St. John's logo
What's Happening at St. John's
UNITED THANK OFFERING
United Thank Offering is a personal, spiritual discipline of thanksgiving that supports God's mission throughout the world, the United Thank Offering is supported by Episcopalians who give thanks every day for good things that happen.
 
As you give thanks every day for good things in your life, place a coin or dollar in United Thank Offering blue box . When your blue box is full or you place a check in a United Thank Offering envelope, your blessings become blessings for others .
 
For small Blessings, like finding a good parking spot on a busy day, you might place a coin in your blue box. For major blessings, like recovery from serious illness or the birth of a grandchild, you might place a dollar in your blue box. Every coin and dollar transforms lives around the world.
 
In 2015, UTO awarded $1.5 million in grants for the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. With strong support from our Episcopal community, it could happen that St. John's, Portsmouth, will request and be awarded a UTO grant to change lives in New Hampshire.
 
The next UTO in gathering is Sunday, May 7. UTO boxes and envelopes are available in the worship entrance area on 100 Chapel St. Please make checks out to "St. John's Episcopal Church' and write 'UTO' in the memo line.
 
Please contact Mary Atwater for more information.

GROUP DISCUSSION - WATER JUSTICE
In March of this year, the Trinity Institute met under the theme 'WaterJustice'. The conference was designed to provide guidance for churches and individuals wishing to take unified, faith-based action on the front lines of the water justice movement       
St. John's is offering four sessions from the conference on Wednesday Evenings at 7pm:

April 26 : Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa and past chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network.

May 3:
Water Stories from The Rio Grande, The Great Barrier Reef, and Cuba. Talk by David Toomey, Episcopal priest and economist specializing in water and sanitation.

May 10
: "Not Just Flint: Water Crises and Inequality in the United States." The United States faces the challenge of contaminated water in many places, with low-income rural areas and communities of color most endangered.

May 17
: Katherine Hayhoe, climate scientist and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University

The goal of Trinity Institute 2017 is to encourage a deeper appreciation for water as a sacred gift and sustainer of life. The relationship between water issues and climate change is explored, and the opportunities for individuals, organizations and societies to learn about, and consider how to mitigate and adapt to, water issues of access, pollution, drought, flooding and rising tides.

We will meet in the Philbrick Room at 7pm and conclude the gathering with Celtic Night Prayer. Please speak to Charlie Nichols or Anne Williamson for more information.
END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER

During the month of May, we are collecting 5 oz. can of white albacore tuna (in water). Monetary donations also welcome.
 
Donated tuna may be left in the green box in Thaxter Hall or in the vestibule of the church.  Thank you .Cathy Hunt and Judy Roberts

PORTSMOUTH CHILDREN'S DAY AT ST. JOHN'S
DISCUSSION GROUP OPPORTUNITY
"Outside The Box"
A Sunday lunch series sharing stories of places where,to quote Bishop Rob,
"God's love refuses to be kept in a box".
Sunday, May 7th at 11:30am to 1:00pm
 
Join us for lunch in the Philbrick Room as we hear about a community project in Ng'ombe, Zambia founded by Linda Wilkinson (a long-time friend of Carol & Tom Gruen) called "Chikumbuso" which means "Remembrance". Chikumbuso provides an alternative lifestyle to the most vulnerable women and children in the township. Susan Lassen, on one of her frequent trips to Zambia, was able to visit the Chikumbuso project and school.
 
In 2004, Linda traveled with her husband Bruce to Zambia, with $3000 and the determination to do something for the women and children left destitute by the AIDS epidemic there. The Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project has become a strong community of 70 artists who earn a living handcrafting fashion products for sale locally and internationally. The Chikumbuso Community School now educates nearly 450 children (K-7), 125 high school students, and 18 elderly receive meal assistance.

RITE 13
  Rite 13 Ceremony,
Sunday, May 14
at the 10am service.
 
LADIES LUNCH
It is a simple, fun idea: St. John's ladies getting together once a month at a local restaurant for lunch.
 
If you are interested in joining us, please attend a planning meeting on Wednesday, May 17th at 12:30. Bring a sandwich and help us plan when, where, and who needs a ride for our first luncheon outing in June. If you are unable to attend the planning meeting, but would like to join us going out to lunch once a month, please call Mary Walker (603-436-2034) or Linda McVay (603-988-9755). All are welcome.
CONCERTS ON THE HILL
THE MUSICAL
 
St. John's Annual Spring Musical
The Wizard of Oz
   
 
 
May 19 at 7pm
May 21 at noon
in Thaxter Hall 
BOOK GROUP - SMALL GREAT THINGS
Book Discussion Tuesday May 23:
Small Great Things
by Jodi Piccoult
 
We are delighted to welcome back Dr. Eden Wales Freedman, Assistant Professor of English at Mount Mercy University and former St. John's parishioner, to lead our discussion on Small Great Things , as we continue reading together books that speak to the challenges of our times. The title of the book is taken from a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.: "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."
 
The Good Reads review of Small Great Things notes: 'With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion-and doesn't offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.' For the full 'Good Reads' review, go to:
 
We will meet at 7pm in the Philbrick Room, on the lower level of Thaxter Hall. All are welcome but it would be helpful if you would let us know you will be joining us. Please contact Anne Williamson anne@stjonhsnh.org or leave a message in the office 603-436-8283. All welcome.
 

YOUNG ORGANIST COLLABORATIVE NEWS
View " The Music of the Pipe Organ" by the news magazine NH Chronicle, highlighting two YOC students and the work of Young Organist Collaborative.

Dear Friends,
 
The Gospel this coming Sunday is the story of the disciples on the the road to Emmaus, where friends of Jesus are confronting the disappointment and upheaval in their lives of the crucifixion, and wondering about the rumors of Jesus' resurrection.  In this story, the disciples of Jesus are trying to understand the time of transition in which  they find themselves, and their encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus renews and reenergizes them, as their hearts were stirred by Jesus' words and presence. 
 
For all who are facing times of change and challenge, times of trial and transition, I offer you a 'shared prayer' which comes from Common Prayer, a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals:
 
Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Lord, teach me to listen to my heart; teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door.

May God's grace be with you in the midst of change.
 
Eastertide blessings,
 
Anne




St. John's Episcopal Church
603-436-8283 | administrator@stjohnsnh.org | www.stjohnsnh.org

Company Name
Phone | Fax | Email | Website