The E-postle December 13, 2020

Third Sunday of Advent
E-Postle
December 13, 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
• Worship & Prayer: Christmas Services, Seeking Readers for Christmas Services, Children’s Christmas Fun, Sunday Prayer Leaders
• Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection, Community “Phone a Friend”
• Formation: Parish Advent Program – “Those Who Dream”, Diocesan Advent Email Devotions – “Tell Out My Soul”
• Parish Matters: Introducing Our New Office Administrator, Limited Reopening of Parish Office & Buildings, Parish Development Grant, Drainage Repair Project, Call for New Leaders – Treasurer and Council Members, Financial Status for September & October 2020, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
• Parish Ministries: Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) News, Food Bank Update
• Community News: National Anglican Advent Lessons & Carols Virtual Service, Donations for Tri-Cities Homeless, Spring Street Community Kitchen
• 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, December 13              8:30am & 10:00am – Sunday Morning Prayer

https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09
Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729

Sunday, December 13            following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Virtual “Coffee Hour” + Advent Program
Tuesday, December 15          10:15am – 12:00pm – Bible Study – Advent Discussion
Tuesday, December 15          7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Sunday, December 20            4:00pm – Blue Christmas service
Thursday, December 24         2 Christmas Eve services – 7:00pm Family Service & 9:00pm Formal Service
Friday, December 25              10:00am – Christmas Day service

 

WORSHIP & PRAYER

Christmas Services

This year we will try our hand at a virtual Christmas, and see what God might reveal to us as we celebrate Jesus’ birth in these new ways!

We will have several opportunities for you and your loved ones to join us on Zoom for Christmas. (See https://www.stja.ca/2020/program-updates/ for connection information as we move closer to the dates)

• Sunday Dec. 20, 4pm – Blue Christmas service – for those who find the holiday season difficult – a quiet meditative service of readings and music, that allows space for grieving and loss even in the midst of the joy and hope of Christmas.
• Thursday Dec. 24, 7pm – Christmas Eve Family service – geared toward our younger members and will include our virtual Christmas pageant to tell the story of Christmas.
• Thursday Dec. 24, 9pm – Christmas Eve Formal service – a (slightly) more formal prayer of Evening Prayer including virtual music from the choir.
• Friday Dec. 25, 10am – Christmas Day service – a more relaxed service of Morning Prayer to continue our celebration of Christmas with music and prayer.

 

Seeking Readers for Christmas Services

If you are interested in serving as a reader or intercessor for any of our Christmas services above, please connect with Vivian at rector@stja.ca.

Children’s Christmas Fun

As Christmas is upon us, we are looking for involvement by the children in our virtual Christmas Pageant.

If you know a child who would like to be involved, please contact either Christina at children@stja.ca or Anne at deacon@stja.ca.

Sunday Prayer Leaders

Have you ever thought, “I love the intercessions that we hear on Sunday… I would love to offer them but don’t think I could?” If you feel this way, maybe you are being called to be a part of this ministry in our worship and please know that we can help you. There are many resources that help you start the process. There are many that are already written that could be made available as you start on this journey of offering intercessions.

If any of this has sparked an interest or curiosity in you, please contact Deacon Anne at deacon@stja.ca.

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

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

John 1:6-8, 19-28
John’s ministry and mission was to point to “one more powerful.” How do we, as good stewards, allow our lives to point to this same One?

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

FORMATION

Parish Advent Program – “Those Who Dream”

Psalm 126 begins: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” This Advent at St. John’s, we’re exploring together, ‘What does it look like to live as those who dream?’ The prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds and the Magi—they were all dreamers. They received, discovered, and responded to God’s dreams for the world. This Advent, we join them in stepping into the mystery and awe of God’s dreams and pray they shape our reality.

We are using a daily devotional guide that offers Biblical commentary, poetry, visual art, written reflections, colouring pages, and journaling and Sabbath prompts. An emailed electronic version is available, with printed copies mailed to those who request it (donations are welcome to offset printing and mailing costs). Please connect with Vivian at rector@stja.ca if you are interested in an emailed or print copy of the devotional guide.

Our Sunday liturgies are weaving together the “dreaming theme” with our scriptures for the day. There will be opportunities for sharing and discussion at Sunday coffee hours and our Tuesday Bible Studies. Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican is also featuring some of the devotional material and we invite commentary and reflection – feel free to jump in as you feel called to do so!

