E-postle – September 24th, 2017

The E-postle

September 24, 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

Interim Process Update

The Interim working group, comprised of your wardens and Synod delegates and alternates, met on Tuesday September 19 to review the parish survey results.  65 responses were received.  After considering the questions for the interim process posed by our Diocesan Bishop Melissa Skelton, the group feels that this parish is ready to move to the formal canonical process.  It is up to the Bishop now whether she agrees with this assessment or whether there are holes in our preparation we still need to address.

Once the green light is given for the canonical process, this begins a new stage of writing the parish profile, which is an invitation for a priest to apply for the position of incumbent of St. John the Apostle.  This document must reflect the truth and depth of this community’s identity in order to find a good fit in the candidates to be interviewed.

The parish profile will be drafted and shared with the congregation for reflection.  It will then be sent to the Diocesan office.  If Bishop Melissa feels that what has been written truly captures the essence of God’s work through St. Johns, the document will be advertised with the invitation for clergy to apply.  However, the process of writing a parish profile usually goes through several drafts, so this could take a couple of months to complete.

In the meantime, St. Johns will be continuing to make adaptive changes towards becoming a more loving and effective means of God’s grace in living out the draft mission statement.  We still hold to the priorities of improving communication, making more effective use of existing buildings and visioning for future development, and strengthening leadership and structures.  Our work together continues in the next few months of the transition.

Yours in Christ, Stephanie+

Upcoming Dates

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 26-10:30-noon AND 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, First Nations 101 Book Study

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

October 1- Reconciliation Sunday and beginning of Stewardship Month

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
“My Father: who will govern my life to-day? Me or you? Help me to choose wisely, moment by moment.”            -David Hazard’s reflections on City of God by Augustine

–

In the coming month of October, our community will be taking time to focus on what need to be our year-round practices of stewardship. We begin our exploration around the theme “This belongs to God” on October 1 and each week will bring new voices and perspectives. Celebrate belonging to this community and belonging to God as St. Johns moves forward in faith.

 

Looking for a Way to Help?

Helpers needed to pick up and bag donated bread from Cobs on alternate Tuesday evenings.  Approximately 1 hour work 8:30-9:30 pm, please contact Teri Hazelton or the Church office.

Or bring your recyclable containers to the church to donate to the parish bottle drive.  You can also take them to Biggar Enterprises Bottle Depot in Coquitlam to credit the church.

 

Walk for Reconciliation:  Namwayut! (We are All One)

A reminder that this coming Sunday, while we will still have regular services at 8:30 am and 10 am at St. Johns, there will be many Anglicans involved in the Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver.  It begins at Cambie Street and Georgia at 9:30 am.  If you feel that your worship this day is found in solidarity by walking, please make this your spiritual offering.  More information can be found at http://reconciliationcanada.ca/walk-for-reconciliation-2017/

 

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. No Soft fruits and vegetables with a ‘short shelf life’. Financial donations also welcome.

 

All Souls Night, Thursday November 2

An evening to pray for the souls of the world and remember those we love.  Drop in the church anytime from 7:30 pm onwards to light a candle, walk the labyrinth, or just sit quietly.  You may want to stay and sing Holden Evening Prayer at 9 pm, when those who have died will be remembered as their names are read aloud.

 

St. Johns Bazaar Saturday November 4

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.

 

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.  Tell your friends!

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. Michael, Surrey – The Reverend Luisito Engnan

St. Michael, Vancouver –

The Reverend Wilmer Toyoken

The newly created Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh with its First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Manitoba, Bishop Lydia Mamakwa. 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 16, October 1, 2017 

Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32

 

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