“We all are one in mission, we all are one in call, our varied gifts united by

Christ the Lord of all. A single great commission compels us from above to plan

and work together that all may know Christ’s love.”



"We All Are One in Mission," Wonder, Love, & Praise Hymn 778, Rusty Edwards, author

Dear Friends in Christ,

The twelfth day of Christmas, January 6th is the feast of the Epiphany, the day in which we remember the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus after following a star to his place of birth. Three strangers from a distant land find in the manger the one whom they have long awaited, a human king of heaven and earth. In many countries, it is this day that is the celebration of Christmas because it brings to reality the depth and meaning of this birth. These Magi bear three symbolic gifts to honor the infant Jesus and in them tell the story and meaning of his life—incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.

The season that follows, Epiphany, is no ordinary time. In the next six weeks we will hear about the baptism of Jesus, the call stories of the followers of Jesus, the miracle at Cana, changing water into wine, and significant teaching about what it means to be disciples with a mission. In baptism we were all given a mission by the Holy Spirit to be sent to proclaim Christ’s love, just like the hymn says. In many ways the mission we are given is just that simple…or that complicated.

When the rector of the parish where Peder and I became Episcopalians first talked about Epiphany as a season of mission, I had this terrible sense that he was about to put us all out on street corners with floppy bibles to yell about repentance. After all that was my misguided image of missionary evangelism at its worst. Instead, he invited us to use each Sunday’s gospel as an opportunity to reflect upon God’s call to each of us, a call to share God’s grace in ungraceful situations at work or school, a call perhaps to embody reconciliation and hope amid folks who were despairing of life and/or the world.

Out of that Epiphany season grew a ministry in a nursing home that was too full of Medicaid folks warehoused and not very well tended. We went once a month to lead a prayer service and sing hymns with the folks gathered. It didn’t take long for us to learn people’s names, their favorite hymns, where they rooms were so we could go get them. The first step I took into that space was one of the most fearful ones I have ever taken, and it became an encounter on Sunday afternoons that filled me with grace. Over time we noticed that the floors were cleaner, that people were already waiting for us, that the facility itself began to look repaired, and even painted in places. I learned then that the presence of outsiders who wanted to share Christ’s love could make a difference at many levels.

Take time this shorter than average Epiphany season to listen, to reflect, and to wonder how it is that God is calling you. You may be surprised about the mission on which you will be sent. What I know is that when we embrace mission life changes, not only for us, it changes for those we serve.

This hymn closes with the words, “let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming Word.” That is my prayer for you all this Epiphany.

Blessings,

Mary+

Your Mission...Should You Choose to Accept It

By The Rev. Stephen Hagerty, Senior Associate Rector for Discipleship

It's probably not appropriate to admit to my fellow Christians, but when I hear the word "mission," I immediately go to the Mission Impossible theme (you're probably humming it right now at the mere mention of it!). In this movie franchise, for those of you who have missed it, the lead agent is asked the following question each time before a new mission: "Your mission, Stephen, should you decide to accept it, is to stop ...." And then whatever was conveying the message (e.g., a recyclable camera) gently combusts with a little spark and puff of smoke. But I have always liked how this was phrased: "should you choose to accept it." Amazingly (I am tempted to write, "mistakenly") God trusts us enough to invite us to accept the mission that God is always up to in the world: new life, new healing, new transformation, in other words, "The Kingdom of God." And in our own Episcopal tradition, we are never at a loss for words (#BCPforever), and the mission of the church is described as follows:  

Q. What is the mission of the Church?

A. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.  

In our unity with God is found our unity with our neighbor all because of the life and work of Jesus. That's a bold statement by any measure but that is our mission as the People of God at St. John's!  So, your mission, dear Monthly Message reader, should you choose to accept it is just this: to be part of the restoration that God is already about but has generously invited you to join. Again, should you choose to accept it. 

What's Your Mission?

By Georgi Funderburk, Minister for Faith & Practice for Children & Youth

Mission. That word has a lot of uses: a company’s mission statement; someone’s mission in life; a missionary in Africa. Growing up, I knew a lot more about mission in Africa than I did the mission of my own life. Multiple times a year, we’d have missionaries visit our church to share their story and ask for financial assistance. We were in frequent contact with my parent’s friends who were missionaries in Yemen. Then my aunt and uncle served in Africa for four years. I began to have deep conversations with my uncle about the difference between a mission in a third-world country and that in our “cushy” communities. We disagreed on much — his perspective that our poorest person was much richer than the wealthiest person in Africa; mine that the poorest person in the U.S. still has to live and work and learn among the wealthy here and still deserved to eat and be healthy. 

