The E-postle July 18, 2021
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
E-Postle
July 18, 2021
“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
- Worship & Prayer: Lytton Fire – Pastoral Letter from the Primate + Donation Information, Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support
- Formation: July/August Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation Online Book Study, Education for Ministry (EfM), Area Youth Group!
- Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection
- Parish Matters: Adjusted Parish Office Hours This Week, Bishop’s Letter re: July 1 Provincial Lifting of Worship Restrictions, Buildings to be Open for Small Groups, Current Parish Office & Buildings Status, Financial Status for April and May 2021, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
- Parish Ministries: Anglican Church Women – Fall Bazaar & Jigsaws for Mission to Seafarers, Food Bank Report
- Community News: Summer Camps, Summer Offering – Morning Prayer, Sacred Teachings Podcast – The Season of Ginny – “The Good Mind”, 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/2021/program-updates/ for connection information)
Sunday, July 18 8:30am & 10:00am – Sunday Morning Prayer
https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09
Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729
Sunday, July 18 following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Virtual “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, July 20 10:15am – 12noon – 2nd Tues AM Truth & Reconciliation Book Study
Tuesday, July 20 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Wednesday, July 21 7:30pm – 9:00pm – 2nd Wed Eve Truth & Reconciliation Book Study
Tuesday, July 27 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Parish Council
WORSHIP & PRAYER
Lytton Fire – Pastoral Letter from the Primate + Donation Information
We continue to hold the people of the Nlaka’pamux Nation and Lytton in our prayers as they move through the tragedy of the recent devastating fire. Archbishop Linda Nicholls recently sent a pastoral letter re: the fire, including information on how the Territory of the People is collecting funds for support.
This diocesan article contains the pastoral letter, a prayer for Lytton, as well as additional links to other ways to give financially: https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/lytton-fire-pastoral-letter-from-the-primate-update-ways-to-give
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 below, if and as you need.
Rector – Please contact me via rector@stja.ca or cell. I am happy to connect via phone, email, text, Facetime or Zoom, and, during this pandemic, in-person in urgent situations. I am here for support in crisis times (i.e. emergencies, hospital stays) and if you would like prayer for an upcoming medical procedure or other major circumstance. I am also available for general spiritual support and encouragement, and can offer a listening ear and prayer in the moment.
Community “Phone a Friend” – our Stewardship Team has set up phone teams to call folks each week to “check in” and help lessen isolation and foster connection. Connect with Kristin (bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com or 778-957-8987) or Natasha (freefromfear101@gmail.com or 604-961-6630) if you’d like to receive or help make these calls.
Sunday Prayers of the People – If you would like to be prayed for in our Sunday intercessions, please email Anne at deacon@stja.ca. You will be prayed for by first name, for whatever time period you indicate. If you are adding someone else, please be sure you have their OK to do so.
Prayer Circle – Please email Sue E. at prayer@stja.ca. This is a group of parishioners who commit to pray for prayer needs of parishioners and friends/families. All requests are kept confidential within the group, and you can let the group know as much or as little detail of the situation they’re praying for, as you wish. If you are requesting prayer for someone else, please be sure you have their OK to do so.
Parish Visiting Ministry – Members of this team focus on our parishioners who are homebound or living in care homes. During this pandemic time, they are praying for and connecting with these parishioners via phone, email, and mail. Please connect with Joanne W. or Alma at pastoralvisits@stja.ca with needs in this area.
FORMATION
July/August Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation Online Book Study
Our 4-week online weekly book study on the intersection of our faith and our journey toward Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation has 2 groups, each covering the same material:
1 – Tuesday mornings (10:15am-12noon) – remaining sessions are July 20, 27 and August 3.
2 – Wednesday evenings (7:30 – 9:00pm) – remaining sessions are July 21, 28 and August 4.
Please visit https://www.stja.ca/2021/program-updates/ for the Zoom link for each session.
Week 2 Reading – Indigenous Identities
For Session #2 (July 20/21), please read the chapters below in In This Together before the session. Pray and think about what makes up Indigenous identities, and what makes up identities in general, especially when it comes to our faith and spirituality identities:
(Page numbers refer to the paper book – the electronic version’s page numbers will depend on how big you have the font!)
