THE E-POSTLE SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

“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”

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday Oct 2            10:30-noon, Bible Study in the parish hall

Saturday Oct 13          Special Synod on proposed changes to Canon 2 & 3

Saturday Nov 3           Investiture of New Members to the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster at Massey Theatre starting at 10.30

Saturday Nov 10         Fall Bazaar

Tues Nov 20                Rev. Vivian Lam 1^st day begins at St. Johns

Tues Dec 11                 Rev. Vivian Lam’s Induction – 7 pm with rehearsal at 6 pm.

 

   

Dear Friends:

September is almost over, and the Fall Season has certainly begun on a wonderful note at St. John’s. All the organizations are in full-swing, and the enthusiasm and commitment in each group is delightful.

As we enter the month of October, on Sunday October 7^th, we will celebrate Harvest and National Thanksgiving.  The service promises to be a very special one, as we remember, amongst other things, all the splendid gifts God gives us in creation, in our individual and collective lives, and in the blessings of everyday life. It is always a significant moment in our church year, and I encourage you all to come and be with us for worship and fellowship.

As well, on all four Sundays in October, we will be focussing on the issue of Stewardship.  This will include a presentation from a community partner; a visioning exercise for the congregation, thinking about how the parish might develop the church property over the next number of years; a look at how St. John’s can work towards growth in numbers; and the opportunity for people to make a new financial pledge to the parish. It promises to be an eventful time.  I will outline the program for you each week through my E-Postle submission.

I continue to wish you all of God’s blessings and I am truly finding my time in your midst to be a wonderful gift.

Reverend Tim Morgan

  

ORANGE SHIRT DAY THIS SUNDAY September 30th

From the Orange Shirt Day website

 

Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Last year many of us purchased an orange shirt with the ‘Every Child Matters’ logo on it. This year I just found out that this Sunday September 30^th is the official orange shirt day for 2018.

This is the story Phyllis Westrand tells of her experience at school which is the foundation for Orange Shirt Day ….

“I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old …. somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!
When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”

If you have your shirt from last year or have an orange shirt please wear it to church on Sunday.

 

Thanksgiving

The Altar Guild will be decorating the church for Thanksgiving on Saturday October 6th at 9 a.m.

Donations towards the fruit, vegetables and flowers would be appreciated.

 

Naming of the Welcome Post

On Saturday September 8^th I attended the Naming of the Welcome Post at Noons Creek. Many of us who have journeyed through the past year and a half gathered once again with peoples of the Tsleil Waututh nation and Tasha Faye-Evans. Over this past year and a half I have learned so much about the people of this land, about this land and about the healing that is happening. It was a blessing to participate in this ceremony.

I could not help but reflect on the importance of naming and how it is a part of many traditions. The first lesson this summer the children had in Godly Play was titled ‘Granny and I Get Traditional Names’ a story written by Celestine Aleck of the Strong Stories series. This was read to the children on a day when Peter DeVaal was baptized and named as one of Christ’s own in the family of God. In Godly Play the children have learned about the renaming by God of Abraham and Sarah.

As we as a parish have supported the Welcome Post I want to share this with you

‘The post has been titled Saymahmit to carry the name of the Tsleil Waututh village that was once on this land and to reclaim the stories and the songs of the ancestors who lived here long before it was known as Noons Creek, Port Moody.’

Huy chexw a … Thank you, Deacon Anne

 

Stewardship Reflection

Merriam. Webster definition of Faith. Belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

Matthew 17:20      He said to them, “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there “, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Question:  In what way can you practice your faith this week?

 

Thrifty’s Smile card

The Thrifty’s Smile card fundraising is up and running for 2018.  We are raising money to purchase music supplies.  Use your Smile Card to support this initiative.

 

 Proteins needed for St. Johns Food Bank Thanksgiving

Protein-rich foods are often the most expensive items for families to purchase when grocery shopping.  People on limited budgets often cannot afford them, and make do with stodgy foods to fill stomachs.   Please help those who need them by donating the following to St. Johns Food Bank in October:

• tinned salmon, tuna, chicken, beef (not all can eat pork products)

• shelf stable nut butters

• dried or tinned beans and peas

• powdered or shelf stable milks

• meaty stews or soups

Bring your offerings on Sunday, drop off during the week Monday through Thursday 9 am to 1 pm, or give some money to this ministry towards the purchase of fresh products.

