The E-postle March 28, 2021

The E-postle March 28, 2021
March 27, 2021

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
E-Postle
March 28, 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: Palm Sunday Worship – March 28, Holy Week & Easter at St. John’s, Pastoral Note – Marilyn Pollock, Children’s Sundays in Lent, Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support
  • Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection, Community “Phone a Friend”
  • Formation: Family Faith Formation at Home for Holy Week, Lenten Book Study – “The Book of Forgiving”
  • Parish Matters: Office Easter Break, Diocesan Reopening Guidelines Update, Limited Reopening of Parish Office & Buildings, Financial Status for December 2020 & January 2021, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
  • Community News: Sacred Teachings Podcast, Season 6 – Suicide: The Other Pandemic, 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, March 28                  8:30am & 10:00am – Palm Sunday Morning Prayer + (at 10am) Children’s Talk

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

Sunday, March 28                  11:00am – 12:30pm – 5th Sunday Lenten study – “The Book of Forgiving”
Tuesday, March 30                 10:15am – 12:00pm – Bible Study
Tuesday, March 30                7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Thursday, April 1                    (livestreamed from the Cathedral)
                                               7:30pm – Maundy Thursday worship
Friday, April 2                         12noon – Good Friday worship
Sunday, April 4                       8:30am & 10:00am – Easter Sunday Morning Prayer

 

WORSHIP & PRAYER

Palm Sunday Worship – March 28

For this week’s Palm Sunday worship on Mar. 28, we invite you to find a local plant from your garden or household (could be a branch, some leaves, or even a potted plant!) to lift in the air on that day. This will be in the spirit of the original Palm Sunday where people gathered palm branches (the local vegetation of the time) to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem!

You could also create a paper version of the palms – there are lots of ideas on the internet – here’s an easy one suitable for all ages: https://ministry-to-children.com/palm-sunday-leaf-craft/

Holy Week & Easter at St. John’s

A virtual Holy Week and Easter are just around the corner, and we hope you’ll join your St. John’s family in these various ways! All Zoom connection and other information can be found at https://www.stja.ca/2020/program-updates/

  • Palm Sunday, March 28, 8:30am & 10am – Zoom Morning Prayer – don’t forget your “palms” for our virtual procession! 
  • Good Friday, April 2, 12noon – Zoom worship including a meditation on the Cross. We invite you to bring a midsized rock/stone (one that can fit into your hand) with you to this service. Those who participated in our Lenten book study may consider bringing the stone you used during this study.
  • Easter Sunday, April 4, 8:30am & 10am – Zoom Morning Prayer. We encourage you to dress in your Easter best (however you define that in these unusual times!), and have something colourful to wave in the air each time we hear the word, “Alleluia!”. You are invited also to bring the same rock/stone from Good Friday, which we’ll use as part of a special Easter meditation.

Pastoral Note – Marilyn Pollock

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

For those who would like to send sympathy cards to the family, you may direct them to the Parish Office – we will forward these cards as we receive them.

One-Year Pandemic Reflections

Recently we marked the one-year anniversary of this pandemic, and created a prayer-poem that wove together our reflections on things we’ve missed and things we’ve learned in this past year. Thank you to all who contributed their rich reflections! The prayer-poem and the accompanying “word clouds” can be viewed at: https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/one-year-anniversary-of-pandemic-prayer-poem

Children’s Sundays in Lent

Younger friends are invited to join us on this last remaining Sunday of Lent at the 10am service for a special kids’ program. Each week a video of the Godly Play theme “The Mysteries of Easter” has been offered at the Children’s Talk. Let’s learn about Jesus together in Lent!

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

“What Have We Learned? – A Poem for Palm Sunday” – by Loyd C. Taylor, Sr.

They shouted with praises reaching the sky,
Pushing and shoving to see Jesus pass by.
Crying, “Hosanna, Hosanna, glory to the King!
He comes to us today, great joy He doth bring.”

They threw down palm leaves, covering the way,
Clearing the way for His entrance that day.
Raising joyful voices, as praises filled the air,
The day had come, God had answered their prayer!

But in a short time they changed their chant,
From joyful noise, to a mob’s hate-filled rant.
From Hosanna, Hosanna as when He was praised;
To crucify Him! Crucify Him, as their anger blazed!

In disbelief we might question why they turned?
But maybe the question is, “What have we learned?”

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

Family Faith Formation at Home for Holy Week

The diocese has created a resource for brief and simple faith activities for families to do at home during Holy Week. These cards contain 3 tangible practices (washing feet/hands; making a Cross; Easter eggs) and reflection questions for easy and meaningful family discussion–no matter what the ages. Check it out at https://churchos-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/2021/02/23/11/04/11/3ae6899d-44b4-4ed9-b80e-5216afd066ee/Triduum_cards.pdf.

