Report on Holy Listening session on July 8
More than 30 people from St John's attended a Holy Listening Session last Sunday during coffee hour. This session was facilitated by members of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont seeking information on what members of St John's wanted in the New Bishop. Qualities for a new Bishop included: Pastoral, small church experience and expertise, committed to work with the Diocese of Albany in retaining the DEPO relationship. Have a defined position on the changing the Marriage Cannon, Social Responsible Investing and opening Vermont Diocese grant applications to DEPO churches.
July 12 is the first meeting of the new book group on Healing Prayer. Please contact Lyn Barrett Bussian with questions.
Our Friday Night Supper Club
Please join friends, neighbors, guests and parishioners this Friday night, July 13 at 6pm in Persell Hall. This weekly gathering has attracted a great crowd of folks who enjoy meeting one another and sharing a meal.
ReNew benefit brunch
This Sunday is the day to celebrate and support ReNew by attending a brunch at the Pink Pig. Bring your friends, relatives and guests and help ReNew continue our mission to assist families in our area. This is the tenth year that ReNew has served our community with support from St. John's and the other churches in Essex, Westport and Willsboro.
Ecumenical Planning Session
The Next Ecumenical Planning Session for the Gathering Together in Prayer is Schedule for 16 July 18. Coffee and conversation begins at 9:45 and will end after a noon meal beginning at 12:00. Plan to stay until 1:00 AM. Major topics will be (1) Draft Retreat Schedule (2) Logistics and discussion on Locations in Essex. (3). Development of Costs Proposal.
Annual Meeting of the Parish
Please plan to stay for the annual meeting of St. John's following worship on Sunday, July 22. This is an opportunity to recap this past yea, ask questions,r and make your voice heard as we elect our Vestry members for the next terms.
Bishop Ely visit on August 1
Each year, we look forward to a visit from the Bishop of Vermont, Bishop Ely to St. John's. The Bishop will meet with the Vestry in the morning and then celebrate Holy Eucharist and eat lunch with the parish. Please consult the poster for details and RSVP if you would like to join the bishop for lunch following the service.
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.
Bishop Michael Curry speaks at the Annual convention of the Episcopal Church
You may access his speech here:
AND, here's the Youtube video of his sermon:
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
[email protected]
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)
We pray for those who are ill or recovering:
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
Mary Ruth's brother, Tom Seibert, and we pray for her and the rest of her family as they grieve.
Holy Day - July 11 - Benedict of Nursia Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540
Benedict is generally accounted the father of western monasticism and his composition of a monastic Rule. He dos not appear to have been ordained or to have contemplated the founding of an "order." He died sometime between 540 and 550 and was buried in the same grave as his sister. In the Anglican Communion today, the rules of many religious orders are influenced by Benedict's Rule.
Let us Pray:
Almighty and everlasting God, your precepts are the wisdom of a loving Father: Give us grace, follow the teaching and example of your servant Benedict, to walk with loving and willing hearts. Let your ears be open to our prayers; and prosper with your blessing the work of our hands,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Lessons:
Proverbs: 2:1-9
Psalm 1
Luke 14:27-33
