The Anglican Way (pt. 2) in April and May

Coming up: A series of three workshops for

  • those new to Anglicanism;

  • those returning to an Anglican Church after a long time;

  • those from other denominations or faiths; and

  • long-term Anglicans who are just curious to know more.

Session 1 (April 26) focuses on historic highlights in the Anglican Church through the ages and on how we differ from other Christian denominations.

Session 2 (May 3) is about how decisions get made in the church, and the role of discernment in decision-making.

Session 3 (May 10) gives us time to grapple with the key issues facing the Anglican Church in Canada now.

Sessions will be led by knowledgeable clergy and lay leaders who will invite and respond to your questions. Topics are those especially requested by attendees at Part One, but this series is open to all. There is no need to have attended Part 1. Sessions run Saturday mornings from 9:30 am - 12 noon at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 240 College St., Cobourg. Register at St. Peter's at 905-372-3442 before Palm Sunday.

Sponsored by the Durham-Northumberland Deanery Education Team

Easter Book Event with Furby House Books

Our Easter Book Family Event is coming up on April 5 between 10am and 1pm. This is a joint effort between Furby House Books and St. John's Church. All manner of seasonal titles are available to purchase or order. Enjoy music and stories with Ted Staunton, a scavenger hunt in the garden, and portraits taken with real live bunnies. (Bunny Portraits from 10:30 to 11:30 only). Join us in the Parish Hall at St. John’s Church, 33 Pine Street North, Port Hope.

World Day of Prayer in Port Hope!

The World Day of Prayer is approaching! Meet with others to pray and hear about needs of the world at the event on Friday March 7th  @ 2:00 p.m. at Port Hope United Church, 34 South Street, Port Hope. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments afterwards.  Neighbouring churches participate with the preparation of the Service.

The theme this year is "I Made You Wonderful". The Service is written by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Cook Islands, prepared and adapted for use in Canada by the Women's Inter-church Council of Canada.

Please note, this event is NOT just for women, as some have said. All are invited and welcomed.

Wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact le.mcswan@bell.net.

The symbol for World Day of Prayer was developed by the women of Ireland and adopted as the International logo in 1982. Its design is made up of arrows converging from the four points of the compass: persons kneeling in prayer, the Celtic cross, and the circle, representing the world and our unity through all our diversity.

Chili Supper and Talent Night at St. John's on January 25!

Join us for a fun event! Various talented members of the community will be showcasing their entertainment skills in storytelling, song, poetry readings, and the like. All proceeds go to the Deacons’ Discretionary fund at St. John’s which supports various needs related to unhoused people in the community such as emergency shelter costs, grocery vouchers, and more. Ask Deacon Shane Watson for more information any time!

Fire Safety Training Workshop December 15 - postponed - new date to be announced

St. John’s is holding a Mandatory Fire Safety Training workshop on Sunday, December 15 in the Parish Hall, starting at 12:30 pm. Anyone may attend, but the workshop is mandatory for the following people and groups:

Rector - Deacons - Wardens - Sidespeople - Advisory Board

Choir Director - Chancel Guild - Administrator - Sexton

Treasure Trove Leaders - Leaders of Rental Groups

This is a repeat of the previous workshop, so if you attended that, you’ve completed your obligation.

For more information please contact Don Robertson, Deputy Peoples’ Warden.

Deacons report back after attending National Conference in Sorrento, BC

Our Deacons, Deb Chapman and Shane Watson, recently returned from the 2024 national conference of Deacons, a joint event of the Anglican Church of Canada and the ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada). The following report was provided by the Rev’d Shane Watson.

The theme of the conference was Beacons of Hope in a Messy World (someone, I think the Primate, commented that “Deacons” of Hope would be appropriate).

Over the course of the four days we were there we enjoyed our keynote speaker, Christian Harvey who presented a couple of energetic sessions on the theory and practice behind the six principles of Kingian Nonviolence as an approach to addressing change and conflict.

The Rev’d Shane Watson and the Rev’d Deb Chapman

We also had the opportunity to hear several other speakers: our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, who spoke about the importance of team approaches to ministry — deacons being a key part of such team approaches along with other orders of clergy and laity; Chris Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop; and a local indigenous story teller.

The Rev’d Deb Chapman

Of course, while we were there we enjoyed a banquet of wild salmon from the area and wine from a nearby indigenous winery!

Deacons Conference attendees on the lawn of the Sorrento Centre

The beautiful Sorrento Centre (Image from their web site)

Fashion Show was a hit!

The Trinity Group, St. John’s local chapter of Anglican Church Women, knows how to put the FUN in FUNDRAISING with another iteration of their annual Fashion Show. Funds raised benefit various charities and local causes. This year featured fashions from several local clothing stores, and for the first time this year, models were not only women! Check out The Anglican for a couple of great photos of Fr Jesse and Deacon Shane as they made their way down the floor.

Our own Penny Nutbrown and St. John's Spiritual Park are featured in a mini-documentary!

Earlier this spring Penny and the Spiritual Park were subjects of a short documentary created by Community Power Northumberland as part of their Change Makers series.

“This changemaker is helping her community develop a stronger appreciation for our place in a shared ecosystem. “You don’t protect what you don’t love. You don’t love what you don’t know”.

Meet Penny Nutbrown at St. John’s Anglican Church in Port Hope. A retired teacher, Penny is finding creative ways to help children and adults learn about our shared environment and our role as stewards.”
— from the film

Penny Nutbrown introducing the Spiritual Park and Garden

Penny Nutbrown with a friend in the Garden

Caring for the young plants

Emmaus Cafe Receives Support from Anglican Foundation

We are pleased to announce that this week our Wednesday Emmaus Cafe (formerly known as Coffee Hour) received a grant of $2,500.00 from the Anglican Foundation of Canada. We are grateful to the Anglican Foundation for their meaningful support of this lively ministry. You can enjoy the Emmaus Cafe every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the lower Parish Hall. Food and fellowship are free, though donations are gratefully accepted.