This program is for the dreamers in all of us—those who dream of a deeper connection with God and those who dream of a better world. Those who dream of comfort and those who have given up on their dreams. Those whose dreams have been crushed and those who show us that dreams take time. Join us this Advent at St. John’s as we dream alongside prophets and angels, Mary and the Magi. Join us as we seek and sow God’s dreams for our world.

Diocesan Advent Email Devotions – “Tell Out My Soul”

What do a comedian, a school founder, and a youth leader have in common? They are all parishioners in the Diocese offering personal stories for the diocesan daily Advent email calendar this year. People of all ages from the Sunshine Coast to Coquitlam are writing short stories about times when they discovered more about the character of God. Our very own Derek De Sa is one of this year’s contributors!

It’s not too late to visit https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-resources/2020-advent to register to receive these emails for the rest of Advent!

PARISH MATTERS

Introducing Our New Office Administrator

We offer a warm welcome to Deanna Lemke, who has begun as our new Office Administrator this week. A graduate of Trinity Western University, Deanna holds a BA in Leadership with a minor in Psychology. She is also a classically trained pianist with the Conservatory of Toronto. One of her favourite sayings is, “See the flowers, not the weeds”. When asked for a few words to share with our parish, she says she is happy to serve as the new Office Administrator at St. John’s, and she hopes to be a blessing and to represent the church well in all of her duties.

Deanna will be in the office generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10am-2pm – please note that this schedule may shift from time to time. For now, the office will not be open to walk-in visitors – anyone coming by the office for a necessary purpose will need to make an appointment beforehand and follow Covid safety protocols as directed.

Limited Reopening of Parish Office & Buildings

As noted above, the Parish Office is now open 3 partial days a week. Please make an appointment beforehand and follow Covid safety protocols as directed, as we are not open to walk-in visitors right now.

Anyone planning to come inside the church buildings at this time must also check in beforehand with the office at administrator@stja.ca – even if you plan to be here just for a brief period of time. This is to enable necessary contact tracing, notification to anyone else in the building at the same time, and to review safety protocols as needed.

We have recently welcomed back one of our community 12-step groups; other outside user groups have opted to hold off on meeting in-person for the time being. The 12-step group is following strict safety protocols and is permitted to meet under the current provincial health order.

You may view the full reopening plan, the most recent guide for outside user groups, as well as diocesan updates at https://www.stja.ca/2020/updates-re-coronavirus/.

Parish Development Grant

We are pleased to announce that St. John’s has been awarded a diocesan Parish Development Technology Grant for 2021. These funds are envisioned to be used for improvements in the quality and reach of our online worship. Stay tuned in the coming months as we determine how to best use these funds.

Drainage Repair Project

Thank you to all who attended our parish informational meeting. Parish Council is continuing to seek out further quotes and information based on the feedback and questions received at this meeting.

Your participation in this project is integral. Thank you to those who have shared their wisdom and expertise so far! In addition to general feedback, we continue to seek volunteers for this project (could be as simple as vetting the proposals or meeting contractors on site), input into the decision-making process, and fundraising to build up the Capital Improvement Fund.

If anyone has a company to recommend or to consider, please forward the contact information to rectorswarden@stja.ca. If you are interested in helping out with this project, please reach out to Geri.

Call for New Leaders – Treasurer and Council Members

While waiting to replace the role of Treasurer, Amalia McGlashan has graciously offered to hold the role remotely until we find a replacement.

With the departure of the McGlashans, Council is now down to a smaller group of 2 clergy and 5 lay members. We really need those of you who have the interest and/or skillset to come forward to assist in the management of your church, St. John’s.

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 September & October 2020

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses ending 31^st October 2020

	September Actual $	October Actual $	October Budget $	October YTD Actual $	October YTD Budget $
Income	14,089	15,679	19,083	141,701	190,833
Expenses	15,197	14,477	19,089	133,954	190,821
Surplus (-) Loss	-1,108	1,202	-6.27	7,747	12.20

 

	September Actual $	October Actual $	October Budget $	October YTD Actual $	October YTD Budget $
Offering for General Funds	10,742	11,903	15,408	103,974	154,083
Offering for Property	1,392	1,261	0	12,856	0

Notes: We continue to be able to fulfill our obligations thanks to your contributions. With an increase in donations, we have a slight surplus for the month of October.

