St. John's Elora
36 Henderson Street N0B 1S0 Elora, ON, Canada

Today, Sunday November 22, 2020 is the feast of Reign of Christ the King. It marks the end of the year in the Christian calendar. It is also known as stir up Sunday from the opening words of the Collect: Stir up we beseech thee, O Lord. Today’s Anthem: DeSeverac’s Tantum Ergo was sung by Rebecca McKay, Heather Fleming, Quade Neilson and Matt Oxley under the direction of John Wiens with organ accompaniment by Jurgen Petrenko. To view the full service, go to St. John’s Elora Youtube Channel.

The Centre Wellington Food Bank is dedicated to easing hunger in this community by providing food and other resources in a compassionate and supportive environment. With COVID protocols in place the Food Bank is unable to offer their annual Christmas Hamper program. Instead, families registered with the Food Bank will receive FRESHCO grocery gift cards on their last shopping date before Christmas. Please support this initiative by making a financial contribution by cash or cheque to: The Centre Wellington Food Bank, 11-105 Queen Street W., Fergus, ON, N1M 1S6 (Fergus Marketplace) Donations of $25 or more are eligible for a tax receipt.

Join Judy Steers and Emily Steers at St John’s Elora for Godly Play on facebook LIVE tomorrow morning. At 9:30 am (note the shift in time since our last one) we... will gather to learn about The Circle of the Church Year; telling time with colours instead of clocks, and how the circles of time help us to remember that for every beginning there is an ending, and for every ending, there is a beginning. See more

Pandemic Puddings The Knitters and Quilters have done it again! Working within all safety guidelines they have prepared 60 Christmas puddings from their homes. If you have not reserved your pudding, please contact Barb Dunsmore this weekend to place your order. Puddings are $20 each. Arrangements can be made for contactless porch deliveries within Fergus/Elora, or pick-up at the Parish Centre.

St John’s Elora will NOT be offering attendance at in-person liturgies beginning this Sunday, November 22nd. Given that over 90% of our registered attendees are in the high risk category of developing severe complications if they contract COVID-19, we feel that closing for in-person worship is the most responsible thing to do to care for one another and do our part to keep ahead of the curve. Alternatively, please join us on St. John’s Elora YouTube Channel on Sunday at 11AM. For further details, please read the Rector’s updated email circulated to the congregation earlier today.

Join us Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 11am for a Livestream of Holy Communion with Quartet https://youtu.be/Bx524EUsY3k

At St Johns, we are committed to learn how we can live without plastics. Heres a workshop to help you learn how to get off the plastic band wagon and to learn how to shop without bringing plastic into your home. Its this Saturday morning, but you need to pre-register to attend.

Beloved in Christ, introducing Fred Thompson, Order of Niagara. Its official now!

Bishop Susan is leading 115 participants in an inspiring service on Zoom for the new members of the Order of Niagara. See if you can identify our own Fred Thompson.

Thanks to the conscientious work of our reopening team, people gathered safely for an outdoor liturgy at 9am and an indoor liturgy at 11am. It was the first public gathering for worship at St Johns since March 8th. It was an inspiration to be together and share communion with one another and with the resurrected Christ. All being well, we offer the same two liturgies next Sunday. If youre interested in attending, please register online at www.stjohnselora.ca before Friday at 9pm.

The Service of Holy Communion, recorded live from St John's, Elora, with the Rev Paul Walker, The Rev Judy Steers, music by the Parish Choir Quartet, under the direction of John Wiens, and organist Jurgen Petrenko. https://youtu.be/GtT8m4ZBPlw

Cooper joined us at church this morning for our rehearsal of Sundays liturgies.

Have you pre-registered online to attend an In-Person liturgy yet? If you are thinking of attending a liturgy at St Johns this Sunday you have until Friday at 6pm to let us know you are coming. Visit www.stjohnselora.ca to register. For those at home, the 11am liturgy will be taped and available Sunday afternoon on our YouTube channel. Remember: we are providing resources for you to stay safe; stay connected with others; and stay spiritually grounded.

Don't forget to Pre-Register online at www.stjohnselora.ca if you are planning to attend either one of our In-Person Liturgies this Sunday. 9am is held outside on the lawn (bring your own lawn chair); 11am is held inside. But we need to know you are coming. Registration is open until Friday evening. Last night the online registration may have displayed that our liturgies for this Sunday are already at capacity; but it was a glitch in our system, and both liturgies still have room for you to register. So please try again if you got a message last night that we are "full". Thanks for your patience as we learn new ways of keeping one another safe, connected, and grounded.

Join Rev'd Paul Walker in these mid week Morning Prayers as we mark the Feast of St. Ninian, Bishop of Galloway (d.430). Ninian is the one who dared look over and travel beyond the stone wall of prejudice that divided two cultures, otherwise known as Hadrian's Wall, to discover a people who were receptive to the love and mercy of God. What stone walls of prejudice do we need to look over and travel beyond in our lives? Join in these prayers to offer it to God.

