St. John's Episcopal Church
202 Gordon Drive SE, Decatur, AL (256) 353-9615
For the Second Sunday after Pentecost - May 29, 2016
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Hospital Visit
My cell phone rang, and the caller-ID showed a local number that I did not recognize. I must have been in the mood for sport because I answered it anyway. "This is Evan," I said, making no attempt to mask my expectation that I would soon regret it. But I didn't. "This is the hospital switchboard," the voice said, identifying herself. "A nurse has asked to speak with the chaplain, and you're on call this week."
Not long after I moved here, I volunteered as an after-hours chaplain for our local hospital. Along with thirty or so other ministers, I agreed to take one night a month in the event that a patient or member of staff requested a pastoral visit when the full-time hospital chaplain was off-duty. In four years, I was only called twice. Recently, however, our hospital has stopped using a staff chaplain, and the volunteers have been asked to take a week at a time
----day and night
----in case someone needs a clergy visit. Not expecting many calls, I was happy to help.
The switchboard operator connected me to the nurse who had requested the visit. She explained that the patient was facing some tough decisions and seemed particularly vulnerable. She had asked the patient if she would like a minister to come to her room and talk and pray with her, and, when the patient said yes, she made the call. I thanked her and told her that I would be there in a few minutes.
On the drive across town, I allowed my mind to rehearse how the bedside visit might go. I knew only the scantest details, and I practiced various scenarios
----some serious, others comical
----to help prepare myself for the encounter. I imagined how I might explain my clerical collar to a Christian from a denomination where the clergy do not wear a particular outfit designating their vocation. I considered what I would say to her if she told me that she wasn't a Christian but wanted to become a follower of Jesus before she died. Remembering some of the strangest moments from my time in seminary, I pretended that she might have had a psychotic break, chuckling at the bizarre possibilities that could be waiting for me. Returning to reality, I pondered what I would say if she told me that she was afraid of dying.
Although I frequently get the chance to spend time with parishioners in their moments of great vulnerability and need, I don't often have the opportunity to spend that time with strangers. I walked into the room and met a delightful woman who was facing some difficult circumstances. Usually, my hospital visits last three to five minutes, but this one lasted most of an hour. She told me about her family and the deaths that they have experienced over the last five years
----a sibling, both parents, and a son. She told me about her church and the new pastor who had buried those family members but, other than that, whom she had not really had the chance to get to know. She told me how she had always been the strong one who held things together for her family and friends, and she admitted in a roundabout way that her reality was quickly changing. I gently asked her about the next few weeks and months that lay ahead of her, and I offered some words of comfort and encouragement. And then I left.
I don't remember her name. I doubt she remembers mine. Most of my pastoral relationships last for years. As a parish clergyperson, I have the privilege of celebrating births and watching children grow up and rejoicing at their weddings and seeing people in the primes of their lives and walking with them as they age and, eventually, saying goodbye to them when they die. That doesn't happen all at once, but, in a parish, it happens all the time
----an ongoing cycle of life that all of us share. But an hour with a stranger whom I will almost certainly never see again is no less special or authentic than a lifetime spent with people whom I love. Even a one-time, never-repeated bedside encounter is an opportunity for sharing a love and concern and care that lasts.
Love is a powerful thing. We love our parents and siblings and spouses and children. We love our teachers and neighbors and friends. But will we love a stranger? On the drive to the hospital, I rehearsed several different scenarios, but I never considered that I might fall in love with the woman I met. It does not matter that I do not know her. God has made a space in my heart for her, and I still hold her in prayer. Whom might you love today? Whom will you allow into your heart?
Yours faithfully,
Evan D. Garner
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Fill a Need in June for the CCC
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The Committee on Church Cooperation does good work for the community. Last month the CCC served over 1300 plates through their soup kitchen and they gave out over 5300 items of clothing from their clothing closet. St. Johns is one of the churches doing good for the community. It takes all of us working together and here is how... |
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June is St. John's month to fill grocery bags and to volunteer for their clothes closet on Wednesday.
- Support the food closet by picking up a grocery bag, filling it with items on the list attached, and returning the bag to the CCC (119 1st Ave. NE) or to the Parish Hall. Grocery bags with a shopping list are available from the office, Parish Hall, and Narthex.
- Volunteer to work shifts in the clothes closet at the CCC on any Wednesday in June (the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th). The shifts are from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and you can work either or both. We need at least 3 people per shift and have 10 shifts.
