From the Priest in Charge

for October 2023

I have been using this space for the last several months to acquaint newcomers to SJD and others to parts of the service they may not understand. Today, I will deal with a couple of questions.

Who is John Devine?

I think you may be confused with Andy Devine who, with his distinctive raspy voice was sidekick of Roy Rogers and as Jingles partner with Wild Bill Hickok. 

There is no John Devine. Our church is named St. John the Divine. (We use SJD for short – an idea from our previous rector who believed a shortened version was the better marketing choice.) Technically, we are still St. John the Divine.

The name St. John indicates a disciple of Jesus – St. John, the Beloved. St. John, the Divine refers specifically to the writer of the book of Revelation.

Critics are divided on whether this is the same person.

Next question:

What is the proper way to address ordained ministers?

The Reverend

What is the proper way to address a Presiding Bishop or an Archbishop?

The Most Reverend

What is the proper way to address a Bishop?

The Right Reverend

What is the proper way to address a Dean?

The Very Reverend 

What is the proper way to address an Archdeacon?

The Venerable

What is the proper way to address a Canon?

The Reverend Canon

Father Lee

Meet Our New Cantor

A Tampa native, D.J. Holt has been singing in Episcopal Churches since he was 9 years old. He began singing at St. John's Tampa with Jim and Ellie Taylor, where he also served as Head Chorister from 1986-1988. D.J. went on to attend the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and there he sang in the University Choir and studied voice with Dr. Robert Delcamp and Susan Rupert. Following college, D.J. served as the Bass Section Leader at St. George's Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee with Wilma Jensen, while he continued his studies at Vanderbilt University. Upon returning to Tampa, D.J. rejoined the St. John's (Tampa) choir and joined the faculty of their school, where he taught Latin for almost 20 years. After D..J. moved south to Apollo Beach and later to Wimauma, he discovered St. John the Divine and joined the Chancel Choir in the fall of 2021. D.J. is deeply grateful to Joan Frankel for welcoming him so warmly to the choir and to Valerie Southwell for allowing him to praise God in song (even if he isn't able to attend the weekly rehearsals). D.J. would also like to thank the choir members, past and present, who have quickly become his extended family. He is honored to be named Cantor for the parish - an historical position which typically assists in leading the liturgical singing of hymns, psalms, and anthems. Outside of parish life, D.J. currently teaches math to 8th graders at Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico, and he serves as Treasurer to the non-profit, community theatre organization, MAD Theatre of Tampa.

We are truly blessed to have such a gifted, talented singer at St. John the Divine and his giving spirit is evident in everything he does.

Do you know of someone who would like prayer

or

Would you like to be a part of our Prayer Team?

Contact:

Barb Gingrich at 813-633-5649 or barinscc@gmail.com

Or

Val Bryant at 813-352-1207 or vjb350@aol.com

Rector Search Updates

Members Of the Search Committee include: Jean Brown, Michael Carrano, Barbara Gentry, Barbara Gingrich, D.J. Holt, Susan Morgan, Natasha Nowak-Palma, Aubrey Thompson, Sharon Van Loan and Katie Arp as the Vestry Liaison

You may not know why, several months ago, a brief prayer for our Vestry was inserted at the beginning of the Prayers of the People. It was added when we embarked on our search process. It seeks guidance for the Vestry as they manage the search process and ultimately make a decision about who to call as our next rector, based on our Search Committee’s recommendation.

Currently the Vestry is adding final touches to the documents we will send to the diocese to make available to potential candidates. They include information from our parish-wide survey, as well as historical, programmatic and demographic information about us and our surrounding areas.

An executive summary of the results of the survey is being prepared for members of the congregation and will be available shortly.

Blessings,

Don Fisher, Senior Warden

Rector Search Video Updates

New Rector Call Status 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byup7wIdIOc

New Rector Call Status 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN8cie-i01Y

New Rector Call Status 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6medC2V91hM

From the Desk of the Jr Warden

It's been a long hot and dry summer and fortunately we had no damage from the Hurricane that visited us.

