Hannah at Prayer, Wacthel (before 1942)

Sunday, November 17, 2024

The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Nursery care available in the Parish Hall

9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Sunday Forum

Parish Hall

9:15 a.m.

Holy Eucharist

Church

10:30 a.m.

Live-streaming available on YouTube at 10:30 a.m.

Children's Chapel

Parish Hall

10:30 a.m.

Coffee Hour

Parish Hall

11:45 a.m.

GIFT

Parish House Library

4:00 p.m.

Bulletin Draft

Watch services on YouTube

Listen to sermons

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From Amelie, with Love

Dear Friends,

This past summer, I reread Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, a classic about Africa’s encounter with colonial forces. Achebe explores one man’s resistance to the devaluation of his Igbo traditions by British authorities and his despair as his community capitulates to colonial rule.

In this week’s gospel reading, we hear Mark’s “little apocalypse,” where Jesus warns his disciples that the Jerusalem temple, a symbol of stability, will soon be destroyed. He cautions against false leaders and deceit, reminding them that everything will feel like it’s falling apart.

For early Christians under Roman rule, the destruction of the temple in 70 AD seemed like everything falling apart, mirroring Achebe’s depiction of colonized communities struggling with the collapse of their way of life. This wasn’t just about the physical temple but the chaos and fear that arise when entrenched systems are threatened.

I, too, feel disoriented by the ever-increasing noise in the world today. With false prophets clanging louder, I’m left wondering: what should we be most concerned about? In the midst of post-election division, of wars and rumors of wars, what are we to do? At the end of this passage, Jesus says that it will feel like birth pangs—a groaning. What type of life will emerge from this? Will I recognize it? Can I trust it?

Things will get strange, Jesus warns, but hold fast. In the gospels, we’re given a recipe for how to endure: Seek quiet places to listen. Be part of an intentional and inclusive community, one that will try its best to know you, and whom you can know in return. From this vulnerably strong place, justice and mercy can and will flow. Broken spirits will be healed, and new life will be born amidst the rubble. Elegantly stacked stones are no match for hands and feet and hearts that love, made in the image of God. 

In the words of one writer, “In order to give birth to a newborn courage to find the face of love in difficult things to come, we need a community who will hold each other up as the falling apart happens. Then, as one body—a great temple of living, breathing companions—we will be liberated from clinging to our own lives and fling wide open our unprotected hearts.”*

With thanksgiving for being that kind of community here at St. John’s.

In Christ,

Amelie+

*Jim Marsh, Bread of Life Church, November 2015

Celebrating the Life of Carolyn Dallas

This Saturday, November 16, we will celebrate the life of Carolyn Dallas with a service here at St. John's Church at 12:00 noon, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

Saturday, November 16

Memorial Service--12:00 noon

Reception--1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall

Obituary

Sunday Forum

Introducing the Rev. Anthony Gaboton

We are delighted that the Rev. Anthony Gaboton, Jr., has joined us as our part-time Associate Rector beginning this Sunday, November 17. Anthony will assist in worship, support the leadership of our Young People’s Ministry, and contribute to adult faith formation, pastoral care, justice, and outreach efforts. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome!

 Join us at this week's Sunday Forum as we welcome Anthony. During the forum, we’ll have the chance to hear about Anthony’s life journey and his call to ministry. There will also be time for Q&A and casual conversation.  

Sunday Forum begins at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Nursery Care is provided. Note: Parishioners are also welcome to attend online, and you can find a Zoom link on our website and in our electronic communications

Sunday, November 17

9:15 a.m.

Parish Hall

Nursery available

Participate via Zoom

Meeting ID: 850 5594 5256

Passcode: 695538

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,85055945256#,,,,*695538# US (Washington DC)

Find your local number.

Altar Guild Wants You

With the holidays approaching, the Altar Guild needs your help. Whether you'd like to be a part of their team year-round or to volunteer to decorate for the holidays, they offer plenty of opportunities for you to participate in their ministry.

Clean-up re-training in the Sacristy, Sunday, November 17, 12:00 noon

Advent Set-up in the Church, Saturday, November 30, 10:00 a.m.

Christmas set-up in the Church Sunday, December 22, 12:00 noon

De-greening of the Church, Sunday January 5, 12:00 noon

To learn more and to volunteer, please contact Sarah File.

GIFT

A dedicated group of five women began meeting in December 2018 as a spiritual recovery and transformation group. The group has evolved into GIFT (Growing In Faith Together) and welcomes new members.

GIFT is a women's group that meets the third Sunday of each month for those whose faith and spiritual journey is shaped by current, recent, or past unexpected, life-altering circumstances. The group is self-led, and members rotate leading each 90-minute session as they create, reframe, and/or reclaim their personal faith experience in community.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Cabell Jones.

This group meets in person and welcomes participation via Zoom.

Next Session

Sunday, November 17

4:oo p.m.

Parish House Library or via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 864 4751 2806

Passcode: 748115

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,86447512806#,,,,*748115# US (Washington DC)

+13052241968,,86447512806#,,,,*748115# US

Meeting ID: 864 4751 2806

Passcode: 748115

Find your local number.

