Parish Conversations on our past several months:
Thanks to so many of you who participated in our parish conversations. They will contribute to further discussion and consideration as we go forward together. However, we are aware that some of you are not able to attend after-church events on Sunday. We’re pleased therefore to offer a third opportunity for a conversation: Wednesday, June 8 at 7 pm. If you are interested in attending please let the office know by phoning 613-232-4500 or emailing office@stjohnsotawa.ca. Please leave your phone number so we can confirm details closer to the date.

New Nave Altar:
With the congregation's acceptance of the new, open space in the nave, the Architectural Renewal Committee (ARC), the committee responsible for the changes to the nave, disbanded in December 2010 and the remaining tasks were assigned. Gordon Johnston and Hans Stenman took responsibility for replacing the temporary nave altar with a new, beautiful wooden moveable nave altar. On Sunday, May 29 the new altar, with new kneelers will be in place. It comes from St John the Baptist, Pierces' Corners, a church of a similar age to St John's and that has been closed for three years. They were looking for a home for their altar and other items from the sanctuary and have been delighted to donate these to us. Platforming and wheels have been added to the altar.

Sound System:
Another priority with respect to the nave was repair of the sound system. St John’s now has a fully functioning sound system in the nave as well as links to the classrooms and nursery. Our grateful thanks to Bruce Marshall for investigating the issues and for purchasing and installing the appropriate equipment. If you have any questions or comments, please talk to Bruce.

Church Garden New Tree:
At the beginning of May, the City planted a sugar maple on the Somerset Street side, a replacement for the dying tree that the City removed last year.

Volunteers: On Saturday, May 28 at 9:30, the gardening team will be planting annuals. We would be delighted to have a couple of extra volunteers. If you are able to help, please contact Gay Richardson at gay@sympatico.ca or 613-730-4404. Also, if you are interested in helping with the garden on an occasional basis, please let Gay know.

Day lilies: If you have some day lilies to donate, please contact Gay.

Art Credo 2011:
Another successful exhibition has come and gone. Thanks go to all those who helped to bring the show to fruition including: Martha Nixon who managed a good portion of the logistics; the "hangers" led by Alex Bissett; Mary Ann and Ross Varley for the excellent refreshments at vernissage; Saskia Meuffels for assisting with the arrangements of art works; Peggy Campbell for doing the online promotion notices and each of the numerous sitters who kept the doors open for two weeks! There are others who helped in less obvious ways with a variety of valuable contributions and we thank them also. We thank all the artists for offering their work for display, including ten new people, without whom there would be nothing to see! The good number of sales made, lent to the show a sense of appreciation by the wider public.

Anyone interested in assisting with this annual event should contact Martha Nixon or Jack Fisher.