|
St. John's Episcopal Church
to love, to serve, to grow in Christ
| |
|
From the Eagle's Nest
Respecting Faith in a Time of War
| |
|
Tonight, St. John’s will be hosting the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for our little interfaith community that lives along our side of Clearwater and Largo. I have been looking forward to this for several weeks, not just because I like a good party or a good liturgy, but mainly because I am passionate about ecumenical, interfaith, and inter-religious dialogue and ministry.
As most of you know, much of my ordained ministry has taken place in clinical settings as a chaplain, and our job was to meet people where they were, with their own beliefs, questions, traditions, and stories and to walk with them as they seek to find strength, hope, meaning, and direction in their situation whatever that may be.
And in order to do ecumenical and religious dialogue really well, one must first be well grounded in one’s own religious tradition and be an active participant in their own faith journey and, whenever possible, their faith community, too.
So it’s not merely an intellectual exercise for me to understand other religions, but a faith journey that helps me learn and do the work of Jesus every day as his disciple—as his friend and apprentice. My faith in God and my trust in Christ allows me to rest in God, whose loving embrace is big enough and wide enough to encompass all the complexity, imagination, and context of every single person in every single place and situation, especially those whose faith-stories are very different from my own.
Read the rest here.
| |
Scan the QR code below to make a donation to St. John's, via Faithstreet | |
A HUGE THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for answering our call and for continuing your pledges and generously giving extra during these difficult times. | |
|
Worship
Our service will be live streaming on FaceBook and YouTube at 9:00 am on Sundays.
To watch on You Tube: click HERE
If you can't watch live, you can watch it at another time by going to St. John's FaceBook page and click on Videos.
This week's readings:
The Twenty-fifth Sunday After Pentecost
November 19, 2023
9:00 am
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
| |
NEWS, MINISTRIES, AND UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS! | |
|
If you would like to submit an article for the enews, please send the complete article and any links, photos, etc. to Jan Davis - jandavis.stjohns@gmail.com.
The deadline submission for the Tuesday enews is Monday, 3pm.
| |
|
St. John’s new Deacon, The Rev. Kevin Mort has been appointed to St. John's Church by Bishop Douglas Scharf. Deacon Kevin grew up in Indiana on a farm. His family raised one hundred milk cows and a hundred hogs. He studied at Manchester College in Indiana when he met his wife Cynda while she was attending Ball State. They married in 1973 and lived in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he started working in nursing homes. He received Nursing Home Administrator licensing in Indiana, Ohio, and Florida.
Cynda and Kevin were confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1975 and have been very involved in various parishes since. They moved to Florida in 1981. Zachary their first son, was born that year. Zachary is currently a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. Andrew, their second son was born in 1987. He is presently an Executive Chef at three restaurants in Denver, Colorado.
Kevin has served St. Matthew's Episcopal Church of St. Petersburg since he was ordained a deacon in 2012. He recently asked Bishop Scharf for a reassignment to another parish as he said he felt "God has been calling me to move on since the passing of his wife Cynda."
Please welcome Deacon Kevin Mort to St. John’s family.
| |
|
Interfaith
Thanksgiving Prayer Service
St. John's will be hosting the Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer service this year. The service will be held in the sanctuary on Wednesday, November 15 at 7pm. We are requesting that everyone, if able, bring in a non-perishable food item of which
will be donated to Good Neighbors.
There will be a reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the service.
To watch on YouTube click HERE
| |
|
The Case for Love: Bridging the Divide
Tuesday, December 5th
3:00pm EST
In this film produced by Grace-Based Films, the team travels across the country, interviewing everyday people from various walks of life and different ethnicities striving to live out a call to love selflessly. Well-known figures including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, NBC News Al Roker, Episcopal Divinity School Interim Dean Kelly Brown Douglas, Actor Sam Waterston, the Rev. Becca Stevens, and historian Jon Meacham weigh in on how love can bridge the divides we face today. Bishop Curry then helps bring the conversations into context to close the documentary.
This workshop will focus on the film's premise, how it came into focus, what the filming was like, and what we hope viewers take away from it with its national theatrical release on January 23, 2024. The panelists, producers, writers, and film crew, look forward to sharing about this life-changing project. During the question and comment period, they also hope to hear from attendees about how this film and its ancillary materials can best serve the ministry of churches across the country.
Click HERE to register.
Or we will be watching it here in the Parish Hall if you would like to watch it here.
| |
|
Walk in Love: An Introduction to Episcopal Beliefs and Practices.
Take a journey through The Book of Common Prayer, the Christian life, and basic beliefs of our faith, in a class led by Canon Gerns, Karen Campanero, and Bob Courdway. We will walk through the liturgical year, the sacraments of the church, the habits of daily prayer, and the teachings of Anglican Christianity. See how our prayer shapes our belief and our lives and how our beliefs lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, as we prepare to make (or renew) a mature, adult, public commitment to follow Jesus when Bishop Douglas Scharf of Southwest Florida comes to St. John's on Sunday, January 7th!
We will be using the book "Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices" by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Schobe. We will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8 p.m. starting on October 25th.
Schedule: Wednesday evening, 6:30-8 p.m.
29 November
6, 13, & 20 December
The class will also be available via Zoom.
This class will prepare folks for the Rite of Confirmation, and for those who are coming to the Episcopal Church from another tradition; but this course is also for anyone who wishes to deepen their life in Christ or just wants to learn more about the Episcopal Church!
To learn more, please speak to, call/text, or e-mail Canon Gerns!
| November Contemplative Wednesdays at St. Paul's Lutheran | Click HERE for Zoom link for Contemplative Wednesdays at St. Paul's | |
"Greening" of the Church!
