The E-Postle, December 19, 2021

December 21, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Advent
E-Postle
December 19, 2021

“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: Making Zoom Christmas More Festive!, Children’s Talks throughout Advent, Zoom Worship Continues, Flowers for the Altar, Tech & Hospitality Volunteers Needed for Worship, Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support
Formation: Parish Advent Program – “Close to Home”, Area Youth Group!
Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection
Parish Matters: Adjusted Office Hours for Next Two Weeks, Beware Email Scams, Current Parish Office & Buildings Status, Financial Status for September and October 2021, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
Parish Ministries: Anglican Church Women (“A.C.W.”) News, ReSponse News, Food Bank Report, New Members for the Altar Guild
Community News: “Longest Night” Christmas Service – this Tuesday, Dec. 21, In-Person Christmas Services at Deanery Churches, Save the Date: An Ecumenical Evening of Taize on Jan. 21, Spring Street Community Kitchen – Next Kitchen January 20
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/2021/program-updates/ for connection information)

Sunday, December 19 8:30am & 10:00am – ZOOM ONLY – Morning Prayer
+ (at 10am) Children’s Talk

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

Sunday, December 19            following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Zoom “Coffee Hour” + Advent Program Gathering #3
Tuesday, December 21          10:15am – 12noon – Advent Program Gathering #3
Friday, December 24             Christmas Eve services – ZOOM ONLY – 7:00pm Family Service, 9:00pm Formal Service
Saturday, December 25         Christmas Day service – ZOOM ONLY – 10:00am
Sunday, December 26 10:00am worship – ZOOM ONLY – Morning Prayer
Sunday, February 27              Annual Vestry meeting

WORSHIP & PRAYER

Making Zoom Christmas More Festive!

We invite you to attend Christmas services seated in front of your lit Christmas trees/decorations (or updating your Zoom backgrounds to reflect a Christmas theme). And if you can, come dressed in your finest, most fun and Christmassy garb – however you want to define that!

Children’s Talks throughout Advent

Throughout the 4 Sundays of Advent, we look forward to having a Children’s Talk each week at our 10am worship. Families will also be leading us in an Advent candle lighting liturgy during each service.

Zoom Worship Continues

At our most recent November 28 meeting, Parish Council gave consideration to an appropriate date for a return to hybrid worship. It was decided that Christmas services will be Zoom only, and that we will continue through January with Sunday services on Zoom. Factoring in the emergence of a new variant, the possibility of changing public health guidelines, and parish planning needs such as flexibility for and community stability during Vivian’s medical treatment, this was felt to be a suitable timeframe. We do recognize that there is a desire from some to get back in the building and resume some in-person worship. Additionally, COVID infection rates in the Fraser Health Region continue to be fairly low. Parish Council is scheduled to meet earlier than usual in January (the 18th), so that we can re-evaluate at that time and we will keep you posted. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any Council member in the meantime, if you have comments or suggestions on the topic.

Flowers for the Altar

Due to services being held via Zoom, we ask that anyone who has signed up to have flowers at the Altar choose an alternative date once in-person services are resumed. Please speak to Brenda Binns or any member of the Altar Guild.

Tech & Hospitality Volunteers Needed for Worship

We are continuing to look for help with technical support aspects of both Zoom services and (future) in-person services, as well as people who could help online with hospitality and welcome for our Zoom participants. Training will be provided. If you or someone you know is interested, please connect with Vivian at rector@stja.ca to chat.

Zoom Hospitality includes:

Welcoming everyone as they arrive in the Zoom meeting room.
Greeting visitors and inviting them to provide contact information so we can follow up with them.
(if available after the service) Serving as “host” for virtual coffee hour

Zoom Tech Support includes:

Screen-sharing the bulletin and other documents during the service
Muting and unmuting Zoom participants
Conveying feedback to the In-Person Tech Support about any adjustments needed to sound or video
Adding onscreen names for people who telephone in
Recording a count of participants
Following protocols for removing any Zoom bombers (hasn’t been needed to date!)

