August 29, 2019


Healing Service
 
St. John's monthly healing service will be held at 11:30 am 
on Sunday, September 1st. 
 
Office Closed Monday
 
The office will be closed on Monday, September 2nd as we observe the Labor Day Holiday.
 
Kick-Off Sunday
September 8, 2019
 
Summer is over and it is time to KICK-OFF a new program year at St. John's. There are several activities scheduled after both services: 
  •  ECS Head Start classrooms are open for tours. Take a look.
  •  Bonita Valley Garden Club will be on campus to talk about their efforts   here at St. John's. Visit the Memorial Garden or the Rose Garden or both.
  •  Spiritual Gifts Assessments (short version) will be available in the     courtyard.
  • Chair Yoga session led by our own Joanna Ward in the Library
ALSO: 
  •  Welcome back the choir at the 10:00 am service
  •  Sunday School class will focus on preparing for Holy Communion Sunday   in October
  •  New members of the Daughters of the King will be installed at 10:00am   service
COMING SOON:
  •  The Lunch Bunch will regather on Friday, September 20
  •  Small Group Meetings to explore further your responses to the CAT   survey.  Dates and times to be determined
  •  Diocesan Novena, September 14-22, openness to discipleship,   evangelism, service
  •  Diocesan Listening Sessions, September 23-20, strategic planning
 
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. 

Support Liz, Our Child Care Attendant

Chula Vista Production Drama Class is presenting
OUR TOWN , by Thornton Wilder 
September 5th and 13th at 6:30pm  
September 6th at 4:00 pm (Dessert Theatre)
September 7th 2:00 pm (Dessert Theatre) and 6:30 pm
September 14th at 2:00pm
$10 adults/$7 students...$12 Dessert Theatre 
Performances are at the Chula Vista High School Little Theatre, on K Street between 4th & 5th
See Liz on Sunday mornings to purchase tickets
 
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, Women 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.
 
Calendar of Events:

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

Healing Service
Sunday, September 1, 11:30 am
---
Labor Day Holiday: Office Closed
Monday, September 2
---
Tuesday Night Bible Study Resumes
Tuesday, September 3, 6:00 pm
---
Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Wednesday, September 4, 9:30-11:00 am
---
Choir Practice
Wednesday, September 4, 5:30-7:00
---
Kick Off Sunday &
Daughters of the King Service of Admission
Sunday, September 8
---
Parish Council Meeting (new date)
Saturday, September 14, 9:00 am
---
Lunch Bunch
Friday, September 20, 11:30 am, location to be announced


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,  Irad, Fr. Jack, Florence,
Deb, Bill, Regina, Patricia, Ron, 
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Rosie and Clair .

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 1, 2019

Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14

Readings for Wednesday Morning Prayer

Psalm 38
James 3:1-12
Mark 15:1-11

Celebrant's Schedule

Here is our upcoming celebrant's schedule:

September 1
Presider: Rev. Cathey
Gospel: Rev. Cathey
Sermon: Fr. Tom

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

Sunday, September 15
Presider: Rev. Cathey
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Rev. Cathey
 
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. 

A Message from Fr. Jack Tolley  

My Heart Oblation - August 26
I want to thank you so much for all of your prayers for me.
The surgeon, Dr. Pugh, said everything went well. He stilled those sections of my heart that were causing my heart to beat twice each time instead of once. My son, John, Fr. Stott, and Anne Grignon stayed with my Sarah during the surgery (3 hours+) too. Also Dr. Bajo, my Cardiologist, who diagnosed my heart problems, was very comforting to everyone. 

Blessings, Love, and hugs, Fr. Jack.
 
A Season of Prayer and Listening

In late September I will hold a series of listening sessions around the diocese to hear the hopes, dreams, and visions of the people in our church for the next few years.  I encourage you to publicize the listening sessions coming up on five evenings in September. All sessions will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The locations and dates are:

  • 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, Palm Springs
I have also called the diocese to a nine-day Season of Prayer (a novena), lasting from  September 14 to September 22 , as we ask for God's guidance in discerning our vision and mission. We have provided a prayer guide with scriptures, prayers, and discussion questions for each day during the nine-day period, appropriate for individual or group devotions.  Please remind your congregants to participate in the prayer cycle as we anticipate the listening sessions , and consider how you might be able to use it in your congregation . I hope this will be a helpful tool in the season ahead. A Spanish translation is coming soon.

In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook
Bishop

 
News from Around the Diocese

Multicultural Children's Fall Festival

Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry in San Diego will be holding their 3rd diocesan Multicultural Children's Fall Festival this September 21 at 10 am. Bring your kids and grandkids and enjoy a Lion Dance, Aztec and Filipino dancers, the St. Luke's choir, and Japanese Taiko drumming. Participate in origami folding, Indian chalk-painting, crafts & games. Taste food from East Africa, Greece, the Philippines and Vietnam. Suggested donation: $10 per adult, $5 per child, or $25 per family. St. David's, 5050 Milton St., San Diego, 92110.
For more information please contact  Hanh Tran.

School for Ministry Fall Classes

The School for Ministry in Ocean Beach is a community of students, teachers and staff  who are dedicated to nurturing and preparing people for church service.  It is a place of formation that allows people to learn, grow and deepen their faith.  The School for Ministry welcomes any and all who would like to increase their knowledge  in faith formation. 
For more information please contact Rector Laura Sheridan Campbell, [email protected] or Diocesan Registrar Alyson Terry, [email protected]


Track your carbon footprint at home and at church

The Episcopal Church is providing a carbon tracker - Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home - for Episcopal households. This online carbon tracker lets Episcopal households take actions - some easy, some more difficult - to reduce their carbon footprints. Household actions are aggregated church wide. Yes, switching light bulbs for your household may seem insignificant, but if 10 households in your church or 100 households in your diocese switch, the impact becomes clear.




 
Meet Your Vestry
 
Karen Duignan, Senior Warden, first came to St. John's as a five-year-old when the church was located on Madrona Avenue in Chula Vista. She returned in 2008, along with her husband Bernie. She is generous with her time, talents, and treasure, and this is especially true of her prowess in the kitchen. Many of the successful lunches, dinners, and potlucks at the church are attributable to Karen and to her ability to enlist others to help.

How long have you been on Vestry?
(Karen)  Three years this time and one time after Fr. George Keith retired.

How did you become interested in Vestry?
Conversations with Vestry members in 2008 and 2016.

What aspects of being on Vestry do you like best? Is there anything you'd like to change?
I like working with other leadership in our Diocese and within our own community, such as Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Interim. I'd like to see us have better knowledge of our church family and more participation in the Vestry. New faces would be great!

Has anything surprised you about being on Vestry?
Initially the scope of responsibility and the commitment to the whole community. It's not what  you want but what's best overall that matters.

How much time does Vestry take per month?
As Senior Warden, the time spent is considerably greater than for other Vestry members. At least 2 - 4 hours weekly plus one meeting per month with the entire group, plus homework: reading / e-mail communication / preparing for projects.

Do you have any advice for someone considering Vestry?
It is very worthwhile and informative.  It gives you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Episcopal Church as a whole.

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 July 24th 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
 
In this issue
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/483-7883
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