Message of the Week

Donna Morse, Sophia Sisters Co-Leader

Shortly after I started attending St. John's I was invited to join the Christmas gathering of the Sophia Sisters and felt very welcomed. Sophia is the feminine aspect of God's wisdom, hence our name. Our informal group meets the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10 AM in the Parish Hall to discuss a chosen book for the year that hopefully inspires us to continue seeking wisdom with co-presenters of the chapter and small group discussions. This format helps us to discern and share individual perceptions of the reading. Our group has a feeling of trust and comaraderie that I believe has encouraged many friendships. All St. John's women are invited to join us. Currently Helen Holt and I are co-leaders (we rather consider ourselves co-facilitators) and can be contacted with questions.

Our annual retreat is also an exciting way to advance our friendships and learning. This event is coordinated by our beloved sister Betty Bland, occurring September 6-8th this year.

The Diocese of NC: Adult Confirmation & Inquirer's Classes

Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17, 24;

May 1 | 7-8 p.m. | Zoom



Register by Friday, March 1

Are you curious to know more about your faith? The Bible? The Episcopal Church?

Confirmation classes explore the basics of Christianity (God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the history of the church) as well as the way The Episcopal Church lives out that basic faith through worship according to The Book of Common Prayer, Bible study and service to others.

We look forward to a meaningful class that will help grow your faith. The diocesan team of class leaders and small group leaders includes Bishop Sam Rodman, Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson and Jenny Beaumont. All are welcome.

Questions? Contact Jenny Beaumont via email or at 919-600-5299.

Grace Edwards Burial Service Details

March 9 @ 2 PM

A memorial service for Grace Edwards will take place on Saturday, March 9 at 2 PM at St. John's. This service will be livestreamed.

A reception will take place immediately following the service in the Parish Hall. Carol Smith is stepping in for Carolyn Stoklas and leading the organization of the reception for Grace. She is in need of volunteers to help set up, clean up and is asking people to bring a dish to share. If you can help, please contact Carol Smith at 919-215-2613. We would like to know ahead of time if you can help so that we know we have enough volunteers and food.

Walk the Lenten Labyrinth

It's here! Parishioner Dave Roberts and his family marked the lines of a labyrinth in the circular grass area in St. John's Columbarium and it is ready for you to use!

The labyrinth is available for walking prayer daily throughout the Lenten season. An optional prayer guide is provided in a holder as you enter the labyrinth.

Hot Dog Sunday

Join us this Sunday, March 3 immediately following the

9:30 AM worship service for hot dogs and all the fixins. 

The cost of a hot dog is $1...but spending fellowship time with friends...PRICELESS! If you are able, please bring a side dish or dessert to share. All proceeds collected will go to fund future Hot Dog Sundays.

Were you wondering who the "Hot Dog Crew" is that make Hot Dog Sunday so special? Well...now you know! Don't forget to thank them for all their hard work!

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC)

St. John's Youth Group will meet this Sunday, March 3 at

5PM in the Youth Lounge, ground floor of Education Building.

Questions? Contact our Youth Group Leader, Mike Phelps

[email protected]

Sophia Sisters

The Sophia Sisters of St. John's will meet Saturday, March 9 in the parish hall, beginning 10 a.m. This month's session will focus on the eighth and final chapter of Trevor Howard's Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard. As described throughout the book, "Finding God in All Things" pulls together the various threads of Howard's journey seeking a relationship he has always wanted: friendship with God As his positive concluding insights will surely provide interesting fodder for discussion, led by Donna Morse and Helen Holt, do join us on March 9, regardless of whether you have the book or have read the chapter. All women of St. John's are welcome! Please direct any questions to Donna, [email protected], or Helen, [email protected], and let us know if you plan to attend so we can have an approximate headcount for handouts. Hope to see you then!

P.S. Don't forget to register for the Sept. 6-8 women's retreat at St. Francis Prayer Center in Rockingham County. There are only a few spaces left! Questions? Contact Betty Bland, [email protected]. 

