From the Priest in Charge

for January 2024

The sun will soon be rising

on the morning of another day.

the first day of a new year.

What can I wish that this day,

this year might bring?

Nothing that would make the world

or others poorer. 

Nothing at the expense of others.

Just those few things that in their coming 

do not stop with me 

but touch me rather as they pass

and gather strength.

A few friends who understand me

and yet remain my friends.

A work to do that has real value

without which the world would feel the poorer.

A return for such work not to tax unduly

anyone who pays.

I wish the new year to bring me a mind

unafraid to travel

even though the trail be not blazed

A heart that understands 

and in understanding

help you carry your load in life.

May I understand the meaning of the tears

that sometimes dim your eyes.

May I never be the cause of that deep hurt

that I've seen in your eyes.

May the new year bring a site of the eternal hills

and the unresting sea

and of something beautiful

the hand of man has made.

Bring me also,

and this is important,

a sense of humor and the power to laugh.

A little leisure with nothing to do 

but spin my dreams when the day is done

and evening decends and cloaks us

in her robes of deep velvet..

I ask for those who are away

a speedy and safe return

and for those who return not

the reward they sought

in the house of our Father.

I ask also for a few moments

of quiet meditation

and in the knowledge and presence of God,

may I never be the cause of 

one tear to fall,

one heart to ache,

one friend to lose.

I ask for the patience to wait for the coning of these things

and the wisdon to know them

when they come.

And that is my New Years wish for you.

WISHING YOU GOD'S BLESSINGS IN 2024!

Father Lee

Do you know of someone who would like prayer

or

Would you like to be a part of our Prayer Team?

Contact:

Barb Gingrich at 813-633-5649 or barinscc@gmail.com

Or

Val Bryant at 813-352-1207 or vjb350@aol.com

Dec. 10, 2023,

SJD Ministry Status & Stewardship Information

New and Reactivated Ministries 

Healing/ Prayer Center

Healing Center is the dream of a member of SJD. The total cost of construction has been paid by the donator and no funds from SJD income. The ongoing monthly expenses and maintenance expenses are currently being paid by the donator as well. An income account has been set up for money to cover the monthly expenses. Likewise separate accounts to pay the monthly bill.

Tele-Care

This new Ministry’s primary function is to contact all members of the parish to check-in on them as to how they are doing and if they would like or want a prayer for themselves or someone else. We did something like this during COVID by calling on people that we now were unable to get out and around. This is much better organized. Prayer Ministers from the Healing Center are making the calls.

Daughters of the King

This ministry has been reactivated by a new member of SJD, Debre Middleton. Some old members have been reactivated and new members are being trained. This is for woman, and anyone interested to find out more contact Debre. 

Other Activities

New Rector Call

The search committee has forwarded 2 candidates for the vestry’s consideration, evaluation, and vetting. We are currently in the process of setting up visitation schedules. Getting around current commitments on both sides and travel arrangements are the major issues.

CPR AED Class 

A class has been scheduled by John Gentry for Thursday, January 25th from 9:30a.m. to noon at the Emergency Squad’s Training Center 124 S. Pebble Beach Blvd, Sun City Center. Max class size is 25. At no charge to those attending. If you want to be certificated that cost is $25.00

Stewardship Information

Tom Kramer, Treasurer, Steve Van Loan Jr Warden, will discuss the 2024 Stewardship program.

Doug Roderick to discuss Triple T Ministry.

Closing Comments

Don – Pickup packets at tables as you leave and go and have lunch that Barb Gentry and the kitchen crew have prepared. You may leave a donation in the backet on each table The Lee would you give us a few comments and say grace. 

Jr Warden, Vestry, Finance Committee, Endowment Committee, Usher, Lector

Hello,

My name is Steve Van Loan and am currently the Jr Warden, on the Vestry, Finance Committee, Endowment Committee, an Usher and a Lector.

My wife and I have been members of St John the Divine for 25 years. We originally started out in Ruskin. After much deliberation and a real deal on some property in Sun City Center the campus evolved into having 2 churches and finally combining them to the Sun City Campus.

After selling the Ruskin property we added the Banner Building, which is named after Jo Banner, a parishioner who bequeathed us a large sum of money to help add the much needed offices. 

