The E-Postle, November 28, 2021

November 30, 2021

First Sunday of Advent
E-Postle
November 28, 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: Children’s Talks begin this Sunday Nov. 28 and through Advent, Pastoral Message – Mickey M., Pastoral Message – Archie Young, Return to Zoom-Only Worship through December, Flowers for the Altar, Tech & Hospitality Volunteers Needed for Worship, Ongoing Pastoral Care & Support
Formation: Parish Advent Program – “Close to Home”, Anglican Advent Email Devotions – “Light, Dark, Land, Advent”, PWRDF Advent Devotional Guide – “Thread of Hope”, Area Youth Group!
Stewardship: Stewardship Reflection
Parish Matters: Beware Email Scams, Current Parish Office & Buildings Status, Financial Status for August and September 2021, Parish Giving, Ongoing Updates Pages, E-Postle Submissions
Parish Ministries: Anglican Church Women (“A.C.W.”) News, New Members for the Altar Guild, ReSponse News, Food Bank Report
Community News: PWRDF BC Flood Relief, Prayer Shawl, Advent Service of Light – Friday, Dec. 3, 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, November 28 8:30am & 10:00am – ZOOM ONLY – Morning Prayer + Children’s Talk

https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09
Meeting ID: 542 312 325
Password: 010729

Sunday, November 28           following 8:30am and 10:00am worship – Informal Zoom “Coffee Hour”
Tuesday, November 30          10:15am – 12noon – Bible Study
Tuesday, November 30          7:00pm – 8:00pm – Prayer Group
Tuesday, November 30          7:00pm – 9:00pm – Parish Council meeting

WORSHIP & PRAYER

Children’s Talks begin this Sunday Nov. 28 and through Advent

Beginning this Sunday, Nov. 28, and through the 4 Sundays of Advent, we look forward to having a Children’s Talk each week at our 10am worship. Families will also be leading us in an Advent candle lighting liturgy during each service.

Pastoral Message – Mickey M.

We are sad to announce that parishioner Mickey M. died this past week, soon after celebrating her 91^st birthday. As we grieve this loss together, please also keep her sons Rob and Paul and the rest of the family in your prayers. May Mickey rest in God’s peace.

A memorial service is planned to be held at our parish sometime in the future after COVID-restrictions lift more. Sympathy cards may be sent c/o Rob, to Mickey’s original home address (please contact the office if you need this information) or sent to the parish office to be passed on to the family. Rob invites everyone who knew and wishes to honour Mickey to remember to say “I love you” to a loved one, and to consider planting some flowers.

Pastoral Message – Archie Young

We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to parishioner Claire Prentice and family as they grieve the recent death of Claire’s father Dr. Archie Young. His service has been postponed due to the floods in the Valley, but will be at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Chilliwack probably in February. We pray that Archie rest in God’s peace.

Return to Zoom-Only Worship through December

In light of the realities of Vivian’s continuing medical treatment, Council has decided to return to Zoom-only worship through to the end of the year. This will offer maximum flexibility for adjustments to worship as needed, as well as continued stability and nurturing of community for Sunday services. Council will be discussing ideas for worship at Christmas at our November meeting and will update as soon as we have a plan.

Flowers for the Altar

Due to services being held via Zoom until the end of the year, we ask that anyone who has signed up to have flowers at the Altar choose an alternative date once in-person services are 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 (future) 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.

Zoom Hospitality includes:

Welcoming everyone as they arrive in the Zoom meeting room.
Greeting visitors and inviting them to provide contact information so we can follow up with them.
(if available after the service) Serving as “host” for virtual coffee hour

Zoom Tech Support includes:

Screen-sharing the bulletin and other documents during the service
Muting and unmuting Zoom participants
Conveying feedback to the In-Person Tech Support about any adjustments needed to sound or video
Adding onscreen names for people who telephone in
Recording a count of participants
Following protocols for removing any Zoom bombers (hasn’t been needed to date!)

In-Person Tech Support includes:

Setting up and taking down equipment, opening/closing software programs on main laptop
Doing a sound-check of microphones pre-service
Receiving feedback from the Zoom Tech Support before and during the service about any adjustments needed to sound or video for Zoom congregation
Adjusting the sound levels as needed during the service
Switching camera views during the service

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

Parish Advent Program – “Close to Home”

When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas season, we journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. There is an “already but not yet” tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our everlasting home—is not fully realized. We have a deep longing for God to come close to us. This Advent, may we be comforted by the One who dwells intimately with us. May we expand safety and sanctuary for everyone wandering far from home. May we come home—wherever home is found—to live fully with joy, hope, and courage. (From the publisher’s description of the program.)

