The E-postle February 7, 2021

The E-postle February 7, 2021
February 06, 2021

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
E-Postle
February 7, 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: Pastoral Note, Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, New Noonday Psalms & Prayer Volunteers, Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support
  • Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection, Community “Phone a Friend”
  • Formation: Lenten Book Study – “The Book of Forgiving”, “Stars Leading the Way…” Reflections
  • Parish Matters: Annual Vestry Meeting – Feb. 21, Rector On Break, Seeking New Parish Council Members, Limited Reopening of Parish Office & Buildings, Financial Status for November & December 2020, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
  • Parish Ministries: Sunshine Box, Food Bank Update
  • Community News: Farewell Card & Party for Archbishop, Installation and Seating of the 10th Diocesan Bishop, Next Spring Street Community Kitchen Feb. 25 – “One Pot Meals”
  • 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, February 7                8:30am & 10:00am – Sunday Morning Prayer

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

Sunday, February 7                following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Virtual “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, February 9               10:15am – 12:00pm – Bible Study
Tuesday, February 9              7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Wednesday, February 17       10:00am (spoken) and 7:00pm (with music) – Ash Wednesday services
Sunday, February 21              after 10:00am service – Annual Vestry meeting
Tuesday, February 23             10:15am – 12:00pm – 1st Tuesday Lenten study – “The Book of Forgiving”
Thursday, February 25           6:00pm – 7:00pm – Spring Street Community Kitchen – “One Pot Meals”
Sunday, February 28              11:00am – 12:30pm – 1st Sunday Lenten study – “The Book of Forgiving”
Sunday, February 28              (livestreamed from the Cathedral)
                                               3:30pm-5:30pm – Installation of the Rt. Rev. John Stephens as the 10th Bishop of our Diocese

 

WORSHIP & PRAYER

Pastoral Note

We are sad to announce the death of parishioner Joyce Rexin last week, and offer our deepest condolences to Joyce’s family. Let us join together in praying in this difficult time, as we grieve her passing and take hope in our faith’s assurance of resurrection and new life.

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17

Everyone is invited to begin the season of Lent together as a community. There will be two opportunities to observe Ash Wednesday on Zoom with your St. John’s family: a morning service (spoken) at 10am and an evening service (with music) at 7pm. All ages are welcome.

New Noonday Psalms & Prayer Volunteers

We’re looking for a few new people (of any age) 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 several 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.

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.

 

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

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

Mark 1:29-39
Jesus’ life is filled by many who make demands on his time. In spite of these heavy demands, he still makes time to be alone in prayer. As a faithful steward, does my life follow his pattern of prayer and action?

Community “Phone a Friend”

The Stewardship Team is looking for volunteers to keep the phone a friend program going. If you have time to make a few calls once a week to help keep our community connected, please call Kristin (778-957-8987) or email bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com. Thanks to all the volunteers who have been so kind as to offer their assistance with this project so far. You have been appreciated greatly!

-Your Stewardship Team

 

FORMATION

Lenten Book Study – “The Book of Forgiving”

This Lent, we are excited to be reading together Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s book, “The Book of Forgiving: the Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World.”

From the publisher: “Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chair of The Elders, and Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along with his daughter, the Reverend Mpho Tutu, offer a manual on the art of forgiveness—helping us to realize that we are all capable of healing and transformation.”

As we explore this book together, we will pray and ponder about how forgiveness connects to our own lives and to the many issues that we and our wider communities grapple with, in the world around us. We will also practice living out more fully what we pray each week in the Lord’s Prayer – “forgive us our sins, as we forgive others who sin against us”.

There will be 2 opportunities to meet on Zoom for this book study:

  • 5 Tuesday mornings (Feb. 23 through Mar. 23), 10:15am-noon at our Bible Study
  • 5 Sundays (Feb. 28 through Mar. 28) after the 10am service, with an extended coffee hour running from (roughly) 11am until 12:30pm – bring your lunch or a snack!

The book can be ordered via your favourite retailer in physical, electronic, or audio book format. Note: we will have a limited number of books available for the subsidized cost of $10. (Help is available for those for whom this would be a financial hardship.) Please let Deanna know at administrator@stja.ca if you would like to purchase a copy through the church. Covid-safe pickup or delivery will be worked out.

“Stars Leading the Way…” Reflections

This is the last week of our Epiphany star reflections, written by members of the St. John’s family – thank you to everyone who volunteered to participate! We encourage you to read, pray with, “like”, and comment on the reflections, which are posted every morning, Mon-Fri, on our Facebook page  www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican.

(For those not on Facebook you can also view the reflections at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/tri-cities-north-burnaby/st-john-the-apostle/pages/stars-leading-the-way.)

If you’d like an Epiphany star word simply to reflect on personally for the year, it’s not too late! Please connect with Vivian and she would be glad to draw one out randomly for you.

 

PARISH MATTERS

Annual Vestry Meeting – Feb. 21

Annual Vestry will be held virtually on Zoom on Sunday, Feb. 21, directly following the 10am service. The official notice has just been sent out via email (and postal mail for those without email addresses on file), and the Annual Vestry Reports and Financial Reports will be sent as soon as they are ready.

Rector On Break

Vivian will be taking some modified vacation time for part of next week (week of Feb. 7); she will be working partial days on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and will be off the other days. However, she will be available for pastoral emergencies throughout the week – please call her cell phone as normal.

Otherwise, please connect with Deanna at the Parish Office, or Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca for time-sensitive parish matters during this time.

