September 19, 2019


Stay Safe Online

Has your rector, vicar, priest-in-charge, deacon or bishop contacted you lately asking for help in the form of gift cards? Don't fall for the scam! Be wary of any request for funds online or via text. 

Click here for more advice about protecting yourself from these unscrupulous folks.
 
Lunch Bunch
 
The Lunch Bunch returns this month!  Our next gathering will be on Friday, September 20th at 11:30 at The Galley restaurant,
550 Marina Pkwy, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.
 
Season of Prayer Novena
 
You are invited to join Rev. Cathey at 9:00 each morning through Sunday, September 22, to pray the Novena at St. John's in the chapel.

Holy Communion Classes
 
During the months of September and October, catechism classes will focus on the importance of Holy Communion and the Mass/Lord's Supper/Holy Eucharist for we Christians. This time will help prepare some of our children to receive communion for the first time. There will be a Holy Communion Sunday celebration for all on October 27. 

Small Group Meetings 2019

The purpose of these gatherings is for parishioners to explore further some of the responses to the CAT survey. The reasons why folks rated some questions differently from others are not necessarily clear. The  Meetings will encourage conversation around identified priorities so that the Vestry can gain a better sense of "the mind of the parish." The information gained from these meetings will be used to create an action plan for Saint John's to become a more vital healthy, and energized congregation. The information will also be important to the Calling Committee as they prepare to interview candidates. Finally, this information will also help the new permanent priest to gain some insights into the parish

The gatherings will last no more that 90 minutes. People will be asked to sign up for a specific date/time. Two Vestry members will be present at each gathering: one to facilitate the conversation and one to take notes. Potential meetings groups could be: choir, Daughters of the King, bible study groups, Men of St. John, residents of Fredericka Manor, etc. Meetings can be scheduled during the day for folks who don't like to drive at night. Other meetings can be scheduled in the early evening to accommodate those who work during the day. Saturdays or Sundays are also possible meeting dates. Some meetings could be held at St. John's. Other meetings could be held in private homes.
 
Classroom Volunteers Wanted

Interested in becoming a regular St. John's Head Start classroom volunteer?
ECS is looking for volunteers from our church community to be part of the  St. John's Head Start program located right here on campus.
What does this entail?
  • Complete application on the ECS website
  • Background check 
  • Proof of immunizations
  • Select a regular time to volunteer in a classroom. 
To sign up to learn more, please contact Rev. Cathey.
You can apply on the Get Involved/Volunteer page on the ECS website ( ecscalifornia.org ) or contact Deann Rios at 619-228-2840 or drios@ecscalifornia.org with any questions.
 
Calendar of Events:

Office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday-Thursday.
The office is closed on Fridays. 

Lunch Bunch
Friday, September 20, 11:30 am at the Galley
---
Season of Prayer Novena led by Rev. Cathey
Daily through Sunday, September 22; 9:00 am in the chapel
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Tuesday Night Bible Study 
Tuesday, September 24, 6:00 pm
--- 
Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Wednesday, September 25, 9:30-11:00 am
---
Choir Practice
Wednesday, September 25, 5:30-7:00 pm
---
Vestry Meeting
Wednesday, September 25, 6:00-8:00 pm
---
Daughters of the King Fall Assembly
Saturday, September 28, 8:00 am-2:00 pm


Prayers

We Are Available in Your Time of Need

If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed, 
please call 619-483-7883 or email  priest@saint-johns.org

Prayer List
 
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.  

For our Military
 
Matt, Drew, Cody,  Cameron,  Chariti, 
Mark,  Sean, Jonathan,  TK,   Christopher, 
Timothy,  Jeremy,  David,  Jonathan,  Nick, 
Jamal,  Matt, Daniel,  Jocelyn, Devon, 
Taylor, Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian and Richie.

  For Strength in Time of Need

Scott, Betty,   Rob,  Fr. Jack, Florence,  Deb, Bill, 
Regina, Patricia, Ron,  Rosie,  Clair, Eva, Becky, 
Norm, Cookie, Jeannine, Gail, Judith and Priscilla .

Those unable to come to services, but thankful
 for their continuing connection with Saint John's, 
 especially Lois, Roland  and  Juanita.   

