E-postle – September 17th, 2017

The E-postle

September 17, 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”

– draft mission statement

YES This is a long version of the E-postle.  Keep reading:there is so much good ministry happening at St. Johns this fall

Port Moody Welcome Post Project and Orange Shirt Day October 1st

Some parish clergy have met with Tasha Faye Evans who has been coordinating the Welcome Post Project over the summer. Her dream is to have a Welcome Post carved and placed in Rocky Point Park that is the gateway (as I learned from Reuben George) to the Salish Sea.  Further to the last message advising that Council has approved financial support of this project we are confirming that October 1 st will be our recognition of our commitment to The Year of Reconciliation and to ongoing reconciliation.

On this Orange Shirt Day ‘Every Child Matters’, Tasha will join us and speak to us further on the Welcome Post Project and of her dream and vision. Our ‘First Nations 101’ study, the children’s program over the summer of ‘First Peoples Principles of Learning’, our continuing support of ‘The Bird’s Nest’ along with other activities of the past are all part of our ongoing steps to reconciliation. There will be other ways in which we can be involved in this Port Moody event as June 2018 arrives.

Yours in Christ, Deacon Anne

Upcoming Dates

September 17- 10 am, Baptism of Alexander Brian McGlashan

September 17- after 10 am service, “Back to Church” Parish Picnic

September 19- 10:30- noon and 7:15-8:45 pm, First Nations 101 book study

September 19- 6-8 pm, Interim Working Group meeting with pizza

September 21- 6pm onwards, A.C.W. potluck and meeting

September 23- 3:30 pm, Wedding of Sherrill Hardy and Bruce Wise

September 24- beginning 9:30 am, Walk for Reconciliation at Queen Elizabeth Plaza

September 25- 7-9 pm, Parish Council Meeting in the PMC.  All are welcome

September 30- Orange Shirt Day (wear them to church on October 1 too!)

October 8- Thanksgiving Sunday

November 2- 7:30 to 9:30 pm, All Souls Night with Holden Evening Prayer

November 4- 10 am – 2:30 pm, Fall Bazaar

Stewardship Reflection
“What is God calling us to do? There is the call to be available. He cannot do without us.” –                                                                                                – The Most Rev. Douglas Hambidge

In what way can you be available for God this week?

And here’s one way: Cobs Bread Helpers needed

Additional help is needed on Tuesday evenings to either pick up Cobbs Bread from the Sutter Brook location at their closing time and transport it to the church or be at the PMC to unload the bread and help in bagging the bread for storage in the freezers.  This involves approximately 60-90 minutes every other Tuesday evening. If you are able to help, please contact Teri Hazelton or the Church office.

And another: Parish Bottle Drive

Did you know the parish has been collecting recyclable cans and bottles as an ongoing fundraiser?  You can either bring your refundable containers to church and place in the bin near the kitchen or take them to the Biggar Enterprises Bottle Depot at 2577 Kingsway Avenue in Coquitlam and ask them to credit the refund to St. Johns account.  The church is blessed with a volunteer who collects containers from the church on a weekly basis as her contribution to stewardship.  Over the years, the community has raised over $6000, but in 2017 to date $118.64 has been received.  Support is needed for this project to remain viable.

First Nations 101 Book Study

On Tuesday September 12, the first session of our parish book study began on Lynda Gray’s “First Nations 101: tons of stuff you need to know about First Nations people”.  There is a large group meeting 10:30 am to noon.  It looks like there is sufficient interest for an evening group from 7:15-8:45 pm Tuesdays, so the first meeting will be this coming Tuesday evening with both an introduction and chapter 1 together.  There are still 2 books for $20 suggested donation available through the parish office.  Please pre-read Chapter 1 in preparation.

Anglican Church Women

A.C.W. Pot Luck Dinner and Meeting: Thursday, September 21st at 6pm. Please bring a contribution to the meal to share with everyone.

Harvest Thanksgiving

The Altar Guild is planning to decorate the church for Thanksgiving on Saturday October 7^th at 9.30 a.m. Donations of fruit and vegetables to display would be appreciated. Apples oranges, potatoes, carrots, onions, squash or pumpkins may be considered which will be distributed at the next Food Bank session. Soft fruits and vegetables with a ‘short shelf life’ are not recommended please. If you wish to do so you may make a financial donation through your envelope. Thank you.

All Souls Night, Thursday November 2

In the darkness of the turning of the year near All Saints Day, we pause to remember those who have died.  This has been a year of significance for the parish, and it would be good to mark both those family members and friends who have gone home to God and those souls in our world who have lost their lives.  Whether you want to honour a loved one or pray for victims of violence, addiction or disaster, drop in to the church on Thursday November 2 between 7:30 and 9:30 pm.  You can walk a labyrinth in meditation, light a candle, put a name or piece of artwork up on a board of remembrance, or simply let the music of Holden Evening Prayer wash over you at 9 pm.

St. Johns Bazaar Saturday November 4

We are looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, November 4^th between 10:00 am & 2:30 pm.  In preparation, there are many ways you can help:

Raffle: Donate items for our Goodie Baskets to Grace Lieu. (No liquor, firearms or live animals, according to BC gaming regulations! How about non-perishable treats for Christmas?). Help sell books of Raffle tickets starting October to your friends and family.

Bake Table:  Help bake, package, price, or sell items.

Handicrafts: Sew, knit, paint, craft, or assemble special gifts to sell.

Country Store:  Donate homemade jellies, jams, relishes and all kinds of special little treats. Do you have a favourite treat that can be bottled or packaged?

Nu2U- Donate new or nearly new items like jewelry, china, linens or unused gifts.

White Elephant:  Donate good quality items to recycle, be it books, kitchen treasures or maybe household items. Please test small appliances (No televisions or computer parts please!)

Soup and Sandwich Lunch: Help in the kitchen to prepare or serve sandwiches, soup, desserts and beverages.

Got something to donate?  We have a little space in the PMC for White Elephant items so whatever can be brought in up to a week ahead would be great.  Items for Crafts and Nu2U may be brought in on the Sunday before (October 29^th ) or to Coffee & Crafts on Wednesday morning (Nov. 1^st), Thursday afternoon or all day Friday. The earlier the better. Items for the Bake Table may be brought in on Friday or where that is not possible on Saturday morning.

Keys for the Church

If you have a key for anything in the church buildings, could you please email or phone Karen in the parish office and leave a message telling her 1) who you are, 2) what you have a key for (describe the key if you are not sure!), and 3) what group/position/reason for having the key.  Thank you so much as we improve our record-keeping.

Free Harpsichord

Home-built harpsichord looking for a forever home, can be viewed in the choir room after services.  As-is, no charge, but must be taken offsite by new owner.

Prayer Cycle

In the Anglican Communion- Sodor & Man – (York, England) The Ven Peter Eagles, 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. Matthew, Abbotsford –

The Reverend Allen               Doerksen

The Deanery of The Valley – The Reverend Allan Carson

The newly created Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh with its First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Manitoba, Bishop Lydia Mamakwa, and for all the leadership of the diocese. Pray also for the Dr. William Winter School of Ministry, the developing diaconal program, and the increasing ministry collaboration with the dioceses of Brandon and Rupert’s Land.

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 15, September 24, 2017 

Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16

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

Altar Guild– Brenda Binns Brenda.Binns@hotmail.com

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