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SUMMER WORSHIP: Sat. 5 PM & Sun. 10 AM, in the Historic Church

A Message from Our Rector

This week, as our nation marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, we have an opportunity not only to commemorate our history but also to reflect on the kind of people we are still becoming.

Just a couple days ago, on July 1, the Church celebrated the feast of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray—lawyer, poet, civil rights advocate, and the first Black woman ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Her witness is a fitting companion to this national anniversary because she understood that the promise of liberty is only fulfilled when it extends to all people.



She famously wrote:

"When my brothers try to draw a circle to exclude me, I shall draw a larger circle to include them. Where they speak out for the privileges of a puny group, I shall shout for the rights of all mankind.”

When we have been at our best, we have endeavored toward an ever-widening circle of justice and rights for all in this land. And as we commemorate the Feast of Independence Day from our Book of Common Prayer, we will be praying the Collect for the Nation:

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance.

Too often our public life is marked not by a zeal for justice but by a zeal for party, personality, or ideology—a desire to win rather than to seek the common good. And instead of forbearance, we find outrage, suspicion, and contempt.

We see a more admirable example in the life of Pauli Murray. She challenged segregation through direct action, compiled the legal research that informed the work leading to Brown v. Board of Education, and insisted that the struggle for women's rights include Black women as well. Her life reminds us that justice is rarely achieved in a single moment but through faithful persistence.

As she once said, "What is often called exceptional ability is nothing more than persistent endeavor."

Perhaps now, 250 years after one significant moment, the question is still before us: How shall we persist in rightly using the freedom we have inherited to still work toward freedom for all?

My prayer this Independence Day is that God would give us the courage to use our liberty not merely to defend our own rights, but to uphold the dignity of every person. May we draw larger circles instead of smaller ones. May we bear our differences with charity and conviction. And may we live our Baptismal Covenant so faithfully that our freedom becomes a blessing for others.

That is the persistent endeavor to which Christ calls us. And perhaps there is no better way to celebrate our nation's freedom than by using our rights and responsibilities to help all God's people serve one another in freedom and in peace.

~Rev. Derek

Puerto Rico Pilgrimage Continues

Please continue praying for our youth and adult pilgrims in Puerto Rico. They are enjoying a fun and meaningful time. Pray especially on Sunday for a safe flight home. You can still:


• Follow along with their blog — Así lo haré, con el auxilio de Dios ("I will with God's help") — and photos on social media. Facebook and Instagram (@StJohnsECMD)

• Pray for each of them by name: Ava, Ben, Charlotte, Claire, Delaney, Ella, Eunju, Georgi, Jason, John, Josie, Rachel, and Ruth+.

• Join them as they lead Compline at 9:00 p.m. TONIGHT (July 3), on St. John's Facebook page.

Plan to spend some time in fellowship on Sunday, July 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Look for more details and the sign-up coming soon!

Celebrating the Ordination of Rev. Allison Harmon & Rev. Mike Looney

Congratulations!

Where's Your Name Tag?

Last summer, prior to Rev. Derek's arrival, we launched new parish name tags to help him learn names with faces. As Rev. Allison continues to be welcomed into the parish, we are asking that you please wear your name tags. If you are new to St. John's, did not order a name tag last summer, or never picked yours up, please contact Nancy Murphy, parish administrator, to get a name tag.

Become a St. John's Gardener!

It's officially summer, and the Creation Care Gardeners are hard at work in the gardens and need your help! If you are not able to meet with the team on Fridays, don't be discouraged! There are other options available. You can “Adopt a Garden” or water our newly planted trees and plants as needed. These are flexible options that allow you to set your own schedule, as well as invite family and friends to join you. Plus, it’s a great way to get youngsters involved! When you adopt a garden, Mary Louzan or Teri Salmons will meet you to introduce you to your garden and answer any questions. You take it from there! Interested? Simply email creationcare@stjohnsec.org, and Mary or Teri will reach out to you.

Summer “Power Hour” PATH Trainings 

Hour 2: Vision for Your Power—An opportunity to reflect on your leadership Wed., July 8, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia

Training is an opportunity to pause, to reflect, and to strengthen relationships. We welcome you to learn alongside us this summer with our “Power Hour” trainings on relational organizing, building campaigns, and issue areas. Training sessions are 90 minutes and open to all. Learn what broad-based power organizing is, how PATH and the Maryland Just Power Alliance have succeeded in the past, and what roles may be a fit for you.

In the July 8th workshop, reflect on the roots of your interest in organizing and social change, including your faith tradition and/or values. Learn about different models of leadership within organizing. Explore your current desire to act: what are you feeling called or drawn to do now? Draw up some plans for your leadership, practice talking about them with others. Register here.

Want to learn more about PATH's activities and July events? Click here. Have other questions? Contact Deacon Ruth, as she would love to share how St. John's is participating! (relder@stjohnsec.org)

The next Day Resource Center meal ministry day is July 22nd.

Please sign up to participate!

Cool Drink Hour Is Here, and You Can Be Part of It!

