by Shirley Sagawa, Vestry Member

 

One of the most exciting developments at St. John's over the last few years has been the energy and commitment of resources we have made to "do justice," as we are so often called to in the Bible. As the Vestry pored over pages of budget requests, it became clear that the many pieces of this work - from the more recent Gun Violence Prevention and Refugee ministries, to our longstanding commitment to Outreach Sundays and Shepherd's Table - have become a defining part of St. John's. This commitment spans all parts of our community, from the teens who spend a week repairing West Virginia homes through Camp Joy each summer to the adults who have volunteered for decades at the Op Shop. It encompasses our Holy Land ministry helping people halfway around the world and also St. John's work serving people who are homeless or incarcerated in our own backyard. And it embraces the full range of ways to effect change, including education, direct service, fundraising, and advocacy - all important tools we use to make a difference for others. 

 

With all this meaningful activity, it has become clear that the parish has spoken through its actions, and our budget should reflect that commitment. Our 2020 budget does just that, increasing funding for outreach support from St. Johns to provide a strong foundation for the ongoing fundraising and volunteer efforts that will be undertaken by specific ministries throughout the year. In addition, we have embarked upon a conversation with the relevant ministries to think about a powerful path forward. I hope that we will be able, as a result of generous pledges for 2020, to find ways that we can "do justice" with even greater planfulness and intention. 

 

You can see the Vestry's 2020 budget proposal here. Answers to some frequently asked pledging questions can be found on our website.

To make a pledge you can fill out a pledge card found in the pews and drop it in the box in the West Avenue Lobby, or fill out an  online pledge card . 

 

by Christie King and Nancy Adams, Refugee Ministry C0-coordinators

 

On November 28, 2019, the Kabira-Kambere family will be celebrating the anniversary of their arrival in the US. It has a been an extraordinary and challenging year for them, as well as for the many volunteers who have been engaged in assisting them.   

 

We sometimes need to pause and take stock of our many accomplishments. To date, Vital (dad) has been working at Taylor Farms six nights a week since February and Nzuba (mom) has been working there during the day, also five or six days a week since early August. Imani (19) has accepted that her job for now is to look after the youngest family members, two-year-olds Benja and Benedie (also known as Butsiire and Lumoo), as well as feed, clean, shop, and wash for the family of ten, with assistance from her siblings. She has also been working at the Giant on Arlington Boulevard part time in the afternoons and evenings since school let out in June. The family now pays about three-quarters of their rent and utilities, and takes full responsibility for Uber and metro fares, WiFi, phones, their travel loan, and other costs.

Eric is in ninth grade at Richard Montgomery High School. Esther, Sera and, Ishara are at Tacoma Park Middle School (all are in the Montgomery County METS program for children who have missed years of schooling). Dorika is repeating first grade at Wyngate Elementary School, and the twins are spending Mondays at Cedar Lane Nursery School. (They love it, and the teachers are amazed at how quickly they are learning!)   

 

The whole family has membership at Kaiser Permanente and between MCPS and Kaiser, the whole family has had years or decades of vaccinations compressed into a few months. They have also been seen by a dentist.

 
This summer, the five middle kids attended summer camps. The whole family was introduced to the activities at the YMCA, where some of the kids now swim like fish. They are all able to use public transportation now and Eric bikes and skateboards like any American teen.

Tutors have worked valiantly to keep the kids engaged in their struggles with reading, math, a new language, and a new culture. The kids would all much rather draw and paint or play video games, but tutors report that they are now catching on to academics too. They have also enjoyed their weekend outings and experience of apple picking, pumpkin carving and Trick or T reating!

by Cathy O'Donnell, Parish Archivist

 

After a special meeting of the Vestry on January 4, 1951, the Opportunity Shop was organized by the Women of St. John's under the chairmanship of Mrs. Thomas Semple with the advice and inspiration of Margaret Keiser. In a letter to the Vestry dated February 2nd, just a few short weeks after the Vestry agreed to the idea of a shop, the Women of St. John's had worked out all the details of opening a shop. The original Op Shop was located in a tiny cottage in the 7200 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda (7341 Wisconsin Avenue). It has relocated 3 times since then. 

Its original purpose was "to provide low cost merchandise to those who need it and to provide funds for the women of St. John's to be used in their many charitable works both at home and abroad and to help with the housekeeping of St. John's Parish Halls which are generously made available for community use."

In 1952, funds from the Op Shop gave $10,000 for the down payment to purchase the Rectory (the Women of St. John's paid off the mortgage in May 1963 with funds mainly from the Op Shop). Funds in other years were used to renovate the church kitchen, lounge, and meeting rooms; to assist in the Altar Guild's frontal project; for the Memorial Garden; for general support of the parish budget; and more. Since its beginning, funds were allocated to many local, national and international charities, including Montgomery Hospice, The Children's Inn at NIH, Second Genesis, Greentree Shelter, Companions in World Ministry, and many, many others. They continue to give to local charities and also to St. John's. Most recently, in October, the Op Shop gave $25,500 in support of the St. John's Outreach Ministry.    

