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 organist@sjs.net 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: church@sjs.net 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.