The Method of Centering Prayer

We are having classes on how to practice Centering Prayer led by parishioner Kathryn Kelly each Tuesday at 2:30 PM in the Preschool Multipurpose Room continuing throughout Lent. Centering Prayer provides an atmosphere where we can center our attention on God's presence within.

No need to sign up. We hope you can join us on this journey.

Alzheimer's Support Group

Wednesday, March 6 @ 10 AM in the Education Building

Did you know that St. John's has an Alzheimer's Support Group? Edna Toney & Lynn Bartholomew facilitate a monthly support group for family members and caretakers of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. This group is open to everyone.

This group meets at St. John's the first Wednesday of every month at 10 AM. Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 6. We will now be meeting in the Youth Lounge, located on the ground floor of the Education Building. When you turn into the church driveway, park in the first parking lot you see on the right. This is the lower parking lot. You will walk down the path to the door that faces the main road. Someone will be there to meet you.

When our meeting is finished, you are welcome to join us for lunch at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation at 22201 Wakefield Plantation Drive, Raleigh NC 27614. It is always enjoyable to have a social visit following the meeting.

Men's Group Meeting

March 2 @ 9 AM in the Parish Hall

St. John's Men's Group will be meeting on March 2 at 9 AM in the Parish Hall. You are welcome to bring your breakfast!

Our Men’s Group presenter will be Peter Van Dorsten, Presentation titled: Elimination for Profit Cash Bail Bond System. Peter is the Statewide Project Coordinator of this effort. David Bland has been historically involved with this project and will introduce Peter.  

In 2018, at our annual Episcopal NC Diocese Convention, the convention recognized, by a unanimous vote, that the cash bail system in our State, as it is in almost all other states, is one of the most racially biased, economically injurious policies, and a significant predictor of repeat criminal involvement. David and his group have mounted a statewide interfaith effort to educate congregations of all faiths and empower them to work with local legislative leaders to eliminate this ineffective and injurious aspect of our local criminal justice system. David Bland has provided a web link to a six-minute YouTube video and a pamphlet.

Prior to the meeting, CLICK HERE to review the For Profit Cash Bail Reform pamphlet and watch the video link  https://youtu.be/w8LEHVpGVeo 

Weekly Healing Eucharist

Wednesdays @ Noon

Mar 6, Mar 13, Mar 20

Eucharist with focus on healing of body, mind, spirit, and society. Individual intercessory prayer offered following the service, and anointing with oil will be available each week.

Wednesday Evening Adult Study

Wednesdays @ 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall and on Zoom

Wed, March 6:  Part 2 (chapters 11 – 20) of Book Study on Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned, by Brian MacLaren.

Wed, March 13: Substance Abuse & Our Stories With It

Panelists: St. John’s parishioner, long-time recovering alcoholic and member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Harry Halbert & Joseph (Joe) Jordan, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Physicians Health Program, and son of St. John’s parishioners, Alice & Dewey Jordan.

Wed, March, 20: Part 3 (chapters 23 – 28), Book Study on Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned, by Brian MacLaren.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Wake Forest Community Table

sharing good meals and produce each week

THREE WAYS TO HELP:

Volunteer to distribute meals, produce and groceries on Mondays (Hope House 334 North Allen Rd. Wake Forest from 5-5:30 PM or Wednesday nights from 6-6:30 at Olive Branch Baptist Church 326 E Juniper Ave) SIGN UP HERE.

Make desserts on Monday nights so that we can add a sweet treat to the meal bags SIGN UP HERE.

Transport food as a volunteer driver SIGN UP HERE

Tri-Area Ministries

"The Tri-Area Ministries (TAM), our local food pantry, needs financial donations for shelf-stable and essential perishable items that 1500+ food-insecure families in our community. Click on TAM's website (https://triareaministry.com/holiday-dollars/) to donate."