St. John's Enews
November 1, 2020
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If we’re honest with ourselves, this challenging year has left many wondering how they can be thankful. Sickness, isolation, economic calamity and social upheaval have left many reeling, with no assurance this will end soon.
It takes tremendous faith to give thanks in times like these. Job 13:15 shares “Though he slays me, I will hope in him.” Job had literally lost everyone and everything valuable to him, and in the midst of such great loss and agony, he affirms that even if he dies, his hope is in God. Job shows us the way to thanksgiving in this moment and that is to trust God with your very life. Job survived this valley and went on to be doubly blessed by God. Faithful hope in God is the way forward for every believer.
Job’s Life was full of Sorrow and Thanksgiving
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Gratefully,
Fr. Joseph
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The 3rd quarter ended September 30th has been much like prior years from a seasonal perspective. Pledged and Unpledged Revenues always decline during the Summer months, perhaps due in part to “season” members going North and corresponding lower attendance levels. Then, of course, attendance in the Sanctuary has been limited at the direction of the Diocese due to the Covid event. Expenses, on the other hand, are not particularly seasonal. So, it is common that expenses exceed revenues during the 3rd quarter.
With that as background, our Church members have been both timely and generous with their Pledges. Pledge Income is up approximately nine percent (9%) for the 1st nine months when compared with 2019. Total Revenues are, likewise, ahead of 2019. Expenses are currently running below prior year levels, and Net Revenues are strong…50% greater than a year ago.
Our liquidity is strong. We experienced losses in our investment values in the 1st quarter of the year that were similar to the “correction” level declines in market indexes, like the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P. However, we have recovered almost all of those losses with securities market returns in the past six months. The future of the leading economic indicators and market values of securities is still uncertain in the current economic and political environment, and we still await the development of drug treatments for the Covid 19 pandemic.
We have no funded or interest-bearing liabilities. Our General Reserve is strong for operations, insurance, and maintenance.
Our Stewardship Campaign for the 2021 Budget is underway. Four weeks into our campaign we have received 85 pledge cards, which is consistent with results from 2020 and 2019. The pledge gift total so far is consistent with prior year giving as well. Your pledge cards are an important part of our budgeting process for 2021. We are so grateful for the generosity of our congregation, especially during the continuing uncertainties associated with the current Covid and economic environment.
JUST A REMINDER…Those of us who have IRAs with Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs, can gain significant tax benefits by requesting that our Investment Account managers fund our pledge or other gifts directly from our IRA account to St John’s Church. It’s easy! Consult your accountant or tax advisor for additional information about the benefit of using this method to fund your pledge or gift to St John’s.
Bob Matthews
You can mail your gift to the church at
St. John's Episcopal Church
500 Park Shore Drive
Naples, FL 34103
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If we were up north right now, we would begin to see the leaves turning beautiful colors. It is God’s message that the year is coming to an end. For us here in Florida, we may not see those color changes and the leaves falling due to travel challenges. But we too experience God’s message of the closing of another year as we begin to welcome back our seasonal residents to Florida’ Paradise Coast.
With the move by our Governor to Phase 3 of the COVID Recovery, our services will be better attended, so there are some things we all need to keep in mind. Face masks are recommended as is social distancing. Try to leave some space between you and the next non-family person. This is easier at the Saturday Service. If you are sick, please stay home and watch our live stream.
In addition to the new ultraviolet lights to our sanctuary air ducts, we are adding them to the air ducts in various other parts of the campus. This method kills the germs in those spaces. You will also find hand sanitizer throughout the church.
I have the honor this year of chairing the Nominating Committee for filling Vestry positions of expired terms. Serving on the Vestry is a very fulfilling way to give back to our St. Johns family. I have had the honor of serving two separate Vestry terms of three years and I can say with certainty that it has been a true pleasure to serve our beloved place of worship. If you have a desire to serve on St. Johns Vestry, please let me know so I can include you in our recommendations. You can reach me at [email protected] or on my cell # 239.778.6629.
Blessings to you all and may God’s love give you peace of mind.
Jack Wert
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Vestry Nominations
The Vestry Nominating Committee will be meeting in October to select 3 Vestry candidates. Vestry nominee qualifications include:
- St. John's communicant in good standing.
- 18 years or older.
- Demonstrates committed Christian life through Embracing God, Loving our Neighbor and Serving the World!
- Makes recorded contributions to St. John's.
- Affirms St. John's mission and bylaws.
- Committed to completing 3 year Vestry term, with regular and special meeting attendance, as well as provide parish leadership.
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Once again, St. John's will be having our Outreach Grant Celebration on Sunday (12/13) at the 10 AM service. This has been a challenging year for both St. John's and our Thrift Shoppe, yet
St. John's has committed to a double portion blessing for the 10 charities we'll recognize in 2020. Any financial gifts parishioners can offer to increase this financial blessing are welcome and can be mailed to St. John's at 500 Park Shore Dr. Naples, FL 34103.
