Living in a pandemic for the long haul is challenging. We are still called to pray, care for one another, and be reminded of God's presence.
St. John's Elora is here to help keep you safe, keep you connected to one another, and keep you spiritually grounded in the Christian faith.
The clergy are available to support you and you can reach them by email here.
We trust that you will discover that St. John's Elora is a church known for an outstanding choral tradition, inspiring preaching and liturgy, generous outreach, and a community that cares for one another.
St. John's is a member of the Anglican Church of Canada in the Diocese of Niagara.
ADVENT LESSONS and CAROLS
This is an annual favourite for many people to begin the season of Advent. Join us for a special edition of this service on Sunday November 29th at 7:00pm available on the St. John's Elora YouTube Channel.
CHRISTMAS LESSONS and CAROLS
A beautiful way to enter the Christmas season with readings and carols of the Christmas story. Bishop Susan Bell joins members of the Parish Choir for this year's service, with readers from across the diocese. The service will be live-streamed on Sunday December 20th at 7:00pm. The bishop invites you to register for the event by CLICKING HERE at this link. While there are no costs to purchase a "ticket" you are invited to support the work of the Bishop's Company. The first 100 people to register before December 15th will receive a copy of the Parish Choir's Christmas CD, "Here's Your Figgy Pudding 2020." This limited run CD is a collection of Advent and Christmas choral music prepared by members of the Parish Choir from their homes this year.
We know it's a long haul and you are tired. But we are all learning how best to care for one another and do our part to keep you safe and reduce community transmission. Stay home as much as possible, particularly if you are vulnerable because of age, an underlying health condition, or a compromised immune system.
You can help by:
As of November 22 we have suspended in-person attendance at our liturgies. We want to do our part to help keep you, our parishioners and staff, and our community safe by minimizing the number of gatherings. We are providing alternatives for you to support your journey of faith through the livestream of our Sunday morning liturgy at 11am, which you can find at St. John' Elora YouTube Channel.
You can also find the following resources to connect with others and support your journey of faith:
For more information on any these events, please contact us for the Zoom links or follow St. John's Elora on YouTube or Facebook or Instagram.
FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2020.
Click HERE for a video of the morning service.
Click HERE for the 11am Order of Service and Announcements.
Click HERE for the Rector's Sermon on Sunday at 11am.
FOR SERVICE OF ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS.
The Parish Choir has assembled a limited production CD called "This is Your Figgy Pudding 2020." It is a collection of the choral music that members of the Parish Choir have recorded from their homes for the Advent and Christmas seasons this year. The first 100 people to register for the Bishop's "Nine Lessons and Carols Service" from St. John's on December 20th will receive a complimentary copy. For a donation to the Parish Choir Fund, if you would like to order a copy please contact John Wiens, Director of Music.
To receive the weekly Pastoral Letter through email, please contact our Administrator, Linda Coultes, through her email here under "PARISH OFFICE".
Follow “St John’s Elora” on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date posts, photos, messages and events.
If you click on the St John’s Elora YouTube Channel you will find this week's Sunday service and a Wednesday mid week liturgy.
At the Diocese of Niagara YouTube Channel you can find liturgies from our Bishop, The Rt Rev Susan Bel
Here are some resources from the Anglican Church of Canada to help you pray at home.
Here is a link to a helpful resource from the Church of England for daily prayer at home.
Rector: Rev'd Paul J. Walker
Assistant Curate: The Rev'd Judy Steers
Rector Emeritus: The Rev’d Canon Robert Hulse
Honorary Assistant: The Rev'd John Lockyer
"Give us today our daily bread."
A mid week service will be offered online on Wednesdays, alternating each week between Morning and Evening Prayer. These liturgies are available at St. John's YouTube or on St. John's Facebook Page
Let one of the clergy know if you have a particular concern or loved one you would like to be included in our prayers.
"Pray without ceasing."
During this period St John's counts on your intentional generosity to pay our bills and keep our ministry sustained both short term and long term.
There are several ways for you to give:
1. Drop off your donation through the MAIL SLOT of the door on the Geddes side (east side) of the Parish Centre.
2. Mail your donation to the church at 36 Henderson Street, Elora.
3. E-transfer your donation to treasurer.stjohnselora@gmail.com.
4 Sign up for Monthly Pre-Authorized Giving. Please contact our Givings Secretary - Barbara Gow, for more information. You can also complete and mail this form.
5. Give online at the following link.
Thank you for your sustained financial support. Your generosity makes a difference in peoples lives.
While in-person attendance at St. John's is presently suspended, all of our worship services are offered online through our Facebook Page, and on our YouTube Channel. Our live-streamed services are limited to ten people who create the service at the church for you to participate safely from your home.
St John's Elora uses liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Alternative Services varying between Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Compline, and Holy Communion.
A music program exists for many reasons, but a principle one is to fill in blanks that our daily existence leaves unsatisfied. Our spiritual beings need nourishment, and music is an important way we do it. It often can escape notice how music and sound occupy an integral place in our lives. We attach special significance to the call of songbirds in the morning, the sound of the wind and rain, the rocking of waves. We need natural beauty, and vocal music is one of those sounds that helps us connect to it.
Vocal music carries something special with it – text and meaning. At St. John’s, our music program strikes a balance that we hope is sustaining for those at all stages of their journey. We hope our music will offer comfort to those in distress, solace to those who need shelter, inspiration to those who are uncertain, and encouragement to those who need hope. I really believe it to be true. The music program at St. John’s burns bright for those who need it. The reasons behind those needs are as myriad as the number of listeners.
For instance: A certain young musician, in his third year as a Director of Music, turned to recordings made by this program here in St. John’s for inspiration at moments of doubt. The music making of the group helped him feel more conviction and assertiveness, and he was encouraged to soldier on. The music that inspired still has the power to do so.
The hand-picked singers at St. John’s, in its uniquely intimate space, offer an active listening experience that has stood the test of time. Thanks to the support of a wider community our ensemble can put its efforts towards creating the timeless, meaningful and poignant music that can change a listener’s day. We are offering what words alone cannot.
- John Wiens, Director of Music
St John's is working with St. James' in Fergus to provide hot meals on Monday to Friday. During the pandemic, the MEALS TO GO program partners with local restaurants and caterers to deliver hot meals to people in the community. If you want to help with this program by being a DRIVER, MEAL PACKER, or CLEAN UP TEAM please send an email to cwmealstogo@gmail.com. This ministry is carried out in strict compliance with public health guidelines and protocols.
You are invited to support those most vulnerable in our diocese and around the world with a donation to the Diocesan Pandemic Fund, or PWRDF Covid-19 Fund.