NEWSLETTER. Week Commencing February 5, Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

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1 NEWSLETTER Week Commencing February 5, 2017 Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

2 From the Rector Shock waves were felt around the world as we heard the news that there was a shooting in a Quebec City mosque during Sunday evening prayers. We offer our prayers to for the victims, their families and friends and the suspect in custody. We pray for God s peace and presence. For many of us there are shock waves as well moving across our political landscape of late with the quick and simple movement of signing of executive orders in the United States. Suddenly much more welcoming borders are changing. A growing sense of xenophobia is developing. A stronger fear of those described as not belonging. A determination to build a wall, block air travel and control certain people all veiled under the guise of making the country safer. How are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ supposed to act? How might we respond to some of these current events in our world? This week, we hear from Jesus these words: You are the salt of the earth You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. We are called to be different. We are called to live and reveal salt and light. We are called to reflect the love and grace of God. We are called to live with the kind of compassion, hope and grace that we saw in the life of Jesus Christ. We are called not to hatred of the stranger or the newcomer but rather the opposite, to see in them the presence of Christ. At times like this, I often turn to Martin Luther King Jr. (whose birthday was celebrated just a couple of weeks ago) as he had incredible insight into God s hope for this world. He once said (and have used a more inclusive language version): When evil people plot, good people must plan. When evil people burn and bomb, good people must build and bind. When evil people shout

3 ugly words of hatred, good people must commit themselves to the glories of love. Please pray for your neighbours. Please pray for all who have felt the horrors of violence in their lives. Please pray for those who feel unwelcome. Please pray for refugees and those displaced by war, violence or oppression. Be salt, be light in this world. Holy God, in the midst of all the chaos and darkness of this world we seek you light. We seek your guidance and truth. We seek your holiness and voice inviting us to be light in this world. Stir us to good works which glorify your presence in this world. We pray for your direction and peace. In the name of Jesus, our salt and light, we pray. Amen. Vancouver School of Theology The Vancouver School of Theology is located on the campus of the University of British Columbia. It is a place of learning and preparation for those planning to enter into ministry (ordained or otherwise) in the Church. People of many different Christian denominations attend VST and benefit from the teachings. Their vision is as follows: The Vancouver School of Theology is called to educate and form thoughtful, engaged and generous Christian leaders together with friends of other faith and cultural traditions. We are delighted to welcome Alecia Greenfield as our preacher this Sunday. Alecia is an Anglican student at VST preparing for ordination in the Anglican Church of Canada. Please introduce yourselves and ask her about life at VST. A Rule of Life On three Mondays of January a number of members of our parish explored Benedictine Spirituality, Lectio Divina, and writing a Rule of Life. At the session on Rule of Life, the suggestion was made that we explore four parts of our lives (Soul, Heart, Strength, Mind) and from a spiritual point of view, consider how we might deepen our growth in faith in each of those areas. Where is God calling us to grow in maturity in faith? The

4 following list was offered to help stimulate the discussion and thought process. Perhaps they offer much for all of us to consider: Soul Examples Daily prayer o Pray during daily activities such as driving, showering, gardening, cooking, exercising o Live in conversation with God, both talking and listening o Collect and use books of personal devotions o Commit to regular, intentional prayer times for rhythm of life o Try different approaches to prayer such as Anglican Rosary, lectio devina, centring prayer, daily office, meditation, contemplative prayer o Join a prayer group or chain praying for the needs of others Study of Scripture and spiritual writings o Participate in Bible Study, adult formation classes, lectures, etc o Join a book club with a spiritual focus o Explore other spiritual traditions, such as Celtic expression o Find a spiritual director Worship o Participate in the Eucharist (Sunday and/or midweek) regularly o Attend alternative services such as Evensong, Taize, experimental liturgies, etc o Join in special observances like the Easter Vigil, the Stations of the Cross or a Passover meal o Celebrate fasts, fest days and festivals Quiet Time o Live in awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit o Practice the traditional spiritual disciplines o Establish Sabbath time turn off radio during commute, listen to Taize or traditional chants while walking, working out, cooking, driving, etc.

5 o Make an annual retreat o Join in leading and attending quite days o Walk a labyrinth o Practice self-examination as a prelude to confession o Start journaling Heart Examples Seek Christ in all persons Love my neighbour as myself Proclaim Christ through the ministry of hospitality: welcome and acceptance Be totally present for others Practice kindness and restraint in all situations Develop and exercise skill in listening to the needs of others Reach out to help others outside my comfort zone Create new relationships Proclaim Christ by example in the holiness of my life Be responsible companions for other members of the Church Community on their life journey: o Be trustworthy and kind o Develop and sustain shared bonds o Walk with one another through life s griefs, joys, thanksgivings,, anxieties, needs and dry spells o Support each other with prayer, reflections, listening o Stay in touch with one another o Respect one another s confidences Strength Examples Set aside Sabbath time for renewal each week to experience beauty, creation, and nature Set realistic health and fitness goals for yourself Foster your gifts through hobbies Practice responsibility and accountability in all your tasks

