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On the closing of St. John’s West Toronto
I don’t remember a time in my life before St. John’s. I’ve been coming to this church since I was a baby, and it’s quite surreal and...

Alie Rutty
Jul 27, 20242 min read


A Note From Alie
The community of St. John's is inexplicably linked through ministry, outreach, events, and resources. One cannot fully exist without the...

Alie Rutty
Jul 13, 20241 min read


Behind the Tech Desk
For most of the past few years, St. John’s has consistently “punched above its weight” when it comes to providing in-person/hybrid online...

Christopher Rutty
Jun 22, 20242 min read


From Deacon Evelyn Butler
Thank you for organizing, contributing to and attending the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of my ordination to the diaconate. The
Evelyn Butler
Jun 15, 20242 min read


Celebrating Evelyn Butler's 10th Anniversary as Deacon
A special service and celebration took place at St. John's on Saturday, June 1st, to mark the 10th anniversary of Evelyn Butler's...

Christopher Rutty
Jun 8, 20241 min read


Remembering Gib Goodfellow
(Oct. 25, 1941 – Feb. 21, 2024) On December 7, 2023, at the special SJWT-100th event in partnership with the West Toronto Junction...

Christopher Rutty
Mar 16, 20242 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...
Venus Wambura
Aug 12, 20232 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...

Quita Taylor
Jul 15, 20233 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...
Communications Group
Jul 8, 20231 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...

Sheila Crummey
Jun 17, 20233 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...

Christopher Rutty
Jun 17, 20232 min read


How I Came to St. John's
In 2003, Allison and I decided we needed a larger house because we hoped to adopt a child. We found a house in the west end, overlooking...

John Spragge
Jun 2, 20232 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...

Christopher Rutty
May 26, 20231 min read


Building Inclusivity, Part 1
St. John’s West Toronto Anglican Church takes pride in its inclusivity, in its welcoming “Open Doors and Open Minds” identity. In my...

Christopher Rutty
Apr 28, 20234 min read


How Many Roads Must a Man Walk Down?
It was January 15th, the Second Sunday of Epiphany. Only two weeks into the new year, with everyone – or some of us, at least – still...

Caspian Sawczak
Apr 28, 20233 min read


The Boy Scouts & St John’s Story
Christopher Rutty & John Webster St. John’s has a rich legacy as a partner with Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, the latter continuing today,...

Christopher Rutty
Apr 7, 20233 min read


Notable Women; St. John’s Missionary Nurses
There have certainly been many notable women at St. John’s over its long history. Further to the celebration of International Women’s Day...

Christopher Rutty
Mar 11, 20233 min read


Musings on May Webster, Part 2
Last week’s SJWT-100th article revealed how May Webster first found St. John’s back in December 1969. For those of us who have been part...

Christopher Rutty
Feb 26, 20232 min read


Musings on May Webster, Part 1
Among St. John’s current congregation, one person, despite a rather diminutive stature, stands above all others in the longevity of her...

Christopher Rutty
Feb 19, 20232 min read


Profiling St. John’s Priests: Reverend Canon Maurice P. Poole
Serving St. John’s from December 1964 to June 1983 The May 1983 issue of St. John’s “Parish Newsletter” reflected the sadness of the...

Christopher Rutty
Feb 5, 20236 min read
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