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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
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From Dr. Don Gordon: Our Alien Neighbors in Charlotte
- No Family News Next Week
- Church Office Holiday Closure - November 27 & 28
- Update from the Pastor Search Team
- Stewardship Message
- Gentle, Meditative Chair Yoga Advent Session - November 30
- ourBridge Donations and Prayer
- Coat and Canned Food Drive for Nourish Up
- Advent Devotionals
- WDAV - December 2 at 7:00 PM
- Senior Adult Christmas Gathering - December 4
- Children's Nativity Play - December 7
- Parents' Night Out
- Room in the Inn
- Depression Support Group
- Mothering Across Continents Friendsgiving Article
- WDS Job Posting
- Christmas 2025 Save the Dates
- Happy Birthday
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- After Hours On Call
- Staff Contact Info
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Our Alien Neighbors in Charlotte
by Dr. Don Gordon, Interim Minister
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“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.”
— Leviticus 19:34
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Last night, at the invitation of fellow Charlotte clergy, I attended an event at Dilworth United Methodist Church on East Boulevard. It was an information and training session for Charlotte residents concerned about the safety and well-being of their neighbors after the arrival of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this past weekend. ICE’s presence has provoked fear and anxiety not only among immigrant communities, but also among many people of Latino origin—refugees, immigrants, and citizens alike. Reports of masked agents with no name identification detaining individuals at churches, grocery stores, gas stations, country clubs, after-school programs, and homes without arrest warrants have created a climate of terror for many families.
The sanctuary was packed, with additional people standing around the perimeter to hear updates and receive guidance on what to do if ICE appears in their neighborhoods. In a conversation with a well-dressed white woman in her early 40s, I learned about her children’s school—a multicultural and multiracial international school on Nations Ford Road. This mother of three had coordinated with other parents to monitor the bus stops, offering support to children who might be frightened. These moms stood at the bus stops morning and afternoon, but no students rode in the morning, and only a few rode home in the afternoon. Many children are simply staying home while ICE operates in Charlotte.
There are political, national and constitutional implications that deserve our thoughtful attention. But as a Christian pastor, I want to focus on one central matter. As a follower of Jesus, my deepest allegiance is to the kingdom of God, not to the kingdoms of this world. My loyalty is to Jesus, not to Caesar. I’m reminded of Jesus’ response to the young lawyer who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life (Lk 10). Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan—perhaps the greatest ethical teaching from the world’s greatest ethicist. In that story, Jesus collapses all national, racial, and cultural boundaries. The only thing that matters is helping the one on the side of the road who is in need.
In these days, it feels clear to me that the Latino community as a whole is the neighbor we are called to help. The vast majority of these neighbors are hardworking, good people doing what any of us would do—seeking the best possible life for their families. In fact, studies show immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than citizens. Of course, there are some nefarious individuals within immigrant populations, but let’s be honest: there are nefarious citizens as well, including some whose crimes are shielded by incredible wealth and political influence. Money buys a great deal of cover for the rich and powerful.
Jesus was biased, as we all are biased in some way. His bias favored the poor, the outcast, the marginalized, and the forgotten. If we are to follow him faithfully, we would do well to cultivate the same bias. The mighty and well-connected usually manage to land on their feet, regardless of their actions. The poor and the foreigner will always be walking life uphill. If we walk this arduous journey with them, at least part of the way, we might be called a good Samaritan. Then again, there may be a foreigner who becomes a good Samaritan to us in our time of need. That’s the kind of Charlotte I hope we can have.
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No Family News Next Week!
Family News will take a break next week for Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday!
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Church Office Holiday Closure - November 27 & 28
Just a reminder that the church office will be closed November 27 and 28 for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Update from the Pastor Search Team
We are delighted to share that we have received an enthusiastic response from a number of thoughtful and gifted senior pastor candidates! We are now carefully evaluating each person using a set of metrics shaped by congregational input.
Our team has been deeply engaged in this process. Every committee member has listened to at least one sermon from each candidate, allowing us to gain a meaningful sense of their preaching, leadership style, and pastoral presence. We have also completed training to ensure our evaluation process is fair, consistent, and aligned with the values and hopes you shared with us. Additionally, each member scores candidates independently before we come together for discussion, which helps us maintain objectivity.
We are working together extremely well as a team, and we continue to be inspired by the quality of our candidate pool and the bright future ahead for St. John’s.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and trust as we move forward in this important work.
PST Worker Bees: Jason Benton, Kimberly Follis, Don Hinson, Randy Mahnesmith, Bret Marshall, Dylan Redding, Becky Skidmore, Ellen Smith, Meredith Sorrell, and Leslie Bragg
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Stewardship 2026: Rooted in Faith, Growing Toward a Final Budget
Thanks to your generosity and the faithful work of our church leaders, the proposed 2026 Financial Ministry Plan has been affirmed by the Deacons and presented to the congregation during worship. This balanced budget reflects our shared commitment to sustaining our ministries, caring for our sacred spaces, and growing in purpose as a church family.
The proposed budget holds steady at $1.241 million, with thoughtful adjustments that reflect both gratitude for where we’ve been and hope for where we’re headed. It includes continued investment in worship, missions, and ministry, while also accounting for staffing transitions and responsible property care.
But here’s the key: this budget is a plan, not a promise—yet.
To move from proposed to final, we need your pledges. Every commitment helps us refine our projections and finalize a budget that reflects both our aspirations and our reality. Once all pledges are received and final expense estimates are in place, we’ll bring a final budget to the Deacons and the congregation for approval in early 2026.
So if you haven’t yet turned in your pledge card, now is the time. You can return it in worship, by mail, online through Realm, or by dropping it off at the church office. Your pledge—no matter the amount—helps us stay rooted in faith and grow in purpose.
