September 26, 2019


Traveling Book Ministry

Kathryn Bunch of K-B Books will be joining us at St. John's with her traveling book ministry this Sunday, Sept 29
after all services.
Author's featured: Bishop Currey, C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Fleming Rutledge, Richard Rohr, Henri Nouwen, N.T. Wright
Prayer Books, + Prayer Book Hymnal, Bibles, Celtic, Contemplative, Benedictine, Centering Prayer, Icons, Aging, Healing, Caregiving & The Episcopal Handbook. Embossing available no extra charge
Children's Books, Printery House Cards for all occasions
If you have an old book or Bible that needs restoration bring it along as this is an added service available. No charge for evaluation.
 
Advance orders are welcome - contact Kathryn at 619-204-4039.
 
Steak Dinner

Tickets will be available soon for the Men of St. John's Dinner on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 6:00 pm in Nale Hall.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children; a chicken option is available.
Wine and Margaritas will be available for purchase.
 
Opportunity Drawings
 
The Women of St. John's are sponsoring opportunity drawings at the Steak Dinner on October 26.  Each prize will have a paper bag next to it; drop one or more tickets in the bag to have a chance to win that prize. Tickets will be sold at the Dinner, six for $5.
We are looking for donated items to use as prizes. We can use just about anything that is in good condition because we combine things into baskets.
Here are what we plan to/would like to have; maybe this will give you ideas:
  •  Gift cards to local restaurants or stores
  •  A bundle of books
  •  A large basket of kitchen items
  •  British foods basket
  •  One or more Christmas baskets. We already have a set of eight cork-       backed placemats, four guest towels, cookbooks, earrings, and a             beautiful red Christmas sweatshirt, size L, in fine condition that
     belonged to our friend, Rose Peters.
 We'd like to make Halloween and Thanksgiving baskets.
 And we could use the baskets themselves, especially large ones.

Here's the important part: Please hold onto your donations until the week of October 14.  A Bible Study now meets in the room where we usually store prize donations. We invite you to contact Diane Gustafson ([email protected]) to let us know what you will bring so we can plan ahead.

Vestry and Congregation Report
August 2019
 
Clergy Appreciation Month

October was designated as Clergy Appreciation Month in 1992. It has been said that if any church can and should appreciate their clergy, it's St. John's. We have four of the most caring, ready-to-serve clergy we could ever desire, save Jesus Himself.
 
While the 2nd Sunday in October is Clergy Appreciation Day, you are invited to celebrate Cathey, Jack, Al and Tom on each Sunday during the month. You will find a box in the narthex where you can drop your cards, notes, and letters. Gift cards are an option, too! Let's REALLY show them how much we appreciate them!
 
"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching." 
1 Tim 5:17 (Contemporary English Version)
 
Obey your leaders and do what they say. They are watching over you, and they must answer to God. So don't make them sad as they do their work. Make them happy. Otherwise, they won't be able to help you at all.
Hebrews 13:17 (Contemporary English Version) 
 
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.
 
Senior Event at St. Pius X Church
 
Attention Seniors! All are invited to the Seniors breakfast at St. Pius X Catholic Church on the last Friday of the month, September 27, at 8:15 AM in the hall. After a brief presentation by the preschoolers, Chula Vista Police and school parent, Rachel del Toro, will talk about ways to identify Senior scams and how to avoid them. All are invited. 

ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH
1120 Cuyamaca Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91911-3506
 
Thank You for the Prayer Quilts
 

 
*****

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. 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, and after Sunday Services.
 
Episcopal Community Services

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) appreciates your prayers and partnership! Founded in 1927, ECS has been serving some of our most vulnerable neighbors for 92 years. Today ECS serves nearly 7,000 people each year including children and families and adults who are homeless and in recovery under the mission of  serving God by serving those in need through programs that foster hope, dignity, and independence . We so appreciate you and all of our church partners!
To learn more about ECS, sign up for their mailing list, or learn about volunteer
opportunities, please visit  ecscalifornia.org , or contact Deann Rios at  [email protected]  or 619-228-2800.
 
Calendar of Events:

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

Daughters of the King Fall Assembly
Saturday, September 28, 8:00 am-2:00 pm
---
Tuesday Night Bible Study 
Tuesday, October 1, 6:00 pm
--- 
Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Wednesday, October 2, 9:30-11:00 am
---
Choir Practice
Wednesday, October 2, 5:30-7:00 pm
---
Blessing of Pets
Saturday, October 5, 10:00 am
---
Healing Service
Sunday, October 6, 11:30 am
---
Steak Dinner and Opportunity Drawing
Saturday, October 26, 6:00 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,  Florence,  Ron,  Rosie,  Clair,
Eva, Becky, 
Norm, Cookie, Jeannine, Gail, Judith,
Priscilla, Bob, Kenny, Patty, Karina and Flo
.

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



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 29, 2019

Jeremiah  32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31

Readings for Wednesday Morning Prayer

Psalm 109
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Matthew 7:13-21

Celebrant's Schedule

Here is our upcoming celebrant's schedule:

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

Sunday, October 13
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  

I placed this prayer in my Prayer Journal in 1983.
I thought you would enjoy this beautiful Native American Prayer like I do.
It was written by Tom White Cloud (Objibwe). 
It speaks to my heart.
Blessings, love, and hugs,
Fr. Jack.
 
O great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds,
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made, 
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise, so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden, in every leaf and rock. 
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready, to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you without shame.
   
Meet Your Vestry
 
Jim McDevitt has been on Vestry for almost two years. His wife Lynn Boster had always suggested that he look into becoming a Vestry member, and when his good friend Judy McKay told him about open positions, he and Judy decided to go into it together.

What aspects of being on Vestry do you like best?
(Jim) The relationships that you build with the other Vestry members and with fellow parishioners.

Is there anything you would like to change?
No, but I would like to see more opportunities for others to join. Let folks know that we encourage them to join and learn more about St. John's.

Has anything surprised you?
Yes. I never realized how hard the Senior Warden and  People's Warden work to help our church. Truly amazing!

How much time does Vestry take?
About 3-5 hours per month, with meetings, committees, and other functions.

Any advice for someone thinking about Vestry?
I highly recommend you come to a meeting and see if it's for you. It's such an eye opener to experience how many ways you can be of service here. Do yourself a favor, and show your commitment and enthusiasm for St. John's.

 
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
 
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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