This Advent, we will be using a daily devotional guide that offers Biblical commentary, poetry, visual art, written reflections, and journaling and Sabbath prompts based on the “Close to Home” theme. An emailed electronic version will be available, with printed copies mailed to those who request it (donations are welcome to offset printing and mailing costs). Please connect with Vivian at rector@stja.ca if you are interested in an emailed or print copy of the devotional guide.

Our Sunday liturgies will weave together the program theme with our scriptures for the day. There will be opportunities for sharing and discussion at 3 Sunday coffee hours beginning next Sunday, Dec. 5, as well as at our Tuesday 10:15am Bible studies beginning Dec. 7. Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican will also feature some of the devotional material and invite commentary and reflection – feel free to jump in as you feel called to do so!

Anglican Advent Email Devotions – “Light, Dark, Land, Advent”

Sign-up for a daily email in Advent with brief reflections from people throughout the Anglican Church of Canada. Writers will share how experiences of light, dark, and being on the land teach us about the season of Advent. They are not long; only 50-100 words. An image or photograph accompanies each written reflection.

The contributors to this year’s calendar are lay and ordained leaders from all over the church. The vast majority are Indigenous Anglicans, voices from the present as well as the past. Discover the wisdom and perseverance of early Indigenous Anglicans who were founders and builders of the church as well as the calls and observations of those leading the church now.

Visit https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-resources/2021-advent to register to receive these emails, which will begin Dec. 1.

PWRDF Advent Devotional Guide – “Thread of Hope”

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is offering an Advent resource that delves into the work and ministry of this national ministry. Designed to be used as a daily reflection received in your inbox, Thread of Hope ties together a diverse array of writers, viewpoints and activities.

Each week of Advent begins with an illustration, that introduces the theme and scripture passage that takes us through the familiar Advent story, from the angel messengers and the journey to Bethlehem, to the shepherds responding to the message and the birth of Jesus. You will read a reflection from a PWRDF partner, volunteer or staff member, followed by a guided meditation (read or listen!). During each week, a different writer will reflect on a scripture passage and offer a prayer for each day, followed by a PWRDF story.

Visit https://pwrdf.org/advent2021 for more information, and to sign up for the daily emails, which begin on Nov. 28.

Area Youth Group!

Are you a member of our St. John’s community that is aged 14 to 19? There is a local youth group that meets to have fun together at St. Laurence Anglican Church regularly and is involved in all sorts of youth-related community and church projects! For more information or updated details about upcoming youth events, please feel free to contact Kristin Kuhn (778-957-8987 and/or bobandkristinkuhn@gmail.com).

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Reflection

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

Luke 21:25-36
One of the themes in today’s gospel invites us, as we begin a new Church year, to be a people who are different, set apart. How do our words and (more importantly) our actions, set an example to others that we are living a stewardship life?

PARISH MATTERS

Beware Email Scams

Please continue to stay vigilant about email scams, especially as the holiday season approaches. In the past, fraudulent emails claiming to be from Vivian ask if you are busy or say that she needs a favour; other messages have claimed she is in a meeting and emailing to ask you to handle a request discreetly. When you reply, the person asks you to purchase a gift card (or something similar) so that she can help someone in need. Please note that Vivian would never ask for help in this manner!

You can often tell that a message is fake if you look carefully at the originating email address, if the tone/wording seems strange, and if the request asks you to give money in an odd way. If you ever have any doubt about an email’s authenticity, please feel free to call Vivian (or email rector@stja.ca directly in a separate email) to confirm.

For further information, here are 2 government resources re: email fraud recommended by the diocese: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/internet-email-telephone.html and https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Current Parish Office & Buildings Status

Note: You may view our original reopening plan, the guide for user groups, as well as diocesan updates at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/

WORSHIP
Zoom-only services will be in effect through the end of December. For additional information, please see the “Worship & Prayer” section of this epostle.

PARISH OFFICE
The Parish Office is usually open 3 partial days a week – generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10am-2pm – but this schedule may shift from time to time. 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.

SMALL GROUPS
Parish 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 (see “Guidelines for User Groups” at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/).

The main protocols for small groups include:

obtaining prior approval to meet via the church office
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
staying home if feeling sick or having had any potential exposure to COVID

OUTSIDE USER GROUPS
The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church have resumed in-person worship in our space on Sunday afternoons. Two of our community 12-step groups are currently meeting in our space; the third has opted to hold off on meeting in-person for the time being. All groups are following strict safety protocols (see “Guidelines for User Groups” at https://www.stja.ca/2021/updates-re-coronavirus/).

Financial Status for August and September 2021

We append below the Parish financial status for your information.

