newsletter · newsletter week commencing may 8th jerusalem sunday . message from the rector the...
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NEWSLETTER
Week Commencing May 8th
Jerusalem Sunday
Message from the Rector
The Compass Rose Society (CRS)
supports the programs and ministries
of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the
Anglican Communion. Founded in 1994
at the Old Palace in Canterbury, the
Society has become an important
financial resource to the Communion
and a valuable voice in communicating
the news of the work which maintains
and improves unity in the Communion.
Since its inception, the Society has donated more than $9 million (USD) to
support the Communion. The CRS gathers for an annual meeting in
England to consider the year previous and to examine the year
forthcoming. It is a group of Anglicans from different parts of the globe
concerned about supporting the work and mission of our church.
Bishop Philip Poole is a founding member of Canadian Compass Rose
Society and has been involved is spreading the word and influence of the
CRS in Canada.
Last Autumn, on October 28 and 29 the Compass Rose Society held its
annual meeting in London, England. Our Diocese is a member of this
Society and I was honoured to be asked to attend and to visit the hallowed
halls of Lambeth Palace. Also attending from the Diocese of New
Westminster were Bishop Michael Ingham and his wife, Nancy Southam.
We heard from the Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of
Canterbury and also the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion,
Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of
Southern Africa amongst a number of others.
We heard a number of reports and presentations but from Archbishop
Justin Welby we heard his three priorities for the Anglican Communion:
Prayer, Reconciliation and Evangelism.
All that we do must be grounded in prayer and faith in Jesus
Christ. Archbishop Welby spoke about the Community of St.
Anselm for young people (aged 19 to 35) to come and live in
prayerful and service-filled community at Lambeth Palace.
Reconciliation for our Anglican Communion is key to the future
of our Church. Archbishop Welby has visited with every
Primate in their own country and then issued an invitation for
all of them to meet at Lambeth Palace last January to discuss
reconciliation. Coventry Cathedral is the symbolic centre of this
ministry of reconciliation as its history is deeply grounded in the
pursuit of peace.
Evangelism is a key priority for the Church of every age as we
must be about spreading and living the good news. Archbishop
Welby reminded us that we need to be constantly aware of our
mission and where God is already working amongst us. “There
is nothing human beings can do that God cannot outdo,” he told
us.
The Compass Rose Society is a far reaching, faith-grounded, Anglican
society based on supporting the work of our entire Anglican Communion.
It was a great privilege for me to attend this meeting last October. The
Compass Rose Society continues to seek new members to support the vital
work of the Anglican Communion.
Photo left: John and
Ruth Stephens with
Archbishop Justin
Welby (photo taken by
Bishop Michael Ingham)
Photo right: John
Stephens with
Archbishop Thabo
Makgoba (photo taken
by Ruth Stephens)
The Gospel reading for this coming Sunday, the Seventh Sunday of Easter,
Jerusalem Sunday and it is also Mothers’ Day, points to Jesus’ prayer for
the forming Church of his day and also the Church of our day. Jesus said
“the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
We carry on the ministry that he began. We are Christ’s body in the world
of today. We are his hands, feet, eyes and ears as we live out his command
to love one another. We need to be grounded in the presence of God in our
lives and in our world as we follow this Jesus who continues to call us to
live out the love of God.
Holy God as we pray for Jerusalem on this day, may your Holy Spirit guide
our thoughts, hopes and dreams. As we pray for peace in the Middle East, the Holy
Land, may peace also be our own calling in life; a peace which reflects Your love for
us and that guides our actions. Today, on this Mothers’ Day we give thanks to all
those who have taught us the meaning of love: mothers, parents, friends, relations;
for in them we recognize our own calling to live in peace with our neighbours and
show your justice at home and in all places. In the name of risen and ascended One
we pray. Amen.
Father John
Pentecost Sunday is May 15
Wear red! Wear red socks, trousers, ties, shirts, shoes, whatever you have!
We will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in style!
We will be hosting a Service of Evensong for Pentecost at 4:00pm. Bishop
Melissa will be our guest preacher. This will be an Archdeaconry Evensong
and will be led by the Regional Deans and the Archdeacon of our
Archdeaconry.
Prayer for Jerusalem Sunday
Written by the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz
O God, We give thanks that your dear Son has gathered us
in the embrace of his redeeming love and sent us to make that love known
to the ends of the earth.
