cut-throat was just the honest way to live (more like survive). (I mean look at nature! The lion feasts on the deer and survives, whilst the deer, a grass-eating sweetheart dies in agony.) I thought kindness was sugar-coated weakness, something that supposedly “kind” people held onto to comfort themselves. (Because they’re not strong enough to fight back, you know… so they might as well say "we choose to be kind, to forgive.") Oh I cringed so hard at that "kill them with kindness" motto that was everywhere. I spiraled into nihilism, and that lack of perspective on my part… dimmed the whimsical flame of hope in humanity within me, that I once had as a child.

But then (thank God) I happened to meet people who truly lived by the example of Jesus. Not just in words, but in how they loved, forgave (when it looked really hard to forgive), and treated others how they wanted to be treated.

And I realized something that changed me: Doing good is like climbing: it’s not easy, but it lifts you up. Letting go and giving in to our animalistic side is like falling… easy and effortless, but it brings you down, and you’ll most likely end up in agony. Living coldly…worshiping one’s own ego…is actually the easiest thing to do, just giving in and selfishly letting the worst of us take over! But choosing kindness, peace, forgiveness, and love, that is the real strength. I saw in those traits an indication of soul… something I felt I had lost, and frankly what I now believe our world needs: not more resources or wealth (definitely not strength)… but soul.

The first day I came to St John’s, was my second day in Canada! A Sunday 10:15 a.m. service! And what a demo you guys were! I never, ever felt homesick within these walls! I met people with whom I had my first conversation, and yet it felt like I’d known them for years, thanks to how down-to-earth, kind and welcoming they were to me, a stranger! Within these walls, I met people I came to consider better than myself. Yet instead of envy, I felt admiration. They inspired me to become better! - not through force, but through love, and unconditional kindness.

Today, I choose baptism not because I am perfect, but because I have finally found the path I want to follow. I too want to live with that love. To project the same light that was projected on me, and to embody, as much as I can, the example of Jesus. This is my beginning. Thank you.

Come celebrate the Easter Season with us at St John's this Sunday. Happy Easter!

Gary+

Amani with her Baptismal Sponsors, Mary Frances and Monica

SUNDAY April 12 | Second Sunday of Easter | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Scriptures: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

SUNDAY April 19 | Third Sunday of Easter | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
Scriptures: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 5, 2026

Easter Vigil - Saturday, April 4, 2026

Palm & Passion Sunday - March 29, 2026

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

Easter Sunday Celebration

Servers: Rebecca, Bosco and Kevin (above); John and Juliana with Gary (below).

Baptism at the Easter Vigil:

Amani with her sponsors (above); Amani sprinkling the congregation (below).

UPDATES

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.

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

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

CONGREGATION MEETINGS

Rentals: An update for the congregation about rentals, spaces, prices and how to make arrangements. Sunday, April 19, 12:00 p.m.

Future of the Parish Hall: Our annual meeting referenced our long-term plan of exploring possible opportunties for the future of the Parish Hall. This meeting is to begin our discussion. Sunday, April 26, 12:00 p.m.

A TASTE FOR LIFE

Wednesday April 15

For over 25 years some Ottawa restaurants have donated 25% of their evening proceeds to Bruce House, an organization supporting HIV-positive people with housing, food and other essentials. St.John’s folks have always given generously to this cause by dining at one of the sponsoring restaurants. The date this year is Wednesday, April 15th.

Our St John's group excursion plan is to make a reservation at the East India Company, 210 Somerset Street West.

The list of the participating restaurants can be found on the Taste for Life (Ottawa) website HERE.

CIRCLES OF SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Annual Fundraising Event

Support CoSA Ottawa’s mission of enhancing public safety and offering second chances - for over 25 years in Ottawa!

Featuring Wine Tasting with Sommelier Sandor Johnson and Catering by Chef Ric’s.

To buy a ticket or make a donation, and to learn more about CoSA, click here. We also welcome auction items or experiences - contact Dru to discuss. Thank you for your support!

ART CREDO IS COMING!

Mark your calendars—Art Credo returns for its 47^th year, and we’ve made a few exciting changes!

This year’s Exhibit and Sale will run a little later than usual, from Saturday, May 9 to Sunday, May 24, aligning with the Tulip Festival. With spring in full bloom, we’re hoping the warmer weather will bring even more visitors through our doors.

We’re thrilled to feature over 100 works of art by more than 50 artists. Even more exciting, over half of this year’s artists are participating in Art Credo for the first time! Interest was so strong that registration filled up early.

