Transfiguration of the Lord

E-Postle

August 6, 2023

 

8:30am (in-person only) & 10:00am (in-person + Zoom) – Holy Eucharist

https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09

Meeting ID: 542 312 325

Password: 010729

 

This Week’s Worship & Programs – https://www.stja.ca/2023/program-updates/ – current information on what’s going on at St. John’s, including Zoom links and bulletin and scripture readings for Sunday worship.

 

Click here for contact info for parish ministries

 

There will be Coffee hour following the 10am service. 

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS: 

Tues – Aug 8                   10:15am – Bible Study on Zoom (see link above) / 7pm – Prayer group on Zoom (see link above)

Thurs – Aug 10               1-3pm – “High Tea at St. John’s” Fundraiser

Sat – Aug 12                   10am – Community Garden soil delivery

Sat – Sep 9                      4-6 pm – Garden Party/BBQ  to launch Community Garden and Back to School

Sat – Sep 16                    Bob Goodbe Memorial Service

 

NEW THIS WEEK

Stewardship Reflection

Luke 9:28-36 – Prepared by the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel
Peter wants to set up tents, maybe so that he and the others can somehow physically hold on to the ‘‘high’’ they have just experienced. But being a steward demands that we, as did Jesus, come down from the mountain top and deal with the everyday challenges of life.

Pastoral Note: Robert Goodbe Memorial Service

Please note in your calendars that a memorial service for parishioner Bob Goodbe has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16 here at St. John’s – time TBC shortly. Bob had died in June. Please continue to keep his daughter Patti Flanagan, grandson Brian McGlashan, and the wider family in your prayers at this time. Sympathy cards may be sent to the family via the parish office. 

Community Garden Help Needed – Saturday 12 August at 10 am

The last 3 garden boxes, named “Mark, Luke & Paul” are now ready. Soil will be delivered on the above date & time. Please come and help Karen and Ruby to “wheelbarrow” the soil to the boxes. If you have a wheelbarrow and shovel, please bring it with you. 

High Tea at St. John’s – Thursday, August 10, at 1:00pm.

Thank you for the great response in fundraising ticket sales! We are looking forward to everyone attending this long overdue High Tea, with hats and fascinators if you are so inclined.

New Office Administrator

We are happy to announce that Janica Sleigh will be joining our staff as our new permanent Office Administrator. Janica’s first day will be this Tuesday, August 8. Our office hours will remain Tues/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm (but may be adjusted on occasion). 

Deanery ReSponse News

The F. family, who came to Canada in May, are settling into their home in Port Coquitlam.  They are embracing life in Canada and are very appreciative of the help they have received from the deanery churches.

The father has a part time job now and mother and father are both taking English classes.  Unfortunately, there were no spots available at the local school at the end of the year for the two older boys, but they will be able to start school in September.  A retired teacher from St. Laurence Church has been helping the boys with their English two mornings a week.

Also… more news:

The E. family (mother, father and one baby) will be arriving in Canada on August 10!  This is one of the 2 families which are being sponsored by the “Group of Five” young local families.  In 2018 this Group of Five sponsored a family who now live in Maple Ridge.   After this family had settled in, through the Deanery ReSponse group, they asked the diocese to be a Sponsorship Agreement Holder so they could sponsor two more families related to this first family.  The Group of 5 and the family in Maple Ridge have done a great job of finding a basement suite for the new family and obtaining all the furniture and supplies that will be required before they arrive.  There are a few items that still are needed but the Rev. Pat Ratcliffe and St. Laurence Church have been able to fill in most of the gaps.

Thank you to those who have donated money to the ReSponse Fund – it is good to know that we can help the refugee families by providing a missing, needed item at a later time. 

Guest Musician

We extend a warm welcome to sub musician Amber Tarling, who is serving as guest musician at our 10am worship service this Sunday, August 6th.

 

INFORMATION 

Community Garden – Mark Your Calendars!

