The E-postle – June 25, 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

The Work Does Not Stop

As we come to the end of June, many of us are looking forward to some down time during the summer months.  For the community of St. Johns, however, the work continues to identify the vision and goals. It is vitally important that you keep in touch with what is going on through email, contacts, and participation in the ongoing interim process.

Your reflections on the Sources of Transformation gatherings during Lent, the parish forum on Goals and Marks of Mission, and the Liturgy Workshop are being collated for themes.  Based on what you have provided, an interim working group composed of the wardens and synod delegates/alternates is busy with four tasks:

1. To develop an electronic/written survey for individuals that will help each person’s voice be part of the parish identity and priorities
2. To write a narrative statement of “who we are” as a parish
3. To describe the challenges for this community
4. To research the components of a parish profile document in preparation for the fall

The next step coming out of these tasks is to reflect what we have gathered back to the parish community, through group gatherings and perhaps some one-on-one visiting for those who find it difficult to attend events.  We can then discern the pieces that are still missing and how to fill in the gaps.  When we get to the stage of writing the parish profile that will call a new rector, it will reflect the depth and honesty of the work we have put into it.  Please be a part of this great work.

Yours in Christ,

Stephanie+

Upcoming Dates

June 25- 11:30 am-3 pm, Deanery Picnic at Blue Mountain Park

June 26- 7 pm, Parish Council in the Parish Ministry Centre, all welcome to attend

July 9- guest preacher and presider the Most Rev. Douglas Hambidge retired Archbishop

July 12- 9:30 onwards, Coffee & Crafts in the hall

July 16- guest preacher and presider the Rev. Peter Smythe, Mission to Seafarers

July 23- “Hymns from a Hat” Sunday

July 26- 9:30 onwards, Coffee & Crafts in the hall

Summer Program for Children at St. Johns

Our Sunday school will be taking a break from Godly Play over the summer and instead will be focusing on the 9 First Peoples Principles of Learning. The lessons will be simple and fun and will entail reading a simple children’s story book and linking the lessons of the stories to an Animal Spirit image. The children will then have a colouring activity to go along with these teachings. These lessons will take place in the Nursery and should be done in time to join in the Passing of the Peace.  Due to vacations, we are finding ourselves a bit short of teachers. All lessons will be pre-planned and all materials and teaching goals laid out, ready and waiting in the room for you! If you feel that you would like to be a part of these lessons over the summer (and perhaps continuing on when Godly Play resumes in September!), please contact Christina Anchor at clanchor15@gmail.com

 Stewardship Reflection
What are our priorities?
“Again, Jesus said, ‘take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions’” – Luke12:15

 Christ’s values are in contrast to the values of our contemporary society. We are being challenged to get our priorities right.  This is the heart and soul of Christian stewardship. The Baptismal Covenant is a helpful guide- the promises can become our Rule of Life. We dedicate ourselves to worshipping and praying, reflecting, seeking forgiveness and returning to God, living by Christ’s model, serving others in Christ’s name, and working toward justice and peace.
How might each of us carry this out, day by day and week by week?

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Year-round stewardship means that we do not forget about God’s work when July and August roll around.  What can I do for the community of St. Johns during the summer months that is different from how I contribute the rest of the year?

 Special Sundays Coming Up

The next few Sundays each have a special focus, and ways for you to get involved in the life of St. Johns.  Our interim priest, Stephanie Shepard, will be away on vacation July 3-July 17, but…On Sunday July 9 we will be graced (literally) by retired Archbishop Douglas Hambidge, who brings his considerable experience and wisdom about stewardship to the parish.

On Sunday July 16, the Rev. Peter Smythe from the Mission to Seafarers will bring stories and news of this important diocesan ministry to those who come by ship to Burrard Inlet or Robert’s Bank.  Your contributions of warm socks or warm cookies for the seafarers is appreciated to put in our collection net this day.

On Sunday July 23 will be your opportunity to hear some special music as we play “Hymns from a Hat”.  Flip through the blue Common Praise hymnbook in the pews and consider your all-time favourite.  When you come to church that day, you will be asked to write down the number and title on a slip of paper, and we will draw entries to sing during the service.  “Silent Night” for the gradual, perhaps?  At the conclusion of the worship, how about an auction for the recessional number (How much would you pay not to hear a certain hymn?)

Coffee & Crafts: Double the Summer Fun!

The Coffee & Crafts group will be meeting twice a month in the summer to work on a variety of projects towards a fall bazaar.  Make new friends and learn new skills, or just sit and chat while admiring the handiwork of others.  All ages and abilities welcome.  Considering the parish hall has to be one of the coolest spots in town during the heat, this is the place to be.  9:30 am onwards on the following Wednesdays:  July 12, July 26, August 9, and August 23. 

No Garage Sale

No one has stepped forward to coordinate a garage sale, so there will not be a sale scheduled for this summer.  Please do not bring sale items to the Parish Ministry Centre until further notice. If you have an idea for a fundraising event that you are willing to spearhead, please speak to a warden or bring a proposal to Parish Council.  While recognizing that fundraising from parish events is important, there is understanding that parishes in transition have to prioritize how to best use people-power. If you do not have the energy to contribute time or talent to a fundraiser, consider how you can support the church’s vision budget over the summer months.

 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. David / St. Paul, Powell River – The Reverend Faun Harriman

Our Deanery of Tri-Cities / North Burnaby – The Reverend Stephanie Shepard, Regional Dean

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 4:  July 2, 2017 

Genesis 22:1-14; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42

 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 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