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Thursday, January 14, 2021
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St. John's Mission Statement
St. John's is a Christian community that intentionally gathers
to experience God's love through Episcopal worship, education, fellowship, and ministry to the wider community.
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Prayer for our Country
Grant, O God,
that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart
and especially the hearts
of the people of this land,
that barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease;
that our divisions being healed,
we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Update - Sunday Worship Services
COVID Updated Guidelines
Bishop Susan has communicated updated guidance about worship and church operations during the coronavirus pandemic. As you know, the situation in Southern California and Arizona is worse than ever before, with daily records being set for new cases and deaths, and little if any hospital capacity to care for those who are seriously ill.
Worship:
- Suspend in-person worship, from now through Feb. 16 at least. California law allows only outdoor worship at this time, so under no circumstances should any congregation be offering public worship indoors.
- Some forms of outdoor in-person worship (e.g., worship where people remain in their cars) are safer than others, and may be reasonable to continue.
For those who are live-streaming or pre-recording worship from inside your churches, I am issuing this updated guidance until further notice:
- Restrict participation in the live-streaming or pre-recording to 5 or fewer persons.
- Limit the time the group spends indoors together to 30 minutes or less.
- If sung music will be included in the service, the music should be recorded at a different time than the rest of the service, and the two recordings should be edited together. Musicians should remain masked, and again there should be 5 or fewer people present indoors together, for 30 minutes or less. I encourage you to allow only solo singing to limit the possibility of musicians exposing each other to the disease.
- Please ensure that the nave (or other space you use for recording) is empty for at least 30 minutes after one group exits before another group uses the space.
We will continue to gather virtually for our worship service of the Word of God and Spiritual Communion. Our service will be livestreamed on the internet.
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Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, January 17, 2021
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Altar Flowers
Our Altar Flower donations chart for 2021 is available  in the parish office. If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion without coming to the office, please contact Maria at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org.
The suggested donation for altar flowers is $40.00.
The current available Sundays before Lent are:
January 31
February 14
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Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study 
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting.
Please contact Rev. Cathey (revcat@gmail.com)
to be included in the Zoom meeting, or to update your info, if she does not have your current email.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
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Virtual Spaghetti Dinner and Fundraiser
It's time to get back together (virtually) for some fun! 
On Saturday, February 13, we will get together on Zoom and have a virtual spaghetti dinner. You can make your own dinner or order from Mangia Italiano (Menu, cost and delivery information is to be determined).
We are asking you to send your favorite Italian-style recipes (appetizers, side dishes, main courses, desserts, drinks) to Maria in the church office so we can compile an online recipe booklet that will be available free.
We also will have opportunity drawings like in the past, and we need your prize items. We can use just about anything - because we combine things into themed baskets. For example, we want to have a Valentine's Day basket and could use a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates.
Tickets will be 6 for $5, more information to come on buying tickets. You will not need to be present to win. All prizes will be shown and described in upcoming e-newsletters.
Also, there will be a couple of items for a live auction for which you can use the chat feature to bid. (Hint: one auction item will be an Italian dinner cooked by Rev. Roger himself!)
What we need from you: items for the opportunity drawings, baskets, recipes, volunteers to help pull the drawings together, pick up donated items, and help putting the recipe booklet together.
We have less than a month! Please call the church office or Diane Gustafson 619-253-7298 to volunteer your time or prize items.
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STEWARDSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
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Budget Presentation 2021
This Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 10:00am, following our worship service, we will hold a Zoom session for fellowship and a discussion of the 2021 Budget, presented by Terry Farrelly.
The budget is in the final stages of preparation. It is important to have an accurate knowledge of our pledge income so that we can make plans for our operational expenses. We would like to present to you the 2021 Budget that will go to the Vestry for approval on Wednesday, January 20th. The approved 2021 Budget will then be presented at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24th.
We are currently 15% short of our Pledge Goal (the 2020 pledge income).
If you have not done so, and are intending to pledge, I once again ask you to prayerfully consider your pledge. It would be helpful to have that information in order to finalize the budget. I understand that these are times of uncertainty. Please know that your pledge can be adjusted (higher or lower) at any time depending on you life circumstances. You may make your pledge by emailing or calling the parish office.
My vision is that this will be a year of outreach to those in need, and evangelism - letting people know who we and are and inviting them to "come and see". We can not effectively plan our programs without knowing the funds we have to commit towards those efforts.
