St. John's Church
Mary Salome and Zebedee with their Sons James the Greater and John the Evangelist, von Kulmbach


Saturday (Tomorrow) is
a Laundry Love Day

If you can spare the time, we'd love your help at this week's Laundry Love. And if you have any gently used puzzles, games, craft materials, etc., to help entertain the young ones while their parents do laundry, bring them along.

Saturday, October 20
11:45 a.m. -2:15 p.m.
This Sunday, October 21, 2018
The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Nursery—9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m  
8:15 a.m.     Holy Eucharist (no music)
10:30 a.m.   Holy Eucharist & Children’s Chapel, Keeper’s Cottage
11:45 a.m.   Coffee Hour, Parish Hall

There is no adult forum Sunday morning since many of us will be at Shrine Mont. Adult Forum will return next week.




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From Amelie, with Love

Dear Friends:
   
For the past three weeks, our Wednesday evening formation group has been discussing the book Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margins of Error, by Kathryn Schulz .  This week, we explored the role that our social circles play in shaping our beliefs, our sense of belonging, and our ideas of right and wrong, who is in, and who is out. And then, today I came across an article that addresses this same issue in light of our gospel reading for today.
 
“In 1944, C. S. Lewis gave a talk to students at King’s College at Cambridge called ‘The Inner Ring,’ about this longing to be safely inside imagined lines and walls of belonging. Inner rings exist not because of who is inside them but because of who is kept out. An inner ring creates and defines outsiders and then coddles insiders with special privileges and powers. For Lewis, in-groups are about not power but exclusivity: ‘We hope, no doubt, for tangible profits from every Inner Ring we penetrate: power, money, liberty to break rules, avoidance of routine duties, evasion of discipline. But all these would not satisfy us if we did not get in addition the delicious sense of secret intimacy.’
 
 In this morning’s gospel, James and John ask Jesus to sit at his right and left hand, apparently because they want power and prestige. But I wonder, as well, if they wanted a 'secret intimacy' with Jesus apart from the other disciples. What they imagine is less about them and more about the others: Peter, Andrew, James the Less, etc., and the look on their faces when they see they are not sitting next to Jesus in glory.
 
 We may laugh, hearing two disciples ask Jesus, like eight-year-olds, if they can sit with him up at the front and be his groupies. But don’t we all have ways we have chosen or longed to be part of inner rings in our own communities? Or even with God and the Holy? As Lewis puts it, we are ‘not longing for virtue or kindness or loyalty or humor or learning or wit or any of the things that can be really enjoyed. [We] merely [want] to be ‘in.’
 
 That’s not how Jesus or the kingdom of God works, of course.
 
 Lewis says that ‘until you conquer the fear of being an outsider, an outsider you will remain.’ This is true not only in Christianity but in human psychology. It is not inner rings but friendship and service that offer us real belonging. As Jesus explains in his reproach to James and John, the kingdom is not about who is in and who is out, nor is Christian greatness about who is on top and who is underfoot. Glory and greatness in Christ come from seeing others, helping others, and loving others—as God in Christ sees, helps, and loves us. It means believing that we are all on the inside, even if we aren’t sure we—or our neighbor—is worth it.”*
 
In Christ,

  Amelie+

* “The Inner Circle” by Heidi Havercamp, in The Christian Century, October 2018 edition.
Stewardship Season Has Begun

In the coming weeks, we will be reflecting upon our many gifts and how we offer them in and through our St. John's community. This year's stewardship theme is "Now into the World," a phrase echoing the commission we accept in our Post-Communion prayer each Sunday. 

During worship each week, you will be hearing from members of the congregation whose engagement in our ministries “Now” witnesses to the work of God’s Spirit in the world we serve.  This world of “Now” at St John’s includes:

  • Providing 1,464 of food to the local food pantries so far this year.
  • Providing hundreds of school supplies and lunches for students at Bellevue Elementary School and Peter Paul Development Center, while offering parent/teacher support.
  • Assisting a monthly average of 50 people with 104 washing loads and 109 dryer loads at Laundry Love
  •  Joyfully welcoming nearly a thousand community members through weekly worship, hymn sings, concerts, special services, and prayer vigils.
  • Creating over 75 opportunities for learning and spiritual growth through weekly Wednesday night and Sunday morning Adult Forum programs.
  • Restoring our Parish House offices and church grounds to be a welcoming place for dozens of visitors, every day.

This week, you will be receiving a letter with details about St. John's ministries and budget, and we invite you to read it prayerfully and consider how you are being called to contribute your time, talents, and treasure to our shared life. We will conclude this season on November 18 by welcoming the Bishop and celebrating our new members!  
Adult Forum to Resume Next Week: Faith and Advocacy, Part II

Due to this week’s Shrine Mont retreat, there will be no Adult Forum Sunday, October 21.

