The Messenger E-News

Facebook Livestream @ 9:30 AM

Summer worship service schedule

9:30 AM - Rite II
with Sunday School

10:30 AM Coffee Hour

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Access Rev. Jill's Sermon Podcast here

YouTube Livestream @ 9:30 AM

Enjoy some recent pictures taken of Mother Nature's beauty on our grounds.

Summer Spirituality
Jesus used many stories to teach about God and God’s Kingdom, but he only taught one prayer to his disciples. This summer, dive deeply into this transformative and powerful prayer known as the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer. We’ll use Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell's book Praying by Heart: The Lord's Prayer for Everyone which you can find on Bookshop.org and Amazon.com. To teach this prayer to children, consider his illustrated book The Lord’s Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide for Young Explorers. Join Rev. Jill in the Battin Room on Sundays at 8:45 AM starting July 19.

We will attempt to hold regular office hours through the summer, but with our small staff

and vacations, please call ahead if you plan on coming in. PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed Mondays during the month of July.

Getting to Know our New Members

Karen Kieffer & Bill Klingler

1. What drew you to Saint John's? What keeps you coming back?

When Bill and I made the decision to move to Glen Mills in 2024, we started looking for a new Church that we could join. We saw Saint John's website online, and were drawn to its emphasis on welcome and inclusivity. We came to visit a couple of times that first Summer, and were encouraged by how friendly and welcoming everyone was. We were even given our own nametags! We were also impressed by Reverend Jill's description of their recent Youth Group trip to help build housing in Appalachia, and the outreach work that the parish does.

What keeps us coming back is the ways in which attendance is a spiritually enriching experience, which reminds us of God's love for us, and our obligations to share that love with others. It has also been fulfilling to find ways to participate in the life of the Church, such as the Technology Team, Choir, and Lector reading. We feel we are now an integral part of the Saint John's community, and hope to continue to nurture those relationships going forward.

2. Tell us a little about yourself and/or your family.

Bill and I had lived all of our adult lives in Monmouth County, New Jersey, where we worked for 40+ years in the IT industry. We retired in 2025 and moved to Glen Mills, so that we could be closer to our daughter Allison and son-in-law Joe, who live in Ambler. They are the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy, Elias William, our first grandson! We enjoy walking, light hiking, Tai Chi, and taking care of our 2 cats Fritz and Ziva.

Serving

Coffee Hour Host/Sponsors NEEDED!

We are in need of folks to host (provide food/drinks) or sponsor (pay $30) coffee hour during the summer months.

You can sign up on the clipboard in the Parish Hall or using this link.

THANK YOU!

School Supplies Drive

Saint John’s will be joining other interfaith communities in Delco to supply backpacks and school supplies to support children in Chester and Upper Darby. Please bring your donations to our Welcome Center by Sunday, August 2. You can also let us do the shopping for you by making a donation (suggested amount is $40 to purchase a backpack and supplies); please list “School supplies” on the memo line of your check or online donation. Alternatively, you can purchase directly from their Amazon Wishlist.

Annual Red Cross Blood Drive

Tuesday, August 25: 1 PM – 6 PM

More information and registration here.

Saint John’s is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and be a part of all they do for our community, our country and around the world. One donation can save up to three lives! Hope you will join us and help us spread the word about our Blood Drive!

With Summer upon us, our Green Team and Property Committee have created a Wishlist and hope that some members and friends of Saint John's may be able to help with donations. If you can contribute something on the list below, please contact Glenn Wikel.

-Hole Auger/Post Digger

-Watering Cans

-Benches for walking paths

-Caging/Fencing & Stakes

-Pruners & Loppers

-Trowels & digging bars

-Water Hoses

-Weed Whackers (prefer battery operated)

-Broadcast Spreader

-Rototiller

-Lawn Mower

-Tree Saws

-Gator/4-wheeler/Golf Cart

-Small pruning chainsaw

Parkinson's Support Group

August 5

1:30 PM to 3 PM

Please feel free to come; open to the community; all are welcome.

More info here.
For more information - e-mail --darreeclark@gmail.com

Growing

Registration is now open for our Arts & Crafts Showcase on October 3.

We look forward to displaying the many artistic works of our members.

ALL ages are invited to share their art!!

Honor someone by donating a living memorial.

Cherry trees will be centrally located along the New England meadow path, and a yellow butterfly Magnolia planted along Concord Road. Info: Welcome Center poster, church website, or see Peggy Long or Debbie Miller.

Seeking

Holy Hikers: Revolutionary History

This summer as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, we’ll do a series of HISTORIC Holy Hikes!

July – Battle of Brandywine

Saturday, July 25 at 8am

Meet at Birmingham Hill Preserve (1272 Birmingham Rd, West Chester, PA 19382 MAP)

This is a 2-3 mile hike along grass paths. Because of the sacredness of this park, dogs are not permitted.

August – Retreat to Valley Forge

Saturday, August 22 at 8am

Meet at Washington’s Headquarters (1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406 MAP)

This 2.5 mile hike will cover wooded trails as well as the paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.

September – Battle of the Clouds

Saturday, Sept 19 at 8am

Meet at Exton Park/Chester Valley Trail Parking Lot (132 Church Farm Ln, Exton, PA 19341 MAP)

This is a 3.2 mile walk along a paved path. Dogs welcome!

Anointing/Healing Prayer ministry continues during 10 AM Sunday Services.

Christians have always prayed for one another as an act of love and faith.

If you are interested or feel you might have a calling, please contact Rev. Terry.

Community & Diocese Information

In celebration of the nation's 250th birthday, St. David's in Radnor is hosting a series of events on the birth of our country and our Church:

-Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “The tumultuous birth of The Episcopal Church”

-Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “William White: Patriot and Founder of The Episcopal Church” Details for all here.

The diocese has created resources for churches and community members to understand their rights and protect vulnerable neighbors during times of immigration enforcement activity. Rooted in our shared faith and moral calling, these resources are offered to support peaceful protest and the protection of human dignity in the face of injustice. Resources available here.

The Episcopal Church has pulled together some resources for Protesting Faithfully: A Toolkit for Public Witness.

View the resources here.

Know Your Rights

Linked here are documents about what to do and not to do if approached by ICE in public, at your place of employment, and at your home.

Quick Links

Giving

Ministry Contacts

Memorial Trees

Submit a Prayer Request

Pastoral Care Needs

St. John's Episcopal Church

Usual Office Hours

Monday - Friday

9 AM - 1 PM

610-459-2994

SaintJohnsConcord.com

The Rev. Jill LaRoche Wikel, Rector