"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . "
The Chalice
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church 
Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child, to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors’? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.” (Numbers 11:10-15)

Justo Gonzales is a Liberation Theologian and historian. He compares the activity of the church across the world over the past two thousand years. Gonzales observed that the North American and European Christian churches are receding. The geology of Christians is shifting. The global south is growing by leaps and bounds and the Northern Churches are barely holding on.

When we look at our lives in the past several years, most of us notice that our Christian landscape in America is changing. Episcopalians have decreased from 3.4 million in 1965 to maybe 1.6 million today. Of the 1.6 million, a majority will not attend church this Sunday. Mark’s Gospel asks us “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?”

In the reading from Numbers, the people of Israel are complaining to Moses. God brought them out of bondage in Egypt, to the desert and provided them with manna to eat. They struggled to see that the landscape had changed and could only look back at the good food that they enjoyed as slaves in Egypt. They missed their roasted meat so they complained to Moses. Moses tells God that their burden is too great. They whine and complain about not having meat. The fact of the story that most people do not realize is that most of these folks will never make it to the Promised Land.

At St. John’s we are called to proclaim Jesus Christ as the messiah, the son of the Living God. For the past few weeks we have been asked question after question. This week Fr. John Morrison will be recognized for his ministry at St. John’s and will preach at the 10:00 service on Sunday. Please join us to celebrate his ministry, his move to Connecticut, and to hear him preach, “Questions, questions, questions.” At 11:30 we will have a memorial service for Robert Boise and celebrate his ministry at St. John’s. This week we had a Sacred Ground session with eight different churches, the Thrift Shop was open, we had two sessions of bible study, five Morning Prayer services, a wake, two memorial services, a baptism, a wedding, a youth group barbeque, three AA meetings, two choir rehearsals, yoga, Nursery school with 54 children, Sunday school, an ECW Harvest Fair meeting, a St. Hilda’s Guild meeting, four Holy Eucharist services, and we have almost completed a $150,000 historic restoration of our building. I give thanks for your faith and the saltiness of your ministry in an ever changing landscape.

In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
SUNDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom and Facebook. Face masks and social distancing are required for all in person services.
 
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
Bulletin: Rite I HE Bulletin

10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist

The Readings
SAFE PRACTICES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES
We are so happy to welcome people into the church for in-person worship. As we increase the number of people allowed in the church, we can all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy:

  1. Masks are required. Disposable masks are available at the back of the church;
  2. Social distancing. Please maintain a 6ft distance between your group/family and others;
  3. Sanitize hands upon entrance. Dispensers are available at the back of the church;
  4. Prayer books are available;
  5. Service bulletins and reading inserts are available at the back of the church.
MORNING PRAYER
All are welcome at Morning Prayer. We meet Monday through Friday at 9:00 am via Zoom. Our short prayer service is followed by some fellowship and discussion. Feel free to join us occassionally to listen and pray, or come more often to participate as a leader or reader, and to start your day with your focus on Christ and a deeper connection with your friends at St. John's.

BIBLE STUDY
Bible Study meets Mondays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays at 11:00 am on Zoom. Tuesday sessions will cover the material discussed on the Monday before.

Zoom Link for Mondays - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746

Zoom Link for Tuesdays - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4448323853

We are reading and discussing the novel, Sophia House by Michael D. O'Brien. Copies are available in the Parish Office.

The unit on the Dead Sea Scrolls will follow completion of Sophia House.
RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASSES
Alice Weiser is offering yoga at St. John’s In this “yoga of stillness”, students will enjoy passive stretches supported by yoga props. The result: deep relaxation and release! No experience necessary. Guild Room - Tuesday, September 28 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. $20 fee payable at the class. RSVP and questions: alicesyogazone@gmail.com
CELEBRATION OF FR. JOHN'S SERVICE TO ST. JOHN'S
This Sunday, September 26th at the 10:00 am service, we will recognized and celebrate Fr. John's service to St. John's Huntington.

At noon, there will be a brunch at 7 Gerard, 7 Gerard Street, Huntington, NY 11743. Please RSVP using the link below, or call the Parish Office at (631) 427-1752 to let us know how many there will be in your party.

ROBERT W. BOISE MEMORIAL SERVICE
We will celebrate the life of Robert W. Boise on Sunday, September 26th at 11:30 am in the church. Bob was an integral part of our parish for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution be made in Bob's name to the memorial fund at St. John's.
NEWCOMERS' CLASS
Welcome newcomers! Our Newcomers' Class will begin on Sunday, October 3rd. We will meet immediately following the 10:00 am service in the Guild Room. The group will meet once a month. We will discuss the schedule at our first meeting. If you are a newcomer to St. John's and would like to join us, please register for this class using the following link, or speak to Coral in the Parish Office at (631) 427-1752:


Anyone considering being Confirmed or Received in the Episcopal Church is recommended to join this class.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
On Sunday, October 3rd at 12 noon, we invite you and your leashed or small caged animal companions (or bring a photo of your pet) for a special blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals. Join us in the Garden of Blessings. All are welcome!
ANXIOUS TO TALK ABOUT IT
St. John’s Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry presents "Anxious to Talk About It" with Rev. Dr. Carolyn B. Helsel on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

Carolyn B. Helsel, PhD, is a professor of preaching at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she has taught since 2015. Helsel grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and has moved across the country for education and work, and in every setting, she noticed that the white people in her communities (including herself) remained silent on racism. As she became more aware of racism, beginning in seminary in the early 2000's, she felt called to help white communities better understand racism and deepen their capacity to hear the painful stories of others, and join people of color to work against racism.