There were many fund raisers and building fund drives along the way and everyone chipped in time, talent and treasure to make it happen.  

My first experience with tithing was when I joined my friends to go to a Catholic Church. When they started passing the basket, I looked at them and they said, “don’t worry you don’t have to put anything in”. I was about 6 years old and that just didn’t seem right to me, so I reached in my pocket and pulled out my allowance of 35 cents and put it into the plate. It made me feel like it was the right thing to do, and it was.

Tithing comes from the word Ten in the Hebrew language and is used in the Old Testament inferring 10% goes to God.

The New Testament mentions tithing 177 times.

Tithing is a Matter of the Heart.  Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." When we are able to give 10% or more of our income instead of keeping that money for ourselves, it shows that our heart isn't tied to our money and that we love God. After all it is God’s money to begin with.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously, will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6) 

Short story-You can’t outgive God

So, during this Stewardship campaign I ask you to pray about it, contemplate what you have in your heart.

Stewardship is an all-year commitment, and we need your support from what your heart tells you to do and what a 6 year old did.

Blessings

Steve Van Loan

Jr Warden

Triple T Ministry

I’m Doug Roderick and a member of your Vestry. I work along side Dennis Accardo, also a member of your Vestry, to administer the Stewardship Commission. I’m sure many of you are aware we made a big change to the Stewardship ministry about 3 years ago to better define what we expect this ministry to accomplish; it is now called the Triple T Ministry. We felt that when one thinks just of the title Stewardship one think it focuses on only pledges, budgets and financials given to support the mission of the church. A lot of what you have been hearing about in the last few minutes. In reality, there many other aspects of giving that are given by parishioners to the church as their personal thanks for the gifts and blessings that God has given to each one of us. These include one’s time, talent along with their treasury; thus the Triple Ministry was created. One way of looking at it is you can have all the treasury or money you need to operate our church, but without the time and talent that parishioners give to SJD, the church wouldn’t function at all. I hope you all have noticed the Triple T logo that is part of rotating slides displayed on the screens prior to the worship service, it provides a very visual image in how all aspects of giving are interrelated and necessary to operate and function as a church.

Your Vestry realizes that while we all need to “Step up” in our financial giving or treasury, many parishioners because of their individual financial situation are limited in the amount or how big of step they are able to make. However, the other aspects of Triple T—time and talent—parishioners can give or volunteer as their personal thanks for the gifts and blessings that God has given to them. To name just a few, serving as an usher, greeter, in the altar guild, flower guild, A/V booth, as an Eucharistic minister, kitchen helper, member of the choir, assisting in the church office, the Divine Jewelry store, healing ministry, and so many other ministries that are too numerous to mention. Special and unique talents parishioners give; like checking parishioners blood pressure and again many other actions. These do not involve money, but do involve the personal thanks from parishioners for those personal gifts and blessings God has given them. Combining the time and talent with financial giving or treasury, we have Triple T.

Let me close with a reading from 2 Corinthians Chapter 9: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

And finally on a humorous note, giving of your time, talent and treasury will ensure you of treasury in heaven, because in verses in 1 Timothy, Matthew, Hebrews, 3 John, and 1 Samuel, Christ encourages you to store up treasure in heaven. The only way to do this is to live generously now. Someone once said, “We can’t take it with us, but we can send it on ahead.”

Thanks for your time.

Rector Search Updates

Members Of the Search Committee include: Jean Brown, Michael Carrano, Barbara Gentry, Barbara Gingrich, D.J. Holt, Susan Morgan, Natasha Nowak-Palma, Aubrey Thompson, Sharon Van Loan and Katie Arp as the Vestry Liaison

Rector Search Video Updates

New Rector Call Status 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byup7wIdIOc

New Rector Call Status 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN8cie-i01Y

New Rector Call Status 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6medC2V91hM

Happy New Year From Divine Jewelry

The holidays were a success in the shop. Several folks did their Christmas shopping with us. At the end of November we donated $3000 to the Church to pay bills and we look forward to doing that again soon. In the meantime come check out our AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES. We have some items on BOGO and

we’ve slashed prices on other items. We look forward to a good start to the new year.  As always, we thank you for a successful 2023 and our aim is to raise even more money in 2024.