6 Commit to doing rather than planning to do Seek moderation and balanced life style Accept that God has placed you where I can do the work God has in mind for you Have fun! Mind Examples Read Educate yourself about issues related to peace, justice and dignity Make yourself aware of the needs of others Consider undertaking advocacy and action Study the Bible in a greater depth Take a course in learning more about theology, Bible study, church history, liturgy, etc Commit some of your time, talent and resources as a grateful response to God s love Make a list of things for which you are grateful and read it regularly Annual Vestry Meeting - nomination forms in Narthex Please plan to attend our Annual Vestry Meeting after the 10:00 Mass on Sunday, February 26. A light lunch will be offered. Nomination forms are found in the Narthex. We are seeking to fill a few different positions on our Church Committee for 2017: People s Warden, Synod Delegate, 3 Alternate Synod Delegates, Youth Synod Delegate, Members at Large. Please consider letting your name stand. Pastoral Care Mother Liz and Father John are forming a Pastoral Care Group. There will be training and guidance. Their first meeting was held last Sunday. The next meeting will be to make soup to be able to offer those on our Pastoral Care List.

7 Medical Assistance in Dying St. John s, as well as St. Philip s and Christ Church Cathedral will be presenting Dr Charles Blanke to speak on his experience of Medical Assistance in Dying in the State of Oregon. Dr. Michael McKenzie will speak about the situation here in British Columbia. It will be held at 7:00pm in the Conference Room of the Diocesan Centre. Please join us, it will be very informative. Lent 2017 Ash Wednesday (March 1) marks the beginning of the season of Lent as we examine and prepare ourselves for Good Friday and Easter. If you have palm crosses at home that you would like to have included in the palm crosses we burn to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday, please bring them to Father John. There will be a Lent Series offered in the Trendell Lounge on Monday nights in Lent: Meditations on the Last Seven Words of Christ from the Cross. Please mark your calendars (Mar 6 to Apr 3) now for this more meditational and contemplational style of Christian Formation event. Outreach Outreach to the needy is a pillar of a thriving congregation and a key activity of Anglican practice. An Outreach Interest group has met several times over the last few months to discern what forms of Outreach we at St. John's feel passionate about. The group, numbering between and chaired by Fr. John, has discussed a range of possible projects that touch our immediate neighbourhood and go far abroad. We set forth some guiding principles, with love of our neighbour being front and centre. We agreed on the principle of building synergies with other programs, be they local or global, and starting with a few projects we can do well, rather than spread ourselves too thin, too soon. This year at Vestry, the congregation will be presented with ideas for participating in several Outreach projects, participation that includes both financial contributions and active service. The projects include service to

8 homeless and needy people on the Westside, participation in refugee support, and ongoing support for global initiatives offered through PWRDF. Our aim has been to include projects that appeal to a broad base and have service opportunities for everyone. Over the next three weeks, descriptions of these Outreach projects will be included in the weekly bulletin, to provide some background before we meet at Vestry. This week, we invite you to learn more about the Westside Neighbourhood Ministry. The Anglicans of West Point Grey Neighbourhood Ministry The Neighbourhood Ministry is a key outreach program at three Anglican Westside parishes St. Anselm s, St. Helen s and St. Philip s. Initiated in 2008 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Pitman Potter, our Deacon, the Neighbourhood Ministry is now in its 9 th year of serving the homeless and needy in our neighbourhood, and transforming the lives of the many volunteers who participate. Of key importance has been the bridge building across parish boundaries that has occurred as a result of this collaborative ministry. At the core, the Neighbourhood Ministry offers care, companionship and practical support to people living on the street. Each week, a team of volunteers walks the streets and delivers packets for distribution, packets filled with donations from participating parishes. The packets contributed by St. John's this past Christmas went toward this effort, and were gratefully received by those we serve on the street. In 2016, an estimated 600 packets were delivered, and with each offering comes an opportunity for conversation and to spread God s love. In many cases, street teams are finding folks who need help completing government paperwork for ID, income and disability assistance, senior's pensions and housing. Volunteers also help our needy neighbours access medical, dental and eye care in the community. Our teams are experienced and trusted by those on the street and by the organizations and government agencies with whom we interact.

