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Thursday, September 24, 2020
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A Prayer for Persons Suffering
as a Result of a Natural Disaster
Gracious God,
we pray for all those suffering from the ravages of natural disasters.
Grant them encouragement, strength, fortitude, patience and insight as they struggle with their many losses - material, physical, emotional, and personal - and begin to pick up the pieces and create a new future for themselves, their families, and their community. Be for them a beacon of unwavering hope and confidence that there can and will be a better day. Surround them with your love and the love and compassion of others that they might be sustained in this time of trouble. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
But I shall sing of your strength, extol your mercy at dawn, for you are
my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. Psalm 59:17
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Mark Higginbotham
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we  inform you that Mark Higginbotham passed away peacefully in his sleep during the night.
Mark was beloved by the people of St. John's and his presence will be greatly missed.
Please hold Tom and Mark's family in your prayers during this difficult time.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend you servant, Mark. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
May his soul and souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.
Notes of Care and Sympathy may be sent to:
Tom Brzeczek 1011 Via Sinuoso Chula Vista, CA 91910
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In-Person Worship Services
 The parish of St. John's had been given permission by Bishop Susan to gather outdoors for our in-person worship. In accordance with the health guidelines established by the governor and bishop, we will follow our Re-gathering Action Plan.
As we gather:
- we will perform temperature checks and symptom assessment,
- we will all wear a face mask
- we will use hand sanitizer
- we will maintain 6 feet social distance
- we will greet one another verbally, regretfully no physical touch.
- our music will be done as solos, (except for those of you at home who can sing as loud as you would like).
- we will distribute Holy Communion, the Body of Christ under the form of bread.
For those of you who are not able to attend because of the guidelines or do not feel comfortable, both of the above worship services will be streamed live on our website at www.saint-johns.org and our Facebook page: Saint John's Episcopal Church
We will try to make shaded seating available, but it is recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must manage the size of the gathering to ensure the health and safety of all who gather.
If you plan to attend on Sunday, please contact Maria Love at the the Parish Office (619-422-4141) or by email ([email protected]) with your name and the number of people in your party that will be attending.
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Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 4, 2020
During our 9:00am Worship Service
St. John's Courtyard
You are invited to bring your pets to church on Sunday for our annual Blessing of the Animal in honor of St. Francis and his affinity for all animals. Please make sure that all animal friends are on a leash, in a crate, or otherwise secure. You are responsible for taking care of your beloved pet.
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Reflection on Matthew 21:23-32
The setting for the Gospel this Sunday is the  temple. When Jesus entered the temple, the elders and chief priests approached Him. They immediately began questioning Him. They asked Him who it was that gave Him authority to heal and preach?
Instead of answering their questions, Jesus turns the table on the elders and priests by asking them where they believed John's baptism was from? Did they believe it was from heaven or did they think it was of human origin? The elders and priests were in a quandary. They realized that if they said they believed that John's baptism was from heaven, Jesus then might ask them: "why didn't you believe John?" However, if they told Jesus that they did not believe in John's baptism, Jesus then would ask them why they did not believe that John was the man "sent by God to testify to the truth?"
Can you imagine the frustration, fear and anger the elders and priests experienced? They were in a quandary! No matter how they answered, they would be in an awkward position. The temple officials were silent for a time. Finally one of them answered and simply said: "We do not know." In turn, Jesus responds by refusing to tell them where His authority came from.
What do we believe?
If baptism is from heaven, then, God, who is our creator, plants within each of us the authority to speak words of forgiveness and healing; and act with respect and compassion, serving all peoples in Christ. How will we choose to act on what we believe and who Jesus is for us?
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Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, September 27, 2020
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Psalm 25:1-8
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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 ([email protected])
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:
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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,
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, Richie and Roberto.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott, Betty, Barbara, Dean, Norma, Paul, Laura,
Ed and Sonja, Andrew, Barb, Steve, and Sarah and Tom,
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For the repose of the soul of Mark Higginbotham. May light perpetual shine on him.
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese
Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista
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St. John's Playground Fund Donation
St. John's resolves a long term issue related to the school operations
Background 
Years ago, when the school was in session, a group of
parents donated funds to be spent specifically for a playground. There were funds remaining after the playground was built, and those funds remained with St. John's Church. Because the funds were restricted to be spent on a playground, and the school and playground no longer existed, St. John's looked for a solution.
Solution
St. John's petitioned the court to allow St. John's to donate the playground restricted funds to entities that are similar in spirit to the desires of the parents. As such, the court ordered St. John's to distribute the remaining playground restricted funds, half to Vida Joven (an orphanage in Tijuana) and half to the Episcopal Diocese youth program for its next project in Mexico.
We are delighted that this issue is resolved. Rather than have the funds continue to languish under uncertainty, these two worthy organizations will be able to do more good work in the world.
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 Stewardship
Stewardship is about the offering of our time, talent and treasure. Thank 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 5 other ways to stay current on your pledge:
1) The offering plate at our in-person worship services
2) US mail
3) the secured mail slot next to the parish office door on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
4) 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,
5) 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 ( [email protected]) or phone call to the office on Thursdays for assistance.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
This disaster season has already proven to be unlike
any other, and Episcopal Relief & Development is working around the clock to help those affected.
As Hurricane Sally threatens the Gulf Coast just weeks after Laura devastated communities, they are helping the dioceses of Western Louisiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Central Gulf Coast prepare for flooding and power outages that are likely to happen amid the storm surge.
And on the West Coast, due to the unprecedented wildfires across three states and where there are currently some of the worst air conditions on the planet, they are helping dioceses ensure people's safety and provide evacuees with shelters that follow COVID-19 health guidelines.
Disaster season is far from over. In order to lend aid to communities, particularly those already vulnerable because of COVID-19,
ERD welcomes your donations to their Disaster Fund: ERD Disaster Fund
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Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love:
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Friday. 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.
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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.
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The Vestry
David Dennehy, Senior Warden
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Mark Higginbotham
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young
Approved Minutes for the July 22nd Vestry meeting can be found here:
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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.
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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
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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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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724 |
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