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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Dennis's Article
- 2025 Draft Budget
- Winter Collection for WNC
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Room in the Inn: Sign up here
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Anniversary Book Pre-Orders Open Now!: Order here
- Happy Birthday!
- Ushers & Greeters Needed
- WDAV Lessons & Carols on December 3
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Youth Friendsgiving This Sunday: Sign Up Here
- Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon: RSVP NOW!
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Lunch with Santa!: Register here
- Rise Against Hunger News!
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Parents Night Out on December 20: Register here
- International Holiday Bazaar on December 1
- Advent at St. John's
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update & Hurricane Helene Fund Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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CONVERGE, FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AND A PASTOR’S RETIREMENT: Yes, These Are Intertwined
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Over thirty years ago, I interviewed with a church that asked me, “what is your vision for our church?”
I responded that I would bring my gifts, training and experience to guide them toward their vision to support God’s mission, but I would not expect them to implement MY vision. We would discern God’s leadership together. They did not agree. I did not accept their invitation to serve as their pastor. The person they called stayed less than two years. Every idea he suggested was negated, circumnavigated, or rejected.
Church health and vitality have always been important to me. When I walk off the chancel as the seventh senior minister of St. John’s on Sunday, August 24, 2025, it is my prayer that you have a clear identity in, an undimmed vision for, and a unified commitment to your future direction as you support God’s mission through this congregation. Therefore, these months are purposeful.
Every 3 to 4 years, our Church Council leads our membership through a spiritual discernment and planning process called CONVERGE. The Church Council is guided by the Chair of Deacons and consists of the nine deacon officers of our three deacon panels – pastoral, ministries, and administrative.)
Last year, in the autumn of 2023, I suggested to our Chair of Deacons at the time, Russell Norris, that I felt like the Church Council should initiate this process in the spring of 2024. Because our Personnel Handbook establishes 70 as retirement age, I reminded Russell that my 70th birthday occurs in August of 2025. My suggestion for CONVERGE in the spring of 2024 would allow us to use this year for exploring discussions related to the church’s future, allow several months to assimilate the information and use my last year to discern congregational directions in preparation for St. John’s future. Because we knew Phillips Bragg would begin his service as Chair of Deacons on September 1, 2024, and in order to provide continuity, both last year’s and this year’s Church Councils are coordinating this CONVERGE process. Proposals will be presented for discussion by the church membership in the late winter and early spring of 2025.
This timeline provides plenty of time for a healthy transition period and a pastor search process can begin after the church has increased clarity about its priorities. Trust me, having been through this process on eight occasions in my ministry career, every future candidate to be St. John’s eighth senior minister will appreciate speaking with a pastor search committee representing a membership that can say, “This is where we sense God is working among us and guiding us. We are searching for a person who has the experience, gifts and calling to lead us in this direction.” Unlike your journey in 2009-2011, it is my prayer that you will not need to experience a two to three year interim season this time.
This is my 50th and last year to challenge people whom I love to give finances in support of God’s mission. Our 2025 Financial Stewardship Budget Plan is more than a financial document. It is a vision plan. As you continue conversations to determine specific vision details in 2025, you have already decided to focus your energies and resources on the following priorities. You have decided your vision will specifically address:
- Fellowship & Congregational Care
- Participation & Ministries
- Outreach & Membership
- Financial Stewardship
In this issue of Family News, you will find the budget vision for 2025 with a comparison to 2024. Here are three thoughts to consider.
- The overall anticipated budget for 2025 is $8,000 less than 2024 due to a projected shortfall/deficit for 2024 of $50,000 to $60,000 because non-pledged income is coming in lower than projected.
- Our Finance Resource Team is projecting this same result for 2025 unless we increase our income.
- The $60,000 projected shortfall is $5,000/month. HOWEVER, with approximately 150 giving units, this breaks out to approximately $35 increase per household per month to cover this $60,000. Of course, some cannot give more while others can increase their giving more than $35/month. Please consider this as you make your financial commitments in this season.
In addition, you are a generous church. In fact, you can erase this year’s projected $60,000 shortfall/deficit as well as cover for 2025. Both shortfalls can be erased in the next few weeks by gifts and commitments.
Your eighth pastor will be glad to begin with those realities. Your seventh pastor will smile as well.
I love you and appreciate each of you. Shalom!
