The St. John's Mardi Gras dinner is Tuesday, February 26. Box office closes Sunday, 2/23 at midnight.
Connect to God
This coming Sunday is the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, marking our transition from Epiphany into the holy season of Lent. On Tuesday, Feb. 25 we have our fabulous Mardi Gras party (be sure to get your tickets here .) Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days not including Sundays. Lent is a season of fasting and repentance as we prepare for Easter. I encourage people to consider what they will fast from during Lent but also what they might feast on. For example, fasting from social media and feasting on having in-person interactions with family and friends, or fasting on judgement and feasting on forgiveness. One we could probably all use is fasting from demonizing people who hold political views that differ from our own, and feast on striving to understand different perspectives. One of my goals this year is to not let any politician live in my head rent free. Only Jesus gets to do that. At St. John’s we are especially encouraging people to fast from things that increase our carbon footprint and feast on sustainability practices. Come to the Flex Your Power forum this Sunday to learn more. 

Every Sunday is a feast of the resurrection, which is why the Sundays in Lent do not count as part of the 40 days of Lent. Some people take Sunday off from their Lenten fast. Others prefer to observe their fast until Easter. It is entirely up to you. Normally, if I am fasting from a type of food I allow myself to have it on Sundays in Lent. Again, do what works for you. There is a misconception (oddly it is mostly in Roman Catholic circles) that Holy Week does not count as part of Lent. It does. Simply count out the days from Ash Wednesday, skipping Sundays, and you will hit 40 on Holy Saturday. 

I have struggled with having discipline most of my life. I think it’s just part of my personality. I feel constrained by many disciplines, which is precisely why it is so important for me to have Lenten disciplines. Disciplines actually set you free, but you have to submit to them first. Of course, this means you have to adopt disciplines for the Lent that will be a bit of a challenge. Giving up something you don’t do anyway isn’t really a lenten discipline. Likewise, if you fail at your discipline acknowledge it and try again. One definition of repentance is to turn around and try again. 

What will you fast from this Lent? What will you feast on?
The Rev. Chris Rankin-Williams, Rector
Connect to Community
We have kicked off our 2020 Annual Fund! In order to maintain our vibrant and thriving faith community we have set an Annual Fund goal of $925,000 for 2020. To reach this ambitious and achievable amount we need an average household pledge of $3,200. We understand that some can give more and others can give less and ultimately gratefully accept what is possible for you. For those of you who are able but have not traditionally given at this level, we ask that you prayerfully consider what the programs, services and community at St. John’s means to you. Could you make a commitment to live out your faith in this way? There are a number of ways to make and fulfill your commitment:
  • Online here where you can check to see if your employer matches;
  • Our new giving app "Mobile Mission" just download it and search for “St. John's Ross” where you can keep track of all your giving activities and history;
  • The Annual Fund packet mailed to your home. 
Email Emily McFarland, Director of Stewardship, for more details.

Mardi Gras Dinner All are invited to St. John’s popular annual party in our French Quarter (aka parish hall). Revel together with masks, tons of beads, and great food fixed by Dinner Church volunteers. Get decadent in the most Episcopalian way before Lent. Space is limited.
When:  Tuesday, February 25 from 6-8pm in the Parish Hall
Tickets:  click  here . Box office closes Sunday, February 23 at midnight.
Contact:  Virginia Kosydar, Church Administrator,  email or 415.456.1102, x102

Ash Wednesday services at St. John’s will take place on Wednesday, February 26 at 7am, noon, and 6pm. All are invited to receive ashes during one of our Ash Wednesday services or to come by with friends and family to receive “Ashes-2-Go” at the corner of Lagunitas and Shady Lane at 8am and 2pm.

Lent at St. John’s The season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and ends on Easter, April 12, is a season when Christians focus on the call to ongoing repentance and change. Lent is also a call to humility as we remember our mortality and our need for God. We do this not out of guilt, but out of a desire to clear more space for God to work in our lives. St. John’s offers a range of opportunities to connect more deeply with God this Lent. Please join us!
  • Flexing our Power: using the gifts we have to protect God’s creation and leave a better world for those to come. See below or join us at Mardi Gras for more information. 
  • 4-week book group on The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness. Jesus’ call to forgive as we have been forgiven is one of the most challenging parts of our faith. Join us as we wrestle with forgiveness and its limits through this powerful story from Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal. Small groups will be meeting at different times and places to discuss this book (available on Amazon or by order through your local bookstore). If you are interested, please email Rev. Ginger on or before February 23. We’ll poll interested people and find meeting times that work. 
  • 4-week book group on The Book of Job, with translation and introduction by Stephen Mitchell. People of faith have wrestled with the question of why bad things happen to good people from the very beginning. The book of Job is our Bible’s most direct effort to explore this question. Small groups will be meeting at different times and places to discuss this book (available on Amazon or by order through your local bookstore). If you are interested, please email Rev. Ginger on or before February 23. We’ll poll interested people and find meeting times that work. 