Let me know when you can work so that I can make sure that we have everything covered. I can be reached at
[email protected]
or by phone or text at 256-566-3282.
Cassandra Moore
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Save-the-Date:
Thrift sale at the CCC on June 3 from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Open to everyone. Great deals! If you love garage and yard sales, come see. Call Maria (256-355-8893) if you'd like to volunteer to work.
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| Make plans now for your children to attend this faith-filled, family-centered, exciting VBS program! |
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Register your children, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren for VBS----Egypt: Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace on June 20-23 from 9:00am to noon each day. Spend a while on the Nile! In just a few weeks, we're taking a journey back to ancient Egypt...without leaving our church! Free to attend!
Follow this link to register children (K-5th):
https://stjohnschurch.wufoo.com/.../vacation-bible-school-20.../
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Ordination Celebration - Lisa McIndoo
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Your Prayers and Presence are Requested
Lisa McIndoo will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee at
St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral (700 Poplar Ave.) in Memphis on June 4 at 10:30 a.m..
All are invited to attend.
If you would like to ride in the church bus to Lisa's ordination, please contact the office by Wednesday, June 1 at 256-353-9615.
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Safeguarding God's Children Program
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As a community of faith, we are committed to keeping our children safe.
Safeguarding God's Children is a national child-safety program developed by The Episcopal Church for the prevention of sexual abuse of children and youth. This workshop satisfies a Diocese of Alabama requirement pertaining to the prevention of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse of children and youth within church settings.
St. John's will host a workshop on June 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
The program will include a review of the current diocesan sexual conduct policies, discussion of basic dynamics surrounding abuse, and the secrecy that often prevents detection. The focus is on implementing safe practices and on detecting and addressing boundary violations. The program leader is the Rev. Rob Morpeth from the Diocesan office in Birmingham.
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Safeguarding God's Children is required for all adults (employees and volunteers) who regularly work with the children and youth of our church in any ministry setting except Sunday school teachers who teach at a normal time and in a well-trafficked part of the building. This satisfies requirements for training in sexual abuse and misconduct prevention throughout The Episcopal Church.
We strongly encourage you to attend this event. A light meal and child care will be available. To make your reservation, contact me at 256-353-9615 or by email at [email protected].
Contact me as soon as possible to tell me you will be attending. This is a very important event. For the sake of our children, I hope you will make every effort to attend.
Blessings,
Sally
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Bishop's Visit & Reception - June 12
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The Annual Bishop's Visit
with the Rt. Rev. Santosh Marray
Sunday, June 12
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8:00am - Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am - Continental Breakfast, Parish Hall
9:00am - Childcare available through the 10:30am service
9:30am - Sunday School for Children (Downstairs)
9:30am - Bishop's Sunday School Forum with the Adults and Youth, Parish Hall
10:00am - Children will join everyone in the Parish Hall
10:30am - Holy Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist Rite II
Reception following in the Parish Hall
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SIGN-UP TO HELP WITH THE BISHOP'S RECEPTION
Sign up online
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AB2DAAF85-bishops
Parishioners are asked to provide a food item (on disposable trays) and to bring to the church kitchen the morning of June 12. The food will be transferred to the church trays and set out on the parish hall tables. In addition to providing food items, we need volunteers to set up, serve punch and water during the reception, and to clean up afterwards. The McDaniel Janitorial crew will come in to wash plates and cups.
Suggested items: finger sandwiches - egg salad, pimento, vegetable, chicken salad; PBJ for kids; jalapeno chicken, stuffed celery & fruit, cheese straws, deviled eggs, cheese ball, cheese & crackers, chips & dip, cookies & bars, pecans, brownie bites....
Questions, please contact Squee Bailey
at 256-350-2028 or 256-350-2857
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Sunday Schedule
Sunday, May 29
Holy Eucharist services, 8:00 & 10:30am (No Children's Church) and 5:00pm
Nursery Provided from
9:00am through the 10:30am service
Continental Breakfast, 8:45am
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June 20 - 23
Spend a while on the Nile! We are taking a journey back to ancient Egypt...without leaving our church! Find out what happened to Joseph as he went from Pharaoh's prison to the palace.
Does your kindergarten age child have a hard time leaving your side? Don't worry; adults are welcome to attend with their children. Register online or in the church office. Ask about child care for pre-school and younger if you plan to attend.
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Friendship quilt created by the preschool class at the end of their series "Growing Up for God."