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2025 Draft Budget
The 2025 Draft Budget below was shared in last week’s worship service and will be finalized in early 2025, with completion of the Stewardship Campaign. Formal Deacon and Congregational approval will occur at that time.
The 2025 Budget currently reflects a potential $60,000 deficit, following a possible 2024 deficit of roughly the same amount. While this year’s income reflects generous giving, expenses continue to increase for HVAC repairs and broad-based inflation (principally utilities). St. John’s is fortunate to have cash reserves to fund these anticipated deficits. And, we look forward to the visionary Converge planning and decisions that will set the course for our ministry focus and balanced budgets in the future.
If any questions or concerns before Budget and Converge communications in early 2025, please reach out to Doug Hammond (Finance Chair), Marc Cardella (Admin Deacon Panel Chair) or Phillips Bragg (Deacon Chair).
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Winter Collection for Western North Carolina
As we continue to support those affected by Hurricane Helene, we are asking you to:
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Donate winter wear such as coats, hoodies, gloves, hats, and scarves.
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Donate self-rising flour and sugar. We have been made aware that these items are needed in Mars Hill and surrounding areas.
All items can be placed in the Giving Nook in the Main Entrance Lobby.
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Volunteer with Room in the Inn
For the 2024-25 season, St. John's and our partners at Caldwell Presbyterian Church will again jointly host 8 homeless neighbors vetted by Roof Above within the Room in the Inn (RITI) program on TEN Friday/Saturday nights.
Caldwell volunteers (plus van drivers from St. John's) will host at Caldwell on the third Saturday night of December through March while St. John's volunteers will host on the second and fourth Fridays of those months at St. John's.
RITI hosting at St. John's will begin on Friday, December 27 and runs through Friday, March 14, 2025. Just as information, St. John's members are needed to drive our van for BOTH churches on all TEN hosting nights and the following mornings. The signup list below includes van driver signups for ALL TEN hosting nights and the following mornings.
Please contact Dale Johnson at 704-454-8931 or Alice Wirz at 704-222-6208 if you have any questions on any of these tasks.
Thank you for your support for Room in the Inn at St. John's!
If you would like to go ahead and sign up, please do so below.
Dates for this season:
- 12/27/24
- 1/10/25
- 1/24/25
- 2/14/25
- 2/28/25
- 3/14/25
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Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Liam, whose birthday is November 28. He is the son of Elizabeth and John Whipple.
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The St. John’s 100th Anniversary Book is ready to send to the printer!
Pre-order your copy today!
Copies need to be pre-ordered at a cost of $20. The deadline date is December 1.
Pre-orders can be made at a table in the alcove behind the Sanctuary for the next three Sundays (cash or check) and also through Realm.- Events Section. Look for this in the Events section on Realm or click below. You can also buy one on the website.
Please contact Fredda Kimball if you have any questions.
In addition to “Our Story” written by Sally Young, the 220-page book also includes articles, among others, about the Elizabeth Neighborhood in the early 20th Century, the History of our Building, Music at St. John’s, Women at St. John’s. St. John’s and Habitat for Humanity, Youth at St. John’s, and St. John’s and the Lost Boys. It also includes remembrances and reflections from members and from our current and previous staff members.
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Join the usher and greeter team!
The church is seeking additional members to volunteer and serve as morning greeters and ushers for the upcoming 2025 year.
This is an excellent opportunity to greet and meet current and new members while serving the church. Couples, friends, or members of your Sunday School Class can be assigned together. You can volunteer to serve on a rotating or substitute basis. All are welcome.
- The greeters serve from 10:05 am to 10:35 am at both the Broach Hall and Main (Gym) Entrances (1 person per entrance).
- The ushers serve from 10:05 am to 10:35 am inside the Narthex (2 persons) and inside the sanctuary entrance near the piano (1 person).
If interested, please contact Chip Wilson at seatimewilson@gmail.com for more information.
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WDAV Lessons & Carols Live from St. John's
December 3, 2024 at 7PM
Celebrate the holiday season on December 3 at 7pm with the WDAV Lessons & Carols program with the Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers. They will lead this annual program of carols and holiday music, illuminated by scripture readings. Tune in at home or join us in person as we welcome the season in song. The program will take place in the Sanctuary at St. John's.
Free parking is available on-site in St. John’s Baptist Church’s parking lots and on the adjoining side streets.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
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Youth Friendsgiving
Sunday, November 24 at 11:30AM
This Sunday, November 24, all youth and their families will gather to celebrate Friendsgiving. We will meet in the Lounge right after worship.
