The E-postle August 9, 2020

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
E-Postle
August 9, 2020

“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”

THIS ISSUE AT A GLANCE

• Upcoming Dates
• Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection, Call for Stewardship Volunteers, Community “Phone a Friend”
• Worship: Noonday Psalms & Prayers –  August Sabbath
• Parish Matters: Survey Re: Reopening Buildings & Future Worship, New Online Options for Parish Giving, Call for New Leaders, Financial Status for May & June 2020, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
• Parish Ministries: COBS Bread Anyone?, Education for Ministry (EfM), Food Bank Update
• Community News: PWRDF Assistance with Beirut Relief Efforts, Spring Street Community Kitchen Update, Sacred Teachings Podcast
• Weekly Devotions: Prayer Cycle, Scripture Readings
• Important Contact Information

 

UPCOMING DATES

***Note: All gatherings below take place online via Zoom unless otherwise indicated.***
(Visit https://www.stja.ca/2020/program-updates/ for connection information)

Sunday, August 9                   8:30am & 10:00am – Sunday Morning Prayer

Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729

Sunday, August 9                   following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Virtual “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, August 11                10:15am – 12:00pm – Bible Study
Tuesday, August 11                7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

From Sunday by Sunday: Reflections on Stewardship, prepared by the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel:

Matthew 14:22-33
Does your life ever feel like it’s being pounded and tossed around? Do you feel like you’re sinking, with no way of being rescued? Sometimes, it does get that bad, doesn’t it? The faithful steward knows not only when to ask for help but, more importantly, who to ask.

 

Call for Stewardship Volunteers

The Stewardship Team is looking for new members to join our team. We are hoping you will join our team as we work together to reach out to our community and our church, to inspire one another to build community, and to encourage financial support within our church.

If you are interested in helping us with our fall campaign, we are hoping you will come and join us. We are also planning for events come the re-opening of the church and are still working on community building projects during this closure time.

We have been meeting by conference telephone calls during the closure. We usually meet weekly during the campaign itself (from now until October) and then monthly during the year. We would love to have you come join us! Please contact Kristin at bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com or 778-957-8987.

 

Community “Phone a Friend”

Your St. John’s Stewardship Team have set up a “phone a friend” service for us all to keep from feeling a bit disconnected during these days of physical distancing. We have set up phone teams to call each week to “check in” and help relieve some of the loneliness that is inevitable in the current circumstances.

We would like to make sure no one out there is left out, so email or call Kristin (bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com or 778-957-8987) or Natasha (freefromfear101@gmail.com or 604-961-6630) if you are not receiving a call and would like to, or if you are interested in helping to make these phone calls, and we will make sure you get hooked into the service.

We know that the caring community that is St. John’s will not leave any of its people feeling more separated than is absolutely necessary. “Distance means so little when people mean so much.”

-Your Stewardship Team

 

WORSHIP

Noonday Psalms & Prayer – August Sabbath

Our Noonday Psalms & Prayers leaders will be taking a sabbath during the month of August so that we can have some rest and rejuvenation, and take some time to evaluate the program. We would love to hear your feedback! Please let Vivian know at rector@stja.ca how these psalms and prayers have impacted your faith life, and if you have any other comments or ideas for us.

During August, we will be showcasing some previous videos on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican – we hope that you’ll continue to join us each day at noon, and be blessed by an old favourite prayer, or a new one that you had missed earlier!

We are also continuing to look for prayer leaders! You would read (out loud) a pre-selected psalm, and share a personal prayer focusing on something or someone in the world around us. You can sign up to lead these prayers as frequently as you’d like, and instructions and training will be provided. Please contact Vivian if you’re interested.

 

PARISH MATTERS

Survey Re: Reopening Buildings & Future Worship

Thank you to all who filled out our online survey. Council has reviewed the answers to the survey and this week has emailed out an Executive Summary of the results as well as a link to the raw data.

The survey indicated that at least 80% of you continue to feel “hesitant” to “very uncomfortable” to return to the building in the foreseeable future. In response, Council has decided that the church building will remain closed over the summer for worship. In September we will re-evaluate, and we will continue to be guided by the diocese; provincial government and health professionals; user group needs; as well as parishioner comfort levels.

 

New Online Options for Parish Giving

We have a new page on our website outlining the different ways you can support our parish financially at https://www.stja.ca/supporting-st-johns/. (You can also access this page via the “Support Us” menu tab at the top of our homepage www.stja.ca)

Please note that we now have the ability to accept online donations via Paypal:

1.Paypal Giving Fund – We receive 100% of your donation. You will need to have an existing Paypal account (or set one up as you make the donation).

