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Prayer For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Regathering for In-Person Worship
The Vestry of St. John's met to discuss the possibility of St. John's regathering for in-person worship. The vestry decided that we should not regather for in-person worship.
The decision was based on:
the continual increase of new cases in Chula Vista (1-2% daily),
the guidelines discouraging those 65+ (a majority of our parishioners), and
the results/comments obtained from our parish survey (majority of those responding had concerns
and/or thought it was not safe).
It was a difficult decision which we agonized over in our discussion. Ultimately, the decision came down to ensuring the health and safety of our parishioners and a desire not to exclude members of the parish.
We will continue to follow the public health data in Chula Vista and when the number of new cases level or declines we will consider regathering for in-person worship.
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Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, June 21, 2020
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A meditation on the Gospel reading
by John Dominic Crossan
Born in Ireland, John Crossan is one of the best-known
New Testament scholars in North America. With other scholars he employs economic, political, and social interpretations of the New Testament in order to reconstruct what is not available to contemporary readers and hearers of the New Testament: the social context in which it was created.
"Jesus' theory and practice of
eating
, of sharing food and drink across all class distinctions, sexes, and social statuses with people from diverse backgrounds together at one table - this practice upset the strict hierarchies of daily life. Think of a beggar coming to your door: of the difference between giving them some food to go, of inviting them into your kitchen for a meal, of bringing them into the dining room to eat the evening meal with your family or with your friends on Saturday night.
The practice of Jesus: a charitable handout with 'Be on your way' or welcoming the beggar to the family meal?
The social challenge of such 'equal eating together' is a most radical threat to the practice of eating separately
based on race, gender, politics, and economic status.
Do we wonder why Jesus was accused of being a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners?
"Concerning
healing
: Jesus refused to accept the social exclusion or ostracization and ritual uncleanness that attended disease -
that is, the notion deeply embedded in his society that one could not worship God with others and be in community when ill.
By healing the illness of social exclusion and challenging the notion that one is ill because of some moral failure, Jesus forced others to either reject him from their community or to accept those he had healed within it.
"In this gospel reading is the heart of the original Jesus movement: a shared egalitarianism, a shared equality of spiritual (healing) and material (eating) resources. I emphasize this as strongly as possible. The mission we are talking about is not, like Paul's, a dramatic thrust along major trade routes to urban centers hundreds of miles apart. Here we step across the threshold of a peasant's home.
"The missionaries were not some specific and closed group sent out on one particular mission at one particular time. They were predominantly
healed healers
, part of whose continuing healing was precisely their empowerment to heal others. I propose, in other words, a network of shared healing with Jesus.
"The Kingdom of God was not, for Jesus, a divine monopoly exclusively bound to his own person. It appeared as a shared community of healing and eating - that is to say, of spiritual and physical resources available to each and all without distinctions, discriminations, or hierarchies. One entered the Kingdom as a way of life, and anyone who could live this Way of Life could bring it to others. It was not just words alone or deeds alone, but both together as a life-style."
John Dominic Crossan with interpolations in italics,
Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography
(San Francisco:
Harper San Francisco, 1994)
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This is a time to reconnect, socialize, see friends,
and support one another during this time.
Following the Dismissal and Postlude, we will gather as family and friends of St. John's for a virtual time to be together - "Coffee Hour". So bring your coffee, tea, juice and whatever pastry you want to eat and join us for our Zoom Coffee Hour.
You will be sent the Zoom link prior to Sunday. Click on the link (or enter the identification number if you already have Zoom). If you have never been on a Zoom session you may be asked to download a small program or application.
For security purpose, you will be put into a "waiting room", where the host (me) will let you in.
In Zoom, "Gallery View" view will allow you to see the most amount of people.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
Wednesday Morning Prayer will begin again on 
Wednesday, June 24th as a Zoom meeting.
Please contact Rev. Cathey (revcat@gmail.com)
to be included in the Zoom meeting, or to update your info, if she does not have your current email.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
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Prayers
We Are Available in Your Time of Need
If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
Prayer List
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.