- Story 2 – Dropped, Not Thrown – p. 23
- Story 9 – Echo – p. 99
- Story 10 – Mother Tongues – p. 111
- Story 14 – Lost Fires Still Burn – p. 159
- (Extra optional reading – Story 3 – Drawing Lines – p. 35)
The main book we are exploring in this study is In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth & Reconciliation, edited by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail. In addition to reading and discussing selected stories from this book, we are also supplementing with various other written and video resources.
From the book publisher: “What is real reconciliation? This collection of essays from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contributors from across Canada welcomes readers into a timely, healing conversation… these reflective and personal pieces come from journalists, writers, academics, visual artists, filmmakers, city planners, and lawyers, all of whom share their personal light-bulb moments… Without flinching, they look deeply and honestly at their own experiences and assumptions about race.”
You can purchase the book at your favourite retailer, and we have also ordered a limited number of books, available at a discounted price of $10. (Help is available for those for whom this would be a financial hardship.) Please connect with Deanna at administrator@stja.ca if you would like to purchase through the church.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
We have just completed the 20th year of EfM groups held at St. John’s, and our three graduates are Heather Esposito (St. Laurence), Lois Holmlund (St. Stephen) and Connie Keen (St. Laurence). They were honoured at an on-line graduation service with Bishop John. Congratulations to all three!
A key component to EfM is Theological Reflection that gives you tools by which to reflect on your life, your faith, your personal belief, and your actions. This year this will be from the perspective of “Living Faithfully in Your World”. Through this lens we will study scripture, church history and evolving theologies. Year One is the Hebrew scriptures; Year Two is the Christian Testament; Year Three is the history of Christianity, and Year Four is deepening our understanding of Christian theology. Your commitment is for one year at a time.
The EfM program meets on Wednesday evenings from Sept. to May with mentors Anne Anchor and Debora Jones-Akiyama and fellow journeyers from different parishes. The fee is $350.00 per annum.
Please contact Anne at deacon@stja.ca for more information or if you would like to register.
Area Youth Group!
Are you a member of our St. John’s community that is aged 14 to 19, or are you entering grade 7 this year? If so, that means you are the perfect age to participate in the exciting youth activities happening right now, over the summer, and continuing next year!
The local youth group that meets at St. Laurence Anglican Church meets regularly to have fun together and is involved in all sorts of youth-related community and church projects. There are also lots of chances to participate in the youth movement to support youth in our churches at large, or to add a youth perspective to the work of the church. If you are interested in youth activities and would like to connect with our local youth group, please contact Kristin Kuhn at bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com or connect with the Parish Office and we will help build that connection with you!
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship Reflection
From Sunday by Sunday: Reflections on Stewardship, prepared by the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel:
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Imagine, being so famous that people are always wanting you! Small wonder Jesus invites his followers to “an isolated place,” where they can ‘‘recharge their batteries”. A faithful steward knows to take time and do this.
PARISH MATTERS
Adjusted Parish Office Hours This Week
The parish office will have adjusted hours this week, and will be open on Monday (7/19) and Tuesday (7/20) from 10am-4pm. Voicemails and emails will be checked periodically for the rest of the week, but feel free to contact Vivian at rector@stja.ca for anything very time-sensitive.
Bishop’s Letter re: July 1 Provincial Lifting of Worship Restrictions
In response to the July 1 lifting of provincial restrictions for worship gatherings and services, Bishop John has issued a pastoral letter outlining new diocesan guidelines, effective July 5. In it, he notes, “Some parishes…are ready to move back into in-person worship with few restrictions in place. Others will need to take more time. In consultation with the people in your parishes, and offering ongoing options for online worship, please set the appropriate time-line for your parish… for returning to in-person worship and what that will look like.”
As you know, Parish Council has been actively in discussion about these matters, and we will be reviewing results of the parish survey at our July meeting to aid us in our discernment about reopening. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available, but in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any Council member with questions or comments.
The Bishop’s letter can be found at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/bishops-pastoral-letter-on-re-opening-july-5-2021
Buildings to be Open for Small Groups
Parish Council decided at our June meeting that beginning in July, and pending diocesan permission for indoor non-worship gatherings, small groups who wish to meet for ministry gatherings may do so, provided they 1) contact the parish office to book time through Deanna, and 2) follow all COVID protocols (current guidelines can be found at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/, specifically “Guidelines for User Groups”).
