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The Messenger
Weekly newsletter
from St. John|San Juan
November 6, 2026
SJSJ's 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services are in-person
and live-streamed to YouTube. Click on the logo below to view them.
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From the Rector:
Good connections
Dear Friends –
“Good fences make good neighbors.” No surprise: that saying is NOT from the Bible!!
What makes good neighbors? Good connections. That’s what Jesus teaches his followers. Listening and respecting, sharing and going the extra mile, loving and forgiving. Those are the things that not only tear down walls between us but also keep walls from being built in the first place.
This Sunday, November 8, Pastor Heather Sparkman and I will do a “pulpit swap” as part of our 2027 “Good Plans” Annual Giving Campaigns. The theme for this week is “Build and Plant,” and Pastor Heather will preach at St. John | San Juan for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services. I will celebrate at the 8 a.m. Eucharist service at SJSJ, and then preach at First United Methodist at 10 a.m., while Father Jaime celebrates at the 10:30 am Eucharist service at SJSJ.
Good connections make good neighbors. And good connections are rooted in time spent with God and each other. Therefore, I’m particularly grateful to those who attended the meals and tours at FUMCO over these past couple of weeks. I’m also grateful that the SJSJ Vestry and FUMCO Council will have an opportunity to meet this Tuesday evening, in a gathering facilitated by our diocesan Canon for Congregations Ivar Hillesland.
SJSJ’s exodus from our current buildings to shared space at FUMCO is a daring new beginning. In a wider culture of division, our partnership with FUMCO bears witness to the transformative possibility of unity. As we continue to prepare for the unfolding of God’s “Good Plans” for us, may the Spirit give us the courage to get excited about the future!
Blessings,
Janet+
Español
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Welcome to #MovingChurch
#MovingChurch is the place to look for news on our move to a new space in August 2027, including:
- Answers to your many, many questions, when we have the answers.
- Events, including tour opportunities at First United Methodist Church in Olympia, our new physical location.
- Updates on packing and moving plans.
- Timelines, calendars, etc.
EVENTS
November 8:
Pulpit swap – FUMCO and SJSJ will worship at their regular times and locations. Rev. Janet will preach at FUMCO and FUMCO Pastor Heather Sparkman will preach at SJSJ.
Adult forum: 9:30 a.m., Parish Hall – Pastor Heather Sparkman from First United Methodist Church of Olympia and our own Father Jaime Case will lead a discussion about what Methodists and Episcopalians have in common and where and why their theologies and practices differ. You won't want to miss opening remarks and Q&A with these two excellent, experienced church leaders!
SJSJ Annual giving covenant campaign for 2027 operating funds
Theme: Good Plans
Theme verse: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, plans to give you a future with hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
Theme and campaign materials created by Pastor Heather Sparkman and Pastor Alexa Eisenbarth of FUMCO
Dates: through Sunday, November 22
QUESTIONS about #MovingChurch? Contact Rev. Janet at janet@stjohnoly.org or Mindy Chambers at mindy@orcalink.com. If we have the answer, we will share it with you. If we do not yet have the answer, we will add your question to the list of questions to be answered as we move forward.
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Saturday, November 7
9 a.m, Men's Group, Chapel
Sunday November 8
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m. Adult Forum, Parish Hall, presentation on Methodist and Episcopal theologies and practices.
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, FUMCO Pastor Heather Sparkman preaching, Sunday School | nursery | childcare available
6 p.m. Spanish service, nursery | childcare available
Monday November 9
10 a.m. Monday Morning Crafters, Parish Hall
6 p.m. Capital City AA, Parish Hall
Tuesday November 10
6 p.m. Nar-Anon, Guild Room
Wednesday November 11
Veterans Day, office closed
7 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Chapel and via Zoom (link below)
Noon. Messenger deadline
6 p.m. Buddhist meditation
6 p.m. Oasis, contemporary sung worship service
6:30 p.m. Choir practice
Thursday November 12
Noon to 1 p.m., Centering prayer group, Guild Room
6 p.m. Capital City AA Group, Parish Hall
6 p.m. Capital Al Anon Family Group, Sanctuary
Saturday November 14
9 a.m. Men's Group, Chapel
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Memorial service
for Meredith Blundell
A memorial service for long-time, beloved parishioner Meredith Blundell will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church, followed by remembrances and a reception in the Parish Hall. The service will be livestreamed here.
Help is needed with setting up the reception area from 1-3 p.m. Friday, November 13, and with food and cleanup on Saturday, November 14. If you can assist, please contact the office at (360) 352-8527 or email anna@stjohnsoly.org
Please bring sweet or savory finger food (something that can be eaten without using a knife and fork, such as sandwiches, veggie trays and dip, small appetizers, cookies, cupcakes, etc.) to the St. John | San Juan kitchen on Friday, November 12 between 1 and 3 p.m. or before the service on Saturday.
Thank you in advance for your contributions!
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Masks, hand sanitizer available
It's cold and flu season, and SJSJ is providing masks and hand sanitizer throughout the church building, including at the usher tables in side the sanctuary, in the pews and at the entrance to the kitchen by the coffee area. Please note masks are not required; we offer them to those who would like to wear one and may have left theirs at home!
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Label your alb, please!
