Communion 2021
Communion 2021
Welcome to the Anglican Church
of St John’s West Toronto
St. John's Anglican Church is an energetic community of faith in West Toronto where you will find a variety of worship experiences and opportunities for learning and socializing. Based on our baptismal vow that "we respect the dignity of every human being", we affirm diversity and embrace inclusiveness.
We have something to offer you and we know we can learn something from you. You're welcome here – let's journey together!
The church building has re-opened for in-person worship. Services also continue to be available online.
For those attending in person
Please be assured that we will be following all Covid-19 safety protocols and Diocesan guidelines, including mask-wearing, screening and contact tracing, and physical distancing.
Disposable masks will be available if you forget. We encourage you to also bring a personal, reusable water bottle as we are not permitted to distribute cups of water at this time.
Diocesan COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Please read the pastoral letter from Bishop Asbil on vaccination policy.
If you are a volunteer, an employee, contractor or a member of the pastoral team at St. John's you must be fully vaccinated.
To learn how this applies to you, read the full Diocesan mandatory vaccination policy here.
For further information, or to make arrangements to provide vaccination proof, please speak with Cheryl, Greg, or Philip, or send an email to wardens@sjwt.ca.
Get the latest news about our worship and community ministries. Click on the box to subscribe to our email list.
Holy Eucharist
for the First Sunday in Advent
November 28, 9:30 am
Presider: Mother Alexandra Stone
Deacon: The Rev. Evelyn Butler
Preacher: Mother Alexandra Stone
Piano: Dan Gooch
Vocalists: Genesis Bovas, Brandyn McKinson, Alie Rutty
Congregational singing is now allowed.
Please follow all other safety measures, including wearing a mask and maintaining a 2m distance from those outside your household while singing.
Joining us by Zoom?
Click here for the Order of Service
Join Zoom Meeting.
Meeting ID: 997 9540 2224
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aSnZBp1oW
You may wish to create a sacred space by lighting a candle.
Intercessions:
You are invited to add your name or another's name for our prayers for those who are ill, in distress, or have died
Needs and celebrations:
Share your celebrations and requests for prayer at the end of the Sunday service.
Contact Deacon Evelyn at deaconevelyn@sjwt.ca
Prayer resources:
Here are some resources that may help your daily prayer. If you have other prayer resources please send them, along with a brief description, to deaconevelyn@sjwt.ca.
Advent
Weekly Prayer Service
Wednesdays at 7 pm
from November 24 to December 15 on Zoom
Prayer is the most important part of discernment. Please join us for a special weekly prayer service we continue to discern a way forward at St. John's.
Wednesday, December 1 Scripture themes:
1 Corinthians 12, 1-11 – Variety of gifts
Mark 4, 1-23 – Scattered seeds
The Rev. Bob Shantz will will offer a brief homily on the work of discernment.
Join Zoom Meeting.
Advent video series
Do you have questions? Is there something you've always wanted to know about the Church or the Christians faith?
Throughout the season of Advent, St. John's will produce a series of short videos in which we discuss theological topics of interest. If you have any questions you'd like to see included in the series, please email them to Mother Alexandra at pastor@sjwt.ca
Food security
Regular Saturday morning food drop off
9:00 to 11:00 am at the church.
Donations will be given to the Four Villages Community Health Centre, a local not-for-profit providing health care services and programming in West Toronto since 1991. Their weekly food drive provides food to around 70 families every week!
If you know of anyone who needs food, contact Deacon Evelyn. Download the list of needed items here.
Donations of fresh fruits and vegetables that don’t perish quickly (ie; squash, bags of apples, potatoes, etc.) will now be accepted.
Holly Tea and Craft Sale is going live on Facebook this coming week
Shopping starts this Friday December 3 at 6 pm
and ends on Sunday, December 5 at 6 pm
Go to www.facebook.com/HollyTea2021
Rediscover and explore the spiritual and inspirational themes of Christmas! Holly Tea and Craft Sale is one of our biggest fundraisers and social events for the year and we hope you will join in the fun!