I would like to report the long awaited air conditioner is up and running despite the continual delays. I wish to thank everyone that reached a little deeper and donated to the AC Fund. It really did make a difference in offsetting or monthly expenses. Thank you all who donated.

There is quite a stir going about church with the completion of the healing center and preparing for the Bishop's visit to dedicate it on September 13th. He will have been here and gone by the time you get this news just wanted to bring it up just in case you were unable attend and have any questions. One of the prayer worries can answer your questions.

Normal maintenance is an every day event but if you see something that needs attention please let me or Dennis Accardo know about it so it can be addressed. Hopefully cooler weather is heading our way and our snow birds are returning. Welcome back.

Blessings

Steve Van Loan

Jr. Warden

Bishop Douglas Scharf

Blesses and Dedicates

The Healing Center

Bishop Doug Scharf blessed and dedicated the new Healing Center Building at St. John in Sun City Center on September 13th. The event was a great celebration of a long journey to completion of the building. Over 100 people gratefully attended. The celebration commenced with a short service in the sanctuary where Bishop Doug said that he strongly supported healing and shared a story of the brokenness in many of God’s children and the need for healing. The beautiful music and the Bishop’s presence set the atmosphere for a lovely evening.

After the Church service, the congregation moved to the Healing Center where Bishop Doug stood at the top of the ramp and performed the liturgy of blessing and dedication after an introduction by Fr. Carl Buxo. The building was open to all in attendance and many commented on the feeling of peace and caring inside. Dinner was then served in Fellowship Hall where all enjoyed the Bishop’s presence and informal time together with delicious food and beverages.

All are encouraged to be part of the Healing Ministry which will be attended by volunteer parishioners each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Healing prayers will be by the trained volunteers and all are welcome to come to receive prayers. Most prayer sessions will be for 1/2 hour increments and appointments are most welcome but not required.

Jesus heals still today! Come, come!

Ramblings of an Over-Caffeinated, Sleep Deprived, Child Rearing, Millennial:

Been Busy

Welcome Posey-Jean Warner

Divine Jewelry Shoppe

Fall is in the air at the thrift shop with beautiful jewelry reminding us of the Fall leaves (something we don’t see much in these parts). We enjoyed our two week break but are now more excited than ever to begin putting the shop together for the holidays. PLEASE remember to bring us your donations especially Christmas and Holiday Glitz. We are also accepting purses in good shape and scarves.

We thank you again for your support and hope to see you soon.

Barbara & Jackie

GRIEF SUPPORT OCTOBER 2023

This month is dedicated to a profoundly human experience: GRIEF. Grief Awareness allows us to explore the intricate facets of grief, shattering the misconceptions that often surround it. Grief is not a bad thing. Grief is a normal, healthy response to death or loss. It’s not something to ignore, push aside, or otherwise bury.

In the words of Fran Solomon, founder of HealGrief® and the Actively Moving Forward® (AMF) community, grief can be an overwhelming and all-encompassing experience. It is a moment where the weight of emotions threatens to overflow, and we find ourselves attempting to restrain what we feel. Grief’s impact is emotional and can manifest in profound physical and psychological ways.

• Myth: Moving on means forgetting the person you lost.
• Fact: Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting. It means finding ways to honor and remember your person while continuing to live your life. Memories can coexist with healing and growth.

• Myth: Time heals all wounds.
• Fact: Time alone does not heal grief. Healing requires active engagement and processing of emotions. Recovery and growth can occur through self-care, support systems, and self-reflection.

• Myth: Grief is solely an emotional experience.
• Fact: Grief encompasses emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions. It can affect various aspects of a person’s life, including physical health, concentration, beliefs, and a sense of purpose. Recognizing and addressing these different dimensions is crucial for healing.