For Churches in Transition in our Diocese

All Saints', San Diego

St. Thomas, Temecula

Christ Church, Coronado

St. Paul, Palm Springs

St. Margaret's, Palm Desert

St. John's, Chula Vista

St. David's, San Diego

All Saints', Vista

St. Paul's, Yuma

Holy Cross, Carlsbad

 


From Bishops United Against Gun Violence August 4, 2019

Following the murder of thirteen precious children of God in Thousand Oaks, California in November 2018, Bishops United Against Gun Violence offered a litany in the wake of a mass shooting to commemorate the dead, to comfort their loved ones, and to honor survivors and first responders. Today, the litany has been updated to include two more mass shootings that took the lives of 31 precious children of God in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio within a single 24-hour period
We offer this litany, once again, with the reminder that one does not pray in lieu of summoning political courage, but in preparation for doing so. Bishops United Against Gun Violence invite you to join in this litany and our commitment to take action so that our country can be freed from the epidemic of gun violence.

Litany in the Wake of a Mass Shooting


Opportunities For Service

Pill Bottle Ministry

Did you know that in developing countries, the pill bottle and cap is often more expensive than the medication inside. You can donate your empty prescription bottles! Just drop off your empty prescription bottles in our collection bucket located in the foyer- no need to peel the information off.  Our volunteers will take care of that for you! We will wash them and ship them to Matthew 25: Ministries.  Matthew 25: Ministries accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Our pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.

Please note that we can currently only collect the clear orange prescription bottles.  We have found that the others do not benefit the program.
Thank you for your support!
Emergency Food Pantry:

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17
The South Bay Community Services "Emergency Food Pantry" needs donations every month. It's easy to donate! We will focus on a different food category each month. Pick up a flyer from the narthex, carry in your car until your next trip to the market, purchase the food, and place it on the table in Nale Hall before the end of the month.  During the month of September, our featured items will be peanut butter and jelly.  Thank you for your support!
  

Scripture Readings For This Week

Readings for Sunday, September 22, 2019

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Psalm 79:1-9
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13

Readings for Wednesday Morning Prayer

Psalm 81
1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8
Matthew 5:38-48

Celebrant's Schedule

Here is our upcoming celebrant's schedule:

Sunday, September 22
Presider: Rev. Cathey
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
                 Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Rev. Cathey

Sunday, September 29
Presider: Fr. Tom
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Fr. Tom

Sunday, October 6
Presider: Rev. Cathey
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Fr. Tom

 
Weekly Bible Study  and Morning Prayer 

Tuesday night Bible Study meets on  Tuesdays from 6-7:30 pm  in the youth room.  For information, please contact Mike Gollihur
at 619-852-4960  or  mgollihur@aol.com.  
 
Every Wednesday, Saint John's will have Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Bible Study from 10 am to 11. 

From the Prayer Journal of Fr. Jack Tolley  

I needed to hear this message from St. Paul today. I get all weighed down in my medical problems, and feeling guilty that I can't do all of things I used to do for all of you. In short, feeling very sorry for  myself in general.
This reflection from the October 21, 2001, Forward Day by Day,
was very helpful for me. I wanted to share it with you.
Blessings, love, and hugs,
Fr. Jack.
 
 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day,
and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
 
How many of us today who, at the least bit of disappointment, just give up:
stay put, never grow and never learn. In the otherwise unmemorable, movie, "The Evening Star,"  the character Aurora Greenway says,
"Oh, Melanie, discouragement has killed more people 
than all the diseases ever known to man put together."
  
Confidence born of faith in Jesus Christ, knowledge of the love God for us, conviction  in the hope of eternal life - these alone are gifts enough to keep us from despair. Let us  go out and do the work God has given us to do
with gladness and singleness of heart.

 
A Season of Prayer and Listening

"' For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

Churches are always full of plans - plans for next Sunday's worship services, plans for the fall education series, plans for how to get the roof fixed. We're pretty good at that kind of planning.

But what if God has bigger things in mind for us? What if God is doing new things in our communities and in our world, and needs for us to pay attention so we can join in? How do we listen for God's plans?

I believe that this kind of listening is a matter of prayer, discernment, and listening for the voice of the Spirit in each other's voices. In the Christian community, God gives us the gift of many voices with many points of view, some impractical and some startlingly illuminating. Discernment of God's direction for us requires us to listen to the many voices, identify common themes, pay attention to surprises, and open our hearts to new ways of understanding.

That's why, as one of the earliest actions of my time as your bishop, I want to listen to your voices. During the week of Sept. 23-27, I will be traveling to different locations in the diocese to listen to your wisdom, your hopes, and your dreams for the church. Please register so we know you are coming!
(See below for a list of locations and the registration link)

Before the listening sessions, I hope you will join us in nine days of prayer, also known as a novena. This time of prayer will help us all focus on our diocesan themes of discipleship, evangelism, and service, and it will prepare our hearts to share in the listening sessions the thoughts God brings to us in prayer.

