Transforming Lives

Thanks to all who came out for St. Nicholas Day Bingo on the beloved saint’s feast day last Friday night. We raised over $900 to help a family in need celebrate a wonderful Christmas with their children. Thanks to Della Stearns, Mark Stearns; Margaret Perkins, Marie Sawyer; Philip Goodrich, and Matthew Krogh whose efforts made this night possible!

-----------------------------

We thank all those who made a pledge toward our 2025 ministry budget. Fifty-seven (57) pledges have been received so far for a total of $289,509 (70% of our budget need).

For those that have not made a commitment toward our 2025 ministry budget, we ask you to prayerfully consider making a 2025 pledge in the next two weeks. If you have pledged before, we are asking you to consider an increase in your giving as you consider how you can support the ministry of this parish next year.

Pledge cards can be found in our historic worship space, Chisholm Hall, and online here.

We thank you for your commitment to the life of this parish as we enter our 177th year of ministry in this neighborhood!

Sincerely, Your St. John’s Church Vestry

---------------------------

Miscellany

Olde Towne Portsmouth Holiday Homes Tour is this weekend! Experience the charm of festively decorated homes in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic district during the Holiday Homes Tour this Friday, 12/13 (6-9pm) and Saturday, 12/14 (12pm-5pm). There are two ticket options to see these beautiful homes: $20 for both days or $15 for just Saturday. Select homes will be opened on Friday night with holiday lights and refreshments; all the homes will be open to you on Saturday. Buy your tickets for this self-guided tour here.

Sunday Christian Formation for adults and children continues at 9am.

Flute and Harp Concert is 12/21. In the midst of the busy holiday season, renew your spirit during the 26th annual Flute and Harp concert on Saturday, 12/21 at 5pm. Debra Wendells Cross on flute and Barbara Chapman on harp will perform an hour-long free concert of seasonal selections in the candlelit historic worship space of St. John’s Church as part of St. John’s Concert Series. Admission is free. This concert is made possible through donations to the Dody Mason Music Fund. 

Want to donate flowers and greens for Christmas in memory or thanksgiving? Completed form and money are due by Wednesday, 12/18. Forms are located in the worship space and in Chisholm Hall on the information sideboard.

Hanging of the Greens is 12/22. Join us after the 10am Eucharist on that day for a soup lunch and the Hanging of the Greens in our historic worship space. Yes, we literally hang evergreen garlands from the ceiling of our historic worship space, decorate a Christmas Tree, and hang wreaths and roping outside. This fun event is open to all ages and many hands make all the tasks go quickly. We hope you will come and be a part of the festivities! The free lunch is being catered by Courtney Devers, our parish chef. Help us plan for the quantity of food needed by emailing the parish office with the number from your household that will participate. We can’t wait to dine and decorate with you!

12/24 Christ Mass Worship Schedule: Christmas Eve (12/24) 5pm (contemporary music format) & 10pm (live streamed with classic music format).

The Feast of St. John will be observed on Sunday, 12/31 at both the 8am and 10am Eucharists.

Olde Towne Scottish Walk is 12/31. The historic worship space of St. John’s Church is opened at 3:30pm as a warm gathering space with free coffee and hot chocolate for an hour before the annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk begins. The Scottish Walk is modeled after Scotland’s Hogmanay Festival, a day when townspeople honor their community and merchants, wishing God’s blessing and prosperity in the coming year. A procession of local family, friends, and visitors will be led by bagpipe and drum. The walk steps off at 4:30pm diagonally across from St. John's Church. (Parking is available in St. John’s and Monumental United Methodist Churches parking lots.) If you would like to volunteer to welcome our guests, please let the Parish Office know here.

The Epiphany Pageant, featuring the adults and children of the parish, will be offered at 10am on 1/5. Contact Clifford King Harbin to participate!

The Parish Office will be closed for the two weeks of Christmastide (Monday, 12/23-Friday, 1/3). Please make sure that your mailed pledge payments are in the office before our final worship of the year on 12/29.  

