Sunday, February 19 - The Last Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings
The scripture readings for Sunday, February 19th (The Last Sunday after the Epiphany) are: 2 Kings 2: 1-12; Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6; Mark 9: 2-9

Parish Council Conversation Corner
If you have questions, concerns, ideas or just want to chat, the Parish Council Conversation Corner is there for you. On Sunday, February 19th, the Parish Council members will be Barbara Dransch and Peter Oliver.

Sunday Drum Circle - February 5th, 12:30pm
Drums are provided, all ages welcome. For more information contact: Caitlin Beck, Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministries.

Lost Items
If you have lost any items at St John's please reclaim them. A box with lost items will be in the Parish Hall on Sunday, February 19th, during coffee after the 10:15 am service. Unclaimed items will be donated to the Community Shop on Tuesday, February 21st.

The office at St John's will be closed Monday, February 20th
Monday, February 20 is a Provincial Statutory holiday (Family Day) and the church office will be closed.

Newcomers’ Lunch – Sunday February 19th, 12:00 pm, in the Well
All newcomers are cordially invited to the Newcomers' Lunch on February19th. Council members will be there along with heads of committees for you to chat with and talk about your participation in a group of your interest. This is a potluck meal but of course only NON newcomers are to bring a dish. Newcomers are our guests this time!! This will take place immediately after church in the Well on February 19th.

Annual Vestry Meeting Sunday, February 26th following the 10:15 service
Vestry is the annual meeting of the parish to consider all of its affairs, to report on finances for the past and coming year, to elect officers and consider any other business. All are invited to attend as we consider key questions about our future. To be eligible to vote at the Annual Vestry Meeting you should be sixteen years of age or over, a regular worshiper with this congregation, a supporter by regular contributions and not intending to vote as a member of another Vestry. The Annual Vestry Report will be available for pick up at the back of the Church on Sunday, February 19.

Update on Search for New Incumbent
The search process for a new Incumbent continues. The Diocesan Appointments Committee met on February 9 and has now put forward the up-to-three candidates to be considered by the Parish Committee. Our Parish Profile will be forwarded to these candidates and each will be asked to respond in writing to the Parish Committee. In the meantime the Parish Committee will be meeting with our Archdeacon, Rev. Peter Crosby and a lay representative from the Diocesan Appointments Committee to review the candidates’ résumés and to discuss interview questions and strategies. It is expected that interviews will take place by the end of March with the hope of having a new Incumbent in place by the end of June. If you have questions about the process please speak to one of the members of the Parish Committee: Shannon Bagg, Barbara Dransch, Tony Lovink, Mary Frances Marshall, Peter Oliver, and Monica Patten.

Bridgehead
Bridgehead production will be on sale next Sunday Feb 26th after the 10:15 service.

Terrific Tuesdays - February 21st, 5-7pm, Parish Hall
All are welcome to share a meal in the Parish Hall from 5-7pm.Thank you to Douglas Warnock for supplying the soup for this coming February 21st . Coordinator, Daphne Strange ( JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING )

Parish Council Meeting
Parish Council meets this coming Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall.

Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday is coming up soon on February 22. There will be a Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes in the chapel at 10:00 am, and again at 7:30 pm in the church following the PWRDF Poverty Supper.

PWRDF Poverty Supper - Ash Wednesday - February 22nd, 5:30 pm, in the Parish Hall
Our annual PWRDF Poverty Supper will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd at 5:30 p.m., prior to the Ash Wednesday Service at 7:30 pm.  Following a brief presentation and video on PWRDF programs, Julia Thompson, one of own parishioners, will speak about her 14 years of work with NGOs in South Africa, as well as the development challenges facing one of the newest emerging economies (BRICS) in the world.  Be sure to sign the Poverty Supper sign-up sheet to indicate your attendance and what you can bring to supper (soup, bread or butter).  There is no cost and all are welcome.

Lenten Bible Study
A sign-up sheet is posted on our hall bulletin board inviting you to join our exploration of the Passion Narratives as recorded by Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. The first session will consider Mark's proclamation in Chapters 14 and 15 of his gospel. There is a choice of afternoon (2:00-4:00 pm) or evening (7:30-9:30 pm) sessions every Wednesday in Lent, beginning February 29th and concluding April 4th.

World Day of Prayer - March 2, 12 pm, First Church of Christ, Scientist, 288 Metcalfe
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together the first Friday of March to observe a common day of prayer each year. Information about this event is posted on the bulletin boards.

Cara in Concert -  Sunday, March 4th, 2:00 pm
On Sunday, March 4th at 2:00 pm, the Strings of St John's will present a concert featuring our Artist-in-residence,  Cara Gilbertson. The programme will include music by Haydn, Bach, Vaughan Williams, Korngold and Whitacre. Tickets are available from the parish office.  Information: www.stringsofstjohns.ca.

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer: A Quiet Time - Sat., March 10, 2012, 2-4 pm, In the Chapel (side door)
What are three names you would give to God? A Lenten quiet time to explore God’s presence as creator, redeemer and sustainer, to be offered by Carol Edgar in the chapel on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., will include a candle to centre us, a question to start us off, singing and readings, breathing exercises and a guided imagery meditation followed by individual reflection, gentle exercises and optional sharing to bring us back together, and a litany and blessing to send us on our way. A sign-up sheet has been posted. Come and explore more than one divine attribute!

Next Baptismal Service - April 15th
Our next Baptismal Service is scheduled for the second Sunday after Easter, April 15th. Please contact the church office if you wish to have someone prepared for baptism on this occasion.

New Date -  African Christianity in Canada, Saturday, April 14, 10am -1:00 pm Parish Hall
The date of the adult Christian education seminar on African Christianity in Canada, led by Tony Lovink, has been changed to Saturday April 14 (instead of April 21).  Further details are in the adult education brochures available in the pews or by clicking here.