For our Military
Matt, Drew, Cody, Cameron,
Chariti,
Mark,
Sean, Jonathan,
TK,
Christopher,
Timothy,
Jeremy,
David,
Jonathan, Nick,
Jamal, Matt, Daniel, Jocelyn, Devon,
Taylor, Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian and Richie.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott, Betty, Rob, Bill, Barbara,
Kevin,
Sophia, Dean, Brian, Ed, Fr. Jack, Jan, Sarah
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese
Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista
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St. John's dear friend and former parishioner Dean Peters was recently diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Dean is living with his daughter in Oregon. Cards may be sent to him at the following address:
Dean
Peters
37054 Redwood Highway
O'Brien, OR 97534
541-596-2585 (home)
If you would like to send cards and letters to Bill Parlato, following the passing of his wife Nancy, Bill's address is:
Bill Parlato
Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694-1594
(619) 482-8890
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Stewardship
Stewardship is about the offering of our time, talent and treasure.
Thank you to those who make the work and ministry of St. John's continue.
We have made it even more convenient to give online. You can find a "Give Now" button on our St. John's website:
www.saint-johns.org
There are 4 other ways to stay current on your pledge:
1) US mail
2) the secured mail slot next to the parish office door on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
3) Sally can add an automatic credit or debit payment by providing to her in writing the necessary information (bank name, account number, expiration date and amount to be withdrawn,
4) you can go to your bank (physically or on line) to set up an automatic payment to St. John's by bank check once a month.
If you need help with any of these options, please contact Sally via email (
sally@saint-johns.org) or phone call to the office on Thursdays for assistance.
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From the Prayer Journal of Fr. Jack Tolley
"Jesus always comes through for us when we believe and obey Jesus."
I would add when we entrust our lives to Jesus totally, and pray that we may become more like him in every way. In these difficult times we are going through as a nation, and a church, Jesus will come through for you. I guarantee that.
Blessings and love, Fr. Jack.
"The Lord says," I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch
over you." Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
"When we yield our lives to Jesus, we never know what the outcome will be, but he always comes through for us. When we believe and obey Jesus, in spite of unfavorable circumstances, we receive
the tremendous blessings He's prepared for us."
(Marlene Legaspi-Munar, "Mornings with Jesus", May 13, 2020 )
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Eucharistic Visitor Training
As we prepare to return to in-person worship, 
it is clear that many in our congregations will not be able to or will not wish to return. Small group worship and Eucharistic Visitors can assist in extending the Eucharistic table to those who are not in their midst. To that end, the latest offering from the EDSD Lay Ministry Series is a 2-hour session that includes the Eucharistic Small Group Visitor Workshop and the Small Group Leader Workshop.
ALL Eucharistic Visitors (new and those currently licensed) MUST take this training if they will be bringing communion to others. ALL small group leaders MUST take this training as well. In addition, rectors, vicars, priests-in-charge and deacons are also welcomed and encouraged to take the training. We will be offering ideas and options that may assist you as you plan for the immediate future of your communal worship.
In order for EVs to be licensed they must also be current with Safeguarding God's People training. Small Group Leaders are also required to take Safeguarding God's People.
You can register for Safeguarding God's People here.
Registration code: edsd619
The Eucharistic Small Group Visitor Workshop is an hour-long workshop designed for our current new way of being Church at this time. It's designed to equip and license you to practice this pastoral ministry of Presence, Healing and Hope. You will learn the history and theological underpinnings of this ministry and you will also be instructed and provided the experience of a small group communion service.
The Small Group Leader Workshop Theologian Francis Schaeffer said, "Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful-Christian community is the final apologetic." Although larger worship gatherings are essential to our faith and practice, small group gatherings provide us the space to live out what it means to be a community of love. At this training, we will discuss the purpose of small groups, the elements of a small group meeting, and go over best practices for hosting, leading and gathering in small groups.
The training session is on July 1 from 2 pm to 4 pm. You can register
here.
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Food Assistance
Three great resources for those who need food assistance:
St. Marks in City Heights
has a food pantry that is available to anyone who may need a little extra food to make it through the month. Along with shelf-stable foods, they typically also offer fresh vegetables & fruits.