In-Person Tech Support includes:

Setting up and taking down equipment, opening/closing software programs on main laptop
Doing a sound-check of microphones pre-service
Receiving feedback from the Zoom Tech Support before and during the service about any adjustments needed to sound or video for Zoom congregation
Adjusting the sound levels as needed during the service
Switching camera views during the service

Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support

A note from Vivian:

Please know that St. John’s is here for you as we continue to move through this pandemic. Now that I don’t see many of you as regularly, and with the limitations of virtual interactions, it is more challenging to know what everyone’s state of wellbeing and ongoing pastoral needs are. I invite and encourage you to reach out to me or to any of the other parish resources below, if and as you need.

Rector – Please contact me via rector@stja.ca or cell. I am happy to connect via phone, email, text, Facetime or Zoom, and, during this pandemic, in-person in urgent situations. I am here for support in crisis times (i.e. emergencies, hospital stays) and if you would like prayer for an upcoming medical procedure or other major circumstance. I am also available for general spiritual support and encouragement, and can offer a listening ear and prayer in the moment.

Community “Phone a Friend” – our Stewardship Team has set up phone teams to call folks each week to “check in” and help lessen isolation and foster connection. Connect with Kristin (bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com or 778-957-8987) or Natasha (freefromfear101@gmail.com or 604-961-6630) if you’d like to receive or help make these calls.

Sunday Prayers of the People – If you would like to be prayed for in our Sunday intercessions, please email Anne at deacon@stja.ca. You will be prayed for by first name, for whatever time period you indicate. If you are adding someone else, please be sure you have their OK to do so.

Prayer Circle – Please email Sue E. at prayer@stja.ca. This is a group of parishioners who commit to pray for prayer needs of parishioners and friends/families. All requests are kept confidential within the group, and you can let the group know as much or as little detail of the situation they’re praying for, as you wish. If you are requesting prayer for someone else, please be sure you have their OK to do so.

Parish Visiting Ministry – Members of this team focus on our parishioners who are homebound or living in care homes. During this pandemic time, they are praying for and connecting with these parishioners via phone, email, and mail. Please connect with Joanne W. or Alma at pastoralvisits@stja.ca with needs in this area.

FORMATION

Parish Advent Program – “Close to Home”

Just a reminder that there are several ways to engage with our parish Advent program “Close to Home”:

Sunday liturgies – weaving together the program theme with our scriptures for the day.
Sunday coffee hours & Tuesday 10:15am Bible Studies– opportunities for sharing and discussion
Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican) – excerpts from the devotional booklet
Devotional booklet – with daily Biblical commentary, poetry, visual art, written reflections, music, and journaling and Sabbath prompts

You may also contact Deanna at administrator@stja.ca if you wish to have a printed copy mailed to you (donations are welcome to offset printing and mailing costs).

Area Youth Group!

Are you a member of our St. John’s community that is aged 14 to 19? There is a local youth group that meets to have fun together at St. Laurence Anglican Church regularly and is involved in all sorts of youth-related community and church projects! For more information or updated details about upcoming youth events, please feel free to contact Kristin Kuhn (778-957-8987 and/or bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com).

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

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

Luke 1:39-55
Mary and Elizabeth, two women who assisted in helping God’s dream for the world become reality. What are we doing this day to help the dream come to fruition?

PARISH MATTERS

Adjusted Office Hours for Next Two Weeks

This week, the Parish Office will be open Tuesday (12/21) 8am-12noon, Wednesday and Thursday (12/22 and 12/23) 10am – 2pm.

The following week (week of Dec. 27) the office will be closed for Christmas break. We will reopen again on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Beware Email Scams

Please continue to stay vigilant about email scams, especially as the holiday season approaches. In the past, fraudulent emails claiming to be from Vivian ask if you are busy or say that she needs a favour; other messages have claimed she is in a meeting and emailing to ask you to handle a request discreetly. When you reply, the person asks you to purchase a gift card (or something similar) 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

Current Parish Office & Buildings Status

Note: You may view our original reopening plan, the guide for user groups, as well as diocesan updates at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/

WORSHIP
Zoom-only services will be in effect through the end of January. COVID protocols have been adjusted to allow for the choir to gather to sing during worship. For additional information, please see the “Worship & Prayer” section of this epostle.

PARISH OFFICE
Week of 12/20: Office will be open Tuesday (12/21) 8am-12noon, Wednesday and Thursday (12/22 and 12/23) 10am – 2pm.

Week of 12/27: Office will be closed for Christmas break. We will reopen again on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The Parish Office is usually open 3 partial days a week – generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10am-2pm – but 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.

