From the Priest in Charge

for July 2023

For newcomers to the Episcopal Church and to Saint John Divine, I have offered, for a few months, a brief snapshot of practices particularly found in our Anglican heritage. This month’s article continues that offering.

Visitors in Episcopal churches across the country will notice that, although the individual churches will adhere to the standardized format of liturgical worship found in the Book of Common Prayer, the ceremonial manner in which these services are conducted will vary according to the custom of the respective parish. 

Making the sign of the cross upon entering is an affirmation of our baptism in which we offer our prayers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Many will cross themselves with water from a receptacle called a “stoup” located in our narthex. One may then genuflect (kneeling momentarily on the right knee to show special devotion and recognition of our Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament). Bowing one’s head is an act of personal reverence to the cross and/or the altar or to the reserved sacrament in the “aumbry”.

At SJD, you will note the display of crosses, a constant reminder of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Most distinctively displayed are the two large Christus Rex –(one came from our previous building in Ruskin.) They show Christ the King, upright on the cross, with arms outstretched, in royal garments representing and symbolizing his Resurrection and promise of eternal life.



The altar hangings and vestments of the clergy are symbolic in color:

White – symbolizing Joy. Christmas, Easter, Transfiguration, Weddings, Baptisms, Burials…

Red – symbolizing tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit, Blood. Pentecost, Martyred Saints…

Purple or Blue—Penitential. Advent and Easter…

                           Continued next month

Father Lee

Rector Search Updates

Video Updates

New Rector Call Status 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byup7wIdIOc

New Rector Call Status 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN8cie-i01Y

New Rector Call Status 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6medC2V91hM

Members Of the Search Committee include: Jean Brown, Michael Carrano, Barbara Gentry, Barbara Gingrich, D.J. Holt, Susan Morgan, Natasha Nowak-Palma, Aubrey Thompson, Sharon Van Loan and Katie Arp as the Vestry Liaison

By mid July the Vestry will have finished the required reports and will turn the process of the Rector search over to the search committee.

Blessings,

Don Fisher, Senior Warden

From Your Health Ministry

Blood Pressures will be taken after the 8 o'clock and the 10 o'clock services on the Last Sunday of the month.

In last month's Revelations B.E. F.A.S.T. .......To Reduce Stroke Impact was given....

This month, please test yourself and see if you remember what each letter meant.....B.........E........F.........A.......S.......T..

Junior Warden's Report

Hello everyone.



There is a lot going on at St John Divine behind the scenes and many kudos to be handed out for those who have helped make it all happen. Take a peek at the new flowers and landscaping between the Banner Building and the Church. Looks great and thanks go to Jackie Winder and Barb and John Gentry. The flowers also have feeder hoses to them so they should be lovely all season long. The rear door of the Banner Building has been repaired and is ready for traffic. The first row kneeler has been stabilized and is now secure. Thanks Mark Hunter!

The new AC unit is still on back-order. That is the bad news. The good news is it allows us more time to raise more funds to help pay for it. So, please dig deep and help us out with this unexpected large expense. You'll be glad you did come July, August and September. Please mark your donation (New AC) and it will be credited to the air conditioner fund.

The Healing Center is coming along and we are approaching the red door finally swinging "open."

There will be more news on this very soon.

Blessings,

Steve Van Loan

Jr. Warden

Ramblings of an Over-Caffeinated, Sleep Deprived, Child Rearing, Millennial:

Sick

Hello everyone! For those of you at home who haven't noticed, I've been out a great deal lately. It is always fun having little people around at home, and a pregnant wife, as that means when a sickness comes through, we are all affected. With much of my time away due to family illness (nothing too dramatic, just kids sharing germs at Daycare) I have had to rely greatly on the help of volunteers and other staff. I appreciate the work Don Fisher, Tim Hudson, Mark Hunter, Howard Roshaven all have put in to help keep things running smoothly in June, and a huge thank you to Cheryl Savini in the office. She has done the most to pick up my slack for June, helping on: Bulletins, Slides, Happenings, some Social Media, and this very publication, Revelations. They all have continued to succeed due to her hard work. With that said, know that I'm still here, working hard for you all, even if it means from home, I'm just thankful to all the help during this quite chaotic month of my life.

Thank you all for your support,

Tristan M. Warner

Media & Tech Specialist 

Lord, You Give the Great Commission:

Lord, you you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.”  

