“We begin again: Super September”
Most of the worldly world thinks of the New Year beginning January 1
st
. On the liturgical calendar in the churchy world, we consider the first Sunday of Advent as marking the New Year. But growing up and then spending so many years as a parent I’ve always figured the New Year really began in September. Because that’s when summer has wound down and the real year really starts right after Labor Day. School, routine sports schedules, volunteer schedules, etc., etc., move into full swing in September and continue through May until summer slows us down again. It’s a very different rhythm in which we live in so many areas of our life from September through May after the slower, more relaxed rhythm of summer.
At St. John’s and Farnham, it’s no exception. We begin again our “regular” program year. But this year it seems that September is busier than recent Septembers due to an especially full schedule of events. And so September is our “practical” theme for this last summer Epistle, which in slowed down summer fashion we published bi-weekly. Our usual weekly Epistle schedule will start up beginning the first week of September and I promise to get back to more “reflective” messages then. But for now, I simply offer the September schedule as our focus.
Our summer schedule (June through Labor Day weekend) of combined Sunday services alternating between St. John’s and Farnham usually shifts in September back to our routine schedule of two services per Sunday (Farnham at 9 a.m; St. John’s at 11 a.m.). However, because of an unusually busy September including three services that need to have the two churches congregating together, we will continue the combined services throughout September. In October we will return to our regular program year two services per Sunday.
Below is our revised September service schedule. Please be sure and mark your calendars accordingly.
“Super September Sunday Service Schedule”
Sunday, Sept. 1st A combined service at 10 a.m. at St. John's. Baptism and Holy Communion. Young people in church with families.
Sunday, Sept. 8th A combined service at 10 a.m. at Farnham. Morning Prayer with a special focus on Creation, Nature and Harvesttime. Young people in church with families.
Sunday, Sept. 15th A combined service at 10 a.m. at Farnham, Bishop's Visitation with St. John's & Farnham. Bishop David Jones will be with us for this Confirmation Sunday and serve as preacher and celebrant for Holy Communion. A special outdoors luncheon reception (under a big tent) will follow the service. There is opportunity for confirmation, reception or reaffirmation at this service. Please note article on this later in this Epistle. Young people in church with families.
Sunday, Sept. 22nd A combined service at 10 a.m. at St. John's. Holy Communion. This Sunday will mark the first Sunday of our program year for the youth of the parish with Danni Jones, who continues as Director of St. John's Youth Program this year.
Sunday, Sept. 29th A 5th Sunday combined service at 10 a.m. at St. John's. Morning Prayer with Brother Mark Jenkins officiating. This is also Shrine Mont weekend for the combined parishes of St. John's, Farnham and Cople parishes. Those attending the Shrine Mont weekend from St. John's and Farnham will be at the Sunday morning service at the beautiful Shrine on the mountain. Young people in church with families.
In October we will return to our regular Sunday Service schedule: 9 a.m. Service at Farnham and 11 a.m. Service at St. John's. However, please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 6th for the "Blessing of the Animals" at each church as we remember St. Francis on this Sunday date nearest his feast day. Young people in church with families and animals.
See you in September, if not before . . .