Anyone planning to come inside the church buildings at this time must also check in beforehand with Deanna in 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.

SMALL GROUPS
Parish small groups who wish to meet for ministry gatherings may do so, provided they 1) contact the Parish Office to book time through Deanna, and 2) follow all COVID protocols (see “Guidelines for User Groups” at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/).

The main protocols for small groups include:

obtaining prior approval to meet via the church office
wearing a mask
physical distancing of 2m/6ft
keeping hands clean with soap and water or hand sanitizer
disinfecting any touched surfaces as directed
no sharing of food or drink
staying home if feeling sick or having had any potential exposure to COVID

OUTSIDE USER GROUPS
The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church have resumed in-person worship in our space on Sunday afternoons. Two of our community 12-step groups are currently meeting in our space; the third has opted to hold off on meeting in-person for the time being. All groups are following strict safety protocols (see “Guidelines for User Groups” at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/).

Financial Status for September and October 2021

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses ending 31^st day of October 2021

	September 2021 Actual $	October 2021 Actual $	October 2021 Budget $	YTD October 2021 Actual $	YTD October 2021 Budget $
Income	13,519.70	15,067.70	18,620.82	155,581.34	186,208.20
Expenses	18,320.87	30,801.26	18,541.32	185,149.98	185,413.20
Surplus (-) Loss	(4,801.17)	(15,733.56)	79.50	(29,773.64)	795.00

	September 2021 Actual $	October 2021 Actual $	October 2021 Budget $	YTD October 2021 Actual $	YTD October 2021 Budget $
Offering for General Funds	10,543.00	11,001.00	15,333.33	99,284.00	153,333.30
Offering for Property	1,121.70	1,001.70	0	10,413.00	0

Treasurer’s Note: Thanks to all for your continued support in these difficult times. We are currently running a deficit. Expenses were significantly higher in October, mainly due to the painting and repair of the window woodwork, and repairs on the drainage project.

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):

Program & Worship Updates/Links – https://www.stja.ca/2021/program-updates/ – current information on programs, including Zoom meeting information and the bulletin and scripture readings for Sunday worship.
Updates on Covid-19 at St. John’s – https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/ – a collection of all special correspondence from the Bishop 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. Please note that there will be no January 2 issue.

PARISH MINISTRIES

Anglican Church Women (“A.C.W.”) News

Canadian Church Calendars
We still have 4 Canada Church Calendars available for a cost of $7 each. If you would like to purchase one, please contact Antoinette at: toni.woodman@shaw.ca or 604 942 4765.

ReSponse News

(Submitted by Mary Kyle)
Good News! We have recently found out that the Syrian refugees (mother, adult son and adult daughter) that we have been praying for are again on track for coming to Canada! They may arrive as soon as the next few months! Thank you for your prayers.

Also, F., father of the N. family that recently came here, is now working at a local restaurant (owned by relatives that sponsored the family). They are all very busy!

Food Bank Report

At our November meeting, Parish Council has decided to continue to support the SHARE Food Bank through March 2022. We will continue to send donations of $500 per month taken from the St. John’s Food Bank fund, since our own Food Bank does not have immediate plans to resume in the near future. Thank you to those of you who have continued to support the Food Bank financially. Your contributions will still be helping those in need in our community.

And thank you to those who had supported the St. John’s Food Bank with donations of food while we were still meeting in person. The food has been sorted by date, and items close to their “Best Before” date have been taken to the SHARE Food Bank every month during the pandemic–so food donations have not been wasted!

Thank you again, Mary Kyle

New Members for the Altar Guild

The members of St. John’s Altar Guild are looking for some new members to join us. We work in groups on a 4-week rotating schedule, usually on a Saturday morning, arranging flowers, cleaning the brass, setting up for the Eucharist and laundering the altar linens. Please speak to Brenda Binns or any member of the Altar Guild if you are interested in joining us.

COMMUNITY NEWS

“Longest Night” Christmas Service – this Tuesday, Dec. 21

Join our fellow deanery parishes St. Stephen’s and St. Timothy’s in prayer for the Longest Night of the year. This worship service invites us to remember where God meets us in the times of our lives that are filled with grief, loss, and sorrow. Our prayers this night give voice to grief, to loss, to the struggle to find hope and joy this season.

