Please note: Rev. Jill will be away from June 29 - July 10. If you need Pastoral Care during this time, please reach out to Rev. Terry. | | |
We will attempt to hold regular office hours through the summer, but with our small staff
and vacations, please call ahead if you plan on coming in. PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed Mondays during the month of July.
| | | Reflections from the Rector | | |
Faith Formation
If you popped your head into the Parish Hall any evening this week, you would have heard pure, joyous bedlam as a dozen kids laughed and learned, created and caroused during Vacation Bible School.
Our VBS theme was “Friendship Trek: Jesus Our Forever Friend.” Miss Margie took kids on a journey through Scripture as they discovered what it means to walk with Jesus. Two of our Bible stories—Zacchaeus and the Road to Emmaus—beautifully revealed the heart of this friendship.
In the story of Zacchaeus, kids were introduced to a lonely person who felt unseen and unworthy, until Jesus met Zacchaeus in the middle of his messy life and they became friends. In the Road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus walked alongside two confused and grieving friends, opening their eyes to the truth of his resurrection. In both stories, Jesus isn’t distant— he is present, personal, and actively pursuing friendship.
These are the truths we want our children to carry with them: that Jesus sees them, walks with them, and remains their faithful friend forever.
This is why it’s so hopeful to hear the sounds of children in our buildings and in worship—their small voices singing, their questions loudly whispered to parents, their wiggly presence among the gathered people of God. Far from being a distraction, children remind us that faith is meant to be active, engaged – and even exciting!
Every prayer taught to them, every song they sing, every Bible story they hear, and every VBS experience they attend becomes part of a larger story God is writing in their lives – and ours. This is how we live into our parish motto: Rooted in God, Growing in Faith.
I saw this not only in the faces of our Littles, but in the smiles of our Teens, too. We had eight Youth who helped…at first they were a tad reluctant and a bit embarrassed (you try to get teenagers in front of a group, dancing to “I have decided to follow Jesus”). But then they remembered that they, too, played and learned at VBS’s past and now they get to share that special faith in Jesus with a new group of kiddos. Because Jesus is their forever friend, too.
May we be faithful in this calling—creating space for children in worship, investing in their faith, and pointing them again and again to Jesus, their forever friend.
Blessings,
Rev Jill
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In Case You Missed It:
If you missed church last week or would like to hear it again,
here is Rev Jill's sermon from June 21st
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School Supplies Drive
Saint John’s will be joining other interfaith communities in Delco to supply backpacks and school supplies to support children in Chester and Upper Darby. Please bring your donations to our Welcome Center by Sunday, August 2. You can also let us do the shopping for you by making a donation (suggested amount is $40 to purchase a backpack and supplies); please list “School supplies” on the memo line of your check or online donation. Alternatively, you can purchase directly from their Amazon Wishlist.
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Annual Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, August 25: 1 PM – 6 PM
More information and registration here.
Saint John’s is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and be a part of all they do for our community, our country and around the world. One donation can save up to three lives! Hope you will join us and help us spread the word about our Blood Drive!
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With Spring upon us, our Green Team and Property Committee have created a Wishlist and are hoping that some members and friends of Saint John's may be able to help with donations. If you can contribute something on the list below, please contact Glenn Wikel.
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-Hole Auger/Post Digger
-Watering Cans
-Benches for walking paths
-Caging/Fencing & Stakes
-Pruners & Loppers
-Trowels & digging bars
-Water Hoses
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-Weed Whackers (prefer battery operated)
-Broadcast Spreader
-Rototiller
-Lawn Mower
-Tree Saws
-Gator/4-wheeler/Golf Cart
-Small pruning chainsaw
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Last Call: Safe Church Training
Do you need your diocesan mandatory safe church training for volunteering at St. John's? Join Rev Jill at St. Francis, Malvern on July 15 from 6-8 PM for the training in-person. Please register using this link by July 1. If you need help obtaining your clearances, come early at 5 p.m. If you have a device such as a laptop or tablet, please bring that with you. The class will be taught by the Rev. Kristen Ostendorf, the priest in charge at Trinity, Coatesville. To carpool, please let Rev Jill know you need a ride.
