The View
For the Third Sunday after Pentecost ~ June 30, 2019
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Dear Friends in Christ,
I am overjoyed to be writing to you as your new Rector! Over the past few months, my wife, Jeanne (pronounced "Jeannie") and I have had the opportunity to meet members of the Discernment Committee and Vestry and have also been able to get to know Decatur a bit. Throughout all of our meetings, phone calls, and prayerful interludes, I have continued to feel a strong sense of the Holy Spirit guiding us together, and it is with great pleasure and humility that I accept this call to St. John's.
From what I have heard and witnessed, St. John's is a parish that is extremely devoted not only to serving each other within the church walls, but is also actively engaged in serving those who are out in the community. I very much look forward to learning more about the various ministries you are already engaged in, as well as journeying with you as we discern together the amazing plans that God has for St. John's.
Jeanne, Jonathan, and I are excited to be joining the St. John's family and to becoming settled in our new hometown of Decatur.
In Christ,
Chase+
The Rev. Chase D. Ackerman
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Click on image for a larger view.
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Biography: The Rev. Chase D. Ackerman
Father Ackerman is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. He served for eight years on active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer before discerning a call to the ordained ministry. Chase left active service and entered the General Theological Seminary in New York City, where he studied for a year and a half before transferring to the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, to complete his theological education, graduating in 2016 with a Master of Divinity.
Before accepting his position as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Decatur, AL, he served as curate and then associate rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Tampa, FL. While in Tampa, his primary responsibilities focused on children, youth, and family ministries while curate, and then pastoral care and outreach as associate rector.
Chase is married to Jeanne, a native of Atlanta, who recently completed her Master of Social Work at the University of South Florida, and they have one son, Jonathan.
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next week's newsletter will include a timeline of events during this period of transition
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Vacation Bible School: Thank you to the Volunteers
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Thank You
!
There are not enough thanks for everyone that helped make Paul's Journey Vacation Bible School a success. We were able to feed an average of 75 people dinner each night and had 50 children, Pre-K to 7th grade, in attendance. Plans for next year are already in the works. I hope to have many more adults and children. Note: June 15th-19th, 2020, with the time to be announced, for next year's VBS.
Thank you again!
Sally W. Marsh
Director of Children's Ministries
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| Click on image for a larger view. Also, check out the photos from VBS on our Facebook page here! |
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Outreach Partnership: Get to Know Alabama Arise Tonight at 6PM
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| Get to Know Our Outreach Partner Alabama Arise
Tuesday, June 25, in the Parish Hall
at 6:00pm
This organization is a statewide nonprofit coalition of congregations and organizations as well as individual members that promotes state policies to improve the lives of low income Alabamians. Visit their website at www.alarise.org and join this listening session on June 25. |
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Beans and Rice Ministry This Thursday
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Beans and Rice Thursday (June 27)
9:30am and 11:00am
Look for the red wagon under the covered entrance off Gordon Drive.
The volunteers will greet you and hand out the free bags.
~4th Thursday of each month~
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Support St. John's Beans and Rice Ministry
- Donate Supplies: dried pinto beans, long grain rice (not instant), freezer quart-size zip-top plastic bags
- Help hand out bags on the 4th Thursday of each month
- Assisting with filling the quart bags before a Beans and Rice Thursday
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Informational Meeting this Sunday, June 30 at 9:30am in the Choir Room (Downstairs)
Bring the Family!
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Family Choir in July
Join us during the month of July for our new family choir! Each Sunday in July, anyone who would like to participate will meet at 9:30am to rehearse a simple anthem to sing during the 10:30am service. All ages are welcome to take part in this fun new opportunity, so bring your family and friends!
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Church Directory Update
Because our church photo directory is published in-house, we are able to update it more often.
If we do not have a photo of you or your family or if you wish to update the one we have with a current photo, please snap a photo and email it to
ann@stjohnsdecatur.org or update your photo using the St. John's Church Life App.
Don't have the St. John's Church Life App? Follow these instructions here.
Our goal is to include everyone in the pictorial directory!