We are grateful to the Rev. Michael Chin and the Rev. Anne Anchor who will be officiant and preacher, respectively, at Zoom worship services next Sunday, Feb. 14.

Seeking New Parish Council Members

As we move into a new year and come up on our next Annual Vestry meeting, we are looking for several new folks to stand for election to Parish Council. Thanks to those who have said yes already!

As a bonus, we’re excited to showcase Miranda’s artwork supporting Council in these efforts – please click on https://www.stja.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/miranda-council-pic-edited.png to see her wonderful representation of what it means to sit at this leadership “table”.

You may be wondering, what is Parish Council and what would it look like to serve? First, being on Council doesn’t mean you will be expected to do everything at the church! One of our parish values is “We strive to be a spirited and courageous family, valuing all people—laity and clergy—in their ministries.” Here at St. John’s, responsibilities are shared and everyone has a role to play, whether on Council or in another capacity.

Council members spent some time at our last 2 meetings clarifying what we see as some of the KEY ROLES of Parish Council:

  • Praying together while recognizing and seeking God’s guidance in parish decisions
  • Responding efficiently to our church’s needs – making decisions, recruiting others, delegating work
  • Listening to and hearing the needs and wants of the congregation, and representing those voices at the table
  • Identifying the gifts of people in the parish
  • Visioning for and with the congregation
  • Being fiduciary overseers
  • Being a bridge/liaison to our diocese and to the outside world

When we reflected on the HIGHLIGHTS of being on Parish Council this year, a few things we came up with:

  • Getting lots of stuff done
  • Lots of laughs!
  • Spiritual reflection time at the beginning of meetings
  • Knowing what’s going on in the church and being able to participate in it
  • Being able to help out, give back to our church, and make a difference
  • The satisfaction of helping things run (like running a business)
  • (For Lay Delegates) being part of diocesan synod meetings
  • Efficiency and ease of Zoom meetings

Do any of these descriptions of Parish Council resonate with you? We hope you will prayerfully consider whether you may be called to serve this year – please talk to Ruby or Geri (peopleswarden@stja.ca or rectorswarden@stja.ca) if you are interested.

Limited Reopening of Parish Office & Buildings

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

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.

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/.

Financial Status for November & December 2020

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses ending 31st day of December 2020

  November
Actual $		 December Actual $ December Budget $ December YTD Actual $ December YTD Budget $
Income 15,913.20 25,963.70 19,083.37 183,578.82 229,000.00
Expenses 14,170.73 18,026.57 19,089.30 166,151.50 229,000.00
Surplus
(-) Loss		 1,742.47 7,937.13 (5.93) 17,427.32 0

 

November Actual $ December Actual $ December Budget $ December
YTD Actual $		 December YTD Budget $
Offering for General Funds 10,063.00 18,045.00 15,408.37 132,082.47 184,900.00
Offering for Property 1,121.70 2,125.70 0 16,103.40 0

Notes:
We continue to be able to fulfill our obligations, thanks to your contributions in these difficult and trying times. With a large increase in donations in December, we have a surplus for the month of December and the year as a whole.

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

Sunshine Box

Just a reminder about the Anglican Church Women (ACW) Sunshine Box. This is a custom the ACW administers on behalf of St. John’s church. We make sure that everyone 70 years old and over gets a birthday card and we also send out Get Well cards, Sympathy cards and cards that celebrate or acknowledge important events in one’s life, whatever their age.

We realise that there are some in our congregation who are reaching 70 without fanfare! We would encourage anyone who would like to share in this tradition to get in touch with Joan Scott at 604-941-5795 or scott.joan@hotmail.com  and we will be delighted to add you to our list!

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

Farewell Card & Party for Archbishop

There are 2 ways to recognize with gratitude Archbishop Melissa’s service to the Diocese and wish her a wonderful retirement:

Installation and Seating of the 10th Diocesan Bishop

Bishop Coadjutor John Stephens will be installed as the 10th Bishop of our diocese on Sunday, Feb. 28, 3:30 – 5:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

The livestream will begin at 3:30pm with a video featuring music from around the diocese and images of diocesan parishes at worship, in ministry and in community. The liturgy from Christ Church Cathedral will begin at 4pm.

More details about the liturgy and links to the livestream will be posted at  https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/events/installation-and-seating-of-the-10th-diocesan/2021-02-28 as they are available.

Next Spring Street Community Kitchen Feb. 25 – “One Pot Meals”

You’re invited to join us on Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 25, 6-7pm for our next Spring Street Community Kitchen. We will have a live demonstration featuring “One Pot Meals,” with opportunities to ask questions and share conversation with others. Our guest chefs are members of the Spring Street Community Kitchen planning team.

Pre-registration for February 25th is required – please email your name and email address to SpringStreetCommunityKitchen@gmail.com to be included on the list to receive Zoom connection information or if you have any questions.

Funds raised in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen are being re-gifted to the communities we serve, and for February, we will give to Crossroads Hospice Society, which provides compassionate care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. 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 one-pot 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.

(The Spring Street Community Kitchen is a partnership between St. John’s, Inlet United Church, and All Saints’ Catholic Parish – 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 Diocese of New Westminster – the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, Archbishop, and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon; and the Rt. Rev. John Stephens, Bishop Coadjutor.

And this week:

  • Standing Committee on Mission and Ministry Development – The Reverend Philippa Segrave-Pride, Chair; The Reverend Tellison Glover, Staff
  • 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 February 7, 2021 – Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Readings for February 14, 2021 – Last Sunday after the Epiphany

2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9


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

 

share

Recommended Posts

%d bloggers like this: