The E-Postle

The E-postle – Reign of Christ, November 26, 2017

“Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci “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” What is the Reign of Christ? On November 15, 2017, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci sold at auction for $450 Million U.S. The “Saviour of the World” shows Jesus holding a crystal orb, symbolizing the world. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that the world needs saving now more than ever. But how does our liturgical celebration of the Reign of Christ fit in with the reality of our earth today? This festival is a “Kairos moment” when past, present, and future meet. We remember that Jesus came among us to reveal the good news of the kingdom. We acknowledge that the living Christ is at work in the world today, and that we can choose to be part of God’s dominion of love. We look forward to a day when justice will have full reign and the earth will be whole. It is ironic that the picture of a king who rejected material wealth just sold for so much. But his disciples are called to demonstrate that true richness comes from compassion and forgiveness and the truth spoken in love. In a time of so much uncertainty, we can hold onto this mission. Yours in Christ, Stephanie + Upcoming Dates November 26- Reign of Christ, Advent wreath making after 10 am service November 27- 7-9 pm, Parish Council meeting in the PMC November 28- 10:30-noon, “Praying with the Psalms: Thanksgiving” Tuesday bible study December 3- following 8:30 and 10 am services, Fall Bazaar revisited December 10-11:30-12:30 pm, “How...

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The E-postle – November 12, 2017

“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” Praying for the Souls of the World On All Souls Night, November 2, those who gathered to remember loved ones offered prayers of love and hope for the world. Some walked an indoor labyrinth in the church (pictured), lit candles, wrote poetry or created artwork to commemorate the day. At 9 pm, the powerful service of Holden Evening Prayer was sung by over 35 participants. As names were lifted up, we proclaimed that Jesus Christ is indeed the light of the world: a light no darkness can overcome. Many thanks to those involved who helped to make the darkness bright, especially our musicians LaRee and Gail, choir members, and those who moved church furniture and canvas to make this event ossible. Yours in Christ, Stephanie Upcoming Dates November 12- guest presider: the Rev. Arthur Nash November 16- 10:30 am- 1 pm, St. Johns Food Bank. Get a flu shot & join the community lunch November 16- 1:30 pm, Anglican Church Women meeting in the hall. All welcome. November 18- 11:30 am, Cooper-Read wedding November 20- 1:30-3:30 pm, Seniors Tea in the parish hall November 26- Reign of Christ, Advent wreath making after 10 am service November 27- 7-9 pm, Parish Council meeting in the PMC December 10-11:30-12:30 pm, “How to take out Jesus: practicing home communion” Protect You and Your Loved Ones this ‘Flu Season On Thursday November 16, a public health nurse from Fraser Health will be coming to St. Johns to offer free vaccinations against this year’s strains of influenza. If you have not yet got your ‘flu...

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The E-postle October 22, 2017

“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” Interim Process Update This week the wardens and delegates and alternates to Synod met with the new archdeacon of Lougheed, the Ven. Philippa Seagrave-Pride to begin the conversation about the formal canonical process. Your Canonical Committee will be composed of wardens Terry Walton, Maureen Simons, and Geri Grigg, and Synod delegates and alternates Mary-Lou Kyle, Natasha MacDonald, Tony Pellett, Teri Hazelton, Ruby Ng, and Sheila De Vaal. While the parish profile is being drafted, there are particular tasks for which these representatives of the parish will need your assistance. Please support them both in prayer and by being available to take on some of their regular duties to free them up for this very important work in the life of the parish. Yours in Christ, Stephanie Upcoming Dates October 22- 11:45 am, Parish Visiting Ministry Meeting October 24- 10:30-noon in the hall, First Nations 101 (note: no evening session this week) October 30-7-9 pm, Parish Council Meeting. All welcome November 2- 7:30 to 9:30 pm, All Souls Night with Holden Evening Prayer November 4- 10 am – 2:30 pm, Fall Bazaar November 12- guest presider the Rev. Arthur Nash November 20- 1:30-3:30 pm, Seniors Tea in the parish hall November 26- Reign of Christ, Advent wreath making after 10 am service Interim Priest Away on Retreat this week Our interim priest, Stephanie Shepard will be away Monday October 23 through Wednesday October 25 with the rest of the diocesan clergy on the bishop’s retreat. Please direct all pastoral concerns through the parish office so they can be...

