The E-Postle, March 20, 2022

Third Sunday in Lent
E-Postle
March 20, 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
• Worship & Prayer:
  • 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
• Stewardship:
  • *Stewardship Reflection
• Parish Matters:
  • *Nominations for the Order of The Diocese of New Westminster
  • *Potential COVID Exposure at 3/8/22 Event
  • *Hybrid Worship Continues
  • Current Parish Office & Buildings Status
  • Parish Giving
  • Ongoing Updates Pages
  • E-Postle Submissions
• Parish Ministries:
  • *Urgently Needed – Ushers & Counters
  • 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
• 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 20                  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 20                  following 8:30am and 10:00am services – Informal Zoom “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, March 22                 10:15am – 12noon – Bible Study – 3^rd Lenten Study
Tuesday, March 22                 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Thursday, March 24               6:00pm – Spring Street Community Kitchen – Persian Cooking with Pasta Polo’s Fred Soofi

WORSHIP & PRAYER

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 are using 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 are meeting during our Tuesday morning Bible study time (10:15am-12noon) to discuss, share, and learn together.

The program guide that we are 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.

STEWARDSHIP

*Stewardship Reflection

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

Luke 13:1-9
The fig tree which bears no fruit is useless to its owner. However, the gardener sees value in it and wants to give it one more opportunity to produce. Are your gifts lying dormant or are you nurturing them into production?

PARISH MATTERS

*Nominations for the Order of The Diocese of New Westminster

It has been 2 years since we nominated Sylvia Bradley, who received the ODNW in November 2020, and it is time now to nominate our next exceptional parish leader.
The purpose of the Order is to honour and give special recognition to lay members of the Diocese who have given outstanding service over a significant period of time in their volunteer ministry.
Information on eligibility criteria can be found at: https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/programs/the-odnw
Should you wish to nominate someone, please let the Wardens know by 3 April – Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca and Rich at rectorswarden@stja.ca.

*Potential COVID Exposure at 3/8/22 Event

A notice was emailed out to parishioners last week of a potential COVID exposure at the church on March 8. Please see https://www.stja.ca/2022/notification-of-potential-covid-exposure-at-3-8-22-event/ for more information.

*Hybrid Worship Continues

Note: On March 15, Bishop John issued a new pastoral letter re: the recent provincial loosening of COVID restrictions at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/pastoral-letter-from-the-right-reverend-john-stephens-regarding-march-10ths-phos-orders. The letter outlines how COVID safety requirements will be lifted throughout the diocese now and in the coming weeks. 

The Parish Council of each church determines what particular safety protocols are best for their community in light of current diocesan and governmental guidelines. Council will keep the parish informed of any changes in our safety guidelines.

We are currently offering 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 current safety protocols for in-person worship. Participants are 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 is permitted, and we are forgoing coffee hour at this time.

We are moving forward slowly in order to allow parishioners and volunteers to adjust and gain comfort. As 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. Masks and checking vaccination status are 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.

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

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

*Urgently Needed – Ushers & Counters

St. John’s urgently needs ushers and counters.  Currently, we only have 4 volunteers in each area which means that they have to attend every other Sunday.

USHERS – to greet everyone at the door, hand out bulletins, and check for/instruct people on safety protocols.

COUNTERS – to count and record Sunday collections.

We desperately need 2 to 4 more volunteers to make scheduling easier. With a full roster of volunteers, you would only need to volunteer once a month.

Training will be provided.

If you think you can serve in this very important ministry, please contact Bonnie SooChan.

 

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 this 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.)

 

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. Christopher, West Vancouver – The Rev. Karen Urquhart, The Rev. Jonathan Pinkney
• St. Cuthbert, Delta – The Rev. Paul Woerhle
• The Archdeaconry of Granville – The Ven. Stephanie Shepard, Regional 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 20, 2022 – Third Sunday in Lent

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

 

*Readings for March 27, 2022 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

 

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. Secretary) 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