The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Matthew 4:19
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Grace and Peace,
Today is the heliacal rising of Sirius, the dog star; this means that we are officially entering the dog days of August. Aside from Mr. Google, who knew such things? And who really cares? Yes, it is August, of course it is hot and humid, but more importantly St. John’s is not on summer vacation - there is a lot happening at St. John’s so come join the fun.
For example, this week will include discussions on Friday and Sunday of our summer reading book Art+Fatih, as well as worship Sunday morning,
Next week, on Friday evening we will have our final session of Praying in Color and on Sunday 21 August we send Deacon Janice out with blessings as she continues her ministry with a new parish. We will miss Janice, and look forward to coordinating with her on future activities.
On Sunday 28 August we both welcome Nancy Stockbridge to live into the roll as our deacon, and we welcome the choir back from their summer break. We will also bless teachers and backpacks, briefcases, diaper bags, etc. as everyone prepares to return to school and the office. Later that day 12 people will expand their insight into brokenness through the Kintsugi Experience. That day is also my last Sunday with you until December.
Every 5 years clergy are expected to take a 3-month sabbatical as a period of reflection and renewal. My sabbatical will involve time in the desert Southwest learning from some of our indigenous brothers and sisters as well as creating photographs that illustrate the nature themes of the psalms. We will be camping off-grid for much of this time, and if the weather cooperates our home-away-from-home will be on display this Sunday. During my time away the parish will be in the caring hands of Mother Shivaun and our wardens, Dan Philips and Stephen Simpson. I look forward to returning in December ready to continue our ministry together.
This fall St John’s will continue to be a busy place; September 11 marks the return of the Holy Household Half Hour, the Adult Forum discussion, and the Parish Picnic. October includes the Pumpkin Patch, the Blessing of the Animals, and the first of our fall concert series. On 12 November, God willing and the people assenting, Nancy will be ordained to the diaconate; also in November our fall concert series continues, and the second annual pie auction comes back in time for Thanksgiving dinner. This is just an overview so watch for more announcements and join the fun.
My own dog star, (she thinks she is a star), is watching me now to make certain I do not forget anything, either that or she wants a walk, and she assures me that the dog days are the best days.
See you on Sunday, and start marking your calendar with some of these important events.
Peace
Fr. Henry+
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SUPPORTING AN AFGHAN ALLY FAMILY
Our Neighbor's House is working to support an Afghan Family evacuated from Afghanistan, resettled by IRC and now living in the Baltimore Area. They are having a difficult time as their transitional assistance has run out and they have not yet been able to secure employment. We have most of what they need except for mattresses (2 twins, a queen and one for a sofa bed) which we prefer to buy new. They also need financial support for groceries. If you feel moved to help this family of 5 whose head of household was in the Afghan army supporting the U.S. during its engagement in the country, we are looking for monetary donations to purchase mattresses and provide them a gift card for groceries.
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Served in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Public Health Service, or NOAA as active duty, retired, separated, National Guard, or Reserves?
To help you get started with sharing your story, click the link for a list of "Veteran Interview" questions.
to share your story.
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If you have not registered for the Online Directory, please consider doing so. The online directory is password protected and allows members to log in view and download contributions and giving,
keep your information up-to-date with birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, upload a profile photo or find other members’ information.
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ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL
21st ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
Blue Mash Golf Course
5821 Olney Laytonsville Rd. Laytonsville, MD 20882
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Friday, September 23rd
Registration @ 7:30am
Take advantage of early bird special by registering between now and Monday, August 15th and save on individual spots and foursomes!
Join us at the awards banquet and be prepared to make new friends!
An awesome day has been put together for golfers of all skill levels.
Register and save today!
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THIS IS SACRED GROUND
Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism. It invites participants to walk back through history in order to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story. It holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.
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THIS IS SACRED GROUND CIRCLE
Last September, St. John’s offered its first This Is Sacred Ground Circle. This September we are pleased to offer a second circle beginning September 15. The circle meets 12 times, 6:30 to 8:30pm from September 15, 2022, to March 16, 2023, via Zoom on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
This is Sacred Ground is a creation for, and of, the National Episcopal Church. Since its inception there have been over 1,000 circles held with over 25,000 participants. The clear message is there is no turning back, or slowing down, the work of Becoming Beloved Community.
If interested in participating in the
up-coming circle, or have questions
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ADULT FORUM
Sunday mornings
9am Lower Level Parish Hall
Meeting ID: 833 0378 8008 Passcode: STJEC
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COMPLINE
Wednesday Evenings
7pm on ZOOM
Meeting ID: 892 8549 6618
Passcode: STJEC
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Saturdays Mornings @9am
or on ZOOM.
Meeting ID: 856 0058 2904 Passcode: 393887
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Use this list to pray for the sick, shut-in, bereaved,
or those merely in need.
Jeanne Van Hoeck
Sophia Jusko
John Rentz
Tim Wittig
Rev. Nancy Soukup
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Akie Abe & Family
Tara Dowling Yell
Scott Smith
Dorothy Brightman
Nan
Peter McWilliams
Rinchen Khandro
Jon Rucker
Joseph Sears
Lu Soukup
Frances Hunt
Mary Persinger
Chris Prinz
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Dear God,
We place our worries in your hands and we place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servants to health again.
Grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us.
Amen.
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~ SUMMER OFFICE HOURS ~
Church Offices will be opened 9am to 2pm Monday through Thursday
Closed on Friday
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St. John's Episcopal Church
PO Box 187,
Olney, MD 20832
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
3427 Olney-Laytonsville Road
Olney, MD 20832
301-774-6999
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