Category Archives: Ministry in Action

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

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Each winter, the congregation of St. John’s “decorates” our Charlie Brown tree with a variety of winter apparel. All of the clothing collected is then donated to a neighbourhood school (Machray School this year). The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree will appear in the narthex next Sunday and remain up until December 10.

Our Goal

We are invited to decorate the tree with hats, mittens, scarves and socks. Our goal for delivery to Machray School is mid-December. This special project is a tangible way for us to express our support of the schools in our community. Your willingness to participate in this Advent project will be greatly appreciated.

Ministry in Action: Catherdral Grounds

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Ted’s been busy – again!

Sundial Restoration

Ted Stebbing, who spent his summer tending the garden, also found time to install a fountain (the gift of a parishioner) and is now working on restoring and setting up the sundial which stood for years in the cemetery. The sundial will stand at the north end of the garden between the tower and the office door. Our thanks to Ted for the time and effort he puts into beautifying the Cathedral.

Sunday School helps send an orphan to school in Uganda

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Wondering why our flyer boys are actually boys and girls?

As a fundraiser for the Rupert’s Land Orphan Fund, the kids of St. John’s Sunday School and their friends were out delivering our Easter flyers this spring. The money we saved on sending the Easter Invitations through the mail was donated on their behalf to help send  an orphan to school for an entire year.


The kids raised enough money to sponsor an orphan for a year.
Paying school fees allows orphans go to school and makes it financially easier for them to stay with their extended family.

One in every seven children in Uganda is an orphan. Our sister group of churches, the Diocese of Buganda is helping the orphans of Uganda by providing for their school fees. Basic tuition is paid for by the government up to grade seven, but the additional costs for uniforms, lunches, examinations, school supplies and building fund are not provided. Paying these fees ensures that the orphans will be able to attend school and reduces the financial burden on the extended families caring for them. Money raised through the Rupert’s Land Orphan Fund goes directly to this effort.

Thanks to all the volunteers: our Sunday School children and their friends, their teacher, Gary and the parent volunteers who came out to lend a hand, as well as the organizers and Bud Oliver from the Rupert’s Land Orphan Fund whose important ministry helps us help others. A very special thanks to the Teakles who had the delivery teams over to their house for brownies and ice cream!

Learn more about our Sunday School. 
Learn more about the Rupert’s Land Orphan Fund:
brochure: part one
brochure: part two

Ministry in Action: Annual Flower Planting Success

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Thank You!

Our annual planting of flowers in the cemetery, a very important cemetery care project, was a great success! Thank you to the volunteer planters, the lunch chef and our dedicated grounds staff for all the prep work and continuous care.

There are some extra flowers which will be for sale this week, impatience, petunias and aggeratum; these are located at the monument on the west side of the church. The price per pack is $3.50.

Ministry in Action: Thank you, Volunteers

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National Volunteer Week

This past week, Canadians celebrated National Volunteer Week. We would like to take a moment to thank all the volunteers that make the work of our church possible. Thank you.

Interested in volunteering at St. Johns?
Take a look at some ways you can get involved in ministry.

Treated to something special

Served alongside the cake to honour the work of our volunteers, was Barb Swanson’s delicious Carrot, Zucchini, Pineapple Muffins. Barb graciously donates her time and baking to the Coffee Time Ministry at our church. After the 10:30 morning service on Sunday, people are invited to meet at the back of the cathedral for coffee, tea, juice and baking provided by volunteers, like Barb. As we sit and enjoy these tasty treats, we get an opportunity to meet new people and visit with old friends. This fellowship is truly the gift given by the volunteers of St. John’s Coffee Time Ministry. Our volunteers are truly something special!

the gift given by the volunteers of St. John’s Coffee Time Ministry is an opportunity to meet new people and visit with old friends

Barb’s Muffins with the Most

If you would like to treat yourself to something special, why not whip up a batch of Barb’s muffins? These muffins have a great list of ingredients including zucchini, carrot, pineapple, coconut and raisins. I love them so much, I had to ask Barb for her recipe, and she was nice enough to share. Thanks, Barb.

For the recipe, continue reading.

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Ministry in Action: Charlie Brown Tree

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Champlain thanks ‘Charlie Brown’

Champlain SchoolPartnering to assist members of the community speaks volumes to our ability to help each other and build community.

Every winter, we ask our parish to donate new mitts, gloves, scarves, hats, and toques by hanging them on the branches of our Charlie Brown Tree set up at the back of the Cathedral. Just before Christmas, they are sent to North End Schools where they are given to children who need them.

This winter, 40 pairs of mitts, 46 hats, and 45 scarves were donated and delivered to Champlain School.

This week we received a letter from Champlain School – “On behalf of the students, staff, parents and guardians of Champlain School, I would like to thank you for your generous donations. We are always in need of hats and mitts for our students. Partnering to assist members of the community speaks volumes to our ability to help each other and build community. We look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you again for your support, it is very much appreciated.  Sincerely, Maxine Geller, Principal”