Please see the sign up below and sign up to bring an item to share.
No SNL activities in the evening.
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RSVP for the 2024 Senior Adult Luncheon
Date: Thursday, Dec. 5th
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Place: Broach Hall
All of those who are 75 and older, please RSVP to Bobbie Hinson by Friday, November 29.
You can call/text her at 704-806-1947 or email her at bobbie.hinson@providenceday.org.
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Lunch with Santa
December 8 after Worship
Have lunch with Santa after worship on December 8 from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Lunch is free. Monetary donations to our church’s Designated Fund for Hurricane Relief will be accepted.
Save your spot with Santa by Wednesday, December 4th!
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We have wonderful news to share about the meals we packed at our Rise Against Hunger packing event!
The food we packed is going to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sierra Leone. You all may recall that our partner, Together in Christ International Ministries, includes many folks originally from Sierra Leone.
Thank you and praise God for this great news!
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Parents' Night Out in December
Friday, December 20, 2024 6:00 pm Gym Parents, drop your kids off at church from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, where we will jump in bounce houses, play games, and watch The Grinch!
The cost of the event is $10 per child, which will help cover the costs associated with dinner.
Childcare for babies - two years of age will be provided by Mon Aye and Zebb Young, WDS teachers.
Sign up by December 16!
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International Holiday Bazaar
Sunday, December 1
On Sunday, December 1, from noon until 4:00 p.m. there will be a bazaar, sponsored by Wedgewood Community Church. The event will take place at the site of Refugee Support Services, 3925 Willard Farrow Dr. (at the Shamrock Dr. entrance of Aldersgate). Items will include handmade crafts by vendors from all over the world, with a portion of proceeds going for the work of Refugee Support Services.
The event gives us an opportunity to shop for holiday items while at the same time supporting the ongoing work of Refugee Support Services. Entrance is free, so come for a look!
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The Advent of God's Gift: Resurrection Living
Advent begins on December 1 and this Advent, we express our worship to The Living God through the theme, "The Advent of God’s Gift: Resurrection Living." This devotional booklet (found below, on our website, and in hard copies) is to help you reflect on the meaning of this season.
- On December 1, we consider living on this bright side of Advent interpreting destruction through God’s
- gift of hope.
- On December 8, during ‘Hanging of the Green’ we interpret conflict through God’s gift of peace.
- On December 15, we focus on God’s gift of joy through music by our Chancel Choir.
- On December 22, we renew our commitments to embody the Advent of God’s gift of love.
- On Christmas Eve, we celebrate God’s Gift of Resurrection Living from a manger to an empty tomb.
Beloved, let us remember that Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” This is so because we allow the Light of God’s Gift, revealed in Jesus, to shine in us and through us. On Christmas Eve, we lift candles to announce more than the birth of Jesus. We announce our commitment to resurrection living!
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Basketball Games Begin December 7
Below is the practice schedule for all ages:
Practice Times for all teams:
6U Co-Ed - Mondays at 5:00 pm
7-8 Boys (Cardella) - Tuesdays at 6:00 pm
7-8 Boys (Lassiter) – Mondays at 7:00 pm
7-8 Girls - Mondays at 6:00 pm
9-10 Boys (Short) - Thursdays at 6:30 pm
9-10 Boys (Barnhardt/Thompson) - Thursdays at 5:30 pm
9-10 Girls - Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
11-12 Girls - Wednesdays at 5:15 pm
16-18 Girls - Wednesdays at 6:45 pm
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Nancy Burgess, Pauline Funderburk, Arnold Philemon, Bill Roseman, Ken Sanford
Continuing Prayer: Tom Bryson, Carolyn Hall, Mary Rickenbaker, Anne Sutton, Jeck Warren
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through November 18: $957,329 (79%)
Through October
Budgeted Income: $1,009,167 (83%)
Actual Income Received: $901,276 (74%)
Income over (under) budget: ($107,891)
Actual Expenses Paid: $959,206 (79%)
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit): ($57,930)
Western North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
Received through November 18: $13,765
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Staff On-Call Rotation
- Nov. 18–24: Dennis
- Nov. 25-Dec. 1: Kheresa
- Dec. 2-8: Russell
- Dec. 9-15: Lee
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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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Russell Nelson, Minister for Worship & Music - (980) 228-6244 (cell)
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Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, 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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