October 31, 2019


Fall Back
 
It's that time of year again - time to fall back an hour now that Daylight Savings Time is ending! Remember to set  your clocks back one hour at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 2nd. 
 
Steak Dinner Thank You

Hearty Thanks to all who made the Steak Dinner on October 26 such a success, both those who coordinated the meal and the opportunity drawings, those who cooked and cleaned up, and especially those who financially supported the event. Together we have supported the ministry of Saint John's by over $4,000. Thank you!
 

Let us remember those who have died
during the past 12 months.
May they rest in peace and rise in glory!
Ray Bailey
Cate Gilman
Celestino Hernandez
Margaret James
Patricia Moffitt
Rose Peters
Byron Reid
Ruth Stevenson
Lucy Troncoso
Hector Vazquez
Cathy Williams 

Let us rejoice with those who have received the new life of grace
in Holy Baptism during the past 12 months!
Viviana Bravo
Tala Addison Calderon
Kae'lani Justine Collier
Liam Patrick Doerr
Gabriel Lee Eldridge
Dashawn Lee Eldridge
Marco James Elizondo
Luna Michaela Palaylay

Congratulations to the four children who received Holy Communion for the first time on Sunday, October 27.
O taste and see that the  Lord  is good; happy are those who take
refuge in him.
(Psalm 34:8)
Ashley St. John
Samantha St. John
Jayden Opara
Adley Opara
 
Stewardship Pledge Drive

Those who responded to the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) survey, provided information on their household income levels (see chart below).
 
In 2018, 67 individuals pledged $131,270 toward the operations of Saint John's. In 2019, 72 individuals pledged $137,322. That is significant growth in a time of transition. It demonstrates your commitment to the people and ministries of Saint John's. The average percent of income pledged to Saint John's in 2019 was 1.55%. The national average for Episcopalians is 2.34%.  With the calling of a new priest just around the corner, ponder if you are able to increase your pledge for 2020. 
Below is a chart showing the number of people in several levels of giving in 2018 and 2019. 
 
 
Charitable Donations from IRAs

If you're age 70½ or older, you can make up to $100,000 in annual cash donations to IRS-approved charities directly out of your IRA. These direct donations are called qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).
QCDs are tax-free and nondeductible. So, they don't directly affect your tax bill. However, they count as withdrawals for purposes of meeting the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules that apply to traditional IRAs after age 70½.
So, if you haven't yet taken your 2019 RMDs, consider holding off and arranging tax-free QCDs before year end in place of taxable RMDs. That way you can meet your 2019 RMD obligation in a tax-free manner while satisfying your charitable goals at the same time.
Lynn D. Boster, CPA, CGMA
Tax Partner, Vasquez & Company LLP
Parishioner at Saint John's
 
Planning for Advent and Christmas

Those interested in helping to plan the environment and worship services for Advent and Christmas are invited to gather in the Priest's Office on Sunday, November 3 immediately after the 10am service. The meeting will last for no more than one hour. All are invited to review the Gospel readings for the seasons before the meeting (http://lectionarypage.net).
 
Here is a schedule of events currently planned: Blessing of Advent Wreath (Dec. 1), Gather Christmas decorations (Dec 7), Blessing of the Creches and Greening/Cleaning the church (Dec 8), Advent Quiet Day (Dec 14), 3rd Sunday of Advent (Dec 15), 4th Sunday of Advent (Dec 22), Christmas Eve services at 5pm and 9pm (Dec 24), Christmas Day celebration at 10am (Dec 25), Baptism at 10am service (Dec 29), New Year's Eve service with Labyrinth at 3pm and Communion Service at 4pm (Dec 31), Epiphany and degreening the church (Jan 5).
 
The Passing of Barbara Ervin
 
Barbara Ervin, a long-time parishioner with her husband, Donald, was welcomed into heaven by him and the heavenly host of angels on September 24th.  Barbara was the niece of The Rev. Richard Nale, who served as rector of St. John's from 1949 through 1964.  Barbara had a long and full life, having just celebrated her 91st birthday in August.  
A service honoring Barbara's life will be held on Saturday, January 4th, at 2:00 p.m. here at St. John's.  The Rev. George Keith, who retired as rector of St. John's in 2009, will preside and preach.
 
Arts & Crafts Magazines

A treasure trove of magazines for those interested in arts and crafts can be found on the counter in Nale Hall. First come, first served.
 
Pet Food Ingathering

The Diocesan Convention is November 8th-9th at St Margaret's in Palm Desert. The congregation at St Margaret's hosts a large weekly ministry for people struggling in the Coachella Valley.  Many of them receive unconditional love from their pets and often have to choose between buying medications or food.  Help us help others keep their loving companions at their side by bringing pet food donations. Dry dog and cat food is recommended.
There will be a box in Nale Hall for your contributions. Thank you.
 
Thanksgiving Blessings in a Bag
 
Please bring your "Blessing in a Bag" donations to Church on November 24th, the Sunday  BEFORE Thanksgiving, so they can be distributed to needy  families in the South Bay.