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The E-postle – October 15, 2017

“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” Sharing Personal Information St. John the Apostle Anglican Church is committing to high standards of confidentiality and the privacy of our congregation’s members. At the same time, this parish needs ways to communicate effectively with each other and to proclaim the good news to the wider community through a variety of media. For this reason, everyone in the parish will be asked to fill out a form regarding the use of their contact information, and image and voice recording. What does this mean? By signing the form, you agree that some contact information may be included in a parish directory, which can be distributed to parishioners. Your other personal information is kept securely in the parish office and protocols are in place for staff and parish officers. You also agree not to share others’ contact information beyond the parish. By ticking the image and voice release, you can confirm that a photo with you in it may be used publicly (for example, a group shot of the community in our Parish Profile to advertise for a new priest). Please help the parish come into compliance with privacy and Screening in Faith policies by taking the time to fill in the form for your household. With this step, we are securing written permission for what people in past generations took for granted: that the Church is a family which needs to stay in touch. Yours in Christ, Stephanie Upcoming Dates October 13- 7 pm, Common Vision Concert at St. Andrews Port Moody to support food banks October 16- 7...

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Harvest Thanksgiving E-postle

Harvest Thanksgiving E-postle October 8, 2017 “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” – Mission statement adopted by Parish Council September 25, 2017 A Thanksgiving Message As Canadians celebrate a holiday weekend, take a minute to give thanks for what lies underneath the harvests of food being gathered in. Remember the hard labour of men and women in agriculture, the employment of workers in industries and transport, and the distribution of food to our communities and abroad, as well as the family and friends with which we cook and eat. As we struggle to find more sustainable and equitable ways to share what God has trusted us, let our thanksgiving table graces be sincere: For food in a world where many are hungry for truth, For family and friends in a world where many long to find community, For faith in a world where many search for meaning: Thank you, God, and stir us to be generous with others as you are with us. Amen. Yours in Christ, Stephanie+ Upcoming Dates October 8- Thanksgiving Sunday: stewardship letters handed out to parishioners October 9- office closed for statutory holiday October 10- 10:30 – noon & 7:15-8:45 pm, First Nations 101 Book Study October 13- 7 pm, Common Vision Concert at St. Andrews Port Moody to support food banks October 16- Liturgy Group meeting to plan Advent and Christmas services. All welcome. October 18- initial meeting of the Canonical Committee October 22- after 10 am service, Parish Visiting Ministry Meeting November 2- 7:30 to 9:30 pm, All Souls Night with Holden Evening Prayer November 4- 10 am –...

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The E-postle – Oct 1, 2017

The E-postle October 1, 2017 “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” Leave of Absence for Deacon Trudi Shaw Dear friends in Christ, For the past fourteen years I have been in a covenanted relationship with the parish of St. John the Apostle, Port Moody. We have worshipped together, prayed together, laughed and cried together, and walked with one another through some challenging times. You have helped me to grow into my gifts and my calling as a deacon, and have supported me as I ministered in the world – in my paid work and in my volunteer work with a number of organizations. Over the past three years you have kept the light of Christ shining for me through illness, family trauma and tragedy – and I have no doubt that I will always be able to count on your prayers and your love to carry me. After some prayerful reflection, and consultation with Archdeacon Bruce Morris, and the Clergy and Wardens team of the parish, I have decided to take a leave of absence, so I might be present to support my family, who are still suffering the after-effects of the events we have endured over these past two years. Being on leave means that I will not be torn between my responsibilities to my family and my covenanted responsibilities to my parish. I will be able to be present at some parish events when I am able, although I will be worshipping predominantly with my husband and other family members. But you will see me from time to time singing with the choir – and...

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E-postle – September 24th, 2017

The E-postle September 24, 2017 “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” – draft mission statement Interim Process Update The Interim working group, comprised of your wardens and Synod delegates and alternates, met on Tuesday September 19 to review the parish survey results. 65 responses were received. After considering the questions for the interim process posed by our Diocesan Bishop Melissa Skelton, the group feels that this parish is ready to move to the formal canonical process. It is up to the Bishop now whether she agrees with this assessment or whether there are holes in our preparation we still need to address. Once the green light is given for the canonical process, this begins a new stage of writing the parish profile, which is an invitation for a priest to apply for the position of incumbent of St. John the Apostle. This document must reflect the truth and depth of this community’s identity in order to find a good fit in the candidates to be interviewed. The parish profile will be drafted and shared with the congregation for reflection. It will then be sent to the Diocesan office. If Bishop Melissa feels that what has been written truly captures the essence of God’s work through St. Johns, the document will be advertised with the invitation for clergy to apply. However, the process of writing a parish profile usually goes through several drafts, so this could take a couple of months to complete. In the meantime, St. Johns will be continuing to make adaptive changes towards becoming a more loving and effective means of God’s grace in living...