Open every Wednesday and Thursday from 12-2 PM.
JFSSD, Jewish Family Services of San Diego distributes/delivers hot or frozen meals to seniors in need, in SD county.
South Bay Community Services... free, drive-thru food distribution They provide produce and some good nutritious staples to anyone in need (Adults). They have other locations on other days, too.
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Opportunities for Service
Donate Snacks to Uptown Safe Haven
- The ECS Uptown Safe Haven clients love snacks and treats as they shelter in place together. You can send treats via Amazon or drop them by the house and leave them on the doorstep.
Address for mailing or dropping off snacks:
Uptown Safe Haven, Attn: Christina Zeman/UTSH Staff
2822 5th
Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103.
Volunteer with Head Start Food Distribution Program -
ECS Head Start preschool programs are closed, but we are distributing food to families Tuesday through Friday, 9:15am to 12:30pm, each week and are looking for volunteers to help! This is taking place outside in South Bay, families drive by to get bags of food, and safety precautions are in place. Volunteer roles include helping with set up, break down, directing traffic, and handing bags to families through car windows.
* Pill Bottle and Monthly SBCS grocery list collections are currently suspended at St. John's.
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Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love:
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Year of Discipleship
In the Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Susan Brown Snook has called us to spend the year 2020 focusing on discipleship: How we grow in faith as followers of Jesus Christ. Discipleship grows as we adopt spiritual practices for daily living. Our diocese offers these resources to help you develop spiritual practices as individuals, families, small groups, and full congregations.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego invites you to
Learn
as part of
The Year of Discipleship 2020. By reading and reflecting on Scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus, we draw near to God and God's word dwells in us. When we open our minds and hearts to Scripture, we learn to see God's story and God's activity in everyday life.
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Free Entertainment
Here is a list of some things to do while you are quarantined at home:
Streaming of operas from the Metropolitan Opera, which are occurring daily. Go to https://www.metopera.org/ to enjoy the daily streaming available.
The Seattle Symphony is also offering live streaming at this site: https://seattlesymphony.org/
Museums worldwide are offering their exhibits online: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en&tab=pop
One of the pianists who frequently visits our communities has made a free video performance, which you can enjoy by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI_FTFZNGm8
A free class to take at YALE University: https://www.businessinsider.com/coursera-yale-science-of-wellbeing-free-course-review-overview
More Museums offering free virtual tours: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/g31815495/museums-you-can-virtually-tour-right-now/
Free coloring books for adults from 113 museums: http://www.openculture.com/2019/02/download-free-coloring-books-from-113-museums.html
An article with links to a variety of things that are now free: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/20/818670715/getting-bored-heres-a-list-of-free-things-that-werent-free-before-coronavirus
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The Vestry
David Dennehy,
Senior Warden
Mark Higginbotham,
Junior Warden
619-861-5510
Terry Farrelly,
Treasurer
Diane Gustafson,
Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Mark Higginbotham
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young
Approved Minutes for the April 22nd Vestry meeting can be found here:
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be available, but working from home on Mondays and Tuesdays and in the office all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays. He will be available by appointment. Please call the office (619-422-4141) to schedule an appointment.
In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at 619-301-0724.
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To our Saint John's Family:
Here is your weekly newsletter highlighting important events at St. John's Episcopal Church. You can also find news about St. John's at
www.saint-johns.org.
We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at 619-422-4141 or
maria@saint-johns.org
.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews and Sunday bulletin.
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Emergency Contact Information
If you had a medical emergency at church on Sunday morning, would the Wardens or church
staff know who to contact? If you would like to add someone to St. John's emergency contact
list in case of such an emergency, please contact Maria, our parish secretary (619-422-4141 or
maria@saint-johns.org). A sign-up sheet will also be available in the church lobby to collect this information. Please provide your name, the name of your emergency contact, their relationship to you, their phone number and/or their email address. This is one more way we can show how we love one another.
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Reporting Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.
Safeguarding God's People
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May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God's face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth
And too small for anything but love.
So, may God take your minds and think through them;
May God take your lips and speak through them;
May God take your hearts and set them on fire.
-William Sloane Coffin
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724 |
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