Quick News for Wednesday, July 18
St John's Church welcomes Father Tony and his wife Iris from the Dominican Republic
Last Sunday was a very special and meaningful service for me and the entire congregation. I had the privilege of embodying the love of Christ and the hospitality of the entire congregation by sharing the presiding of the Eucharist with Father Tony from the Dominican Republic. He and his wife Iris are a wonderful and gracious couple with whom I hope to build a close and meaningful relationship. They are truly people of great love and faith.
Our ministry to the children of the Dominican Republic through Libros para los Ninos is a very special international ministry of St. John's worship community. This group of dedicated individuals works to provide the best possible education to families in some of the poorest parts of the Dominican Republic by providing them with educational tools.
Ecumenical Planning Session
The July meeting for the Development of a Regional Ecumenical Retreat was conducted on 16 July. Eight individuals attended this planning session and approved a schedule for the Retreat. Tentatively, the date for the retreat is the third of November. The group also decided first priority for the location of this activity is Essex NY. Between now and the next meeting Monday, September 17 at 9:45, the group will study and discuss by email three options for worship to be approved at the September meeting.
All meetings are open to anyone that would like to attend.
Stretch out Your Hand - Healing Prayer
Lyn Barrett Bussian is leading classes on the topic of healing prayer. Approximately 15 attendees from the surrounding area as well as members of the St. John's community attended the first of six classes held weekly on Thursday mornings.
Lyn Barrett is a talented and experienced teacher and facilitator.
Our Vestry Members, Church Committees and Ministries, volunteers and attendees have been hard at work this past year, growing our church and deepening our relationship with Christ in so many meaningful ways.
Please read our Annual Report, the attached file below. Just click on the link to read, and or download the report. There is so much good information about what we've done, and what we hope to do, as well as church history contained here. Please give it a view and a read.
Election of Warden and Vestry Slate - July 22, 2018
For a 2-year term as Senior Warden Dick Perez
For a 3-year term as Vestry Augusta Gladding
Dean Caveney
Ongoing --
Junior Warden Carole Harsh
Ongoing Vestry Jan Bedoukian
Bill Finucane
Teresa Sayward
Jim VanHoven
Heartfelt Thanks!
We humbly thank our Vestry Members who undertake to prayerfully find and follow Christ's word and works in the governance of our Church body, for their thoughtfulness, their commitment, and their leadership.
As you know, St. John's Church is a rare church where all the congregants, whether seasonal or year-round residents, all join hands to help create fellowship and good works in the community and beyond. Each one of you is a mighty part of the whole! All your individual contributions help us be who we are, promoting God's love and Christ's compassion.
In grateful thanks to each and all of you.
Father Craig Hacker
Friday Night Dinner Club
Every Friday evening at 6 pm a mixed group of people gather together in Persell Hall for a meal, conversation and good cheer! And -- it is loads of fun. Please join us! It is not necessary to bring a dish but one is always welcomed. Last week we dined on Lamb kabobs, salads and divine desserts.
This week we will enjoy dining on Syrian dishes! Hope you'll come and join us!
RENEW
On behalf of the St. John's congregation, RENEW and all the local clergy I want to thank the owners and proprietors of the Pink Pig for hosting a joint Benefit for RENEW. They collected on behalf of RENEW approximately $700.00.
What a gracious gift of their time, talents and immense community spirit. Thanks again Pink Pig for hosting this benefit breakfast!
Suggestions for preparing Prayers of the People
-- Katharine Preston and Father Craig
- If they come from your heart with love, they are of God, and therefore acceptable to God.
- Have the congregational response simple enough so that when you tell them what their response should be, it is easy to remember: Lord...Hear our prayer; or Holy Spirit .....Walk beside us.
- Whatever format, include pauses, so that others may add their prayers.
- If you write your own or adapt prayers from a source-even if from the Book of Common Prayer, please obtain approval by Father Craig by Tuesday before the Sunday you are assigned the Prayers of the People.
