The Messenger

Weekly newsletter

from St. John|San Juan

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.

From the Rector:

The supply list

Dear Friends –

The supply list was the sign that the end of Summer was near. Posted in Niemi’s Variety Store and DeHart’s and Holcomb’s grocery stores in our small town, the supply list always started with No. 2 pencils and a packet of lined notebook paper (wide-ruled for lower grades and college-ruled for upper grades) and went on from there.

Seeing the supply list filled me with delight. I loved school and was always eager to exchange long days of pulling thistles from the pasture and moving sprinkler pipes for days in the classroom.

Seeing the supply list also stirred anxiety in my chest. Would we have enough money for all that stuff? Would my friend Kate be in my class this year?

My parents taught me to take my joys and anxieties to church. At church, we would celebrate the change of seasons through potlucks and prayers. At church, we would lay hands on teachers and students, distribute gift certificates to those who needed help with supplies, and say more prayers, lifting our anxieties to God.

Here at St. John | San Juan, we want you to bring your joys and anxieties to church, so we can celebrate together and share our burdens, as Jesus taught his disciples to do.

This Sunday, September 13, is Homecoming Sunday at St. John | San Juan, and we will CELEBRATE, SHARE, AND PREPARE.

We will CELEBRATE by blessing students and teachers and all those involved with education for all ages. We will also have fun snacks at coffee hour, AND we will distribute a special gift to families. GRANDPARENTS, please take a gift, too, because some of these things you can do/use with your grandkids even if they live far away.

We will SHARE by providing school supplies. St. John | San Juan helped found the Little Red Schoolhouse, which distributes basic supplies to all kids in need in Olympia, Tumwater, Griffin, North Thurston, Rainier, Rochester, Tenino, and Yelm school districts. All you have to do is contact your school office and ask for “Little Red Schoolhouse” supplies. In addition, Rev. Janet will have gift cards in her pocket this Sunday to help with other urgent back-to-school needs.

Finally, we will PREPARE by providing family spiritual support for the school year. We’re changing our Sunday morning routine to include a Children’s Moment led by Rev. Janet at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Our childcare workers Mim and Megan will have some special activities for the kids related to the Bible story for the day in the Sunday School room during that service. And families will receive a take-home sheet of prayers, questions for reflection, and activity suggestions.

The supply list was a sign to prepare for change. As we begin this new season, may sharing our burdens and celebrating together be an opportunity to experience God’s goodness and love.

Blessings,

Janet+

Español

Special note: Ruby port needed

 for worship services

Sunday, September 13, is the SJSJ ruby port In-gathering! Please bring a bottle of ruby port (not tawny or white port because they have a shorter shelf life) and place it on the table in front of the pews before the service or during the offertory. The port is used for our eucharists.

Sunday September 13

Homecoming Sunday! Bubble machine, special blessings, and treats!

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist

9:30 a.m., Adult Forum, study on the Book of Nehemiah

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, nursery | childcare available

6 p.m. Spanish service, nursery | childcare available

Monday September 14

10 a.m. Monday Morning Crafters, Parish Hall

6 p.m. Capital City AA, Parish Hall



Tuesday September 15

6 p.m. Nar-Anon, Guild Room

6:30 p.m. Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Library

Wednesday September 16

7 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 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 September 17

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

6 p.m. Vestry meeting

Saturday, September 19

9 a.m. Men's Group, Chapel

Homecoming Sunday

and back-to-school blessings

This Sunday, September 13, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. worship services, SJSJ will celebrate and bless children, parents, grandparents, teachers, professors and all those who serve in supporting roles in schools.

We will also have special end-of-summer treats and gifts for families at coffee hour!

Welcome back to all children and families!

Growing in Love:

A new program

for nurturing family faith

We have a wonderful new "Growing in Love" program for deepening family faith and connection that includes:

• 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 for families to use at home, which will be distributed beginning Sunday, September 13.

Complete your registration form today in the Kid Center at the end of the long hall, on the left.

Oasis sung evening prayer

On Wednesdays, come to SJSJ from 6-6:25 p.m. in the Sanctuary for a service of music, candlelight, and silence -- a contemporary approach to an ancient tradition.

Help wanted!!!!

SJSJ ministries rely on your help

C.H.A.T. (Coffee hour after 10:30 a.m.

