Jesus by the sea of galilee
, kettering
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Community Spring Sing & Supper
This Friday!
Everyone's invited to our Community Spring Sing and Supper Friday evening, so invite all your friends.
Our guests will be the Bellevue Elementary School chorus and St. Peter's Church Choir.
We'll provide the entree; please bring a potluck side or dessert.
Friday, May 3
6:00 p.m.
Parish Hall
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This Sunday, May 5, 2019
The Third Sunday of Easter, First Fruits Sunday
8:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Adult Forum, Parish Hall
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Children’s Chapel, Keeper’s Cottage
11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour, Parish Hall
4:30 p.m. Survivors Transformation Group, Library
Nursery is available in the Parish Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Sunday is a First Fruits Sunday
Please bring your non-perishable food donations for the Christ Ascension food bank with you to church this Sunday so that you can deposit them at the chancel steps on your way to altar for communion. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Please note that this email might be clipped in some browsers; be sure to click "view entire message," if necessary, to view the entire message.
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From Amelie with Love
Dear Friends:
On Tuesday of this week, I was honored to attend the Naturalization Ceremony that was held in St. John’s Church–a fitting location, since it is here that liberty “found its voice.” It was my first experience of this deeply moving rite of passage, and I was very grateful for my front pew seat. There is nothing like gazing into the faces of 73 people from 34 different countries while they take the oath of U.S. Citizenship – I saw pride, gratitude, tears, relief, joy, and love.
While it was hard to tell what brought many of these dedicated people to the U.S., I was able to guess about a few: there was a graceful older woman from India wearing a sari – who clearly had come to be with the dozen family members cheering her on from a packed pew. There were others who looked very, very smart – scientists or doctors? Others looked like the young hipsters I see walking around Church Hill! Others…I could only imagine. But each one had made the decision to change a fundamental aspect of their identity, to take the oath to “renounce and abjure all allegiance” to their former country and “support and defend the Constitution and laws” of the United States.
In our reading from the Book of Acts for this coming Sunday, we hear the familiar story of the conversion of Saul when he encounters the risen Jesus on the Road to Damascus. Even for those who don’t know the story, the term “Damascus experience” likely has meaning – a moment of encounter when the “scales” fall from your eyes, and you are forever changed….in heart, in mind, and in your sense of identity. Some call this an “aha” moment. I call it a “God” moment. For Saul, the encounter changed him from being a persecutor of Christians to one of their most prominent leaders, the Apostle Paul.
This has had me wondering about the road that those 73 new U.S. Citizens had followed to get to the point of changing their identity. Had their sentiments toward the U.S. always been positive, or had they, like Paul had a spiritual encounter that changed their way of seeing? Was their journey borne from persecution, hardship, exile? Or were their eyes simply opened to a new opportunity? Whatever the reason for their decision, however much they resisted or embraced it, however long it took for them to make it, the one thing that was true for all is that at some point they had to say, “yes.” Yes” to “no way;” “Yes” to change; “yes” to leaving an old identity and embracing one that is entirely new.
The story of Saul and these new U.S. Citizens invites us all ponder how, even now, God might be encountering us, taking our "no way," and our "we've never done that before" and transforming it into "yes." Like Saul's new vision, how might God be rearranging your ways of seeing, being, and acting? Where is it that God might be leading you? And then, what will your response be when God says, “Get up and go, because I have chosen you and I am commissioning you for a new kind of life in community?"
In Christ,
Amelie+
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Adult Forum Series
on the Revelation Continues
Adult Forum continues this Sunday with the second session of the compelling three-week series, “Apocalypse Then and Now: Making Sense of the Book of Revelation.”
Our longtime friend, John Carroll, Professor of New Testament at Union Presbyterian Seminary, facilitates the program.
Sunday, May 5
9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall
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Have You Left a Dish in the Parish Hall?
The Fellowship committee has culled through the serving dishes in the Parish Hall kitchen and placed those that are chipped on a table in the main room so that you can pick-up yours and take it home. Dishes that remain over two weeks will be free to anyone who wants them and will eventually go to Goodwill.
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Centering Prayer
and Wednesday Evening
Suppers and Formation
Join us Wednesdays for Centering Prayer, followed by supper and discussion.
During the season of Easter, we continue our exploration of the book
The Only Necessary Thing
by Henri Nouwen
,
focusing on his reflections about life in community, Chapter 9.
You are welcome to attend any or all these offerings, which will be held in the Parish House for the remainder of the spring. If you join us for dinner, you are invited to bring a side dish to share.
Everyone, especially you, is invited!
Wednesday, May 8
6:00 p.m. Centering Prayer
6:30 p.m. Supper
7:00 p.m. Discussion
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Join Andrea Bleck-Smith for Gentle Yoga
Each Thursday, Andrea Bleck-Smith offers a yoga class meant for those who enjoy moving a little more slowly and who are looking to maintain or increase strength and flexibility. We focus on moving all joints and muscle groups, alignment, and breath awareness to maintain and restore balanced body function.
Students receive personal alignment suggestions and assistance as needed. Each class ends with a brief relaxation to balance the body.
$54 for a 6-week session or $10 drop-in per class.
Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
The Parish Hall
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The Honor of Your Presence is Requested
Dear St. John's family:
It was my delight to serve with you this summer and to return as one of the facilitators of St. John's Lenten series. I invite your prayers and presence as I prepare for my Ordination to the Priesthood on May 11 (see invitation).
You are welcome and invited to attend!
