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
Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love.
Philemon
This Week in
St. John’s
Thursday, September 8
10:00 a.m.
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.
Kick-Off for Children’s Sunday School (Parish Hall)
Following the 9:15 a.m. service
Coffee Hour Fellowship
(Parish Hall)
11:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
4:30 p.m.
Middle School EYC (Youth Group) (Discovery House)
5:30 p.m.
High School EYC (Youth Group) (Discovery House)
Monday, September 12
Bible Women
4:00 p.m., Lowry Room
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.
Wednesday, September 14
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
Sunday School Kick-Off: THIS SUNDAY, September 11
Our Fall Sunday School Program will kick-off this Sunday, September 11. Kids will convene in the Parish Hall at 9:15 a.m. for a lesson and will return to the church during The Peace/Greetings so that they may partake in the Eucharist with their families. After the 9:15 a.m. service concludes, we ask that families please join us BACK in the Parish Hall to grab a coffee, register your kids, meet the teachers, hear a few words about our fall program, and have some fun! We will be hosting a scavenger hunt in the classrooms with a sweet treat for all who complete it.
EYC (Youth Group) Kick-Off Is This Sunday, September 11
That’s right, it’s time to get the group back together…youth group, that is! It’s a new year with a new look. St. John’s Youth Group is now called EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) and our first meeting will be on Sunday afternoon, September 11,
in Discovery House. Junior EYC (6
th
-8
th
Grades) will meet from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and Senior EYC (9
th
-12
th
Grades) will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m.. We will all share a meal together at 5:30 p.m. We will also be discussing the schedule of events for the rest of the year.
If you are looking for a fun and welcoming place to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, serve others, and learn about our faith, than EYC is the place for you! Contact Father Ackerman at cackerman@104.237.132.142 if you have any questions. See you there!
Baseball with the Bishop: Deadline Is This Friday
The date for the annual Baseball With the Bishop event is Friday, September 23. The event is the Rays vs Boston Red Sox. Lower level tickets are $25 (a $35 value). Deadline to purchase tickets is this Friday, September 9. Please send your check to the parish offices, payable to St. John’s. A portion of the sale of each ticket will benefit the Episcopal Charities Fund. Contact Kaivon Madani with questions at kaivonmadani@hotmail.com.
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 .
Welcoming Whitney
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.
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!
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
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.
Children and Youth
Christmas Pageant Planning in Progress: Come Join Us!
It may be 99 degrees outside but we are already beginning to plan for our Children’s Christmas Pageant and would love to include interested volunteers early so that you can have a voice in the planning and we can make this great together. All talents are needed and welcome, so if you’re interested in learning more, please call Whitney Wolf ( wwolf@104.237.132.142 ) or 312.244.0871.
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!
Events and Announcements
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 September 16.
Action Items and Opportunities
Adult Volunteers Needed for EYC
Do you have a passion for youth ministry? Do you love to have a great time? Then EYC needs you! St. John’s Youth Group, now called EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) is looking for adult volunteers to assist with our meetings and outings. In particular, we are looking for those who can help with leading games and discussions. There will also be opportunities for volunteers to help with providing food, and we are always on the lookout for potential meeting locations with or without a pool (although we like to swim!). Contact Father Ackerman at cackerman@104.237.132.142 if you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions.
From the Parish Register
Birthdays
September 8, Michael Benson, Anne Compton, James Gates, Samuel Lejkowski, Steven Stanford, Clarence Walker
September 9, Mason Cruse, Payton Foley, Pamela Heller, Gayson Nicola, Livingston Smith, Colby Way
September 10, Donald Goodheart
September 11, Karen Chastain, Charlcy Griffin, Mary Anna Leroy-Marler, Charles Williams
September 12, Robert Lowke, Robert Norton, Nico Paula, Elizabeth Pento, Meaghan Robertson, Sophie Sestile, Jill Wankelman, Charlene Whittlesey, Patrick Whittlesey
September 13, Cooper Dietrich, Ansley Graff, Gregory Hearing, Thomas Reed
September 14, Mary Beth Carastro, Christopher Carnahan, Annie Graves, Bonnie Judy, Monica Tappan, Jacqueline Thomson, Clarence Walker, Jerry Williams
