The Week of December 6, 2020 |
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St. John's Parish Meeting
December 8, 2020 at 7:00PM
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Dear St. John’s Parishioners:
As part of St. John’s Provisional Priest in Charge process, the Vestry invites the entire parish to participate in a Zoom meeting with one of our consultants, Canon Lee Ann Tolzmann. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8th from 7 to 8:30pm. The purpose is to consider where St. John’s areas of strength and areas of challenge lie. The vestry will use this input from the parish to set some goals to work on going forward. This meeting will also be an opportunity to gain insight into how the Provisional Priest In Charge process works. All are invited to come have their voices heard.
If you are unable to attend via zoom, you are invited to share your thoughts with the Vestry on St. John’s areas of strengths and areas of challenge by contacting the Vestry through:
3. Mail - please address your letter to: Vestry, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 628 Main Street, Stamford 06901.
Below is the Zoom link for 12/8/20:
Mission Leadership is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: St. John's Stamford Parish Meeting
Time: Dec 8, 2020 07:00 PM EST
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 303 901 6953
Passcode: leadership
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A Spiritual Advent Calendar |
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Since this past Monday, November 30, Chris Shepard began presenting a daily meditation on the scripture verses assigned to each day (except Sundays) in Advent. In this year’s lectionary, those readings are from the prophet Isaiah. Chris will read the scripture and choose a hymn that reflects on the reading. He will read a verse or two of the hymn, and then improvise on the hymn tune at the piano. Fr Wilfredo will provide photographs throughout the project to accompany the recorded offerings. Happy Advent! - Visit our website to see this week's offerings so far>>
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Pledge Cards will be mailed. For safety reasons during this time of COVID19 pandemic, we ask that you return these to the parish by mail. Thank you and blessings to you.
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For those wishing to respond to the note above from Nicky and Paula, donations for "Dove Cards" can be made to Saint John's Church.
Please mail your check to the church to the attention of Ms. Kathy McBride. Please write: "Dove Card Program" at the bottom of your check. We are looking to help 25 Families. The Outreach Committee is requesting $50 per card. The Deadline for this is December 11th, 2020.
May God's blessing be upon these families as they share in a Christmas Dinner that you've helped to make possible.
You may also donate via our online GIVE portal by scanning the QR code. Just select Outreach in the Give To dropdown section.
Thank You!
Nicky and Paula
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VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 16, 2020 - 7:00PM
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'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND ALL WOULD APPEAR.
THE WOMEN’S GROUP IS HAVING AN EVENING OF CHEER!
COME ON AND JOIN US, LET’S MAKE IT FESTIVE WITHOUT ANY FEAR!!
CHRISTMAS HATS, PAJAMAS, HOT COCOA TO DRINK.
YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGE YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK!!
ALL ARE WELCOME WOMEN AND GIRLS ALIKE.
THIS IS OUR TIME TO MAKE IT JOLLY AND BRIGHT!!
DECEMBER 16TH AT 7 PM SHARP. COME LET’S MAKE IT A LAUGH!!
'TWAS THE NIGHT WHEN WE SAW THAT GREAT LIGHT!!!
'TIS: OLIVE
Please note that the Zoom link will be sent out the week prior to this event.
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Christmas Cookie RECIPE Exchange!!! |
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We have a number of excellent bakers among the congregation, especially among the young folks!
In lieu of a traditional cookie swap, let’s swap our favorite recipes this holiday season!
Send a Christmas cookie recipe that you love to someone else at St. John’s with a simple Christmas greeting. In exchange, you’ll also receive a beloved recipe from someone else at St. John’s. Bake the cookies and send us photo! If people have allergies or dietary restrictions, the person can send a recipe that aligns or could be easily adapted.
Please let Mattie Johnson (mjohnson@stjohns-stamford.org) know if you’d like to participate and if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions! Many thanks in advance for brightening someone else’s Christmas season!