“Eucharist” Means Thanksgiving

And that makes it a very good reason to make our annual Thanksgiving Day Eucharist the first meal of your Thanksgiving celebration. Invite your family and friends to join us, too.

Thursday, November 28

10:00 a.m. in the Church 

Church Hill Vespers

Join us Friday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. for our annual Church Hill Vespers Service. Afterward, join up with neighbors by 7:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Park for a candlelight walk to Libby Hill Park for caroling.

Learn more here.

Friday, December 6

7:00 p.m.

St. John's Church

Make Your 2025 Pledge to St. John's Church

Join Us in Walking in Love

Dear St. John’s,

We invite you to make a financial pledge to support our ministries that reflects our shared commitment to “walk in love.” Together, we are building ministries that bring light and love to our community and beyond.

If you haven’t yet, please consider making your pledge. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us to fulfill our mission. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey of love.

Warmly,  

Mike Broda, Stewardship Chair

2024 Pledge Statements Have Been Mailed

If you made a 2024 pledge to St. John's Church, you should have received a statement of your payments toward that pledge. If you don't receive your statement; have made trackable payments, but haven't pledged and want to see your contributions; or if you have any other questions about giving to St. John's Church; please contact Patty Duffy.

Watch Videos from

the 230th Annual Convention

Love Jesus, Embody Justice, Be Disciples

Clergy and delegates from across the Diocese of Virginia met November 7 through 9 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center to attend plenary sessions and workshops and to vote on resolutions and amendments to the Constitutions and Canons of the diocese. 

The Rev. Amelie Wilmer, the Rev. JD Dickinson, and Ann Hardy represented St. John's Church.

Click here to view videos from the convention.

First Fruits

The food bank currently needs pork 'n' beans, chicken, cans of spaghetti sauce, and Vienna sausages. Thank you for all your previous donations. 

Thank you in advance for your donations.

Next Collection Times :

Saturday, December 7, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Sunday Morning, December 8, during church

Survey Results Available upon Request

If you missed the recent Sunday Forum where the results of last summer's parish survey were revealed, or if you'd just like to have more time to study the information, email Patty Duffy, and she will send you a copy of the PowerPoint presentation.

Honor or Remember Loved Ones

with Flowers at the Altar

Remember and honor loved ones by sponsoring the altar flowers on Sundays. Reserve and pay for your flowers by clicking here.  

Please note that we do not have flowers at the altar during Lent or Advent.

The fee is $55.

Next Vestry Meeting,

Tuesday, December 11

at 6:00 p.m.

in the Parish Hall

All members of St. John’s Church are welcome to attend vestry meetings as observers. Minutes of recent meetings are posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall foyer. Please share your ideas or questions about the life of our parish with a vestry member.

We Pray for Everyone Affected

by Hurricanes Milton and Helene

Gracious God, we pray for all those affected by Hurricane Milton on Florida’s west coast, even as their neighbors continue to contend with Helene’s devastation. We pray especially for those who have lost lives and homes, for the first responders, rescue workers, and all who enable the work of recovery and rebuilding, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Donate to Episcopal Relief and Development Hurricane Relief.

Episcopal Relief & Development

Responds to Unrest in the Middle East

Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Al Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, to provide emergency support in Gaza following the outbreak of war in the region. Please pray for peace in the Holy Land as they experience violence, and consider making a contribution to the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund. Support of this fund will help to provide medicine and other supplies and help our partners tend to the physical and psychosocial wounds of all people affected by this conflict.

Read Episcopal Relief and Development's full statement here.

The Collect for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: so mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples, especially those of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Haiti, Ukraine, and Sunday, may be gathered under the banner of peace as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

--adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 815

Sunday Nursery Care Available

9:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

Parish Hall Nursery

Children's Chapel

Children’s Chapel meets each Sunday in the Parish Hall during the first part of the service. Children join their parents in church during the offertory so that they can participate in the Eucharist.

For more information, contact the Rev. Anne Lane Witt.

Sundays

10:30 a.m.

The Parish Hall

Eucharistic Visits

We invite those who wish to have communion brought to their homes to contact Amelie.

You may also contact Amelie if you are interested in learning about serving in this important ministry.

A Note about Pastoral Appointments and Emergencies

To schedule an appointment with our rector, please email Amelie or leave a message on her voicemail at 649-7938; you will hear from her within 24 hours.

And if you learn of a pastoral issue concerning one of our parishioners, please reach out to Amelie as well.

If you have an emergency, please contact Patty Duffy at 649-7938, and she will ensure a more immediate response.

St. John's Church

2401 East Broad Street

www.saintjohnsrichmond.org

 The Rev. Amelie Wilmer, Rector

The Rev. Anthony Gaboton, Associate Rector

The Rev. Anne Lane Witt, Children's Chaplain

The Rev. Deacon JD Dickinson, Deacon

Cabell Jones, Deacon Intern

Patty Duffy, Parish Administrator

Curt Sydnor, Minister of Music

Lora Toothman, Senior Warden

Laura Streat, Junior Warden

Office: 2319 E. Broad Street RVA 23223

804-649-7938

The deadline for submitting copy for the weekly bulletin insert and parish-wide email is Wednesday morning, but earlier is always appreciated. Please send your content to Patty Duffy. Please note that content may be edited to accommodate space limitations and style guidelines.