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E-postle – September 17th, 2017

The E-postle September 17, 2017 “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” – draft mission statement YES This is a long version of the E-postle. Keep reading:there is so much good ministry happening at St. Johns this fall Port Moody Welcome Post Project and Orange Shirt Day October 1st Some parish clergy have met with Tasha Faye Evans who has been coordinating the Welcome Post Project over the summer. Her dream is to have a Welcome Post carved and placed in Rocky Point Park that is the gateway (as I learned from Reuben George) to the Salish Sea. Further to the last message advising that Council has approved financial support of this project we are confirming that October 1 st will be our recognition of our commitment to The Year of Reconciliation and to ongoing reconciliation. On this Orange Shirt Day ‘Every Child Matters’, Tasha will join us and speak to us further on the Welcome Post Project and of her dream and vision. Our ‘First Nations 101’ study, the children’s program over the summer of ‘First Peoples Principles of Learning’, our continuing support of ‘The Bird’s Nest’ along with other activities of the past are all part of our ongoing steps to reconciliation. There will be other ways in which we can be involved in this Port Moody event as June 2018 arrives. Yours in Christ, Deacon Anne Upcoming Dates September 17- 10 am, Baptism of Alexander Brian McGlashan September 17- after 10 am service, “Back to Church” Parish Picnic September 19- 10:30- noon and 7:15-8:45 pm, First Nations 101 book study September 19- 6-8...

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E-postle – September 10th, 2017

The E-postle September 10, 2017 “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” – mission statement Make the Parish Survey Your Voice in the Process St. Johns is now at the 9 month point in the interim process towards a new rector. The parish survey has gone out by email with a link to “Survey Monkey”. Paper copies are now available in the church and the parish office, both for adults and younger members. The next stage of the canonical process depends on your prayerful responses. From all that we have explored in 2017, a parish profile will be prepared that reflects both the reality of St. Johns and where the parish believes God is calling it in the future. Our task so far has been to: Encourage stories about the past Develop a narrative history Invite stories that advance a sense of strength and gratitude Assess the parish strengths and impediments Identify and begin to implement adaptive changes as needed What does this mean in real terms for this fall? I will continue to sit down and talk to groups in the parish about how St. Johns can be open and responsive to engaging the wider community as apostles of Christ. Let’s discuss how we show the world God’s love through our values, our actions, and our physical presence here in Port Moody. What does our building, our website, our worship, and our outreach say about who we believe God is calling us to be? Readiness to invite, encourage, and support new partners in ministry will mark where this community is positioned to grow in faith and numbers....

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E-postle – September 3rd, 2017

The E-postle September 3, 2017 “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” – mission statement Survey Out Yours in Christ, Stephanie + Upcoming Dates September 6-9:30 am – noon, Coffee & Crafts in the parish hall September 17- after 10 am service, “Back to Church” Parish Picnic September 17- 10 am Baptism of Alexander Brian McGlashan September 23- 3:30 pm, Wedding of Sherrill Hardy and Bruce Wise September 24- beginning 9:30 am, Walk for Reconciliation at Queen Elizabeth Plaza September 30- Orange Shirt Day (wear them to church on October 1 too!) October 8- Thanksgiving Sunday November 4- 10 am – 2:30 pm, Fall Bazaar EfM Start-up On Wednesday September 13th at 6:45 we are having an open-house evening for anyone who may be interested in starting the Education for Ministry course this year, we will gather in the PMC, the house west of the church. This will be an opportunity to meet others in the program or those that are thinking of it. It will be an introductory evening for all that come, we will have discussion of the contents of each year with review of the Reading and Reflection Guide Year A entitled “Living Faithfully in Your World”, a schedule will be set, the group norms will be set and a discussion of our individual expectations. Oh yes of course there will be worship and snacks. Stewardship Reflection “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” – Romans 1 :6 “God’s spiritual gifts are a way of getting his work done. Gifts are a demonstration of God’s Grace” (from the book Making Love...

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