Statement of Income and Expenses ending 30^th day of September 2021

	August 2021 Actual $	September 2021 Actual $	September 2021 Budget $	YTD September 2021 Actual $	YTD September 2021 Budget $
Income	11,927.70	13,519.70	18,620.82	140,513.64	167,587.38
Expenses	17,714.20	18,320.87	18,541.32	154,348.72	166,871.88
Surplus (-) Loss	(5,786.50)	(4,801.17)	79.50	(13,835.08)	715.50

	August 2021 Actual $	September 2021 Actual $	September 2021 Budget $	YTD September 2021 Actual $	YTD September 2021 Budget $
Offering for General Funds	8,361.00	10,543.00	15,333.33	88,283.00	137,999.97
Offering for Property	911.70	1,121.70	0	9,411.30	0

Treasurer’s Note: Contributions have increased with the opening of in-person worship, but we do still have a growing deficit. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

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 (“A.C.W.”) News

Parish Fall Bazaar

Regrettably, the A.C.W. have decided that due to the restrictions of the Pandemic, and concerns over Covid, that we will not be organising the Parish Fall Bazaar again this year.

We gratefully request, that if it is within your means, that you consider making a donation to the parish to the value of what you might spend at the Bazaar in lieu of this event. The cut off date for making donations will be December 12^th. You will, of course, be given a tax receipt for your donation.

Please make your donations directly to the Parish, with the notation ‘Fall Bazaar’ on your cheque or direct deposit. Thank you for your support of our Parish and the ACW outreach mission.

Canadian Church Calendars
We still have 9 Canada Church Calendars available for a cost of $7 each. If you would like to purchase one, please contact Antoinette at: toni.woodman@shaw.ca .

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

(Submitted by Mary Kyle)
The S. Family
Please pray for the S. family in Turkey (originally from Afghanistan). There seemed to have been some progress made with their application to come to Canada, but now there are complications. The Diocese is asking for help from various organizations to work out the problem. Please keep this family in your prayers, especially the adult son, M. Thank you.

The N. Family
The N. Family is settling in well! The children are all in school now and the father is working on getting a B.C. drivers license. The Deanery ReSponse group has donated a new computer for the family which has recently been installed.

Food Bank Report

Parish Council decided to continue to support the SHARE Foodbank in 2021 with donations of $500 per month taken from the St. John’s Foodbank fund, 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

PWRDF BC Flood Relief

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is now accepting donations toward an emergency response in British Columbia. The news of the destructive floods, especially after a particularly devastating fire season in the province, are moving Anglicans to reach out to offer support.

As with most in-Canada emergencies, the need for funds will grow in the weeks and months ahead as the flood waters recede and people begin the work of rebuilding, restoring and healing. PWRDF will continue conversations with the Dioceses of New Westminster and Kootenay, and leadership in the Territory of the People, as to how funds will be best used.

Please visit https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-accepting-donations-for-b-c/ for details on ways to give.

Prayer Shawl

On behalf of all of us in the parish family of St. John’s a prayer shawl was delivered to Vivian on Tuesday. She will feel the warmth of our thoughts and prayers wrapped in it as she continues on her journey toward healing and complete health.

Advent Service of Light – Friday, Dec. 3

The ACAM (Anglican Canadian-Asian Ministries) of our Diocese welcome you to an Advent Service of Light, featuring the Holden evensong with lots of beautiful music. You are invited to join in-person or via Zoom this Friday, December 3rd – 6:30pm.

Please contact the office at administrator@stja.ca for the Zoom link to this event.

St. Titus Anglican Church, 680 West 49th Ave., Vancouver (@Tisdall St., between Cambie and Oak). Refreshments to follow the service.

Spring Street Community Kitchen

Thanks to all who participated in our most recent kitchen, where we shared our favourite holiday recipes. The recipes will be available soon at https://www.facebook.com/SpringStreetCommunityKitchen.

Donations raised in support of our Spring Street Community Kitchen are being re-gifted to the communities we serve. Funds raised for this gathering will be gifted to the Phoenix Society, a multi-service agency dedicated to providing accessible services and opportunities to people who face barriers related to addiction, mental health, housing, education, criminal justice involvement and/or employment.

We always welcome volunteers for future kitchens – planning, hosting, moderating, and tech support are just some of the roles available.

(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. Andrew, Langley – The Rev. Andrew Halladay, The Rev. Helen Lingham, The Rev. Lorie Martin
General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada – The Venerable Alan Perry – and The General Synod Staff
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 Greg Mohr.
The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church.

Readings for November 28, 2021 – First Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

Readings for December 5, 2021 – Second Sunday of Advent

Baruch 5:1-9; in place of the psalm, Canticle 19 (Luke 1:68-79); Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6a

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

Graphic at top of page (Inspired by Luke 21:25-36) is used by permission – “”Awake to Wonder”” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity © A Sanctified Art LLC – sanctifiedart.org

CONTACT US