The E-Postle, March 13, 2022

The E-Postle, March 13, 2022
March 15, 2022


Second Sunday in Lent
E-Postle
March 13, 2022

“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

*New or updated announcement this week

  • Upcoming Dates
  • *Rector’s Note
  • Worship & Prayer:
    • *Daylight Savings Time
    • *Hybrid Worship Begins this Sunday, March 13
    • *Pastoral Message – Derek de Sa
    • Ukraine Relief Efforts
    • Children’s Talks Throughout Lent
    • Flowers for the Altar
    • Tech & Hospitality Volunteers Needed for Worship
    • Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support
  • Formation:
    • Lenten Program: Ecological Grief and Creational Hope
    • Area Youth Group!
  • Stewardship:
    • *Stewardship Reflection
  • Parish Matters:
    • *Revised Annual Vestry Reports
    • Current Parish Office & Buildings Status
    • Financial Status for November & December 2021
    • Parish Giving
    • Ongoing Updates Pages
    • E-Postle Submissions
  • Parish Ministries:
    • New Members for the Altar Guild
    • ReSponse News
    • Food Bank Report
  • Community News:
    • *Spring Street Community Kitchen – Mar. 24 – Persian Cooking with Pasta Polo’s Fred Soofi
    • Bishop’s Lenten Message
  • 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/2022/program-updates/ for connection information)

Sunday, March 13                  8:30am – ZOOM ONLY – Morning Prayer
                                               10:00am – in-person + Zoom – Holy Eucharist (+ Children’s Talk)

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


Sunday, March 13                  following 8:30am and 10:00am services – Informal Zoom “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, March 15                 10:15am – 12noon – Bible Study – 2nd Lenten Study
Tuesday, March 15                 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Thursday, March 17               7:00pm – ACW meeting
Saturday, March 19               9:00am – 1:00pm – Parish Council retreat

 

*RECTOR’S NOTE

Dear friends,

As we approach the two-year anniversary of the pandemic and the date (Mar. 15, 2020) when we began to meet on Zoom, it seems somehow fitting that we are returning to in-person worship this coming Sunday. It also seems appropriate that we are in the midst of the Lenten season, which has always, for me, been a particularly liminal, transitional time in which deep spiritual work happens. Lent is a season in which we face head-on all the things that aren’t in balance within ourselves and the world, and we wrestle our way through those things in the hope and assurance of eventually getting through, somehow, someway to Easter resurrection and meeting God face to face again.

I encourage you to just be present to wherever you find your heart, mind, and body in this liminal time. There is plenty in our world that feels out of balance now. Between all that is going on with war in Ukraine, the changes in daily living brought on by pandemic restrictions lifting, and all the other burdens each of us are carrying and engaging with, I suspect that we are all experiencing the upheaval of uncertainty, change, and different experiences of where God might be found in the midst of it. Be gentle to yourself and to others in this liminal time. Wrestle with what you feel moved to wrestle with. Be patient when the answer is not yet clear. Rest when you need. Lean on the truth of our faith – that God is there (even when we’re not sure!) and will keep walking with us through to Easter on the other side.

Peace,
Vivian


WORSHIP & PRAYER

*Daylight Savings Time

A friendly reminder to turn your clocks forward one hour this weekend for Daylight Savings Time, so that you’re not late for church this Sunday, March 13!

*Hybrid Worship Begins this Sunday, March 13

We will begin this Sunday, Mar. 13 with weekly Zoom-only Morning Prayer at 8:30am, and hybrid (in-person and Zoom) Holy Eucharist at 10:00am.

Please see https://www.stja.ca/2022/current-worship-safety-protocols/ for our safety protocols for in-person worship. Participants will be required to wear a mask and show a vaccine passport which will be checked at the door (information will not be stored) – these 2 requirements allow us to remove capacity limits and pre-registration. Congregational singing will be permitted, and we will forgo coffee hour at this time.

We are moving forward slowly in order to allow parishioners and volunteers to adjust and gain comfort. If the Covid-19 numbers continue to drop, public health and diocesan restrictions are removed, and we become more comfortable as a community, we expect to also continue to move forward with returning to a more normal worship experience.

Parish groups are also invited, if they wish, to begin meeting in-person again as of March 13. Masks and checking vaccination status will be required, with additional precautions if food/drink is consumed. Groups may also move ahead with outreach events, with precautions to be determined based on what is planned.

We would like to thank everyone for their continued support as your dedicated Council continues to prayerfully consider next steps.

Note: though provincial restrictions for masks/capacity have recently been lifted, the Bishop is currently maintaining those restrictions for churches in our Diocese (see https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/bishops-pastoral-message-responding-to-the-phos-march-10-2022-update). The Parish Council of each church determines what particular safety protocols are best for their community in light of these diocesan and governmental guidelines.  

*Pastoral Message – Derek de Sa

Thank you to all who assisted with parishioner Derek de Sa’s funeral on Tuesday. He died the prior week of a heart attack. As we continue to grieve this sudden and unexpected loss together, please also keep Rosemary and their daughters Virginia, Naomi, and Debbie and the rest of the family in your prayers. May Derek rest in God’s peace.

Sympathy cards may be sent to Rosemary at their home address (please contact the office if you need this information) or sent to the parish office to be passed on to the family.

