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October Fridge Notes

Be Known. Be Loved. Building Our Future Together

Dear St. John's Community,

When we talk about the future of St. John’s, what do you hope for? What do you want our children to experience here? How might we deepen our relationships, welcome new people, and respond more faithfully to the needs of our neighbors?

These are questions of faith and ministry. They are also questions that belong in a conversation about our finances. The way we use our resources helps shape the community we are becoming.

This Sunday, October 11, I invite you to join us at Adult Connect for our congregational finance meeting and the launch of our annual stewardship campaign. We will share a clear picture of our current finances, discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead, and leave time for your questions.

There is much to be encouraged by. Expanded clergy leadership, a deepening partnership with our Parish Day School, and investment from the Diocese of Maryland are creating new possibilities for ministry. We also have important work to do to ensure that our financial foundation can sustain those possibilities in the years ahead. I want us to understand both the promise and the responsibility of this moment.

This year's theme, "Be Known. Be Loved." will frame our conversations. Building that kind of community takes our time, attention, gifts, and financial commitments. Together, we support the people and ministries through which that promise becomes someone else's experience.

I hope you will make time to come, whether you enjoy looking at budgets or find them a little intimidating! You do not need financial expertise to participate. You bring something essential: your experience of this community and your hopes for its future. We will also be recording and sharing this time for those who have other responsibilities during that hour.

Come hear where we are, ask what you are wondering, and consider what we can make possible together.

Faithfully,

Rev. Derek

Come to Adult Connect on Sun., Oct. 11th for a congregational financial update and to learn about the 2027 Stewardship Campaign for St. John’s ministries. Hear about the impact of our programs, how funds are used, and the importance of your pledges. Grab a cup of coffee and join us in the Auditorium from 10:10-10:50 a.m.

Can’t wait to pledge? Pledge online here or download a hard-copy pledge form here. Forms are also available near the entrances of our worship spaces. (Pledging before we do our snail mailing will help us save on postage costs!)

PLEASE NOTE: Simply setting up pledge payments in Realm does not give us all the information we need to properly record your pledge. Please START by filling out a hard-copy form or an online form. Do not start in your Realm account.

Download a "cheat sheet" to help you make your pledge.

Questions? Contact Annie Kao, Stewardship Associate, at akao@stjohnsec.org

Say What? Proclaiming Scripture with Passion Workshop: Sat., Oct. 10, 2-3:30 p.m.,

All Saints Hall

This workshop will focus on the nuts and bolts of proclaiming scripture during worship. There will be a focus on pronunciation and projection, as well as an opportunity to practice and receive feedback on a prepared text. The facilitator will be St. John’s very own Tarpley Long, a graduate of the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory in Washington, DC, and an actor/director at Cosmos Theatre of the Cosmos Club of Washington. All current and aspiring lectors are invited to participate. Please RSVP to Nancy Murphy at nmurphy@stjohnsec.org.

Baptism at St. John's

The next opportunity to be baptized at St. John’s is on Sun., Nov. 1st, either in All Saints Hall at 9:00 a.m. or in the Historic Church at 11:00 a.m. A Baptism preparation class is required. The next Baptism class will be held on Sun., Oct. 11th, 1:00-3:00 p.m., in All Saints Hall. Godparents are welcome, as are your children's caregivers. To register for the Baptism class on Oct. 11th, please contact Nancy Murphy, Parish Administrator, at nmurphy@stjohnsec.org, and include the number of people who will attend the class and your preferred location for your family's baptism: All Saints Hall at 9:00 a.m. or the Historic Church at 11:00 a.m.

Howard County Concert Odyssey Presents "The President’s Own" U.S. Marine Band: Sun., Oct. 11, 4:00 p.m., St. John's Historic Church

To kick off Howard County Concert Odyssey's 2026-2027 season, they will proudly present — free of charge — the renowned United States Marine Band here in St. John's Historic Church on Sun., Oct. 11 at 4:00 p.m.! Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the U.S. Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Each fall, the Band, historically referred to as "The President's Own," goes on tour through a portion of the continental U.S., a tradition begun in 1891 by "the March King" John Philip Sousa, the band's legendary 17th director. Since Sousa's time, the band has also performed in England, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, and the former Soviet Union. Mark your calendar! Invite your family and friends to join you for this very special performance! The concert is free, and tickets are not required. Learn more about the Howard County Concert Odyssey's 2026-2027 concert series here.

You Are Invited! As we work on being more connected as a community, this casual, potluck-style gathering is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends. Sign up here to bring a recommended dish and/or volunteer. Have questions? Contact Angie Purnell and Blair Kennard at Events@stjohnsec.org.

Worship Note for Oct. 18th: On the day of this event — Sunday, Oct. 18 — we will have a COMBINED Sunday Worship. This means that there will be one service on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Historic Church. We will not have a 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service. (We will have a 5:00 p.m. service on Saturday, Oct. 17.)

Please join St. John’s parishioners and school families for our Fall Campus Clean-Up on Sat., Oct. 31! Volunteer for an hour or for the entire time! We appreciate any time you can share! Adults and youth are welcome. Meet next to Clark House near the back door to ASH. Sign up here!

Blessing of the Animals

In observance of the Feast of St. Francis, parish and school families participated in the Blessing of the Animals last week. Rev. Allison and Rev. Derek offered blessings for beloved pets, stuffies, and even photos of animals who couldn’t join us in person.

Keep up with our Event Photo Gallery on our website:
 https://www.stjohnsec.org/event-photo-gallery

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Andy

Brian

Eilidh

Eliana

Frank & Jennifer

James

Jenna

Kate

Louise & Family

Liz Armstrong

Deb Avant

Steve Belknap

Breezy Bishop

Karl & Ruth Boin

DJ Bone

Teddy Clarke 

Joy Cooney

Barbara Epke &

____Gordon Naha

Constance & David Fischel

Sue Frixione

Michael Gottlieb

Allison Gradwell

Art Grotz

Marti Guillet

Nancy Jaworski

Ben Leovy

Glenda Lovchik

Paige Marlow

Brent & Meg McDorman

Pat Merson

Bob & Ann Miller

Phyllis Nelson

Roger Nelson

Michael O'Connor

Kathy O’Dunne

Yvonne Osmond

Jean Purcell

Ruby Reilly

Roland Russoli

Teri Salmons

Dan Staples

Christopher Towle

Marion Walker

Victoria Weimer

For those who have died: Howard Mooney

For those serving in the military overseas and their families:

LCDR Matthew Kircher, USN

Our community shares the compassion of prayer with members and beyond. To have someone included on our prayer list, you may: Contact the Parish Office by phone; or Email your prayer request to Tracey Stone at tstone@stjohnsec.org. Names will remain on the prayer list for 30 days. After the initial 30 days, if you wish to have a name stay on the list, please re-submit your request.

In addition to making an Annual Pledge to St. John's, you are invited to:

1.) Mail your check to the Parish Office: 9120 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042.

2.) Visit the St. John's website under "Give."

3.) Text "SJEC" to 73256. You will receive a reply with a link to a secure site to complete your transaction.

4.) Donate via Venmo: @StJohnsECMD

5.) Leave a lasting legacy to St. John’s through a planned gift in your estate plan. Visit https://www.stjohnsec.org/planned-giving for more information.

Questions should be directed to Kathy Hahn, Finance Director, at khahn@stjohnsec.org.