Grocery List:

$10 Gift card from any local grocery store or a cash donation
Candied Yams   
Gravy   
Stuffing Mix       
Boxed Potatoes       
Rice      
Canned Vegetables
Cranberry Sauce      
Cake Mix     
Jello or Pudding Mix
Pie Crust in Foil Pan       
Small Bottle of Oil
Aluminum Foil

Women of St. John's Meeting
 
The Women of St. John's will meet in Nale Hall on Monday, November 4 at 3 pm. 
Please note the earlier time; we will be finished in time to drive home before dark.
 
Lunch Bunch
 
Lunch Bunch will be on hiatus until after the first of the year.
 
Calendar of Events:

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

Daylight Savings Time Ends-Set Your Clocks Back 1 Hour
Sunday, November 3, 2:00 am
---
All Saints/All Souls Commemoration
Sunday, November 3, 8 & 10 services
---
Healing Service
Sunday, November 3, 11:30 am 
---
Planning for Advent and Christmas
Sunday, November 3, immediately after 10:00 am service
---
Women of St. John's Meeting
Monday, November 4, 3:00 pm
---
Tuesday Night Bible Study 
Tuesday, November 5, 6:00 pm
--- 
Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Wednesday, November 6, 9:30-11:00 am
---
Choir Practice
Wednesday, November 6, 5:30-7:00
---
Veteran's Day Holiday-Office Closed
Monday, November 11
---
Bonita Valley Garden Club
Wednesday, November 13, 9:30-12:00
---
Pledge Ingathering
Sunday, November 17

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  [email protected]

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, Florence, Eva,  Dee and Barb,
Paul and Marilyn, 
Nancy, Gabriel, Abraham, Nicole,
Jamie and Paula, Ryan, Ricardo and Phil.
 
Those unable to come to services, but thankful
for their continuing connection with Saint John's, 
especially Lois, Roland  and  Juanita.   

For All Affected by Wildfires

Oh God of all Creation, we call on you in our time of fear and danger to quieten our minds, activate our loving, and to help us to cast our nets ever wider to assist your children placed in harm's way.  We pray for the families, businesses, livestock, and people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and for those still in the path of danger. We pray for all of life who call these places home. We ask your blessing on fire crews, first responders, municipal governments, nonprofits, and medical personnel who attend to the immediate and long-term needs of our friends and neighbors. And we pray for rain and favorable wind to quench the fires and bring healing to our scarred land. In all things may we continually give thanks for all your hands have made, in the name of Jesus, the One whose outstretched hands invite us into compassionate community.   Amen.   
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese

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



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 October, our featured items will be soup, ramen noodles and crackers.  Thank you for your support!
  

Scripture Readings For This Week

Readings for Sunday, November 3, 2019

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Psalm 149
Ephesians 1:11-23
Luke 6:20-31

Readings for Wednesday Morning Prayer

Psalm 119:73-96
Revelation 12:1-12
Matthew 13:53-58

Celebrant's Schedule

Here is our upcoming celebrant's schedule:

Sunday, November 3
Presider: Fr. Tom
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Fr. Tom

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

Sunday, November 17
Presider: Fr. Tom
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  [email protected].  
 
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

You never pray alone.
Somewhere in the world some person, some mass, some religious order,  some choir is singing with us every hour of every day. Even when we feel desolate and so alone.  Our prayers are also joined by choirs visible and invisible. This reality is very comforting for me -particularly when I have down days.   This reflection is from "Forward Day by Day," October 29, 2015. Author unknown.
Blessings, love, and hugs. Fr. Jack.
 
Revelation 5:13
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one seated in the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!"

Singing and chanting have been part of Christian worship since the earliest days of the church. The apostles sang at the last supper. The psalmist believes that all creation sings to glorify God. In Revelation we hear that angels, and indeed all living creatures, continually sing with full voice.  During the Middle Ages, a belief circulated that all creation sings in praise of God unceasingly and  eternally.
A great cosmic hum fills the air, resounding throughout the universe, vibrating forth from every atom. Those chanting the divine office, the mass, any praise, or prayers, merely add their voices to the great chorus going on already.
Therefore, you never pray alone. Even in the most isolated place or the most desolate state, you are always joined by choirs visible and invisible. 
Your voice merely joins their eternal song as invocation and petition, prayer and praise  rise up to the Almighty's attentive ear.

The Vestry



 
Karen Duignan-Senior Warden
(619) 470-1647
David Dennehy-People's Warden
(619) 429-4747 
[email protected]
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 September 25th 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  [email protected] .

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
[email protected]). 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, ([email protected]), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, ([email protected]), 760-583-0485.

Safeguarding God's People
 
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God's face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth 
And too small for anything but love.
So, may God take your minds and think through them;
May God take your lips and speak through them;
May God take your hearts and set them on fire.
-William Sloane Coffin

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phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/483-7883
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