NEWS for you...

MARCH 21, 2025

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

We have been on our Lenten journey for 3 weeks and hopefully are breathing more comfortably and frequently with God. As we breathe more with God, our faith and relationship with God increases – it is inspirational one might say. This Sunday is Outreach/Community Ministry Sunday so we can explore the way we demonstrate our faith in the community. As it is asked in the book of James, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but no works?” These go hand in hand and are all part of our worship and relationship with God.

This Sunday ~ and future Sundays ~ we have opportunities to spend quality time as God’s hands and feet right here in Olney.

This Sunday there are three options which include:

1. Refilling Birdfeeders – If you built a bird feeder on the Day of Service, perhaps you and your building partner can go and check how much food is in the feeder. There will be a bag of birdseed outside behind the Parish Hall to refill the feeders.

2. Visiting our neighbors at Brookdale – Some members of our community visited residents at Brookdale senior living. If you would like to go back, or visit for the first time, the residents would love a visitor. Visiting is possible between 1:30 and 3:00 on Sunday afternoon. See Deacon Nancy for a special visitor badge.

3. Planning a ‘Walk for Water’ Event – As part of our African Palms ministry, we want to explore ideas to bring attention to our future micro-loans and the important work happening in Masasi, Tanzania. We will gather in the Parish Hall to explore ideas for a simple Walk for Water Event this summer.

Each Sunday we will have one or more ways we can participate in our local and larger community. Here are some other upcoming opportunities here in Olney and Maryland.

Brookdale and/or Cadence Visiting Team – Both Brookdale and Cadence Senior Living Communities are hoping to have folks visit residents in their communities, especially residents who may not regularly receive visitors. Our intention is to have a cadre of folks who will want to visit, perhaps a couple of times a year on a Sunday. Please see Deacon Nancy for more information and to sign up.

Brookdale gardening partners – A boy scout troop built raised beds for the Brookdale senior living community. They are hoping to find some volunteers to come and be gardening partners with their residents over the spring and summer. If you have a green thumb – or any thumb – and this sounds like fun and a way you may wish to serve, please let Deacon Nancy know.

Advocating for Immigration Justice – On Monday afternoon, March 24th, Congregation Action Network is hosting a Day of Action to support bills before the Maryland legislature related to immigrant justice. We will be advocating for the 2025 Immigrant Justice Package: the Maryland Values Act (HB1222), Maryland Data Privacy Act (HB1431/SB977), and the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (HB1006/SB828), bills that will ensure that our state does not aid or abet unjust federal actions that harm our neighbors, tear families apart, and violate the dignity of Maryland immigrants. Deacon Nancy will be going to Annapolis about 3:00 pm and would be happy to take others who want to be part of this Day of Action!

Kairos Prison Ministry - Kairos brings together inmates for a 3½ day Weekend retreat held in the prison, and led by same gender Kairos volunteers. The Weekend is based on a series of talks, discussions, chapel meditations, and prayer. The concept is to build the Christian community inside the institution where the inmates pray and fellowship together weekly. The women’s team that will be leading a Weekend Retreat at the end of June will be meeting in our Parish Hall on five Saturdays in May and June. Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals and to serve on the weekend. If you might be interested, please see Deacon Nancy.

World Pride Parade – Save the date – Saturday, June 7th.

There are many opportunities to love God through our faith and works. I hope to see you as we love God through both!

In Christ’s love and service,

Deacon Nancy+

"Being a praying woman doesn't mean I don't have bad days. It means I am willing to find beauty, even in the ugliest days."

~ Unknown ~

LENTEN EVENING PRAYER

Join us for a simple meal of soup and bread at 6:15pm in the Parish Hall followed

by worship at

7:30pm, Wednesday evenings through April 9.

Please sign-up to bring soup or bread on the coming Wednesdays.

