St. John's Family News: Vol. 78 Issue 24 for the Week of June 15-21, 2020
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Mid-Week Moments for June 18, 2020
This week's Mid-Week Moments are available now:
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A Statement on Racism and Violence
Understanding that silence in the face of systemic racism, injustice, and violence, particularly against our African-American brothers and sisters in Christ, cannot be tolerated, Church Council, with the assistance of the Church’s ministers, has prepared the following statement, which we think adequately reinforces and, in effect re-states, St. John’s Baptist Church’s long-held position on such evils.
As committed followers of Jesus Christ, the members of St. John’s Baptist Church of Charlotte, North Carolina condemn systemic racism in all its forms and the ways in which it contributes to our problems today. We recognize that we minister in a world which includes racism, injustice, hatred, and violence. Our covenant states, “We will be a servant church, recognizing the infinite worth of every person and believing that Christ has called us to active involvement in behalf of human brotherhood.” Therefore, we strongly condemn the recent violence witnessed across our country, particularly the violence against our African-American brothers and sisters, whose lives matter to us. Our congregation has historically raised its voice and initiated active faith against the systematic injustice in our society. We shall continue our ministries to dismantle injustice, to bring opportunity and dignity to every person, and to explore ways we can do better to create a more just world for every person, regardless of background, skin color, sexual orientation, or faith tradition.
Our plan is to also post this statement on the Church’s website and on its social media pages. This statement is merely the beginning of a long conversation on these issues.
Please join me, your deacon leadership, and your Church ministers in giving voice to what we’ve all long-believed and followed here at the corner of 5th and Hawthorne.
God bless,
Jason Benton
2019-2020 Deacon Chair
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Tuesday Bible Study Group Online
The Tuesday Bible Study Group will begin weekly, online Zoom sessions on Tuesday June 23.
New and pre-owned books can be purchased online.
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New Members at St. John's!
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We welcome two new members to the life of St. John's: Fan Watson and Ginny Dodd. Both have been regular guests in worship and decided on June 7 to make their membership official! Welcome, Fan and Ginny!
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our Bridge for Kids: Article and Video from the Immigration Support Study Group
Article Written by Suzanne Taylor, Video Interview by Anna Cushman
A bridge is a connection of one side to another, of one person to another. We’ve all crossed one during our lifetime. If the news is any indication, we as a people need to be making more bridges.
One group that has been involved with crossing and creating bridges is the organization known as ourBridge for Kids. They are located at the entrance to the Aldersgate community. This group of dedicated people provide the children of immigrants from 5 schools in East Charlotte an after-school program. As Sil Ganzó has said, “The relationships that we built in trust for years are still here. We are not an afterschool program where if your kids are not here, we’re not here. We are going to be here anytime, all the time. Pandemic or no pandemic and they know that.” You may or may not have seen bits about their work on the news over the last weeks. They are in short, a committed community that is rooted and driven by community and the values of love, education, respect and diversity.
They have a staff of 3 full time and 22 part time employees, as well as volunteers. The culture they invoke is to be responsive and adaptive to the needs of the families and neighbors in the immigrant community. For example, within 48 hours of the announcement of the pandemic they had listened to the community feedback and made a plan to make it happen. They worked with the CMS and Migrant Assistance Project and other groups deliver food to children and their families. They began on March 17th by delivering 40 breakfasts, and 40 lunches. They successfully transitioned to mobile support services and at the time I write this had delivered nearly 9,000 breakfasts, lunches dinners, and care packages a week to hundreds of families on the east side. They have delivered 700 meal assistance packages to members of the community weekly; along with 50 bags of groceries each week and dozens of boxes with specially chosen STEAM activities. (Science, technology, engineering, art, and math)
Along with sustenance, the ourBridge group has continued to provide daily contact with their students and students ‘ families. They have recognized the importance to giving children the opportunity to create, play, read and discover all while having to stay home. Our Bridge has provided their families with boxes full of brand-new art, science, math, and literacy supplies to keep their minds active and engaged. They have checked in virtually every day to give the children a safe place to share concerns, provide reassurance, and answer questions on schoolwork. They have done games and virtual field trips while checking in. The parents are also included in this bridge. On its board, Our Bridge for Kids has a licensed family therapist and a licensed professional counselor and will soon be launching mental and emotional wellness support groups for the Our Bridge parents.
Our Bridge receives valuable information to distribute to the community. The only problem is the information is only printed in English and Spanish. On the Eastside there are families from Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other areas of the world. At Our Bridge alone there are 12 different languages spoken. Here is a bridge waiting to be built…translation.
One of the mottos used at ourBridge is: Don’t talk about it. Just be about it. I think they are about it.
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Global Mission Offering 2020
We never would have dreamed that we and our friends at the Nyarweng School in South Sudan would be sharing another connection. Just as we have had to do here, the school there had to suspend operation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The students were sent home to their parents, and except for the older students, the 8
th
graders, the school is temporarily closed. Teachers are continuing to be paid and will be ready to resume as soon as it is determined to be safe.
In spite of the current situation for the school the community has gradually taken on more responsibility for the operation, with the parents paying fees which provide 20% of the cost of the teachers. This investment by the community gives hope for the long range future of the school
Please join in prayer for the students, the teachers, and the whole community that they will be able to stay safe and well and will, in the near future, be able to resume classes.
The St. John’s Mission Resource Team has agreed to designate the Nyarweng School in South Sudan as the recipient of our 2020 Global Mission Offering, with a goal of $15,000.
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Women of the Church Announcement
The Women of the Church executive board, after consulting with the COVID 19 Task Force, has
made the decision to cancel the 2020 WOC Luncheon
. We feel that the need for social distancing and use of face masks will make it impossible to have a safe and meaningful event. The health and peace of mind of our members was our first priority in making this decision. We will miss you.
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Prayer Concerns, Thanks, and Sympathy
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Andrew Adair, Harry Barr, Emily Batts, Byron Bullard, Mary Chilton (mother of Amy Chilton), Carol Drye, Don Furr, Camille Green, Polly Hull, Maddie and Domhnall Minogue and baby Cian, Gene Poole, Elma Thomas, Alison Zieglmeier (daughter of Ken and Donna Scott); Parker Jackson, military; Chip Wilson, assigned to the Pentagon for COVID-19 response
Sympathy to Lynn and David Erdman and Natalie and Durning Moore in the passing of Lynn's mother and Natalie's grandmother, Janie Kendrick, on June 13. Janie was a long-time member of St. John's. Arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Sympathy to Harry Barr in the passing of his sister, Betty Lou Baker.
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of June 10-16: $18,395
Income through June 16: $555,028
Annual 2020 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
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