“Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome here.”

This is our service’s opening statement. Said, muttered, or grumbled, we voice it together. Everything flows from this. Every Sunday at 1 p.m., in the Dean’s Garden, weather permitting or in Cummings Chapel, a motley group of us gather for Holy Eucharist followed by a simple bag of food. Pre-COVID we met in the Diocesan Office parking lot with food graciously prepared by many parishes. Times have changed, but our mission hasn’t.

“Recognizing that ‘church’ at its best cannot be contained, this ‘church without walls’ shares the unconditional love of Christ with and through people who ordinarily would not mix. This diocesan ministry calls people from all walks of life into partnership with those who most often are overlooked, forgotten or rejected. We are a ‘community of presence’ made up of individuals looking for spiritual companionship and connection that give meaning to life. We are grounded in the reality that ‘by opening ourselves to strangers, the despised or frightening or unintelligible other, we will see more and more of the holy.’ Again and again, we will be transformed.”

The Rev. Cn. Beth Tjoflat, Diocesan Canon for Urban Ministry, took on this venture in 2012. My involvement started when I was a priest at All Saints Episcopal Church. Once every four months, the Men’s Group would set up tables with serving stations for the platters of barbecue and all the fixings. On other weeks, the meal might be sandwiches, hotdogs or spaghetti. No matter what the meal, the response was always a hearty “Thank you, God!” Parishioners were immersed in a new and wondrous experience of church. And as a result, they could say “Thank God for you.”

We have fewer folks who join us now, but we are growing again. Some say they heard about us and wanted to check it out. Often they come back. Others are struggling with something going on in their life and feel safe with others who are struggling. We’ve had lawyers, nurses and teachers who drop in. All doing well, but want something more in a safe space. We are spread out in the Chapel, masked if wanted, and free to come and go as desired.

“So come to this table, you who have much faith and you who would like to have more; you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time; you who have tried to follow Jesus, and you who have failed; come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.”- An Invitation, Iona Abbey.

This is an invitation to all to come and participate in the vibrant urban ministry that is Church Without Walls.

How are you looking to explore your faith? Are you interested in being received in the Episcopal Church, or in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation?

Please contact Michael Corrigan to make a plan.

              Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV

Reflections on Resurrection in Scripture, Poetry and Art is a series of five sessions led by Linda Privitera and Joe O’Shields on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom until June 2.

Using the post-resurrection appearances in the gospels we will consider the text, a poem, and an art piece for our discussion. We will begin our sessions with the “original” ending of the gospel of Mark. This course is a continuation of the Personalities, Portraits and Poetry format first presented in Pentecost and Advent of this past year. Save the dates and join us for lively discussion and thoughtful reflection. This course is sponsored by All Saints’ Anglican Church Westboro (Ottawa), Canada.

Please join us Friday, May 13 at 10 a.m. for a tour of the aquaponics farm located at 958 Albert Street, near A. Philip Randolph Blvd. in Jacksonville. We will learn all about the growing system and the Native Fresh ongoing mission of sustainable farming. The tour is limited to 20 participants. Laura Eldredge will be your contact person at the farm.

Fresh Ministries’ aquaponics farm known as Native Fresh is an education-focused commercial aquaponics farm located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. Because of the tightly-controlled environment, a wide variety of produce is grown year-round using no pesticides and significantly less water than traditional methods.

On Saturday, May 14, clergy and delegates from the Diocese will elect the IX Bishop of Florida during voting at St. John’s Cathedral. Election is not open to the public but will be livestreamed on the Diocesan YouTube Channel.

All five of the candidates, Rev. Canon B. Wiley Ammons, Jr.; Rev. Charlie Holt; Rev. Canon John Fletcher Montgomery; Rev. Canon Miguel A. Rosada; and Rev. Canon Beth Tjoflat participated in a Meet & Greet at SJC last Tuesday. The candidates answered pre-selected questions in front of about 200 people in Taliaferro Hall. Event was livestreamed and may be viewed HERE

The Big Red Bus returns to St. John’s Cathedral for blood donations on Sunday, May 15 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. Those interested in donating are encouraged to sign up for an appointment HERE

The Bus will be parked in its typical location on Market Street so consider donating after attending services. Donors will receive a $20 eCard, a One Blood t-shirt and free wellness check.

Her paintings have been on display in Taliaferro Hall since Easter Sunday, and now there will be a reception for artist, author and SJC member Dottie Dorion on Thursday, May 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Please join us in Taliaferro Hall to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beverages, music and, of course, Dottie’s vibrant and colorful paintings.

To purchase: All of Dottie’s artwork (except for one piece) is available for purchase through the Bookstore & Gift Shop. Fill out a purchase form located in the back of Taliaferro Hall or at the bookstore.

Take the completed purchase form to the bookstore. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 8:45 a.m. to Noon on Sunday.

If the bookstore is closed, you may put the form through the mail slot located in the front door of The Brown House & Bookstore (across the street from the Cathedral).

A bookstore volunteer will contact you to confirm your purchase on the next day that the store is open. We take all forms of payment (cash, check and credit card). Please call the bookstore with any questions. (904) 356-5507, Ext. 152. You also may contact the bookstore during store hours and a volunteer will be happy to complete a purchase form for you.

Help us make a difference for our littlest neighbors with meals that keep them well-fed and books that keep them well-read! On Sunday, June 5, we will pack 10,000 meals and donate 400 books to children in the Jacksonville area.

For a few hours, Taliaferro Hall will be an assembly and packing station for meals to feed the hungry as we take part in Hunger Fight! Children age six and up may participate, so make it a family event and invite your friends and neighbors! The event and lunch are free, but you must sign up, so we know how many lunches to provide and stations to set up.

WHAT TO EXPECT: At 11:30 a.m., the Outreach Council will provide a light lunch, served in Ingram Lounge. The Hunger Fight Packing Event will begin at noon at last until all the food is packed. Please wear comfortable shoes as you will be standing for a few hours!

Plan to join us Sunday, June 5 for a Bold City Brass concert beginning at 5 p.m. in the Cathedral Nave. The Bold City Brass is a continuation of one of the oldest historic brass bands in Florida, the 3rd Florida Regimental Band. This group makes joyful music! The concert will also feature St. John’s Cathedral Canon for Music, Timothy Tuller, organ. Come and enjoy live music in a beautiful space!

Dr. Eric A. Becher will be conducting this concert, which is presented free of charge and open to all.

We may have people in our Parish who need rides to church from time to time. We are evaluating our capacity to offer this ministry to our community.

Please respond to Laura Eldredge if you need a ride to church or if you are interested in providing a ride to church. Your response will let us know if this service is needed and if we are able to provide a solution.