The main protocols include:
- obtaining prior approval to meet via the church office
- keeping a contact tracing list of people attending
- wearing a mask
- physical distancing of 2m/6ft
- keeping hands clean with soap and water or hand sanitizer
- disinfecting any touched surfaces as directed
- no sharing of food or drink
- using washrooms on an emergency-use-only basis
- staying home if feeling sick or having had any potential exposure to COVID
Current Parish Office & Buildings Status
The Parish Office is now open 3 partial days a week – generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10am-2pm – but please note that this schedule may shift from time to time (see adjusted schedule above for week of July 19). For now, the office will not be open to walk-in visitors – anyone coming by the office for a necessary purpose will need to make an appointment beforehand and follow Covid safety protocols as directed.
Anyone planning to come inside the church buildings at this time must also check in beforehand with Deanna in the office at administrator@stja.ca – even if you plan to be here just for a brief period of time. This is to enable necessary contact tracing, notification to anyone else in the building at the same time, and to review safety protocols as needed.
Two of our community 12-step groups are currently meeting in our space; other outside user groups have opted to hold off on meeting in-person for the time being. The 12-step groups are following strict safety protocols and are permitted to meet under the current provincial health order.
You may view the full reopening plan, the most recent guide for outside user groups, as well as diocesan updates at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/
Financial Status for April and May 2021
We append below the Parish financial status for your information.
Statement of Income and Expenses ending 31st day of May, 2021
| April 2021 Actual $ | May 2021 Actual $ | May 2021 Budget $ | YTD May 2021 Actual $ | YTD May 2021 Budget $ | |
| Income | 14,497.70 | 27,296.04 | 18,620.82 | 84,358.84 | 93,104.10 |
| Expenses | 18,582.86 | 16,481.08 | 18,541.32 | 78,110.00 | 92,706.60 |
| Surplus (-) Loss |
(4,085.16) | 10,814.96 | 79.50 | 6,248.84 | 397.50 |
| April 2021 Actual $ | May 2021 Actual $ | May 2021 Budget $ | YTD May 2021 Actual $ | YTD May 2021 Budget $ | |
| Offering for General Funds | 10,811.00 | 10,295.00 | 15,333.33 | 50,925.00 | 76,666.65 |
| Offering for Property | 1,111.70 | 1,111.70 | 0 | 5,534.50 | 0 |
Treasurer’s Note: We have a surplus in May but only because of the financial relief that we received from the Government of Canada. Our expenses were consistent with most months since we stopped in-person worship.
We received an email from the Diocese in May that contained great news. We qualified for some financial relief in the form of Canada Wage Subsidy from the Canada Revenue agency in the amount of $13,983.34 (for periods from Nov 22, 2020, to May 8, 2021), which is reflected in the May financials.
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):
- Program & Worship Updates/Links – https://www.stja.ca/2021/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/2021/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
Anglican Church Women – Fall Bazaar
With anticipation that we may possibly soon be resuming to more of a normal life at St. John’s, the ACW have been discussing the Fall Bazaar which is usually held in November. We realize that it may not be with the same traditions as we have become used to, and that some adjustments may have to be made in concordance with the Provincial and Diocesan guidelines around Covid. As this is a Parish event we would like to ask if anyone would be interested in organising this event. Substantial support and guidance will of course be offered to whomever felt called to volunteer. Please contact Alma at 604 788 2562.
Anglican Church Women – Jigsaws for Mission to Seafarers
The Mission to Seafarers is seeking donations of jigsaw puzzles. The Seafarers have been confined to their ships during Covid – however, the Mission can still take donations to them. If you are among the many people who, like myself, have rediscovered jigsaw puzzles during Covid you may now be wanting to pass them on. If so, please contact Deanna to arrange for a time to drop them at the PMC during office hours. Thanks very much. – Sharon Cooper
Food Bank Report
At our April meeting, Parish Council decided to continue to support the SHARE Foodbank with donations of $500 per month taken from the St. John’s Foodbank fund (retroactive to January 2021), since our own Foodbank does not have immediate plans to resume in the near future. Thank you to those of you who have continued to support the Foodbank financially. Your contributions will still be helping those in need in our community.
And thank you to those who had supported the St. John’s Foodbank with donations of food while we were still meeting in person. The food has been sorted by date, and items close to their “Best Before” date have been taken to the SHARE Foodbank every month during the pandemic–so food donations have not been wasted!