 

Mission Trip to Guyana

Brenda Lou-Hing is seeking financial support for her trip to Guyana.  Brenda has been volunteering for several years supporting an orphanage in Guyana.  In January 2019 Brenda will be returning to Guyana to take on a volunteer position at the Children and Protection Agency.  Brenda’s expenses will exceed $10,000 which she must provide herself.  Several parishioners have made donations to her mission in the past.  Brenda will gratefully accept donations in person but has also set up an electronic option at https://www.gofundme.com/manage/c69dx-volunteering-in-guyana/donations.

 

Flowers for the Altar

The Altar Guild would like to draw your attention to the flower chart in the Narthex by the Chapel door.  Please consider signing up to place flowers at the Altar in thanksgiving for something, or in loving memory of a family member or friend.  A member of the Altar Guild will contact you the week before the date you have chosen to see what type of flowers you would like and the wording for the Bulletin.  The following weeks are still open October 28, and December 23.  Thank you.

 

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund has sent an emergency grant of $5,000 to the Diocese of the Yukon to support the people of Telegraph Creek.  If you wish to donate, please log on the PWRDF website to do so, or phone, or mail a cheque.  https://pwrdf.org/donate/how-to-donate/

 

3030 Gordon Avenue – Transition Housing

We need more volunteers for this ministry. You will only need to put in 2 hours every 4 weeks.

In preparation for the cold weather in the horizon, the shelter is in need of blankets (twin and double – not down duvets), winter and rain jackets, sweat pants size medium and large, hoodies, gloves, new underwear, socks, sports bras, belts, umbrellas, shoes and boots all for both men and women.  Running shoes and underwear for both men and women and some smaller sized jeans and leggings (ladies).
Please connect with Marylou Kyle or Betty Moore if you are interested
in giving a helping hand or have any of the above to contribute.

For info on this project, please check them out at
http://www.raincityhousing.org/what-we-do/3030-gordon-project-coquitlam/

 

Prayer Cycle

In the Anglican Communion-

• Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby; Primate of Canada Fred Hiltz and Indigenous Archbishop

Mark McDonald; BC & Yukon Archbishop Melissa Skelton;

• our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and especially the people of our twin church at St. Johns Mission, Bila, Mountain Province;

St. Francis-in-the-Wood, West Vancouver – The Reverend Angus Stuart,

The Reverend Janice Lowell

St. Faith, Vancouver – Priest-in-Charge The Reverend Stephanie Shepard

The Reverend Christine Wilson

*In our parish:   The Salami family

*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 September 30, 2018

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Readings for October 7, 2018

Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16

 

Important Contact Information

Priest-in-Charge – The Rev. Timothy Morgan timothy.morgan1304@gmail.com or 604-936-7762

Parish Office– Kelly Million  stjohn7@shaw.ca or 604-936-7762: 9 am- 1 pm Monday through Thursday

Wardens– Geri Grigg gerigrigg@gmail.com  or Ruby Ng rubyngchen@gmail.com

Treasurer– Cedric Miller cedricmiller@telus.net

Envelope Secretary- Sheila de Vaal   sheiladevaal@gmail.com

Parish Council– Adelaine Miller, Secretary adelainemiller@gmail.com

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

 

FALL BAZAAR – SATURDAY, November 10^th

10:00 – 2:30

This is a Parish Event and something supported and enjoyed by most everyone in our parish.  It is not only a major fund raiser for St. John’s but one of our faces to the community at large so let us put the effort in to make this a special event. Please note that we are holding the bazaar one week later than in previous years.

We are trying something a little different this year – An Uncoordinated Bazaar!  Due to the lack of an event coordinator we have agreed to continue this year with the convenors of each area taking responsibility for staffing and setting up that area. (There will still be an initial set up on Thursday afternoon to put the tables in place and make the table coverings available.)