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Children and Teens - SAVE THE DATES! |
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*** Virtual Ice Cream Social with GAME NIGHT!!! - for ELEMENTARY + MIDDLE SCHOOLERS!
Friday December 4, 2020 at 7pm
One way to make a virtual ice cream social even more fun, is adding game night! Grab your favorite bowl of ice cream and join us as we chat, play games together, and share a blessing for the coming weeks. I’m totally willing to reimburse families up to $5 for ice cream, if you send me a copy of your receipt. Enjoy your favorite ice cream and let’s chill!
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*** Social Justice Bible Study Series - COMING UP FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS!
What does social justice have to do with my faith?
Wednesday December 9, 2020 at 7pm
At a recent children and youth ministry meeting, parents talked about the importance of learning how our faith in Christ grounds us in modern questions with ancient roots. For example, how can we explore the Bible, Christ, and God’s dreams for the world around the importance of voting, racial healing, women’s rights, and creation care? How does our faith ground us and empower us in forming our own perspective around the eternal journey of living into the kingdom of God in today’s world?
Through Bible study, we will begin to wonder at these issues, creating a jumping off point for each individual to explore for themselves what they believe God dreams for our world.
Do you think your high schooler would be interested in these conversations? Are there other opportunities you’d like to see offered as well? And of course, if there are particular questions, they’d like to explore further, please let us know.
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All group activities at St. John's, apart from the Sunday morning in-person services, remain canceled until further notice. These include outside groups and ministries using our facilities. |
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NOTE: St. John's services continue online until further notice.
Here are some tips for viewing the service online
this coming Sunday morning:
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Children & Teen Video Chat
Sundays at 10 AM!
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This Sunday at 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting:
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Further Resources for our Children and Youth |
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Resources for kids - Yoga at home!
Rev. Gena Davis is the priest who led the yoga mass at St. John’s. She’s been offering online classes, including a new yoga nidra for kids age 2-12 for $5/family! For all class details, please e-mail her at
Thank you for sharing these Mattie!
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Tuesday Bible Study: Gospel of Matthew
Note new Zoom link
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Join Fr. Sandy on Tuesdays at 2pm online via Zoom for a Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew. Below is the info:
Meeting ID: 243 991 8700
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Prayers for our parishioners
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UPDATE
Our total for the year is 746lbs.
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield remains in desperate need for donations. Please continue to help in any way you can.
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A Prayer in a Time of Coronavirus |
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Click on the banner below to read the prayer |
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Dear Parish Family:
Faced with the unfortunate circumstances of having to keep our church closed, in order to help curb the spread of Covid-19, it is imperative that your pledge be either mailed to the church, or better yet, that you make your donations electronically. Please see the instructions below on how to do this.
Our expenses won’t go away even if we’re not having live worship, so I ask that we all be mindful of this. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Kathy McBride, our Parish Administrator. Our vestry, and parish family, will be much appreciative for your efforts.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Fr. Wilfredo+
NOTE: You can simply mail in your check to the church office if you would rather not use the online giving tool. Our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, is receiving the mail and doing the banking as usual.
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Have You Seen These Services?
Click on any of the images below to watch and listen
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First Sunday of Advent
- November 29
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Last Sunday After Pentecost
- November22
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NOTE: The Community Thrift Shop is closed to the public until further notice due to COVID 19. |
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All group activity at St. John's is cancelled until further notice including outside groups and ministries using our facilities.
Stay updated with meditations, readings, music and sermons by visiting our Facebook page or our website.
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St. John's Office Hours
The Church office is currently closed to public access.
However you may leave a message at 203-348-2619 -
our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride is checking the messages
many times a day and will respond right away!
Prayer List
FORWARD DAY BY DAY
This is the Episcopal Church's own discipleship publication! As disciples, followers of Christ, daily prayer and reflection grounds us in God's love and gives us strength and clarity to confront our weaknesses, put our trust in God and listen to where God is calling us to serve. Available online for-free!
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