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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- One Benefit of Ministering for Fifty Years
- Happy Birthday
- New Media Coordinator
- Western NC Mission Trip This Week
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Senior Adult Picnic Registration Open Now!: Register here
- On the Way
- Summer Opportunities for Children
- St. John's Endowment Update
- Message from Church Council
- World Refugee Event Soon!
- Softball Schedule
- Fall Save the Dates
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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ONE BENEFIT OF MINISTERING FOR FIFTY YEARS
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Many blessings are packaged into serving congregations for fifty years. One of these is the opportunity to meet theological scholars who love God’s Church. This past week, two scholars passed on ahead of us at the age of 92. They were quite different personalities. However, each of them carried their lanterns along my path. Walter Brueggemann and John Killinger were encouragers and listening posts. You have heard me quote them in The St. John’s Pulpit.
From 1996 to 2001, while ministering in Atlanta, a mutual friend introduced me to Walter Brueggemann. A professor at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, he graciously met me for lunch a few times. We also spoke on the phone occasionally. He had also grown up as the son of a pastor in a rural area. He was born in Nebraska, and we connected around midwestern roots. He received his PhD from St. Louis University and taught at Eden Theological Seminary in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves. We also shared an interest in the St. Louis Cardinals. We especially enjoyed discussing Stan Musial and the 1960s teams with Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ken Boyer, etc.
However, our conversations primarily focused on scripture, especially the prophets. One of my efforts, during those years, was developing studies to help churches rediscover a theological vision for their involvement in God’s mission. It seemed to me that ‘missions’ had become an optional church program. Walter was a significant voice in reminding The Church to be God’s active movement disestablishing the corrupt structures of evil empires. He challenged us to imagine what could become reality if we truly pursued God’s hope-full vision of radical justice for the marginalized. He wrote more than 100 books and I can recommend each. A good place to begin reading his ideas could include, The Prophetic Imagination, or From Judgement to Hope, or Praying the Psalms or Reverberations of Faith.
Another touchstone in my journey of ministry who taught how The Church should be ‘On Mission’ promoting justice and compassion was John Killinger. John did not write more than 100 books; he only wrote 90. He was a sought-after preacher and lecturer. He taught in several universities and theological schools including being professor of preaching, worship, and literature at Vanderbilt Divinity School. He also served as pastor of First Congregational Church in Los Angeles and Theologian in Residence for Marble Collegiate Church in New York City once guided by Norman Vincent Peale. John enjoyed offering books that created conversations. Titles such as God, the Devil, and Harry Potter; Ten Things I Learned Wrong from a Conservative Church; and If Christians Were Really Christian are three examples. However, John was a teacher of preachers. We spoke by phone once each year for almost two decades. Our arrangement was that I would send him three to five sermon manuscripts. His words were honest and helpful. He always reminded me to review the sermon while imagining people in the pew. We had good conversations about pastoral life.
Beloved, along the way, we are blessed by good friends and sometimes by people who bring their lanterns to our path for scattered moments in time. Let us give thanks for all those who bless us along the way. They guide us to brighter days.
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Happy Birthday!
Alexandra and Julian, daughter and son of Anna and Blinn, Cushman will celebrate their birthday on June 16.
Joy Follis, daughter of Kim and Steven, will celebrate her birthday on June 16.
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Change in Media Coordinator
Beginning this week, we have a new Media Coordinator.
Mallory Brown joined our church staff several years ago as Administrative Assistant. A few years later, she transitioned to become our part-time Media Coordinator. Recently, Mallory let us know that she needs to devote more time to being a mother of two young children. While we will miss Mallory, we fully understand. We are grateful for all she has done to expand our digital presence. She has tended details, relationships, and visions. She has taken initiative and created opportunities for St. John’s to touch lives in new ways.
Your Personnel Resource Team is very pleased to announce that our new part-time Media Coordinator is Liza Tindall.
Liza is employed by Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte with offices in our facilities. Liza coordinates all digital media communications for Shepherd’s Center and is excited to support the mission and ministry of St. John’s. Liza will manage all our digital channels and weekly media productions. She will schedule social media, update our website, collaborate with Amanda and the ministry staff, prepare worship livestream coordination, and assemble weekly newsletters. Liza is looking forward to her wedding in September. She can be reached at ltindall@sjcharlotte.org.
