The E-postle September 13, 2020

 

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
E-Postle
September 13, 2020

“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

• Upcoming Dates
• Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection, Stewardship Thank Yous, Community “Phone a Friend”
• Worship: Orange Shirt Day – ‘Every Child Matters’, Children’s Sunday
• Parish Matters: Pastoral Message: Barb Warren Funeral, Call for New Leaders- Immediate Need for Building Coordinator and Treasurer, Property Redevelopment Committee, Financial Status for June & July 2020, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
• Parish Ministries: Fall Bazaar, Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) Zoom Meeting, Food Bank Update
• Community News: Save the Date! – 9/24 Inaugural Community Kitchen, Bishop Election
• 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/2020/program-updates/ for connection information)

Sunday, September 13            8:30am & 10:00am – Sunday Morning Prayer

Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729

Sunday, September 13           following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Virtual “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, September 15         10:15am – 12:00pm – Bible Study
Tuesday, September 15         7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Tuesday, September 15         7:00pm – 9:00pm – Parish Council meeting
Thursday, September 17       7:00pm – A.C.W. Zoom Meeting
Thursday, September 24       6:00pm – 7:00pm – 1^st Spring Street Community Kitchen
Sunday, September 27          Orange Shirt Sunday
Sunday, September 27          Children’s Sunday

 

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

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

Matthew 18:21-35
Who says stewardship has nothing to do with anything but money? This story clearly tells us that stewardship and forgiveness are interwoven. Jesus reminds us that the faithful steward is the one who cares so much for others that they are able to forgive – even when they might feel they are owed much!

 

Stewardship Thank Yous

To begin our stewardship season of “thank yous” in this most unusual year, we would like to begin with the team who have brought us the Noonday Psalms and Prayers. Six days a week, for many months now, this team has uploaded a video to our Facebook page, providing us with a psalm reading and prayer focus for the day. This gentle thought-provoking connection to our faith and our community has been both sustaining and uplifting to many of us. We thank you for your time, your effort, and the pleasure of your familiar faces during these days of separation. “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – John Holmes

-The Stewardship Team

 

Community “Phone a Friend”

Your St. John’s Stewardship Team have set up a “phone a friend” service for us all to keep from feeling a bit disconnected during these days of physical distancing. We have set up phone teams to call each week to “check in” and help relieve some of the loneliness that is inevitable in the current circumstances.

We would like to make sure no one out there is left out, so email or call Kristin (bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com or 778-957-8987) or Natasha (freefromfear101@gmail.com or 604-961-6630) if you are not receiving a call and would like to, or if you are interested in helping to make these phone calls, and we will make sure you get hooked into the service.

We know that the caring community that is St. John’s will not leave any of its people feeling more separated than is absolutely necessary. “Distance means so little when people mean so much.”

-The Stewardship Team

 

WORSHIP

Orange Shirt Day – ‘Every Child Matters’

In anticipation of Orange Shirt Day on September 30th, once again we will be recognizing this day at both services on Sunday, September 27th.

From orangeshirtday.org we find this explanation as to why we mark this day:

“Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake in the spring of 2013.  It grew out of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s account of losing her shiny new orange shirt on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.  The date was chosen because children are back in school and teachers have time to plan, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the year.  Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and community agencies to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.”

If you have an orange shirt or scarf or ribbon at home, please wear it on this day in honour of Phyllis and the ongoing work of remembering that “Every Child Matters”. We are also hoping to have a small video from our children on the meaning of this day to them.

 

Children’s Sunday

We have met with those who have been involved in teaching our children, and have brainstormed ways to keep our children engaged during worship this fall.

On the last Sunday of every month, we will be starting a small program open to children of all ages.  During this program, we will be looking at and talking about the Beatitudes. The curriculum we will be using is from Illustrated Ministries, the source of our Vacation Bible School.

Of course, young people will continue to be welcomed in regular Sunday worship each week, and we hope to find ways in which the children can be more actively involved in the service from time to time.

 

PARISH MATTERS

Pastoral Message: Barb Warren Funeral

We were sad to hear of the death last week of Barb Warren, parishioner John Warren’s mother. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to John and the rest of the family in this time.

The funeral in Ontario was the morning of Friday, Sept. 11 and was livestreamed. The recorded video will remain viewable over this weekend of Sept. 12-13.

 

Call for New Leaders – Immediate Need for Building Coordinator and Treasurer

The McGlashans have moved up North and are settling in their new home.  Their departure has left a big gap in the leadership of the Parish.

While Amalia has graciously offered to hold the Treasurer’s role until we find a replacement (though not ideal for her to manage remotely), we are in dire need of a Building Coordinator, left vacant by Brian. Although we do not use the church properties as much during this pandemic, the buildings still need to be checked regularly and maintained.

You may already know that we are thinly spread at Council this year with a smaller group of 2 clergy and 7 lay members (before Amalia and Brian’s departure). There is definitely room now for additional Council members!

We pray that those of you who have the interest and/or skillset will step up to assist in the management of your church, St. John’s.