All around me, people were sure how they were called to share the message of Christ with others, but I wasn’t sure what that meant for me. In high school, a friend and I attended classes on mission and evangelism and we were taught how to give our testimony and share the message of Christ with others. We were even given tracts to hand out and place in random spots in stores. While this gave me confidence in how to share my story, I wasn’t sure with whom I should share it!

So color me surprised when I found my “thing” in foster care. I fell in love with these incredible girls who were stuck in a foster facility while waiting to either go back home or age out of the system. I have spent my life since sharing God’s love as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and a foster parent. I would love to — one day when my kids are older — get involved in training, laws, and righting the system. But that is not everyone’s “thing” and just because you love Jesus, too, I don’t expect it to be your passion. How do we become “One in Mission” when we are all passionate about different programs? I believe that being "One in Mission" means we all have a heart for sharing the Gospel to the ends of the world: that may come in the form of housing the homeless, feeding the food insecure, caring for creation, holding the hands of the sick, visiting the imprisoned, or taking a child into your home to love them for a season. 

Do you know your mission? Has a mission you loved become burdensome and you need a new passion? In this new year, how will you be involved in sharing the Gospel of Christ with the world? 

Looking for ways to take part in the mission of St. John's? Explore your opportunities here in our Ministry Booklet.

Want to have your article published in an upcoming edition of Monthly Message? Please see the bottom of the page for more details. Individual stories and stories from commissions are welcomed and appreciated!

An Extravaganza of Crèches!

Did you notice anything different in the side windows in the Historic Church this Christmas? Instead of flower arrangements, we had the most beautiful and diverse crèches shared by fellow St. John's parishioners. They were truly extraordinary and we have received many comments and notes of gratitude for the displays. The crèches — with different faces from all around the world including Bethlehem, France, Peru, Africa, and Korea — were made from a variety of materials, including pottery, wood, porcelain, plaster, paper, and wool. Many thanks to Judi LeBlanc for coordinating the effort. Crèches were shared by: Judy Anderson, Jane Baker, Jenny Casasco, Joan Fox, Rev. Gigie Sijera-Grant, Patty Hagan, Leonora Hoenes, Beth John, Rev. Barnabas Lee, Janet Loughran, Lucia Martin, Kathy Ross, Rev. Mary Sulerud, and Jane Tolen. The new crèche on the altar this year was donated to St. John's. We hope others will help us add to it in the coming years. Enjoy some pictures below.

For a Peaceful New Year

~Vinita Hampton Wright

"God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly, thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others, mindful that our steps make an impact and our words carry power.

May we walk gently.

May we speak only after we have listened well.

Creator of all life, help us enter the New Year reverently, aware that you have endowed every creature and plant, every person and habitat, with beauty and purpose.

May we regard the world with tenderness.

May we honor rather than destroy.

Lover of all souls, help us enter the New Year joyfully, willing to laugh and dance and dream, remembering our many gifts with thanks and looking forward to blessings yet to come.

May we welcome your lavish love.

May we cast off the small, vindictive gods our fears have made.

May the grace and peace of Christ bless you now and in the days ahead."

Thankful for Your Generosity

As of January 4th, 279 individuals/families have pledged over $920,438. If you have not yet pledged, we hope that you will reflect on the following questions as you pray over your decision:

• God is important in my life. Is my giving reflecting this? 

• St. John’s is important in my life. Is my giving reflecting this?

Pledge online

Download a pledge form (hard copy)

TELL YOUR STORY!

We are looking for parishioner articles on:

• your St. John's ministry's "Faith in Action" activities
• how an "Act of Kindness" touched your life
• your story with February's theme, “Standin’ in the Need of Prayer”

Share what it means to pray for others and to be prayed for by others.

Please submit your story for an upcoming Monthly Message to Tracey Stone, Director of Communications, at tstone@stjohnsec.org. The deadline is the 15th of each month for the following month's edition (e.g., February's articles are due January 15th.)