Weekly Newsletter

A Note from Rev'd John

"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." One of the most powerful lines in this Sunday’s Gospel.

Most people eventually experience rejection: a relationship ends, a career closes, an institution no longer values us, our abilities diminish, or the identity on which we built our lives comes to an end. This Sunday’s reading from Matthew does not tell us that rejection itself is good. It offers something more hopeful: rejection does not have the authority to determine a person’s ultimate worth or future usefulness.

The reading also asks us to consider whether we might sometimes be the builders. Whom have I already decided has little to offer? Whose voice do I discount? What have I rejected simply because it did not fit the structure I had already decided to build?

Perhaps that is the contemporary spiritual challenge of the cornerstone: God may be building something different from what we initially think we are building. The person, experience, failure—or even the part of ourselves—we would most readily discard may turn out to be precisely where something new begins.

One of our great strengths as a faithful people is our capacity to remain open to the possibilities of life, suspending our assumptions and prejudices long enough to see what we might otherwise miss. This requires insight, but also an inner stillness that allows us to see more clearly what is before us and what is within us.

For sometimes it is only when we stop deciding which stones belong that we begin to see where our lives may be leading us.

Rev. John Graham

Table of Contents:

1. Upcoming Events & Notices:
   1. The Bishop's Fall Message
   2. Rev'd John Graham's Ordination
   3. Birthday Sunday!
   4. Iona Community Leader Visit
   5. Fall Digest
   6. Weekly Compline
2. Sunday Service Information

Upcoming Events & Notices

The Bishop's Fall Message to the Diocese

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

As the summer season draws to a close, I am glad to gather with you again and to continue sharing in the life and ministry of our diocese. The pace of our work slowed somewhat over the summer, so I offer a brief update and a few announcements as we return to the work before us with renewed strength and hope.

I hope that each of you found time with family and friends, moments in creation, opportunities for

prayer and reading, and simple recreation to renew both body and spirit.

I remain deeply grateful for your ministry, faithfulness, and support.

To read the rest of the message please click here:Bishop's Fall Message to the Diocese_10-2026.pdf​

Rev'd John Graham's Ordination

We invite you to celebrate with us on Sunday, October 4th, at 4pm at Christ Church Cathedral, where the Bishop Victor David Mbuyi-Bipungu intends to ordain the Reverend John Graham to the presbyterate. This service will also be livestreamed at montrealcathedral.ca/live.

October's Birthday Sunday

This Sunday is Birthday Sunday! We can't wait to celebrate the October birthdays among us.

We are always looking for volunteers to build out this ministry and continue the celebration throughout the year! If you’d like to be involved, please email the office.

Iona Community Leader Visit

The current leader of the Iona Community, Ruth Harvey, is starting a Pilgrimage through Canada with a stop in Montreal, where she will be leading three events next week.

• On Thursday 24^th September at 6:30 pm at the Cathedral
• On Friday 25^th September at 9:30 at Dio (aimed specially for theological students)
• On Friday 25^th September at 7 pm at St Columba's by the Lake in the West Island.

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You are warmly invited to these events.
During these sessions, Ruth Harvey, Leader of the Iona Community, mediator, writer, and lifelong practitioner of intentional Christian community, will explore how we can remain rooted in hope amid complexity and change. Drawing on her experience in conflict transformation and faith-based leadership, Ruth will offer a thoughtful perspective on living faithfully in community. There will also be Iona style singing. All are welcome.
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The Cathedral event takes place at Fulford Hall (entrance 1444 av Union) on Thursday 24 September at 6:30 pm. (There is no access via the Cathedral where there will be a private event).
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Please note: there will be a middle eastern light supper. We invite your donations to contribute to the costs of the evening. You can send your donation either by e-transfer (accounting@montrealcathedral.ca) marked Iona Evening, by card on the night, or in cash.

Fall Digest

Curious about our fall programming? Click the link here for our full fall digest: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c4298a6cb73535bda82af5/t/6aac0fa63d30a01b8bbdd183/1789661094588/Fall+Digest+PDF.pdf​

Fall Compline

Starting September 15th, our evening compline series is back! We invite you to join our clergy, every Tuesday at 8PM on zoom for this contemplative service in community.

Click the link to join the service: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85846651925?pwd=QISnln3VGbW4LKVnGPoO1Zouobhezq.1​

This Sunday, October 4th

Important Links for Services

Ways to Give to St. George's​

• Interac transfer to accounting@st-georgeschurch.org

• Contact the office at office@st-georgeschurch.org to initiate or change your PAR giving

• Mail a cheque to: St. George’s Church, 1101 Rue Stanley, Montreal, QC, H3B2S6​
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