Thanks for reading our weekly email newsletter! We hope that it gives you useful and relevant updates for all the events and activities here at St. John's. Feel free to forward this email to your family and friends so they can be included in the "wider circle" that we're drawing here in College Park.
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A Message from the Priest in charge...
Dear Friends,
Thank you all for the delicious offerings of food at this past Sunday's Second Sunday Brunch and your attention and participation in the Annual Parish Meeting. We had a good turnout and good information was shared among all.
Tisa Anderson picks up her discussion of Richard Rohr's book "Falling Upward" on Sunday in the Hospitality Suite following our worship service. Come join us - great book!
The "Ladies to Lunch" group gathers at 2:00pm Sunday afternoon at the Corner Tavern in Hapeville. All the women of the church are welcome to attend - everyone pays for their own food. Contact Celeste Hall at csteinhall@gmail.com to let her know you plan to attend (if you have not already confirmed).
Terri +
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Annual Parish Meeting...
If you were unable to attend our meeting this past Sunday but would like a copy of the Annual Report, which includes detailed financials, please let Rev. Terri know and we can get you an extra copy.
At the meeting, Michael Isham was elected to the Vestry to fill one of the three seats being vacated by Ann Alston, Paul Brady and Daniel Hudson. There being no other candidates, the Vestry will operate in 2020 with seven members: David Gibbs (Senior Warden), Michael Spring (Clerk), Price Foster (Assistant Treasurer), George Ilodi, Phyllis Smith, Sherran Davis and Michael Isham. The Junior Warden will be elected by the Vestry at the January meeting. Pat Roberts will continue to serve as Parish Treasurer.
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A new way to help our neighbors... Blessing Bags!
We have received a great suggestion for a new way to help out those who come to our door needing assistance. Anna Bitterman has provided information about “Blessing Bags.” Use a
quart size
resealable plastic bag to collect hats, gloves and socks and/or travel-size deodorant, hand wipes, cotton swabs, tissues, mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand lotion, lip balm, etc. Food items might include small packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers, cookies, gum, tuna/chicken individual foil packages, granola bars, etc. Put what you collect in the bag, seal it and bring to the church
each month on the first Sunday
. We will bless these bags and then distribute them on Wednesday evenings and at other times when people come to our door with a need for such items. For more information, contact Anna at
tjsgrams@aol.com
.
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Pastoral Care News:
Jane Randolph is responding well to treatment and expects to be home from the hospital in the next day or so. Daughter and granddaughter are with her. Visits are appreciated!
Joanne Lindsey continues to recover and get stronger at Concordia Rehabilitation Center in Fayetteville, just off Gingercake/Brandywine Road. She expects to be there about another week or so as she settles into a routine of kidney dialysis (Tues, Thurs, Sat. each week). Joanne and Claude miss St. John's and would love to see visitors.
Transportation needed for several folks:
Eleanor Buchanan - Fairburn area
Barbarine Thorpe - Old National Highway area
Nee Odoi - College Park area
Jim Beasley - East Point/edge of City of Atlanta area
Tiffany Jenkins (newcomer) - Highway 85/Riverdale area
Please let Rev. Terri and/or David Gibbs know if you can assist with transportation to/from church for these folks. We can provide addresses and contact information.
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Coffee... hosts needed!
With the new year upon us, some parishioners will be changing responsibilities as they rotate on/off the vestry on January 12. One of those persons is Daniel Hudson, who has been faithfully managing the kitchen and making the coffee for us each week for years. It's time we gave Daniel a break!
Starting January 19 and going forward, we are asking for volunteers to sign up to be a "coffee host" for a specific Sunday morning - once a month, on occasion or whenever your schedule permits. The sign-up sheet will be in Bott Hall for our Annual Meeting so please bring your calendars and we will go from there. Daniel and Sherran Davis (moving more fully into the 'Hospitality' role) have detailed instructions on how to use the coffee machine and will gladly demonstrate how to get everything ready.
Going forward, if we don't have anyone sign up for a particular Sunday, well... there will be no "coffee and conversation" before or after the worship service. Let's all pull together and make this a regular offering - for the congregation and all our visitors.
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Attendance at our January 12 service was
53. The collection for the day was
$2,848.25. Bargain Shop cash sales for the prior week were
$647.61.
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Book Club and Bible Study News...
The Wednesday evening Book Club and Bible Study groups have embarked on new adventures and you are invited to join us!
The Knowledge Seekers Book Club, which meets at 5:00pm, has started to read and discuss "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens. Books have been ordered and we are looking forward to reading and discussing this story about an abandoned "swamp girl" in coastal North Carolina.
The Bible Study group is moving ahead with a study of Paul's Letter to the Romans. There is no advance preparation required to be a part of this group and study notes are provided.
Participation in either or both groups is a great way to build friendships and enjoy the fellowship of others. (It also is a great way to keep those brain cells active in the cold winter months.) Come and join us - all are welcome!
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Fill the gaps...
On the remaining Sundays during the Epiphany season (January 19 through February 23), we want to see what it feels like to sit a little closer to each other. So, we will be "roping off" several of the back pews. You might ask
why?
With the nave of the church capable of seating about 250 people, when we have only 45-50 on a regular Sunday, it seems quite like a "cavern" out there with people scattered all over, front to back. One impression - especially for a guest - is that we are nearly 'empty' (or in pretty bad shape) which might cause them to rethink coming back.
As an experiment, I want to try moving people a little closer to the front of the nave. I know that some of you have a 'special pew' where you prefer to sit, but I am asking that you 'play along' with this effort to see how it feels to have a tighter community. So, starting January 12, please respect the 'roped off' areas and try to sit a little closer to your neighbors!
We will evaluate how it feels (and looks) as we go into Lent. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me or send an email.
Rev. Terri +
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Who's serving this Sunday...
Altar Guild - Sylvia Pace
Coordinator - Val Valverde
Crucifer - Michael Spring
Readers - Lisa Norton-Rotella & Phyllis Smith
Prayers of the People - Michael Spring
Chalices - Eileen Slough & Val Valverde
Ushers - Donald Gauld & Sherran Davis
Counters - Michael Isham & Sherran Davis
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Parish Calendar Notes...
- ReviveATL: Love in Action - Wednesday, January 22 at 5:00pm at Atlanta University Center (see Diocesan website www.episcopalatlanta.org for registration and more details)
- Path To Shine Mentor Training - Thursday, January 23 in Hospitality Suite
- Candlemas Service with Holy Eucharist - Sunday, February 2 at 10:00am
- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - February 25 at 6:00pm
- Ash Wednesday - February 26 - Lent begins! Two services planned - noon and 7:00pm
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