Continuing a St. John's summer tradition of friendly hospitality and socializing following the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service, the Cool Drink Hour offers parishioners a refreshing sip of something soft and a cookie, as well as a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. It's held right in front of the Historic Church at 11:00 a.m. as the service concludes, and—wait for it, here's the best part—we're looking for people to help host these little social hours... we're looking for YOU! This is not fancy entertaining. All you'll need to provide is a refreshing drink (juice, cider, punch—it could even be water!), a cookie (either store-bought or of your own making), a disposable tablecloth, small cups, and paper napkins. You can host as an individual, make it a family affair, or team up with a friend or two. However you choose, you'll find it fun and a great opportunity to get better acquainted with fellow parishioners. Cool Drink Hour runs through September 6th.

Sign up for a Sunday in July. (Note: This sign-up is part of the Serving in Worship sign-up, not a Sign-Up Genius. Scroll down until you see Cool Drink Hour. You can also find the link in the Quick Links box on our website's home page. (The August link is already there as well.) If you need assistance with sign-up, contact Nancy Murphy at nmurphy@stjohnsec.org or 410-461-7793 ext. 113. If you have any questions about Cool Drink Hour responsibilities, contact Alison Coker at CoffeeCrew@stjohnsec.org. (Mark "Cool Drink Hour" in the subject line.)

EfM (Education for Ministry) Offering for the 2026 – 2027 Program Year

Are you looking to deepen your faith? Do you want to know more about the Bible, Christian Tradition, and Church History? Are you hoping to understand how your personal experiences and beliefs bring you closer to God and God's people?

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, EfM may be for you.

EfM is a Christian Formation program founded and administered through the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. During an EfM seminar, the group builds an intentional faith-seeking small group that gathers together to journey through scripture, church history, and theology through study, prayer, worship, and reflection.

This year, in partnership with Christ Episcopal Church, we are offering an opportunity to participate in Wide Angle, which is a one-year program for individuals wishing to participate in EfM without the commitment to the classic four-year program. Wide Angle will meet almost weekly on Zoom on a weeknight (TBD) and is facilitated by Rev. Marcia Davenport from Christ Church and Lucia Martin from St. John’s.

For more information about EfM and Wide Angle, click here.

Whether you are looking to revitalize your faith or dive into church history, you can contact Lucia Martin at children@stjohnsec.org or Rev. Marcia Davenport at marciarev@aol.com for more information.

Walking the Mourner’s Path Facilitator Training

For many people, summer is a season to slow down and take time to contemplate opportunities we have not had time to explore the rest of the year. The Walking the Mourner's Path (WtMP) ministry invites you to consider becoming a WtMP Facilitator. We are announcing it now to give you plenty of time to consider it and keep your calendar clear.

Death and its accompanying grief are a part of life. Through Walking the Mourner’s Path, St. John’s members minister to those who are grieving. This Christ-centered ministry is a confidential facilitated small group workshop series that creates a sacred space to express and explore personal grief in a supportive, accepting setting.

We will be offering a 2 ½ day Facilitator Training on October 7 – 9, 2027. (Yes, you are seeing the year correctly, 2027.) Saying “yes” to the training is saying “yes” to being present to others as they explore their grief from a spiritual perspective. We do not teach, we serve. We are present to guide participants through each workshop so that they can find healing and God’s love.

As far off as it sounds, registration is open and limited to the first 24 enrollees. We will be opening registration to the diocese, but honestly, we’d like to double our team here at St. John’s. You can talk with any of our current facilitators for more information. (Scholarships may be available for a limited number of St. John's enrollees.)

St. John's WtMP Facilitators are: Mary Louzan, Peggy Burrows, Lucia Martin, Joan Fox, Danielle Gottwig, Bob Taylor.

Contact Mary and Peggy with questions at WalkingtheMournersPath@stjohnsec.org.

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Andy

Bob

Debbie

Dennis

Eliana

James

Jim

Kathryn

Katie

Kelly

Laurie

Louise & Family

Mark

Rachel

Trish

Deb Avant

Steve Belknap

DJ Bone

Amber Dawn Butler

Teddy Clarke 

Joy Cooney

Lynn Engelke

Barbara Epke & Gordon Naha

Constance & David Fischel

Sue Frixione

Michael Gottlieb

Allison Gradwell

Marti Guillet

Nancy Jaworski

Carol Kiesler

The Kiesler Family

Glenda Lovchik

Brent & Meg McDorman

Pat Merson

Charles H. Miller

Howard Mooney

Phyllis Nelson

Roger Nelson

Patty O'Connor

Kathy O’Dunne

Yvonne Osmond

John T. Perrow

Jean Purcell

Roland Russoli

The Sanders & Salmons Families

Teresa Sinkovich

Ellen Sloyer

Amy & Ernest Stalder

Dan Staples

Tricia Supik

Christopher Towle

Marion Walker

Alli Ward

Victoria Weimer

Dylan Williams

Mickey Williams

For those who have died:

For those serving in the military overseas and their families:

LCDR Matthew Kircher, USN; Airman First Class Holden Veeck, USAF

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.