 

The Op Shop also supports our community life and holiday festivities. Each year, the Op Shop opens its doors on a Sunday morning to give the children of our parish a chance to buy Christmas presents for their family and friends at a very reasonable price. Children in the older classes act as elves to assist them so Mom and Dad don't know what they're buying! It's a very fun time for all.

The Opportunity Shop has always been staffed and run by volunteers. Most of the volunteers came from St. John's but many also come from the local community. Many shoppers stop in for a regular dose of Christian concern for one another. It is a very friendly place!

Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:15 am & 5:00 pm

  

On November 10th, directly following the 11:15 am service, all parishioners are welcome and encouraged to attend the Serving Seniors Ministry sponsored Enhanced Hospitality Hour in the Lounge. Finger sandwiches and pastries will be served. Please join us during this fellowship event and gather with close friends or meet a new friend.  

 

The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for its Renewal by William J. Burns covers the author's three-and-a-half decades as a Foreign Service Officer in hot spots and crucial diplomatic missions around the world. Burns served as a Foreign Service Officer during the administrations of five Presidents from both parties. Before he retired in 2014, he became the highest ranking career officer in the State Department and the Deputy Secretary of State, the second highest position in the State Department. 

In The Back Channel, Burns eloquently describes the first Bush Administration's diplomatic initiatives following the fall of the USSR during which US power seemed transcendent, his service as a young head of the important Bureau of Near East Affairs within the State Department after 9/11, his role as ambassador to Russia during its resurgence under Vladimir Putin, his service under President Obama during the Arab Spring and its harsh aftermath and his leadership of the negotiations with Iran to terminate its military nuclear program.

This book is more than an engaging historical narrative; it is also a call to reinvigorate our commitment to diplomacy. With the rise of China, the resurgence of Russia power, and the expansion of ethnic and religious extremism, Burns acknowledges that American leadership in the world is no longer a given. Rather than engaging in a lament for the "good old days," he offers a series of pragmatic recommendations to reform the State Department and to modify our increasing reliance on military measures and threats as the principal means to achieve our objectives. Diplomacy, he argues, should be restored to its status as the tool of "first resort" to approach and manage our global affairs. In making these arguments, he is sharply critical of the Trump Administration's distrust and misuse of diplomacy and deeply concerned about its implications for our nation.

Please join us at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, November 13th at John Merten's home to discuss this well-written, provocative, and very timely book.  

 

St. John's is a member of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFC). Each Fall the IFC holds their biggest event of the year: an annual Interfaith Concert! This is the 40th Anniversary Concert and donations to the concert help sustain the IFC's work. The ninety-minute concert will be held on Thursday, November 14th, at 7:30 pm at Washington Hebrew Congregation (3935 Macomb St. NW, Washington, D.C; near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue). Tickets range from $10 to $40 and you can buy them here. 

 

  Participating performers include:

 

• Muvva Kuchipudi Dance School (United Hindu-Jain Temples)
• Shrine of the Sacred Heart School Choir (Roman Catholic)
• Heritage Signature Chorale (Protestant)
• Soulfire (Christian Praise Band)
• Kolot HaLev (Jewish)
• Sikh Kirtani Jatha of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (Sikh)
• Combined Choir Director: Cantor Ramon Tasat

 

The women's ministry is hosting a parish-wide, kid-friendly Holiday Craft Morning on Saturday November 16th, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Join us for some or all of the morning for craft making, hot cider, and snacks.

Donated supplies are needed! We're focusing on earth-friendly, "up-cycled" crafts this year. Please donate any of these items you have at home - all of which will be transformed into beautiful holiday creations. You'll find the donation box in the West Avenue lobby for the following supplies:

• Pine cones
• Mason jars
• Oui yogurt glass containers
• Metal food cans (e.g., soup, beans)
• Old holiday cards (used is fine) and unused envelopes 
• Holiday ribbon
• Metal coffee cans

At the event, you'll choose from a variety of crafting tables to make your own ornaments, table decorations, cards, and package toppers, all fueled by stops at the cookie and cupcake decorating table. The cost for supplies is $5 per person, or $10 for the family.

 

Can you join us on November 16th? To help us plan for needed supplies and food, please check the sign up sheet next to the parish office, or send an email to women[A]stjohnsnorwood.org and let us know the number of adults and children in your group.

 

Join us for a new twist on an old November favorite. This year the Outreach committee is hosting a Chili Cook-Off Third Sunday Supper! 

 

We will provide coleslaw, cheese, hot sauce, corn muffins, and drinks; and we're asking everyone else to bring their favorite chili recipes in crock-pots to share (we will have power outlets available). A few St. John's members will act as judges to pick the overall best St. John's chili!

 

We hope you join us to enjoy some good food and fellowship before Thanksgiving preparations!

 

Questions?  Contact Liz Everhart (liveverhart9[A]gmail.com)