I am grateful to all of you who have indicated your pledge for the coming year. I believe that your commitment and generosity is a sign of God's grace to our community of faith. I have much hope for St. John's and who we are as a community of faith.
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St. John's Annual Meeting
St. John's Annual Meeting will take place virtually on Sunday, January 24, 2021, at 10:30 am.
Details to come.
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St. John's Family and Friends
As we begin a new year, we are updating our parish  membership registry and directory. Please help us by providing the following information. You may respond to this email Newsletter or call Maria at the parish office (619-422-4141):
Last Name, First name(s)
Name(s) of children living at home
Mailing Address including Zip Code
Phone Number(s)
Email Addresses
_____ Is it your intent to be a registered member of St. John's Episcopal Church?
_____ Do you want to continue receiving our E-Newsletter and Pastoral Communications?
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You Are Needed!
The Vestry of St. John's has two open  positions in 2021.
The Vestry serves as the Board of Directors for St. John's Parish. According to the Bylaw of the Parish, the Vestry has the duties for the temporal business and affairs of the Parish.
The Vestry meets (usually) on the Fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm. The place of the Vestry meeting is designated by the Vestry (during this pandemic, the Vestry meets virtually on Zoom).
If you would are willing to serve as a member of the Vestry, please complete the short Vestry Member Biography. Completed nominations and biographies should be submitted to Rev. Roger. Election of the Vestry members will occur at the St. John's Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 10:30am.
Thank you for considering to serve St. John's Parish
Vestry Member Biography 2021
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Updated - 2020 Stewardship Campaign
It is with gratitude for the abundant grace received by our God, that St. John's gives thanks for all the gifts you have given to our family of faith.
Stewardship Results Update
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2020
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2021
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Number of pledges
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70
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55
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$141,033.00
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$120,630
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Time and Talent responses
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72
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OUTREACH & EVANGELIZATION
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Outreach
St. John's Outreach Committee has gathered to discuss 
our renewed Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
- Blankets - Coordinated by Denise Czer
- Pill Bottles - Coordinated by Sally Elliot
- Eyeglasses -
- Magazines -
- Greeting Cards-
- Emergency Food Pantry - Coordinated by Maria and Joe Love
Our collection day will be Wednesdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. (during this pandemic while we cannot gather)
Tables with labeled bins will be set up outside the church. You may drive up and drop off your items in the appropriate bins. If you do not feel comfortable driving, we will find a volunteer to pick up the items from your home.
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Blanket Ministry
New Start Blankets benefits domestic violence shelters in San Diego. The blankets we collect go to women and children who have escaped domestic violence. Most of the time, women and children arrive at the shelters with only the clothes on their backs. They are each given a new blanket, usually the only new thing they receive, and it is theirs to keep. Blankets are multi purpose, providing comfort, warmth, and security.
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Pill Bottle Ministry
Did you know that in developing countries, the pill bottle and cap is often more expensive than the medication inside? You can donate your empty prescription bottles by bringing them to the Parish Office.
Matthew 25: Ministries accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Their pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.
If you would like to contribute your financial support as well as your pill bottles, we welcome your donations.
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Eyeglass Recycling
If you buy new glasses, bring your old pair to St. Johns. They will be delivered to LensCrafter, where they will be reground and used for those who can't afford to buy brand new glasses.
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Magazine Collection
Your used magazines, paperback books and calendars will be delivered to the Seafarers Mission in National City. They will then be distributed to those whose sea journeys can last for many months.
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Greeting Cards
Your greeting cards, stickers and other supplies will be delivered to our ECS Head Start program and to Mi Escuilita, a Head Start run by SBCS. All cards are accepted: free cards you have received from charitable organizations or greeting cards you were sent (you may cut off the back to remove any personal information). The children use them in art projects and to identify objects and make up stories.
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Emergency Food Pantry
The South Bay Community Services "Emergency Food Pantry" needs donations every month. If you would like to donate, please bring your non-perishable food items to the Parish Office and they will be delivered to SBCS.
These items are always welcome:
Dry and canned beans, boxed potatoes
Rice, pasta, Mac & Cheese
Canned meat or fish and can openers
Cereals, powdered and canned milk
Peanut butter and jelly
Canned fruit and vegetables
Soup, ramen noodles and crackers
Canned stews and Spaghetti-o's
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Lenten Outreach
Forty Days-Forty Items
We have a challenge for you: 
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 (Ash Wednesday) is the first day of Lent. Each day of Lent, think about someone less fortunate as you look in your closet.