Please note that your donation will be to “Paypal Giving Fund Canada”, and your tax donation receipt will be generated by that charity organization and will not be recorded as an individual donation by St. John’s. (You do have the option to let us know your contact information and details of your donation at the time of giving. The tax donation receipt will still be issued by Paypal Giving Fund Canada, however.)

2. Regular Paypal – We receive your donation minus some fees (1.6% + $0.30 per transaction). You do not need a Paypal account and can use your credit card (or give via your Paypal account). St. John’s will generate the tax donation receipt (after the end of the year).

Thank you also to all who have continued with your offerings via PADs and cheques. If you are interested to e-transfer your contributions directly to the church account, please contact Amalia at treasurer@stja.ca or Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca for more details.

 

Call for New Leaders

As we prepare to say our goodbyes to the McGlashans, we invite all parishioners to pray for the new leadership that is needed as Amalia steps down as Treasurer and Godly Play teacher, and Brian steps down as Building Coordinator and Council Member-at-Large. Please spend some time discerning about whether you might be called to one of these roles, or if there might be someone else in our community whom you could invite to step up. Please speak to Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca if you are interested or have any questions.

 

Financial Status for May & June 2020

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses 30^th June 2020

	May Actual	June Actual	June Budget	June YTD Actual	June YTD Budget
Income	$12,610	$13,661	$ 19,083	$ 86,423	$ 114,500
Expenses	$2,789	$ 9,126	$19,079	$79,235	$ 114,473
Surplus (-) Loss	$9,821	$ 4,535	$4	$7,189	$ 27

 

	May Actual	June Actual	June Budget	June YTD Actual	June YTD Budget
Offering for General Funds	$9,340	$10,261	$15,408	$62,976	$92,450
Offering for Property	$1,380	$950	0	$7,651	0

Notes: Despite the Parish Assessment payment for June being waived, expenses went up from May because of the property taxes for the rectory on Viewmount Drive; the diocesan payment of the salaries of all stipendiary clergy through the end of May 2020 has also ended.  

 

Ongoing Updates Pages

There are 2 important pages on our parish website which will be updated regularly as we have new information (links to both pages can also be found at the top of our homepage www.stja.ca):

1. Program & Worship Updates/Links – https://www.stja.ca/2020/program-updates/ – current information on programs, including Zoom meeting information and the bulletin and scripture readings for Sunday worship.
2. Updates on Covid-19 at St. John’s –  https://www.stja.ca/2020/updates-re-coronavirus/ – a collection of all special correspondence from Archbishop Melissa and from our parish re: actions that St. John’s and our greater diocese are taking with the Covid-19 virus.

 

E-Postle Submissions

If you have submissions for the E-Postle, please email them to Kathy by Wednesday at 9:00pm at news@stja.ca.

 

PARISH MINISTRIES

COBS Bread Anyone?

We have been able to give many of the stored Food Bank items to charities that have been making up food hampers for the needy.

However, none of these places will accept the bread, buns and other bakery items that have been in our freezers for the four months that we have not been able to have our own Food Bank. I hate to throw it out, so if anyone would like some, please contact Ann Adair-Austin or Mary Kyle (foodbank@stja.ca) to discuss. 

-Mary Kyle

 

Education for Ministry (EfM)

EfM restarts in a new way for now.

Starting in September 2020 we will be using the Zoom format for EfM – although it will be a little different, the content will still be the same.

The program is four years long, and will cover:

• The Hebrew Scriptures (Year 1);
• The Christian Testament (Year 2);
• Church History (Year 3); and
• Ethics, Liturgics and Theological Perspectives of this Century (Year 4).

Incorporated as a key component to the course material is learning a way to reflect theologically through life events and issues, something which is a very helpful tool in this day and age.

We meet on Wednesday evenings from September to May with the mentors, Anne Anchor and Debora Jones-Akiyama, as well as people from the deanery.  Anyone who wishes to attend may do so.

The cost is $350 per year plus the textbook.

If you are interested in joining EfM, please reach out to Anne Anchor at deacon@stja.ca.

 

Food Bank Update

It is with sadness that I am letting you know that our Food Bank coordinator of many years, Lynne Milner, has decided to step down from this position. She has done a fabulous job and will be dearly missed by the volunteers and clients alike. Thank you, Lynne, for your devotion to this ministry. You have been a blessing.

