Quick News for Wednesday, May 30, 2018
 

RENEW

We really did celebrate ReNew this past weekend.  Starting with a pot luck supper for 25 friends, volunteers, and supporters of ReNew on Friday night, we had a most inspiring and successful weekend. Mary Anne Schultz spoke  to the folks at the pot luck dinner and explained the mission as well as the history of ReNew.  Over the four days of the long weekend, there was lots of activity at the shop and receipts were extremely gratifying.  Thanks to all who
support this wonderful mission. Special thanks to all the many volunteers who work all year round and particularly to Mary Anne whose dedication and commitment are true treasures for the entire Essex area.



Mary Anne Schultz explains ReNew's mission
to bring hope to our neighbors through caring.




Friends and supporters of ReNew get to know each other.


MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE :  was a deeply meaningful celebration to honor and pay our indebtedness to those who have sacrificed their lives so we may enjoy our freedoms of expression.  The entire community concluded the service by singing the National Anthem as a sign of our unity.





ACOLYTES
As summer approaches our acolyte team seems to be expanding.
For our Memorial Day service it was exciting for everyone to see a full compliment of acolytes serving.  Katlyn, Gavin, Parker and Rhyleigh we  are all very proud of you!



YOUNG PEOPLE AT WORSHIP

How wonderful to have two Perez granddaughters worship with us and attend Sunday School in Persell Hall.  Welcome to Mary Beth and Olivia.




EVERYONE!!!  We are excited!  We are a quarter of the
way to our goal of receiving updated information from everyone!  Can we make it?  Yes we can, with your help!
Let's be at 50% next week!!! (No pressure)

New Church Directory INFORMATION NEEDED!  

From Darcey Hale -- A special thank-you to those of you who have sent your directory information.  To contact Darcey, send her an email at  twoocelots@gmail.com
 
If you have not done so, please send the complete information listed below.  If I only get part or you say "just like last year" it means that I have to go into the directory and retype it.  Because of the difficulties that we had with the last directory (our first with pictures, etc.) I cannot do a simple cut and paste. Producing the directory is a very time-consuming process and having you send me the information as requested will save me a huge amount of time. Many thanks.

Please include:
Name(s) last name first
Address
Winter address (if you have one)
Phone number
Cell phone numbers (if you have them)
email address 
birthdays (without year)
Picture(s)

Reaching Out Towards "The Stranger"

Adirondack-Friends-of-Refugees is sponsoring upcoming events in June - we hope you will attend and support them!

This Saturday, June 2nd at 4 pm !!!



The choir boys are coming.....

Please join us for a brief planning meeting after church on Sunday, June 3.  Bring a cup of coffee from coffee hour and join us in the sanctuary as we plan activities for  their  visit and locate homes of host families. The  boys will be with us from August 1 through 5 and will  celebrate evensong with us on August 4 and Sunday morning Eucharist on August 5.


At Sunset we sing Compline and the boys lower the flag before retiring to their hosts' homes.

Albany Diocese Convention

Father Craig, Carole Harsh, Bobbi & Dick Perez, Jan & Harold Bedoukian, and Eve Ticknor are excited to join parishes all across the Albany Diocese to celebrate the diocese's 150th anniversary. We are eager for a weekend of worship, speakers, fellowship, entertainment, youth activities and workshops to help us learn how to live the life that Jesus is calling us to live! 

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is joining us to celebrate this special milestone.

Did you hear Bishop Curry's dynamic sermon at the Royal Wedding?  Bishop Curry joined Prince Harry, Megan Markle and 600 guests to celebrate God's gift of love.

Our world is talking about us!
Click here to experience it for yourself:

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry


Sunday, June 10th 4 pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 - Father's Day Brunch.  

Our own dear Father Craig is taking a well-deserved Sunday
away on Fathers' Day.  We wish him a time of rest and relaxation 
while he is on a brief vacation.  The Rev. Diane Nancekivell will
lead us in worship on this Sunday.  Following worship, we will have
a celebration of Father's Day with a special brunch in Persell Hall.
UPCOMING DATES:

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20TH 12:15PM   ANNUAL WOMEN'S 
SPRING LUNCHEON AT THE ESSEX COMMUNITY CHURCH

SUNDAY JUNE 24 - ANNUAL CHURCH PARTY 5-7PM AT THE WESTPORT YACHT CLUB 

MARK THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR.  MORE INFORMATION WILL BE COMING SOON!

SUNDAY, JULY 29 after worship  ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH IN PERSELL HALL



Daily Devotional Readings Available (free)
 
If you would like to greet each day with a devotional reading from the Society of St. John the Evangelist, please go to their website at  http://www.SSJE.org/word  and hit the SUBSCRIBE button to receive their daily email devotional reading.

NEW INFO -- Another alternative is Richard Rohr's site called Center for Action and Contemplation, for more in-depth and profound insights. Please go to www.cac.org to sign up to receive these.  

These are powerful daily spiritual messages and inspirations that can help you "set your sails" for the day and raise up a mundane day into a path of devotion. 


Come And See!

Things are really progressing on our website!  Please take a moment and check it out!    www.stjohnsessexny.com

More to come, please keep checking on our progress.


 

"Coming Together in Prayer"
Next meeting- June 4, 9:45am - St. John's

Please join us for the next meeting for the Ecumenical/Regional Retreat Planning on June 4, at 9:45 am, at St. John's.   

All are invited to attend! 


Save the Date - July 8 - Holy Listening Session

Eric Davis, part of Bishop Ely's Discernment Committee, will be conducted a Holy Listening Session here on Sunday, July 8th, during coffee hour.   I encourage everyone to attend this session  because our needs as a DEPO parish (Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight) will be discussed and addressed. 

This Holy Listening Session is part of a new bishop-discernment process for the Diocese of Vermont. Bishop Ely is retiring within the next 18 months.



Prayers of the People

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. We give thanks for other blessings we now share...       

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray for those who are ill: 

For James Graves; Bruce; Dottie Hall Swinehart's son, Kent; Jill; Teresa's sister Vivian; Pam's friend Bryce Newcomb; Laura Steenburg; Judith Moore; Dottie Hall Swinehart; Helene Gray; and others known to us....       
We commend to your mercy all who have died.

Holy Day - May 31 - Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast commemorates the visit of the Blessed Virgin to her cousin Elizabeth, recorded in the gospel according to Luke.  Elizabeth, who was then carrying John the Baptist, greeted Mary with these words, " Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit or your womb."  Mary broke into the song of praise and thanksgiving which we call the Magnificat " My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord."  

  Let us pray:   Let us mature, Oh Lord, into the humility that Mary illustrates for us through her deep devotion and acceptance based on  her  faith.  May we become vessels of the Holy Spirit.  Amen



Lost Scribbles from Father Craig's desk.

Please remember that God created us good and sufficient and that can never be taken away from us.  The cross reminds us that we enter into relationship with Christ through God's graciousness. What is implied is that our worthiness is never taken into consideration by God because whatever God creates is eternally good.


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
email: frcraigstjohns@gmail.com
 
If you are unable to reach him at the Church, please call the Rectory and leave a message if no one answers.  
And please note, the Rectory is always open for emergencies.

 

~ Looking Forward to Seeing You
in Church 9:15am Sunday
June 3, 2018 ~