The E-postle July 14, 2019

 

5th Sunday after Pentecost

E-postle

July 14, 2019

 

 “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

Sunday, July 14  at the 10am service – Baptism of Shiloh Alibaksh

Tuesday, July 16                10:15am–12noon – Bible Study (in the PMC for this week)

Saturday, August 17        Parish Garage Sale

 

Stewardship Reflection

From Henri Nouwen (1932-1996):

Prayer and action can never be seen as contradictory or mutually exclusive.  Prayer without action grows into powerless pietism, and action without prayer degenerates into questionable manipulation.  If prayer leads us into deeper unity with the compassionate Christ, it will always give rise to concrete acts of service.  And if concrete acts of service do indeed lead us to a deeper solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the dying, and the oppressed, they will always give rise to prayer.  In prayer we meet Christ, and in him all human suffering.  In service we meet people, and in them the suffering Christ…

Action with and for those who suffer is the concrete expression of a compassionate life and the final criterion of being a Christian.  Such acts do not stand beside the moments of prayer and worship but are themselves such moments.  Why?  Because Jesus Christ, who did not cling to his divinity but became as we are, can be found where there are hungry, thirsty, alienated… and the downtrodden and [we] will hear his cry and respond to it wherever he is revealed.

 

Summer Sunday Program with the Children

We will be offering a story-telling time with the young people in the Children’s Room during the regular 10:00 service. This will involve reading a book on Creation and doing some simple art work with them. If you like to be with children and are able to help out, please contact Christina Anchor through children@stja.ca

 

New Rectory

We are the proud owners of a rectory on Viewmount Drive in Port Moody!  The parish took possession of our townhouse July 11 and after a few minor improvements it will be ready for Vivian and Bascom to move in at the end of July.  Thank you to all who worked so diligently to make this happen including our clergy, our Parish Council, our realtor and the Diocesan staff.  A huge thanks to the housing committee: Terry Walton, John Binns, Michael Lau, Rich Thompson and Tony Pellett for your patience and your willingness to make decisions on the fly.  Without such talented and dedicated volunteers, this would never have happened.

 

Education for Ministry (EfM)

The theme for this year of study will be focusing on “Living as Spiritually Mature Christians”.  Through this lens we will study scripture, church history and evolving theologies.

In this four-year program, one studies the Old Testament, the New Testament, the history of Christianity and different components to Christian theology. Your commitment is for one year at a time.

A key component to this course is Theological Reflection that gives you tools by which to reflect on your life, your faith, your personal belief and your actions from the perspective of “Living as Spiritually Mature Christians”.

The EfM program meets Wednesday 6:45 – 9:15pm here at St. John’s and runs Sept. to May. Fee is $350.00 per annum.

If you would like further info please speak to a program graduate, someone currently involved in EfM, or Deacon Anne Anchor (EfM mentor). If you would like to register, please also contact Anne at deacon@stja.ca.

 

Painting of the Parish Hall

A message from Bob Kuhn, Painting Coordinator:

We will be painting the church hall on Monday and Tuesday, July 15 and 16. After church this Sunday (July 14), we will be removing pictures and moving things out from walls. If you are able to stay and help with this, it would be very much appreciated. If you have not volunteered to help with painting and you are available to help over this time, please contact me and let me know (778-838-8051 or bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com). I am happy to have as many helpers as are willing. The plan is to paint between 9 and 4:30 on both days.

 

Garage Sale

Just a friendly reminder that our Annual Garage Sale is coming up on Saturday, August 17. Please bring in your items to the PMC during office hours (Mon-Fri 9 until 1). This year we are also collecting good consignment quality clothing for our sale. Please remember, no electronics and no furniture.

 

Camp Artaban

Don’t forget to suggest to your kids, grandchildren, and neighbours that a summer that includes camping is a summer to remember!

Camp Artaban is a camp that has had a long-time affiliation with our Diocese, and its purpose is to challenge children, youth, and adults, spiritually, mentally and physically in a camping context – all so that they may be brought into a closer relationship with God and each other in a loving community.

The camp is located on Gambier Island, a ferry ride from Departure Bay, and is a wonderful experience of nature for city children. There are weeks for all different ages, family camps, and lots of fun to be had!

