Announcements, St. John's Episcopal Church

Bishop Gayle Harris will visit St. John's Church on Sunday, September 7, 2008. The service will begin at 10:00am - HE Rite 2. We would like to make this a warm and welcoming event for Bishop Harris and the Arlington community. All are welcome.

Our Capital Campaign – click for pictures.

O Lord from whom all good proceeds, guide St. John's Church as we move into the future. Let us joyfully respond to your summons to minister to the world, and guide us in using our talents and treasure to respond to your call. Help us to plan wisely, work faithfully and give generously so that all the resources you have bestowed upon us may be used according to your will. Keep us in your steadfast love and faith, and grant us strength and courage in all that we undertake. In Christ's name. Amen.

Dr. David Wilcox & Barbara Seyon, Capital Campaign Co-Chairs. Capital Campaign Follow-up Committee Members: Don Griffin, Michael Serabian, John Gibson, Vicki Ford, Sarah Boulet, Don Lindsay, Carol Palmer, Dr. Patrick Seyon.

Collect for the Capital Campaign, written by the Capital Campaign Ministry Committee.

St. John’s Time and Talent Survey- The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Ministry in Daily Life

You are invited to complete our updated St. John’s “Time and Talent Survey.” There are many ways for parishioners to become involved in the life of our parish. This survey gives us a snapshot of your gifts and talents. With the information you provide, we can then match you with the various ministries of our parish. Surveys are available in the pews and at the back of the Nave. Please take a few moments to complete this survey and return it to the church office, or place it in the offering plate. The data collected will be entered into a database and made available to Parish Leaders. Thank you for your stewardship of the gifts God has given you and for your willingness to offer those gifts as disciples of Christ.

Jesus said, “I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.” John 13:15

A Lectionary Study Guide in the Episcopal Tradition.
Samples of this curriculum are available for your review and comments, at the Coffee Hour during the summer months. This curriculum is simple and straightforward. It is written from an Episcopal perspective. It allows for self-study, as well as small group study. It is available weekly and explores the lectionary for each week. I am looking for feedback from those parishioners who have expressed an interest in Bible Study. (If enough interest is expressed, I will order the curriculum.) The Bible Study group will meet at a mutually convenient time beginning in September. If there is enough interest, more than one meeting time/group can be arranged. The curriculum will be a form of self-study that a group can work through together. It does not specifically require a group leader. However, if you are interested in serving as a facilitator/leader, let me know. Jeanne Danton, Director of Christian Education.
You may also view a sample of this curriculum at the website: http://www.synthesispub.com

Teacher Sign Up: Only one teaching slot is left open for next year! We need a teacher for Unit 4, 1/4 – 2/1, Grades 1-3. Please contact me if you can teach this class. Anyone interested in the Church School may contact me via e-mail: st.johns_arlington@verizon.net or 781-648-4819. Jeanne Danton, Director of Christian Education.

OUTREACH:

Thank you to Laura Manion who has agreed to coordinate our Town Day table. Laura will be looking for help with this important and enjoyable outreach effort. Watch here for details to come. Thanks. The Rector

St. John's Holiday Fair 2007
(click for 2007 photos)

Outreach – Delivery Needed!
A sign-up sheet for volunteers to deliver the food, collected on Youth Sunday, to the Arlington Food pantry, is at the entrance of the Memorial Room.

Openings exist throughout the year. Deliveries from St. John’s can be made any Friday between 1:00p.m. and 3:00p.m., or by special arrangement.

A Junior Altar Guild - for children age 8 and older, is being coordinated by Lou Coleman. Look for announcements about this group in the future.

Arlington Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed to bring food from St. John’s to the Arlington Food Pantry (Church of Our Savior, Down Stairs, Marathon St., Arlington) on the last Friday of the Month between 1:00PM and 3:00PM. There is a sign up sheet in the Memorial Room. Please sign up for a month. This is a great project for students looking for community service credits, families looking for a family project or individuals who want to make a difference. Parishioners are invited to donate food on Youth Sundays. The Church School Students bring the donations to the altar as part of the Offertory on Youth Sundays. You can leave your donations in the baskets in the back of the Nave at any time.