On June 4^th., Trinity Sunday, in a moving ceremony, we saw eighteen Eucharistic Ministers and two Eucharistic Visitors, answer the call when they were commissioned by Fr. Lee here at Saint John the Divine. It is our fervent hope that the words of the Great Commission will continue to ring true at Saint John the Divine.

 When Jeffery Rowthorn penned the hymn “Lord You Give the Great Commission in 1978, he was encapsulating Christ’s Great Commission found in three of the Gospel accounts. In Matthew’s version: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptziing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of th Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

If for a moment we were to look at the first stanza of this hymn, we receive the bold words, the true mission of the church, “Heal the sick and preach the word”. We are warned that by failing to do so, we might forget our true mission. In the second stanza, we are called upon: “In my name baptize and teach.” So our other charge is baptize new Christians into the family of the faithful and teach the true Gospel. The third stanza is pretty clear, it speaks to the Holy Eucharist: “This my body, this my blood.” The fourth stanza calls for a just and fair society: “Father, what they do, forgive.” The final stanza points us to eternity, as God promises to be with us forever: “I am with you to the end.”

As SJD extends thanks to the twenty souls who offered themselves to this call, I hope that there will be others willing to likewise heed the call of the Great Commission.



For Lord, you Give the Great Commission. 

In God's Grace and Peace,

Aubrey V. Thompson

Head Verger

Back to School - Wimauma Elementary School

Outreach Focus for June & July

Hello, St. John Divine family,

I am Brenda Roshaven and I am the Outreach contact for the months of June and July.

I have been in contact with Wimauma Elementary School. They are very excited to be the school that we will be blessing with school supplies for our “Back to School” outreach this year.

Wimauma Elementary is a neighborhood school for pre-k through fifth grade, located just south of route 674. They are a Title 1 school because of the number of students receiving lunch assistance. For many of these wonderful kids, the gift of a new backpack and other school supplies will be a significant blessing.

There will be a table in the parish hall where you can leave donations. The school is asking for any school supplies including bookbags, pencils, crayons and other items. A detailed list will be provided.

Donations of money can be given also. Some of you may enjoy shopping for the children. I know I do, while for some of you, a financial donation is more feasible. Indicate on the donation that it is for Wimauma Elementary. You may make a check out to SJD, write Wimauma Elementary on the memo line, and put it in the offering plate.

Jesus said what we do for the least of these we do for Him.

Be Blessed,

Brenda

Celebrating Anniversaries

Congratulations to Father Lee for 42 years of priesthood in June.

And Congratulations to Paulette Diehl for 36 years of being a Deacon in June

Divine Jewelry Shoppe

Summer is here and we have completed our beautification project between Banner Bldg. and Church Bldg. Our shop staff is keeping it maintained and we hope you will take a look. We will take some time to consider other projects that we might undertake as we continue raising money through jewelry sales. Talking about jewelry, have you been in recently to see some of the new merchandise that has been donated. We encourage you to talk to your neighbors and friends about the shop. Please take note that we are now working on summer hours : Wednesdays 9 to 12. You are also welcome to stop by Sunday before and after second service.

Thanks again for your support of this Church Fundraiser and YES we continue to accept your donations!

We have been fortunate enough to receive some donations of real jewelry which we are selling for a fraction of the appraised retail value. A wonderful opportunity to pick up a gift for a loved one. The shop is also having our first-ever sale. For the entire months of June and July, for every $20 you spend, choose a free pin from our beautiful pin collection.

Thank you once again for your support of this Church Fundraiser.   

Barbara & Jackie

Flower Guild

Tap Into Your Talent

Summer is a time to try something new! The Flower Guild challenges you to tap into your creative side and put it to good use, arranging flowers for

The House of the Lord.

In her book, The Church Ladies' Guide to Divine Flower Arrangements, nationally renowned flower arranging expert Gay Estes offers the following prayer: 

OH LORD,

PLEASE don't let my flowers wilt,

my lilies stain the vestments

or my vase leak.

LET my arrangements neither fall,

nor catch fire from the candles.

amen

 Although written with humor, the prayer expresses real thoughts of a church flower arranger. In addition, there is the desire to give life to surroundings in a church service, to create harmony between wood-and-glass and the congregation. Flowers enhance the beauty of a service and remind us of God's

promises and blessings.

