And while your thoughts move toward all things Spring, including Spring cleaning, don't forget to save items for St. John's Rummage Sale coming in June.

Three Things

Dear Friends,

The new thing seems to be making a weekly list of accomplishments in our workplaces to prove our worth. Most employers will tell you that in a typical corporate setting, the amount of work accomplished is usually widely known by managers or supervisors not because of a weekly list, but because of the software we all use to communicate with one another, clients, and others. As someone who thought her hard drive might run a bit faster if I emptied the 4,000 emails in my trash that I have accumulated since I came to St. John’s, I will tell you all that email accomplished a bit of work, but is not the measure I would seek in faithfully reflecting on my ministry. Instead, I would look at relationships that I have with you, with God, and with our neighbors in Howard County. Are these faithful and holy? Do they support people in ways that help them grow closer to God? Do they reflect the love of God in Christ Jesus?

In the first Letter of John, we learn that we love because God first loved us. When we remember that we are commanded by Jesus to love God, and love your neighbors as yourselves, we do so not as part of a cosmic “to-do” list. We do not do this so that God will not fire us (aka send us to hell). We do this because to be loved by God is to be filled with divine love that cannot be contained and overflows into our relationship with God, with ourselves and each other, and with our neighbor. Those three relationships of love are the three things that matter most to us in this life as people of faith.

Lent has arrived, and our journey this season is both to do those things that will draw us closer to God, and to put away those things that get in the way of receiving that divine love. Lent has its own webpage this year, a sure sign that we are over Covid! It is also a sign of people quickened by the Spirit of God moving among us and calling us to a deeper and closer walk with God. Do some, all, or none of the Lenten offerings, just walk closely with the God who knows you and loves you.

God’s peace and keeping,

Mary+

The Rev. Mary Sulerud

Interim Rector

Worship Note for this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. only: Weather permitting, our 11:00 a.m. service will begin outside at the Labyrinth. We hope you will join us as you are able. Livestream viewers, please be patient waiting for the procession to move inside.

Eucharistic Visitor Training: Sat., March 15; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

We are increasing our Eucharistic Visitor (EV) ministry team. EVs are a part of our pastoral care team who take communion to our homebound St. John's members. EVs are licensed by the diocese after training and completion of the Safe Church, Safe Communities training. Deacon Ruth will meet with you for in-person training and to establish a visitation schedule on Saturday, March 15 in the Parish Life Center Library from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Please email Deacon Ruth (relder@stjohnsec.org) to let her know you are interested and available to attend on March 15th.

Baptism Preparation Class: Sat., March 29; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Rev. Mary will hold a Baptism class on Sat., March 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Parish Life Center Library. If you are interested in being baptized or having your child baptized, please contact Kathy Young at kyoung@stjohnsec.org or 410-461-7793 ext. 113 to register.

Call for Vestry Nominations

It is time to plan for the election of St. John's new Vestry members (Class of 2028) and we are seeking nominees. If you are interested in being considered as a nominee, please complete this Nomination Form. Nomination forms are due no later than Sun., March 16, 2025. If you have questions about the nomination process or what is required of a Vestry member, please email VestryNominations@stjohnsec.org. The Vestry Nominating Committee members are: Becky Daugherty, Lucy Eldridge, Tom Goss, and Marjorie McDowell.

Theology & Practice of the Sacraments Hosted By Rev. Mary, Sun. March 9 & 16, 10:10-10:50 a.m., Auditorium

Part 1 — Sun. March 9: "Deep Waters: Baptism & Holy Eucharist"

Part 2 — Sun., March 16: "Deep Waters: Healing, Marriage, Confirmation, Ordination, & Reconciliation"

Plans for our inaugural “Discovery Weekend Jr.” are underway and registration is now open. "DW Jr." is a mini retreat for 2nd-5th graders and is modeled after our Middle/High School Discovery Weekend held every January for more than 20 years! We hope to engage the children and deepen their faith with God. Children can look forward to sharing meals together, crafts, games, music, cooking, and more! This "weekend" will run from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sat. March 25th, and we invite parents (and other family members) back to share dinner with us at 5:00 p.m.

Children are also invited to join us for worship on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in All Saints Hall.

Sign up HERE! Register by March 14th to ensure you get a t-shirt! Questions should be directed to Georgi Funderburk at gfunderburk@stjohnsec.org.

Join Us!

You've been saving the date and now it's time to register! We have a tight window for registration, so please hurry and sign up by March 14th. We will have small group study of Luke’s passages for the first four Sundays of Lent. There will also be Compline, Eucharist, and time for fellowship and socializing, with a social hour on Friday evening and tea on Saturday afternoon. This is a great opportunity for women of all ages. See agenda here.

The retreat will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and conclude at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Registration cost:

Fri. & Sat. w/ overnight accommodations: $210

Fri. & Sat. w/o overnight accommodations: $120

Friday evening only: $40

Saturday only: $80

Contact Sharon Weston-Dawkes with questions: WomensRetreat@stjohnsec.org

Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore Welcomes Ramallah Rector: Sun., March 9; 4:00 p.m.

The Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab, Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ramallah, Palestine, and a sought-after speaker regarding the theological understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict, brings a word of truth and hope from our siblings in Palestine to Emmanuel Church (The Gallery at Emmanuel Church, Entrance at 2 W. Read St., Baltimore 21201) on Sunday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. Fr. Fadi is a priest, theologian, writer, and speaker, whose commitment to community, justice, and solidarity ground his faith and ministry. Born and raised in Zababdeh, a predominantly Christian town in the northern [Occupied] West Bank, he has spent his ordained ministry serving parishes in Jordan and Palestine and is currently the rector of St. Andrew’s Church in Ramallah and St. Peter’s Church in Birzeit. Fr. Fadi is a co-author of A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope, and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering, also referred to as the Kairos Palestine Document (2009).

URGENT! TAKE NOTE! Progressive Dinner Hosts Needed for Adult Track!

From Karen Good and Biz Merkey, Adult Track Coordinators: We are in danger of having to cancel or alter the Adult Track of the Progressive Dinner because we do not have enough dinner hosts to cover our 50+ participants. If you have signed up to participate (or if you are still planning to sign up), please consider hosting a dinner (you can co-host with another individual/couple to lighten the load!). At our current headcount, we need at least 5 more dinner hosts.

What does hosting dinner entail?

A Dinner Host (with or without a co-host) provides a simple dinner — chili, pizza, chicken parm, soup, and salad! Nothing has to be fancy! Hosts just need to tell us how many folks they can fit at their table, including themselves! We want all Dinner Hosts to make something easy for dinner so that they can enjoy the other avenues of the night!

Hurry we are running out of time! If we are unable to secure enough dinner hosts, we will need to switch to a modified schedule of cocktails and dessert. We will make this decision on Sunday, March 9th. Please help us keep this tradition intact.  Details and sign-up (Adult Track). Questions should be directed to Karen Good and Biz Merkey at Events@stjohnsec.org.

In previous years, this event was adults-only. But this year we are adding a "Parents & Kids" Track.

Parents & Kids Track: This year a "Parents & Kids Track" of the Progressive Dinner (where you could attend with your children) is being planned. Families are starting to sign up! Don't miss out! If you are interested in hosting, helping to plan, or just learning more about this family-centered track, please contact John Helder at johnbhelder@gmail.com Please note: Even if you can’t make it this year but would like to see this offered again next year, please take a quick moment to follow the link and answer the first question to gauge future interest. Find details including a sign-up here.

Register by March 14th! St. John's annual parish retreat at Shrine Mont — nestled among the trees at the foot of Great North Mountain in the Shenandoah Valley in Orkney Springs, Virginia — is a special experience. Anyone who has gone will tell you that. The activities make it fun. The location makes it relaxing. But the people are what makes the weekend truly memorable. Our young people thrive in a safe environment that allows them to stretch their wings a little. Adults enjoy a rare opportunity to spend unhurried time in conversation, in play, or in peaceful stillness. If you’ve never experienced Shrine Mont, talk to someone who has enjoyed this beloved St. John’s tradition. Email ShrineMont@stjohnsec.org Register here!

Coming Next Week: Information on Easter flower donations & Easter basket sign-up for ARC Homes and the Kirk Gaddy Center (formerly Collington Square). Stay tuned!

Creation Care 40 Acts of Earth-Loving Kindness Challenge

The season of Lent offers a chance to see ourselves as a deep part of the earth and offer it some Tender Loving Care. We invite you to reflect upon your relationship with the earth and then choose ways to act that put the care of creation at the heart of our common life.

Learn more about the challenge and download suggestions for each week

Download a Creation Care Calendar for Lent from Interfaith Power & Light and Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake.

A Crash Course in Becoming an Episcopalian Today

If you are interested in being confirmed, being received from another Christian tradition, reaffirming your baptismal vows at the Cathedral of the Incarnation this spring, or just want to learn more about our tradition, this course is for you. A light supper will be served courtesy of the ministries of St. John's. More information including sign-up.

Christian Meditation Workshop

Whether you are a beginner or a regular meditator, this experiential workshop is designed to offer the opportunity to experience God’s Presence. We will use James Finley’s Christian Meditation as our reference book. Purchase of the book is optional. If interested, you can find it on Amazon.com.

Coffee and tea will be available or bring your own. Wear your comfortable clothes.

Registration is not necessary but is appreciated. Contact Karen Ferguson at Wellbeing@stjohnsec.org

Save the Date! Walking the Mourner's Path's next workshop series is scheduled for April 30-June 18. Workshops are open to those who are six months (or more) beyond their loss and can commit to all 8 sessions. To learn more, email Peggy Burrows at WalkingtheMournersPath@stjohnsec.org.

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Andy

Deb Avant

Jacyn Baker

Ron & Judi Bonig

Jim Bruce

Trish C.

Al Cooke

Leslie Edmonds

Barbara Epke

Kristin F.

John Furda

Sunny Good

Marti Guillet

Dan Hagan

Shawnnee Holmberg

Naomi Hutcherson

Julian

Tom Loughran

Glenda Lovchik

Pat Merson

Charles H. Miller

Roger Nelson

Tim Nunley

The Nwosu Family

Kathy O'Dunne

Charles Osmond

Heather Paris

Jean Purcell

Richard Rabb

Ruby Reilly

Chuck Robbins

Roland Russoli

Clay Shiflet

Dennis Supik

Alicia Townsend

Debby von Uffel

Carter Yates

For those who have died: Anna White

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.