“The Rector” Release Party This past January a crew from St. John’s joined our rector to brew a beer at Absolution Brewing Company. The beer, a Belgian golden strong ale, is called “The Rector.” There will be a special release party at Creekside Pizza and Taproom in San Anslemo. Creekside will donate 100% of sales of The Rector on draft to St. John’s and a portion of food sales. Proceeds from all orders of 4-packs of cans of The Rector benefit St. John’s. Support St. John’s by ordering a case of The Rector to share with family and friends.
When: Wednesday, March 11, 6-9pm
Where: Creekside Pizza, 638 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo
How: You can order cans of The Rector at here . Please mark “pickup at brewery” and you will be able to pick up your cans of The Rector at the release party or they can be held for pickup at a later date.

5pm Sunday Service Update Thanks to all who expressed interest in a new monthly 5pm service. All are welcome to a brief service and a time of discussion/planning at 5pm on Sunday, March 8. Children are welcome! 

Monday Bible Study resumes this Monday, February 24 from 1:00-2:30pm in the Youth Room with Genesis 38-41. All are welcome!

New Forum: “Flex Your Power” Join us for a terrific forum on how to protect God’s creation and leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. The goal of the forum: to educate and motivate us to cut carbon--local to global. With our trust and hope in Christ, we use our power as consumers, investors, corporate leaders, and community leaders to slash our carbon footprint. Come to feel empowered, the urgency and hope. We’ll show you five simple steps that can make big changes as a community that will save money, create jobs, and promote energy security. The forum is the kickoff to a new St. John’s program on sustainability during Lent.  
When: Sunday, February 23 11:30 to 12:30
Where: Fireside Room
Connect to Service
New Ministry at Pineridge Care Center in San Rafael St. John’s has been invited by Pine Ridge to bring a worship service and Communion to their residents. The service will be held at the facility one Sunday per month. We are looking for volunteers to be a part of this exciting ministry. Children (with parents) and youth are welcome; Spanish speakers particularly needed.
When: Sunday, March 15 at 2pm
Where: Pineridge Care Center, 45 Professional Center Parkway, San Rafael 94903
Contact: Rev. Ginger via email

Serve hot meals and share conversation at St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room with those in need of food and community.
When: Saturdays from 10:30am-1pm
Where: SVdP Dining Room, 820 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Contact: Parishioner Becky Hlesbasko via email or 415-846-1589
Connect to Children
For more information about Children's Ministry, contact Sandra Pathik, Director of Children's Ministry at 415.456.1102, x115 or via email.

Combined Sunday School this Sunday.  Kids from PreK to 5th Grade will meet in the Fireside Room @ 10AM for Sunday School. Seminarian Jed Dearing is our special guest to teach the kids. Don’t miss this great chance to hear him.

Love Feast in Sunday School Bring your children to experience fellowship meals like the ones of the early church to celebrate their unity in Christ. 
When: This Sunday, February 9 at 10am

Meeting of Teachers/Volunteers If you are interested to serve in the Children’s Ministry, please join us.
When: March 3 at 11:30am in the Fireside Room

Save the Date for Summer Adventure Camp The camp is open to kids from prek to 5th grade. Youth from middle school to high school can serve as counselor-in-training (CIT) and earn hours for community service. Registration for campers is $50 and $20 for CITs.
When: August 3-7, 9am to noon at St. John's
Connect to Youth
Schedule for this Sunday
  • Confirmation Class: 830-10AM in youth room.
  • Youth (6-12th) Church School @ 10AM in the Youth Rm. Lectionary (2/23) based discussion with drama, art, videos, & more!
  • Youth Espresso Cart in the Parish Hall (Free lattes to anyone new to SJR).
  • Afternoon Youth Group: TBD
  • Evening Youth Group:  Pancakes for dinner, discussion, and games!
Resources for Parents:
As your youth minister, I'm trying a new thing of presenting resources for parents that might be helpful. These resources are coming from feedback / texts / conversations / emails I've had with parents and professionals that work with youth. If you have ideas or particular questions, please let me know. I'm praying for all of you as we start the new year together.

Summer Youth Pilgrimage - to SOUTH AFRICA!

Pizza Club Families (Pre-Youth Group, 3rd-5th grade)
Connect to Music
Children's Choir Our congregation is blessed with a number of gifted and lively young singers who make up this choir. The choir is open to elementary-school children and is preparing for a handful of appearances at the 10am service – culminating with Easter Sunday and beyond. We practice each Sunday (important!) after the 10am service while parents are enjoying the coffee hour. Prospective members please email David Montgomery, Director of Music, for the schedule and further information!

This Sunday's Music  To learn what Music Director David Montgomery has to say regarding the music selected for this Sunday's service, click  here. 

St. John's Choirs for Adults & Teens
Our Chancel Choir is open and welcoming to all high-schoolers and adults who enjoy singing. The choir meets in the Parish Hall every Thursday evening from September to June at 7pm.  Email David Montgomery, Director of Music for more information.
Contact 
St. John's Church 
PO Box 217 
14 Lagunitas Road 
Ross, CA 94957

415.456.1102