September 12, 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.
 
Season of Prayer Novena
 
You are invited to join Rev. Cathey at 9:00 each morning from September 14-22 to pray the Novena at St. John's in the chapel.

Click here for more information from Bishop Susan:

Parish Council Meeting
 
The Parish Council Meeting will be on Saturday, September 14th at 9:00 am in Nale Hall.
 
Small Group Meetings 2019

Sunday, September 15, from 9:30-11:00am or 11:30am-1:00pm. Meet in the Library (formerly Fr. Marshall's office)
 
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.
 
Men of St. John's Meeting

The next meeting of the Men of St. John's Church is Monday, Sept.16, at Linda and David Dennehy's home. Their address is: 1852 Royston Drive, San Diego 92154. Phone: 619-429-4747. The main course for our potluck supper will be Pork Roast. Please bring your favorite dessert or side dish in support of that. We will have our usual short business meeting, lots of great fellowship and food. Any man attending services at St. John's is automatically a member. No dues. It's an excellent way for us to know, love, and support each other, and St. John's too. Please come!
 
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.
 
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. 

Thank You

Many thanks to all who participated in last week's Kick-Off Sunday activities. The folks from ECS Head Start and the Bonita Valley Garden Club were happy to talk with so many people interested in their activities. Thanks to Diane Gustafson, Joanna Ward and Didi Moore for providing opportunities to discover Spiritual Gifts, the ease of Chair Yoga, and a new book to read. These are all ways we can build up this part of the Body of Christ.
Author Presentation and Book Sale
 
David Szumowski, author of Reach for More, will speak at Fredericka Manor on Monday, September 16 at 3:00 pm.  All are welcome to attend.
If you would like to purchase a copy of his book, Didi Moore will have them available after church on September 15th.

About the author:

David Szumowski was born in Gloversville, NY, on August 24, 1945, and grew up in that town. After high school, he enrolled in the University of Richmond (VA) and joined the Army ROTC program. Upon graduation from the University in 1968, David entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant and served as an instructor in the Army Armored Division in Ft. Knox, KY, for one year.

In February, 1969, Szumouski was sent to Vietnam to serve with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as a tank platoon commander. On March 20, 1969, having been in Vietnam for only 40 days, he permanently lost his sight when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his tank, sending shrapnel into his eyes. In September 1969, he was medically discharged from the military. For his bravery in combat, Szumowski was awarded the Silver Star--the nation's third highest award for valor; the Bronze Star with "V" device and oak leaf cluster; the Purple Heart; and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.

Upon David's medical discharge from the Army and after examining his career options, he decided to enter the field of law. He graduated from Denver University School of Law in 1973. During his years in Denver, he met his future wife, Janice. They moved to San Diego in 1976 where David spent several years working as a counselor for the VA and then Executive Director for Vietnam Veteran Leadership Program.

Upon passing the California bar exam, he worked for 12 years as a prosecutor in the office of the Deputy District Attorney. In March 1998, he was appointed to the Municipal Court by Gov. Pete Wilson and later that year became a Superior Court Judge of California, County of San Diego, serving in that position until his retirement in 2016.

David and Janice, his wife of 33 years, currently reside in Coronado.

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 [email protected] with any questions.
 
Calendar of Events:

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

Season of Prayer Novena led by Rev. Cathey
Saturday, September 14-Sunday, September 22 in the chapel
---
Parish Council Meeting 
Saturday, September 14, 9:00 am
---
Men of St. John's Meeting
Monday, September 16, 6:00 pm at the Dennehy's
---
Tuesday Night Bible Study 
Tuesday, September 17, 6:00 pm
--- 
Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Wednesday, September 18, 9:30-11:00 am
---
Choir Practice
Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-7:00 pm
---
Daughters of the King Meeting
Thursday, September 19, 10:00 am
---
Lunch Bunch
Friday, September 20, 11:30 am at the Galley
---
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  [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,  Fr. Jack, Florence,  Deb, Bill, 
Regina, Patricia, Ron,  Rosie,  Clair, Eva, Becky, 
Norm, Cookie, Jeannine, Gail and Judith .

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 15, 2019

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

Readings for Wednesday Morning Prayer

Psalm 72
1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Matthew 4:18-25

Celebrant's Schedule

Here is our upcoming celebrant's schedule:

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

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

September 29
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  

Friends, I really enjoyed this wonderful April 1991 Forward Day by Day reflection about a "singing God."  I don 't know who the author was. 
In 1991, FDBD didn't tell you who they were.
Blessings, love, and hugs, Fr. Jack.
 
Jeremiah 31:31-34. I will be their God and they will be my people.
 
George A. Benson in "The Silent Self, A Journal of Spiritual Discovery," remembers watching an old  Nepalese couple plowing on a poor farm. The man pulled the plow and the woman guided it. 
It was a pitiful picture of poverty and hopelessness. But in the evening he saw them at them at the village spring. The woman was stripped to the waist and the man was washing her back.  He remembered that the woman sang to the man as they plowed. "What, then, did the Nepalese couple have that separated them from the inherent travail of existence? I believe that they had one further piece of knowledge; they knew that they were more than themselves.
They knew that beneath and beyond their humanity there is a singing God."
 
   We are made in the image of this "singing God," and we are more than we realize. The love that is available to us, in us, for giving - what we are and what we can do - is much greater than we have ever imagined. We are like gifted musicians who could compose and play like Bach, but stick to running the scales. God in Jesus, was both showing us what it means to become
our true selves and providing a way to do it. God's song is a love song,
and we are invited to listen with our hearts, with our spirits, and join in.
 
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

Rest in Peace: Carroll Levien

With heavy hearts we inform you that Mrs. Carroll Levien, standing committee member, died last week. She was a long-time, active member of St. Dunstan's, San Diego, and she participated fully in the following: Episcopal Community Services (ECS), Cursillo, Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church Women at the church-wide level, diocesan convention planning team, and the general convention deputation. She was instrumental in forming Women Together, a collation of social service agencies, including ECS, Catholic Charities, YWCA, and Rachel's Center to support women escaping domestic violence in the 80s and 90s. At one point she had coordinated nearly half our diocesan families to donate books to ECS' Head Start programs. Beyond our diocese, she was active with Adaptive Sports, the parent teacher administration at her kids' school, and she headed up Navy Relief San Diego. Carroll's presence will be greatly missed in our diocesan community and far beyond.

Her service will take place on Saturday, September 21 at 4 p.m. at St. Dunstan's, 6556 Park Ridge Blvd., San Diego, 92120. The family requests guests wear blue. You may send condolences to Hank Levien, 7185 Everglades Ave, San Diego, 92119.

Rest eternal grant to Carroll, O Lord and may light perpetual shine upon her.


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.


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 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  [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
Quick Links...

  
Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/483-7883
Join Our Mailing List