Family Promise: Changing Homelessness |
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By Deacon Saundra Kidd
During the week of July 24, St. John’s will host three families sponsored by the local affiliate of the organization Family Promise. In so doing, our cathedral will be taking one small but significant step to combat homelessness.
More than 2.5 million children in America experience homelessness today; 35 percent of America’s homeless are members of families with children. Sadly, in many instances when homeless families seek shelter, they become separated. The founders of Family Promise set out to eliminate that problem. To achieve their goal, they enlisted faith communities to provide hospitality space within their buildings.
The initial 11 committed congregations in 1986 have grown to more than 240 affiliates in 43 states, encompassing the efforts of 200,000 volunteers and 6500 congregations. Family Promise of Jacksonville opened its doors in June 2006, serving families of two single moms with six children between them. By 2015 the Jacksonville affiliate had served its 100th family and has continued its vital mission through the pandemic and aftermath, which have been so hard on low-income families.
Family Promise is committed to “ending homelessness one family at a time” and, unlike many other ministries serving the homeless, keeping families intact! Working with faith-based communities, the organization shelters single mothers with children, single fathers with children, two-parent families with children, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Teenage boys and children over 18 are sheltered with their families. A grandparent who is part of an extended family is sheltered with the family. Family Promise strives to keep the family together.
Before the pandemic, St. John’s and other local congregations hosted families on their premises, providing dinner and overnight shelter for a week. During the pandemic, Family Promise of Jacksonville moved its offices to a new location that also could shelter three families. As a result, on-site hosting at volunteer churches is no longer a necessity.
So what does volunteer “hosting” entail today? Here are ways St. John’s parishioners can assist during our week of service:
- Provide an evening meal – Volunteers may prepare a meal or portions of a meal with other volunteers, bring in a restaurant carry-out meal, or fund a meal. If desired, volunteers may eat dinner with the families to get to know them.
- Purchase groceries – Volunteers may buy food items from a list provided by Family Promise and drop them off at the Family Promise facility.
- Host a Family Fun Evening (movie night, games, crafts, etc.) at the Family Promise facility.
The Family Promise national office has launched an online training program to help experienced and new volunteers learn the organization’s core values and hear the perspective of volunteers and former guests. St. John’s Family Promise representative Brooks Moore is ready to assist prospective volunteers and answer questions. Contact her at brookswilkersonmoore@yahoo.com.
Serving together, we can help make a dream come true… “Ending homelessness one family at a time.”
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Sunday, June 26, 2022
Third Sunday after Pentecost
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral
Preacher: The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead
9 a.m. Summer Breakfast*
Sponsored by Cathedral acolytes
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral**
Preacher: The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead
Offertory Anthem: Behold, the tabernacle of God by William H. Harris
The Cathedral Choir
There is no Children’s Chapel during summer, but children can pick up Worship Bags from the Narthex on the way into the service.
*Summer breakfasts continue; thank you to the Acolytes for sponsoring breakfast this Sunday!
Christian Formation will resume in September
**This service is live-streamed on our website and
YouTube channel.
1 p.m. Church Without Walls
Dean’s Garden
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8:45 to 11:10 a.m. Hakimian Nursery Open
8:45 to Noon Cathedral Bookstore Open
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New Acolyte Training Sunday June 26 |
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Join us in the Cathedral from 11 to 11:45 a.m. for acolyte training. Contact Pam Searcy for more information. |
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Arabic Food in Cathedral Bookstore |
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Eman is selling new food items- hummus fatteh & Ozy grate- and new sweets- maamoul with dates & walnuts- in the Cathedral Bookstore after the 8 and 10 a.m. services.
Made with love by hand, her entrees and desserts are the perfect take home snack or meal. Your support for this is a micro business is greatly appreciated.
Cash is preferred, $10/item.
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Wish to become Episcopalian or to be confirmed? |
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Are you interested in being received in the Episcopal Church, or in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation? We will be holding confirmations on September 25th, 2022. If you have completed a confirmation class and would like to be confirmed, or would like to enroll in a confirmation class; please contact Megan Cochran in the office of Dean Kate Moorehead to make a plan.
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV
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NEW: Summer Book Study on Zoom |
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Beginning Sunday, July 10, we will gather on Zoom to discuss Brian McLaren's new book, Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed and the Disillusioned (published May 2022).
In Do I Stay Christian? McLaren combines his own experience with that of thousands of people who have confided in him over the years to help readers make a responsible, honest, ethical decision about their religious identity.
There is a way to say both yes and no to the question of staying Christian, McLaren says, by shifting the focus from whether we stay Christian to how we stay human. If Do I Stay Christian? is the question you're asking—or if it's a question that someone you love is asking—this is the book you've been waiting for. Plan to join us this summer. A Zoom meeting link will be posted soon.