Remove one item from your closet or dresser that you no longer wear or need and put it into a trash bag. More details to follow.
At the end of the forty days, St. John's will donate these items of clothing to share them with someone who can really use these items!!!
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Becoming a Church for Military Members and Families
Ministry to military members and their families is an 
important outreach ministry, therefore, Bishop Susan
Brown Snook recently appointed The Rev. Frank Munoz, retired Navy chaplain and Priest-in-Charge at Grace Episcopal Church in Menifee, as our first military missioner-and the first known diocesan military missioner in The Episcopal Church.
Men and women of the military have chosen to give of themselves in order to serve and defend the freedoms and liberties of our country. We have an opportunity to serve them in return. The most obvious reason to minister to the military is that they are our neighbors, and as neighbors some are in need of pastoral care.
Some of us have come from military families and others of us have had the experience of a military family coming to our churches while they live near us and fitting in quickly, until they are deployed to another base. While they are with us, they want what many of us want from a church community: fellowship, education, prayer, sacraments, and pastoral care. The problem is that not all military families find churches easily.
That's where we come in. We have an opportunity to become more intentional about reaching out to the military and inviting them in.
The Vestry of St. John's has agreed that we will register our parish with the Military Chaplains Association as Veterans/Military Friendly Congregations so that chaplains can send people our way. We also can advertise our military ministry on our websites and in our E-Newsletter
Bishop Susan has identified this coming year, 2021, as the Year of Evangelism. Ministry to the military offers us a way to tell the Good News to our many neighbors in the military and to give the opportunities to use their spiritual gifts while they are with us.
If you would like to me a part of this Outreach ministry to our military members and their families, please contact Rev. Roger at the parish office.
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Pastoral Care
We Are Available in Your Time of Need
If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
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A Reflection by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was an American 
Baptist minister who became the leader of the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He was known for advancing civil rights through nonviolent civil disobedience, inspired by his Christian beliefs. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
I have tried to say that healthy discontent can be channeled into the creative outlet of nonviolent direct action. Some say this approach is "extremist." But I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label.
Was not Jesus an extremist for love: ''Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Was not Martin Luther an extremist: "Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God." And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free."
So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?
In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime - the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.
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Parish Prayer Lists
Birthday and Anniversary Prayers
We would like to acknowledge and pray for anyone celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary in the coming week. Please let us know by Thursday of the prior week so that we can get it in the Sunday liturgy. If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.
Our Parish Prayer Intentions
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.
For our Military
Matt, Drew, Cody, Cameron, Chariti,
Mark, Sean, Jonathan, TK, Christopher,
Timothy, Jeremy, David, Jonathan, Nick,
Jamal, Matt, Daniel, Jocelyn, Devon, Taylor,
Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian, Richie and Roberto.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott, Betty, Steve, Dawn, Gary and Shirley,
Fr. George Calvert, Tony, Brian, Ed and Priscilla,
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for our Ecumenical partnerships during the Week of Christian Unity.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Australia.
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Prayer Quilt Ministry
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind  you that there are many quilts available for anyone in need of prayer and support. This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. Please contact Diane Gustafson directly ( diangus15@aol.com) or through the office ( maria@saint-johns.org).
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Office Closed for Holiday
The office will be closed on Monday, January 18 in honor of 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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The Vestry
David Dennehy, Senior Warden
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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January 18
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Office Closed; MLK Holiday
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January 24, 2021
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10:30 am
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Annual Meeting
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Parish Office Hours
Updated Diocesan COVID Guidelines -Church Offices:
- Ensure that to the extent possible, church staff are working remotely rather than coming together in person.
- If staff and/or volunteers must come into the office for necessary activities, they should remain masked and distanced, with outdoor windows open and doors shut between people, to minimize exposure.
The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday. Please call before coming into the office, as our hours of availability may change.
Maria will be working remotely on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you need assistance, please call or email at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Friday. He will be available by appointment. Please call the office (619-422-4141) to schedule an appointment.
In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at 619-301-0724.
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Your weekly newsletter highlights important events at St. John's Episcopal Church. You can also find news about St. John's at www.saint-johns.org.
We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.
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EDSD Statement of Commitment
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
What Would Love Do: 1000 Days of Love
Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.
What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change
Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.
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Reporting Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.
Safeguarding God's People
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724 |
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