At our last meeting, the members of the Food Bank decided to not resume the Food Bank until it can operate in a way similar to how it had in the past. We will be looking for a new coordinator and discussing ways in which we can divide and/or share the duties. If anyone is interested in joining the group of Foodbank and/or Lunch volunteers your help would be very much appreciated. Please connect with us at foodbank@stja.ca.

Some of the food items that had previously been donated to the church are coming close to their “Best Before” date,  therefore we will soon be sorting them and arranging to have them given to other groups that help the needy, including SHARE, while we wait until it is safe to reopen our own program.

Since these times are so economically difficult for many people, we are happy to continue to support SHARE with donations of $500 per month this summer, in addition to the food items that we are unable to use at this time.

-Mary Kyle

COMMUNITY NEWS

PWRDF Assistance with Beirut Relief Efforts

Our parish joins with the world in praying for the victims of the explosion this past week in Beirut, Lebanon.

Our national church’s outreach agency, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), is working with partners on the ground in the region to provide support and assistance to local relief efforts.

Please see https://pwrdf.org/pwrdfs-statement-on-explosion-in-beirut/ for ways in which you can contribute financially toward these efforts.

 

Spring Street Community Kitchen Update

St. John’s, along with Inlet United Church and Yolanda Broderick, was awarded a grant by the Port Moody Foundation to begin a community kitchen. The original in-person concept has been re-worked in response to the pandemic and we are moving forward with an online cooking lesson format. We need your input! Once the final draft of the plan has been submitted to the Port Moody Foundation, we will be looking for parishioners interested in helping to plan, promote and participate in the experience.

Our next Zoom meeting will be on Friday, September 4. For more information and any questions: contact Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca.

 

Sacred Teachings Podcast

In “Dismantling Racism,” the new third season of the Sacred Teachings podcast, we venture into the timely discussion of racism and its place in the world. Raw discussions and teachings will be featured in eight episodes—all of which have been recorded remotely across Canada whilst we continue through the pandemic.

In the fifth episode of this season, “My Own Canoe“, Melanie Delva, who is the Reconciliation Animator for the Anglican Church of Canada, interviews the Reverend Norm Wesley from his home in Moose Factory. This and new episodes every Monday can be found at https://www.anglican.ca/im/podcasts/.

The teachings, languages, traditions and stories of the Ancestors are shared in this podcast, which is sponsored by the Anglican Church of Canada. Highly respected Indigenous speakers are featured in this series, with a different theme for each season, including the sacredness of Creation and finding meaning in a global crisis.

 

WEEKLY DEVOTIONS

Prayer Cycle

The Anglican Church of Canada – the Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate, and the Most Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop.

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

And this week:

• St. Mary, Kerrisdale – The Reverend Lindsay Hills, The Reverend Christine Rowe;
• St. Mary the Virgin, South Hill – The Reverend Expedito Farinas;
• St. Mary the Virgin, Sapperton – The Reverend Arvin Amayag;
• 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

 

Readings for August 9, 2020 – Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45c; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

 

Readings for August 16, 2020 – Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:10-28

 

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Rector	The Rev. Vivian Lam	rector@stja.ca	604-936-7762 (church voicemail) / 604-723-5029 (cell)
Deacon	The Rev. Anne Anchor	deacon@stja.ca
Parish Office		administrator@stja.ca	604-936-7762
(Office is closed at this time, but email and voice messages will be checked Tuesday – Friday)
Rector’s Warden	Geri Grigg	rectorswarden@stja.ca
People’s Warden	Ruby Ng	peopleswarden@stja.ca
Treasurer	Amalia McGlashan	treasurer@stja.ca
Envelope Secretary	Sheila De Vaal	envelopesecretary@stja.ca
Parish Council	Kristin Kuhn, Secretary	parishcouncilsecretary@stja.ca
Altar Guild	Brenda Binns	altarguild@stja.ca
Anglican Church Women	Alma Oldenburg	ACW@stja.ca	604-788-2562
Bible Study	Lynne Milner	biblestudy@stja.ca
Building Repairs / Maintenance	Brian McGlashan, Building Coordinator	property@stja.ca
Children’s Ministry/Godly Play	Christina Anchor	children@stja.ca
E-Postle	Kathy De Vaal	news@stja.ca
Food Bank		foodbank@stja.ca
Parish Visiting Ministry	Joanne Walton/Alma Oldenburg	pastoralvisits@stja.ca
Prayer Circle	Sue Elliott	prayer@stja.ca
Prayer Shawls	Rosa Weisensel	administrator@stja.ca