The E-postle – July 30th, 2017

The E-postle

July 30, 2017

 

“The Parish of St. John the Apostle is called to be

*          A Spirited Community at the heart of Port Moody

*          transformed through the experience of the      presence of Christ

*          and sent out to share God’s Love”

– mission statement

Sacred Music

Last Sunday, July 23, everyone in the congregation that was present got to choose their favourite hymn.  We selected a few to sing during the service.  What we sing reflects what we believe.  Music in liturgy has an important role to play in expressing our faith, reinforcing the teaching of Christ, and challenging our assumptions about how God works in the world. Interestingly, the songs chosen reflect what the members of this community hold dear.

The top five hymns chosen were “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, “Morning Has Broken”, “Be Thou My Vision”, “Come and Journey”, and “Holy, Holy, Holy”.  Many of the submissions had themes of praise and trust in God.  Interestingly, there were fewer choices that centre on sharing one’s faith, outreach, and mission.  These are areas that challenge us to move from our comfort zones (even in singing) and express solidarity with God’s mission and goals.

In our life together in community, we try to have a balance of old and new songs, personal and corporate expressions, joyful outpourings and lament.  The worship group will try and incorporate the hymns you suggested into the coming weeks.  As you rejoice in some and struggle with others, remember that they carry the hopes and prayers of others in our parish.  And when a new hymn comes on a Sunday morning, you are encouraged to try it to hear what God is calling out of you.  Be an active participant in the liturgy and “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” as the psalmist tells us (even if it is not necessarily a tuneful one!).

Yours in Christ,

Stephanie+

Upcoming Dates

July 30- 12:30 pm, Fawcett-Fennell Wedding

August 6- 8:30 am and 10 am, guest preacher the Rev. Michael Chin

August 28- 7 pm, Parish Council. All are welcome to attend

September 10- after 10 am service, “Back to Church” Parish Picnic

September 18- 1:30 pm, Seniors’ Tea

Stewardship Reflection
This week we hear part of the story of Jacob from Genesis 29.  When Jacob goes to work for his kinsman Laban, his uncle asks him “Tell me, what shall your wages be?”

Jacob decides to labour seven years for the hand of Rachel in marriage.  What effort are we willing to put in to make our goal a reality?  How can we maintain our persistence over the long haul?

Summer Program for Young People

Children are invited to explore stories and activities during part of the 10 am service with Ts’uwtun, our helper bear.  This week’s First People’s Principle of Learning is “learning involves generational roles and responsibilities”.  The animal chosen for this week is the sea lion, which represents the wisdom and value of the elders in community.

 BC Wildfire Response through PWRDF

PWRDF is sending an initial grant of $5,000 to the Territory of the People to support their ongoing immediate relief efforts. These funds, along with $5,000 approved from the Diocese, will augment ongoing relief expenses.  Bishop Barbara Andrews has appointed the Right Reverend Gordon Light (retired) to liaise with PWRDF and oversee disbursed funds. The Diocesan grant is paying for food vouchers, toiletries, bus fare, clothing etc., whatever is of practical help, writes Bishop Light in an email to PWRDF.  Bishop Light writes that the $5,000 grant from PWRDF will help support these immediate needs, but notes that in the longer term, funds may also be required to support post-trauma assistance. “And there may be specific projects that we can identify that would assist people/communities in which there has been loss of homes or facilities.”

PWRDF encourages donations to its emergency fund which will be used to support needs in British Columbia. Donations can be made via credit card over the phone (toll free at 1-866-308-7973), or online at our Canada Helps page at pwrdf.org/donate. Choose Emergency Response from the drop down menu.  You can also mail a cheque to The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, The Anglican Church of Canada, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2. Please note “Emergency Response” on your cheque.

 First Nations 101 Book Study

First Nations 101 is an easy to read primer that provides readers with a broad overview of the diverse and complex lives of First Nations people. It is packed with more than 70 subjects including education, youth, child welfare, urbanization, appropriate questions to ask a First Nations person, feminism, the medicine wheel, Two-spirit (LGBTQ), residential schools, the land bridge theory, and language preservation. Author Lynda Gray endeavours to leave readers with a better understanding of the shared history of First Nations and non-First Nations people, and ultimately calls upon all of us – individuals, communities, and governments – to play active roles in bringing about true reconciliation between First Nations and non-First Nations people.

Those interested in joining a book study on First Nations 101 in the fall can speak to one of the clergy or contact the parish office.

There is now a signup sheet on the parish news board in the hall, so please mark your availability and a time will be picked to accommodate as many as possible to attend.

Opportunity to Volunteer with the Mission to Seafarers

The Rev. Peter Smyth, senior chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers, is looking for Anglicans to volunteer as visitors to the ships who come into berth here in Port Moody.  Excellent training is provided.  There is a write-up coming in the September issue of TOPIC, but if you are interested you may contact Peter at vanchaplain.missiontoseafarers@gmail.com or phone the Flying Angels Club at 604-253-4421.

Prayer Cycle

In the Anglican Communion- Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby; Primate of Canada Fred Hiltz; BC & Yukon Archbishop John Privett; our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and especially the people of our twin church at St. Johns Mission, Bila, Mountain Province; Diocese of New Westminster Bishop Melissa Skelton, and this week:

St. Oswald, Port Kells – The Reverend Gordon Shields

The Anglican Church Women, Diocese of New Westminster – Margaret Warwick (Chair)

The Diocese of Pennsylvania – (The Episcopal Church), The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutierrez

The Diocese of Pittsburgh – (The Episcopal Church), The Rt. Rev. Dorsey W M McConnell

The Diocese of Saskachewan (Council of the North)-  the Rt. Rev. Michael Hawkins,

Indigenous Bishop Adam Halkett;

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada- National Bishop Susan Johnson,

BC Synod Bishop Greg Mohr;

The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean

Presbyterian Church and the Polish Evangelical Church.

Readings for Pentecost 9/Transfiguration, August 6, 2017 

Daniel 7:9-10, and 13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19;  Luke 9:28-36

Important Contact Information

Interim Priest– The Rev. Stephanie Shepard rev.seshepard@gmail.com or 778-773-6816

Parish Office– Karen Evans stjohn7@shaw.ca or 604-936-7762

Wardens– Geri Grigg gerigrigg@gmail.com Terry Walton terry&joanne_walton@telus.net

Maureen Simons mesimons@telus.net or through the parish office

Treasurer– Chelsea Belyk chelsea.belyk@gmail.com

Parish Council– Adelaine Miller, Secretary adelainemiller@shaw.ca

St. John Prayer Circle– Sue Ellliott Elliott.sue1@gmail.com

Pastoral Visiting Ministry– Joanne Walton terry&joanne_walton@telus.net

or Alma Oldenburg almaolden@hotmail.com

Anglican Church Women (ACW)- Sue Hall 604-936-0176 sbhcat@hotmail.com