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Sally Marsh, Director of Children's Ministries, (256) 353-9615 ext. 104
[email protected]
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THIS WEEK WITH ST. JOHN'S EYC
Sunday, May 29:
- Holy Eucharist services, 8:00 & 10:30am and 5:00pm
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LOOKING AHEAD
- EYC Mission Exchange trip to Monteagle, TN, June 5-9
- Birmingham Barons Baseball Game, June 19
- Vacation Bible School, June 20-23 - youth may sign up to volunteer with Sally Marsh
- EYC Day Trip to Sawyerville Day Camp, June 28, 1:00pm to late - we'll be partnering with Church of the Nativity for a day volunteering at SDC! Youth, let Kristin know if you'd like to come with us.
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Kristin Blackerby, Director of Youth Ministries, (256) 353-9615 ext. 104
[email protected]
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For the Second Sunday after Pentecost
8:00am
Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Continental Breakfast, Parish Hall
9:00am
Nursery Provided from 9:00am through the 10:30am service
No Sunday School (Resumes with new summer programming on June 5)
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II
5:00pm Evening Eucharist, Chapel
Vestry Representative: Squee Bailey
LEM:
8:00am Lou Greene, Luke Slaton
10:30am Kristin Blackerby, D Hall
5:00pm Suzanne Thompson
Bread Baker
: Vennette Charlton
Altar Guild
: Team 1
Lectors:
8:00am Julie Sneed
10:30am Rachel Wiley
Acolytes
: 8:00am Server - Holden Kincaid, Crucifer - Harrison Kincaid 10:30am Epistle Server - Sanders White, Gospel Server - Mary V. Holman, Crucifer - Jackson Stewart, Torchbearers - Nathan Stewart, Nathaniel Pride
Ushers
: 8:00am Mike Adams 10:30am David Bibb, Billy Biles, Ashton DeMent, Wade Dinsmore
Childcare: Joanne Peterson, Haley Melson, Ella
McAnear
Continental Breakfast:
Office Staff
Flower Rearrangers: Sue Hensley
Flower Deliverers: Ann Stewart
View Team Schedules from the Church Website at
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Summer Sunday School Schedule Begins June 5
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Summer Sunday School Schedule
(No Sunday School May 29)
beginning June 5 at 9:30am
- Newspaper Articles Class for Adults & Youth in the Parish Hall
- A combined class for children will be held downstairs with Sally and a nursery worker
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Parish-Wide Outing to the Birmingham Barons Baseball Game
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Mississippi Braves vs Birmingham Barons
$12 per ticket (2yrs old and under free)
We will meet in the church parking lot at 1:00pm to carpool.
(Please note: we will not have the 5pm Evening Eucharist) |
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Rector's Bible Study Summer Reading
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The Rector's Bible Study Summer Reading
Starting on July 25, we will have a new topic for study on Mondays at 10am. We will be discussing parts of Kee Sloan's book, Jabbok. His book is available online from the
Advent Bookstore and can be found with other online merchants. (The book price ranges from $15 to $20.) Purchase your copy and we hope you will join us on July 25 at 10am in the church library.
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Sing-A-Long Summer Schedule
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St. John's Summer Sing-A-Long
Tuesday, June 14 at 10:00am
Riverside Senior Living (1009 Line Street NE)
If you love to sing, join us as we sing favorite songs with our parishioners and other residents who live at Riverside. It's a wonderful way to spend your morning. All are welcome!