Please share any changes to your contact information or updated photos with the church office.
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For the Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 30, 2019
8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
9:15am Childcare is provided through the 10:30am service
9:30am Articles Class, Parish Hall
9:30am Children's Sunday School Class, Downstairs
10:30am Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
Vestry Representative: Bob Ledbetter
LEM: 8:00am Julia Chenault, Sue Powell; 10:30am Patrick Haughaboo, Jim Smith
Lector: 8:00am Karen Smith; 10:30am Chuck Puckett
Altar Guild: Team 1
Bread Guild: Amy Griffith
Acolytes: 8:00am Cortner Crumlish; 10:30am Lauren Calame, Nathaniel Pride, Harrison Wiley
Ushers: 8:00am Jud Pheny; 10:30am Andy Kelly
Childcare: Haley Melson, Ella McAnear
Flower ReArranger: Julie Leavitt
Flower Deliverer: Allyson and Ed Land, Cathy Tubb
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Please View the Worship Team Schedules Here
If you have any questions about your schedule, please reach out to your team coordinator.
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Summertime in the Community Garden
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Spending Time in the Community Garden
If you like to get your hands in holy dirt and watch nature unfold before your eyes, come and join us in the Common Ground Community Garden. It's an awesome place and just spending 5-15 minutes a week there is sure to give you a lift!
We will soon need more hands to weed and possibly water as the summer heats up. Not to mention pick vegetables! No experience necessary; there will be others to show the way. For more information, call or email:
Julia Chenault
Nina Mae Blackburn
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Search Update for the 12th Bishop of Alabama
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An Invitation to Participate in the Search Process
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The Diocese of Alabama is seeking a new bishop and the Search Committee is already at work. We ask for your help as we hold a series of listening sessions around the diocese designed to get a sense of who we are as a diocese and what we would like the Diocese of Alabama to become in the next ten years. Sessions will be no longer than advertised and will include a few questions to generate conversation. Check the website bishopsearch.dioala.org for more information, including the questions. Everyone's voice is valued so we will be visiting with the convocations, youth and young adults, clergy and diocesan staff during June.
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Newsletter Summer Schedule
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Our newsletter, The View,
will not be published July 9 and July 23
The next two-week edition will be sent on July 2, and we will resume our weekly schedule on July 30. Keep up with events and services through our
website, Instagram, and Facebook accounts.
Access the church calendar at
Our red doors are open every Sunday, too.
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St. John's Patriotic Sing Along
is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, 10:00am at Riverside Senior Living (1009 Line St. NE). Special music pieces in honor of the 4th of July and the resident veterans. All are welcome! And wear red, white, & blue.
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The remaining 2019 Cursillo Weekend dates are:
September 12-15 C#219 (application deadline August 12)
October 24-27 C#220 (application deadline September 23)
Cursillo is a four-day weekend at Camp McDowell, beginning on a Thursday and concludes on a Sunday. The weekend is an opportunity to build a closer relationship with God through talks by lay people and clergy, group discussion, lots of music, fellowship, and incredible fun.
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Every participant has a sponsor, who has attended a Cursillo weekend. This sponsor will assist you in preparation for the weekend and, more importantly, assist you after the weekend. If you know someone in your parish who has attended a Cursillo weekend, ask them to tell you more and how to get started, or share your interest with St. John's parish lay rector, Betty Weaver, or with clergy.
Betty Weaver
St. John's Parish Lay Rector
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| Ask us about Cursillo! These are just some of the Cursillistas at St. John's: Bunny and Bingham Edwards, Amy Griffith and Brian White, Janet and Danny Morgan, Bynum Rogers, Nora and Huey Hall, June and Steven Hall, Fred Rowe, Dot and Bobby Straub, Karen and Jesse Sawyer, Kathy and Luke Slaton, Jim Smith, Ann Stewart, Rachel and Hagler Wiley, Julie Sneed, Margaret and Jim MacIlveen, Tom Crittenden, John Bagby...80+ more names. |
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A Message From Bishop Sloan
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A Message from Bishop Sloan
June 25, 2019
Hello, friends
Many of you are familiar with The Abbey, our shared ministry working to reach out to the Avondale neighborhood in Birmingham and the wider church through a coffeeshop, service, and worship. Recent staffing changes have resulted in The Abbey needing to be flexible in responding to the needs of The Abbey staff and community.Beginning June 24 and through the month of July, the coffeeshop will not be open. This will allow the community and advisory board to explore options for the continuing ministry of The Abbey. During this hiatus, The Abbey will continue to offer its regular Sunday worship service at 4pm.