SOUP or BREAD SIGN-UP

MARCH 26

Soup Supper @ 6:15pm

Lenten Evening Prayer @ 7:30

APRIL 6 @ 12pm

Hospitality Sunday

Newcomers Coffee Hour

APRIL 6 @ 9am

Confirmation Class

APRIL 6

Spring Cleaning for Easter

APRIL 9

Soup Supper @ 6:15pm

Lenten Evening Prayer @ 7:30

APRIL 13 ~ PALM SUNDAY

Formation Sunday

Painting images of Stations of the Cross

APRIL 15 @ 7pm

Women of St. John's Meeting

~ PRAYER LIST ~

Use this list to pray for the sick, shut-in, bereaved, or those merely in need of prayer.

Julie Metcalf

Lois Taylor

Steve Ruff

Celeste McGee

Paula Fangboner

Mary Persinger

DAY OF ACTION

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE IN ANNAPOLIS

On Monday afternoon, March 24th, Congregation Action Network is hosting a Day of Action to support bills before the Maryland legislature related to immigrant justice.

We will be advocating for the 2025 Immigrant Justice Package: the Maryland Values Act (HB1222), Maryland Data Privacy Act (HB1431/SB977), and the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (HB1006/SB828), bills that will ensure that our state does not aid or abet unjust federal actions that harm our neighbors, tear families apart, and violate the dignity of Maryland immigrants. Deacon Nancy will be going to Annapolis about 3:00 pm and would be happy to take others who want to be part of this Day of Action!

PILGRIMAGE TO ENGLAND | September 25-October 5, 2025

We have 1 open slot (female shared room) for our pilgrimage to England. The trip includes time in London, Oxford and Canterbury, learning about the beginnings of the Anglican Church and our branch of Christianity. The trip cost is estimated to be $2,755 per person and covers - lodging, most meals covered on location starting with dinner on arrival day through breakfast on the final day, an experience guide, and ground transportation. Excluded from the cost is - airfare, travel insurance, lunches, laundry services, and any additional expenses. If interested, please contact Fr. Henry+

NEW OPPORTUNITY - KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY AT ST. JOHN’S

Over the last year, the St. John’s community has helped fill hygiene bags for the women at Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup through, Kairos Prison Ministry. Starting in May, there will be other ways we can work and serve with Kairos. Kairos brings together inmates for a 3 ½ day Weekend retreat led by same gender Kairos volunteers. The Weekend is based on a series of talks, discussions, chapel meditations, and prayer. The concept is to build the Christian community inside the institution where the inmates pray and fellowship together weekly. The women’s team that will be leading the Weekend at the end of June will be meeting in our Parish Hall on five Saturdays in May and June. Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals and to serve on the weekend. If you want to learn more, please see or get in touch with Deacon Nancy.

BROOKDALE and/or CADENCE VISITING TEAM

Both Brookdale and Cadence Senior Living Communities are hoping to have people visit residents in their communities, especially residents who may not regularly receive visitors. Our intention is to have a cadre of people who will want to visit and be available a couple of times a year on a Sunday. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the residents and also listen and love those who would like to see a friendly face and presence. Please see Deacon Nancy for more information and to sign up.

BROOKDALE GARDENING BUDDIES

St. John's is developing a relationship with Brookdale Assisted Living Center, and Deacon Nancy has been contacted to see if we might have someone or a few people with a green thumb who may be interested in being gardening buddies. Brookdale Community has raised garden beds built by a Boy Scout Troop and the community's activity person is hoping to find volunteers to become gardening buddies or partners with their residents this spring and summer. If you have a green thumb – or any thumb – and this sounds like fun and a way you may wish to serve, speak with Deacon Nancy.

FOOD PANTRY - The Food Pantry Ministry is currently in need of people to stock the Food Pantry on Saturdays at a time and date convenient for you. Pantry Food can be picked during the week when the office is open (Monday through Friday between 9am and 2pm) or collected the Sunday prior. If you are interested and would like to be a part of this vital ministry and its mission, please contact Mary McQueen or Julie Metcalf or sign-up through SIGN-UP GENIUS.