WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS 
FROM 
ST. JOHN'S

February 7-13, 2018


WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK CLUB -  Come and join Matt Williams for the Wednesday Night Book Club -Beta Version!  We will meet once, on February 7th, at 6:00pm in the Parish Hall during the Wednesday night dinner to discuss the book, A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman.    (And maybe if we like it, we'll talk about the prospects for reading another book!)
Missing your crock pot? Janie has several leftover from Sunday's Big Game party. Check the kitchen for yours! And thank you to all who helped make this year's party a SUPER one!
SAVE THESE DATES!:


Shrove Tuesday Annual Youth Ministry Fundraiser
Tuesday, February 13
Pancakes, sausage, bacon, and more!





Ash Wednesday Services
February 14
7:00am 
n oon
6:00pm 
(light supper to follow 6pm service)





"Passion for Pilgrimage: Notes for the Journey Home"
 by Alan Jones
Wednesdays, February 21-March 21 
6:00pm-7:00pm
Rm. 204/205
 
Orthodox in spirit and stressing the inner journey of faith rather than doctrinal formulas, Alan Jones shares thoughtful reflections that  explore the spiritual meaning of Lent, the Crucifixion, and Easter. Together we will be probe a faith born in "the collision of two passions--our passion for God and God's passion for us."  If you have any questions, please contact Brad Smith+, bsmith@saintjohns-charlotte.org.

Saturdays
5pm
Holy Eucharist
Rite II with Hymns
Nave



Sundays
7:30am
Holy Eucharist
Rite I with Hymns
Nave

9:00am
Holy Eucharist 
Rite II with Choirs
Nave

11:15am
Holy Eucharist 
Rite II with 
Contemporary Music
Parish Hall
Sunday Education



10:15am
Adult Education
Adult Ed-Discovering Our Faith Topic:
We Are People of the Book: Scripture

Children's Education
(ages 3 through 5th grade)

Youth Education
(6th-12th grade)

Room 204/205





1st floor classrooms


3rd floor classrooms


CENTERING PRAYER INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP  
with The Rev. Tom Ward

February 23-24, 2018

St. John's Episcopal Church

1623 Carmel Rd.

Charlotte, North Carolina  28226


Would you like to deepen your relationship with God in 2018, enjoying a discipline of prayer in the silent presence of the Divine? Many Christians wonder a simple, yet profound, question: How does a Christian pray? Centering Prayer represents one answer. Based on ancient insights, Centering Prayer is a disciplined Christian method focused not on speaking to God, but on listening with the heart in the silence, making us profoundly available to the Divine with the whole of our being; present in a way that transcends thoughts, words, and emotions.  Sometimes called the Prayer of Simplicity, Centering Prayer presents the teaching of earlier times in an updated form in which we consent to God's presence and action in our lives.  The emerging transformation is not the result of one's own efforts, but of the Trinity "who prays within us with sighs too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)


DATES/TIMES:

●February 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Orientation & Wine/Cheese Social)

●February 24, 9:00-3:00 p.m. (Workshop; continental breakfast & lunch included)


LOCATION: St. John's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall


PRE-REGISTRATION: $35.00 - Includes a Friday wine and cheese social, and Saturday workshop (includes continental breakfast and lunch). Pre-registration deadline is February 16. Registration will be available on the day of the event for $45.00.  Pre-registration and Registration fees are non-refundable.


Additionally, 6 follow-up sessions will be held on Thursdays (6:00pm-8:00pm) 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 4/5, and 4/12 at St. John's for further learning and a video series with Fr. Thomas Keating. All are welcome. We will also begin coordinating efforts to organize a weekly centering prayer support group.


Topic for discussion this Sunday will be "We Are People of the Book: Scripture" facilitated by Rob and Matt.
EpiscoPALS, a program for 4th & 5th  grade students, will meet on February 11 from 11:15-12:15 in room 304/305.  

We HEART-ily  hope you come to share in HEART-felt fun and fellowship.  We can HEART-ly wait! 

Cursillo Weekend --- April 5-8, 2018
If you are looking for something more in your spiritual life, or if you need a "kick-start", you may want to consider attending the next Cursillo Weekend being conducted in the Diocese of NC.  The weekend will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Concord, NC., April 5-8, 2018.

Cursillo is a spiritual renewal ministry in the Episcopal Church for men and women. During the course of the weekend, you hear and discuss talks given by lay persons and clergy about how the community of faith experiences God's love. The Book of Common Prayer is used for all worship services. Music is also a major part of the weekend.

The cost of the weekend is $50.00 which includes accommodations and all meals. For more information, about this Cursillo Weekend, contact your parish priest, or go to the Cursillo website,  nccursillo.org .  At the Cursillo website, you'll find Pilgrim, Sponsor, and Weekend Team applications, which should be mailed to the Weekend Leader's mailing address, P.O. Box 859, Lewisville, NC 27023.
Wednesday night dinner on February 8th  from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The menu will be beef stroganoff, broccoli, salad and dessert.

All are welcome without a reservation, but calling the church office or signing up for your reservation helps Janie prepare the right amount of food.
Want to see what is going on at SJE this week? Click on the link below!
The St. John's Finance Committee Needs You!
 
What an exciting time to be at St. John's!  The Finance Committee serves the Vestry and provides key oversight of all of our financial activities, including distribution of income, budget creation/adjustment, procurement and financial governance.  In 2018, we are focused on a thorough review of all of our maintenance and service agreement contracts, to see if there are any opportunities for costs savings or efficiencies.  We are looking to add 3-4 additional members to our team - if you are new to St. John's, this is a great way to get involved and meet other parishioners; if you have been with us for a while, it is a great way to re-engage - please join us and share your time and talent to this important ministry!
 
