St. John's Church
the death of absalom , von ems
Join Us Saturday
for the Final Summer Saturday Contemplative Service
of the Summer

This service includes Holy Eucharist, contemplative music, a quiet, candlelit atmosphere, and the rite of healing, as a relaxing supplement to your Sunday morning worship; it lasts about an hour.

Please invite friends who prefer contemplative worship in the early evening.

This will be our final evening service for the summer, and we hope to schedule more for the fall. Everyone is welcome; no exceptions .

Saturday, August 11
5:30-6:30 p.m.

This Sunday, August 12, 2018
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Nursery—9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m.                                              
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Children’s Chapel, Keeper’s Cottage
11:15 a.m. Special Coffee Hour Honoring Sarah Kye Price, Parish Hall



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From Amelie, with Love

Dear Friends,

This past Tuesday, the Young Adults of St. John’s set up a table right outside the front gates of St. John’s and served ice cream sundaes to about 150 passers-by. They do this each year for National Night Out, which is held annually throughout the country on the first Tuesday in August. The point of this national initiative is to get people out in their neighborhoods, walking around, so they can get to know one another. Lots of members and friends of St. John’s stood by and helped out, but mostly we just talked to the people who came by. I had at least 25 real conversations with fascinating people from all over Church Hill, of all ages, from all walks of life. 

As I drove home, I got to thinking. Would I have ever spoken to any of these people in the normal course of a day? People who I may have passed by on the street or waited behind in line at least a dozen times? If I am honest with myself, the answer is no, probably not. Usually I am on the way to something, usually running late. It just wouldn’t occur to me to stop and strike up a conversation. What does it take, for me, or for anyone, to make space in our lives for that kind of hospitality?

In the book we have been reading together this summer, Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in Disguise, the author Richard Beck says this about time and hospitality:

We describe hospitality as ‘making room’ and we tend to think of this as making room in physical space – making room at our table or making a bed available in our home. The practice of stopping is a different sort of making room…in time, finding space for others in the midst of our busy days. When we stop, we must practice being present and available…for me, this often means turning and squarely facing the person. Too often, when I stop, I still have one foot out the door. Physically, I’m leaning away rather than in. And I’m often only paying partial attention, my mind racing ahead of my body. Like my body, I’m emotionally leaning away. Stopping involves slowing down that mental hurry, relaxing the body, and being fully present to each other, physically and mentally.  This is what it means to practice hospitality and widen the circle of our affections – leaning in, staying relaxed, being present, working hard to listen – practices that we can work on anytime, anywhere.

Take time to lean in and be present. To someone. Some time. Today.

Thank You for Being Good Neighbors
Thank you to everyone who attended National Night Out Tuesday evening and to the Young Adults, who sponsored the event. We offered hospitality in the form of ice cream to over 150 neighbors (and some of their dogs) while getting to know them better.

National Night Out is an annual event, locally supported by the Richmond Police Department, that aims to lower crime rates by bringing citizens outdoors to meet their neighbors. 
Thank You, Sarah Kye Price

Sunday is seminary intern Sarah Kye Price’s last day with us. Please join us in the Parish Hall after the service for a very special coffee hour in Sarah’s honor. 

Sarah will not be far away after her departure; she will continue teaching as a professor in the School of Social Work at VCU and actively serving the Episcopal Church in Richmond.

Sunday, August 12
11:15 a.m.
Parish Hall
Would You Like to Be an Acolyte?

Acolytes are essential to our worship services, and there is no time commitment outside of the Sunday service you already attend. We encourage our young members, ages 8 and up, to become acolytes.

We will hold a training session after the 10:00 a.m. service Sunday, August 19. Note that this is a change from the original date.

Please contact Amelie or August Butler if you are interested.

Sunday, August 19
11:15 a.m.
Church
Bishop Johnston Announces
His Retirement
8/3/2018

August 3, 2018

Dear Diocesan Family,

After many months of intense prayer and reflection, and in close consultation with the Presiding Bishop and our Standing Committee, I am formally announcing that I have decided to resign my office and ministry as Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia effective November 3, 2018, prior to the adjournment of our annual convention. I will then serve the diocese in a consulting capacity to facilitate the transition to new leadership. I will fully retire effective July 1, 2019, having served over twelve years as a bishop in this diocese.