ROLE: Host

FREQUENCY: One time, once a quarter or once a year, after 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship

TIME COMMITMENT: Approximately three hours

ACTIVITY: Buy food (reimbursement up to $30 available with receipts), set up, monitor snack table, clean up

HOW: Sign up on bulletin board in Parish Hall

QUESTIONS? Contact Fawn Hacker at fawn@stjohnsoly.org

Sunday School

ROLE: Shepherd

FREQUENCY: Approximately once a month

TIME COMMITMENT: Approximately one hour during 10:30 a.m. worship on Sundays

ACTIVITY: Be a kind, caring presence that supports childcare workers as they lead Sunday School activities with the kids

HOW: Contact Sue Andersen at sue@stjohnsoly.org

QUESTIONS? Contact Sue

Worship leader

ROLE: Help at the altar (Called “lay Eucharistic minister”)

FEQUENCY: Approximately once a month

TIME COMMITMENT: Approx. one to two hours at the 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. worship service

ACTIVITY: Help lead worship by carrying the cross and serving communion

HOW: Contact Deacon Gen Grewell at gen@stjohnsoly.org or Adele Roberts at adele@stjohnsoly.org

QUESTIONS? Contact Gen or Adele

Music

ROLE: Choir member

FREQUENCY: Weekly (fall, winter and spring)

TIME COMMITMENT: Approximately five hours including choir practice at 6:30 .m. Wednesdays and during 10:30 a.m. worship on Sundays and during special services ACTIVITY: Help lead worship as part of the SJSJ choir

HOW: Contact Steve O’Connor at steve@stjohnsoly.org

QUESTIONS? Contact Steve 

Ways to keep in touch

SJSJ offers many ways for you to keep up on opportunities for ministry and to participate in its many activities and events.

• Follow SJSJ on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsolympia, for information on Parish and community events, inspirational messages and more!
• Sign up to receive The Messenger, the weekly e-newsletter, full of all kinds of news on SJSJ, community opportunities, resources and coming events.
• Check the website, www.stjohnsoly.org. You’ll find livestream and archives of worship services, information on ministries, the latest on the SJSJ concert series, a description of our approach our inclusive worship, and more.

Wednesday 7 a.m. worship service

The Wednesday, September 16, morning service at 7 a.m. will be Morning Prayer, by Zoom only.

The service will venerate Ninian, a fifth century bishop who is one of the links of continuity between the ancient Roman-British Church and the developing Celtic Christianity of Ireland and Scotland.

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.

In the community

Emergency preparedness:

What would you like to know?

Prior to the community-wide Emergency Preparedness Expo on September 26 (see poster below), SJSJ is offering information on how you can be personally prepared.

A table will be set up in the Parish Hall for the next two Sundays with information on how you can be ready for all kinds of emergencies: windstorms, earthquakes, fires, etc., including what supplies to stock for your pets!

People in the Parish who have extensive experience with helping people prepare will be available to answer questions. Please stop after the 8 and 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. services.

Combatants for Peace bring

message of equality

The founding members of Combatants for Peace, an organization that brings Israelis and Palestinians together to co-resist the occupation and build a future of peace, equality, and freedom for all, will be featured at two community events on Thursday, September 24.

• A community ritual of healing from noon to 1 pm at Shelter 1 near the Squaxin Park rose garden. People will gather to listen, reflect, connect, and imagine pathways forward together. You can RSVP for the first event here. Squaxin Park is located at 2600 East Bay Drive N.E., Olympia.
• A presentation on the organization’s work and mission at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd S.E, Olympia. Register for this event here. Once registered, you may choose to attend this event via Zoom. 

Have you got the funk?

Legal Immigration Services of Olympia (LISO) invites you to its Funk for Freedom benefit dance from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, September 26 at South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. S.E.

Proceeds will support LISO’s mission to provide high-quality, pro bono legal representation to local immigrants detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. St. John | San Juan is a founding supporter of LISO.

Plan to dance to Brazilian music and to enjoy delicious food and drink!

This is an all-ages event; admission is by donation. A children’s area, and a quiet area, will be available, as well as information on community resources available from organizations providing services to immigrants throughout Thurston County.

RSVP here.

Coming up

• The Detention Lottery, an immersive theater experience, and benefit for immigrant support, is coming to Olympia at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 3. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $20 for the event at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way S.E., Olympia. All money raised will go to Mi Chiantla and Vecinos Unidos, nonprofits engaged in immigrant support.
• SJSJ concert series kickoff October 18 brings Mischa Yolleck, a classical guitarist based in Seattle, and winner of the 2022 Northwest Guitar Competition. Check Mischa out here.
• October 31 Halloween Extravaganza, with spooky organ music starting at 6:30 p.m. and three short, silent films starting at 7, and treats for the community at the 20th Avenue steps. Volunteers will be needed ... stay tuned for details.

Links

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.

Prayer and Connection

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.

Clergy and staff

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.

(360) 352-8527 • www.stjohnsoly.org

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