Parish Giving

Thank you to all who have continued with your offerings via PADs and cheques. If you wish to e-transfer your contributions directly to the church account, please contact Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Amalia at treasurer@stja.ca for more details. There are also links on our website at https://www.stja.ca/supporting-st-johns/ if you would prefer to donate by PayPal or Credit Card.

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

Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) News

Calendars:
Thank you to everyone who has supported the sale of the 2021 Anglican Church Calendar. There are just a few still available for purchase. Cost: $7 each. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact Antoinette at: toni.woodman@shaw.ca or 604-942-4765.

Food Bank Update

It looks like the St. John’s Food Bank will not be reopening in the near future, given the Covid-19 situation. However, our church continues to help needy people in our community through our support of the SHARE Food Bank. At our October Parish Council meeting, we carried a motion to donate $2000 to the SHARE Food Bank in November to help with their Christmas hampers. Thank you to all the parishioners at St. John’s who have made contributions to the Food Bank fund. We couldn’t do it without you!

We are still looking for a member of our congregation to take on the role of Food Bank coordinator. If you are interested, please send an email to foodbank@stja.ca.

 

COMMUNITY NEWS

National Anglican Advent Lessons & Carols Virtual Service

General Synod has worked with Anglican cathedrals across Canada to offer a special, national service of Lessons and Carols this Advent season, and to help us all prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

A broadcast of this service will take place this Friday, Dec. 18, 5pm (8pm Eastern) – see connection information at https://www.anglican.ca/lessonsandcarols/

Donations for Tri-Cities Homeless

St. Laurence, Coquitlam is currently collecting items for Tri-Cities homeless persons through Hope for Freedom Society. Below is a list of items with instructions.

Due to the pandemic, the MAT program will not be happening this year, but Hope for Freedom outreach workers and the Tri-Cities homeless community still need our help. Donations of goods can be dropped off at St. Laurence (825 St. Laurence St., Coquitlam), Monday through Thursday from 10am to 2pm, or you may phone Juley in the St. Laurence church office at 604-936-5423 to arrange for a pick-up from your home.

Hope for Freedom wish list:

• Backpacks
• Umbrellas
• Hot Paws (warmers for gloves and boots)
• Sweatpants
• Socks
• Underwear
• Rain gear (waterproof jackets and pants)
• Boots
• Nail clippers, combs, and small or folding hairbrushes
• Small packages of wet wipes
• Small bottles of Tylenol (there are tubes containing 10 tablets)
• Food items: granola bars, fruit cups, pull-top tins of a meal item (e.g. ravioli)

 

Spring Street Community Kitchen

Thanks to all who joined us for our recent “Soup and Beer Bread” online kitchen – a link to the video of the cooking portion of the evening is at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen. Feel free to like and follow the page to stay updated on future kitchens!

Funds raised in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen will be re-gifted to the communities we serve – for this kitchen we will give to SHARE Food Bank to support their food hamper programs. Donations can be given via https://www.stja.ca/supporting-st-johns/. Be sure to let us know that your donation is designated for our Community Kitchen project.

We would love your participation and feedback! We welcome you to share your soup and beer bread recipes with our wider community. Feel free to email your recipes to us at SpringStreetCommunityKitchen@gmail.com  and we will share them on our Facebook page. We are also looking for volunteers for future kitchens – planning, hosting, moderating, and tech support are just some of the roles available. Connect with Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca if you’d like to take part going forward!

(The Spring Street Community Kitchen is a partnership between St. John’s, Inlet United Church, and All Saints’ Catholic Parish.)

 

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 the Rev. John Stephens, Bishop Coadjutor-Elect.

And this week:

• The Deanery of Royal City/South Burnaby – The Reverend Gordon Barrett, Regional Dean;
• The Deanery of Point Grey – The Reverend Christine Rowe, Regional Dean;
• 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 December 13, 2020 – 3^rd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; in place of the psalm Canticle 18 (Luke 1:47-55); 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Readings for December 20, 2020 – 4^th Sunday of Advent

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

 

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	Deanna Lemke	administrator@stja.ca	604-936-7762
(No drop-in visitors at this time – please make an appointment to come in. General office hours are Tues/Thurs/Fri, 10am-2pm, but may occasionally change.)
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	Rich Thompson	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

 

[Artwork at top of page is “Contours of Mary’s Dream” by Lauren Wright Pittman (inspired by Luke 1:46-55) © A Sanctified Art. Used by permission.]