Join us for the Vernissage on Friday, May 8, from 7:00–9:00 PM. This special opening evening offers a first look at the artwork, a chance to meet some of the artists, and an opportunity to enjoy wine and light refreshments. All are welcome—bring a friend!

We’re also looking for volunteers:

Sitters to welcome visitors and help monitor the artwork (3-hour shifts). Sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/ysx5v7kj or contact Detlef or Mary Ann.
Curation team members to help organize the exhibit (approx. 2 hours).
Art installers to assist with hanging artwork in the Nave & Chapel (3 hours on a Friday morning).

In addition to the exhibit, we’re planning to host a Paint-Along Workshop and possibly a Poetry Night again—stay tuned for more details!

Contacts: Detlef Dransch at Detlef, tel. 613.592.9897

or Mary Ann Varley at Mary Ann, tel. 613.745.2996

UPCOMING CONCERTS

The AGM of CCSAC (Centretown Churches Social Action Committee) will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 7:00 pm at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 400 Sparks Street. Our guest speaker is Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness. All are welcome to attend.

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.

Wednesday, April 15

Taste For Life: Bruce House Restaurant Fundraising Event

Sunday, April 19

Congregational Meeting: Rentals at St John's, 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 26

Congregational Meeting: Future of the Parish Hall, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, May 8

Art Credo Vernissage, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 to Sunday, May 24

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

Saturday, May 9

Consecration of Bishop Kathryn Otley, Christ Church Cathedral, 10:30 a.m.
Celebration of Life for Bill Broughton, Honour Guard at Beechwood Cemetery 12:00 p.m.; Memorial Service at St John's 2:00 p.m.; Reception at Officers' Mess following the service.

Sunday, May 10

Baptism & Confirmation - Bishop Peter Coffin; 10:15 a.m.

Thursday, May 14

Ascension Day Evensong, Music Setting composed by Nicholas Busch, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 15

Shared Preaching with Temple Israel, Temple Israel, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 17

Shared Preaching with Temple Israel, St John's, 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday, May 19

Safe Church Leadership Workshop: Best Practices, Boundaries & Police Records Checks, 5:30 p.m. Pizza will be served.

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 – let’s all join Marilyn Collins in a 3 km walk to help raise money to subsidize MHI housing; 2:30 p.m. Commissioners Park

Sunday, June 7

Summer Worship schedule begins, one service at 9:30 a.m. to Labour Day.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Easter Reflection

Osiyo Nigadv (Hello Everyone)!

At Easter, we remember that life rises again where love has seemed buried.

In many Indigenous ways of understanding, the land teaches us this truth each spring. The thawing earth, the returning birds, and the first medicines remind us that renewal often comes quietly, through relationship, patience, and trust in Creator’s timing.

The Easter story carries this same sacred promise: that suffering is real, wounds are remembered, and yet life can still rise. Creator Sets Free does not erase pain, but shows us that pain is not the end of the story.

This Easter time invites us into truth, healing, and renewed relationship with Creator, one another, and the living world around us.

May we walk gently into spring with hope, carrying both truth and new life in our hearts.

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

Qujannamiik, Wela'lin, Marsii, Thank you,

Kimberly Johnson

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

Find out more about participating in Red Dress Day

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: Ken, Sandy and Alice.

Our Diocese

Kathryn, our Bishop-Elect; Anne, our Metropolitan; Shane, our Primate.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Archbishop Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Sacred Circle Events, and the ministry of reconciliation.
Our Diocesan Partners: Communion Forest and Compass Rose and Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
Our Community Ministries:
Belong Ottawa: Centre 454; St Luke’s Table; The Well/La Source
Centre 105 (Cornwall)
Cornerstone Housing for Women
Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre
Refugee Ministry Office
The Parish of Lower Ottawa Valley
Holy Trinity, Hawkesbury
St. John’s, Vankleek Hill
St. Michael and All Angels, Maxville
With the Parish of Grenville/Calumet
The Reverend Felix Longdon
St. Columba, Ottawa and The Reverend Susan Lewis.
For theological education, students, teachers, and field education supervisors.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.
The Most Rev. Anne Germond, Archbishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Algoma.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The congregations of the Central Manitoba area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.
The congregations of the Southern Manitoba area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The Rt. Rev. Amy Gohdes-Luhman, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.
The Rt. Rev. M. Blair Couch, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.

All together

Climate justice and healthy relationships with the earth.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola.
The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma).

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