The E-Postle, March 27, 2022

Fourth Sunday in Lent
E-Postle
March 27, 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:
- *8:30am Worship Service Transitioning to In-Person
- 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:
- *Office Closed This Week
- Nominations for the Order of The Diocese of New Westminster
- *Updated COVID Protocols
- 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:
- *New Diocesan Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Affordability
- *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/2022/program-updates/ for connection information)
Sunday, March 27 8:30am – ZOOM ONLY – Morning Prayer
10:00am – Hybrid (in-person + Zoom) – Holy Eucharist + Children’s Talk
https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09
Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729
Sunday, March 27 following 8:30am and 10:00am services – Informal Zoom “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, March 29 10:15am – 12noon – Bible Study – 4th Lenten Study
Tuesday, March 29 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Sunday, April 10 Palm Sunday
8:30am (in-person only) – Morning Prayer, 10:00am (hybrid) – Eucharist
Friday, April 15 12noon (hybrid) – Good Friday worship
Sunday, April 17 Easter Sunday
8:30am (in-person only) & 10:00am (hybrid) – Eucharist
WORSHIP & PRAYER
*8:30am Worship Service Transitioning to In-Person
Beginning on Palm Sunday, April 10, the 8:30am worship service will begin to meet in-person. At this time, there will not be a Zoom component to this service, but you are always welcome to attend the later 10am hybrid service via Zoom.
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 have now 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.
STEWARDSHIP
*Stewardship Reflection
From Sunday by Sunday Reflections on Stewardship prepared by the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel.
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
As faithful, lifelong stewards, do we truly rejoice when a sister or brother comes back, or do we feel that they need to pay a price before we really make them feel welcome?
PARISH MATTERS
*Office Closed This Week
The Parish Office will be closed this coming week (week of Mar. 28) due to Deanna being away. The office will reopen for regular hours (Tu/Th/Fr 10am-2pm) beginning the following week of Apr. 4. For anything time-sensitive during this time, please contact Vivian at rector@stja.ca, Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca, or Rich at rectorswarden@stja.ca.
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.
*Updated COVID Protocols
At our March 19 retreat, Parish Council discussed updates to our parish COVID protocols, in light of the recent changes to provincial and diocesan requirements.
Worship – for our in-person worship, we will be maintaining the protocols decided on March 1, with one change – as of Mar. 27, we will no longer require the checking of vaccine passports. Please see https://www.stja.ca/2022/current-worship-safety-protocols/ for our current safety protocols for in-person worship.
Note: on Easter Sunday, we will be passing the offertory plate, and we will also offer coffee hour. At this and future coffee hours, there will be socially distanced tables, and masks will be required unless you’re eating/drinking/seated at a table. If there aren’t enough seats and you’re standing and eating/drinking, you will be required to be socially distanced from others around you while your mask is off.
Parish Office – We will continue with our previous protocols. Masks are required, and the office is not currently open to walk-in visitors (please make an appointment to come by).
Small Groups – Parish small groups may decide on their own safety protocols, but must continue sanitizing any high-touch surfaces before leaving the church, and booking space through the Parish Office. Masks and distancing while unmasked are recommended. Groups may also move ahead with outreach events, with precautions to be determined based on what is planned.
Outside User Groups – The 12-step groups, Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church, and other outside user groups may decide on their own safety protocols, but must continue sanitizing any high-touch surfaces before leaving the church. Masks and distancing while unmasked are recommended.
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.
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 Sheila 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/2022/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/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
*New Diocesan Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Affordability
Congratulations to parishioner Sharon Cooper who has recently been appointed to a new diocesan Task Force on Homelessness and Affordability. The Task Force’s purpose is to increase awareness and understanding of the issues and causes surrounding homelessness and housing vulnerability, and to provide practical options for the Diocese and its parishes to use their gifts and resources to respond.
To learn more about the Task Force’s work, please visit https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/diocesan-council-strikes-task-force-on-homelessness-and-housing-affordability
*Spring Street Community Kitchen
Thanks to all those who participated in our most recent kitchen, where Fred Soofi, founder of Pasta Polo, made a Persian dish in celebration of Nowruz (Persian New Year). The video and recipe will be available soon at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen.
Please save the date for our next kitchen Thursday, May 26, 6-7pm. More information coming soon.
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. George, Maple Ridge – The Rev. David Edgerton, The Rev. Melody Pearson
- St. George, Fort Langley – The Venerable Kelly Duncan, The Rev. Eileen Nurse, The Rev. Karen Saunders
- The Street Outreach Initiative – The Rev. Matthew Johnson
- 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 27, 2022 – Fourth Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
*Readings for April 3, 2022 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
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 |
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