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 Feast of Dedication
October 24, 9:30 am
"Incarnational presence"
© Zatletic | www.dreamstime.com. Detail of a stained glass window by Sieger Köder in the church of Saint John in Piflas, Germany.
Presider: The Rev. Margaret Rodrigues
Deacon: The Rev. Evelyn Butler
Preacher: Mother Alexandra Stone
Piano: Dan Gooch
Vocalists: Genesis Bovas, Emily Eakins, Alie Rutty,
Brandyn McKinson
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
A SACRED SPACE
You may wish to create a sacred space
by lighting a candle.
Intercessions:
If you wish to add your name or another's name for our prayers for those who are ill, in distress, or have died, please email deaconevelyn@sjwt.ca
Needs and celebrations:
Email deaconevelyn@sjwt.ca with your celebrations and requests for prayer to share at the end of the Sunday service.
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 Deacon Evelyn at deaconevelyn@sjwt.ca.
Food security: there is still a great need
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!
Please wear a mask when you drop off your donation.
If you know of anyone who needs food, contact Deacon Evelyn.
Autumn Food Drive
Saturday, November 6, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Drop off day
Saturday, November 13, 9:30 am - 11:00 am
You are invited to join the Social Justice and Advocacy Committee to walk with a partner or walk solo in the St. John’s neighbourhood to distribute flyers. Choose a walk that best suits your time and stamina. This activity will:
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Assist our neighbours to donate food to Four Villages Community Health Centre Food Cupboard and our Deacon’s cupboard
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Inform our neighbours of SJWT worship services and other activities
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Enable you to visit with your partner or make a new friend as you walk in the fresh air
Masks are required.
Please let Evelyn know your availability by email
Music at St. John's
Virtual Choir
SJWT Virtual Community Choir returns on November 21 for Reign of Christ Sunday.
Interested in joining or want more info?
Email info@sjwt.ca
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
Flowers and plants bring beauty and colour into our worship space and help us celebrate the Glory of God. Here are just some of the ways you can take part in this ministry:
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Bring a live, blooming house plant to church;
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Contact us to arrange to bring cut flowers to church for use in arrangements;
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Donate money for purchasing flowers and decorating materials (e.g. ribbons, silk flowers).
If you would like to donate flowers/plants in honour of a loved one or a special occasion, please let us know and we would be glad to include a note in our Bulletin. Contact info@sjwt.ca
Interac transfers are accepted at wardens@sjwt.ca. Please note on the transfer that the donation is for floral decor.
Join with the Diocesan Social Justice Committee for their virtual Outreach & Advocacy Conference: “Re-Membering and Re-Making Community”.
Saturday, October 30, 2021
The keynote speaker this year is the Rev. Gerlyn Henry, curate at St. Timothy, North Toronto.
Transgender Ministry workshop
Opportunities and Challenges is being offered at the Diocesan Outreach and Advocacy Conference on Saturday October 30 from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm. It is being facilitated by Rev. Margaret Rodrigues, assisted by Genesis Bovas and Cormac Culkeen.
To register for the entire all-day conference, or just for the Transgender Ministry session alone, please click here.
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.
We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice
Join us for a discussion with celebrated filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin.
Thursday, November 4 at 7:00 pm
Online
This monumental documentary follows a historic court case filed by the Assembly of First Nations and the Child and Family Caring Society of Canada against the federal government to expose generations of injustices endured by First Nations children living on reserves and their families.
Register here.
The film is quite lengthy at 2 hours and 43 minutes.
Please plan to watch it in advance.
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
SJWT Book Club is back!
Monday, November 1, 2021.
7:30 pm on Zoom
Join us as we discuss Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
No worries if you haven't read the book yet as our conversations follow many tangents.
Grab your favourite beverage and join us online for lively discussions!
Contact info@sjwt.ca for the Zoom link.
Drop In Crafts Guild –
Saturdays at 10 am
Join fellow crafters, experienced or beginners, 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, come 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!
Get ready for Holly Tea & Craft Sale
Coming the first weekend in December. Let's rediscover and explore the spiritual and inspirational themes of Christmas!
While we finalize the format for the 2021 edition of our annual event, here are some ways you can help:
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Know any local crafters or small businesses that might like to sell their products at our sale?
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Can you donate any jams, preserves, baked goods, or other homemade items?
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Have any crafts or other gift items that you would like to donate?
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Would you like to put together a theme basket of items to sell at our sale?
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Have any "tea time" ideas?
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Have any Christmas decorations to donate?
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Can you provide any seasonal or tea-themed photographs and art images?
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We also need performers of all sorts – can you play an instrument? Do a reading? Sing? Recite? Know other performers who could donate some time?
If you can help, or have any questions, please email us at info@sjwt.ca or call 416-763-2393.
Young Adults
Sacred Text Studies
over Google Meets.
Sunday October 24 at 2 pm - 3 pm
Click here for details.
To join, email Genesis at youth@sjwt.ca
Eco spirituality walk
Friday October 29 at 10 am
Meet at High Park station
(Quebec Ave. exit)
Join us in a walking meditation in High Park. All ages welcome!
Email Genesis at youth@sjwt.ca to join.
Dreams & Visions:
Zine Edition III
"ABUNDANCE"
launching soon.
You can find the first two zines, JOY and JUSTICE, on the Children and Families page.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
October 18 to 24 is Waste Reduction Week
St. John's supports waste reduction. Please read our policy on disposable water bottles on the Social Justice and Advocacy page. We encourage you to bring reusable water bottles to church as we are not able to supply tap water at this time.
Find out more about Waste Reduction Week events and resources here.
Join the conversation on social media:
#WasteReductionWeek
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
St John's performs same sex marriages.