Let’s finish strong. Let’s grow together.
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WOC Gentle, Meditative Chair Yoga Advent Session
The Women of the Church (WOC) Spiritual Growth Team is hosting a Gentle, Meditative Chair Yoga Advent Session led by Sara Vavra on Sunday, Nov 30, at 4:30 pm in the McLeod Brown Room (114).
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ourBRIDGE for Kids Donations & Prayer
On Monday morning more than twenty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrived at ourBRIDGE for Kids. They did not have a warrant or a specific person in mind. After about ten minutes, they left at leadership’s request. Their presence left the staff feeling harassed, intimidated, and frightened. The Missions Resource Team and Immigrant and Refugee Ministry Group invite fellow St. Johnsians to join them in praying for our ourBridge for Kids ministry partners, our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and our city. We ask that God, who makes all things new, will work through us and in us so that cries of weeping and the sound of distress will be no more.
As you pray, please consider this specific way of helping. ourBRIDGE provides after school programs for children and works with families through support teams and community partnerships. The ourBRIDGE team is currently focused on providing essential support to kids and families. Please consider donating food and household supplies as outlined below.
Items can be placed in the Giving Nook in the drawers labelled for ourBRIDGE.
Cash donations are accepted to purchase special supplies such as baby formula and fresh produce. Funds can be mailed to the address on the flyer or directed to the church office.
We understand that there are multiple requests for donations at this time, and whatever support we can provide will be greatly appreciated. The St. John’s Mission Resource Team supports this extraordinary request.
For additional information, please contact St. John’s Immigrant and Refugee Ministry Group chairs Anna Cushman or James Laney.
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Canned Food Drive & Coat Drive Collection for Nourish Up
Nearly 140,000 people in Mecklenburg County rely on SNAP benefits each month. With these benefits not being distributed in November, Nourish Up at the Galilee Center has issued an urgent call for assistance. In response, the Mission Resource Team at St. John’s is sponsoring a canned food drive and coat collection throughout November.
We invite you to bring your donations to the Giving Nook at the main entrance and place them in the designated bins. Gently used or new coats for all ages, from children to adults, are especially needed. Hats, scarves, and gloves are also appreciated.
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2025 St. John's Advent Devotional
Advent Devotionals are being made available for our church family starting November 23. These messages will guide us through, as we prepare for the birth of the Christ child, Emanuel. You can find the devotionals in baskets at the entrances to the Sanctuary as well as the newsstands around the church.
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WDAV - December 2 at 7:00 PM
Mark your calendars for the annual WDAV Lessons & Carols concert, featuring the Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers, on Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This event is free and open to the public.
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Save the Date: Christmas Gathering
St. John's Senior Adults (75 and older)
Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend our annual Christmas Gathering on Thursday, December 4 in Broach Hall at 11:30 am. Details to follow soon!
Questions should be directed to Bobbie Hinson at Bobbie.hinson@providenceday.org or 704-806-1947.
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Children's Nativity Play - December 7
Join us on Sunday, December 7, immediately following worship, in Broach Hall for lunch and for our Children’s Nativity Play. The cost is $10.00 per person. Click here to register.
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PJs & Pancakes: Parents' Night Out
Children, babies - 12 years of age, are invited to join us on Friday, December 19, 6-8:00 p.m., for PJs & Pancakes. Wear your favorite Christmas pajamas and get ready to play, bounce, and eat pancakes! The cost is only $15 per child. Register by December 15.
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Room in the Inn 2025
Join us for the Room In The Inn 2025 season where we'll be hosting our unhoused neighbors for 8 nights between December - March. We are in need of volunteers for a variety of positions such as bag lunch prep, van drivers, and overnight hosts. Please click here to sign up and access more details. We hope to see you there!
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Depression Support Group
Join the St. John’s Depression Support Group! Contact Rev. Kathy Turner (919-225-2749) to learn more about a regular meeting to provide support for people coping with depression. The group will meet each Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the church in room 104 (Cheers Classroom under the Sanctuary). Please note: This is intended to provide a support network. It is not a therapy session.
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Mothering Across Continents - Friendsgiving Article
Check out this great article about our Friendsgiving Celebration from Mothering Across Continents!
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Weekday School Job Posting |
| 2025 Christmas Save The Dates: |
- Christmas Cantata - Dec. 14
- Candlelight Service - December 24
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Happy Birthday, Liam!
Happy Birthday to Liam, who will celebrate his 4th birthday on November 28! He is the son of Elizabeth and John Whipple.
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Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Mary Jo Breckenridge, Carol Drye, Norman Fortson, Dale Johnson, Fredda Kimball, Anne Sutton
Continuing Prayer:
Anna Lynn Kearse, Mary Rickenbaker
Sympathy:
We express sympathy to Norman Fortson in the death of his sister, Martha Fortson Anderson, on November 14th. Her memorial service was held on Wednesday, November 19th, in Greenwood, SC. Please remember the entire Fortson family in your prayers.
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2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
October Financials
Budget thru October - $1,034,167
Actual Income Received thru October - $1,003,545
Income over (under) budget - ($30,622)
Actual Expenses Paid - 1, 030,045
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit) - ($26,500)
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
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Nov. 17-23: Kheresa
- Nov. 24-30: Lee
- Dec. 1-7: Don
| | - Todd Stillerman - (704) 763-6611
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Staff Contact Information
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Dr. Don Gordon, Interim Minister - 704-333-5428, ext. 2012; 919-972-1933 (cell)
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Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
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Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
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Noel Lance, Minister for Worship & Music
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Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
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Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
- Chloe Salmeron, Children's Choir Director
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Liza Wade, Media Coordinator
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