9 Over the past five years, the Neighbourhood Ministry has been successful in securing permanent housing for about 40 chronically homeless men and woman who have lived on the Westside for decades. Our work does not end when we help someone move indoors. The transition from street to home can be very difficult, and Neighbourhood Ministry volunteers continue to be a source of support and encouragement for newly-housed neighbours. One activity that has been particularly meaningful for the Neighbourhood Ministry has been its involvement at a government Supportive Housing building in Dunbar, opened in Through the Neighbourhood Ministry's efforts, 15 local, chronically homeless men were offered housing, along with people suffering from mental illness who were transferred from other facilities. The Neighbourhood Ministry serves all of the 51 residents who call the Dunbar Supportive Housing apartments home, helping build community and neighbourliness. Volunteers participate in twice-weekly dinner service, offer bingo nights, celebration of holidays, music events, and other activities. Volunteers spend considerable one on one time with residents who appreciate the individual time to share the ups and downs of life, or who need assistance with government forms and processes - obtaining bus passes, completing taxes, signing up for Canada Pension, etc. The Neighbourhood Ministry also contributes to a breakfast program, which provides free breakfast three times per week to residents. The Neighbourhood Ministry operates on a small budget offered by the participating parishes, which helps pay for incidental fees not covered through government, as well as warm sleeping bags, winter boots and other necessities. But, the Neighbourhood Ministry is very much a "hands on" effort, with volunteers involved in every aspect - from donating items for the packets, participating in packet stuffing events, joining a team to distribute the items on the street, or volunteering at Dunbar apartments. There's an opportunity for everyone to grow in faith and experience God's love through the eyes of our needy neighbours. In next week's bulletin, learn more about a new program of the Neighbourhood Ministry - the Mobile Care Unit.

10 SJS Parishioner Field Trip with Michael Dirk! Seattle's St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral has invited our organist Michael Dirk to offer a recital following their service of Compline with their renowned Compline Men's Choir. Sunday Feb 12, 9:30pm. Michael is happy to arrange ride sharing and hotel accommodation. There is the option of visiting our Bishop's prior parish, St Paul's, and catching a silent film feature with live theater organ accompaniment at the historic Paramount Theater. Monday Feb 13, 7pm. organist@sjs.net or SJS ACW Fellowship Group SJS's ACW Fellowship group meetings are resuming Wednesday, February 15th at 1PM, in the Choir Room. Refreshments provided. All are welcome. Conversation re the focus of this interest group will be a highlight. The monthly meetings provide parishioners with an informal setting to "catch up" and discuss church activities and scope. BE LOVED: A Celebration of Belovedness Fri., Feb. 17th from 6:00-8:00pm at St. Faith s in the Hall hosted by St. Hildegard s Sanctuary. You are invited to bring a favourite love poem to God, a favourite food to share, and your creative spirit. A special guest will guide us through an exploration of the spirituality of chocolate. If you prefer the sweetness of solitary contemplation, the church sanctuary will also be open for quiet reflection and creative practices. Register via to sthildegards@icloud.com by Feb 14th. A $10 offering is suggested to cover the cost of supplies.

New Walking Group at SJS all ages! Are you interested in joining a walking group at SJS? Perhaps once or twice a week, a walk around Shaughnessy with members of your parish family?

11 New Walking Group at SJS all ages! Are you interested in joining a walking group at SJS? Perhaps once or twice a week, a walk around Shaughnessy with members of your parish family? All you need is a good pair of supportive shoes. So far we are thinking of the following times: 12 noon on Mondays (right after knitting club which is also looking for new participants), 10am on Wednesdays (right after the 9:30am Eucharist), and right before/after the Sunday services. Others days/times are possible, too, depending on interest. Please contact the office for more information, and to let us know the days/times that are best for you. Let s work on improving our fitness levels together! Here is a link to a walking group that explores many locations all over Victoria: - photo shows some of the members of Victoria s Christ Church Cathedral Walking Group

St John s Shaughnessy Anglican Church 1490 Nanton Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2E2 Telephone (604) 731-4966 (ex 11 for office) email: church@sjs.

14 St John s Shaughnessy Anglican Church 1490 Nanton Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2E2 Telephone (604) (ex 11 for office) church@sjs.net web: Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:00pm Sunday services Wednesday service Rector The Venerable John Stephens john.stephens@sjs.net Curate The Reverend Liz Hamel liz.hamel@sjs.net Deacon The Reverend Dr Pitman Potter pbpotter@live.ca Rector s Warden Robyn Woodward People s Warden Louise Hadley Treasurer Donald Wood Vestry Clerk Karin Fulcher Music Director Michael Dirk Assistant Choirmaster Ann Chen Children s Ministry Spencer Britten Parish Administrator Janet Hamilton PWRDF Rep Doug Symons Sacristan and MC Paul Bunnell Verger/caretaker Amy Thorogood 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10:00am Sung Eucharist 9:30am Holy Communion Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings and Confessions are by appointment with the Rector. Please contact us if you would like to have our weekly newsletter ed to you. Cover: The Sermon on the Mount by Fra Angelico

NEWSLETTER. Week Commencing December 25. Christmas

NEWSLETTER. Week Commencing December 25. Christmas NEWSLETTER Week Commencing December 25 Christmas From the Rector Merry Christmas! As this Fourth Week of Advent comes to a close, on behalf of all the staff and lay leadership of St. John s, I want to