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Mission Trip Next Week
Immediately after September 27th, 2024, when Hurricane Helene changed lives and the landscape in Western North Carolina, St. John’s began responding. We have taken supplies, food, clothes, and equipment to several communities. This next week, eighteen missioners from St. John’s will be serving residents in the Mars Hill/Marshall area.
Please be in prayer for this mission team. We will offer a report on the trip by the end of June. Stay tuned in for future mission team trips and ways we can continue to help. This recovery will take years.
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Register NOW for Senior Adult Picnic
Sunday, June 29th, immediately following the worship service in Broach Hall.
There is no cost for the picnic, however, reservations are required.
To sign up, you can register on Realm or call Amanda Morrison in the church office at 704-333-5428, ext. 0, or text her at 704-333-5428 with your name(s) and number attending.
Deadline for reservations is Sunday, June 22.
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On the Way
Red Rocks Cafe Monday, July 14
St. John’s retired adults and friends are invited to gather for lunch at Red Rocks Café (4223 Providence Rd) at 11:00 am on Monday, July 14.
Please let Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend so our reservations can be adjusted for the right number of people.
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Opportunities for Children this Summer
Diaper Bank, Architecture Camp
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Charlotte Diaper Bank
Work at the Charlotte Diaper Bank
June 19
Children, ages 5+, are invited to work with Kheresa at the Charlotte Diaper Bank on June 19, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. If your child would like to serve, please contact Kheresa by June 8.
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Architecture Camp for 1st-8th Graders
Rising 1st-8th grade students are invited to learn about the art and craft of architecture! Led by artist and architect, John Komisin, campers will learn what an architect does, how to design a house and draw a floor plan, and will create a 3-D model of their home.
Our day camp will meet on Thursday, July 10. The cost is $50 per camper. Snacks will be provided. Campers are to bring a lunch from home and a refillable water bottle.
Registration here.
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St. John’s Endowment Update: Growth, Distributions & Recent Congregational Vote
Dear St. John’s Family,
The Endowment Resource Team is pleased to provide this update on our endowment, including details about the team’s recent distribution decisions and a review of the proposal adopted by the congregation during a Church Conference on May 18, 2025.
Endowment Growth & Stewardship
Between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024, the endowment grew significantly—from $1.5 million to $2.67 million. During the five years ending 12/31/2024, we saw:
· Contributions of approximately $918,000
· Distributions of approximately $450,000
· Investment gains of roughly $680,000
This strong performance reflects both faithful giving and responsible stewardship by your Endowment Resource Team.
Where the Funds Are Used
The endowment is divided into two essential accounts:
· The Capital Needs Fund supports campus infrastructure, including the recent $20,000 gym floor replacement, enhancing our shared spaces.
· The Missions and Ministries Fund underwrites critical ministry work, such as the Rise Against Hunger event, where St. John’s partnered with other churches to package over 20,000 meals for communities in need.
Since 2017, the first year a distribution was made, more than $488,000 has been distributed from the endowment, supporting both our church buildings and outreach ministries.
Recent Actions by ERT: 2025 Distributions
During the March meeting, the ERT unanimously approved the 2025 distributions at a 4.75% draw rate. The distribution percentage was informed by a review of market performance and improved bond yields:
· $63,000 to Capital Needs
· $57,000 to Missions & Ministries
The team carefully considered the fund’s performance, including a 10.21% increase in 2024, the three-year average balances, and sustainability—to ensure we remain both faithful and fiscally responsible.
Church Conference (to be reflected in minutes)
On May 18, 2025, in Church Conference, the membership heard, discussed, and approved a motion put forth by the Diaconate as follows:
Recognizing that our residential partners and other community groups enjoy below-market rents and receive considerable value using our property, we claim that “our building is one of our biggest ministries.” In fact, we estimate that the in-kind value of the below-market rent exceeds $135,000—more than double the cash donations we make to local missions.
The building’s routine utilities and maintenance expenses have risen significantly in recent years, and significant capital repairs continue to arise.
Therefore, we recommend that, for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027, the distribution from the ministries side of the endowment be set aside for capital needs. In 2028 and the years following, the distributions will be allocated as originally intended, with the Ministries Endowment funding ministries instead of capital needs.
