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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- What to Do with a 50th Year in Pastoral Ministry
- A Church that Really Notices People
- Men's Shelter Service on August 16
- Weaving Our Community Fabric
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PRIDE Festival and Parade Volunteering: Sign Up Here
- On the Way August and September
- Family Fall Cookout Coming Soon!
- Men's Clothing Drive for Hope Chapel
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RISE Against Hunger in September: Register Now!
- Blessing of the Backpacks on August 25
- Women of the Church Luncheon in September
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- On Call Rotation
- Financial Update & Global Missions Update (Almost to our goal!)
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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What to Do with a 50th Year in Pastoral Ministry
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
In May of 1976, I was called to serve the Baptist church in a small coal mining village outside Evansville, Indiana. In July, Paula and I married and moved into their parsonage. On a good Sunday, we had sixty in attendance. Those good people got us started. They ministered to us as we served them. Through these intervening decades, it has been my blessing to serve congregations as a pastoral minister alongside good people in Missouri, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and, since 2011, you fine folks of St. John’s in Charlotte, North Carolina. As you have heard me say through the years, ‘I cannot believe it took 35 years to find my way home.’ I love St. John’s.
Next summer, I will complete my 50th year in pastoral ministry. My career began as a group of politically motivated fundamentalists manipulated Baptist structures to take over Baptist entities including thousands of local churches. Before I had been a pastor for three years, our Baptist landscape shifted. Because I cast my lot with the moderate/progressive branch within our Baptist heritage, it has been my blessing to serve a variety of roles in Baptist, ecumenical, institutional, and interfaith initiatives. It has been my privilege to serve alongside hundreds of Church leaders to offer new pathways of service to future generations. Through every new venture, The Living God who is faithful, has provided me with clarity about the ‘next steps’ I should take to invest myself in God’s mission for the Church. My recent prayer has been, “Lord, what are you calling me to do with my 50th year in pastoral ministry?’ Here is where my thoughts have landed.
First, my ministry in this 50th year will focus on St. John’s more than myself. I will center my attention on preaching, equipping church leaders, encouraging and resourcing church staff, coordinating ministries of worship, education, participation, outreach, leadership development, pastoral care, community mission partnerships, and church administration while offering five decades of pastoral wisdom to church leaders as we pursue priorities emerging from our CONVERGE conversations. Throughout my adult life, I have based my calling on verses found in Ephesians 4 regarding the purpose of a pastor-teacher: “…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” Through this next year, I will continue to pursue this calling. I’ve known ministers who have rusted out, acted out, worn out, burned out, etc. It is my commitment to finish out my calling as a good and faithful pastoral servant.
Second, my ministry in this 50th year will tend to the waves of change that are inevitable in every living organism – including the life cycle of a person or a church body. The pandemic years of 2020-2022 and last year’s heart attack caused me to reset my rhythm in ministry and set me to thinking about the chapters of life beyond my fiftieth year of ministry. On August 8th, 2025, one year from today, I will observe my 70th birthday. I am currently discussing with church leaders how we use this year to prepare the church for the essential transitions that are in our church’s future. If we practice the character of Christ and prayerfully follow the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, we will produce a very healthy pastoral transition year for St. John’s.
Therefore, I am using my annual two-weeks of study leave this week and next week to prepare for the future of St. John’s and for my 50th year of pastoral ministry. After we ordain new deacons and commission church leaders for this next church year on Sunday, September 8th, we will use September and October to focus on our church’s vision for the future. In November we will commit our financial resources to accomplish this vision. In December, we will journey through Advent to a celebration of God’s Gift on Christmas Eve. During January, I will offer a series of sermons on significant spiritual transitions during life’s journey. After Youth Sunday in early February, I will offer four sermons on what a half-century of pastoral ministry has taught me about God and the Church. In March and April, we will explore spiritual renewal during Lent preparing for a resurrection celebration on Easter Sunday, April 20 with Bright Sunday on April 27. We will use May to focus on our complimentary futures as we prepare for a meaningful transitional summer and an exciting future for our church. To God be the glory! Great things God is doing!
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A Church that Really Notices People
Rev. Lee Gray in the Pulpit this Sunday
This summer, our worship continues to explore practical applications of Jesus' example of love, with our ministry staff offering messages on how we can emulate this model today.
See this summer's preaching schedule below.
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August 11 – A Church that Really Notices People, by Rev. Lee Gray
August 18 – A Church that Moves the World Forward, by Dr. Dennis Foust
August 25 – A Church that Shapes a People for God, by Dr. Dennis Foust
September 1 – A Church of Beautiful Grace in Action, by Rev. Haley Blackwell
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Have you ever wondered WHY we make banana pudding every month for the shelter?
Nancy Fuller says that everyone who makes pudding should serve at the shelter at least one time. Becky Skidmore agrees!
It is an experience that will enrich your life.
August 16 is our date for this month. To volunteer click the link below and scroll down to August. It is that easy! Check your calendar now. You will have the pudding answer if you go. Lynn Bishop is in charge at the shelter this month.
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We invite you to participate in a literal weaving of our community fabric
This will be in the form of a tapestry made on a vertical loom. Weaving is a timeless art that symbolizes unity and strength in its intertwining threads.