• TRIGGERS AND THEIR UNPREDICTABILITY: Grief triggers can be unpredictable, catching us off guard when we least expect it. A song, a familiar scent, or a specific date can transport us back to cherished memories or ignite the pain of a death loss once more. Life events such as marriage, the birth of a child, buying a first home can trigger a feeling of loss. It’s important to know that grief triggers exist and may affect you and those around you. But understand, they are normal. If we know this to be normal, perhaps we can learn to embrace the moment, lean into our feelings and cherish the memories with love.

The Grief Support Group at Saint John Divine offers more than just discussions for those who have lost someone. Grief is a natural process. It isn't a disorder or an illness. You may be grieving about anything you've lost, whether it's a loved one or a job or something that had meaning for you.

We meet every month on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays at 10:00 AM in the Dons Room in the Banner building. When you feel the need, we can be there for you.

Flower Guild

Tap Into Your Talent

Summer is a time to try something new! The Flower Guild challenges you to tap into your creative side and put it to good use, arranging flowers for

The House of the Lord.

In her book, The Church Ladies' Guide to Divine Flower Arrangements, nationally renowned flower arranging expert Gay Estes offers the following prayer: 

OH LORD,

PLEASE don't let my flowers wilt,

my lilies stain the vestments

or my vase leak.

LET my arrangements neither fall,

nor catch fire from the candles.

amen

 Although written with humor, the prayer expresses real thoughts of a church flower arranger. In addition, there is the desire to give life to surroundings in a church service, to create harmony between wood-and-glass and the congregation. Flowers enhance the beauty of a service and remind us of God's

promises and blessings.

Much thanks goes to current Flower Guild Members: Sharon Bakay, Marcel Butts, Sharon Pappas, Janice Robinson, Kathy Thomas, and Clare Thompson, with an occasional assist from Barbara Pfeil or Joyce Fisher. They invite you to join them and let your talents bloom for all to see!

 Yoniece Miller

 Flower Guild Director

Outreach Letters

Your Generosity is Known in Heaven

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God” (Acts 10:4b).

St. John Divine’s outreach for June, July and August provided much needed school supplies for children and their families at Wimauma Elementary School. Your generosity provided an abundance of needed items for the school to distribute to their students. Wimauma Elementary’s new principal, Karen Fletcher, was very appreciative. You purchased more than $500.00 worth of items that were put on the outreach table in the parish hall. That was enough to completely fill my car to deliver to the school. In addition to that, you gave more than $1075.00 in cash, which was used to provide another ten big boxes of school supplies.

The outreach was a great success. Thank you for your lifestyle of generosity.

Brenda Roshaven

Outreach for October

The Outreach Committee has chosen the First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary for our October focus. The Sanctuary is a community supported “no kill” animal rescue in Riverview.

This non-profit animal rescue began with a heart for rescuing feral cats, but has expanded to include other animals. Their farm now includes numerous chickens, ducks, geese and peafowl. Many of these have special needs, having survived dumping, abuse and even arson.

The name ‘First Lady” comes from the desire to honor the first ladies of the United States. Usually, their husbands, the Presidents, got all the fanfare, but we know the women worked hard, often unheralded or unnoticed. This rescue honors their legacies.

During their first year, 2018, they placed 13 kittens in homes. In 2019 they found homes for 53 kittens. In 2020 they were able to place over 300 cats in homes. They vet each animal, including spaying/neutering each one before they put them up for adoption.

Depending only on volunteers and donations, the First Ladies Farm and Sanctury is not backed by corporations or grants. Please give generously toward their support.

To find out more, check out their website at firstladiesfarm.com.

Brenda Roshaven

Outreach for November

It is nearly MEALS ON WHEELS time. NOVEMBER is the month our congregation delivers not meals every day to anyone in our community requesting them. You have always been generous with your commitment to this project and we are counting on your support again this year.

There are sign up sheets on the Outreach Table. We need 2 teams of 2 for Sun City and 1 or 2 teams of 2 for Kings Point every day of the month of November. Please sign up and let us know when you can be available.

Blessings and many thanks, Annie Hunter and Jackie Winder.

Jackie Winder

jtw5496@gmail.com

941-209-8758

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