Please use the button below to order the book on Bookshop. Your purchase will help support the Cathedral Bookstore and Gift Shop.
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The schedule
Sundays from 4 to 5:30, starting July 10.
July 10--Introduction, Appendix 1 and Chapters 1-5
July 17--Chapters 6-10
July 24--WEEK OFF
July 31--Chapters 11-15
August 7--Chapters 16-20
August 14--WEEK OFF
August 21--Chapters 21-28
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Cursillo #144 Registration Open for Fall 2022 |
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Camp Weed and the Cerveny Conference Center
11057 Camp Weed Pl, Live Oak, FL 32060
Cursillo is a three-day learning, sharing, inspirational experience of living in a Christian community. The objective of the Cursillo movement is to make Christian community possible in neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live the greater part of their lives.
Men’s weekend September 22 – 25, 2022
Rector – Larry Jones at Trinity Parish St. Augustine
Women’s weekend September 29 – October 2, 2022
Rector – Penny Snider at St. Joseph’s Newberry
Registration is now open for Cursillo #144!
Scholarship funds are available; contact Guy Bond.
As a reminder, all candidates must have a sponsor, so Cursillistas please start looking for someone to sponsor on one of these life-changing weekends!
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Sunday, July 17, 2022
4 p.m.
St. John's CathedralSt. John's Cathedral will host a Cursillo Ultreya on July 17, 2022 at 4 p.m.; this will be our first gathering since the COVID pandemic. We are looking forward to worshiping, singing and praising God together. All Cursillo families in the Diocese of Florida and their guests are invited. Come light that fire! Fellowship will continue after the service with a meal in Taliaferro Hall.
"DE COLORES"
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LGBTQ+ and Friends Dinner Wednesday July 20 |
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Please RSVP here by Friday, July 15 for our LGBTQ+ and Friends dinner, which we will have on Wednesday, July 20th, from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome. T he more the merrier! Please include your choice of grilled chicken or salmon in the RSVP comment box.
There will be a basket for donations at dinner.
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Fourth of July Celebration |
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Streams of Peace, Streams of Sound July 15 |
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This yoga event will be held in the Bishop's Garden, weather permitting. Healing music will be provided by a handpan player from Streams of Sound. This yoga experience is free and offered on a donation basis ($25 suggested). All are welcome.
Please bring any props you would like to have, including a yoga mat and water bottle; a few yoga mats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register via the RSVP link (no payment is required) to help us prepare for the evening.
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Pilgrimage to Italy October 9-17 |
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Canon Douglas Dupree will lead a pilgrimage tour to Italy, ‘In the Footsteps of St Francis of Assisi: Rome and Assisi’ October 9-17 th, 2022, for the Bishop’s Institute and open to all members of our Diocese and their friends. Dr Charles Howard, art historian and faculty member at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville will be our expert guide to the art and architecture aspects of this tour. Cost: $4,390. Single Supplement +$500. Prices based on double occupancy. Final Payment due: July 9, 2022. For further information and registration, see here. |
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Juneteenth Recap and more... |
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Saturday evening the Cathedral hosted Kenneth W. Louis’ Mass of Saint Cyprian, directed by Cedric Williams, who founded The Jacksonville Gospel Chorale.
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On Juneteenth, a panel discussion on redlining in Jacksonville was moderated by city council candidate Jack Meeks, featuring Suzanne Pickett, President/CEO, Historic Eastside CDC and Dr. Alan Bliss, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Historical Society. The Color of Law exhibition that highlights the impact of redlining in communities of color in Jacksonville will be on display throughout the summer. |
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Color of Law Art for Sale |
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All pieces in the exhibition are for sale. Proceeds will go to the artist and the Cathedral Bookstore and Art Guild.
The small wooden houses are each priced at $150/each and proceeds purchase a class for a first time home buyer through Historic Eastside CDC.
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SJC Hosts Session III of CAP String Intensive |
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This summer St. John's Cathedral is hosting the Cathedral Arts Project's string orchestra summer intensive, where intermediate and advanced string students, ages 11-18, will develop their knowledge of string instruments, technique, literature and other music-making skills while collaborating with other young musicians.
This week, session III has focused on learning a new solo piece and how to play with an accompanist, featuring guest artist Thomas Durante.
The program is led by Joshua Stone, who leads the CAP string orchestra and wants to offer all children equal opportunities to play string instruments, no matter their background or location.
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Sunday, June 26
Elisabeth Ball
Monday, June 27
Patty Donahoo, Lou Towson
Tuesday, June 28
Wendy Anderson, Betty Petway, Ben McGraw, Ciara Sanders
Wednesday, June 29
Christine Whitney, Kinsleigh Tucker
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Thursday, June 30
Collin Walker, Edward Harrison,
Glenn Guiler
Friday, July 1
Missy Holcomb, Cindy Chomiak
Saturday, July 2
John Falconetti
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