Many of our former vendors are returning. Favourite sweets and savouries will be for sale (think lemon curd!). Act fast!
Enjoy seasonal artwork, readings and musical performances to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Want to help make it a success? Here are four ways:
• Invite crafters, artisans, and local small businesses to participate in the sale or pass on suggestions to us. Download our Call for Artisans and Crafters for more information.
• Donate items for the sale – gift items, preserves, jams, baked goods
• Donate your artistic talents for our event. The deadline for digital recordings is November 27! Download our Call for Performers for more information.
• Encourage family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances to participate!
If you can help, or have any questions, please email us at info@sjwt.ca
or call 416-763-2393.
The retaining wall adjacent to the tower door has been rebuilt
Thanks to Greg Los, Chris Rutty, John Spragge and Greg Freeland, one of our community garden participants.
SJWT Book Club
Next meeting
Monday, December 6 at 7:30 pm on Zoom
Our current book is Something Beautiful Happened: A Story of Survival and Courage in the Face of Evil by Yvette Manessis Corporon.
Join Zoom meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95913884556?pwd=V3NxblBCZ3BEMVZ3d2d3dmFOUXc4QT09
Meeting ID: 959 1388 4556
Passcode: 032884
Support our music programming
Please make a special donation. Please note that it is for Music at St. John's.
Thank you to those who have already donated!
Decorating in the church for Christmas
Please donate live poinsettias or other Christmas flowers during Advent. You can drop them off on Saturday mornings. If you wish to donate in memory of someone, please contact info@sjwt.ca
If you prefer, you can donate cash. Interac transfers are accepted at wardens@sjwt.ca. Please note on the transfer that the donation is for floral decor.
Volunteering at St. John's
There are many diverse opportunities to find fulfilment and have fun through volunteering here at St. John's.
Find out more.
Students!
Are you looking for volunteer hours?
There are opportunities for you too.
Contact info@sjwt.ca
Drop In Crafts Guild –
Saturdays at 10 am
Join fellow crafters, whether you are experienced, a beginner, or in between, for a fun time socializing in person at our church. If you have a project you want to work on, please bring your instructions and materials with you. If you don't have an idea yet, join us and we may have something for you or can lead you in the right direction. Feel free to ask questions and share frustrations and triumphs!
Young Adults
Sacred Text Studies & Meditation
over Google Meets.
Sundays 12 pm - 1 pm
Click here for details.
To join, email Genesis at youth@sjwt.ca
Young Sounds
Open mic for youth ages 15-25
Postponed until further notice
Stay tuned for details
Interested in performing?
Contact Genesis at youth@sjwt.ca.
Creative responses from our members to the topics JOY and JUSTICE in our Dreams & Visions: Zine Editions I &II
Find them on the Children and Families page.
Learn more about Indigenous justice
Visit the Indigenous Justice webpage on the Diocesan website.
Check out Diocesan News
Find updates about current events, issues of The Anglican.
Land Acknowledgment
Creator, you made all people of every land. It is our responsibility to give thanks and respect to those who first occupied this land we are upon. We give thanks to the Wendat, the Anishinabee, the Mississauga of the Credit and the Haudenosaunee, the first people of this land.
We offer our respect to those ancestors who may be interred on this land. We are also thankful for the gifts of the People of the land. Creator let us be of Good Mind to reconcile the mistreatment of this land and to those who have been displaced.
With thankful and respectful hearts, we pray in Your name, Your son the Peacemaker and the Sacred Spirit. Amen
The Land Acknowledgement is taken from A Liturgy for The National Indigenous Day of Prayer https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/nidp-liturgy.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1oWVCmVyX1tQWadWWfd1e5PoGDl4bf_p77nxkedV50uBflICO4BE2MUa8
Every Child Matters logo andyeverson.com
St John's performs same sex marriages.