Grace Garden students watch as playground improvements get underway.

Thanks to funds from our Harvest Ahead capital campaign, re-grading work has begun this week to remedy a drainage problem in the vicinity of our playground area. After the resurfacing, made possible by grant awards and donations to Grace Garden, a bike path and artificial turf will be installed. In addition, a mini-amphitheater will be constructed. These enhancements are made possible by the following sources: The Donaldson Family Trust, the Austin District Office of the Southwest Texas Conference of the UMC; Saint John's Memorials Committee; and an anonymous Saint John's church member. We are grateful to Saint John's and our larger community for providing resources for making our playground green, clean, safe and beautiful. What a gift this will be to the families and children who grace us with their presence on a daily and weekly basis. Stop by to watch progress being made on these wonderful improvements.

Do you bring a little one with you to church? The Saint John's Children's Council invites you to an informative, practical and inspirational workshop at 10 a.m. Sunday, September 28 in the Bethlehem Room.

This session is designed for parents and caregivers of children ages preschool through first grade who are making the transition from the nursery to full participation in the worship service.

Each family will leave with a tote bag of quiet, kid-friendly activities. The suggested donation is $7 per family for supplies. The Bethlehem Room is located next to the Chapel. For more information, contact Rev. Amy Villwock at [email protected] or Hannah Knight [email protected]. 

To encourage civil engagement, the Miriam Circle will offer Voter Registration at Saint John's during two Sunday mornings,September 28 and October 5. If you need to register or change some of your voting information, come by the table in the Gallery, and a Miriam member will be glad to help. Ctober 6 is the last day to register to vote in the November 4 election. This is an important election - don't miss the chance to vote. If you have questions, contact Janice Curry, [email protected].  

Calling all actors, singers, seamstresses, prop masters, and artists to take part in Saint John's production of Godspell.  There will be awesome performances of the musical on March 6 and 7, 2015.  

If you are interested in auditioning for a singing and/or speaking role, please contact production manager, Sandy Fivecoat at [email protected] for audition materials. Auditions will begin at 6 p.m., Thursday, October 9 and are open to all Saint John's members.   Please be sure to sign up for your audition by the deadline, Wednesday, October 1. 

The songs available for audition are "Day by Day," "Bless the Lord My Soul," "All for the Best," "All Good Gifts," "Light of the World," "By My Side" and "We Beseech Thee."  Only one may be chosen for the audition, so be sure to let Sandy know which song you would like her to send to you. If you are interested in speaking lines, a script excerpt will be sent to you.

There are many "behind the scenes" opportunities available also. If you are interested in helping with costumes, props, crew, lighting, or anything else, please let Sandy know where you would like to help.

The veterans group "A Gathering" will meet at Saint John's at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 7 to carpool to the Austin Vet Center for a tour. After the tour, the group will have lunch together near the facility. The group meets monthly. For information contact Gary Flemmons at 512-565-2340 or Al Lindsey at 512-923-1687. 

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