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Thursday, October 8, 2020
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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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2020 Stewardship Campaign
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God,
serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.- 1 Peter 4:10
Next week, we will kick off our 2020 Stewardship Campaign. The theme for our Stewardship Campaign is Time, Talent, Treasure.
While St. John's needs your monetary pledge, we hope that you will also participate in parish ministries using your talents, your own spiritual gifts.
Our stewardship campaign this year is focused on the gifts that God has given us and our call to service. We will take the opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual gifts and discern how God is calling us to use those gifts. Stewardship is not only about treasure; it is also our time and talent. Yes, we do need your generous contributions to operate the parish, but we also need your time and talent to bring forth the mission of the Church - serving one another in love.
We will use the coming weeks, and into next year to discover, develop, and put to use the gifts you have received from our God in order to serve one another. We will explore the way that our generosity is inspired by our faith, how we are formed and led into relationship with each other as we share our gifts with the world.
God has given each of us two vitally important gifts. The first is the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, his work of redemption, and thus forgiveness of sin. The second is the gift of one or more special abilities, which are to be used for the purpose of unifying the body of Christ and for the growth of God's Kingdom. These abilities are called spiritual gifts and they are received through our baptism.
Like other presents, it is impossible to fully appreciate and make use of our spiritual gifts until they have been opened. The following three activities will help you begin to open your spiritual gifts:
Scripture Review:
The Apostle Paul addresses the presence of spiritual gifts in three main sections of scripture: Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.
Peter also verifies their existence in I Peter 4:10. Through these sections of scripture, we learn that all Christians have been given at least one spiritual gift. The purpose of spiritual gifts is twofold: (1) to unify Christians in their faith and (2) to produce growth within the church, both numerical and spiritual. These gifts are to be used out of love for one another, and in service to one another.
Self-Assessment:
God has given each of us one or more spiritual gifts. Do you know what yours are? Perhaps you have attended a spiritual gift workshop in the past and have taken the assessment to discover your gifts. If not, you have an opportunity now. The assessment takes less than fifteen minutes and involves sixty statements like the following:
When presented a goal, I immediately think of steps that need to be taken in order to achieve the desired results. 4 3 2 1 0
This is what the numbers mean:
4, consistently true
3, frequently true
2, occasionally true
1, infrequently true
0, rarely true
You may request the booklet and indicate your interest in a Zoom meeting to help you assess your gifts. Alternatively, a member of the Stewardship Committee can help you in a personal phone call. Please email Diane (diangus15@aol.com) or notify Maria Love in the Church Office at 619-422-4141.
We do not choose which gifts we will receive. God bestows them upon us through the work of the Holy Spirit. All the gifts identified in scripture have not been used in this inventory. The spectacular gifts (speaking in tongues, healing and miracles, prophecy, bold proclamation of God) and some of the non-spectacular gifts (martyrdom, celibacy) have not been included. Although these gifts exist, they are not commonly utilized in the mainstream of parish life. Since the objectives of spiritual gift deployment are to unify and produce growth through service, in today's church climate, only the service-related gifts have been included.
Exploration of Use:
Once you have identified your spiritual gifts, a process of discernment will help to identify the various types of ministries in which you may want to serve.
These three activities mentioned above will begin to help you discover and employ your spiritual gifts. May the special abilities God has given you be deployed in areas of ministry where they will be most effective for the good of the entire church body. These gifts should also be affirmed by the body and utilized by the one who is gifted.
All Christians are to work together, supporting one another. However, our gifts make us better prepared and equipped to perform in some areas of ministry over others. A person who is working within a ministry area they are gifted for, will be more effective in that ministry than one they not gifted for. What types of ministry will you be most effective in?
In coming weeks, look for Reflections in the e-newsletter and listen during the live-streamed liturgy on Sundays to personal statements of service given by members of the parish who will tell what their gifts are, how they chose an activity in the Church based on those gifts, and how their lives have become more fulfilling.
God has given you a gift. Please don't leave it unopened.
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Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, October 11, 2020
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Clergy Appreciation Day
Sunday, October 11 is Clergy Appreciation Day
The Vestry invite you to join in letting Rev. Roger and Rev. Cathey know how much they are loved and appreciated by the people of St. John's.
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In-Person Worship Services
 The parish of St. John's had been given permission by Bishop Susan to gather outdoors for our in-person worship. In accordance with the health guidelines established by the governor and bishop, we will follow our Re-gathering Action Plan.
As we gather:
- we will perform temperature checks and symptom assessment,
- we will all wear a face mask
- we will use hand sanitizer
- we will maintain 6 feet social distance
- we will greet one another verbally, regretfully no physical touch.
- our music will be done as solos, (except for those of you at home who can sing as loud as you would like).
- we will distribute Holy Communion, the Body of Christ under the form of bread.
For those of you who are not able to attend because of the guidelines or do not feel comfortable, both of the above worship services will be streamed live on our website at www.saint-johns.org and our Facebook page: Saint John's Episcopal Church
We will try to make shaded seating available, but it is recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must manage the size of the gathering to ensure the health and safety of all who gather.