Bless You,
Outreach Committee
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As we approach the holiday season and the season for us to reflect on being thankful, the Sunday School will be focusing on what it means to be grateful and thankful. We will talk about how Jesus can continue to help us to be thankful and grateful for all that we have and how to share it with our community. We will learn about why it is important to be thankful, not only around the holidays but throughout the whole year.
The Sunday School is excited to announce that we will be returning to in-person Sunday School on Sunday, November 8th. Sunday School will be held in the Sunday School classrooms. The nursery will also reopen on November 8th. There are a few guidelines we are asking all families to follow upon returning in person. A list of guidelines will be emailed separately to Sunday School families. If you would like to attend Sunday School and would like me to email you a copy of the guidelines, please email me at [email protected].
Dayna Sottosanti
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St. John's has robust pastoral care ministries that have been in place for years with numerous people involved.
Benevolence Fund is available for those in financial need via consultation with Fr. Joe. We also have numerous community contacts that can be of great assistance!
Caring Callers have contacted parishioners during the lock down and recently to provide encouragement. Thanks Katy!
Caring Cards are sent by Spirit Alive members to parishioners in need or for joyful encouragement. Fr. Joe also sends out birthday and anniversary cards monthly.
Prayer Concerns can be emailed to Claudia at [email protected] with the name and concern. She'll share this with intercessors and they may be placed on our worship service prayer list.
Order of St. Luke offers healing prayer during worship services and Wednesdays. Please contact Vickie Bauch at [email protected] to schedule healing prayer.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors are available upon request by contacting the church office at 239.261.2355.
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St. John's Thrift Shoppe
Outreach Ministry of
St. John’s Episcopal Church
St. John’s Shoppe is one of the parishes’ largest ministries. We offer quality “nearly new” men and women’s clothing. We have furniture, home accessories, artwork and jewelry.
Due to the COVID-19, we reduced our hours and are open six days per week from 10 AM to 2 PM The Shoppe is truly one of God’s wonders. For the past thirty-five years, we have been able to provide local charities with funds so they can help those in need. We do ask that you wear a mask when you visit the Shoppe. We have volunteers that give their time freely and we receive donations from generous people.
To continue our giving to those in need, we need more volunteers. Volunteering at the Shoppe is sharing and giving. When you go home, you know you have helped those in need. Any free time that you may have to volunteer at the Shoppe would be appreciated.
Contact James or Donna at 239.597.9518 about giving your time to volunteer or giving donations.
The location of the Shoppe is at 14700 Tamiami Trail, North Naples, FL. We are located right past the Mercedes car dealer on the right-hand side going North in the Tamiami Square Shopping Center. It is easy to find as we are located right next to the Pewter Mug Restaurant.
We look forward to the day when we will be able to return to our regular hours from 10 AM to 5 PM
God bless all of you and stay healthy. Thank all of you for your continued support.
St. John’s Thrift Shoppe Board
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Please welcome Jane Kindorf and Mary Frances Aiken as they lead Stitches of Love this coming season. You're welcome to join Stitches on Fridays at 10 AM in Brewster Hall.
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Jay Hall Carpenter, Sculptor
Sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter created the statue, "An Angel Taking the Soul of Man to Heaven" in the Garden of the Resurrection. It was dedicated on March 22, 1987. A professional sculptor since 1976, he earned his reputation during 20 years as sculptor for the National Cathedral. He created the original carver's models for over 500 sculptures that adorn the gothic limestone building. These sculptures include saints, angels, grotesques and gargoyles. Many American churches have commissioned his work, as has the State Department, the Smithsonian, Canterbury Cathedral and the New England Medical Center. Other clients have included the University of Missouri and Maryland. Carpenter was elected into the National Sculptor Society before the age of 30 and has received multiple national awards!
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Marjorie Treadwell's Funeral Service will be in Michigan on Saturday (11/7) at 11 am. You can join via the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/7346761727?pwd=MzNGdm4wOHF0QzMwa2d3TEpNbW9GUT09#success
Women's Bible Study meets Mondays at 10 AM in Sugden Hall. Questions? Please contact Jan Eveleigh at
239.682.5339.
Sisters for Life gather Mondays at 5:30 PM in Brewster Hall. Please contact Dee Hayes 239.784.8759.
Coed Bible Study continues Tuesdays at 10 AM in Brewster Hall. Please contact Joan McCarthy 331.625.2196
Men's Bible Study fellowships on Wednesdays at 7:30 AM in Brewster Hall. Bring your own coffee. Plenty of room to distance. We continue our study of Matthew. Please contact Skip at [email protected]. There will be no Bible Study held on (11/4) and (11/11).
Order of St. Luke gathers Wednesdays at 10 AM in Brewster Hall. Please contact Vickie Bauch at 239.249.0957.