We will be decorating the church for Christmas on Sunday, December 10, immediately following the 9am service. Volunteers needed! Lunch will be provided.
| |
This year’s stewardship theme, Rooted in Abundance, reminds us that we are inspired to give because so much has been given to us.
Click HERE to continue reading.
The last Sunday of our campaign is November 26. Please place the intention cards in the offering plate, mail them to us by that date or complete the attached card and email to jandavis.stjohns@gmail.com so that we may gather them together and bless them.
Click HERE to complete our Intention Card.
| |
Ultreya - Save the Date!
St. John's will be hosting an Ultreya on Saturday, November 18 at 3:30 pm in the Parish Hall. All Cursillistas are encouraged to attend to continue the call to move forward and to keep the flame of the Cursillo burning brightly.
| |
"Sharing God's Love"
by JD Humpal
The book is available on Kindle and Amazon. Click on the link below to order.
"Sharing God's Love"
| |
Cursillo Weekend #149
February 29, 2024 - March 3, 2024
Dayspring Conference Center 8411
25th St E, Parrish, FL 34219, Parish, FL
"COME TO THE TABLE"
| |
|
BayCare Fall 2023 Grief Support Registration
BayCare’s Grief Matters Fall programming has begun. If you have not yet registered for the programs shown below, or if you know of others who might be interested, simply click here: BayCare Grief Matters Program Registration for Community
All programs are offered free of charge thanks to the generous support of the Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation.
| |
Wednesday Morning Bible Study | |
|
We have begun a study of the Gospel of Matthew, as we move into the summer and
fall months, between Pentecost and Advent. This continues our practice of
following the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday service. We also take time at
the beginning of each class to discuss the daily Forward Day by Day reading, and we
open with a prayer and reflection. Our discussions have been lively and we usually
have eight to twelve in attendance, with a couple joining us via Zoom. There is
always time for fellowship and snacks!
Bob Courdway
The Zoom link below is provided for those who can not attend in person.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
| |
|
Interfaith Picnic
Save the Date
Sunday, February 18, 2024, 1pm
Garden of Ridvan (Paradise)
2754 Sunset Point Rd.
Clearwater, FLoin
Click HERE to read about Garden of Ridvan
| |
|
The Lunch Pals program pairs students with PCS volunteers who meet for 30 minutes once a week during the student’s lunch. Through one-on-one interaction and attention, this program encourages students to be more communicative, practice good behavior, and invest in their learning by providing a supportive adult figure to students. A volunteer mentor supports a positive attitude towards school in order to achieve academic success and to help the student experience improved self-esteem.
Mentors must go through a 1-hour long training workshop and register as a Level 1 volunteer with Pinellas County Schools. Mentor workshops are hosted across the county and online.
Here is the link for register for a mentor workshop or see other dates/times/locations HERE
You can register as a volunteer at this link: HERE
Thank you for being a dedicated supporter of Belcher Elementary School and Pinellas County Schools as a whole.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Lamont
Family & Community Liaison
Belcher Elementary School
e: lamontj@pcsb.org
p: (727) 538-7437 ext. 2001
| |
|
Weekly Schedule
Healing prayers are offered at the altar, after the service, on the third and the fifth Sunday of every month.
| |
|
Thrift Shop Hours
Tue. Thu. & Sat. 9:30 am- 3:30 pm
Hand Bell Choir - Church Sanctuary
Tuesdays, 6:00 pm
Voice Choir - Choir Room - 2nd story Adm. Bldg
Tuesdays, 7:00 pm
Retirees - Parish Hall
Second Monday of the month 10:00 am
Wednesday Morning Bible Study -
Parish Hall - Wednesdays 10:00 am. Zoom link: Wednesday Morning Bible Study
| |
|
Wednesday Evening Study:
Parish Hall - Wednesdays 6:30 pm
Rug Hookers - Parish Hall
Thursdays 10:00 am.
Men's Cursillo Grouping- Parish Hall
Thursdays 7:00 am.
Children's Sunday School
Contact Miss Mary Mary Anders
| |
|
Thrift Shop Volunteers & Donations Needed!
The Thrift Shop is looking for volunteers to work the front desk. There are two shifts - Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm or 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (Through August 31, Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30 -12:30pm). Please contact Caroline Barnett
if you are interested. (727) 459-3650.
The Thrift Shop is in need of donations. If you have any small kitchen counter top appliances, kitchenware, dishes, tools, small household items, etc., please drop them off in the donation shed at the back of the church property.
| |
Prayer Chapel
The Chapel is open for anyone wishing individual prayer. Everyone is welcome to go to the Chapel to receive prayer with a member of The Daughters of the King. The Order of the Daughters of the King is an Order of Women that take vows to Extend Christ’s Kingdom by Prayer, Service and Evangelism. Prayer requests are held in strict confidence. Please feel welcome to come to the Chapel and Pray.
| |
Join us in the Parish Hall immediately following the 9am service!!
| |
|
Office Schedule and Contact Information
Church Office hours are Mon - Thu from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Mondays & Wednesdays please call the office at 727-531-6020 for access to office
Canon Gerns' hours by appointment.
Canon Gerns' contact information:
cell phone/text: 610-392-4112
email: rector.stjohnsclwt@gmail.com or agerns@gmail.com
Check out Canon Gerns' blog: His Sunday's sermon can also be found here.
andrewplus.blogspot.com
Office phone number:
727-531-6020
Office email addresses:
Parish Administrator
Music Director email address:
Music Director
727-531-6020 Ex. 4
| | | | |