Next week, we continue our discussion on the connection between faith and citizenship during a challenging and divisive period in our nation’s history. Our conversation next week will focus on faith in the public square with a panel discussion including The Rev. Deacon David Curtis, Bud Oakey, and other members of the St. John’s community.  

Sunday, October 28
9:15 a.m.
The Parish Hall
Child care is available

Wednesday Formation Book Study
Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error

Our Wednesday evening programming is currently discussing, Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error, by Journalist Kathryn Schulz. In it, the author explores why we find it so gratifying to be right and so maddening to be mistaken, and how this attitude toward error impacts our relationships—whether among family members, colleagues, neighbors, or nations.

Drawing on thinkers as varied as Augustine, Darwin, Freud, Alan Greenspan, and Groucho Marx, Schulz proposes that error is both a given and a gift—one that can transform our worldviews, our relationships, and, most profoundly, ourselves. 

Each evening’s session begins in the Parish Hall with a simple supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by our discussion at 7:00 p.m. Next week, we will cover chapters 8-10.

Copies of the book are available for purchase online in hard copy or in electronic (see below) format. Please contact the Parish Office if you need help with the purchase.  



Wednesday, October 24
Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Study & Discussion 7:00 p.m.
The Parish Hall
Fancy Me Mad
Tales from Edgar Allan Poe & Graveyard Tours

Walk among spirits in the graveyard, including Eliza Poe, mother of Edgar; T.W. White, Poe's Editor at the Southern Literary Messenger; George Wythe and his murderous nephew; Dr. McClurg, Revolutionary War surgeon; and more!    

There are two seatings in the church, where Edgar Allan Poe will read tales of mystery and suspense (30 minutes each seating). Spirits walk the grounds all evening.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for children ages 7-12. 6 and under are free. Visit Historic St. John's Church for more information.

Saturday, October 20
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
St. John's Church
Discerning our Gifts in Community: Asset Mapping Workshop

The Rev. Deacon Theresa Lewallen will facilitate a discussion to help us determine our individual strengths, skills, and resources, which we can share with others.

This “asset mapping” will assist us in knowing, as a community, how we can better support other organizations, such as Episcopal Community Services.

Coffee and breakfast food will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m., and lunch will be served following the session. Please RSVP to David Curtis by October 23 at 5:00 p.m. 

Saturday, October 27
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
The Parish Hall
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.
 

NEW Opportunities
Bellevue Elementary needs mentors, lunchroom buddies, and tutors. Scheduling is flexible and during the school-day. If interested, please contact Ms. Charla Armstead . Requirements: background check and orientation meeting.
 
Kairos Prison Ministry needs your cookies. Homemade cookies help express God's love to a population that often feels deeply unloved. Please see the handouts in the Parish Hall or at the back of the church for details.

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 them in the basket at the rear of the church at any time.
 
First Fruits Sundays : First Sunday of every month. Bring non-perishable food items to church for donation to the Christ Ascension Food Pantry. Christ Ascension Food Pantry currently needs pasta, tuna, and peanut butter.
Next First Fruits Sunday— November 4
 
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. Please contact David Curtis for more information.
Next Laundry Love Day— This Saturday, October 20

Laundry Love Activity Table The Outreach Team is looking for new or gently used donations for the kids' activity table at Laundry Love, a place for safe play and learning while parents are busy with clothes. Possible donations include:
  • addition/subtraction flashcards
  • Play-doh
  • simple puzzles
  • picture books, coloring books
  • markers, crayons
  • small Lego sets
  • simple craft supplies (pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, glue, etc.). 

A box for your donations is in the Parish Hall. This is an ongoing collection. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Broda.
Canned Chicken and Tuna Donations
for the Community of Deacons
The Community of Deacons in the Diocese of Virginia will sponsor a canned tuna and chicken collection at Annual Convention in November. They will disburse this collection to food pantries and ministries throughout the Diocese.

Since we support Christ Ascension's Food Pantry with First Fruits, we will give half of our collection to it, and the other half to the Convention collection. We will also include the full amount we collect in our First Fruits totals for the year. 

Please deposit your donations to this drive in the collection box in the Parish Hall. You may contact David Curtis at dcurtis@saintjohnsrichmond.org with any questions.
Altar Flower Remembrances

We encourage everyone who is a part of the St. John’s community to remember or honor loved ones and special anniversaries and events by sponsoring the flowers at the altar for a specific Sunday. The cost is $30. You may pay via cash or check in the offering plate or in the church office, or through Paypal. Sign up for the Sunday when you want to sponsor flowers on the sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall foyer.
You Are Invited
to Sarah Kye Price’s Ordination

The St. John's community is invited to Sarah Kye Price's ordination to the transitional diaconate (all ordained priests are first and always ordained deacons). Everyone is invited; no exceptions.

Saturday, November 10, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Next Vestry Meeting,
Tuesday, November 13,
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.
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.

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