We're proud of The Abbey and our creative work there, and I ask for your prayers and support as it continues to evolve as part of the Church's loving response to the needs of the world.
The Rt. Rev. Kee Sloan
Bishop Diocesan
Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
521 20th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
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Altar Flowers Contributions
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Altar Flowers
Contributions are given to the glory of God in memory of loved ones, or in thanksgiving for particular people, or in celebration of special occasions such as a birthday or wedding anniversary. A donation of $60 will sponsor the flower arrangements arranged by the Flower Guild. We accept only one dedication per Sunday. If you would like to make such a gift, please complete the Contribution Form and return form and contribution to the church office.
Available Dates: August 4, 25; September 1, 8, 22, 29
Call the office for all the available dates in 2019.
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A Communion Wine Contribution is another way to honor a special person or event. Please call the church office, 256-353-9615. Wine dedications are $10 each.
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Our Prayers and Thanksgivings
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Our Prayers and Thanksgivings
We pray for family and friends who are ill or distressed, especially
Gene Anderton, Grace Arnold, J.W. Beasley, Betty Benfield, John Bergman, Danny Berry, Charles Blevins, Ken Bonner, Noelle Bonjour, Laura Bracey, Pattie Burwick, Chad Campbell, Gere Carnathan, Nell Clem, Anna Crosswhite, Catherine DeBardeleben, Laura Doherty, William Doty, Anne Draper, Debbie Dumas, Anne Eich, Linda Engelman, Wally Evans, Chuck George, Lilly Graham, Lori Grasz, Sally Jo Green, Gus Greenbaum, Nancy Hagood, Michelle Hall, Amanda Hanson, Dennis Harris, Tania Harris, Anne Haynes, Sam Haynes, Molly Hennessy, Caleb Hightower, Dabney Hofammann, Sherry Holland, Katie Hughey, Lynne Jacques, Peter Jenke, Will Johnson, Katy Kavanagh, Carol Kerbel, Deanna Lamoreux, David Landis, Dena Lewis, Carey Link, Mike Lothspeich, David Lyons, Maggie Marino, Henry McCrary, Elizabeth McInnis, Brett McMurphy, Don Mills, John Mullins, Leah Norman, Nancy O'Flinn, Bill Oliver, Libby Sims Patrick, Gordon Pettey, Laura Phillips, Bethany Pridmore, Bridget Ros, Fred Rutledge, David Sandlin, Janice Sandlin, Jerry Sandlin, David Schacht, Cindy Schoeneck, JoAnne Schooley, Marianne Schram, Ken Schuppert, Kristin Sherman, Kathy Slaton, Sloan Smith, Carolyn Smothers, Brandon Stanford, Polly Stone, Anne Strange, Ricky Teal, Mauda Terry, Sam Thompson, Sydnor Thompson, Cecil H. Turner, Robby Tweedy, Bill Waldo, Betty Weeks, Nancy Turner Wilson, and Sammy Woody.
We pray for the departed, especially Scott Smith, friend of Harry Moore.
We pray for those who serve in and with the Armed Forces, especially
Michael Blair, Steven Blair, Brandon Blevins, Jonathan Easter, Jesse Garcia, Christopher Harwell, Landon Johnson, Garrett McElroy, and Austin Wallace.
We pray for
persecuted Christians and refugees around the world; for an end to poverty, addiction, and violence of all kinds, especially gun violence; for the students, families, teachers, and administrators of Banks-Caddell Elementary School; for our companion diocese of the Virgin Islands and its bishop, Ambrose; for the Clergy and Staff of Carpenter House; for the Episcopal Bookstore and Staff; and for the Seminarians completing second year of study.
