St. John’s Episcopal Church E-Newsletter
30 January 2008
Called by God to be a Community that hears
God’s word and does God’s work
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:
Fr. Michael’s Message
Election Results
Activity help needed
FYI
Calendar
Liturgy Ministries
Contact Us
FR. MICHAEL’S MESSAGE
There are five matters to put before you in my comments this
week.
First, thanks to everyone who assisted in making the Annual Meeting such a success. The
room was full of hope and good-will—and folks DID get home in time for
supper, I believe. I want to reiterate my appreciation of David Wall, the
outgoing senior warden, and of Betsy Hoover, finishing two years as junior
warden. Both of them have extended themselves on your behalf, giving
generously of their time and energy.
We voted in the proposed change to our by-laws as presented
by Bea Winkler on behalf of the Youth Ministry Discernment Team. Since
persons sixteen years of age are considered franchised adults and able to vote
at congregational meetings, the by-law change also permits them to be elected
to serve in capacities the congregation determines at the same age. So Article
III, Section 2 of our parish By-Laws will now read: “There shall be nine
Vestry Members who shall be qualified voters of this parish and at least
sixteen (16) years of age.”
Please look elsewhere in this email for the election
results.
Second, the Outreach
Taskforce has been formed. The Clarks, David Wall, and Margie
Boatz have agreed to help give it shape and bring their ideas to you for debate
and decision. The purpose of this taskforce is to seek for a coordinated
expression of outreach here. At present, we do many good things, but with
little sense that all of us are in those efforts together, that all of us
commend them to newcomers, and that they can be named as a coordinated and
cohesive response on our part to the suffering of the world. The
taskforce will help us think these things through and will bring some proposals
to us once they have completed their work.
Third, I want to thank Margie Boatz and Liz Feigh for
pulling together the Prayers of the People
that we have used during Epiphany season. The Worship Committee has noted
for some time that we are not bound to the forms in the Prayerbook, but we have
not had folks yet willing to compose new prayers for us. Margie and Liz
did—and I hope it is the beginning of a continuous effort to make our
prayers more current and direct.
Fourth, we have received a request for applications for membership on the search committee
and transition committee for the new bishop of this diocese.
Those materials are available on the table outside the office. Please
reflect prayerfully about this. Talk to me or to Rob Cavanna (the dean of
this region in the diocese). It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
help this diocese choose a new bishop. For the search to be effective, it
needs to involve the widest possible range of perspectives. St.
John’s in Saint Cloud ought to make itself present in those
deliberations.
Fifth and finally—Lent
is around the corner! This Sunday, 3 February, is the Last Sunday after
Epiphany. We will use up our Alleluia quota for the season and put the
remainder away until Easter! This Tuesday, 5 February, is Shrove Tuesday.
Come watch teenagers scorch batter, call it pancakes, and give it to you to
eat! This Wednesday, 6 February, is Ash Wednesday. Come wear out
your kneecaps, call it repentance, and smear your face with
palm-frond-grit! This is not something available to you just any day of
the year. On the other hand, in God’s hand, God is always ready to
realign us and to simplify us and to help us get at what really matters, when
we are willing, but we have to show up for it and have to be ready to let God
go to work. During Lent we present ourselves to God and reflect on the
heart of the matter one more time.
ELECTION RESULTS
Congratulations to the following people who were elected to
positions on the St. John’s Vestry at the annual meeting Jan. 27, 2008:
Senior Warden: Betsy Hoover
Junior Warden: Kathy Wiant
Vestry members
3 year terms: Alexis Roy, Tom Peterson and Anne Rich
2 year term: Brenda Barrett
1 year term: Peter Scharenbroich
Alternate: Ed Larson
ACTIVITY HELP NEEDED
STILL WANTED!!
Hosts/Hostesses needed for our monthly potlucks. There is a sign up sheet
in the Parish Hall. Please consider being a part of this ministry at St.
John's. Questions?? Contact Dorothy Paskvan or Brenda Barrett.
COFFEE HOSTS are also
needed. That sign up sheet is also in the Parish Hall. Contact Jim Wiant
if you have questions.
FYI
SHROVE TUESDAY: The Youth
group will again be serving a pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30
pm. Youth can sign up on the sheet outside the Youth room. Great
fun is always had by all who attend!
2007 DONATION STATEMENTS have been
distributed to your mailboxes. Please remember that a negative number in
the “Pledge” column means that you have donated more than you
pledged. This is one instance where a negative number is good for
us! Thank you!
MAILBOX SHIFT: We
have added a few names to the mailboxes, which may have caused a minor shift in
the location of y our box. Please make certain that you know where your
box is located, and remember that your box is above your name.
Please let Peg know if your family needs more than one
mailbox, or is you do not have one at all!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY
Sat
2 New Vestry retreat, 9
– 4, at the church
Tue
5 Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Supper 5:30 PM
Wed
6 Ash Wednesday services
at Noon and 7 PM
Sat 9 Epis-ca-chicks
gathering, 9 – 11:30 AM, Parish Hall
Sun 10 Farewell
Brunch for Linda D., after 2nd service at Phoebe’s home
Tue 12 Lunch
Bunch Eucharist and Potluck 11:30
Wed
13 Lenten Soup Supper (6 PM )
and Bible Study - Gospel of Matthew at 6:30. Compline at 7:30 ish
Program activities also for Sunday school youth and Jr. & Sr. Hi youth.
Thur 28 Vestry
Meeting, 6 PM
Liturgy
Ministers 3 Feb. 8:30 10:30
Chalice
Ministers Mary B Marlene
D. & Rosie
Readers
Mary B. & Jack Ric
& Mary S
Acolytes
Tom or Jack Sam
& Sarah
Accompanist Denise
B.
Denise
B.
Altar
Guild
Marty
& Gale
Coffee
Available
Communion Bread
Kathy
W.
Hospitality
Ministers Dorothy
P. & Jean S.
Offering
Recorders Elsa
& Myra
Ushers
Inese
& Marie S.
Cleaning
Team
Tom
& Marty
CONTACT US!
Sunday Services are at 8:30 and 10:30.
Father Michael's office hours are Monday
through Wednesday afternoons. Other days and evenings by appointment.
Rector’s e-mail: rector@stjohns-episcopalchurch.org
The Secretary's office hours are usually
Tuesday and Wednesday 9 to 3 and Friday 9 to noon.
Office e-mail: office@stjohns-episcopalchurch.org
Web Address: www.stjohns-episcopalchurch.org