Thank you again,
Mary Kyle
COMMUNITY NEWS
Summer Camps
For those looking for summer activities for your family, a few local summer camp options that we are aware of…
Camp Spirit
This is a popular and well-organized day camp offered by many United Churches throughout the region. You can find dates, location, and more info here: https://www.campspirit.ca/summer-2021.html
“Queerest and Dearest” 1-Day Camp
This is an all-day camp for LGBTQIA2S+ children and adults and their family members. It will be held on Monday August 2, 9:30am-8pm, at St. Barnabas Anglican Church (1010 5th Ave, New Westminster). We will spend time together connecting with one another, with God, with the land and with ourselves. More information can be found at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/events/queerest-and-dearest/2021-08-02 or https://www.queerestdearest.com/ .
(The camp registration form can be accessed directly at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc26-BIBolcNfqTTTGSV35vKXfyEesMWi3DCXyk0ToO604Irg/viewform. The fee is on a sliding scale: $20-50 for adults, and $10-40 for children aged 2 or older, youth and dependents.)
Camp Artaban
This camp, rooted in Anglican tradition, and located on Gambier Island/Chá7elknech is offering two weeks of camp (1 week for kids, 1 week for families) this summer in August: https://www.campartaban.com/camp-schedule-2021
Sorrento Retreat Centre
The five weeks of summer programming still have some spots available. There are options for families to stay and enjoy. If restrictions continue to lift, there will be lots of new room available even in the currently full weeks:
https://www.sorrentocentre.ca/collections/summer-program-july-11-august-13-2021.
They are also hiring youth staff for summer positions now: https://www.sorrentocentre.ca/pages/summer-youth-staff-2020
Summer Offering – Morning Prayer
You are invited to join a drop-in morning prayer group every Wednesday at 6am, continuing until August 25th. Each session will include silent meditation and a liturgy of prayer from Philip Newell’s Praying with the Earth – Prayers for Peace.
This group is hosted by Contemplative Outreach of Greater Vancouver. For further information and the Zoom link, contact Christine Kesans at chris.kesans@gmail.com or 604-944-7447.
Sacred Teachings Podcast – The Season of Ginny – “The Good Mind”
“The Season of Ginny,” the new seventh season of the Sacred Teachings podcast, is in honour of the Rev. Canon Ginny Doctor, who recently died from COVID. Ginny was Executive Producer and the heart and soul of the Sacred Teachings series, and was an important figure in the world of Indigenous advocacy and human rights.
The fourth episode of Season 7 is “The Good Mind”. (This and new episodes can be found at https://www.anglican.ca/im/podcasts/.) When Ginny Doctor taught about the Good Mind, it was about finding balance within ourselves and in our lives. Part of that balance is our connection to the Land, which is key to the health and wellness of the First Peoples.
The season of 8 podcasts will continue to explore Ginny’s work fighting racism, battling the pandemic of suicide in Indigenous communities, and helping to blaze a trail of self-determination for the Indigenous Anglican Church. We will hear about her writing and poetry and peek into the very soul of this deeply ar tistic and spiritual Mohawk woman.
The teachings, languages, traditions and stories of the Ancestors are shared in this podcast, which is sponsored by the Anglican Church of Canada. Highly respected Indigenous speakers are featured in this series, with a different theme for each season, including the sacredness of Creation and finding meaning in a global crisis.
Spring Street Community Kitchen
Thanks to all who participated in our most recent Spring Street Community Kitchen “Family Cooking with Pasta Polo’s Fred Soofi”. The video is available at https://youtu.be/iN5D62U_6cI, and the recipe at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen/posts/309000887600806.
Note that funds raised in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen are being re-gifted to the communities we serve, through local charities. Donations can be given via https://www.stja.ca/supporting-st-johns/; please designate your gift to our Community Kitchen project.
We also welcome volunteers for future kitchens – planning, hosting, moderating, and tech support are just some of the roles available. Email us at SpringStreetCommunityKitchen@gmail.com.
(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. Mary, Kerrisdale – The Reverend Lindsay Hills, The Reverend Christine Rowe.
- St. Mary Magdalene, Vancouver – The Reverend Tasha Carrothers.
- Our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, especially the people of our twin church at St. John the Evangelist Mission, Balugan; and Brent Alawas, their current Bishop and Prime Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.
- 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 July 18, 2021 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Readings for July 25, 2021 – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21
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 | 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 | Amalia McGlashan | treasurer@stja.ca | |
| Envelope Secretary | Sheila De Vaal | 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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