The E-postle July 26, 2020

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
E-Postle
July 26, 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, Community “Phone a Friend”
• Worship: Noonday Psalms & Prayers Volunteers Needed
• Parish Matters: Call for New Leaders, Survey Re: Reopening Buildings & Future Worship, Providing Space for Community Ventures Society, Beware Email Scams, Financial Status for April & May 2020, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
• Parish Ministries: COBS Bread Anyone?, Education for Ministry (EfM), Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) Call for Donations, Deanery Vacation Bible School, Food Bank Update
• Community News: Spring Street Community Kitchen Update, Diocesan Re-opening Phase III, Sacred Teachings Podcast, Nominations for Bishop of New Westminster
• 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, July 26                      8:30am & 10:00am – Sunday Morning Prayer

Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729

Sunday, July 26                      following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Virtual “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, July 28                     10:15am – 12:00pm – Bible Study
Tuesday, July 28                     7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Tuesday, July 28                     7:00pm – Parish Council Special Meeting

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

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

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Heaven’s imperial rule, also known as the kingdom of heaven, seems like a pretty interesting and exciting place to be. The faithful steward is one who does what they can to help this part of God’s dream come closer to reality each and every day. How are you helping it come about?

 

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 & Prayers Volunteers Needed

We’re looking for a few more people (of all ages) to help lead our Noonday Psalms & Prayers on Facebook! 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 at rector@stja.ca if you’re interested.

For the past few months, we have been holding some sacred space in this way for scripture and prayer each day – we see it as a small spiritual gift for our wider community during this pandemic time. Check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican to see past videos.

 

PARISH MATTERS

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.

 

Survey Re: Reopening Buildings & Future Worship

Thank you to all who submitted our online survey. Parish Council will be discussing the survey results this Tuesday July 28 at a special meeting, and will be incorporating this data into our continuing discernment on the various stages of reopening our buildings.

 

Providing Space for Community Ventures Society

Neighbouring non-profit Community Ventures Society (CVS) recently approached St. John’s about the possibility of using our Parish Hall during this pandemic time. Because of physical distancing requirements, CVS does not have enough space to provide their usual programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Parish Council discussed and agreed that as we continue to discern about reopening the buildings for parish worship and programs, in the meantime, this would be a wonderful opportunity to support vulnerable folks in our wider community. We have received permission from the diocese for a restricted opening of just the Parish Hall for this purpose beginning August 1. We are working with CVS to finalize when they would begin using the space.

 

Beware Email Scams

Please continue to stay vigilant about email scams. This week some parishioners again have received fraudulent emails claiming to be from Vivian – the message claims that she is emailing to ask a favour. When you reply, the person asks you to purchase a gift card so that she can help someone in need. Please note that Vivian would never ask for help in this manner!

You can often tell that a message is fake if you look carefully at the originating email address, if the tone/wording seems strange, and if the request asks you to give money in an odd way. If you ever have any doubt about an email’s authenticity, please feel free to call Vivian (or email rector@stja.ca directly in a separate email) to confirm.

For further information, here are 2 government resources re: email fraud recommended by the diocese:  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/internet-email-telephone.html and https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

 

Financial Status for April & May 2020

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses 31st May 2020

	April Actual	May Actual	May Budget	YTD Actual	YTD Budget
Income	$15,127	$12,610	$ 19,083	$73,437	$95,383
Expenses	$3,347	$2,789	$ 19,079	$70,109	$95,395
Surplus (-) Loss	$11,780	$9,821	$4	$3,327	-$11

 

	April Actual	May Actual	May Budget	YTD Actual	YTD Budget
Offering for General Funds	$10,984	$9340	$15,408	$52,714	$77,402
Offering for Property	$1,473	$1,380	0	$6,702	0

Notes: Expenses were reduced significantly as the Rector’s salary was paid for by the Diocese and the Parish Assessment waived.

 

Parish Giving

Thank you 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.

 

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.

 

Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) Call for Donations

The A.C.W. is continuing to do its community outreach programs on behalf of St. John the Apostle. Unfortunately, due to the cancellation of our Spring Tea, we have less funds available to continue our work.

We would like to ask the St.  John’s community to consider donating what you would have spent at the Spring Tea to the A.C.W. directly.  Donations can be made by cheque or by e-transfer to the church, and all donations will receive a tax receipt.  When donating, please ensure that “A.C.W.” is clearly marked in the memo line or comments section.

We know that this is a difficult time for many, and any donations would be helpful. We would like to thank you for your ongoing support of our outreach ministry work.

-President Alma Oldenburg, Vice-President Sue Hall

 

Deanery Vacation Bible School

For one more Sunday this summer (July 26), St. John’s will sponsor a Sunday morning virtual Vacation Bible School for all children of our deanery. We begin at 9:30am and gather until approximately 9:50am on Zoom.

The theme of our VBS is “Compassion Camp – Be Loved, Be Kind, Be You”, and during this time together the children hear a Bible story and have a discussion relating to the theme of the day, while doing some artwork with some musical accompaniment.

Afterward, for those who stay for St. John’s worship, the Children’s Talk picks up on the day’s theme, and children have a chance to gather as usual, as well as to share more of their VBS experience with our wider congregation.

For more details and Zoom connection information on our VBS please connect with Anne 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

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 Wednesday, August 5. For more information and any questions: contact Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca.

 

Diocesan Re-opening Phase III

The Re-opening Team of our Diocese has announced that parishes will be permitted to apply to move to Phase III of re-opening to in-person gatherings on Sunday, August 16. Please visit https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/diocese-to-enter-phase-iii-for-in-person-gatherings-august-16-2020 for more information.

 

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 third episode of this season, “Dixie,” we hear from a young Cree woman about growing up in Saskatchewan.)” 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.

 

Nominations for Bishop of New Westminster

Archbishop Melissa will be retiring at the end of February 2021 and our diocese is now open for nominations for our next bishop! Please hold this discernment process in your prayers over the next few months, and help spread the word wide and far – the deadline for nominations is July 31. The election will be held on October 3, 2020.

From the press release: “In the spirit of celebrating the diversity of God’s people, we ask you to reach out widely to the many networks to which you are connected. We are seeking a diverse and inclusive set of nominees, especially nominees who are members of communities who have been under-represented or not represented in episcopal elections.”

For more information, see the press release at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/episcopal-election-call-for-nominations and the full election site at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/collections/seeking-our-next-bishop.

 

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:

• The Diocesan Refugee Unit – Shannon Muir (Chair), Shakuntala Soden (Diocesan Refugee Coordinator);
• 127 Society for Housing – Joan Seidl (President);
• 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 July 26, 2020 – Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 29:15-28; Psalm 105:1-11, 45c; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

 

Readings for August 2, 2020 – Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 16; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

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