What we need from each of you is a simple strip of cloth, 12-18” long X 3” wide (approximately). It may be cut or torn, any color, any pattern, and any type of fabric. You may choose to sign it or write something meaningful on it. Please bring your fabric to the sanctuary in the next several weeks. There will be a table in the front corner with a tapestry collection basket on it. You may also select a fabric strip from the table if you wish. The actual weaving will take place as we transition into fall.
Please join us in this journey of collaboration. Together, let’s weave a tapestry that embodies the beauty of this community.
Please address questions to Cindy Osborne through Realm or email her at loupaints@gmail.com.
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Join us for Charlotte Pride 2024!
We are 25th in line for the parade
Charlotte Pride is Saturday and Sunday August 17 and 18!
Come volunteer at the St. John’s booth at Charlotte Pride on Saturday or Sunday. You can also join us in saying it on the parade route on Sunday.
This year we are 25th in line for the parade meaning we will step off earlier than previous years. No long waiting in the hot sun!
If you are volunteering at the booth, a minister or church staff member will be with you at all times. Time slots for volunteering at the booth are as follows:
- Saturday Aug. 17: 11:30 to 1:30; 1:30 to 3:30, 3:30 to 5:30, 5:30 to 7:30; 7:30 to 9:30
- Sunday, Aug. 18: 12:00 to 2:00; 2:00 to 4:00, 4:00 to 6:00
Click below to sign up by Sunday, Aug. 11!
If you have any questions please contact either:
Amanda Morrison or Todd Stillerman.
amorrison@sjcharlotte.org
stillerman@gmail.com
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On the Way
Outings for St. John’s Retired Adults & Friends
AUGUST – We will have a lunch outing at The Famous Toastery (2400 Park Rd) on Wednesday, August 21. You can leave with folks from the church at 11:15 am or meet us there at 11:30 am.
SEPTEMBER – We will be going to see “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Flat Rock Playhouse on Thursday September 19. All tickets are taken at this point. If you still want to go, get your own ticket, and meet us there, please feel free to do so.
Please Email Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org to make reservations for either or both outings.
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Family Fall Cookout on Saturday, September 7
Let's "fall into Fall 2024" with a cookout at the home of Liz and Jordan Benton (1401 Kingscross Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211-3973) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 7! Hamburgers and/or hotdogs, and buns will be provided. Let’s bring the condiments, sides, desserts, beverages, and paper products! Please review the available slots below and click below to sign up to bring items by September 2nd.
Questions? Please email or text Kheresa at kharmon@sjcharlotte.org or 910.890.3392.
Register to bring items and sign up below.
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Hope Chapel Clothing Donations
This Week is the LAST Chance to Donate
You're invited to make a difference in our community by donating new or gently used men's clothing for Hope Chapel.
From now through August 10, please bring your donations to the Giving Nook at St. John's. These contributions will be sorted by our dedicated youth during their In Town Mission Immersion Trip when they spend time at Hope Chapel, providing much-needed support to those in need.
Your generosity will help us extend a helping hand to our neighbors and make a positive impact. Contact Haley with questions.
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Rise Against Hunger
Register Today for September 29 Event at St. John's
Did you know that a child dies from hunger every 10 seconds?*
Let’s work together to end global hunger. Please join us and congregants from several other local congregations for our Rise Against Hunger Packing Event on Sunday, September 29, immediately after worship with a fellowship lunch. Together we will package 20,000 meals on site for hungry people around the world.
Registration for our event is now open. You may register to serve in up to 3 ways:
- Event set-up with Rise Against Hunger staff from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Meal packaging from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Event cleanup with Rise Against Hunger staff from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
We encourage you to learn more about the Rise Against Hunger packaging event by viewing an informational video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/jEgkcUCOAiw?feature=shared
If you have questions about our Rise Against Hunger event, please contact Anna Cushman or Kheresa Harmon.
Rise Against Hunger is a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies. It’s an international humanitarian non-profit founded in NC over 25 years ago by Christian clergy.
*www.theworldcounts.com.
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Blessing of the Backpacks
August 25
On August 25, we encourage students of all ages (preschool-graduate school) to bring their backpacks or another symbol for their educational journey to worship for a special blessing of the backpacks. We will also give rising first graders their own Bibles.
Bring your backpack and receive a blessing for the new academic year.
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Save the Date for the Women of the Church Luncheon!
Join us on September 15, 11:45am, for the Women of the Church annual luncheon and meeting in Broach Hall. Details to come, but we are excited to share that we will hear more about Dove’s Nest from Lynn Erdman.
Mark your calendar!
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Becky Benton, Jack Crymes, Charles Gordon, Carolyn Hall, Lanny Loftis, Arnold Philemon, Shelly Zeigler
Continuing Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Tom Bryson, Mary Rickenbaker
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On Call Rotation
- Aug. 5-11: Kheresa
- Aug. 12-18: Russell
- August 19-25: Dennis
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through August 4: $638,027
Through June:
Budgeted income: $605,500 (50%)
Actual income received: $554,167 (46%)
Income over (under) budget: (51,333)
Actual expenses paid: $580,471 (48%)
Income/expense surplus (deficit): (26,304)
Global Missions Offering Goal: $25,000
Received through August 4: $21,010
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Haley Blackwell, Minister for Youth & Young Adults - 704-333,5428, ext. 2013; 620-515-3558 (cell)
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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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