This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This newsletter includes updates on two St John’s ministries that are supported by your generosity.

Please show your support for the Community Thrift Shop’s ministry of helping people in need by coming to this Saturday’s Fashion Show (details below). In breaking news, I am very pleased to announce that we have reached our fundraising goal for the digital organ repair. Thanks to all who came our to support our Ascension Hymn Sing on Thursday evening. We welcome additional donations to the Organ Fund, which will help pay for the upcoming professional assessment of the pipe organ.

In addition to these fundraisers supporting our church’s ministries, members of St John’s are very involved in many initiatives in our wider community. These are advertised here, including a thank-you below for our support for Tulipathon, the annual walk supporting affordable housing created by Multifaith Housing Initiative. Over the past months, other initiatives supported by you have included the Coldest Night of the Year, Cornerstone, Ottawa Mission, Centretown Community Food Centre, and Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA).

I am now adding a personal initiative to support Bruce House. I will be cycling 600 km in six days, along with 250 riders, and I hope you will sponsor my ride to support Bruce House in providing affordable housing for people with HIV. Please see the details below.

I hope you will join us for worship this coming Sunday. Please note that we are moving to summer hours with one worship service at 9:30 a.m.

Gary+

SUNDAY JUNE 1 | Seventh Sunday of Easter | 9:30am

Scriptures: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26

SUNDAY JUNE 8 | Pentecost | 9:30 a.m.

Scriptures: Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:7-17, 25-27

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 25, 2025

Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 18, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

Get to know our names: Emmy, Mary Frances, and Dorothy. Emmy sings in the choir and she is also Co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee and St. John's representative on the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee. Mary Frances reads the scriptures and occasionally leads the prayers of the people. Dorothy has joined our scripture readers - hear her reading for the first time in this past Sunday's worship recording.

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

ABOVE: Mary Frances and Marilyn with our St John's signs.

BELOW: Debbie Grisdale with Gary. Debbie organized the Hiroshima Exhibit.

ABOVE: Worship leaders this past Sunday: Allen, Scout, Allen, Wendy & Gary

ABOVE: Children's Ascension Day Service this past Sunday. Always very lively - even more so with helium balloons and the theme of "ascending"!

TAKE NOTE

SCRIPTURE READ-THROUGH

Acts of the Apostles

This Sunday, stay after the service as we meet to read the rest of the Acts of the Apostles. We have already read to the end of Chapter 10 in the previous session. We will start at Chapter 11 and read for one hour from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We read aloud and take in the whole flow of the story. Our read-through is facilitated by Pat Johnston and Pat provides background insights to help you enjoy and appreciate the story. Welcome to first-time readers!

Sunday, June 1, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

NEW TO ST JOHN'S?

Come to the Orientation Lunch

Please join us for lunch on Sunday, June 8 following the 9:30 service. Learn about ways to get involved in our church's ministries. Find out about baptism, confirmation, marriages, funerals and pastoral support through life's transitions and challenges. Meet parishioners who are involved in the ministries of our community, and make new friends.

Everyone is welcome. And if you're new (over the past year), we especially hope you will join us. We are glad you're here.

Sunday, June 8, 11:00 a.m.

FUNDRAISER FOR BRUCE HOUSE

Bike Ride for People with AIDS

This will be my 11th time cycling from Toronto to Montreal in support of people with AIDS. What is new is that the ride founder and organizer - Toronto People with AIDS Foundation - has broadened the ride to support local community AIDS service organizations. Every dollar that I raise over $2000 will be split 50/50 between PWA Toronto and Bruce House.

There are 10 Ottawa cyclists joining this year's ride. This month, we met with Bruce House executive director Linda Truglia to learn more about how Bruce House provides many supports that prevent people with HIV from becoming homeless, including food pantry, therapeutic services, assistance with medication, and designated affordable housing units.