- Please note: If you want the Prayers of the People to appear in the Sunday Bulletin, they must be approved by Father Craig by Tuesday to be in the hands of Teresa Cummings by Wednesday for inclusion in Sunday's bulletin created on Thursday.
- Form IV in the Book of Common Prayer (pg.388) suggests these categories:
- The Church and the world
- The nation
- The earth
- People "whose lives are closely linked with ours"
- People who are ill *
- People who have died *
- Form IV does not have any place for thanksgivings. Gratitude is important part of worship so a category for thanksgiving is always welcomed.
*Katharine will continue to maintain the Prayer list and on Sunday or before, will provide you with an update of names, including those who have died. Katharine Preston's email: [email protected] or telephone 518 - 963 - 8966. Emails and telephone calls are always welcomed.
Annual Meeting
This Sunday, July 22, St. John's will hold our annual meeting following morning worship. The Annual Report and proposed slate for Vestry openings are included in this week's issue of Quick News. Please plan to come and participate in the meeting on Sunday.
Bishop Ely visit on August 1
Please plan to worship with Bishop Ely on Wednesday, August 1 at 11 am in our sanctuary. Lunch with the Bishop will follow and all parishioners are invited to attend, and share lunch and a visit with him and the Vestry.
Choir Boys
Choir Camp begins on August 1st the same day Bishop Ely visits St. John's. The congregation is invited to a special service on August 1st, 11:30 followed by a luncheon in Persell Hall. Please RSVP to Carole Harsh at [email protected] by July 29th.
Please do not miss this event this will be one of the last times we can show our appreciation to Bishop Ely since he is retiring in 2019.
Other opportunities to enjoy the visit of the Choir Boy's will include dinner Friday August 3rd at 6PM, Harold and Jan Bedoukian's home. RSVP by email: [email protected]
Contributions of side dishes are welcomed.
The Boys will sing at Evening Song at 4PM at St John's Saturday August 4th and also at Sunday Worship, August 5th, at 9:15 AM. Following worship we will say goodbye to the Choir Boys by hosting a Community Brunch in Persell Hall.
New Directory Information Needed!
We are hoping if we haven't already heard from you that you will please hear our prayer -- please send in your information!!! Darcey Hale is compiling the new Directory and needs to hear from everyone. Please email her at [email protected] with any new information or a photo or inform her that your current directory information is still correct.
Thank you ALL!
Prayers of the People
We pray for those who are ill or recovering:
For Katherine Houseal's niece, Hogan Reed; Betsy's friend Natia; Tom Duca's nephew, Chris Lividini; Dave Martin; Tilly's grandson, Rob Close and his family; Ed; Jill; Teresa's sister Vivian; Judith Moore; Dottie Hall Swinehart; Helene Gray; and others known to us...
We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially for Terrance, and we pray for his family as they grieve.
Holy Days - Macrina (Monastic and Teacher), 379
Macrina was a monastic, theologian and teacher. She founded one of the earliest Christian communities in the Cappadocian city of Pontus. Macrina left no writings; we know of her through the works of her brother St. Gregory of Nysaa. In his Life of St. Macrina, Gregory describes her as both beautiful and brilliant, an authoritative spiritual teacher.
Let Us Pray:
Merciful God, may we follow Macrinas' example of revealing your grace and truth through the richness of our lives. May we always seek your wisdom and live according to your way; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 51: 13-22
Psalm: 119:97-104
Gospel: Matthew 11:27-30
FATHER CRAIG CONTACT INFORMATION
Here are the ways you can reach Father Craig:
Church Phone: 518 - 963 - 7775
Rectory Phone: 518 - 963 - 4657
Cell Phone: 207 - 595 - 2697
If you are unable to reach him at the Church, please call the Rectory and speak with someone there or leave a message.
And please note, the Rectory is always open for emergencies.
We Look Forward to Seeing you
in Church, at 9:15 a.m.
this Sunday, July 22nd!
|