First of all, I want to say in all honesty that being the XIII Bishop of Virginia has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life. I love this diocese with all my heart. I have also had extraordinary opportunities in places across the globe. I have learned much about the “big things” as well as about how deeply meaningful the so-called small things can be. After all these years of ministry serving as your bishop, there is something surreal about letting go. I have no idea what will come next, except that I shall take an extended period of rest, which will include times for spiritual retreat and discernment. I know that I shall miss my week-to-week ministry, especially spending time with our clergy and interacting with parishioners, but, actually, I am quite excited to have things so open-ended! Ellen and I shall remain in Richmond, where we very happily bought a home two years ago. We look forward to having more time to spend with friends as well as taking opportunities to travel. I also want to make up for a lot of lost time with my family in Alabama and Georgia.

I am proud of the work and accomplishments that we have achieved together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Several of these accomplishments include:

  • the successful resolution of the unprecedented lawsuit returning schismatically-claimed property for the mission of the Episcopal Church;
  • the historic success of the capital campaign for our camps program at Shrine Mont;
  • embracing and fully including LGBT Christians in our ordination process and in the rite of Christian marriage;
  • our recovery of the Church’s voice for faith and advocacy in the “public square,” raised in our internationally-noted presence at the Charlottesville rally opposing the White supremacy demonstrations, as we had already opened a critical dialogue on the sin and experience of racism;
  • the newly re-drawn diocesan Regions that better reflect—and thus will better serve—the demographics and growth of today’s Commonwealth of Virginia;
  • and (lastly but surely not least) our diocese is growing again and our unity, confidence, and morale are high.

There is so much more that could be noted. I certainly do not claim or imply that “I” did all this, but we did, and I am rightly proud of this era I have shared with you in the life of the Diocese of Virginia.

My reasons for reaching this decision that a change of leadership is now good and wise begin with the fact that I feel that I have given my all. Quite simply, “the time” has come. I truly believe that I have done all that I can to accomplish what I feel I was called here to do. And so, I am convinced that it is now time for new vision and new energy for the Church in our diocese.

Equally important as a factor in my decision is that my wife Ellen and I are looking toward sharing an active and full life in retirement years. As I reach the age of sixty (after serving the Church for over thirty years), and being in strong health, I have confidently chosen to claim this season of life for the fuller nurture of our personal life. Someone else can assume my responsibilities as Bishop of Virginia, but no one else can love Ellen as I do.

As I write this letter I realize with certainty that my decision is for the best. While I am aware that there is some speculation about my retirement, please know that this letter conveys what is in fact my own personal truth about my decision to resign. You should also know that it is in consultation with my closest friends, colleagues, and advisors that Ellen and I agree that it is time for me to move on, in God’s grace for us and for the Diocese of Virginia. Be assured that the Presiding Bishop’s office will be in communication with our diocesan leadership regarding the next steps and the particulars for episcopal leadership in Virginia going forward.

I look upon my ministry as bishop among you in terms of having shared milestone moments of God moving decisively in the lives of Virginia Episcopalians. We have grown together as disciples of Jesus Christ. That is what the Church is all about. In the end, I am profoundly gratified by what I believe to have been a consequential episcopate.

Faithfully yours,

The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston
XIII Bishop of Virginia

  “How Can St. John’s Help?”
 Two opportunities to Make a Difference in Richmond

The Spirit of God is moving in Richmond and at St. John's. Have you felt it? Two opportunities for the St. John's family to walk alongside our neighbors and help them to thrive amidst the struggles of poverty and unemployment have emerged.  We invite you to attend the following conversations as we discern where best to invest our time, energy, and talents as a congregation:


  •  Wednesday, August 22Circles RVA, Kim Vullo, Executive Director

Each conversation will convene in the Parish Hall at 7:00 p.m. , preceded by a light supper at 6:30 p.m. After each presentation participants will have time to reflect and offer feedback. The program will conclude by 9:00 p.m.

It's Almost Time
to Do Laundry Again
Saturday, August 18, is our August Laundry Love Day. We’d love your help with helping our neighbors do their laundry. This service allows our neighbors to have clean laundry while they direct their income to other necessities.

Saturday, August 18
11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Next Vestry Meeting,
Tuesday, August 14, at 5:30 p.m.
in the Parish Hall

All members of St. John’s Church are welcome to attend vestry meetings as observers. Minutes of recent meetings are posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall foyer. Please share your ideas or questions about the life of our parish with a vestry member.
Deadline for Shrine Mont
Room Reservation
is August 31

This year’s Shrine Mont retreat weekend is October 19-21 , and the Shenandoah Valley in the fall is quite beautiful. Due to changes in reservation policies, we must report the number of people in our party early, so if you plan to participate, please notify Patty Duffy of the number in your party and the number of rooms you require by August 31.