If you are a eucharistic minister or acolyte serving at the altar on Sundays, please label your alb (the long, white robe stored in the vesting room) by November 15. If you use more than one alb, please choose one and mark your name on it.
We are giving the albs that we are not using to the Diocese of Olympia’s Altar Guild for distribution to other congregations! If you want to keep the one you are wearing on Sundays, you will need to label it.
A laundry marker is available in the vesting room for you to write your name on the label on the neck of the alb. If you share an alb with others, just write “in use” on the label and we will keep it.
Thanks for your assistance!
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Concert series:
Next up, Seattle ProMusica
Celebrate the winter solstice with soul-warming music from Canada, Mexico, and the United States with Seattle Pro Musica’s “The Year's Midnight,” performed at St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church in Olympia on November 22.
Featured composers are Reena Esmail, Morten Lauridsen, Sarah Quartel, Caroline Shaw, David Garcia Saldana, Tomás Pascual and David MacIntyre.
For more than 50 years, this choral group has been bringing the power of voices joined in harmony to enrich the lives of its audiences, singers, and the community at large.
The concert begins at 3 p.m. and tickets will be in high demand! Admission is by donation (suggested $20, no one turned away), and tickets go quickly! You may reserve them by using the concerts tab on the SJSJ website, or pay at the door.
| | For children and families | | |
Growing in Love:
Nurturing family faith
Our children and families program "Growing in Love" program welcomes you to:
- A children's moment at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
- Faith development activities in the Kid Center during the 10:30 a.m. service.
- Take-home resources to use at home.
Follow the signs to the Kid Center to learn more and find registration forms.
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Wednesday Holy Eucharist
At the 7 a.m. Wednesday service, November 11, 2026, Rev. Janet will celebrate Holy Communion in the chapel. If you're unable to meet at the chapel, you can participate via Zoom.
The service will honor Veterans, patriots who love this country and are willing to serve and sacrifice themselves for the common good. Bring pictures if you have them.
After the service we will share a potluck breakfast, as we do on the second Wednesday of each month.
All are welcome to these inclusive language liturgies, an excellent opportunity for spiritual connection with God and with other spiritual seekers in the middle of your week. Join by clicking the button below.
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Oasis: candlelight, music and reflection
Need to breathe at the end of your busy day? Maybe take some time to clear your mind, your concerns, and recharge and reinvigorate so that you may do good work in the world, enveloped in peace.
Then try Oasis, a service of candlelight, music and reflection.
For 30 minutes each Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary at St. John | San Juan, leave the hectic world behind you for a half hour of meditation, music and prayer in a service in which all senses are engaged in the practice of worship relevant to the end of the workday and the beginning of evening rest.
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Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day
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Saturday, November 14, Meredith Blundell memorial service, 11 a.m., SJSJ sanctuary, reception following
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Friday, November 20, Trans Day of Remembrance, 7-9 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North St. S.E., Olympia
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Sunday, November 22, Seattle Pro Musica in concert, 3 p.m., SJSJ sanctuary
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Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving dinner at SJSJ, 1:30 p.m., hosted by Rev. Janet, Chuck Moore, and friends. Please sign up in the Parish Hall or or RSVP by phone, (360) 352-8527 or email anna@stjohnsoly.org
| | Do you want to know more about the ministries, worship and programs at St. John | San Juan? Click the button below. | | Are you looking for information about the SJSJ library and the latest books and news about religion and spirituality? Click the buttons below. | Are you interested in news about the Diocese of Olympia, which organizes Episcopal congregations in Western Washington to do their best work? Click the button below. | | Do you need food, housing or other resources? Find information by clicking the button below. | | |
If you or a loved one would like to be added to the prayer list, or to report an illness, hospitalization, surgical procedure or death, please contact the office, (360) 352-8527 or anna@stjohnsoly.org, to leave a message, leave your prayer on the yellow card in the pews, or, in an emergency, contact clergy:
Rev. Janet by text or phone
at (360) 358-2041
Rev. Jaime by text or phone
at (360) 606-4285
View the current prayer list here.
Names appear on the prayer list for three weeks. If you wish to continue prayers for someone, please contact the office by phone or email.
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Rev. Dr. Janet C. Waggoner, Rector | janet@stjohnsoly.org
Rev. Jaime Case, Associate Priest | jaime@stjohnsoly.org
Rev. Gen Grewell, Deacon | gen@stjohnsoly.org
Steve O'Connor, Director of Music | steve@stjohnsoly.org
Anna Okrasinski-Maddox, Parish Administrator | anna@stjohnsoly.org
Jonathen C. Brown, Sexton
| | Your financial support of St. John | San Juan is welcome at any time. You can make a pledge, donate to specific SJSJ ministries, make a donation for concert tickets and more by clicking on the button above. | |
Photo Preferences and Privacy
From time to time, photos may be taken at worship, coffee hour, and parish events for the church's use on the church website and social media. If you prefer that your photo not be taken, please inform an usher, who will then inform the photographer.
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Office Hours
Tuesday though Friday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(360) 352-8527
Messages left after 2 p.m. Friday will be picked up
when the office opens on Tuesday
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Find us
114 20th Ave. S.E.
Olympia, WA 98501
Intercity Transit bus route 13
Accessible entrance off the
parking lot on 19th Avenue
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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 977
Olympia, WA 98507
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