Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

E-Postle

July 16, 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: 

Sun – Jul 16                    (after 10am service) Parish Visiting Ministry meeting

Tues – Jul 18                  10:15am – Bible Study on Zoom (see link above) / 7pm – Prayer group on Zoom (see link above)

Wed – Jul 19                  9:30 – 11:30am – Wednesday Morning Prayer Space

Sun – Jul 23                    (10am service) Cedella Alibaksh baptism

Tues – Jul 25                  Parish Council meeting

Wed – Aug 2                  10am – Coffee and Crafts

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

 

NEW THIS WEEK 

Stewardship Reflection

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – Prepared by the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel.
Ever stopped to ask yourself just what kind of soil the Word finds in you? Know how to find out? It’s very simple, really. Just take a look at your life — how much and what kind of “fruit” do you see being produced regularly?

Guest Musician

We extend a warm welcome to Peter Reinhardt, who is serving as guest musician at our 10am worship service this Sunday, July 16. 

Administrator Transition

We regretfully must say goodbye this coming week to Georgette, our Office Administrator, as she has an urgent family matter to attend to back home in the Philippines. Her last day with us will be this Tuesday, July 18. Georgette wishes to say to everyone at St. John’s: “Thank you for the opportunity to work and serve with all of you. God bless you all.”

As several have asked about the turnover in this Office Administrator position, for transparency, please know that we have actually not had a permanent person since Jennifer Green (who worked with us until 2019). Since then, we have used a temp agency to fill the position, and therefore it is variable how long a particular temp will stay with us.

The temp agency is currently looking for new candidates for us, and we hope to fill the position again soon. In the interim, we may ask for volunteers to help with office tasks including printing and assembling bulletins, answering and directing calls and emails, etc.

Please let Vivian know at rector@stja.ca if you are able to assist if/as needed. Note: she is also happy to talk with anyone interested in the paid position too!   

Temporary Office Hours

Beginning Thursday July 20, and until the Administrator position is settled, the office will be on modified hours. Office voicemails and emails will be checked during the usual office times of: Tues/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm, but please make an appointment to come in for any in-person business to ensure someone is there to greet you.

Indigenous Community Art Project

Inlet United Church invites us to a community art project this summer at The Springs. Artist Atheana Picha will share about Coast Salish art and culture during several free events in July and August. Atheana will paint the mural in late August, and there will be a culminating feast, ceremony, and blessing of the art in September. Please visit Inlet’s event page for registration and other info.

 

INFORMATION

Summer Fun… High Tea at St. John’s!

A note from Ferne Malcolm: 

I am concerned about the finances at St. John’s and thought maybe we could have some quality time together this summer, plus also put a little money in the coffers.

The date for High Tea will be Thursday, August 10, at 1:00pm. I would do a great deal of the planning and ask for help where it is needed. All we need is for you to come and bring family and friends!

We will have tables for four, six or eight people. These could be made up of your friends from St. John’s, guests, or family that you might care to invite. To make it special, perhaps one member of each group would provide the china… luncheon plate, cup and saucer, teapot, and serving plates or a tiered serving plate. Maybe you have matching napkins? (Note: you don’t have to bring your own china as we do have lots at our disposal at the church… though none of it is terribly fine or terribly fun!) We would have tea made, but if you would prefer a special blend, please bring it… there will be lots of boiling water.

The cost for a ticket will be $40.00 with all funds going to St. John’s General Fund, except for a small amount to cover costs.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Ferne. Tickets will be available until August 2. 

Music Director Job Posting

Our job posting for parish Music Director is now up at https://bit.ly/STJAMusicDirector. We also have printed copies available at the back of the church. Please help us spread the word to musician family, friends, and colleagues. Application deadline is Thursday, July 27.

Anne Anchor Leave of Absence

Our deacon Anne Anchor is currently recovering in hospital from a post-procedural infection. She has decided, wisely, to take a leave of absence from parish duties for the rest of the summer, in order to rest and to focus on healing. During this period, please contact Vivian at rector@stja.ca for any deacon-related business.

Please continue to keep Anne in your prayers. Messages of care and concern can be sent to her in this time via her personal email.

E-Postle Entries

Please note that any entries for the E-Postle need to be forwarded to news@stja.ca by Thursday morning. 

Community Garden

All garden boxes in Phase One of our community garden in the front yard of the PMC have been assigned. We are now keeping a waitlist – please email garden@stja.ca to enquire.

We would welcome donations of previously-loved or new garden tools such as pruning shears, shovels, rakes, forks, loppers, trowels, and spades. Please connect with Karen Ebbett.

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 – April & May 2023

	April 2023 Actual $	May 2023 Actual $	May 2023 Budget $	YTD May2023 Actual $	YTD May 2023 Budget $
Income	18,287.00	14,755.75	19,958.76	77,086.00	99,793.80
Expenses	19,202.49	18,536.77	19,958.72	94,153.06	99,793.60
Surplus (-) Loss	(915.49)	(3,781.02)	0.04	(17,067.06)	0.20
Offering for General Funds	12,263.75	9,403.75	15,485.00	52,148.75	77,425.00
Offering for Property	665.00	560.00	0.00	3,110.00	0.00

Warden Note on Financials

Parishioners can see above from the financial figures that the parish is not where we would like to be from a budget perspective. Up until the end of May, we have an accumulated deficit of $17,067. If our finances continue in this same manner, we can expect to finish the year with a deficit of just under $41,000.

Here are some smaller numbers to consider: We have 121 regular givers in our parish (a couple counts as 2 people). If each contributor were to give an additional $7 per week, we would be able to hold the deficit at its present level. In order to balance our books by year end, we need each giver to donate an additional $5.50 per week.

When we presented the budget at Annual Vestry, we knew it was aspirational, and we were pleased that it was approved by the members of the congregation. We are now asking you to increase your contribution to the church, if at all possible, in order to meet the goals that we set together. Failing this we must be prepared, at the next Annual Vestry meeting, to make difficult decisions about which programs and expenses are to be cut.

-Rich Thompson 

 

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 July 16, 2023, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 25:19-34; PSALM 119:105-112; ROMANS 8:1-11; MATTHEW 13:1-9, 18-23

 

Readings for July 23, 2023, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 28:10-19A; PSALM 139:1-11, 22-23; ROMANS 8:12-25; MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43