Please speak to Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca if you are interested or have any questions.

 

Property Redevelopment Committee

Going forward into the next few years, pandemic notwithstanding, our property will be an ongoing theme for St. John’s. As we prepare to do more long-term discernment in this area, Parish Council has emailed to all a summary of the work our parish has done over the past few years. Please review this document, and if you would be interested in joining our Property Redevelopment Committee to assist with this discernment work, please connect with Ruby (peopleswarden@stja.ca) or Geri (rectorswarden@stja.ca).

 

Financial Status for June & July 2020

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses 31^st July 2020

	June Actual	July Actual	July Budget	July YTD Actual	July YTD Budget
Income	$13,661	$15,060	$ 19,083	$ 101,633	$133,583
Expenses	$ 9,126	$12,384	$19,078	$91,619	$133,552
Surplus (-) Loss	$ 4,535	$2,076	$5	$7,189	$31

 

	June Actual	July Actual	July Budget	July YTD Actual	July YTD Budget
Offering for General Funds	$10,261	$10,016	$15,408	$72,991	$107,858
Offering for Property	$950	$1,494	0	$9,145	0

Notes: Expenses for July are higher due to (1) Replacement of the PMC stairs, fascia board, and railings for the deck; and (2) Exploration and flushing of the perimeter drain tile system around the church properties.    

 

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/2020/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/2020/updates-re-coronavirus/ – a collection of all special correspondence from Archbishop Melissa 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

Fall Bazaar

The ACW is hoping to be able to hold a virtual Bazaar this fall. We are in the process of making jams and jellies, and would appreciate the return of any jars that you may have from previous years. Please contact Kristin Kuhn or Ferne Malcolm so that we can arrange a drop off plan.

More to come on the Fall Bazaar later.

 

Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) Zoom Meeting

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 17th at 7:00pm via Zoom.  The meeting will include focus on a possible alternative for our Fall Bazaar.

Please contact ACW@stja.ca for meeting connection details.

-Ann Adair-Austin

 

Food Bank Update

At our last meeting, the members of the Food Bank decided to not resume the Food Bank until it can operate in a way similar to how it had in the past. We will be looking for a new coordinator and discussing ways in which we can divide and/or share the duties. If anyone is interested in joining the group of Foodbank and/or Lunch volunteers your help would be very much appreciated. Please connect with us at foodbank@stja.ca.

Since these times are so economically difficult for many people, we are happy to continue to support SHARE with donations of $500 per month this summer, in addition to the food items that we are unable to use at this time.

-Mary Kyle

COMMUNITY NEWS

Save the Date! – 9/24 Inaugural Community Kitchen

You’re invited to join us on Zoom on Thursday, September 24th, 6-7pm for the inaugural launch of the online Spring Street Community Kitchen, a partnership between St. John’s Anglican and Inlet United.

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, we will have a live demonstration of “How to Make a Pumpkin Pie”. There will be opportunities to ask questions and share conversation with others. We will also be raising funds to support the Thanksgiving Meal ministry of our neighbours at All Saints Catholic Parish.

This will be our first test-run of the Community Kitchen, and we would love your participation and feedback! We are also looking for volunteers for future kitchens – planning, hosting, moderating, and tech support are just some of the roles available.

Pre-registration for Sept. 24^th is required – please email your name and email address to SpringStreetCommunityKitchen@gmail.com to be included on the list to receive Zoom connection information. If you have any questions, please connect with Geri at rectorswarden@stja.ca.

 

Bishop Election

Archbishop Melissa will be retiring at the end of February 2021 and our diocese will be electing her successor on October 3, 2020.

The 5 nominees have been announced at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/announcement-of-the-nominees-for-bishop-coadjutor. In addition to general information on nominees and the election process, a video and transcript for the upcoming virtual “Town Hall” will be made available at the election site by September 19 – https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/collections/seeking-our-next-bishop.

Please continue to hold this election process in your prayers.

 

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 Diocese of New Westminster – the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, Archbishop, and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon.

And this week:

• St. Matthew, Abbotsford – The Reverend Allen Doerksen
• The Deanery of Yale – The Reverend Paul Bowie
• Our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and 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 Greg Mohr;
• The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church

 

Readings for September 13, 2020 – Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Exodus 14:19-31; Psalm 114; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35

 

Readings for September 20, 2020 – Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16

 

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Rector	The Rev. Vivian Lam	rector@stja.ca	604-936-7762 (church voicemail) / 604-723-5029 (cell)
Deacon	The Rev. Anne Anchor	deacon@stja.ca
Parish Office		administrator@stja.ca	604-936-7762
(Office is closed at this time, but email and voice messages will be checked Tuesday – Friday)
Rector’s Warden	Geri Grigg	rectorswarden@stja.ca
People’s Warden	Ruby Ng	peopleswarden@stja.ca
Treasurer	Amalia McGlashan	treasurer@stja.ca
Envelope Secretary	Sheila De Vaal	envelopesecretary@stja.ca
Parish Council	Kristin Kuhn, 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		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