Latest - Letter From Mr Syl (Daniel's new cat)

New Visions: Or, Church for People Who Aren't So Sure about Religion

FOR_Clayton_1 Mark Twain is said to have quipped in 1897, "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Today rumors are rampant of the impending death of the church. But, although unimaginable transformations await us in the coming two decades, this is not one of them.

Karl Marx thought that religion, like the state, would shrivel away in the utopian society. Yet the human species without religion is about as likely as the human species with a perfect government. (We can't even create a functional government!) Nor is it likely that the world will be pervaded by religions and religious practices but that Christianity won't be numbered among them. In 2030 churches will still exist, along with some of the other institutions that define Christianity today.

The questions are: which institutions will still be around? What radically new forms of Christian existence will arise in the coming twenty years? And, most importantly, what new forms of Christian life and practice do we need now? What forms resonate with today's new types of believers, non-believers, and seekers?

Changes At SSJD

LOGO_SSJD-BLK200 The Sisters of St John The Divine will be saying farewell to Sr Louise Manson, SSJD and Sr Doreen McGuff, SSJD who are moving on to other ministries in Canada. The Sisterhood is also preparing to welcome Sr Brenda and Sr Mary-Jean who will be taking up their ministries in Victoria soon.

You're invited to join the Sisters in celebration of these changes and give particular thanks for Sr Doreen's ministry at St Peter (Lakehill) , 3939 St Peter's Road, Victoria for a service of Holy Eucharist followed by a reception on September 21^st at 10 am.

Letter From Mr Syl (Daniel's new cat)

Written by Joan & Mr Syl | Friday, 18 June 2010 17:00

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Dear Friends,

Dan is on the treadmill at the moment, walking at too fast a rate to dictate anything, so I, Joan, am writing his Saturday evening letter. He is getting fitter and stronger each day and I think he looks wonderful! He is also starting to insert variations of the word "BORED" into his conversations which makes me think he will soon be contacting the wardens to talk about setting a date to return to work within the next few weeks.

It is good to be back home, even though it has been a busy week for me with a memorial service, a service of committal of the ashes and a wedding.

sylvestercat You may wonder what Dan does with his time while I am out of the house working. Apparently he spends it on the computer checking out SPCA web sites. The result of all his "research" is that we now have a 9 week old black and white kitten named "Mister Syl". Because he is black and white, I wanted to name him Sylvester but Dan thought that was too ordinary – hence Mister Syl. He is a terror and has inexhaustible energy. Anything that can be knocked off a counter or table has been knocked off, split, and pounced upon. Tonight, when Dan first got on the treadmill the kitten jumped on the back only to be flung off!

I know that Dan will enjoy having the little darling to keep him company in Ladysmith.

I will sign off now but not before telling you that Dan misses all of you, and keeps you all, and the church, in his daily prayers.

This comes from Dan, Joan, and Mister Syl (a.k.a the little devil).

PS. Dan did manage to gasp out two things. One is to wish all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures a happy Father's Day! Secondly my congratulations to Peter for completing his 4 year EFM program. Well done, Peter.

-035oipiua-021u 0'oewfh[9ve8n[qwu[pe wm'poif (a message from the cat who walked across the keyboard)

(Photoart by Daniel Oines, used under terms of the Creative Commons Attiribution 2.0 License.)

Categories Latest Tags Joan | Mister Syl | Update From Daniel

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Contact Pastoral Care

PastoralCare At St John's we have a team of dedicated people who take part in pastoral care duties.

Care for those in need is one of the most important ways that we carry the mission and minstry of Christ, takes many forms and is the responsiblity of all baptized persons.

If you need care or a visit you do not need to be a member of St John's or even a baptised Christian. You only need to be in need of someone to lend an ear, perhaps pray for you, to listen and understand.

For information please contact Rev. Daniel Fournier or call Barbara at 250-245-8113. Any messages will be returned ASAP.

Ministry: Giving Someone A Lift

wrx Ministry is not simply the province of the ordained. It is also the duty of all baptized Christians to take part, as they can, in some form of ministry. An expression, as best each of us are able, of the radical acceptance and love Jesus taught us and which we try to emulate.

One expression of ministry is to be available to give rides to those who need rides to and from services and other Church functions. But it doesn't end there. There are parishioners and others who need rides to and from doctors and dentists appointments, to shopping and other things to get by in their lives.

These are the elderly, of course, not at all the collection of sticks in the mud you might assume!, they're young families who don't have reliable transportation, young people, and many others.

The "chore" is offset by getting to know those you already know better and meeting new people who can broaden your outlook and experience in life. You may even find a new friend!

If you feel called to this ministry please speak to Shelagh Huston or sign up in the little book in the Narthex at the back of the church.