Much thanks goes to current Flower Guild Members: Sharon Bakay, Marcel Butts, Sharon Pappas, Janice Robinson, Kathy Thomas, and Clare Thompson, with an occasional assist from Barbara Pfeil or Joyce Fisher. They invite you to join them and let your talents bloom for all to see!

 Yoniece Miller

 Flower Guild Director

GRIEF SUPPORT JULY 2023

Culinary Grief Therapy-Coping Strategies

The death of a spouse, parent, sibling, or close friend can cause intense emotional pain, and knowing how to cope with that grief is important for ensuring that the distress does not lead to an unhealthy journey. Culinary Grief Therapy facilitates several coping strategies and techniques to support individuals after the loss of a loved one.

Remember you are going through perhaps the most stressful time in your life. Be kind to yourself and do not put yourself under unnecessary pressure.

Keep mealtime simple. You may have fixed large meals before or been a gourmet cook, but for now keep it easy and uncomplicated.

It may be helpful to change where you sit to eat. Many couples develop a routine of where they sit to drink coffee or tea together in the morning or where they eat dinner at night. Initially, it may be too painful to sit in these spots.

Changing what times you eat can also be helpful. Staying with the usual time you both ate together might only enhance your pain. Many find the silence at mealtime unbearable. It is fine to put on some music, an audiobook, the computer or the television.

Ask for help if you need it.

The Grief Support Group at Saint John Divine offers more than just discussions for those who have lost someone. Grief is a natural process. It isn't a disorder or an illness. You may be grieving about anything you've lost, whether it's a loved one or a job or something that had meaning for you.



We meet every month on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays at 10:00 AM in the Wirick Room in the Banner building. When you feel the need, we can be there for you.

New Bishop's Photo!

We are excited to receive new photos of Bishop Doug Scharf to put out in our Parish Hall and Banner Building. At this time Fr. Lee Miller is working on getting the photos printed and framed. Feel free to check them out when you get a chance after they go up!

Healing

I spent the first twenty years of my life in the Methodist Church and the next forty in the Episcopal Church. For most of those years I never heard much about healing except the occasional Scripture reference. No one talked about it and no one that I was aware of prayed for healing.

When Aunt Agnes was in the hospital, we prayed for her, but mostly for her doctors to be at the top of their game. That was about all we knew to pray for.



We had heard about those strange healing evangelists. Names like Jack Coe, Oral Roberts and William Branham were sometimes in the news, but those folks were weird Pentecostal types. As kids we were warned to stay away from that kind of people. We were told they ran through the woods barefoot carrying snakes. Branham, for example, as a youngster, was a poor country lad who shot squirrels for supper. How many squirrels would it take to provide enough meat to feed a hungry family?

I learned that the Book of Common Prayer had a section for praying for the sick – I think the prayer book of the era called it the Sacrament of Holy Unction – but my understanding was that this was mostly for “last rites.”

After decades, I was hired as a musician by an Episcopal church. The leadership of that congregation believed in God’s healing power and actively pursued the gift of healing, especially emotional healing. By then I had been reading the Bible daily for fifteen years and was familiar with the many scriptural references to healing in the Gospels and the book of Acts.

And then it happened. One evening when a team from our church was ministering in another city, I was asked by an elderly woman to pray for her to receive a blessing from Jesus. She was blind. I prayed for her without intending to ask the Lord for anything more specific than to bless her. She began to weep. When she wiped away her tears she could see! She and I were both astonished.

Since then, I have seen hundreds of people receive healing as a result of prayer. Recent healings have taken place right here at SJD Church. A woman with a blocked carotid artery was healed and a man with pain in his shoulder and neck was also healed. In both cases, the recommended surgery was no longer needed. A woman with stiffness and pain in her hands was healed when she went to one of our prayer ministers. Someone with an injured ankle had difficulty walking. The condition was healed when our prayer team laid hands on her and prayed for healing. There are many others.

Our prayer teams are located on each side of the sanctuary during communion each Sunday. Go receive prayer from one of them on your way back to your seat after receiving the Eucharist. There is also a healing service and Eucharist each Wednesday morning at 10:00 o’clock. Healing happens regularly during that service. And watch for the announcement that the new Healing Center is opening. So, unless you really enjoy your pain and want to keep it, go to one of our healing prayer teams and let them pray for you.

It has become clear to me that the gift of healing is a part of normal, everyday Christianity that is being restored to the Church again after generations of neglect. If you know someone in need of healing, bring them to church with you and have them go to one of our prayer teams.

Howard Roshaven

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