The listening sessions will last about two hours, will begin and end with prayer, and will be facilitated by Ms. Susan Czolgosz, a consultant with Holy Cow Consulting. She will ask specific questions for your thoughts and input, and then we will have a time when you can share your thoughts directly with me. I will speak a bit at the beginning and the end of each session, but my basic job will be to listen to what you have to tell me.

What happens to your input after that? We will analyze all your responses and report to you about them at  diocesan convention, November 8-9. Those in attendance at the convention will have an opportunity to respond once more there. After that, we will appoint a group who will use your responses to create a new strategic plan for the diocese for the next three to five years. The group will work closely with executive council, your elected representatives, to make sure they are reflecting your hopes and priorities. We will roll out a plan to you in fall of 2020, and it will form the basis for mission decisions in future years.

My hope is that, with your help, we will listen closely for the breath of the Holy Spirit, calling us to new mission and new life in the Diocese of San Diego. Come and speak - I will be listening. 


Following are the locations for the listening sessions, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. each night. While there is no cost to attend the listening sessions, please register  so that we can plan the sessions accordingly.
  • Monday, September 23: St. Bartholomew's, Poway
  • Tuesday, September 24: All Saints, San Diego
  • Wednesday, September 25: St. Andrew's La Mesa
  • Thursday, September 26: All Saints, Vista
  • Friday, September 27: St. Paul's, Palm Springs
  • Monday, September 30: Clergy Conference (Clergy Only)
Meet Your Vestry
 
T his week's spotlight is on Mark Jordan, who has been at St. John's for eighteen years. He is one of those people who are always willing to help, whether it's to make coffee on Sunday morning or to help with the greening of the church for Advent.

How long have you been on Vestry?
(Mark)  Two years, this time. I've been on Vestry twice before, once for five years and then a three-year term.

How did you become interested in Vestry?
When my wife Gretchen and I began attending St. John's, we felt very welcomed and needed. I wanted to become more involved and active in many aspects of the parish such as the Men of St. John's, being an usher and a lector, hospitality, our outreach and food drive competitions with other churches and between our two services, and participating in needed repair and improvement projects throughout the property. Running for Vestry just seemed to be a natural progression.

What aspects of being on Vestry do you like best?
The fact that I'm making a difference (I hope) by contributing my time and talents. The fellowship with other Vestry members is also very important and comforting to me, knowing whatever challenges we face we'll be facing them together.

Is there anything you'd like to change?
No, we have a very good system, when everyone contributes and participates.

Has anything surprised you about being on Vestry?
Yes, seeing the business intricacies of the church.

How much time does Vestry take per month?
Five or six hours for a regular member, but depending on how involved and committed you choose to be, such as the senior or people's warden, it could be closer to a part-time job.

Do you have any advice for someone considering Vestry?
First, attend a Vestry meeting, then speak to different members, ask questions and pray for guidance. Being a Vestry member is very rewarding, but it's also serious business.

The Vestry



 
Karen Duignan-Senior Warden
(619) 470-1647
David Dennehy-People's Warden
(619) 429-4747 
d.dennehy@icloud.com
Terry Farrelly - Treasurer
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Diane Gustafson 
Mark Jordan
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young

Calling Committee

Tim Attaway
Lynn Boster
Alice Burnham
Bob Dunn
Jane Ferguson
Helena Livingston
Lynn Young

Approved Minutes for the August 28th Vestry meeting can be found here: 


To our Saint John's Family:
Here is your weekly newsletter highlighting important events at St. John's Episcopal Church.  You can also find news about St. John's at  www.saint-johns.org.

We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at 619-422-4141 or  maria@saint-johns.org .

Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews and Sunday bulletin.

Emergency Contact Information

If you had a medical emergency at church on Sunday morning, would the Wardens or church  staff know who to contact? If you would like to add someone to St. John's emergency contact  list in case of such an emergency, please contact Maria, our parish secretary (619-422-4141 or
maria@saint-johns.org). A sign-up sheet will also be available in the church lobby to collect this information. Please provide your name, the name of your emergency contact, their relationship to you, their phone number and/or their email address. This is one more way we can show how we love one another.
 
Reporting Misconduct
 
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.

Safeguarding God's People
 
In this issue
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/483-7883
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