To date we have convenors for the following areas:

Advertising:  Alma Oldenburgh

Raffle:  Ann Adair Austin & Rosa Weisensel

Handicrafts:  Mickey Marshall & Sue Elliott

Nu 2 U:  Joanne Walton

Games:  Ann Adair Austin

Kitchen:  Ferne Malcolm

White Elephant:  Debora Jones Akiyama

Counrty Store:  Sharon Cooper

Goodie Tins:  Sue Elliott

We are still looking for convenors for the BAKE TABLE and LUNCH SERVERS.  If you are willing to convene please see Ann Adair Austin after the 10:00 am service as she will have the sign up sheet. If you wish to volunteer to help see Ann or the convenor for the area you would like to help in.

For those who maybe unfamiliar with the Bazaar this is an overview and suggestions of how you might contribute.  I’m sure there maybe more information from individual convenors later but……………..

Bake Table:  A very popular area and a chance for our wonderful bakers to show off a little.

Handicrafts:  Once again we ask our talented knitters, sewers and crafters to use their special talents.  It is always interesting to see their creations.

Country Store:  Our special area for jams, jellies, relishes and all kinds of special little treats.  We look forward to seeing your special creations.

Nu 2 U:  This is were we feature new or nearly new items. Jewellery is always a great attraction.

White Elephant:  We generally have a lot of good quality used items to recycle be it books, kitchen treasures or household items.  (No T.V. or computer items, please.)

Soup & Sandwich Lunch:  We believe this is one of the best values to be had at any bazaar.  For only $6.00 you get soup, sandwich, desert and tea or coffee. Please come and bring your friends.

Raffle: More Info to Come

 

There is a little free space in the PMC so White Elephant items may be brought in a week or so ahead…………that would be a big help.

Items for Crafts and Nu 2 U maybe brought in on Sunday, Nov. 4 or during the following week.

Bake Table items maybe brought in on Friday, Nov. 9 or if not otherwise possible Saturday morning.

Look forward to seeing you on Saturday, Nov. 10^th between 10:00 & 2:30.

 

 

26^th Sept 2018

 

Dear friends and supporters of the Bird’s Nest and its Hockey Skills and leadership Program,

It is with very heavy hearts that all of us here write to inform you that the Bird’s Nest and our Hockey Skills and Leadership Program has closed its doors.

On Monday, July 16 we had called a team meeting at the Bird’s Nest to discuss one or two changes that the program leadership had decided were necessary. These changes, which included a two week ban on alcohol and a commitment for attendance at the gym for all participants from Monday to Friday at 8 am, were considered by a few members of the program to be too stringent.

As a result 3 members decided they wished to leave the program and return to their reserves, and consequently 2 further members lost confidence in the program and also decided to go.
With only four members remaining plus one who was on route by car from Saskatchewan we had no choice but to close the program down.

This was a heartbreaking decision for those of us who have worked so hard over the last three years to create a sustainable solution to the problem of indigenous youth seeking an alternative to their often unsatisfying and restricted lives on Canada’s remote reserves.

Our retention rate for the Bird’s Nest’s College Preparation Program was unprecedented during our first two years with 95% of all members completing the entire year-long program, (the average across Canada is apparently only a few months).  The decision to change from just a college preparation program to a hockey skills and leadership program in conjunction with the College preparation was, we still believe, a good decision, however due to a lack of funding we have always been constrained about the choices of participant that we were able to accept.  In order to function with any financial security we were obliged to take and keep whomever the bands were willing to fund, regardless of how likely we felt they may be to succeed.

It is our unqualified belief that the hockey program would have been successful beyond any of our previous efforts had we been in a position to select and completely fund ourselves, those young male adults who were willing to accept in advance that this was a sober program with no drinking and no drugs.

Sadly without this ability, no amount of asking pleading or demanding was sufficient to prevent weekends and often weeknights at the house descending into alcohol fuelled rampages that sometimes included aggression and damage to the property. There were several individuals who did not participate in the drinking and carousing, and for them life at the Nest could be very uncomfortable.

All of our participants without exception were passionate and able hockey players; full of humour and hope each with many endearing characteristics we will miss each and every one. The alcohol consumption however, posed too many risks for us to ignore.

It has been an amazing three years for us and none of us will regret a moment of it however, it has come to an end and all that remains to be done is to thank everyone who helped us along the way. St John’s was there with us from the very first days and you never wavered in your support. We wholeheartedly thank you.

Meanwhile we wish you all health happiness and blessings and thank you again for all your love and support over the last three years.

The Bird’s Nest team.