Readings for Sunday 14th February, Transfiguration Sunday, First reading: 2 Kings 2.1-12. Psalm 50.1-6; Second reading: 2 Corinthians 4.3-6, Gospel: Mark 9.2-9
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Please pray this week for – Margaret and John; Baby Noella plus Amanda and Nathan; Cathy and Cheryl Anne; Lodge sisters and Lodge Parents; Lauren; Nancy; Elizabeth and Charlotte; Thampi and Babu; Dave and Marylynn; Pat; Kathleen; Norma; Karen; Victoria; Len; Darlene; Jane; Margaret and Anita; Anne; Fran and Bill; Loraine and Gord; Nelson; Ray; Margaret; Laurel and Rob; Ruth; Nancy June; Susan; Stephanie and Ron; Scott and Logan; Beth; Mary Anne; Izzy; Jen; Alison; Jamie and Cathie plus Keith and Cate; Diane; Fred and Marlene; Davina and Sangeeta; Matt; Brian; Bob; Jack and Julie. AND for those who are in need of prayer but have no one today to remember them by name; and those known to each of you alone.
Rest in Peace – Don Walmsley (spouse of Shirley, and father of Sharon and Barb. Don was a former resident in Long Term Care and completed his earthly Journey. (Video of his funeral on February 5th at St Jude’s is on the church web site). Evan Lodge (Boy Scout, aged 12, who died in car accident. His two sisters (Cubs) are hospitalized, one of the girls is in critical condition on life support. Mom is also a Scouter with the Group. Mr. Louis “Kim” MacKendrick (husband of the Reverend Catherine MacKendrick). May the souls of our brothers Don, Evan, and Kim find rest eternal and rise in glory. Pray for family and friends as they need strength and comfort at this difficult time of grief and mourning.
Pray with thanks – for all the people, the family of St Jude’s, who work and contribute to make St Jude’s such a prayful and caring community, committed to the way of Jesus. May every member know that they are a loved child of God.
Pray for all – and any impacted by the pandemic. There is still a way to go to conquer Covid, and we ask for strength, patience, compassion and love of neighbour as self.
February is Black History Month – Pray for the many people working to bring this history to all people, and for the lives of all those who have made contributions making that history (past and present) in the first place.
World Day of Prayer – Always the first Friday in March, and this year will be via Zoom. The login information is below. Topic: World Day of Prayer Service. Time: Mar 5th, 2021, 02:00 PM Eastern Time. To join Zoom Meeting use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87536688602?pwd=dmI2ZDF1cG1QYldZVnpia2hFRmJDdz09 Meeting ID: 875 3668 8602, Passcode: 642446 Connecting by Phone, use 1 647 558 0588 Canada, Meeting ID: 875 3668 8602 This year the World Day of Prayer country is Vanuatu (small multi islands East of Australia). Sharon has digital copies of the service booklet, donation information, and even appropriate coconut “mug” cake recipe! Let her know if you want any information forwarded. Rowntree United is looking after the Zoom set up and will be using the WDP video so it should be a good experience. Hope you can join.
Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, Canada – AFP will be hosting a one-hour time of prayer on February 15th , March 15th , April 19th , May 17th , and June 21st , all at 1:00 pm Eastern time. We are inviting people to join us for some or all of the hour. It will be a mixture of biblical readings, reflection, music, intercession, silence and other types and kinds of prayer. You are welcome to actively participate or simply listen and pray quietly. We will use the “Zoom” way of gathering people together. To join on computer, please use: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82001408803?pwd=WXRMWFJZSHRLcUYwdGpUU1YvMmlxZz09 (this is all one address, and will be used for all meetings). Meeting ID: 820 0140 8803 Passcode: 359803 You can also join us by telephone at one of these numbers (with the same meeting ID and Passcode): (778)907-2071, (204)272-7920, (438)809-7799, (587)328-1099, (647)374-4685, (647)558-0588
Cycle of Prayer for February – Tell – Evangelism – “To proclaim the good news of the kingdom” is to share the news that Christ God is reconciling the world to himself in words. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, let your presence fill our hearts and overflow in our actions, that we may proclaim the good news of your kingdom. Let your glory fill this place. Let your glory fill this world! We honour ministries in support of EVANGELISM the First Mark of Mission-Liturgical Ministries: Priests; Licensed Lay Readers; Servers; Intercessors; Readers; Lay administrators; Chancel Guild; Seminary Student and Seminary Student Committee; Prayer and Eucharistic Services in Area Long Term Care Homes; Funeral Home Services; On Line Worship Services and all the liturgical technical support people.
Vestry
Annual Vestry Meeting – Seventy two parish members connected to the virtual Zoom meeting on Sunday, and thanks to meticulous and thorough preparations by Fr. Bill and the Wardens it went smoothly and the necessary things were all accomplished. We have a new Budget for 2021 which predicts a deficit, but Jonathan is hopeful that prediction will not come true – we did, thanks to faithful and dedicated parish members mainly, a stellar job in 2020. Thank you to all who took part in the meeting. Let’s hope next year we can have a normal meeting.
Welcome Back!
Welcome back- to parish administrator Sandi, who has returned from an unhappy break as she was with her father as his life ended, and then had to start on all the necessary but sad procedures after his death. We missed you Sandi, and wish you well as you continue to deal with this event. Meanwhile, thanks go to Fr. Bill and the Wardens for filling in to keep things going in the office in Sandi’s absence. However, the office still remains closed to visitors.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to – Jeanette Newcombe, who received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her work with Girl Guides of Canada. The accompanying citation reads: “For over half a century Jeanette Newcombe has donated her time and efforts to the Ontario Council of the Girl Guides of Canada, serving as administrative community leader for London. She has played a key role in creating, organizing and delivering training modules for local unit guiders, and also organizes events in the community such as regional meetings and awards ceremonies”. The citation is signed by the (then) Governor General of Canada, and there is an accompanying medal. Well done, Jeanette!!
Outreach
Community Breakfast Program – The next take out breakfast is Saturday, 20th February.
Around The Deanery
Deanery Lenten study –The London Deanery invites us to join, via Zoom, a series called “Unbinding Heavy Burdens; a Lenten Journey”, beginning on 24th February and continuing on each Wednesday in March. Each session will begin at 7.30 pm, and the featured speakers are Diana Butler Bass and Bishop Todd Townshend. You can register for this series by emailing [email protected] or call 519-471-1430.
“Encounters with Christ” – a Lenten sermon series from the diocese, on Thursday mornings in Lent at 10.00 am, beginning on Wednesday 18th February. This is a Zoom meeting series, and to register email [email protected].
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour – Join Allie McDougall in a Zoom coffee hour every Wednesday morning at 10.00 am. The Zoom meeting ID will remain the same for each session. Follow this link: https://westernuniversity.zoom.us/j/3141546335 or call +1 647 558 0588 to join in!
Let’s Celebrate!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! – This week to Jordan Armstrong (7th February), Michael Ashby (9th), Jared Smith (11th) and Debbie Bennett Booth (13th). Hope you all had/have a happy day!!
This week’s picture is of Sheila and Cathy braving the winter weather to help Community Breakfast guests with warm clothing and personal items donated by the parish and May Court Club
Things are beginning to look a little better, but still be cautious, directed, stay home and stay safe until this lockdown can be lifted.