Ukraine Relief Efforts

We join the world in prayer for the people of Ukraine in this time of war. The Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund (PWRDF) is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes with a $50,000 grant to fund the work of ACT Alliance member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA). To donate and for more information, please visit https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-supports-ukrainians-forced-to-flee/.

Children’s Talks Throughout Lent

For this Sunday and throughout the remainder of the 5 Sundays of Lent, we look forward to having a Children’s Talk at our 10am worship.

Flowers for the Altar

Due to services having been held via Zoom, we ask that anyone who had signed up to have flowers at the Altar choose an alternative date as 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 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. Descriptions of the roles can be found at http://www.stja.ca/2022/e-postle-ongoing-announcements#techsupport.

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 described at http://www.stja.ca/2022/e-postle-ongoing-announcements#pastoralcare, if and as you need.

FORMATION

Lenten Program: Ecological Grief and Creational Hope

This Lent, we will use a program developed by the Diocese of Toronto to explore what it means to have Biblical hope in the face of the climate crisis. Beginning Tuesday March 8 and going for 5 weeks until April 5, we will be meeting during our Tuesday morning Bible study time (10:15am-12noon) to discuss, share, and learn together.

The program guide that we will be using can be downloaded from https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/LentCurriculum2022.pdf. It includes additional resources and activities for use during the week. If you would like a printed copy mailed to you, please contact Deanna in the office at administrator@stja.ca – donations are welcome to offset printing and mailing costs.

From the program introduction: The world as we know it seems to be changing irreversibly. Loss of biodiversity, unbearable heat, flash floods and forest fires have started to bring home the reality of the climate crisis. For many, this has created both deep grief, as we mourn the loss of the beautiful and diverse world we grew up with, and deep anxiety, as we worry about the world that will be our future home. For many, this grief and anxiety has made it di­fficult to imagine a hopeful future. What if we allowed the Bible to provide some guidance in our struggles, recognizing that the Biblical text is acquainted with our griefs and our anxieties? The Bible is a book with stories about climate crisis, creational breakdown, and the challenge of hope in bleak times. This curriculum seeks to draw on that ancient wisdom and re-engage with our love for God’s creation and all of God’s creatures.

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 13:31-35
“Can’t you see,” asks Jesus in today’s gospel, “your house is being abandoned?” As stewards, what are we doing to ensure that God’s ‘‘house’’ is not being abandoned?

PARISH MATTERS

*Revised Annual Vestry Reports

Revised Annual Vestry Reports were sent to the parish in the past week, reflecting two amendments made at the Feb. 27 Vestry Meeting – an updated 2021 ACW Treasurer’s Report and a column header update in the Envelope Secretary’s Report.

Current Parish Office & Buildings Status

Please read the current status of Worship, Parish Office, Small Groups, and Outside User Groups at http://www.stja.ca/2022/e-postle-ongoing-announcements#buildingstatus

Financial Status for November and December 2021

Please see the Parish financial status as of Dec. 31 at http://www.stja.ca/2022/e-postle-ongoing-announcements#financialstatus.

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/2022/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/2022/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.

PARISH MINISTRIES

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.

ReSponse News

Please visit http://www.stja.ca/2022/e-postle-ongoing-announcements#response for current information on the ReSponse refugee ministry.

Food Bank Report

Please visit http://www.stja.ca/2022/e-postle-ongoing-announcements#foodbank for current information on the Food Bank.

COMMUNITY NEWS

*Spring Street Community Kitchen – Mar. 24 – Persian Cooking with Pasta Polo’s Fred Soofi


Our next kitchen will be Thursday, Mar. 24, 6-7pm on Zoom. Our guest celebrity chef is Fred Soofi, founder of Pasta Polo, a local restaurant that has a history of supporting local non-profits, community groups, and special events. Fred will demonstrate a Persian dish in celebration of Nowruz (Persian New Year), and as always, there will be opportunities to ask questions and share conversation with others.

Pre-registration for March 24th 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.

Donations in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen are being re-gifted to the communities we serve. Funds raised for March’s gathering will benefit the Coquitlam Animal Shelter. Donations can be given via https://www.stja.ca/supporting-st-johns/; please designate your gift to our Community Kitchen project.

(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.)

Bishop’s Lenten Message

Please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxfjpx7SgEE to view Bishop John Stephen’s message to the diocese, containing his reflections on Ash Wednesday and this season of Lent.

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:

  • The Archdeacons:
    • The Venerable Kevin Hunt (Burrard)
    • The Venerable Stephanie Shepard (Granville)
    • The Venerable Kelly Duncan (Lougheed)
    • The Venerable Stephen Muir (Capilano)
    • The Venerable Luisito Engnan (Fraser)
    • The Venerable Richard Leggett (Westminster)
    • The Venerable Bruce Morris, Archdeacon for Deacons
    • The Venerable Douglas Fenton, (Vancouver) Executive Archdeacon
  • 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 Kathy Martin.
  • The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church.

 

*Readings for March 13, 2022 – Second Sunday in Lent

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

*Readings for March 20, 2022 – Third Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

 

Rector The Rev. Vivian Lam rector@stja.ca 604-936-7762 (church vmail) / 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 Sheila De Vaal treasurer@stja.ca
Envelope Secretary Antoinette Woodman & (Asst. Env. Sec.) May Fung 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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