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.”

There is one opportunity left to meet on Zoom for this book study:

  • Sunday 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 reading schedule is (read these chapters before our gathering):

  • Week #5 (Sun 3/28) – Chs 8, 9, 10 – Part 3 – All Can Be Forgiven

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”.

 

PARISH MATTERS

Office Easter Break

Please note that the parish office will be closed on Good Friday, April 2, and reopen (as usual) on Tuesday, April 6. During this time, for pastoral emergencies, please call Vivian on her cell, and for other urgent parish matters, please email Ruby and Rich at peopleswarden@stja.ca and rectorswarden@stja.ca, or Vivian at rector@stja.ca.

Diocesan Reopening Guidelines Update

At Parish Council’s retreat on March 13, we began discussing potential timelines for reopening our buildings, once provincial and diocesan regulations allow that possibility. There was agreement to not move forward at the immediate time, but to continue to discuss and discern about the matter, including soliciting feedback from the wider congregation. We will keep the parish updated as this process unfolds.

For your general information, due to the updated provincial health guidelines this week, the Bishop is allowing churches in our diocese who wish to resume limited outdoor worship to do so, as long as they meet strict safety guidelines. As he writes in the letter, however, “Parishes and other places of worship are strongly encouraged to continue to offer online worship (Zoom, livestream, etc) for the rest of Lent and for Holy Week and Easter.”

As per Council’s decision above, our parish will continue to meet on Zoom for now.

For more information, you may read Bishop John’s pastoral letter at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/pastoral-letter-regarding-worship-easter-2021

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 two 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 groups are following strict safety protocols and are 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 December 2020 & January 2021

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses ending 31st day of January 2021

  December 2020 Actual $ January 2021 Actual $ January 2021 Budget $ YTD January 2021 Actual $ YTD January 2021 Budget $
Income 25,963.70 13,907.70 18,620.82 13,807.70 18,620.82
Expenses 18,026.57 15,230.76 18,541.32 15,230.76 18,541.32
Surplus
(-) Loss		 7,937.13 (1,323.06) 79.50 (1,323.06) 79.50

 

  December 2020 Actual $ January 2021 Actual $ January 2021 Budget $ YTD January 2021 Actual $ YTD January 2021 Budget $
Offering for General Funds 18,045.00 9,663.00 15,333.33 9,663.00 15,333.33
Offering for Property 2,125.70 1,069.70 0 1,069.70 0

Treasurer’s Notes:
Offerings were down in January from December, which is to be expected. We did suffer a loss for the month, but I’m sure that things will improve as the year goes on. We are receiving a relief from the Diocese of the Parish Assessment for the first 3 months of the year which is also a great help.

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.


COMMUNITY NEWS

Sacred Teachings Podcast, Season 6 – Suicide: The Other Pandemic

Season 6 of The Sacred Teachings podcast is entitled “Suicide: The Other Pandemic,” and can be listened to at https://www.anglican.ca/im/podcasts/. [Note: This season contains themes of suicide that may be harmful or triggering to some audiences. If you, or someone you know is struggling mentally or physically, please contact The Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 833-456-4566 or send a text to 45645.]

The season consists of eight episodes tackling this difficult topic, and features guest host Peter Downie as well as a wide range of Indigenous speakers whose personal and community lives have been impacted by this other pandemic.

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.

Spring Street Community Kitchen

Check out the video for our last Spring Street Community Kitchen on “One Pot Meals” at https://youtu.be/HfinDkc3Mhk. If you go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen, you’ll also see links to the evening’s recipes as well as ones submitted by the wider community – feel free to add your own!

Funds raised in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen are being re-gifted to the communities we serve, and for February’s kitchen, 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 send your one-pot recipes 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 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. George, Maple Ridge – The Reverend David Edgerton, The Reverend Melody Pearson;
  • St. George, Fort Langley – The Reverend Kelly Duncan, The Reverend Eileen Nurse, The Reverend Karen Saunders;
  • The Street Outreach Initiative – The Reverend Matthew Johnson;
  • Urban Aboriginal Ministry – care+share Outreach Program -The Reverend Vivian Seegers;
  • 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 March 28, 2021 – Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Liturgy of the Palms: Mark 11:1-11; Liturgy of the Passion: Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 15:1-39

Readings for April 4, 2021 – Easter Sunday

Isaiah 25:6–9; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; Acts 10: 34-43; Mark 16:1–8


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

 

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