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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.

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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.