My fundraising goal is $8000, the same amount that I was able to raise last year. Like me, you may have many causes you care about and support. I am excited to be able to support Bruce House. I hope you will consider donating to support my ride this summer. I will share pictures and updates along the way. You can make a secure online donation by clicking here. No donation is too small.

I have begun my training rides. My favourite ride is called "Bike to Ice Cream." Thanks for your support!

Gary+

Linda Truglia, Executive Director of Bruce House, with Ottawa cyclists.

Looks like we made it!

Thank you for your support!

TULIPATHON FOR MULTIFAITH HOUSING INITIATIVE

Tulipathon, the annual fundraising walk for the Multifaith Housing Initiative, took place last Sunday, May 24. A big thank you to all who walked, and to all who made donations to Team St. John’s in support of rent subsidies for people impacted by the crisis in affordable housing. It is very rewarding to have such a high level of support for a cause which St. John’s has supported for so many years. Although the walk has happened, it continues to be possible to donate until June 30. Please go online at https://www.classy.org/team/647581 or see me after the service on Sunday mornings. Pledge forms are available on the table at the back of the church.

Please tell your friends about the great work being done by MHI with the money raised by Tulipathon and ask them if they would like to help by donating. Every dollar counts. A special thanks to Luka whose creative and unique banner was given second prize in the ever-friendly banner contest.

Marilyn Collins

We are thrilled to report that the 46^th Art Credo Exhibit and Sale was another resounding success! This year’s show continued our longstanding tradition of celebrating creativity and community, with over 800 visitors attending the exhibition—right on par with our five-year average.

By the Numbers:

Artists Participating: 44 (a slight dip from the previous 5 years)
Total Artworks Displayed: 104 (also slightly reduced)
Average Value of Artworks: $375 (a small increase)
Number of Artworks Sold: 20 (just below our usual average of 22)
Average Value of Artworks Sold: $234 (a modest decrease of approximately 7%)

Gratitude to Our Community

This exhibit would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers. A heartfelt thank you to:

Our sitters (both artists and parishioners), who ensured the exhibit was open and welcoming throughout the event.
The artwork hanging team, in-take team, and close-out team, whose time and behind-the-scenes efforts made everything run smoothly.
Luka, for organizing a delightful Poetry & Music Night.
Mary Ann & Josie, for their creativity and enthusiasm in hosting the Paint-Along session.

A special thanks to the parishioners of St. John’s for their continued support—providing our beautiful venue and spreading the word to help make this event a success year after year.

We look forward to another inspiring exhibit next year!

—The Art Credo Team

LOOKING AHEAD

THRIFT SHOP FASHION SHOW

Support the Community Thrift Shop ministry by coming to our Fashion Show!

This Saturday May 31!

LOOKING AHEAD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Every Sunday from June 1 to August 31

Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 31

Thrift Shop Fashion Show. 6:30 p.m. Doors open; 7:30; the show begins in the Nave.

Sunday, June 1

Summer Hours Begin: One Sunday worship service at 9:30 a.m.
Scripture Read-Through: Acts Part 2, 11:00 a.m. in the chapel
Pride Month Begins
Godly Play Final Sunday before Summer Break

Saturday, June 7

Doors Open Ottawa

Sunday, June 8

Newcomer Orientation to St John's, 11:30 a.m.
Joy of Faith Celebration: Many faiths come together for food, friendship, and honouring a local Indigenous leader. Presented by the Capital Region Interfaith Council, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 22

Sunday Worship for the National Indigenous Day of Prayer.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: Diana Stimson, James, Alice, David, Inga, and Doug. Give thanks for the life of Marcel Bouchard.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
The Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Carla Blakley.
The Parish of West Quebec, and The Venerable Eric Morin.
For vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson, Suffragan Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw, Suffragan Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toronto.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute in Outlook Saskatchewan.

Moravian Church in Canada

The Rt. Rev. Paul Graf, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.
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 Kenya.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Catherine MacLean by Catherine Doré.

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