Advent 3 Epostle – December 17, 2017

The E-postle

Advent 3, December 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”

 

 

Re-Sponse Deanery Update

Re-Sponse is the group of dedicated individuals from deanery parishes working with the welcome and orientation of refugees in our area.  The first refugee family that the group has sponsored is expected to arrive in late spring 2018.  Currently, the deanery is engaging support for the application of a second family which is being privately sponsored.  The brother living here has committed to raising money to support a widower and four children between the ages of 3-11 as well as an adult female relative.  St. Johns, along with St. Catherine Port Coquitlam and St. Laurence Coquitlam, have agreed at parish council to support the application under the agreement holder of the Diocese of New Westminster.  Housing and funding are being covered by the private sponsor, but should money fall short of the goal, parish fundraising will help supplement.  A fundraising goal will be brought to the Annual Vestry Meeting for discussion.

The Re-Sponse group is looking for a lay person from St. Johns to help out in this important outreach and communicate with the parish.  Meetings are usually held monthly here at St. Johns on Tuesday evenings.  As well, people who are willing to give time and energy to a fundraising event in the spring are sought. For more information, speak to Jeremy Overton or a clergy or warden.

Yours in Christ, Stephanie +

Upcoming Dates

December 17- 8:30 and 10 am, the Rev. Michael Chin, preacher

December 18- 7 pm onward, Parish Council members and families welcome at Stephanie’s

December 21- 11:30 am, Christmas lunch at the St. Johns Food Bank

December 24- 10 am Advent 4 service (no 8:30 am service this day)

December 24- 7 pm & 10 pm, Christmas Eve services

December 25- 10 am, Christ Mass for Christmas Day

January 3- 9:30-noon, Coffee & Crafts in the parish hall

January 24- Group and Committee reports due to parish office for Annual Vestry

February 14- Ash Wednesday

February 18- 11:30 am Annual Vestry Meeting

February 23-25- Spiritual Formation Weekend at Loon Lake “Prayer Beyond Words”

“Prayer Beyond Words” Spiritual Retreat

The Diocese is sponsoring a weekend retreat at Loon Lake, Maple Ridge, for Anglicans wanting a deeper experience of spiritual formation and renewal.  One of the stated goals is to meet you where you are in your spiritual journey and to respond to your needs so you may better encounter God and be equipped to serve Christ.  Curious?  Talk to Stephanie or facilitators Eric ericmason@saintlaurence.ca or Pam p.mcelheran@me.com and check out the pamphlets or https://tinyurl.com/formation-feb/

Stewardship Reflection
The light of God surrounds me;

The love of God enfolds me;

The power of God protects me;

The presence of God watches over me.

Wherever I am God is!   

• A Prayer for protection from Silent Unity

This week, ground yourself in God’s presence.  How can you share this assurance of love with others?

Budget Proposals Requested

The parish council will be preparing a draft budget for 2018 to present to the Annual Vestry Meeting.  If your group needs continued or new funding for materials or programming in 2018, please submit a proposal to our Treasurer Chelsea Belyk by January 14.

 Order of the Diocese of New Westminster

Several suggestions for recognizing individuals have been received and will be considered by parish council for our one nomination to the Bishop.  It is not too late to submit your recommendation.  See  http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/programs/the-odnw

Prayer Cycle

In the Anglican Communion-

* Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby;  Primate of Canada Fred Hiltz and Indigenous Archbishop Mark McDonald; BC & Yukon Archbishop John Privett; Council of the North Diocese of Athabasca (Alberta)

* 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:

The Deanery of Royal City / South Burnaby & The Rev. Gordon Barrett, Regional Dean

*The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada- National Bishop Susan Johnson, BC Synod Bishop Greg Mohr;

*In our parish:

The work of the Canonical Committee as the first draft of the Parish Profile is prepared

*The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church and the Polish Evangelical Church.

 

Readings for Advent 4, December 24, 2017 (morning)

Isaiah 61:1-4, and 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8 and 19-28

Readings for Christmas Eve, 7 pm and 10 pm

Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

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 Elliott 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