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Christopher Rutty
Mar 30, 20243 min read
The Story of the Easter Church
As we are in the Easter season, I thought it would be of interest to feature the story of how St. John's became known as the "Easter...
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Christopher Rutty
Dec 23, 20234 min read
So This Is Christmas @ St. John’s: A Look Back
As the Christmas season reaches a peak just as St. John’s completes its 100th anniversary on Humberside, it’s timely to look back into...
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Christopher Rutty
Dec 16, 20232 min read
Check Out the Historical Displays Around the Church
In support of the special SJWT-100th on Humberside event held on December 7th, in partnership with the West Toronto Junction Historical...
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Christopher Rutty
Dec 9, 20232 min read
St. John’s Celebrates 100th on Humberside
St. John’s Celebrates 100th on Humberside in Successful Event in Partnership With the West Toronto Junction Historical Society A special...
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Christopher Rutty
Nov 8, 20231 min read
St. John’s Remembers
To mark Remembrance Day, this Sunday’s service will feature St. John’s remarkable War Memorial Plaque and the reading of the names of...
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Christopher Rutty
Oct 21, 20231 min read
SJWT-100th on Humberside Wrap-Up Event Update
There has been an exciting change in plans for concluding the celebrations of St. John's West Toronto's 100th anniversary in our current...
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Christopher Rutty
Sep 2, 20231 min read
Celebrating SJWT's 100th on Humberside: Seeking Input for November 4th Centennial Event
St. John's will be marking its 100th anniversary on Humberside Avenue on November 4, 2023, and plans are developing for a special...
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Christopher Rutty
Aug 26, 20231 min read
The History So Far
A little over a year ago, I wrote the first of some 35 articles for this newsletter about the 100th anniversary of our St. John’s West...
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Venus Wambura
Aug 12, 20232 min read
Communications Update
Hello everyone! I’m excited to share an update on our journey together. Being part of this amazing church community has been a great...
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May Webster
Jul 29, 20232 min read
An Amateur’s Guide to Dress Patterns from History
I have a long-standing interest in what I call ‘experiential history’, that is, understanding where we came from by being there and doing...
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Quita Taylor
Jul 15, 20233 min read
35 Years of Guiding - My Story
I joined Brownies (now Embers) in 1973 when I was seven because mom (May Webster) wanted to expose me to activities I might not otherwise...
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Communications Group
Jul 8, 20231 min read
Meet our Digital Communications Assistant
Hello, everyone! I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce myself as the new Digital Communications Assistant for St. John’s...
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Christopher Rutty
Jul 8, 20234 min read
The Girl Guides & St. John’s Story, Part 2
The Girl Guides at St. John’s is more than a historical story, and more than the story of a rental client of St John’s space. To provide...
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Christopher Rutty
Jun 24, 20231 min read
St. John's Welcomes the West Toronto Junction Historical Society for its First Hybrid Meeting
On June 22nd, members of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society took full advantage of St. John's welcoming space, and especially...
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Sheila Crummey
Jun 17, 20233 min read
St. John's history of inclusiveness
advocating for same sex blessings and same sex marriage When I joined St. Johns in 1983, one of the draws was the inclusion of our three...
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Christopher Rutty
Jun 17, 20232 min read
Cold Calls and Joyful Colours: Interview With Rev. Gary van der Meer
St. John’s Incumbent, Sept. 2001 - September 2011 As was reported in the May 27th newsletter, I conducted a 60-minute video interview...
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Christopher Rutty
Jun 17, 20231 min read
Meeting of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society
St. John's Hosting Special Hybrid Meeting of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society, Thurs. June 22, 7:00 pm St. John's is pleased...
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Christopher Rutty
Jun 3, 20232 min read
Closing the Doors on Doors Open Toronto @ St. John's, 2023
After a break of 15 years, St. John's once again participated in Doors Open Toronto on May 27 and 28, with more than 200 people venturing...
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Christopher Rutty
May 27, 20231 min read
Interviewing Rev. Gary van der Meer, St. John’s Incumbent, Sept. 2001 – Sept. 2011
Reverend Gary van der Meer, St. John’s Incumbent from September 2001 through September 2011, sat down for an interview with me on Tuesday...
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Christopher Rutty
May 21, 20231 min read
Building Stories & Preparing for Doors Open
As St. John’s prepares to participate in Doors Open Toronto next weekend, for the benefit of the volunteers that will welcome visitors...
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