The Rev. Deacon,
Sarah Price
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Second Saturday Evening
Contemplative Service
St. John's offers evening services the second Saturday of each month. Each service includes Holy Eucharist, contemplative music, a quiet, candlelit atmosphere, and the rite of healing.
We hope you will find this service to be a relaxing supplement to your Sunday morning worship.
Please consider inviting friends who prefer a more contemplative form of worship in the early evening.
Also, please consider serving at this service when you sign up for your service slots each month.
Saturday, May 11
5:30 p.m.
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Join us for our Celebration of a New Ministry and Institution of The Rev. Amelie Wilmer
as Rector of St. John’s Church
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The Wardens, Vestry, Staff, and Congregation
of St. John’s Episcopal Church
warmly request your prayers and presence for
The Celebration of a New Ministry and Institution of
The Reverend Amelie A. Wilmer
as 26th Rector of St. John’s Church
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
at 7 o’clock in the evening
The Very Reverend Hilary Smith
Central Richmond Regional Dean of the Diocese of Virginia, Presiding
The Rev. Dr. Dorothy White
Priest Associate, St. John’s Church, Preaching
Reception in Parish Hall following the service
Clergy: White Stoles
2401 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223
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New Inquirer’s Class Being Formed
This spring, we will begin a new formation series for those who are interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church or in becoming a member through Confirmation, Reception, or the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows.
Our meetings will be tailored to accommodate the schedules of all the participants, who will gather for six sessions throughout the late spring and summer months.
The series will serve as preparation for a service held at the Bishop’s office in the early fall.
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Can You Read in a Foreign Language?
If you can read aloud in a foreign language,
please let August Butler know
so that they can assign you a part in our gospel reading on
Pentecost, June 9.
On Pentecost we read the gospel in foreign languages to commemorate the apostles' ability to speak in foreign tongues for the purpose of evangelism after the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost, which we recognize as the birthday of the Church.
You do not have to be fluent in the language you read, and this is a low-pressure performance, as others will be reading in other languages at the same time you are reading. This is a wonderful opportunity for foreign language students.
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Start Planning Your Red Outfit Now
To celebrate the birthday of the Church on Pentecost, June 9, plan to wear red, which represents the tongues of fire that descend upon the apostles on that day, enabling them to speak in foreign languages and thereby spread the message of Christ to all nations.
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Education for Ministry (EfM) Program
at St. John’s
St. John’s has begun the process of forming an Education for Ministry (EfM) small group for, a program developed by the School of Theology at the University of the South to support all Christians in living out their Baptismal vows more fully in ministry, this fall
. Small groups (6-12 people) meet weekly to read, learn, study, and discuss the Bible, church history, and theology. EfM is a 4-year program, and participants register one year at a time.
The cost is $375 per year. Partial scholarships are available for those with financial need. The small groups meet from September through May with summers off.
We will hold an informational gathering for those interested in EfM
after the 10:30 service on Sunday, May 19.
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Summer Schedule
Begins Sunday, May 26
We switch to our summer schedule, when we have one service at 10:00 a.m., on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 26. Children’s Chapel will meet in the Keeper’s Cottage for the first part of the service, as usual, and Coffee Hour will follow in the Parish Hall, also as usual. Nursery care will be available in the Parish Hall nursery from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Beginning Sunday, May 26
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Children's Chapel
11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour, Parish Hall
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Volunteer Opportunities
Thanks to all of you who have expressed an interest in offering your gifts, skills, and experience to support
Re:Work Richmond
,
the new East End employment initiative that St. Peter's Episcopal Church launched this spring.
New volunteer opportunities are continually being identified, and you are invited to complete one of the "Good Neighbor Network" cards now available in the Parish Hall. A basket for completed cards is in the Parish Hall, or you can send your card to the Parish Office at 2319 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23223.
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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.
Next Outreach Meeting
--Tuesday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m.
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 canned fruit and rice.
The food pantry always need cereal, canned pasta, tuna, and peanut butter. Last month we collected 184 pounds of food, bringing our total to 1,137 pounds. With 33% of the year past, we have collected 38% of our goal of 3,000 pounds of food.
Next First Fruits Sunday—
This Sunday, May 5
Laundry Love
: This ministry takes place the third Saturday of every month from 11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m., at Richmond Coin Laundry, 25
th
& Nine Mile, and defrays our neighbors’ cost of doing laundry so that they can direct their income to other necessities. We would love your help dispensing coins and laundry supplies, helping to run the machines, entertaining children, and being a friendly presence. Please contact
David Curtis
for more information.
Next Laundry Love Day— Saturday, May 18
Laundry Love Activity Table
: The Outreach Team needs 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.
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It is never too late for you to submit your pledge to support the ministries of St. John’s Church, either to the parish office, in the offering plate, or at
our website
.
Pledge cards are available in the back of the church.
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Altar Flower Remembrances
We encourage everyone 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 $35. 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, and
notify Patty Duffy
in the parish office
.
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Next Vestry Meeting,
Tuesday, May 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.
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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 prayers Sundays during communion at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Wednesdays
10:00 a.m.
Keeper's Cottage (to the left of the church)
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Sign-up at Kroger
for the Good of St. John’s
St. John's participates in Kroger's Community Rewards program, receiving funds based on a percentage of total purchases made with Kroger cards linked to St. John's. To link your card, sign up
here.
Use account code 81386 and click "Search.” Funds received support St. John’s ministries, and we are grateful.
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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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