A garden party/BBQ to launch the Community Garden—as well as to celebrate students going back to school—is planned for Saturday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 6 pm. There will be outdoor music and fun for children, and burgers, hot dogs and cold beverages will be served. This event is open to the wider community. There is no charge but donations are welcome.

Please see our website information page and like, follow, and share our Community Garden Facebook page, where we are posting pictures and updates on this exciting project!

Financial Status – May & June 2023 

	May 2023 Actual $	June 2023 Actual $	June 2023 Budget $	YTD June 2023 Actual $	YTD June 2023 Budget $
Income	14,755.75	18,954.75	19,958.76	96,040.75	119,752.56
Expenses	18,536.77	18,322.37	19,958.72	112,475.43	119,752.32
Surplus (-) Loss	(3,781.02)	632.38	0.04	(16,434.68)	0.24
Offering for General Funds	9,403.75	13,227.75	15,485.00	65,376.50	92,910.00
Offering for Property	560.00	655.00	0	3,765.00	0

Warden Note on Financials

Thanks to everyone who responded to the appeal to increase your offerings to help narrow the deficit. We are pleased to report that for the first time this year, June has seen a surplus of $632.38. But we are not out-of-the woods yet. We hope you will continue to help your church and bring the finances to where they should be, as well as to meet the goals we have set together.

Parish Council July Meeting Summary

Parish Council had a productive Zoom meeting on Tuesday, July 25. We will be taking a summer break in August, resuming with our next meeting on Tuesday, Sep. 26.

Besides our usual group prayer, spiritual reflection, and general reports, we shared on the progress of our 2023 goals; discussed the sustainability and future of the Food Bank and other food ministries; celebrated our June financials; and were updated on recent brainstorming done around the 125^th Anniversary celebrations and children/youth formation.

Music Director Job Posting (updated)

We have been reviewing applications and begun interviewing candidates for Music Director this past week, and will be continuing into this coming week. Please continue to keep this process in your prayers.

 

HOW YOU CAN SERVE THE WORLD AROUND US 

Helping Out with Children & Youth

We are looking for folks to help make our brainstormed ideas for children and youth spiritual formation a reality! We will be experimenting with fun, interactive activities for our younger members and visitors one Sunday a month beginning this September through December. If you’d be interested in lending a hand on one of these Sundays, please chat with Vivian in-person or at rector@stja.ca.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

Flower Chart for 2023

This is up at the Narthex (at the back of the church, by the chapel).  Should you wish to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or give in memory of a loved one, please consider signing up to donate flowers for the altar.

Parish Giving

Donations may be made by cheques, PADs or through e-transfer directly to the church account. Please contact Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Sheila at treasurer@stja.ca for more details. You may also give via PayPal/credit card via our website.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH FOR ALL AGES 

Education for Ministry (EfM)

A course of study offered on Zoom, on Wednesday evenings, for people who yearn to shape their faith into action and to strengthen their walk with God.

Participants have been asked why they have taken EfM…

• to speak with knowledge about their faith
• to be in community with fellow people who are on a journey
• for disciplined Bible study
• to live a life grounded in faith
• to deepen their understanding of their relationship with God

EfM offers…

Community with: 

• fellow people of faith
• enquiring people of faith
• discerning people of faith
• people longing for wisdom

Insight into: 

• Hebrew scripture
• New Testament
• Church history
• various theologies over time

A way to think theologically:

• in your day-to-day life
• in your place of work
• in your family
• wherever you minister in your church community

We meet weekly September to May, with breaks at Christmas and Easter. The program runs for four years but each year is taken independently. The seminar has people who are studying in all four years; this adds a real depth of richness and support for all present.

If you wish to find out more about this amazing and enriching program please contact Debora Jones-Akiyama, or one of the many in your parish who have participated in this course.

 

Readings for August 6, 2023, Transfiguration of the Lord

DANIEL 7:9-10, 13-14; PSALM 99; 2 PETER 1:16-19; LUKE 9:28-36

Readings for August 13, 2023, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 37:1-4, 12-28; PSALM 105:1-6, 16-22, 45C; ROMANS 10:5-15; MATTHEW 14:22-33