We pray your continued blessings on the steadfast witness of the Church in
Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East.
Give your deep joy to those who welcome the pilgrims seeking to know this
land and its many peoples.
Grace those who proclaim the Gospel.
Guide all who teach a new generation of young people.
Draw near to those who are sick and bless those who tend them.
Sustain the hope in all who long and labour for a just and lasting peace in
the land of The Holy One.
And may the companions of Jerusalem be many and faithful. We pray in
the name of our merciful Saviour, Friend, and
Brother, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
___________________
For information
Diocese of Jerusalem http://www.j-diocese.org
Canadian Companions of Jerusalem http://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem/companions
Jerusalem Relations http://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem
Jerusalem Sunday http://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem/sunday
What is Jerusalem Sunday?
Jerusalem Sunday is an annual church observance on the seventh Sunday
of Easter to celebrate and support the
ministries of the ‘living stones’ of the Diocese of Jerusalem in Jerusalem,
West Bank, Gaza, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Jerusalem Sunday is
organized each year by the Canadian Companions of Jerusalem
(www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/ jerusalem/companions). Relationship with
the Diocese of Jerusalem is important for the Anglican Church of Canada,
and the whole Communion, for learning and supporting the witness of
Christian community in the challenging context of the Middle East region
today. Many Canadian Anglicans seek to follow Jesus’ footsteps in the land
of his birth, life, death and resurrection. Many others also seek peace with
justice in solidarity with Palestinians and Israelis leading this difficult work.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is our partner on the ground in these
efforts and more.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
responds to human need with loving service
Mark of Mission 3, Anglican Communion
The Penman Medical Clinic in the town of Zababdeh in the Palestinian
Territory of the northern West Bank provides much needed consultation,
diagnostic, treatment and referral services to local townspeople and
families from surrounding villages. The Clinic is a busy place every day,
especially for women and children seeking treatment, prescriptions and
basic health care. Over the past two years, Jerusalem Sunday and the
Canadian Companions of Jerusalem have raised over $30,000 toward the
costs of diagnostic equipment and consultation room furniture. The Clinic
has outgrown its original building adjoining the Parish of St. Matthew
Episcopal Church, Zababdeh. The Diocese of Jerusalem is actively raising
funds for the development of a larger clinic on the same site.
PWRDF helping victims of fires in Fort McMurray
Like many others fleeing Fort McMurray, Compton Vigilance, a parishioner
at All Saints Anglican Church, is pretty sure he has lost his home.
“It is devastating, very devastating," he said.
But in the wake of a wildfire that destroyed much of the city, Anglicans
across the country—including Primate Fred Hiltz—are showing their
support for the victims of the blaze, and the Primate's World Relief and
Development Fund has pledged to provide financial aid.
Anglican Journal
Garden Tools Wanted for our Church Garden Volunteers
Do you have any garden tools in your garage that you never use any more?
We are looking for an assortment of tools for our gardening volunteers to
use here at St John’s. Shovels, half-moon edgers, pruners, kneeling pads,
gloves, rakes, brooms, etc. We can wash and sharpen them, so just bring
them in as is and we’ll put them to good use.
SJS @ VSO's Last Night of the Proms
The SJS choir would like to invite members to join them at this fine 120 year
tradition at the Orpheum. The VSO, Maestro Tovey and the Vancouver
Bach Choir present traditional Proms favourites like Jerusalem, Rule
Britannia and Pomp and Circumstance will be featured along with Blue
Bells of Scotland and the Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto. Wednesday
May 25th, 7pm. Limited $10 tickets available - see our Music Director
Michael Dirk or email [email protected] to reserve.
St John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church
1490 Nanton Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2E2
Telephone (604) 731-4966 (ex 11 for office)
email: [email protected] web: www.sjs.net
Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Rector Venerable John Stephens
Rector’s Warden Robyn Woodward
People’s Warden Louise Hadley
Treasurer Donald Wood
Vestry Clerk Karin Fulcher
Music Director Michael Dirk
Children’s Ministry Michael Dirk
Parish Administrator Janet Hamilton
PWRDF Rep Doug Symons
Sacristan and MC Paul Bunnell
Sunday services
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)
10:00am Sung Eucharist
Wednesday service
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 emailed to you.
St John’s has a large group of dedicated volunteers in all areas of church life:
readers, greeters, chalice administrants, coffee hour hosts, gardeners, and
others. Please contact the office if you are interested in participating.