If you are hospitalized or in need of a clergy visit, please notify the Church Office (256-353-9615). Please remember that area hospitals do not notify us about admissions.
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Stewardship of Talent
Some of the talents that are used around the church and its ministries are obvious: members of the Flower Guild have a talent for creating visual beauty and members of the Bread Guild have a talent for baking. Some of our collective talents, however, are harder to spot: shoppers for our Backpacks for Food program are organized and thrifty, and office reception volunteers are patient and reliable. God has given each of us a host of talents. A few of us respond to them by pursuing ordained ministry, but ALL of us are called to use our talents to support God's work in the world. What are your talents? The United Methodist Church has an online spiritual gifts inventory that may help you name your God-given talents. You can access it here:
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/spiritual-gifts-online-assessment
. Whether you use an inventory like this or spend a few minutes in self-reflection, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the talents God has given you, and ask the Spirit's to use them to share God's unconditional love with the world. Let a member of the clergy or our staff know that you have a gift to share, and join us as we dream together how that talent might be used through our church.
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f you have questions about your stewardship pledge or capital campaign pledge, please contact
Vickie Reed, our Financial Administrator (256-353-9615).
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Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries
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Happy
Birthday!
Christopher Garcia 06/01
John Stoner 06/01
Chuck Puckett 06/02
Reide Irwin 06/04
MM Tweedy Gamble 06/06
Victoria Hughes 06/07
Paul Thomas 06/07
Jamie Nelson 06/08
Leah Norman 06/08
Camille Stoner 06/08
Rebecca Bibb 06/09
Bobby Greene 06/09
Elizabeth Hansen 06/09
Toni Roberts 06/10
Blake Stewart 06/10
David Bibb 06/12
Margret Ann Templeton 06/12
Wade Dinsmore 06/14
Astin Stewart 06/15
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Randy Troup 06/16
Anne Draper 06/17
Patsy Haynes 06/17
Harold Shikles 06/18
Harrison Wiley 06/18
Donnie Randolph 06/20
Amy Shelley 06/20
Ben Stoner 06/20
Alex Templeton 06/20
Sue Hennessy 06/22
Patrick Lokken 06/22
Barbara Kelly 06/23
Jimmy Mitchell 06/24
Andrew McKimmon 06/24
Kenzie McKimmon 06/25
Laura Ritch 06/25
Leon Felts 06/26
Julia Roth 06/26
Britt Owens 06/27
Allison Conroy 06/28
Gaines Rowe 06/29
David Varner 06/29
Julian Price 06/30
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Happy Anniversary!
Marthalyn & Billy Biles 06/02
Leslie & Dabney Hofammann 06/07
Marella & Jimmy Adams 06/17
Lori & James Pressnell 06/17
Stacia & Brent Peebles 06/18
Carolyn & Peter Jenke 06/19
Rebecca & Sloane Bibb 06/20
Kristen & Joe Propst 06/20
Alta & Henry McCrary 06/21
Mary & Harold Shikles 06/21
Ann & Welman Gebhart 06/26
Robin & Michael Higdon 06/27
Linda & Bill Stone 06/28
Margaret & Larry Fite 06/29
If your celebration is not listed, please forgive us. Call or email the church office with any updates.