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Summer Spirituality
Jesus used many stories to teach about God and God’s Kingdom, but he only taught one prayer to his disciples. This summer, dive deeply into this transformative and powerful prayer known as the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer. We’ll use Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell's book Praying by Heart: The Lord's Prayer for Everyone which you can find on Bookshop.org and Amazon.com. To teach this prayer to children, consider his illustrated book The Lord’s Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide for Young Explorers. Join Rev Jill in the Battin Room on Sundays at 8:45 starting July 19th.
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Registration is now open for our Arts & Crafts Showcase on October 3.
We look forward to displaying the many artistic works of our members.
ALL ages are invited to share their art!!
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Honor someone by donating a living memorial.
Cherry trees will be centrally located along the New England meadow path, and a yellow butterfly Magnolia along Concord Road. Info: Welcome Center poster, church website, or see Peggy Long or Debbie Miller.
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Holy Hikers: Revolutionary History
This summer as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, we’ll do a series of HISTORIC Holy Hikes!
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July – Battle of Brandywine
Saturday, July 25 at 8am
Meet at Birmingham Hill Preserve (1272 Birmingham Rd, West Chester, PA 19382 MAP)
This is a 2-3 mile hike along grass paths. Because of the sacredness of this park, dogs are not permitted.
August – Retreat to Valley Forge
Saturday, August 22 at 8am
Meet at Washington’s Headquarters (1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406 MAP)
This 2.5 mile hike will cover wooded trails as well as the paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.
September – Battle of the Clouds
Saturday, Sept 19 at 8am
Meet at Exton Park/Chester Valley Trail Parking Lot (132 Church Farm Ln, Exton, PA 19341 MAP)
This is a 3.2 mile walk along a paved path. Dogs welcome!
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Anointing/Healing Prayer ministry continues during 10 AM Sunday Services.
Christians have always prayed for one another as an act of love and faith.
If you are interested or feel you might have a calling, Please contact Rev. Terry.
| | Community & Diocese Information | |
In celebration of the nation's 250th birthday, St. David's in Radnor is hosting a series of events on the birth of our country and our Church:
-Sunday, June 28 at 6 p.m. – A Celebration and Reading of the Declaration of Independence
-Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “When the Declaration was News”
-Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “The tumultuous birth of The Episcopal Church”
-Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “William White: Patriot and Founder of The Episcopal Church” Details for all here.
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When the Declaration of Independence was written, not everyone was included in that promise.
Now, WE are reclaiming those words together.
Dare to Declare is a community reading brought to you by the West Chester, PA NAACP, PFLAG West Chester/Chester County & the LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County.
Join your neighbors — Black, white, Latino, Asian, LGBTQ+, straight, young, old — for Dare to Declare, a powerful community led reading of the Declaration of Independence that belongs to ALL of us.
Then, stay for a panel discussion led by Michael Hartman: "We the People" — ALL of us.
Wednesday, July 1st | 6–7:30 PM Chester County History Center, 225 N. High St, West Chester. Light snacks will be served!
Register here: Because freedom isn't real until it's real for everyone.
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The diocese has created resources for churches and community members to understand their rights and protect vulnerable neighbors during times of immigration enforcement activity. Rooted in our shared faith and moral calling, these resources are offered to support peaceful protest and the protection of human dignity in the face of injustice. Resources available here.
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The Episcopal Church has pulled together some resources for Protesting Faithfully: A Toolkit for Public Witness.
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Know Your Rights
Linked here are are documents about what to do and not to do if approached by ICE in public, at your place of employment, and at your home.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
Usual Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 1 PM
610-459-2994
SaintJohnsConcord.com
The Rev. Jill LaRoche Wikel, Rector
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