The Week of December 13, 2020 |
|
A Message from Fr. Wilfredo |
|
Dear Parish Family:
I want to thank you all personally for the sharing you did this past Tuesday at our Zoom meeting with Canon Lee Ann Tolzmann. I was encouraged by the level of genuine sharing, and the opportunity to hear from all those in attendance. Your comments will help the Vestry set goals for the parish. At a time when we've all grown weary of Covid19, it was uplifting to connect. I trust that your comments and concerns will help shape the future of Saint John's Church as we become the beloved community of Christ, and our presence in Stamford evolves. This is a time of discernment for us where we can ask (as one of our parish members shared with me): what is it that we're offering? As a people of God we're in a constant state of evolution coming to the realization that we belong to something greater than our individual selves, and the work of the Gospel is about building the Kingdom of God. This is a special challenge during this complex time. We're in the process of defining the Church for the 21st century, recognizing the challenges ahead. Church as we've known it in the past is evolving into something new, and we're all on this journey together. Thank you for your honest sharing. May God's blessing, wisdom, peace, and guidance be upon us as we continue this process in hope.
In Advent Peace,
Fr. Wilfredo Benitez
Priest In Charge
|
|
Christmas Dove Donation Deadline
This Friday, December 11
|
|
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
|
|
A Spiritual Advent Calendar |
|
Chris Shepard has been 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>>
|
|
Letters have been mailed out to the parishioners. 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.
|
|
VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 16, 2020 - 7:00PM
|
|
'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
|
|
Christmas Cookie RECIPE Exchange!!! |
|
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!
|
|
A Nightly Prayer from the Service of Compline
Suitable During this Time of Pandemic
|
|
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen
|
|
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. |
|
NOTE: St. John's services continue online until further notice.
Here are some tips for viewing the service online
this coming Sunday morning:
|
|
Children & Teen Video Chat
Sundays at 10 AM!
|
|
This Sunday at 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting:
|
|
Further Resources for our Children and Youth |
|
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!
|
|
|
Tuesday Bible Study: Gospel of Matthew
Note new Zoom link
|
|
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
|
|
|
Prayers for our parishioners
|
|
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.
|
|
|
A Prayer in a Time of Coronavirus |
|
Click on the banner below to read the prayer |
|
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.
|
|
Have You Seen These Services?
Click on any of the images below to watch and listen
|
|
Second Sunday of Advent
- December 6
|
|
First Sunday of Advent
- November 29
|
|
 |
NOTE: The Community Thrift Shop is closed to the public until further notice due to COVID 19. |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