Watershed 2020- Towards a Water Justice Agenda - A Virtual Conference with presenters from our local Save Our Water community group is to held online next week, Saturday, September 26, 2020. Program and Registration are available here: https://hopin.to/events/watershed2020

Welcome Back to In-Person Liturgies at St Johns, Elora! If you are planning to attend In-Person Services at St Johns, Elora, its important that you take 15 minutes to view this Welcome Back video! Youll learn about the protocols for attending, keeping in mind the current safety and social-distancing regulations. The video explains how to register, check-in, and even how to participate in The Eucharist. https://youtu.be/nRZDOJY9kO8

Join The Rev Paul Walker for Morning Prayer, today, Sunday, September 13, 2020, the 14th Sunday after Trinity. The Reflection is given by the Rev Judy Steers, with music by John Wiens, Jurgen Petrenko and soloist Christina Stelmacovich. Morning Prayer September 13, 2020 https://youtu.be/ZabAWDij8k0

This weekend is Pedal for Portage. Visit this site to participate or donate to this valuable program! https://portageontario.akaraisin.com//14D22EAC8DD64EF4B2C6

Evening Prayer, led by the Rev Judy Steers for September 9, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwtOKk79U6Y

"Something new waits to be born." As the church anticipates reopening for public worship, our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, reflects on our expectation of returning to things as we remember them and asks whether we are looking back or looking forward.

Thank you for responding to the Reopening Survey. If you have not responded yet, today is your last day to provide your input. It is important for us to learn whether or not you are considering attending an In-Person Liturgy when we reopen. It just takes a few minutes and we are so grateful for your participation and your continued prayers!

Look who came to Elora this afternoon to present the Order of Niagara medallion and pin to Fred Thompson. Bishop Susan Bell came to Freds front door to thank him for his service to St Johns and to the wider church in so many ways. Thank you, Fred! We join you in giving glory to God. There will be a special online service for all those being admitted to the Order of Niagara, and their family and friends, on Sunday September 20th through Zoom. Congratulations Fred!

The generous hearts of people at St Johns Elora are featured in this delightful article from the Niagara Anglican.

Almighty God, we pray for our children, grand-children, and God children; for all teachers, professors, research workers and educational support staff; that your loving presence might continue to protect them and guide them in all their learning and development; and that their studies might benefit humanity and give them fulfillment in all they do; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Watch Bishop Susan Bell live in the service from the Diocese of Niagara https://www.facebook.com/niagaraanglican/videos/3588379181196100/

Morning Prayer for Sunday, September 6, 2020, the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity with The Rev Paul Walker, The Rev Judy Steers, Music Director John Wiens, solist Lesley Bouza and Jurgen Petrenko, organist. Our readers are Marcus Kramer and Catherine Robertson. https://youtu.be/QjnLXgO9omQ

Help us prepare our Reopening Plan for diocesan approval by completing this Survey. It will only take three minutes. Please respond before September 10. Thanks so much for your participation!

Join in these mid week Morning Prayers, led by Rev Paul Walker, to offer to God the burdens and needs of the community and the world. Today we remember the martyrs of New Guinea (d.1942). Readings: Psalm 38 (a prayer for God's help in the midst of being overwhelmed). Acts 12 (This is an action packed reading: In a context of persecution and oppression, Peter is freed from prison by an angel and is welcomed into Mary's home; social and political unrest develops in the community; and King Agrippa, the oppressor, dies. The actions in the chapter reflect the same movement of Christ in his death and resurrection: like Peter, freed from the prison of the tomb, Christ is welcomed by his friends who don't believe at first, and ultimately Christ overcomes the oppressive powers of death and sin).

Morning Prayer from Christ Church, Drayton, a chapel of St Johns Elora, with The Rev Paul Walker and The Rev Canon Robert Hulse, soloist Heather Fleming, organist and bell ringer Stephen Truchan, readers Harriet Berg and Paula Richter. https://youtu.be/OVp5mmniCak

Today we join some of the members of the Chapel of Christ Church, Drayton, a chapel of St. John's Elora, for a pre-recorded liturgy. Join us as we offer our prayers together for the world and our community.

Join St Johns Liturgy Online this Sunday for a precorded service from Christ Church, Drayton, a chapel of St Johns Elora. Christ Church in Drayton is a self sustaining ministry that falls administratively under the Vestry and Wardens of St Johns Elora. Over the years the chapel has been lovingly restored by its generous members. Its a treat to feature this rural gem and some of its faithful people on Sunday for our online liturgy. Join us.

Evening Prayer Wednesday, August 26, 2020 https://youtu.be/30mMlkeLDjU

Join us for this online service of Morning Prayer on August 23. Readers: Peter and Nancy Scott Soloist: Christina Stelmachovitch ("Steal Away" - traditional) Organist: Jurgen Petrenko Cantor: John Wiens... Officiant and Homilist: Rev Paul Walker Flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Bette and Ivan Ostic.

The Re-opening Team met physically distanced this morning on site to plan for a safe gathering of people at our first public worship service since March. Things will be very different for in person worship, and online resources will continue to be offered. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks as we prepare to present our Re-opening plans for diocesan approval and announce a date for the first service back.

Pray for one another, the community and the world in these mid-week prayers led by Rev Paul Walker. Readings: Psalm 119:145-152 and Matthew 20:1-16a.