This service will take place this Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7:30pm at St. Stephen’s (9887 Cameron Street Burnaby). The service will also be broadcast via Zoom. Please visit https://www.ststephenburnaby.ca/events/longest-night-worship–101/2021-12-21 for details on COVID-protocols and Zoom connection information.

In-Person Christmas Services at Deanery Churches

For those who wish to attend an in-person Christmas service this year, there are a few options at our neighbouring deanery churches. Please be in touch directly with the churches to clarify what COVID-protocols are in place: St. Laurence https://www.saintlaurence.ca/, St. Stephen’s https://www.ststephenburnaby.ca/, St. Timothy’s https://www.sainttimothy.ca/.

Christmas Eve

4:30pm – St. Laurence – Candlelight Christmas Eve service with choir (In-Person at 825 St. Laurence St. Coquitlam + Livestream)
7pm – St. Stephen’s & St. Timothy’s – Family-Friendly Holy Eucharist with Carols (In-Person at St. Stephen’s at 9887 Cameron St. Burnaby + Zoom)
10pm – St. Laurence – Candlelight Christmas Eve service with choir, preceded by 9:30pm Carol Sing – (In-Person at 825 St. Laurence St. Coquitlam + Livestream)
11pm – St. Timothy’s & St. Stephen’s – Traditional Holy Eucharist with Carols (In-Person at St. Timothy’s at 4550 Kitchener St. Burnaby + Livestream)

Christmas Day

10am – St. Stephen’s – Simple, Quiet Holy Eucharist (In-Person at 9887 Cameron St. Burnaby + Zoom)
10am – St. Timothy’s – Christmas Day service (In-Person at 4550 Kitchener St. Burnaby + Livestream)
10:30am – St. Laurence – Christmas Day service (In-Person at 825 St. Laurence St. Coquitlam)

Save the Date: An Ecumenical Evening of Taize on Jan. 21

The Parish of St. John’s has been invited to join with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Port Moody, in an evening of Taize Worship together at St. Joseph’s Church, on Friday, January 21st at 7pm.

This event is being organized as part of the annual ecumenical celebration of a “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” to promote Christian unity and interfaith understanding.

This is an ‘in person’ service, with a reception following the service for fellowship and refreshments. All Covid protocols will be implemented. More information on this event will follow soon.

Spring Street Community Kitchen – Next Kitchen January 20

Please save the date for our next Spring Street Community Kitchen, scheduled for Thursday, January 20. We will let you know details as soon as they are available.

And thanks to all who participated in our most recent kitchen, where we shared our favourite holiday recipes. The recipes are available at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen.

Donations raised in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen are being re-gifted to the communities we serve. Funds raised for our November gathering (collected through the end of the year) will be gifted to the Phoenix Society, a multi-service agency dedicated to providing accessible services and opportunities to people who face barriers related to addiction, mental health, housing, education, criminal justice involvement and/or employment. Donations can be given via https://www.stja.ca/supporting-st-johns/; please designate your gift to our Community Kitchen project.

We always welcome volunteers for future kitchens – planning, hosting, moderating, and tech support are just some of the roles available.

(The Spring Street Community Kitchen is a partnership between St. John’s and Inlet United Church – be sure to like and follow us at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen.)

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 Province of BC and Yukon – The Most Rev. Lynne McNaughton, Metropolitan.

The Diocese of New Westminster – the Rt. Rev. John Stephens, Bishop.
And this week:

St. John the Apostle, Port Moody – The Rev. Vivian Lam, The Rev. Michael Chin, The Rev. Anne Anchor, The Rev. Lilian Elliot.
St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge – The Rev. Laurel Dahill.
St. John the Divine, Squamish – The Rev. Cameron Gutjahr.
St. John, Shaughnessy – The Rev. Terry Dirbas, The Rev. Elizabeth Ruder-Celiz.
Our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, 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, BC Synod Bishop-Elect Kathy Martin.
The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church.

Readings for December 19, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55

Readings for December 24 and 25, 2021 – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-14

Readings for December 26, 2021 – First Sunday after Christmas

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52

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	Rich Thompson	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	Geri Grigg, 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

Graphic at top of page (Inspired by Luke 1:39-45) is used by permission –“Dances for Joy” by Hannah Garrity © A Sanctified Art LLC – sanctifiedart.org

CONTACT US