Thursday, August 20, 2020

 

A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit 
among the People of God

God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. 
Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. 
Revive us to live as Christ's body in the world: 
a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. 
Wherever and however we gather, 
unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, 
that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. 

Obituary: Fr. Jack Tolley
 
Fr. John (Jack) Tolley passed away peacefully 
August 16th with his family by his side.  Jack was born
on May 20, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio.  He love to talk about his childhood in Cleveland.
In 1959, he earned a bachelor's degree in safety management at Baldwin Wallace Methodist College in Berea, Ohio.  There, he met his wife, Sarah.  He served two years in the U.S. Army.  Then over the years worked for Republic Steel, Dow Chemical and Laurence Livermore Laboratories.
His true passion was the Episcopal Church.  In 1982, he earned his degree in Theology at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific Episcopal seminary.  he worked as a fill-in pastor at various Episcopal Churches in the Bay area while still working his regular job.  In 2001, he retired and moved to Chula Vista, California with his wife.  He then became an assistant pastor at St. John's Episcopal Church in Chula Vista.  He loved doing Sunday services, weddings, funerals, counseling and attending St. John's Men's Club meetings.  He will be missed by all at St. John's.
But most of all, Jack will be missed by his family. He is survived by his loving wife Sarah and sons Craig and John.

Fr. Jack Tolley
So much to say...hard to find the words!
 
I sit here, staring at a blank page...I'm at a loss for words
...and yet, there's so very much to say about Fr. Jack...about the man, his life, and his ministry!
 
I met Jack when he first came to St. John's, about 20 years ago now. From the start, he fit seamlessly into the generous, loving culture of the parish. He voluntarily took on a large portion of the pastoral support for our parish household and took true delight in assisting with the chapel portions of St. John's School...he loved each and every one of those kids!
 
As my vocational call clarified and I began the path to ordination, I found Jack to be the staunchest supporter, most helpful mentor, and always loving cheerleader any student could ever hope to have! He was always willing to engage in theological discussions, eager to read and offer opinions on papers...and just to be an ear or shoulder when the need arose.
 
It was at being that ear, that shoulder,
 that calm presence that Jack excelled. He is my model for pastoral care and ministry. He could certainly tell a good story, but it was always you in whom he was most interested. "How are you?" "What's new with you?" "Are you alright?" We have all experienced his concerned care for us...and about us.
 
When I returned to St. John's in 2017, it was such a joy to join him as a colleague on the ministry team! And, no surprise, he continued being the generous cheerleader he has always been for me. As I returned to the parish with new eyes and more experience, I have been continuously struck by the kind, humble, generous, and loving nature of Jack's ministry to us all.
 
Many of you have heard me preach on saints 
with a small "s" and Saints with a capital "S"...Jack will always be a Saint with a capital "S" for me. He exemplified the "disciple's life" all Christians are called to by Jesus, as he cared for and ministered to all, especially to the most vulnerable in our midst.
 
Again...so much each of us could say...so much written in each of our hearts and spirits. In the spirit of his ministry, I ask us all to honor him by emulating the example of his ministry to others and by following the advice he so often gave, "be kind, especially to yourself."

Rev. Cathey Dowdle
 
Scripture Readings For the Week

Readings for Sunday, August 23, 2020

Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
 
Bulletin for Sunday, August 23
 
Facebook Link for Sunday Service: St. John's Facebook Page
St. John's website: saint-johns.org

Coffee Hour

This is a time to reconnect, socialize, see friends, 
and support one another during this time.
Following the Dismissal and Postlude, we will gather as family and friends of St. John's for a virtual time to be together - "Coffee Hour".  So bring your coffee, tea, juice and whatever pastry you want to eat and join us for our Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
You will be sent the Zoom link prior to Sunday.  Click on the link (or enter the identification number if you already have Zoom).  If you have never been on a Zoom session you may be asked to download a small program or application.

For security purpose, you will be put into a "waiting room", where the host (me) will let you in.

In Zoom, "Gallery View" view will allow you to see the most amount of people.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

  
Join the Diocesan-Wide Worship Service
 
We invite and encourage you to join Bishop Susan Brown Snook for the Diocesan Worship Service on Sunday, Sept. 6. It's a time for the diocese to come together and join with other Episcopalians throughout our diocese for worship.

Individuals may access it from the Diocesan Facebook page. Bishop Susan will preside and preach, recording from St. Paul's Cathedral. Music and prayers will be in English and Spanish, with a bulletin available in both languages. It's a day for our diocese to come together in worship and thanksgiving! 

We are encouraging all members of St. John's to attend this diocesan worship service.  It will be great to gather with bishop Susan and others from around the diocese.  We will not be having our service that Sunday from St. John's.
 
Wednesday Morning Prayer
 
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting. 

Please contact Rev. Cathey (revcat@gmail.com)
to be included in the Zoom meeting, or to update your info, if she does not have your current email.

The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
 
Prayer Quilt Ministry
 
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind 
you that they remain available for anyone in need of a quilt. This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. Please contact Christy Gollihur directly or through the office. (Her cell is 619-227-8038.)

Material for Masks:
Christy also has material that she would be happy to give to anyone who wants it to make face masks. 
 
Prayers

Birthday and Anniversary Prayers

We would like to acknowledge and pray for anyone celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary in the coming week.  Please let us know by Thursday of the prior week so that we can get it in the Sunday liturgy.  If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.

We Are Available in Your Time of Need

If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed, 
please call 619-301-0724 or email revroger@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, Barbara, Dean, Rob,
Austin, George, Sarah, Norma
and for all first responders, medical professionals, 
essential workers and their families.

For the repose of the souls of Fr. Jack Tolley and Robert Bailey

For Churches in Transition in our Diocese

Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista

Stewardship
 
Stewardship is about the offering of our time, talent and treasureThank you to those who make the work and ministry of St. John's continue.

We have made it even more convenient to give online.  You can find a "Give Now" button on our St. John's website: www.saint-johns.org

There are 4 other ways to stay current on your pledge: 
1)  US mail
2)  the secured mail slot next to the parish office door on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
3)  Sally can add an automatic credit or debit payment by providing to her in writing the necessary information (bank name, account number, expiration date and amount to be withdrawn, 
4)  you can go to your bank (physically or on line) to set up an automatic payment to St. John's by bank check once a month.

If you need help with any of these options, please contact Sally via email (sally@saint-johns.org) or phone call to the office on Thursdays for assistance.


Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love: 


EDSD Statement of Commitment
 
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.
 
The Vestry

David Dennehy, Senior Warden
619-840-9994 
masterfrog@att.net
Mark Higginbotham, Junior Warden
619-861-5510
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Mark Higginbotham
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young

Approved Minutes for the June 17th Vestry meeting can be found here:

Rev. Roger's Office Hours
 
Rev. Roger will be available, but working from home on Mondays and Tuesdays  and in the office all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  He will be available by appointment.  Please call the office (619-422-4141) to schedule an appointment.

In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at 619-301-0724.


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.

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
 
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: 619/301-0724
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