You can find more information, including online registration, at www.campartaban.com. You may also contact the registrar at registrar@campartaban.com or 604-980-0391.

 

Sacred Earth Camp

If you are or know of a young person aged 13 to 25 with a love for creation and the desire to grow new skills, check out Sacred Earth Camp. It is a two-week environmental leadership program for Indigenous, Settler and Migrant / People of Colour youth and young adults to get to know their bio-region, learn the climate justice issues in Southern BC, and grow the practical skills and spiritual practices for effective change.

Sacred Earth Camp has run for three summers with support from the Anglican Foundation, the Diocese of New Westminster, the Gish Peacemaker Fund and many individuals and parishes. Young people from diverse backgrounds have gathered for canoeing, conservation biology, native plant identification, wildcrafting, community-building and lots of fun.

Applications for the fourth year of Sacred Earth Camp are now available. The 2019 dates for camp are August 4-16. Week one will be at the Sorrento Centre on the Shuswap Lake in Secwepemc Territory. Week two will be on the Sunshine Coast and in Vancouver on Coast Salish Territory.

Please visit http://salalandcedar.com/events/sacred-earth-camp/ for more information and to register for the camp. If you require other means of applying, please contact salalandcedar@vancouver.anglican.ca or 778-885-9453.

 

General Synod

Please continue to hold in prayer the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, the triennial national meeting which is being hosted this year from July 10-16 here in Vancouver. Visit the General Synod website https://gs2019.anglican.ca/ for more information on all that is going on. Among other topics, General Synod is considering the establishment of a self-determining indigenous Church in our midst, the practice of marriage in our church, and the election of a new Primate.

The liturgies, particularly the Closing Eucharist and Installation of the Primate (Tues. July 16, 4:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral) are open to all, so please feel welcome to attend. There also is limited space in a public visitors gallery for those wanting to attend actual sessions of Synod held at the Sheraton Wall Centre.

For those wanting to watch the work of Synod on live-stream video, visit https://gs2019.anglican.ca/; https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/live-steaming-sites also gives more details on locations for group viewing.

 

Proteins needed for St. John’s Food Bank

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. John’s Food Bank.

• 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
• cans of vegetables

Bring your offerings on Sunday, arrange with the office to drop off during the week, or give some money to this ministry towards the purchase of fresh products.

 

Prayer Cycle

The Anglican Church of Canada – the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, outgoing Primate; the Primate-Elect (elections are scheduled for Saturday, July 13); and the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop.

The Diocese of New Westminster – the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, Archbishop, and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon.

This week:

*          The Diocesan Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund Unit (PWRDF), Peter Goodwin (Chair)

*          The Diocesan Ecumenical Multifaith Unit – The Reverend Robin Ruder-Celiz (Chair)

*          Our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and especially the people of our twin church at St. John the Evangelist Mission, Balugan;

*          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 July 14, 2019 – 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37

 Readings for July 21, 2019 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42

 

Important Contact Information

Rector – The Rev. Vivian Lam – rector@stja.ca or 604-936-7762

Deacon – The Rev. Anne Anchor – deacon@stja.ca

Office Administrator – Jennifer Green – administrator@stja.ca or 604-936-7762 (Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm)

Rector’s Warden- Geri Grigg – rectorswarden@stja.ca

People’s Warden – Ruby Ng – peopleswarden@stja.ca

Treasurer – Cedric Miller – treasurer@stja.ca

Envelope Secretary – Sheila de Vaal – envelopesecretary@stja.ca

Parish Council – Adelaine Miller, Secretary – parishcouncilsecretary@stja.ca

Altar Guild – Brenda Binns – altarguild@stja.ca

St. John Prayer Circle – Sue Elliott – prayer@stja.ca

Pastoral Visiting Ministry – Joanne Walton/Alma Oldenburg – pastoralvisits@stja.ca

Anglican Church Women (ACW) – Sue Hall – 604-936-0176 or ACW@stja.ca

Children’s Ministry /Godly Play – Christina Anchor – children@stja.ca

Prayer Shawls – Rosa Weisensel – administrator@stja.ca

Bible Study – Lynne Milner – biblestudy@stja.ca

Food Bank – Lynne Milner – foodbank@stja.ca