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St. John's Faithfulness
For the 20th Week Ending May 19, 2016
2016 Total Pledge
& Plate Budget
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Received This
Week
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$761,907
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$7,515
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$396,883
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Our Prayers and Thanksgivings
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We pray for family and friends who are ill or distressed: Karen Cunningham-Becker, Danny Berry, Hannah Boyington, Frances Bradley, Matthew Brown, Ava Campbell, Gere Carnathan, Aaron Castell, Bill Clem, Nell Clem, Fionn Crimmins, Margaret Cross, Mary Daniels, Anne Draper, Ruth Dreisacker, Debbie Dumas, Stephanie Dunn, Marlene Eads, Anne Eich, Linda Engelman, David Farmer, Chuck George, Lori Grasz, Sally Jo Green, Avis Gunter, Nancy Hagood, Charles Hanks, Tania Harris, George Harvey, Jo Ann Harvey, Jane Anna Hawkins, Marty Heaner, Harold Henneman, Helen Holland, Sherry Holland, Will Hollon, Mark Hopsecger, Harriet Howard, Scott Howard, Bailey Jones, Denise Jones, George Journey, Katy Kavanagh, Phillip Kelly, Carol Kerbel, Ray Landis, Jane Hollon Lee, Dena Lewis, Carey Link, Don Logan, Mike Lothspeich, Garrett McCravy, Nancy O'Flinn, Bill Oliver, Joanne Peterson, Mary Ford Pheny, Bethany Pridmore, Scott Richards, Braelyn Richardson, Jean Robertson, Bridget Ros, David Sandlin, David Schacht, Cindy Schoeneck, Reece Seal, Paul Simpson, Cynthia Small, Austin Smith, Dwight Smith, Jeannie Smith, Nathan Smith, Sloan Smith, Steve Sprague, Thala Stalls, Angie Steeno, Emma Strane, Bob Straub, Michael Terry, Paula Thomas, Betty Thrasher, Stacy Singley Townsend, Geraldine Tubb, Florence Turpin, Bill Waldo, Virgil Weaver, Carolyn Webb, James Williams, Nancy Turner Wilson,
and
Haruki Yokochi
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We pray for those who serve in and with the Armed Forces, especially:
Michael Blair, Steven Blair, Brandon Blevins, Trey Colantonio, Christopher Harwell, and Mark Nelson.
We pray for: all persecuted Christians and refugees around the world; for our companion dioceses of Alaska and the Virgin Islands and their bishops Ambrose and Mark; for the Department of Camp McDowell; and for the Alabama Episcopalian staff.
If you are hospitalized or in need of a clergy visit, please notify the Church Office (256-353-9615). Please remember that area hospitals do not notify us about admissions.
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Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries
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Lucy McCain 05/25
Evan Garner 05/26
William Greenleaf 05/26
Spenser Smith05/26
Emily Thornton 05/26
Cathy Tubb 05/26
Brooke Higdon 05/27
Al Hornsby 05/28
Elizabeth McInnis 05/30
Andy Mathis 05/31
Christopher Garcia
06/01
John Stoner
06/01
Garland Hall
06/02
Chuck Puckett
06/02
Reide Irwin
06/04
Susan Eddens
06/05
MM Tweedy
06/06
Victoria Hughes
06/07
Paul Thomas
06/07
Jamie Nelson
06/08
Rebecca Bibb
06/09
Bobby Greene
06/09
Harriet Howard
06/10
Toni Roberts
06/10
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David Bibb 06/12
Melba Cheape 06/12
Margret Ann Templeton 06/12
Wade Dinsmore 06/14
Anne Eyster 06/16
Anne Draper 06/17
Harold Shikles 06/18
Harrison Wiley 06/18
Amy Shelley 06/20
Sue Hennessy 06/22
Patrick Lokken 06/22
Barbara Kelly 06/23
Andrew McKimmon 06/24
Jim Mitchell 06/24
Kenzie McKimmon 06/25
Laura Ritch 06/25
Leon Felts 06/26
Julia Roth 06/26
Britt Owens 06/27
Allison Conroy 06/28
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Karen & Ralph Smith 05/24
Laura & Gus Phillips 05/30
Mary Grace & Justin Marshall 05/31
Rebecca & Sloane Bibb 06/20
Kristen & Joe Propst 06/20
Alta & Henry McCrary 06/21
Mary & Harold Shikles 06/21
Ann & Welman Gebhart 06/26
Robin & Michael Higdon 06/27
Linda & Bill Stone 06/28
Margaret & Larry Fite 06/29
If your celebration is not listed, please forgive us. Call or email the church office with any updates.
