WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS 
FROM 
ST. JOHN'S

September 20-26 , 2017

Register for a Foyer Group NOW!

Foyer Groups are a wonderful way to get to know other members of our parish family in an informal setting. The group meets once a month in one of the group members' home for dinner, dessert & conversation. The kick-off party will be Saturday, October 14, from 6:00-8:00pm in Tilson Hall. Bring an appetizer to share and BYOB. The registration form can be found below or in the Welcome Center. Please turn your form into Kerry Johnson in the church office. Questions? Contact Meredith McGough at meredithmcgough@bellsouth.net. 


Are You Suffering From:
*Are you tired of living with resentment?
*Are you grieving for a life that could have been?
*Has your self-image and worth taken a thrashing?

If you said yes to any of these, then come and join us for this Personal Divorce Recovery Retreat!

What You Will Learn:
*How to personally move from resentment to forgiveness.
*Ways to protect yourself emotionally from those who intimidate you.
*How to resolve grief and a sense of lost hope.
*How to forgive yourself and rebuild your self-image.

Please Note: The healing work in this retreat is conducted entirely content free. You will not be asked to share your personal story with anyone. While designed for those who have been divorced, this retreat would be appropriate for anyone who has experienced a painful ending to a relationship.

Cost:
Early Registration (includes lunch) $25
Late Registration (after Sep. 27) $50

Please forward this invitation to any friends or colleagues who may benefit from this workshop. 
Donate Here
Save the Date!
Parish Work Day
Saturday, October 14
9am-1pm
Going to the game this Sunday? Let us help make your transition from church to the game easier-you are welcome to wear your football game attire to church on home game Sundays!  Even if you are not going to the game, feel free to dress casually in clothes reflecting the team of your choice!
This Sunday is Social Media Sunday in the Episcopal Church!  St. John's invites you to bring your cell phone to the service of your choice and post photos to facebook, instagram,  or twitter describing why you love your church.  By using the hashtags # viewfromthepew , #sms17 and #STJEC (St. John's) you will be able to share your images and story with your church community and the church at large. Photos during the service are encouraged!  

New Fall Service Schedule Has Begun!
 
Saturdays, 5:00 p.m. Rite II in the Nave
 
Sundays, 7:30 a.m., Rite I with hymns in the Nave
 
Sundays, 9:00 a.m., Rite II with choirs in the Nave
 
Sundays, 10:15 a.m. - Christian Formation for all ages
 
Sundays, 11:15 a.m., Rite II with The Living Water Praise Band in the Parish Hall
The Second of a Three Part Adult Education Series Continues this Sunday, September 24, facilitated by Matt Williams, Family Minister!


Life is complicated...following Jesus is not! In a world of paperwork, processes, requirements, and expectations mere words like "Department of Motor Vehicles", "Form 1040", "Medicaid Part D", and even "PTA Fundraiser" fill us with dread. Because we are all too familiar with the rules,   complications, and technicalities surrounding our lives, we assume everything is difficult.  Luckily, following Jesus is not one of those things.  In this three-part interactive class, we explore three simple rules that make it easier to live as a disciple. 

Session 2, Sunday, September 24 - It is never about you. (Room 208)
Session 3, Sunday, October 1 - Be intentional, not accidental. (Room 208)
Sunday Rector Forums, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1:  
Practical Compassion for an Angry World
Facilitated by Rob Voyle, Interim Rector
Topic for this Sunday, September 24 - The Three Faces of Compassion

      This week we will explore the three faces of compassion:  Tenderness, Fierceness, and Mischievousness and hope to use them as agents of transformation in the world. The "three faces" are practical ways we can meet the challenge of "staying in love" in the midst of chaos and hate.
ECW September 2017 Newsletter:  The ECW's September newsletter went out on September 17th.  If you did not receive the newsletter, please email ecwsje@gmail.com to be added to the ECW's email distribution list. You may view the newsletter online by clicking on  this link: http://bit.ly/ecwseptember2017 .  If you are a female member of St. John's who is at least 18 years old, then you are a member of the Episcopal Church Women!

ECW Interest Survey - Please respond by Sept. 30th!  The ECW is making plans for next year and we need your input!  The survey has 10 brief questions and will take only 5 minutes to complete.  The survey will be open through September 30th. We want to hear from all the women of St. John's!  To take the survey, click on this link:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5QYHFYB .
Sr. Retreat This Weekend! Our 9th - 12th graders will head to Awanita this weekend!  

Jr. EYC Fall Retreat This Weekend! Go to our Facebook page and see pictures from the Jr. EYC Fall Retreat last weekend!

Jr. EYC Crew Nights This Week: Instead of EYC this week, our middle school students will meet with their crew for a fun/fellowship night out!  Advisors will be in touch with more specifics!  If you have any questions, please contact advisors!

6th grade guys: Meet at Urban Air in Mint Hill from 5:00pm - 7:00pm on Sunday!

6th grade girls: Meet at Sports Connection-check with advisors for details on time and money!

7th grade guys: Meet at Defy Gravity on Sunday from 5pm-7pm.  More details coming from your advisors!

7th grade girls: Fondue of Jesus Dinner at Melting Pot.  Bring $35.

8th grade guys: Lock in at the church on Saturday night!

8th grade girls: Dinner at Kabutos on October 15th from 6:30pm - 9:00pm (after EYC). Bring $20.

Sunday, October 1, 2017:  Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to be a part of our new and improved student leadership team. Student leaders help to plan and lead Sunday night EYC.  6th graders will be invited to be a part in the new year once you've had a chance to see how it works! Mark your calendars now for a meeting on Sunday, October 1st and watch for more details to come soon!
Wednesday Night Dinner:  Wednesday night supper, September 20, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  This week's menu features meatball or sausage subs, fries, salad & cupcakes. All are welcome without a reservation, but calling the church office or signing up for your reservation helps Janie prepare the right amount of food.
Now is a Great Time to Join a Choir!
Contact Alan Reed in church office about a choir for you or your child, ages 5-85+!  We have groups for singers, ringers, and instrumentalists.  St. Nicholas' Training Choir meets Sundays at 11:15 a.m. (beginning September 17); Treble Youth RSCM Choir (grades 3-12), Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.; St. John's Choir for teens and adults, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.; Bells of St. John's, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.; St. John's Bells, Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.; Living Water Praise Band, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.  Come join us!
St. John's Hygiene Pantry Ministry is open!   The following items are being collected for the pantry:
  • Laundry detergent
  • Toilet paper
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Bath soap
  • Disposable razors and shaving cream
  • Body lotion
  • Baby diapers and wipes
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
Place your donations in the large basket weave barrels at the entryways to the church.  If you feel called to become involved with this ministry, please contact Laura McGinley at lcmcginley@gmail.com or Michelle Sellers at sellerspc@aol.com.
The Preschool is collecting corn and/or rice bags made for our sensory bin! We are a lso collecting:
  • shoe boxes
  • gently used dress-ups
  • baby food jars
  • egg cartons
  • small plastic containers (butter tubs, cottage cheese tubs, etc.)
All things come of thee O lord,  and of thine own have I given thee.
                                       1 Chronicles 29:14b
Have you offered your Commitment Card to God and St. John's yet?   If not, there are cards available for each member of your family here at the church or you can call the church office and we will be happy to mail them to you.  Completed cards may be returned to the baskets on the Altar in the Nave, Chapel or Parish Hall or you may return them by mail if that is more convenient for you at this time. You can also pledge on line by clicking here.