Very likely, you have come across this acronym before, often referring to "what would Jesus do?" However, some Eco Christians have suggested that it really stands for "what would Jesus drive?" It's a rather interesting thing to imagine - Jesus tootling around the streets of Bethesda. Would he keep his composure in our traffic? Probably, although he is likely the only one.

 

But what would he drive? Would it be a Prius? Toyota seems to think so, as the copy of one of their older ads reads:

 

"Some cars claim to stir our soul, but can one actually redeem it? The 2003 Toyota Prius can... Move forward with one of the most socially conscious vehicles on the planet. The environment will thank you. And so will your soul."

 

If only it were so easy to enter the kingdom of heaven...

 

Perhaps it is a silly notion - "what Jesus would drive?" Some people say that Jesus wouldn't drive at all: he would walk around in sandals the way he always did. Others have suggested he would rely on public transportation as a more environmentally sound alternative - and to hang with his "peeps."

 

Honestly, we don't really know what Jesus would do and this is likely pointless speculation - and it may end up distracting us from being like Christ in ways that he really does want us to imitate him. However, the WWJD question does try to make a valid point. The choices we make really do matter - and that includes choices we make about how to get from point A to point B. Buying a car or not buying a car has implications. We are making a commitment about how much to spend, how safe our passengers will be and the resources we consume.

 

Sari recently spoke to us about contentment and convenience. Our transportation choices speak loudly about our feelings around contentment and convenience. We rarely stop to think about the transportation resources we are using - and perhaps squandering. God has given us resources to use for our lives and to his glory. However, our calling isn't just to use the resources, but to care for them.

 

I don't think God gets mad at us for driving luxury vehicles or SUVs - if EPA ratings were all we needed to worry about, this would be easy! We need to consider safety, durability, size, price, and other practical considerations. We also need to determine when leaving the car in the driveway makes sense and public transportation, our feet, or a bike is a better choice. Different circumstances will likely yield different decisions. But it is important to note that car and air travel are the top sources of personal carbon emissions for U.S. families. Together, they account for one-fifth of the typical Montgomery County family's yearly climate footprint.  

 

Churches and religious leaders worldwide are calling on people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. The Episcopal Church's presiding bishop, Bishop Curry, calls it "part of living as the Jesus Movement. It's a promise to protect and renew this good Earth and all who call it home. It's a promise to share our stories, stand with those who are most vulnerable, and live more gently on the Earth."

 

We all see where inaction takes us - a melting Arctic, burning Australia, and vanishing rainforests. But we are empowered to make changes in our own lives that bring hope and, collectively, meaningful change. Please join St. John's Eco-Pledge for Hope by choosing one or more actions - just click here .

 

Regardless of your mode of transport or what eco-actions you determine best for you, may God be your co-pilot.

On June 20, 2019, the Vestry passed a charter creating the Capital Needs Discernment Committee (CNDC) and tasked it to evaluate how St. John's might re-imagine our physical facility to fully lean into our missional and vision goals. Committee members shared their November report to the Vestry and their findings thus far at the Adult Forum on January 12, 2020, which are to:

• Improve hospitality space, including Parish Hall and Kitchen
• Establish enhanced, dedicated Church School facilities
• Consider potential opportunities to re-purpose the Education Wing 
• Build more small group meeting space 

We also heard interests in securing adequate parking, embracing a sustainable design, upgrading accessibility and addressing other needs to our nearly 70-year-old facility.

 

As the parish continues to discern if St. John's should pursue a capital campaign, we want to also introduce you to the Kerns Group Architects, the architects who will work with us to determine how our physical space might be transformed. KGA was the architectural firm on the Nave renovation and is experienced in developing phased master plans for churches. At their recommendation we are inviting lay leaders of key constituent groups to work with the committee during this five-month planning stage. Please join us at the Adult Forum to meet the architects and share your ideas.

   

Capital Needs Discernment Committee

Johnna Story and John Ross, Co-chairs

Karen Berry, Anne Derse, Liz Everhart, Brad Kennedy, John Stewart, Erin Sheppard and Suzanne Welch

 

by John Stewart, Senior Warden 

 

The Adult Forum on Sunday, March 1st will feature a group of Vestry members presenting and describing our operating budget for 2020. This session follows our well-attended forum last September, in which we presented our tentative budget and pledge goals. Much has changed since then, including significant parts of our staffing structure, and the Vestry will be explaining how those changes were accommodated in the final budget we adopted in January. We will also be providing an update on progress towards filling our vacant staff positions. Please join us on March 1st and come prepared to ask questions!