The Finance Committee meets monthly (usually the second Monday) at 6:30PM for about 60-90 minutes.  In addition to this monthly meeting, committee members may also spend up to 2-4 hours per month in separate meetings or conference calls to pursue various initiatives.  The requested commitment is for one fiscal year (through December 2018).
 
Get Involved!  If you or someone you know are interested in participating in this group, please contact Jeff Pruitt at jeff.pruitt@cbre.com or 704-554-0568.  Thank you!
FEBRUARY IS LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS MONTH        
 
Throughout the month of February, we'll be putting a special emphasis on all the ways we can show love to our neighbors through Hagar's Basket. Over half of the people who come to Hagar's Basket are referred to us from McClintock Middle School, just down the road from St. John's. These people are our neighbors in every sense of the word. Let's show them how much love we have at St. John's. 
 
Don't know what Hagar's Basket is all about?  Stop by Room 134 during the Sunday School hour any Sunday in February.  You can see Hagar's Basket for yourself and learn about how we are helping our neighbors every month.

Week of February 11: Love your neighbors by helping them care for their teeth & skin.  Donate toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and lotion.

Sunday, February 11: Make a Donation, Receive a Flower!
When you make a donation to Hagar's Basket Designated Fund  (write Hagar's Basket in the memo line) , you will receive a red carnation to share with someone you love!

Volunteers needed. We will working at Crisis Assistance on Tuesday, February 13th. Meet in church parking lot by 8:30 to  carpool to CA.  We'll spend the morning sorting all the generous donations of clothing and household items. We will stop for lunch and conversation before returning to church. Please join us. Questions: judieratcliffe@gmail.com
or 704-534-2695.
We are looking for St. John's Episcopal volunteers to support our host week at Hawthorne  Place the week of February 25th - March 1st.
Charlotte Family Housing's Family Promise ministry has helped hundreds of families over the last year get a job, get a home, get a car and keep their family together. Their success rate is amazing ... 80%+ of their graduates are still financially viable a year after leaving the program.  This is one of several wonderful ministries St. John's has supported for many years.   The roles we need to fill for St. John's Episcopal host week are as follows:

Overnight hosts:  Overnight hosts arrive at 8:00 p.m. and can leave after 6:30 a.m. the next morning.  Volunteers have a private room with a private bath, a TV, a coffee maker, and WIFI, .  It is okay for you to bring your children to stay with you in the guest room.  The bedroom has a trundle bed.  Other hosts have done it and had a great experience.   Overnight host are needed for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Meals:  We are asked to provide a meal for approximately 15, at noon on Sunday and then for dinner on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Tuesday and Thursday meals should be dropped off by 6pm.

If you are interested in volunteering  for one of these volunteer roles the week of Feb. 25th please reply to this email.  Feel free to contact Scott Sanniota at  ssanniot@gmail.com or 704.904.9278. 
St. John's Room in the Inn...We are hosting!
 
A big thanks to all who have donated your time and talents to this ministry.  Jenny Taylor even has the sweet children of SJE daycare putting together the hygiene kits for our neighbors.   It indeed takes a village! 
 
Most of our volunteer spots have been filled, but we do have a few openings for overnight hosts.  The overnight hosts spend the evening with our guests to make sure they have a restful evening.  If you can spare the time you will find that it is truly a rewarding experience.  We need two people on March 29.  We need one person on the following nights:  March 1, March 15 and March 22.
 
If you can help with one of these nights please go to our Sign-Up Genius page http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f4ea4a628a64-20172018 or contact Janice Stafford or Carol Fortenberry.  Financial donations for Room in the Inn can be made out to the church with "Room In The Inn"  in the memo line.  If you want to find out more about ways you can help, please contact Janice at 704-351-1577 or at janicestafford@parkerpoe.com or Carol at 704-641-1916 or at carol@fortenberrylambert.com .  Thanks so much for your help!  

Mission Trip: Help Rebuild Houston (and NC!)
  
A MISSION TEAM is headed to Houston this spring to help with Hurricane Harvey relief work. The team heads to Houston, Texas, April 29-May 5 to assist in rebuilding and housing rehab efforts in partnership with the Texas Baptist Men (TBM). All skill levels are needed and welcome. The cost of the trip is expected to be $450 and includes airfare, ground transportation, lodging and food. TBM is providing lodging, tools and the work site. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact the Rev. John Gibson and register by Feb. 18.
 
A NORTH CAROLINA OPTION IS NOW AVAILABLE! The diocesan-wide Hurricane Matthew Relief Work Day is taking place Saturday, March 3, in Lumberton. Many are still unable to live in their homes. , so we will work in partnership with Baptist On Mission, who will provide the tools and materials needed as well as specific work assignments. This opportunity is open to adults and youth in 7th grade and above. Pre-registration no later than Feb 23 is required. Please contact Vaughn Wagoner for more information or to register for this event.
THE ECW CHRISTMAS BAKE AND CRAFT SALE RESULTS ARE IN! 
The ECW made $2540.00 on the December's Bake and Craft Sale! 

Thank you so much to all who worked, brought, bought goods and supported the sale. We will be disbursing the money soon. One half of the money will go to Outreach projects and one half will go to Inreach projects.