Let our Parish Chef take care of you! Courtney Devers is a master of her craft and can take care of all your holiday cooking and baking needs. Want something prepared for a party or meal? Just ask! Some of her specialties include pepper jelly (mild or spicy), all sorts of breads (whole grain, sourdough, artisan rye, brioche), all pastries (coffee cakes, danish, profiterols, eclairs, cream puffs, scones), breakfast casseroles (sausage & cheese or French toast), crab cakes, and literally anything else you might want. Courtney uses only organic, free range eggs from her own chickens and organic flour in all her baking. Call (757.412.8434) or email Courtney with your request. You will not be disappointed!

St. John’s eNews publishes each Thursday. Content deadline is noon the day before publication.

Do you have a St. John’s Name Badge? If not, are you willing to welcome someone during worship and hospitality time after worship? If you are, then it’s time to order a name badge using the aquamarine colored form on the information sideboard in Chisholm Hall. If you previously had one and have lost it, the replacement cost is $15 (just place a check with "name badge" in the memo line in the plastic box over the copier in the Parish Work Room).

Come to Friday StrengthHab: Join physical therapist Kathy Cullen for a StrengthHab Adult Fitness Class in Chisholm Hall each Friday from 4-5pm. Kathy will lead you through a series of physician-designed exercises intended to make you feel better and stronger, and to keep you mobile, limber, and able to keep enjoying your community, home and daily activities. Text or call Kathy at 973-219-6194 with any questions you may have. Kathy’s suggested fee of $10/session is generously returned as a donation to the ministry budget of St. John’s Church. Participants should bring a water bottle and wear loose clothing and sneakers. Come join the fun!

St. John’s Little Free Library is freshly stocked with books; come read something new!

The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use. Here you can access the latest Parish Directory, parish handbook, worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well as parish financial reports. Need or don’t remember the password? Contact the Parish Office or leave a voicemail; these messages transfer to staff members.

Contact Information Changed? If your contact information changes in any way, please contact the parish office between 10am-1pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays; our parish office volunteers would be happy to take your updates.

Access our Parish Calendar with this link.

If you are admitted to the hospital, have scheduled surgery, or need the Last Rites of the Church, please call the Rector on his cell phone. If you have a death in the family, please call the Rector to assist with planning before arrangements are finalized with the funeral home. 

For the Church

For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, who will end his tenure on January 6; Hosam, Archbishop of Jerusalem; Sean, the Presiding Bishop; Susan, our Bishop; for Derek, our Rector; Clifford, our Associate; Heidi & Russ, our missionaries; for our staff, wardens, and Vestry; and for the people of this parish.

For Justice and Peace

For Peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, & Syria

For Joseph, our President; the Congress and the Courts; for Glenn, our Governor; and Shannon, our Mayor; for Alex Barteau; Erin Elliott; Trevor Jackon; Zack Ingold; Christopher O’Meara; Bill Wolter; and all who are serving our country overseas or away from home; for all first responders, border patrol officers, and Coast Guard Personnel on patrol from Portsmouth

For those in any Need or Trouble

For those suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene

In our Parish: for Sid Barteau; Pete Buelow; Tim Butterbaugh; Taraleigh Casteen; Carolyn & Pedro Colón; Chris Cousin; Lorrie Cuyler; Jimmy Gillerlain; Bob Goodman-Burdette; Sally Harbin; Colleen Hicks; Susan Hill; Langley James; Ben Lynch; Bob Mills; Linda Paradis; Mike Sanborn; Ann Smith; Bobbi Woolwine

Related to our Parish: for baby Richard (son of Bobby & Avery Staples); Sharon & Danny (relatives of Margaret Perkins); Bobby (friend of Lorrie Cuyler); Brenda (Olde Towne neighbor); Tim (friend of Lorrie Cuyler); Tim (colleague of Clare Harbin); Christine (friend of Sue Fritz); Gwen (mother of Barbara Huff); Lydia (friend of Lorrie Cuyler); Eric (nephew of Margaret Dickenson); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC Hospice for Children

Thanksgivings: for the opportunity to watch and wait in this season of preparation

In Hospice Care: for Frank Orgain and former President Jimmy Carter

Deaths: for Shannon (neighbor of Ann Barteau); poet Nikki Giovanni; veteran courtroom sketch artist Bill Hennessy; those who continue to die due to war, famine, and gun violence