Moving Forward
The Endowment Resource Team remains committed to transparent stewardship and to ensuring that the endowment continues to be a lasting resource for both current ministries and future generations.
We are deeply grateful to all who contribute to this fund and help make this work possible. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the endowment’s role in supporting St. John’s—or how to make current or planned gifts to the endowment—feel free to reach out to Phillips Bragg, Chair of the Endowment Resource Team, at (704) 617-9908.
Warmly,
Phillips Bragg
Chair St. John’s Endowment Resource Team
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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CHURCH COUNCIL
To the congregation at St. Johns
Traditionally, St. John’s convenes a Leadership Task Force in May of each year to nominate 16 new active Deacons and fill open slots on resource teams, task forces and other leadership positions. In the past year, St. John’s has called three task forces with Deacon-level commitments: the Real Estate Task Force, the Transition Task Force, and the Senior Minister Search Task Force. Although many of the members of these task forces are active Deacons, many are not. Activating these task forces has created a significant drain on the pool of additional eligible leaders.
The next Deacon year (September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026) will usher in significant change at St. John’s. We will hire a senior minister and other staff, work to right size our financial obligations and explore transformational realignment of our building and property resources. This change is already underway with leadership from numerous current active Deacons and other lay leaders. Stability in leadership is at a premium.
With so many significant projects and programs underway for the next year, we need to prioritize where we allocate the time and resources of our lay leaders. As the Leadership Task Force itself is comprised of many of the same leaders, we need to make this year’s process as simple and efficient as possible.
The Church Council, with unanimous support from the Deacon, has recommended an Interim Leadership Plan for the 2025-2026 church year which includes:
- Not holding elections for new Deacons this fall.
- Asking the 16 active Deacons elected in 2022 (who are scheduled to roll off in September 2025) to hold over on their panels for an additional year.
- Except as noted below, asking all resource teams, task forces, Sunday School teachers and other groups to hold over for the 2025-2026 year.
The Leadership Task Force will be convened to assist in filling all roles that support children’s and youth education and other activities.
The Deacons further instructed Phillips Bragg (the current Chair of Deacons who was re-elected to a second year as chair at the May Deacons’ meeting) to appoint a task force to propose a new leadership structure for the 2026-2027 year and beyond. That task force is charged with bringing a report for approval by the Deacons and the congregation no later than March 31, 2026. As proposed by the findings of the Converge Task Force, the new structure would reorganize the Diaconate and the resource team/task force system to account for the current size and activity of the congregation. Todd Stillerman will lead that task force.
On Sunday, June 29, at the conclusion of worship, we will hold a church conference. The congregation will be asked to approve the suspension of Deacon elections for 2025-2026 and the holding over of the 2022 class of Deacons for an additional year.
The Interim Leadership Plan was discussed at the Converge presentation to the congregation on June 1. If you have questions about the proposed plan or the vote on June 29, please contact Todd Stillerman (stillerman@gmail.com), who will share any questions or concerns with Church Council.
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Upcoming Softball Games
All taking place at Providence Baptist on Randolph Road
Tuesday 6/17 @ 6:00 pm
Wednesday 6/18 @ 6:00 pm
Monday 6/23 @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday 6/24 @ 7:00 pm
All games are at Providence Baptist Church on Randolph Road.
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Fall Churchwide Save the Dates for 2025:
- Luncheon for Foust Family on Sunday, August 24
- Rise Against Hunger on Sunday, September 29
- Fall Festival on October 26
- NAMI Walks on Saturday, November 8
Fall Children & Their Families 2025 Save the Dates:
- Annual Back to School Breakfast for Children and Families on August 24
- Fall Kickoff Cookout on September 6
- Children's Sabbath and World Communion Sunday on October 5
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Guuk Awar, Evelyn Fortson, Warren Lineberger, Richard Sealey, Anne Sutton
Continuing Prayer: Mary Rickenbaker, Joseph Freeman
The Jeck Warren family would like to thank the congregation for the outpouring of love and prayers following the passing of our mother. She loved St. John’s and its people so very much. We are forever grateful for your prayers.
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Financial Update
2025 Full Year Budget: $1,241,000
Income received through June 9: $540,964 (44%)
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
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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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Liza Tindall, Media Coordinator
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, Interim Minister for Worship & Music and Organist
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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
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