If you plan to attend on Sunday, please contact Maria Love at the the Parish Office (619-422-4141) or by email (maria@saint-johns.org) with your name and the number of people in your party that will be attending.
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
October 18 Stewardship Drive Begins
October 24 11:00 am Celebration of Life, Mark Higginbotham
please call or email Maria if you plan to attend
October 26 9:00 am Celebration of Baptism, Davis James Sitter
November 1 Daylight Savings Time ends
November 1 9:00 am All Saints' Day
November 11 Veteran's Day; Office Holiday
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study 
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am 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
Birthday and Anniversary Prayers
We would like to acknowledge and pray for anyone celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary in the coming week. Please let us know by Thursday of the prior week so that we can get it in the Sunday liturgy. If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.
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, Richie and Roberto.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott, Betty, Barbara, Dean, Norma, Paul, Laura,
Ed and Sonja, Andrew, Barb, Steve, Sarah, Tom, Celia
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For the repose of the soul of Mark Higginbotham. May light perpetual shine on him.
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista
Christ Church in Coronado has called the Rev. Regan Schutz as their new rector. Rev. Schutz plans to arrive mid-November, along with her husband Paul and two daughters Cecilia and Genevieve, to take up residence in the Christ Church rectory.
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Prayers for our President and for Peace in our Nation
Dear Friends in Christ, 
Friday, the public was informed that President Donald Trump had tested positive for COVID-19, and he was taken to Walter Reed Hospital. While his condition at this time is not clear, the diagnosis has brought significant anxiety to our country - for his condition,
for the ongoing governance of our country, and for our election process. This anxiety comes on the heels of a great deal of worry over the coronavirus pandemic and the economic suffering it has caused, a grave concern over racial injustice, and deep political divisions that had already raised fears of conflict surrounding the election.
As Christians, the troubling state of our nation should call us to pray for all concerned, to vote, and to act for the cause of peace and justice. "Blessed are the peacemakers," says Jesus in the gospel of Matthew. Whatever our political convictions, we are called to exercise them with love for our neighbor, respect for the dignity of every human being, and constant striving for justice and peace, as we promise in our baptismal covenant. As Christians, we have a ministry of compassion that should lead us to commit to nonviolent ways of addressing our political differences. As Americans, we are given a voice in our government through the exercise of our vote, and I believe voting our consciences as informed by our faith is a holy responsibility for all Christians.
Our scriptures command us to pray for all in authority and all who are suffering. Therefore, I ask you all to join me in prayer for the President, for all who suffer from the coronavirus, for our election, and for peace in our nation.
For Those Who Are Sick (BCP, p. 458)
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech you to behold, visit, and relieve your sick servant Donald and all others suffering from the coronavirus, for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of your mercy; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under their afflictions. In your good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the residue of their lives in your fear, and to your glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For an Election (adapted from BCP p. 822)
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of a president and other officials and representatives; give us clarity in our electoral process in the weeks ahead; give us the gift of a peaceful election; and grant us clear understanding of our electoral results; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For our Country (BCP p. 820)
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly ask that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, do not allow our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Christ,
Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook
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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. You can also denote your gift to be in memory of Fr. Jack Tolley, Rev. Al Stott, or Mark Higginbotham.
There are 5 other ways to stay current on your pledge:
1) The offering plate at our in-person worship services
2) US mail
3) the secured mail slot next to the parish office door on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
4) 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,
5) 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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A Message from the Presiding Bishop
What Would Love Do?
Dear Friend in Christ 
The rising death toll from COVID-19 across the country
and around the world shakes us and our faith as never before. The protests and calls for justice following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others are reshaping the public debate about race relations in our country. We are living through a polarized political season unlike any before in modern times.
God's rubric of love shows us the way through these tumultuous times, transforming them into something closer to the Kingdom of God on earth. Indeed, the question we should all be asking is: What would love do?
Love is the community praying together, in ways old and new. Love supports Christians in spiritual practices. Prayer, meditation, study. Turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, rest.
Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.
What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change
The love I'm referring to isn't a feeling; it is a choice - one we make over and over, every day. That is how we are going to get through our present crises and build the Kingdom of God on earth.
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.
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Announcing an Online Auction for Camp Stevens
How it Works:
Beginning on October 1, we will release new auction items
weekly on Thursdays. The item will stay up for bidding until October 31
unless a bidder chooses the "Buy Now" Options.
Camp Stevens will post on social media on Thursday when each week's items are ready for bidding.
Future items include:
Original art and photography
Handmade textiles and jewelry
Private classes led by camp staff
Day trips and overnight stays
Homemade goodies
Exclusive Camp Stevens gear
Name a camp chicken!
How to Make a Bid:
Each item has a starting bid and increments as well as a "buy now" option.
The system will notify you if one of your items receives new bids.
Bidding closes on October 31 and winners will be notified right away.
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Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love:
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Friday. 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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EDSD Statement of Commitment
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.
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The Vestry
David Dennehy, Senior Warden
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young
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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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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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