NEWSLETTER

Week Commencing 19 May 2013
Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost is one of the great hallmarks of the church’s calendar. It ranks with Christmas and Easter. We are encouraged to understand that Pentecost is more than a spectacular and supernatural event on the calendar. “Pentecost was as necessary to the Church and to the world as Christmas Day. If we needed to know God manifest in the flesh, the High Priest of Humanity, we equally needed the presence of God who dwells in the body of the Church, and in the heart of the Christian, to illuminate, to purify, to enliven, to strengthen, and to comfort; to lead into all truth in thought and word and deed.” William Robinson Clark.

Strategic Planning
Our Church Committee met on Wednesday to discuss the business of St. John's. One of the things your committee agreed was that we would hold a strategic planning time on the 6th June. This is to ensure that as a committee we are not just fixing problems/organising events/ doing things. But at the very heart of matters there is ‘a deep clarity of purpose’. Are we all singing from the same hymn sheet as it were? Do we know what the greater purpose of our life together is? If you have any thoughts or views on these questions please send me an email or jot them down on a piece of paper and give them to me. We need your input into this please. Talk with one of the Church Committee if you prefer. Those on the Council are, myself, Fr Michael Forshaw, Judith Downes, Robyn Woodward, Alan Woodland, Philip Owen, Nancy Southam, Paul Bunnell, Peter Kidd, Louise Hadley, Blake Bromley, Kate Newman and Michael Dirk.

Rev Fr. Michael Fuller.

Back to Church
One of the important Diocesan initiatives this year will be" Back to Church Sunday” on the 15th September. I want to suggest we start preparing for this by inviting people now. It’s easy really; just say to someone you know, “Would you like to come to church with me?” Don’t be afraid that they might say no, don’t be worried that they will think you’ve become a bible basher, it’s alright if you worry they will not like it; just ask them! You never know what might happen -- you might even gain self confidence by asking and just imagine what would happen if we all just brought one person?????

Furby the Church Mouse
Are you looking for Furby? Please stay tuned for more from our Church Mouse Furby next week after Taizé. Furby rescues a package from the rain and finds a letter from Mac the Spider. Don't miss it in next week's newsletter! To read more about Furby visit his blog at http://faithfullyfurby.wordpress.com

Planning Ahead: Death & Dying Workshop Part 2
Our neighbours at St Mary’s Kerrisdale are hosting an interactive presentation and discussion about issues around aging on Saturday, June 8th from 9:00am till noon in their Parish Hall. They have invited a number of knowledgeable guests to share their expertise. For more information, please speak to the Reverend Kelly Duncan in person, by telephone at 604-261-4228 or by email at kduncan@stmaryskerrisdale.ca.

St. John’s Book Group
The next Book Group will meet in the Trendell Lounge on Wed 22nd May at 7:00pm to talk about C. S. Lewis’ ‘The Screwtape Letters’, the story of instruction given by a senior devil to his nephew, a novice demon. Books are available in the Trendell Lounge and Church Office at $16 each

NEWSLETTER

Week Commencing 12 May 2013
Seventh Sunday of Easter

 
The Celebration of Ascension
Churches around the world observe many Ascension Day traditions, such as "the blessing of the first fruits," in which grapes and beans are blessed.  Some churches depict the Ascension of Christ by raising a statue of Jesus above the altar and lifting it through a special door in the roof.  Other churches have outdoor processions with torches and banners.  In an old Ascension Day tradition from England, parishioners carried a banner bearing the symbol of a lion at the head of the procession, and a second banner bearing the symbol of a dragon at the rear.  This represented the victory of Christ over the devil.   For many Christians, Ascension Day's meaning provides a sense of hope that the glorious and triumphant return of Christ is near. It is a reminder of the Kingdom of God within their hearts, and of the ever-present Spirit of God, watching over and protecting them as they spread the light of Jesus' truth throughout the world.  But much more than this it marks the beginning of the preparation of the early church to receive the Holy Spirit.  Each one of us, like the early disciples, must open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit  --  to a transformative conversion experience. Rev Fr. Michael Fuller.
 
Church Committee Meeting  Wed May 15th 7:00pm
The next meeting of our Church Committee is Wed. May 15th at 7:00pm in Committee Room 100.  Your prayers are asked for our Wardens, Trustees and Church Committee Members as they undertake the business of the Parish.  Details of the discussion will be communicated as soon as possible after the meeting.
 
DIOCESAN SYNOD 2013: Reconnecting - Locally and Globally
The 113th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster.
MAY 24 AND 25, 2013, AT THE ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTRE 3075 Slocan St., Vancouver
The Synod is rather like an AGM of a large corporation or, more properly, a large family gathering.  We will be represented by our elected delegates and Rector but all are welcome to attend and it would be really good to see some St. John’s folk around!  In addition to the Synod business we will be joined by our Synod Partner: Bishop James Tengatenga, Diocese of Southern Malawi and Anglican Consultative Council Chairman.
For further information please visit the Diocesan website.
 
It’s the Rector again!
I sometimes find it difficult to ask for help without sounding as if I am complaining or criticising, but this is something I would love to have your cooperation with please.  There seems to be a growing tendency before the service for people to stand around in small groups talking rather loudly, often in the doorway, whilst others prepare themselves for worship.  Perhaps I could use a notice we had back in the old country:   

Before worship we speak with God,
During worship we listen to God
After worship we speak with each other.

The North Shore Light Opera Society Presents:
Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance
Preview on Thurs, May 16 at 8.00 pm
Opening Night on Fri, May 17 at 8.00 pm.
Performances on  May 18,23,24,25,29,30,31 at 8:00 pm
Sunday Matinees:  May 19 & 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Closing Night: Sat June 1 at 8.00 pm
All performances at Presentation House Theatre, 333 Chesterfield Ave., North Vancouver.
Ticket prices - Adults $30, Seniors $25, Students $20,  Preview $10.
To order, please contact Box Office at 604-990-3474 or boxoffice@phtheatre.org