Barbara & Jackie

GRIEF SUPPORT JANUARY 2024

Grief after the Holidays

New Year’s is a time that seems to be the culmination of the holiday season. As difficult as it is to get through the season, the stillness and emptiness right after can be even more depressing for we who grieve. Grief is often amplified at the holidays, especially if you have lost a close friend or loved one. And then there seems to be nothing.

New Year’s Eve is a time when people are expected to be around friends, partying and kissing someone at midnight. If you don’t have these things and don’t feel like wanting these things, it can feel like a failure.

Another issue that differs from the rest of the holiday season is the focus on reflection. Many people look over the past year and see sadness and disappointments. The expectations of New Year’s Eve are huge, but another problem is the expectation for a new beginning. What will happen to me? Where am I headed? How can I make myself feel normal? Many people feel as if this one holiday should set the tone for the rest of the year, which is unreasonable. If the night doesn’t go well, it does not mean the next 365 days will also be disappointing, but this is how many feels.

If you struggle with grief and  depression, this is a great opportunity to set goals for better mental health. Setting resolutions can bring a sense of hope to the coming year, but it can also be disappointing. Set goals that are reasonable and achievable. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Here are some good examples:

Surround yourself with people who make you happy and begin to cut ties to those who do not. Bring your focus to what you can control in your own life. Ask for help when you need it. Get professional mental health treatment. People grieving tend to dwell on negative thoughts and events, worsening depression. Try to find distractions or new activities to lessen your negative and sad thoughts,

The Grief Support Group at Saint John Divine offers more than just discussions for those who have lost someone. Grief is a natural process. It isn't a disorder or an illness. You may be grieving about anything you've lost, whether it's a loved one or a job or something that had meaning for you.



We meet every month on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays at 10:00 AM in the Dons Room in the Banner building. When you feel the need, we can be there for you.

Your Healing Center Open

Come for Prayers

St. John’s Healing Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and the prayer warriors are inviting all to come for private prayers. The prayers can be for major or minor 

concerns for ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, or the world. Our pets can also receive prayers. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Why not take advantage of that special promise in scripture!

The prayer sessions are approximately one-half hour and the person being prayed for asks for prayers for whatever they wish. There are always two people who do the praying, one is the main prayer person and the other is the intercessor. There is strict confidentiality and it is a loving environment and prayer ministry. The facilities are comfortable and handicap accessible through the Memorial Garden.



Appointments are suggested but not necessary. If you wish to make an appointment you can call 

The Healing Center at 813-633-2403. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Come, come, come!

From the Kitchen

2023 Review

It has been a busy year for the Kitchen Team.

• We catered six funeral receptions as of this writing (Dec.12^th).
• There were numerous Birthday Cakes, Anniversary Cakes plus a Goodbye Cake for Scott and Gerri.
• We hosted a reception for the Bishop’s visit for 110 people.
• We hosted the Stewardship Sunday Luncheon for 115 people.
• We hosted the Lenten Series Soup Suppers (the hit being Texas Toast!)
• On Easter Sunday, we provided hot cross buns and deviled eggs.
• We hosted a Summer Potluck.

And through it all, we even made the time to submit the requested Inventory of the Kitchen and Parish Hall.

As always, we continue to host weekly Sunday Coffee hours (except for the six Sunday Breakfasts provided by the Johnsons which are always a hit). Thanks to Hilda and the Bradleys for handling 8:00 Coffee Hour and a special thanks to Karen Stapleton for serving and cleaning up at the 10:00 Coffee Hour freeing us to work in the Jewelry Shop.

What a great team and where would we be without John Gentry who sets up and breaks down Parish Hall for events all year long, runs the kitchen dishwasher, makes sure we have hot coffee for all events and even takes out the garbage every week. He is always there when the kitchen ladies need a hand.

With the New Year upon us, we already have four functions during January including TWO 100^th Birthday Celebrations! WOW!

Our Kitchen Team comes through for every event with their Time and Talent!

Most importantly, the entire team agrees it is the fellowship that puts a smile on our faces.  Just a reminder…if you see somebody you haven’t seen before, PLEASE be sure to say hello and invite them to sit with you.

Finally, a sincere THANKS for all of you who donate food and/or funds to keep the tasty treat coming!

Barbara & Jackie

If you wish to give online, please scan or click the QR Code