For more information on this and other RR&SJM initiatives, please contact RR&SJM chairperson, Heather Kress, at hkress44@gmail.com.
HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATIONS
St. John's Celebrates Latino Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)

Although designated Hispanic Heritage Month, Latino Heritage Month is a more accurate designation since it recognizes the many contributions and influence of peoples not from Spain but from Latin America. Another name controversy arose recently with the introduction of the term, Latinx, as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino/Latina. Used generally by younger, U.S.-born, bilingual or predominately English-speaking Latin Americans, this new term is yet to gain widespread acceptance among others. Not only is it a word that they don’t recognize as part of their language, but the majority of Latin Americans self-identify with their country of origin instead of Latino, let alone Latinx.
Latin America covers South America, Central America and the Caribbean islands. It includes countries like Mexico, Columbia, even Brazil (where Portuguese, not Spanish, is spoken), Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and the island countries of Cuba and Puerto Rico. With a current combined population of some 55.6 million, Latin Americans are the largest non-European ethnic block in this country.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Sunday School will meet in the Guild Room on Sundays at 9:45am for stories, crafts, fellowship and growing together in Christ. A Zoom option will be available for those who prefer it at this time. Please register for Sunday School to be included in the weekly "Little Chalice" email blast with important information and Zoom links.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation - Anyone interested in First Communion and Confirmation in the Spring of 2022 should register for Sunday School in the fall. Sunday School is a key part of our Christian Education program and helps to prepare the children for First Communion and Confirmation classes in the winter and spring. If you have any questions, please see Fr. Duncan, contact the Parish Office at 631-427-1752, or email info@stjohnshuntington.org.
UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO)
THANK YOU, to all who generously gave to our UTO Ingathering last Sunday!

If you didn't have a chance to give, we are accepting donations through out October. Please make checks payable to “St. John's Church" with "UTO" written in memo. Envelopes for UTO can be found on the table at the back of the church or you may send your check into the Parish Office.

NOTICE the good things that happen each day.
GIVE thanks to God for your blessings.
MAKE an offering for each blessing.
 
Your Blessing becomes a blessing for others.
HARVEST FAIR
Our annual Harvest Fair will take place on Saturday, October 23rd, 10am to 4pm.

Raffle books were sent out last week. If you did not receive them in the mail or need extra books, please contact the Parish Office..

Merchant donation letters are also now available: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Other ways you can HELP US TO HELP OTHERS:
  • Make a craft, woodworking items, Christmas decorations, homemade soap, sachets and potpourri are just suggestions. Use your creativity!
  • Offer your vacation home/timeshare week for the Silent Auction.
  • Donate new, unused gifts you have received to the Silent Auction.
  • Donate items for the White Elephant or Christmas Sale.
  • Request a donation for Corporate Sponsorship from your place of work.
  • Design a gift basket, give items or gift certificates for a gift basket, or donate $ to create one.
  • Plan on spending the day working a table or helping before or after with set up/clean up.
  • Invite your friends and families to shop and visit our beautiful, historic church.
STEWARDSHIP
Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Thank you for supporting our work with your regular contribution.

Using your credit card or a direct payment from your checking account, you will be able to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments using our secure payment platform Realm. Please click on the link below to make a payment:


Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
ALTAR FLOWERS & PERPETUAL LIGHT
If you would like to remember a loved one or give thanks for an important event with altar flowers or Perpetual Light, please complete an Altar Flower Form and return it to the Parish Office with your check made payable to "St. John's Altar Guild."

PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S
We pray for all our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who put themselves at risk to care for us during this corona virus epidemic.

For all our men and women in the armed services and all first responders. May God keep them safe and return them home to their loved ones.

Especially those on our prayer list.

We pray for the sick: Tom, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Frank, Theresa, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Cheryl, Tom, Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, Maggie, Tyler, Ursula, Christine, Samantha, Edward, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Dermot, Jill. Jenna, Walter, Evelyn, John, Liam, Charlie, John, Matthew, Gail, Frank, Gabriel, Karen, Deacon Jennifer, Shirley, Lucy, Richie, Kenny, Aliison

Altar flowers are given this week in loving memory of Robert W. Boise by his family.

Please send your prayers to Coral in the Parish Office, cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org.

For pastoral care and prayer, please contact Fr. Duncan or Claire Mis, directly.