Spots are filling up, so please respond sooner, rather than later. Autumn is a popular time at Shrine Mont, and there is little wiggle room once reservations are confirmed. Details about this year’s activities, fees, etc., are coming soon.

Spotlight on Outreach

St. John's is committed to living our Baptismal Covenant
to seek and serve Christ in all persons,
loving our neighbor as ourselves
and respecting the dignity of every human being.
 

Ongoing Opportunities
Join the $5 Club : Pledge to spend at least $5 a month on non-perishable foods to feed others. Bring your donations on the first Sunday of each month, or deposit your donations in the wicker basket at the rear of the church at anytime. Remember that while we might take a vacation this summer, hunger does not. Thank you for your generosity in supporting First Fruits. Your living out the Gospel allows others to go to bed without being hungry.

First Fruits Sundays : First Sunday of every month. Bring non-perishable food items to church for donation to the Christ Ascension Food Pantry. Last month, you contributed 146 pounds, giving us a 944 pound year-to-date total donation. That’s 63% of our goal of 1,500 pounds 58.33% of our way into the year.  The pantry currently needs cereal and peanut butter.
Next First Fruits Sunday—Sunday, September 2, 2018

Laundry Love : Third Saturday of every month from 11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Help do your neighbors' laundry at the laundromat at 25th & Nine Mile. Thank you to everyone who helped with last month's Laundry Love when we helped 40 people do 89 loads of laundry and 91 dryer loads. Contact David Curtis for more information .
Next Laundry Love Day—Saturday, August 18
 
School Supply Drive : It might still be summer, but school will be back in session before you know it! Help St. John's collect school supplies for our neighborhood elementary school, Bellevue. Every Sunday in August , just drop your donation in one of the boxes in the chancel on your way to communion.


Put This On Your Calendar Now:
Drew Willson Concert, September 14

Join us for an entertaining evening of original songs and stories with local songwriter Drew Willson. Featuring Richmond-based musicians and friends Jim Bennett (St. John's and Richmond Hill) on piano and Kevin Davis (Ban Caribe) on percussion.

For ten years, Drew Willson has been a minister in the United Methodist Church. He's currently serving at Trinity in the West End. For much longer, Drew has been a musician. From places like the Eastern Shore of Virginia to Atlanta; Georgia and Iona, Scotland; he has followed the muse to write and wrestle with all he has seen. Songwriting is the place where it all comes together.

Despite his day job, Drew tends to surprise listeners with the content of his songs. People, places, and humor abound without a lot of church talk. To quote a recent first-time concert-goer in Fluvanna, "I figured this was going to be religious music, but it was great!" Drew replied, "You know, I want to keep this interesting for myself, too!"

In the spring of 2018, Drew worked with Jim and Kevin to record and release a new album entitled Ritual Matters , the follow-up to Drew's 2016 debut Inviting Storms to Town.

Drew lives in Richmond with his wife, writer Shea Tuttle, and their two children. You can learn more at his website .

Friday, September 14
7:00 p.m.
St. John's Church
Reserve Your Spot in the Van Headed for Karla Hunt’s Ordination

Karla Hunt, a long-time member of St. John's, will be ordained as a vocational deacon Saturday, September 29, at Galilee Episcopal Church, Virginia Beach ( note change in location ). St. John's is renting a 15-passenger van to provide transportation to those who wish to attend. We will leave promptly at 7:45 a.m. from St. John's and should return to Richmond by 4:00 p.m. Please sign up online , or contact David Curtis to register or to ask questions.
New Small Group Ministry
for the Victims of Abuse

Over the past year, there has been a growing interest among some of our members in forming a support group for those who are currently dealing with abuse or those who have been victims of abuse in the past. If you are interested in participating in a group that would meet regularly to read and discuss selected books on healing and transformation and to offer companionship, prayer, and mutual support, please contact Amelie.
Prayer Group & Sunday Prayers
 
Bring your prayers to the Wednesday morning prayer group. Pray with us silently or aloud as the Spirit leads you, and let us surround you with love and prayers. Find sacred silence and hear the still, small voice of God. Simply stop by the Keeper's Cottage any Wednesday at 10:00.

Prayer ministers also offer individual prayer Sundays during communion.

Wednesdays
10:00 a.m.
Keeper's Cottage (to the left of the church)
To learn more, contact Carolyn Dallas

St. John's Church
2401 East Broad Street








Office: 2319 E. Broad Street RVA 23223
804-649-7938

The deadline for submitting copy for the weekly bulletin insert and parish-wide email is Wednesday morning , but earlier is always appreciated. Please send your content to  Patty Duffy . Please note that content may be edited to accommodate space limitations and style guidelines.