However, health regulations prohibit the clergy from being informed when our parishioners are in the hospital, so we will not know if you or someone you love is there unless you tell us. W e want to provide support in any time of need or crisis.
Please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email
The Holy Eucharist and Healing and Anointing (Chapel)
Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch
11:45 a.m., Peterson Room
The Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch group continues next week. The readings the group will study are those from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday.
Please do not park in the Four Green Fields parking lots. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP to dlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
Baptism classes will begin this coming Sunday, September 18. Classes are offered every third
Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m.
, next door to the church/school building at Discovery House. The Rev. Janet Tunnell runs these classes
. For registration, please contact Janis Elliott, Office Assistant and Registrar, 259.1570, extension 4221 or jelliott@104.237.132.142.
Kaivon and Crystal Madani invite fellow parishioners, particularly parents of children in Sunday School, to join them in welcoming Whitney Wolf to her new role as Director of Children’s Ministries and Parish Life with a casual dinner at their home. The event will take place on Sunday, September 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please contact Crystal to RSVP or to learn more details.
The study group for Bible Women by Lindsay Freeman welcomes all women. Each week is a standalone lesson. The book may be purchased from Forward Movement for $15.
CWBS is studying Amos and Hosea . After conversation and a light breakfast (fruit & some type of bread) that members take turns bringing, the study starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends shortly before 8:00 a.m.; a few people may leave early if they have to go to work.
All women of St John’s and their friends are welcome; the current group includes several valued members from other branches of Christ’s church. For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com.
Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study
On Tuesday, September 20, the Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study will be discussing Luke 3. Sally Olsson will facilitate. The group invites all interested women to join them in the Church Sanctuary from 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. For more information, you may contact Joan McKay at mckayjhm@aol.com or Pat Wilson at 644.4640 or patwilson68@tampabay.rr.com .
The St. John’s Book Club
4:00 p.m., Lowry Room
The St. John’s Book Club will meet in the Lowry Room at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, to discuss The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. Margaret Brokaw will lead the discussion. Everyone is welcome to come and listen or participate.
Wednesday, September 21
12:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
Wednesday Nights In St. John’s
6:30 p.m., Parish Hall
The Wednesday Nights Group invites all parishioners and friends to join them each week in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and an open heart and mind for discussion. Contact Paul and Winkie Game at pgamefla@aol.com for more details.
Breaking News
Guest Preacher This Sunday
This Sunday, September 18, we will host guest preacher The Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle. Dunkle is the 13th Dean and President of The General Theological Seminary in New York. Before coming to General Seminary, he served as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, Florida, a parish which experienced significant growth under his leadership. Prior to his ministry at Grace, in his first call after ordination, Dunkle served as Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, with responsibilities for staff administration, deployment, and representing the Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard in all aspects of diocesan life, particularly managing clergy and congregational conflict.
Dunkle currently serves as the chairman of the board of trustees of the American Friends of the Anglican Centre in Rome. He is a graduate of General Seminary (’04), where he earned the Seymour Prize in Preaching and served as a member of the Admissions Committee. Previously, he worked as a partner at Rogers Towers, the largest law firm in Jacksonville, Florida. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida’s College of Law, where he served on the Editorial Board of the university’s Journal of Law and Public Policy, and his bachelor’s degree from Duke University.
Dunkle was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, and baptized and confirmed at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. He was a part of our diocese through college and law school and currently his oldest daughter, Caroline, lives in St. Petersburg and attends our Cathedral.
Choral Evensong, September 25 at 5:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong is widely considered the jewel in the crown of the Anglican Choral Tradition. You might be aware that St. John’s Choir are increasing the frequency with which these services will be offered, and the first opportunity to experience Evensong this season will be on Sunday, September 25,
at 5:00 p.m. when we will observe the feast of St. Michael and All Angels. The music on this occasion will feature the very beautiful Preces and Responses of Richard Shephard, originally composed for the choir of Salisbury Cathedral in the UK.
Sunday Adult Christian Education Program Starts September 25 at 10:30 a.m.
On Sunday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m., we will begin a 5-part series on Embracing an Adult Faith: What it Means to be Christian. This is a video/discussion series featuring the late Episcopal theologian Dr. Marcus Borg. The series is designed for anyone seeking a richer understanding of issues in contemporary Christian practice and theology. It addresses such questions as: Who is God? Who is Jesus? What is salvation? How do we practice our faith? How do we live in community?
Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes. Bring your coffee and join the conversation! For more information, contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com .
