The Week of December 11, 2022 |
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Join us this Sunday at 8:00 or 10:15 am in person or online
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Sunday Services: 8:00 am and 10:15 am |
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This Sunday, our services continue at 8:00 am in the chapel and at 10:15 am in the church. |
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Christmas Village: THIS Sunday
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This year’s Christmas Village will take place – rain or shine – on the Great Lawn on Sunday, December 11, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Snacks, vendors, carolers, live animals, and a great deal of holiday cheer will be available. Mark your calendars! |
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The Vestry asks each member of St. John’s to make a pledge of financial support to the parish for 2023. Every dollar given to St. John’s supports the important ministries we offer to our immediate community and to the world: from the music of our choirs to the work of our Outreach Committee to the support we give to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti. Please prayerfully consider what you may contribute to our shared work, and make your pledge via this form.
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Nominations for Vestry, Parish Clerk, and Treasurer |
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Openings for parish officers are filled by vote of the parish at its annual meeting in January, and the election slate is presented to the parish by a nominating committee. In 2023, St. John’s Church will elect no more than three vestry members to a three-year term, a parish clerk to a one-year term, and a treasurer to a one-year term. If you would like to nominate any eligible parishioner(s) to any office, please contact Paula Thompson, nominating committee chair.
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Our Christmas services this year will celebrate the joy of the Nativity, and we will use the best of the Anglican tradition to welcome visitors who may come to church only at Christmas, and to share with them the good news of Emmanuel, God with us.
Christmas Eve
5:00 pm - A Service of Lessons & Carols
11:00 pm - First Eucharist of the Nativity
Christmas Day
9:00 am - Holy Eucharist (chapel)
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Christmas Flower Memorials |
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Each year, Christmas flowers may be given as a thank offering or memorial by members and friends of the parish. If you would like to make such a gift, please contact Kathy McBride at kmcbride@stjohns-stamford.org or 203-348-2619.
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Flowers on the high altar are arranged by volunteers from the parish. With the exception of Christmas and Easter, arranging the flowers takes less than 30 minutes. The flowers are delivered on Friday afternoon, are placed in a bucket of water and are ready for Saturday arranging. Easy!! No special skills are needed to place flowers in a vase of water!
Women, men, or teenagers are welcomed to help with this display of our love of our Lord. If you feel called to this ministry on a Saturday morning, please call Denise Wade at 914-649-2953.
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Person-to-Person Dove Program |
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We are so grateful for your help with the Dove Program this year. With need in the community higher than ever due to the COVID-19 crisis, your support makes a big difference for families struggling economically in this holiday season. While we know that the “digital dove” effort is not the same, please know that your efforts are every bit as valuable. Food insecurity has increased substantially for local families, and this digital dove will be as much a blessing as ever. Many thanks. Please consider a suggested donation of $50.00 to purchase a ShopRite gift card for a family in need. |
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St. John’s Community Foundation Grantee Highlight:
The Matthew Gaffney Foundation
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The Matthew Gaffney Foundation was founded by Margaret Benedict in honor of her father, Dr. Matthew Gaffney, a renowned educator known for his commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and diversity. The foundation is based in Stamford and serves the students of lower Fairfield County with college counseling and placement services. Their mission is “To provide highly motivated, economically disadvantaged students an opportunity to have a successful college experience and productive career.” Click here for further details.
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Coffee hour is made possible by the generosity of members of the parish, who provide simple snacks each week following the 10:15 service. A signup sheet is posted outside the library: there is no minimum commitment! Please contact the junior warden, Olive Grant, with any questions.
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Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study |
St. John’s Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study meets every week at 2:00 pm via Zoom.
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Open Thursdays and Saturdays: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Community Thrift Shop welcomes new, almost new, and gently used clothing, home goods, and jewelry donations. All proceeds from the Thrift Shop are donated to nonprofit charities serving those in need.
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Recent Prayer Requests for Healing of Body, Mind and Spirit. |
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Please keep these persons in your daily prayers:
Ben, Carol, Daniel, Ed, Kedley, Lloyd, Marc, Terrence, Jon, Ann, Henri, Sharon, Erin, Dante, Anthony, Marie-Anne, Martha, Nessa, Angela, Gweneth, Toni, Jordan, Gabriella, Cindi, Barbara, Jeffrey, Theadeen, Latoya, Christine, Murdena, Aidee, Anthony, Mitch, Jacob, Roslyn, McKenna, Andy, Emman, Bill, Verna, Nadine, Charles, Margaret and George.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: the Anglican Church of Kenya
In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut: St. Stephen’s, Bloomfield; St. George’s, Bolton; Trinity, Branford; Calvary St. George’s, Bridgeport
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To give to St. John's Episcopal Church, you can make your donations electronically or 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 doing the banking.
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Forward Day By Day 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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