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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2
8:00am Holy Eucharist I
9:15am Childcare through the 10:30am service, Downstairs
9:30am Articles Class
9:30am Children's Class
10:30am Holy Eucharist II
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3
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
1:30pm Senior Bridge, Library
5:00pm Women's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
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4
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Sing Along at Morningside
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5
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Book Study, Library
12:10pm Healing Eucharist, Chapel--followed by Dutch-treat lunch
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6
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
9:00am Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina, Chapel
5:15pm Theology on Tap (TonTap)
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7
7:00am Men's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
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9 Day of Pentecost
8:00am Holy Eucharist I
9:15am Childcare through the 10:30am service, Downstairs
9:30am Articles Class
9:30am Children's Class
10:30am Holy Eucharist II
5:30pm VBS Training, Parish Hall
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10
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
1:30pm Senior Bridge, Library
5:00pm Women's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
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11
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
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12
8:30am Yoga-1
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Book Study, Library
12:10pm Healing Eucharist, Chapel
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13
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
9:00am Centering Prayer
& Lectio Divina, Chapel
5:15pm Theology on Tap (TonTap), The Brick
Cursillo #218 Begins at Camp McDowell
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14
7:00am Men's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
Cursillo #218 Continues at Camp McDowell
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Cursillo #218 Continues at Camp McDowell
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16
Trinity Sunday
8:00am Holy Eucharist I
9:15am Childcare through the 10:30am service, Downstairs
9:30am Articles Class
9:30am Children's Class
10:30am Holy Eucharist II
Cursillo #218 Concludes at Camp McDowell
Cursillo Ultreya TBA
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VBS
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
1:30pm Senior Bridge, Library
5:15pm Vestry Meeting, Library
5:30pm-8:00pm VBS
(Women's Cursillo Reunion Group Resumes 6/24)
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18 VBS
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
5:30pm-8:00pm VBS
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19
VBS
8:30am Yoga-1
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Book Study, Library
12:10pm Healing Eucharist, Chapel
5:30pm-8:00pm VBS
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20
VBS
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
9:00am Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina, Chapel
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21
7:00am Men's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
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22
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23
8:00am Holy Eucharist I
9:15am Childcare through the 10:30am service, Downstairs
9:30am Articles Class
9:30am Children's Class
10:30am Holy Eucharist II
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24
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
1:30pm Senior Bridge, Library
5:00pm Women's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
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25
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
6:00pm Alabama Arise, Parish Hall
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26
8:30am Yoga-1
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Book Study, Library
12:10pm Healing Eucharist, Chapel
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27
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
9:00am Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina, Chapel
9:30-11am Beans & Rice Ministry
5:15pm Theology on Tap (TonTap), The Brick
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28
7:00am Men's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
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29
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30
8:00am Holy Eucharist I
9:15am Childcare through the 10:30am service, Downstairs
9:30am Informational Meeting for July's Family Choir, Choir Room
9:30am Articles Class
9:30am Children's Class
10:30am Holy Eucharist II
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1 JULY
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
1:30pm Senior Bridge, Library
5:00pm Women's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
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2
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Sing Along at Riverside
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3
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
10:00am Book Study, Library
12:10pm Healing Eucharist, Chapel
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4 Office Closed in Observance of the Fourth of July
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5
7:00am Men's Cursillo Reunion Group, Library
8-9:30am Yoga-2
8:30am Morning Prayer, Chapel
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St. John's Parish Staff & Vestry
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The Parish Staff
St. John's Episcopal Church
202 Gordon Drive SE
Decatur, AL 35601
Office 256-353-9615 | Fax 256-350-0514
Monday -Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed for Lunch 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Rev. Tom Crittenden, Interim Rector, ext. 102; tomc@stjohnsdecatur.org
The Rev. John Bagby, Interim Associate Rector, ext. 103
Vickie Reed, Financial Administrator, ext. 101; vickie@stjohnsdecatur.org
Sally Marsh, Director of Children's Ministries, ext. 111; sally@stjohnsdecatur.org
Ann Stewart, Director of Communications, ext. 105; ann@stjohnsdecatur.org
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Lauren Salerno,
Choirmaster
Foster Bailey,
Organist
Janet Varner,
Associate Organist
Ella McAnear, Nursery
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Ken Schuppert, Chancellor
D Hall, Treasurer
Stan Evans & Bobby Straub, Assistant Treasurers
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The Vestry
Class of 2019:
Dana Baggette; Squee Bailey; Pam Howell; Harvey Pride; David Rahm (Senior Warden)
Class of 2020: Tony Bolan; Bill Briscoe (Junior Warden); Nora Hall; Sue Hennessy; Brian White
Class of 2021: Bingham Edwards; Bobby Greene; Dodie Hall; Bob Ledbetter; Betty Weaver
Clerk: Kathy Stoner
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