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Cont. Breakfast
9:00am Childcare through 10:30 service
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II & Rite-13 Ceremony/EfM Graduation
Followed by Dinner on the Grounds Potluck
5:00pm Evening Eucharist, Chapel
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23
10:00am Rector's Bible Study
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24
8-9:30am Yoga-2
9:15am Staff Meeting
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25
7:45am Men's Reunion Group
8:30am Yoga-1
12:10pm Healing
Eucharist
6:00pm VBS Shopkeeper Meeting, Parish Hall
6:45pm Choir Rehearsal
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26
9:00am Centering Prayer
5:15pm Theology on Tap, The Brick
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27
7:00am Men's Reunion Group
Cancelled:
8-9:30am Yoga-2
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28
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29
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Cont. Breakfast
9:00am Childcare through 10:30 service
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II
5:00pm Evening Eucharist, Chapel
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30 Memorial Day - The church office is closed
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8-9:30am Yoga-2
9:15am Staff Meeting
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JUNE 1
7:45am Men's Reunion Group
8:30am Yoga-1
12:10pm Healing
Eucharist & Dutch-treat lunch
6:45pm Choir Rehearsal
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2
9:00am Centering Prayer
5:15pm Theology on Tap, The Brick
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3
7:00am Men's Reunion Group
7:00am-2pm CCC Thrift Sale
8-9:30am Yoga-2
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4
10:30am McIndoo Ordination in Memphis
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5
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Cont. Breakfast
9:00am Childcare through 10:30 service
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II
4:00pm EYC Work Week Begins
5:00pm Evening Eucharist, Chapel
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7
8-9:30am Yoga-2
9:15am Staff Meeting
EYC Work Week Continues
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8
7:45am Men's Reunion Group
8:30am Yoga-1
12:10pm Noonday Prayer
6:45pm Choir Rehearsal
EYC Work Week Continues
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9
9:00am Centering Prayer
5:15pm Theology on Tap, The Brick
EYC Work Week Concludes
Cursillo #203 Begins at Camp McDowell
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10
7:00am Men's Reunion Group
8-9:30am Yoga-
2
Cursillo #203 Continues at Camp McDowell
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11
Cursillo #203 Continues at Camp McDowell
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12 Bishop's Visit
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Cont. Breakfast
9:00am Childcare through 10:30 service
9:30am Sunday School Children
9:30am Bishop's Forum for Adults & Youth
10:30am Holy Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist Rite II followed by
Bishop's Reception
5:00pm Evening Eucharist, Chapel
Cursillo Clausura
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14
8-9:30am Yoga-2
9:15am Staff Meeting
10:00am Sing-A-Long at Riverside
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15
7:45am Men's Reunion Group
8:30am Yoga-1
12:10pm Healing
Eucharist
6:00pm Safeguarding God's Children Program
6:45pm Choir Rehearsal
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16
9:00am Centering Prayer
9:30am-11:00am Beans & Rice
5:15pm Theology on Tap, The Brick
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17
7:00am Men's Reunion Group
8-9:30am Yoga-2 |
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19
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Cont. Breakfast
9:00am Childcare through 10:30 service
9:30am Sunday school
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II
1pm Leave for Birmingham Barons Game
NO Evening Eucharist
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20
9am-Noon VBS
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21
8-9:30am Yoga-2
9:00am-Noon
VBS
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22
7:45am
Men's Reunion
Group
8:30am Yoga-1
9:00am-Noon VBS
12:10pm Healing Eucharist
6:45pm Choir Rehearsal
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23
9:00am-Noon VBS
9:00am Centering Prayer
5:15pm Theology on Tap, The Brick
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24
7:00am Men's Reunion Group
8-9:30am Yoga-2
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25
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26
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Cont. Breakfast
9:00am Childcare through 10:30 service
9:30am Sunday school
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II
5:00pm Evening Eucharist, Chapel
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27
5:15pm Vestry Meeting
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28
1:00pm EYC Day Trip to Sawyerville Day Camp
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29
7:45am
Men's Reunion
Group
8:30am Yoga-1
12:10pm Healing Eucharist
6:45pm Choir Rehearsal
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30
9:00am Centering Prayer
5:15pm Theology on Tap, The Brick
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St. John's Parish Staff & Vestry
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THE PARISH STAFF
Office 256-353-9615 | Fax 256-350-0514
Mon.-Thurs. 9:00 a.m.-Noon; 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Lauren Salerno, Choirmaster
Foster Bailey, Organist
Joanne Peterson, Nursery
Haley Melson, Nursery
Ella McAnear, Nursery |
Ken Schuppert, Chancellor
Bobby Straub, Treasurer
Stan Evans & D. Hall, Assistant Treasurers
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THE VESTRY
Class of 2016
Joe Propst; Julia Roth; Carol Sartain, Senior Warden ; Julie Sneed; Grant Thompson
Class of 2017
Squee Bailey; Harry Moore; David Rice, Steve Sandlin, Junior Warden; Kathy Slaton
Class of 2018 Alana Haughaboo, Mary McKimmon, Billy Middleton, Pat Price, Karen Smith
Martha Freeman, Clerk of the Vestry
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