Children’s Sunday School Kick-Off Full of Fun
This past Sunday, September 11, we welcomed over 50 children to our Sunday School program with fun festivities and a cool, icy treat. We have so many kids that we are looking for even more volunteer support, so please, volunteer if you’re able!
Our Sunday School program is available to children from 3 years old through 5th grade, and takes place every Sunday during the 9:15 a.m. service. Children learn a Lesson corresponding with the weekly readings in church, do crafts, eat a snack, and do other activities to strengthen their faith and teach them about their Christian heritage. They return to their families in the church during The Peace/Greetings.
For questions about our Sunday School program, to volunteer, or if you are new to the church and interested in registering your child, please contact Whitney Wolf at 312.244.0871 or send an email to wwolf@104.237.132.142.
Parish Breakfast and Sandwich Sunday This
Week
This Sunday, September 18, is our monthly Parish Breakfast and Sandwich Sunday. Join us in the Parish Hall after the 9:15 a.m. service for a tasty meal, then we invite you to help prepare sandwiches and bag lunches for the patrons of Faith Café. Thanks to the Madani family for being our Sandwich Sunday hosts this month!
Baptism Classes
Baptism classes will begin this coming Sunday, September 18. Classes are offered every third
Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m.
, next door to the church/school building at Discovery House. The Rev. Janet Tunnell runs these classes
. For registration, please contact Janis Elliott, Office Assistant and Registrar, 259.1570, extension 4221 or jelliott@104.237.132.142.
Cornerstone Kids Receive Backpacks
At the start of this school year, all 35 children went back to school with new backpacks which were filled with required supplies, thanks to the generosity of St. John’s parishioners. We well exceeded our goal of $1,500! The smiles on these brothers’ faces say it all. Thanks to everyone who made this effort a success!
Children and Youth
Save the Date: Family Game Night is Friday, September 30!
Mark your calendars for Family Game Night, 6:00 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 30, in the Parish Hall. We’ll have pizza, bingo, and an assortment of other games and activities for kids of all ages. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142 . Hope to see you there!
Calling All Acolytes!
The third annual Diocesan Acolyte Festival will take place on Saturday, September 24 , at The Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This festival has become one of the largest youth events in the diocese and offers the opportunity for youth to meet fellow acolytes from across Southwest Florida. Workshops this year include: Where there is Smoke, Holy Eucharist 101, Acolyte Jeopardy, On the Verge, and Vessels and Vestments and Linens, Oh My! The day will close with a Eucharist in which every church’s acolyte team will process. There is no fee for the festival and both a continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Each participant is required to bring their own vestments to the cathedral. Contact Father Ackerman to register for the event or if you have any questions. Vergers are also welcome to attend!
Christmas Pageant Team Seeks a Seasoned Seamstress!
We are in the midst of planning for our Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant and are looking for a seasoned seamstress to be in charge of the costumes. As a critical part of our volunteer team, you’ll join us in the pageant planning and take lead on mending or replacing our beloved pageant costumes so that all our little stars are dressed for success come Christmas Eve. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142 . Hope to see you there!
Seeking Young Readers for Monthly Family Services
We are looking for enthusiastic young readers to participate in our monthly Family Services. If your child is interested in doing a Reading or leading the Prayers of the People, please contact Whitney Wolf (wwolf@104.237.132.142) and we’ll put you on the list!
Action Items and Opportunities
Join the Parish in Service on Saturday, September 24
The Fathers Ministry is organizing a service event at Metropolitan Ministries on Saturday, September 24, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This opportunity is open to everyone (not only fathers), although the minimum ages are 8 years old with adult supervision, 14 years old without supervision.
We will be assisting as needed in the soup kitchen, sorting donations in the warehouse, or picking vegetables in the local community garden. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact Daniel Ringhoff at dringhoff@hotmail.com or at 545.5287. Metropolitan Ministries will need a final count a week in advance, so RSVP by this Friday, September 16.
From the Parish Register
Birthdays
September 15, Mary Shenk, Barbara Taylor
September 16, Paul Carastro, Mary Dolcimascolo, William Henry, Eleanor Johnson
September 17, William Cox, John Edgar, Elizabeth Pearce, Emery Pieper
September 18, Sarah Bricklemyer, Vicki Hayes, Ellen Henne
September 19, Andrew Galavis, Beverly Hubbell, George McGahran, John Nelson
September 20, Mary Adams, Sarah Evans, B.G. Holmberg, Philip Leigh
September 21, Elizabeth Allen, Susan Coursen, Robert Crowder