In Reach/Pastoral Care
We are forming a group of parishioners who would be interested in delivering flowers to members of our parish who are currently ill or cannot leave their homes. This would entail a small amount of time on a Sunday following the services to pay a visit to these members. If you are interested in reaching out to our members who are no longer able to participate in services but who would appreciate being remembered by our parish family, please contact Jan Ford.

I am pleased to announce the release of my new book. Help From The Hills is a collection of meditations on the nature of human living and the gift of grace for challenges of the spiritual life. This book is an excellent resource for adult bible study groups and private devotions. Help From The Hills offers spiritual guidance for those seeking the light of life, and helpful reminders of the love of God as revealed in Holy Scriptures for the redemption of humankind. Help From The Hills was published by iUniverse, Inc. and can be purchased online at www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com. Retail Price – $10.95. The Rector

Living Water: Sermons for All Seasons - I am pleased to announce the release of a collection of sermons. Living Water offers hope for spiritual seekers and prophetic light for the spiritual journey. Living Water may be purchased online at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com. Retail Price - $14.95. The Rector

The Water's Edge: A Collection of Poems - The Water's Edge may be purchased online at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com. Retail price - $11.95. The Rector

New Parish Contact Lists – Available Now!

One copy per family - will be available in the back of the Nave. Please take the copy labeled with your family name. Periodic supplements with updates will be made. All changes/deletions/additions should be made by completing a change form available in the back of the Nave. Drop the forms in the collection plate or at the church office.

Newsletter Update: The July/August edition of our electronic newsletter has been sent out. Response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you for supporting this change. If you would like to continue to receive our monthly newsletter please be sure we have your current e-mail address. If you do not have e-mail, we will have paper copies of the newsletter available at the back of the Nave and by mail.   If you do not have an email address please let us know if you are willing to pick up your newsletter at church by opting out of the mailing option. Copies will be available by mail for those unable to get to the Church. Thank you in advance for your patience as we continue this new endeavor.

Penny Pot: The Penny Pot is located at the back of the Nave. As you do your spring cleaning, collect that loose change from the sofa and drop it in the Penny Pot. All change goes to building maintenance of St. John’s Church.

Vestry Corner - Vestry Members

Senior Warden – John Gibson
Junior Warden – Frank Foster, Jr.
Treasurer – Angelo Black
Clerk – Laura Manion

Nathan Lowry                  Don Griffin                     Bruce Kurth

George Barr Dr. Patrick Seyon Jan Ford

Marjorie Callahan Michael Boulet Nora McKenna

Newsletter News Deadline – 15^thof the Month. We encourage contributions from all parishioners, groups and committees.

Memorial Flowers –due to the cost of providing Memorial Flowers, the Memorial Flower fee is now $35.00 per Sunday. The Rector

Send a check for $35 made payable to St. John’s with “Memorial Flowers” in the Memo Line. Place in an envelope labeled Attn: Miriam Davison with the exact spelling of the person(s) to be remembered and by whom, TWO weeks prior to the date the name(s) should appear in the bulletin. Envelopes may be dropped in the collection plate, in the box on the Church Office door or mailed to the Church.

Elevator: Is ready for use into the church from the street level side door at approximately 9:45AM. It is also available to access the Parish Hall from the church after the service, and back to the street when you are ready to leave. Please see an usher to gain access if you have problems related to handicap accessibility.

Communion – If access to the altar for communion is an issue, please notify an usher before the service. Reverend Ramsey would be delighted to bring communion to you at your seat in the pew.

~ HOLY EUCHARIST ~

8:00am HE Rite I

~10:00am HE Rite II~