THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK

A MESSAGE FROM BETH+ AND GORDON Please click on the photo to see a video from us!

PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK SERVICES Anytime, Online Our Cathedral is providing online liturgies for our use! Open this file and then simply scroll down at your own pace, saying the service alone or with others (appropriately distanced, in a virtual meeting, or on the phone). Grace and peace to you as you share in the worship of the Church today. And give thanks for our Cathedral and its ministry!

PALM SUNDAY AT HOME What if everyone puts a branch on the door of their house or in the window to celebrate Palm Sunday? It could be any kind of green branch. Or make a Palm Cross out of paper and hang it in your window, perhaps with an encouraging message (see instructions here). We may be physically isolated but we are united as the body of Christ. We are the Church!

PALM SUNDAY FAITH FORMATION RESOURCES Click on this link to find: Matthew 21:1-11 devotional, illustration, and coloring page; a children's worship bulletin; and "Into your spacious heart" colouring page for all ages (this is a great one for teens and adults).

HOLY WEEK TENEBRAE: A HOME BASED DEVOTIONAL Don't miss out on Holy Week! Download this devotional in either pdf e-reader format or printable format (printing instructions available). A wonderful way for us to be connected in prayer and liturgy during this special time of the church year!

HOLY WEEK CONTEMPLATIVE AND CREATIVE ARTS Holy Week: Jesus’ Passion and Death – a Contemplative and Creative Arts resource kit to use in your home has been developed by members of Church of the Ascension’s Art and Spirituality Practice Group. Click here to enjoy. Thank you, Ascension!

GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS The Reverend Monique Stone of Julian of Norwich Anglican Church has created these meditative stations of the cross which include beautiful art to reflect upon. Thank you, Monique!

REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Parish All clergy, staff, and members of St John's during this unusual season. Those on Our Hearts Brett, Wendy; Felix Marsh, newborn; Kathryn Odgaard, Margaret Lang who have departed this life, and all those who mourn. Diocese of Ottawa Bishop John Chapman as he transitions to retirement, and Bishop-Elect Shane Parker as he prepares for ordination and consecration. Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) Archbishop Anne Germond, the people and clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC) The dean, council, and congregations of the Manitoba East Area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod. Parish Prayer Group If you wish to have someone prayed for, please call (613) 232-4500 ext 21 or send an email to prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

THOSE ON OUR HEARTS It is very important for us as a community to be able to hold people in prayer, whether we are gathering physically or virtually. If you would like to add someone's first name to the prayer list (see "Those on Our Hearts" in the "Remember in Prayer" section above) for the next two weeks, please email the Rector.

OTHER WORSHIP RESOURCES

VIRTUAL SERVICES IN OUR DIOCESE In-person worship suspended? Prayers are still ascending! Here is a list of virtual services in Diocese of Ottawa.

APPS Another thing that might accompany us in our prayer lives right now is an app on our smartphone or tablet. But there are so many prayer apps on Google or Apple, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a list of ones to consider. They are all free and they lean towards those which are either based in the pattern of the daily office, Ignatian spirituality, or contemplative prayer. Many of them have audio, music, and even singing. These can help us know we pray with the whole body of Christ even when we may be separated in space.

DIGITAL RESOURCES To help keep you connected with prayer, faith and community, the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod Office has compiled a list of resources which may be found on their website. The list is updated daily so keep checking back!

MORE WORSHIP Travel virtually to share prayer and worship experiences across Canada and around the world! During the time of physical isolation, take the opportunity to visit other places and share in daily and weekly prayers and reflections. May you enjoy this experience of travelling virtually, and that you may be lifted by the words, music and surroundings offered here.

STAYING CONNECTED

RING THOSE BELLS! Sundays Noon To remind our Centretown community that we are holding everyone in our hearts and prayers, our bell will be rung every week. A great witness to hope and love! Thank you to those who have volunteered to help.

LIGHT A CANDLE AND SAY A PRAYER Sundays 7 pm Light a candle of hope in the window of your home or on the porch, and say a prayer.From our Primate, The Most Reverend Linda Nicholls: "All around us, while many are in quarantine or self-isolation, the church is blossoming with prayer. We are digging deep into the heart of our faith to lift our voices in the sure and certain knowledge that the Holy Spirit hears our intercessions, thanksgivings and even our groans." Be a witness.

ONLINE COFFEE WITH BETH+ Wednesdays 10 am The Rector is looking forward to catching up with you virtually! Make yourself a cuppa and then either click on the photo or on this link, to join the Zoom call from any internet browser on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. Looking forward to "seeing" you!

NEED SUPPORT? Each one of us is experiencing this unusual time in a different way. If you would like to check in, have a conversation, share a laugh or a cry, or be prayed with, please be in touch with the Rector to set up a Zoom or phone or email conversation. We can get through this together! Also don't forget about our Pastoral Care Team who are also available to give support.

DIOCESAN NEWS

A TIME OF GRACE Drawing upon our collective strength and resources to care for one another at this time, our Diocese is able to compensate parishes for April and May. As our Bishop-Elect has said, "we are gifting ourselves with a time of grace so we can continue to bring the strong love and calming peace of Christ to communities across our diocese!" Please see Bishop John's letter for details.

WONDERFUL NEWS! The consecration of our Bishop-Elect Shane Parker will be held on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. It may be a minimalist service due on gathering restrictions, but this will allow us to move forward with new leadership. There will definitely be a larger celebration at some point! Please see Archbishop Anne Germond's letter for details.

COMMUNITY MINISTRIES UPDATE Our Diocesan Community Ministries have put together this update, including how you can be of assistance during this time.

DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER For all recent correspondence, information on our response to COVID-19, and more, check out the newsletter.

STAYING HEALTHY

READ A BOOK Click here to read an article on "12 Fiction Books That Will Shape Your Theology". If you don't use novels to enrich your spiritual life, you're missing out!

WATCH A VIDEO Communitiy and Workplace Traumatologist, Compassion Fatigue Therapist, Critical Incident Responder, and clergyperson, Diane Strickland, launches the first video in a series to support folks through the COVID-19 Pandemic. In this video she discusses how and why some people respond to traumatic events, what to notice about yourself, and how to respond to others in ways that harness calm.

SAY A PRAYER During these challenging times, it can be hard to remember to stop and pray, especially for families with young children. The Anglican Foundation of Canada is happy to share this resource online for free to help establish a routine of prayer at four different times of day. Each prayer offers a brief thankgiving and a moment to think of others.

SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY Nathan Hauch, one of our parishioners, has created a beautiful short film (click on the photo). Perhaps you are creating too? Share it with us!

ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST ANGLICAN CHURCH www.stjohnsottawa.ca  154 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K2P 0H8 613-232-4500 office@stjohnsottawa.ca On facebook! here ---> StJfb  The Reverend Canon Beth Bretzlaff, Rector  The Reverend Dr Caroline Ducros, Deacon BGen (Ret’d) The Venerable John Fletcher, Honourary Assistant  The Reverend Canon Dr Gary Hauch, Honourary Assistant The Reverend Michael Hicks, Honourary Assistant Emeritus Dr Gordon Johnston, FRCCO, Organist and Choirmaster  Laura Macdonald, Church Administrator  Detlef Dransch, Rector’s Warden  Bev Humphries , People's Warden