Stitches of Love Season has begun. Join us Fridays at
10 AM in Brewster Hall. Please contact Jane Kindorf at 630.542.1243. Mary Frances Aiken at 239.450.3199.
St. John's worship services are Saturday 5 PM and
Enews deadline is Friday (November 13th)
St. John’s Shoppe Annual Christmas Open House – Saturday (11/14) - Friday ( 11/20) 10 AM - 2 PM -14700 Trail N, Naples, FL 239.597.9518. Join us for your Christmas shopping and fun. www.stjohnsshoppe.com.
Thanksgiving Day: The office is closed Thursday (11/26) Happy Thanksgiving!
St. John's Outreach Grant Celebration will be Sunday (12/13) at the 10 AM service.
Christmas Eve services will be Thursday (12/24) 5 PM and 9 PM. Christmas Day service is Friday (12/25) at 10 AM.
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Avow Presents Virtual Coffee With Vets
Meetings via zoom are held Fridays
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. These meetings give local Veterans an opportunity to share memories and experiences, and engage in general conversation. For any questions please contact Mark Beland 239.285.9300, [email protected]
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Marco Lutheran Church Hosts Visiting Scholar
David Zahl
David will be giving 3 lectures: November 13-15.
David is the author of “Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance became our New Religion and What to Do About It.”
David will be speaking on: Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:00-9:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM. (boxed lunch included) and Sunday, Nov. 15. 9:30 AM.
This event is FREE! Due to limited seating with social distancing, tickets are required and are first come-first served. Tickets are available online at:
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Books Are Back
We appreciate Glenn Saffran for taking the time to place our worship books back in the Pews. Thanks!
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St. John’s WiFi system is updated. All buildings including Brewster Hall have WiFi connection. |
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NOVEMBER 1, 2020 DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CHANGE. Saturday evening (10/31) our clocks need to "fall back" one hour.
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Veterans Day
November 11th
Honoring All the Men and Women who have selflessly Served Our Country
Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard
With Respect, Honor and Gratitude, Thank You Veterans
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Give Thanks
Creative Ways to Express Gratitude this Thanksgiving:
- Have a conversation with the people you love
- Listen intently
- Write letters to close friends, family, neighbors, caregivers, coworkers or email to check in
- Donate unused goods to those in need
- Volunteer in your community
- Ask if there is anything you can do to assist
- Say a kind word
- Call to say hello
- Shop for groceries, drop off a meal
- Include others in your plans
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Transfer: Connors
Deaths: Marjorie Treadwell
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Click on the "Click Here" button below to see log in instructions.
If you need a refresher course on how to upload the Instant Church Directory, simply click on the Download Document button below and you will see three different pages on how to load the directory. One is for iPhone, iPad and any iOS device. The second is for Android & Kindle devices. The third is for logging in from a computer.
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Betsy, Linda, Jim, Pera & Katalina, Debbie, Chloe,
Bob, David, Darren, Patty, Tony, Roger, small businesses,
St. John’s Parishioners and Families
Names are kept on the prayer list for 4 weeks unless the office is notified.
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"Grace Upon Us"
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace,
which can build you up and give you an inheritance
among all those who are sanctified.”
Acts 20:32 (New International Version)
When I was coming up, every summer there was a JTPA Summer Youth Program at the River Park projects to help kids twelve to sixteen from low-income families get work. They hired me at VoTech to be a secretary four summers in a row. The VoTech ladies kept asking for me back.
I had gold teeth, and I was loud, real ghetto fabulous. Cindy, one of the ladies, would say, “I don’t want to change you. You’re beautiful.” And every day the ladies told me they liked my outfit or whatever. One day, Cindy told me that I was doing great, but I had to learn how to be tactful.
“Nobody can judge me!” I bristled.
“Oh, no, it’s fine. But when you speak loud, people can look at that as you being angry. We know you’re not,” they’d say. They nurtured me and shaped me, but they proved to me first that they loved me.
Then I got pregnant at fourteen.
I did not say, “What am I going to tell my grandma?” I said, “What am I going to tell these ladies? I have let them down. They believe in me.” But when I told them, they didn’t turn away; they turned up their love for me and gave me my first sweet taste of grace.
My grandmother did not come to the delivery room, and when I came home with the baby, she went on vacation. She was hurt because she felt like with me it was going to be different. She’d only finished seventh grade and had to work in the fields and such. I was smart. I had drive. I was the one in our family sure to break out of the projects. She was bitterly disappointed.
Now I understand all that, but then, I was just crying, “What am I gonna do with this baby?” I called Cindy and all my VoTech ladies took shifts coming to help me out. They taught me how to cook my first meal. They showed me how to change the baby and how to make the bottles. They showed me grace upon grace even before I knew who God was.
Shalonda Washington
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Be Filled with Pentecostal Power from the Holy Spirit! |
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St. John's Episcopal Church| 500 Park Shore Drive Naples, FL 34103 | 239.261.2355| [email protected] | http://www.stjohnsnaples.com
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