Thursday, January 28, 2021

 

St. John's Mission Statement
St. John's is a Christian community that intentionally gathers 
to experience God's love through Episcopal worship, education, fellowship, and ministry to the wider community.

FELLOWSHIP

You are cordially invited to the

St. John's Virtual Spaghetti Dinner and Fundraiser
 
on
 
Saturday, February 13th on Zoom
 
from 5:00 to 7:00pm
 
Order your dinner from Italgo Pasta Bar
(or prepare your own dinner)
 
Italgo Pasta Bar
635 Broadway Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-651-8247
 
Menu (at a reduced price - generously from the owner)
Starter: Caesar Salad ($5)
Pasta: Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce or Bolognese (meat) Sauce; or Lasagna ($10)
Main Course: Chicken Parmigiano ($12)
Homemade Bread: ($2.50)
Homemade Dessert: ($5)
 
When ordering, indicate that you are part of St. John's Dinner and Fundraiser.
You may order for take-out/pick up or to be delivered.

Opportunity Drawings throughout the evening
 
Tickets: six for $5
may be purchased by a check payable to St. John's
sent to Diane Gustafson at 3820 Bonita Glen Terrace, Bonita 91902.
Please indicate which item bag(s) and how many tickets in each.
 
Or you may purchase tickets using the "Give Now" button
on the church website. 
Please use the memo line to indicate the number of ticket(s) for which item number. You do not have to be present to win.
 
Note: One ticket will be picked from each bag to determine the winner of that prize. Since this is a virtual fundraiser, all tickets must be purchased in advance, no later than 2:00 on Saturday
and none will be available for sale during the dinner.
 
Live auction of two items during the dinner
Bids will be placed using the chat feature on Zoom.
Auction will end at 7:00 pm. Must be present to win.

Details about the available auction and "opportunity drawing" prizes 
can be found here:


We will be creating a St. John's Italian Cookbook

Please submit your favorite Italian recipes to Maria at the church office.
Recipes for: appetizers, bread, salads, entrees, and desserts.
An online cookbook is being prepared and will be available on our website 
at no cost.

WORSHIP
Update - Sunday Worship Services
  
COVID Updated Guidelines
 
From Bishop Susan:   Governor Newsom has lifted the stay-at-home order that affected the southern California region. As our region remains in the state's "purple tier" classification, I do not anticipate that this will allow us to resume indoor worship. "Purple tier" areas are still required to hold worship only outdoors or online, by government rules. 

Note that I recently tightened restrictions on live-streaming or pre-recording worship from inside a church. Those tightened restrictions apply through Feb. 16. 

At St. John's, we will continue to gather virtually for our worship service of the Word of God and Spiritual Communion.  Our service will be livestreamed on the internet.
You may access the livestreamed service and the worship booklet through our St. John's website:  www.saint-john's.org  
or our Facebook page:   Saint John's Episcopal Church. 
                                                                               
Please Bring Us Your Palm Fronds
 
Do you have any palm fronds/crosses from previous Palm Sundays?
Do you want to dispose of them?

In preparation for Ash Wednesday, we will be collecting Palms.
Bring your old palms to the church and place them in the assigned basket 
on Wednesday (Feb 3rd or 10th) along with our other Outreach collections. 
The palms will ritually burned; and the ashes blessed and distributed for 
the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday.
 
Scripture Readings For the Week

Readings for Sunday, January 31, 2021

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
 
Facebook Link for Services:  Saint John's Episcopal Church
St. John's website: saint-johns.org

Altar Flowers
 
The Altar Flowers for Sunday, January 31st are donated in honor of all our Essential Workers during this pandemic, given by Janie Burchartz.

Our Altar Flower donations chart for 2021 is available in the parish office.  If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion without coming to the office, please contact Maria at 619-422-4141 or [email protected]

The suggested donation for altar flowers is $40.00.

Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
 
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:
 
STEWARDSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
St. John's Family and Friends

As we begin a new year, we are updating our parish 
membership registry and directory.  Please help us by providing the following information.  You may respond to this email Newsletter or call Maria at the parish office (619-422-4141):

Last Name, First name(s)
Name(s) of children living at home
Mailing Address including Zip Code
Phone Number(s)
Email Addresses

_____  Is it your intent to be a registered member of St. John's Episcopal Church?

_____  Do you want to continue receiving our E-Newsletter and Pastoral Communications? 
 
2020 Annual Report
 
The St. John's 2020 Annual Report is available here (2020 Annual Report) and on the St. John's Website:  www.saint-johns.org

If you would like a hard-copy of the report, please contact Maria at 619-422-4141 or [email protected]
 
OUTREACH & EVANGELIZATION 
Outreach

St. John's Outreach Committee has gathered to discuss 
our renewed Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
  • Blankets - Coordinated by Denise Czer
  • Pill Bottles - Coordinated by Sally Elliot
  • Eyeglasses -
  • Magazines -
  • Greeting Cards-
  • Emergency Food Pantry - Coordinated by Maria and Joe Love
Our collection day will be Wednesdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. (during this pandemic while we cannot gather)
Tables with labeled bins will be set up outside the church. You may drive up and drop off your items in the appropriate bins. If you do not feel comfortable driving, we will find a volunteer to pick up the items from your home.

Blanket Ministry

New Start Blankets benefits domestic violence shelters in San Diego. The blankets we collect go to women and children who have escaped domestic violence.  Most of the time, women and children arrive at the shelters with only the clothes on their backs.  They are each given a new blanket, usually the only new thing they receive, and it is theirs to keep.  Blankets are multi purpose, providing comfort, warmth, and security.

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 by bringing them to the Parish Office. 

Matthew 25: Ministries accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Their pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.

If you would like to contribute your financial support as well as your pill bottles, we welcome your donations.

Eyeglass Recycling
 
If you buy new glasses, bring your old pair to St. Johns. They will be delivered  to LensCrafter, where they will be reground and used for those who can't afford to buy brand new glasses.
 
Magazine Collection

Your used magazines, paperback books and calendars will be delivered to the Seafarers Mission in National City. They will then be distributed to those whose sea journeys can last for many months.
 
Greeting Cards

Your greeting cards, stickers and other supplies will be delivered to our ECS Head Start program and to Mi Escuilita, a Head Start run by SBCS. All cards are accepted: free cards you have received from charitable organizations or greeting cards you were sent (you may cut off the back to remove any personal information).   The children use them in art projects and to identify objects and make up stories. 
 
Emergency Food Pantry

The South Bay Community Services "Emergency Food Pantry" needs donations every month. If you would like to donate, please bring your non-perishable food items to the Parish Office and they will be delivered to SBCS.

These items are always welcome:
Dry and canned beans, boxed potatoes
Rice, pasta, Mac & Cheese
Canned meat or fish and can openers
Cereals, powdered and canned milk
Peanut butter and jelly
Canned fruit and vegetables
Soup, ramen noodles and crackers
Canned stews and Spaghetti-o's
 
Lenten Outreach
 
Forty Days-Forty Items
 
We have a challenge for you:
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 (Ash Wednesday) is the first day of Lent. Each day of Lent, think about someone less fortunate as you look in your closet.
 
Remove one item from your closet or dresser that you no longer wear or need and put it into a collection bag.  More details to follow.
 
At the end of the forty days, St. John's will donate these items of clothing to share them with someone who can really use these items!!! 
 
Becoming a Church for Military Members and Families
 
Ministry to military members and their families is an 
important outreach ministry, therefore, Bishop Susan 
Brown Snook recently appointed The Rev. Frank Munoz, retired Navy chaplain and Priest-in-Charge at Grace Episcopal Church in Menifee, as our first military missioner-and the first known diocesan military missioner in The Episcopal Church.
 
Men and women of the military have chosen to give of themselves in order to serve and defend the freedoms and liberties of our country. We have an opportunity to serve them in return. The most obvious reason to minister to the military is that they are our neighbors, and as neighbors some are in need of pastoral care.
 
Some of us have come from military families and others of us have had the experience of a military family coming to our churches while they live near us and fitting in quickly, until they are deployed to another base. While they are with us, they want what many of us want from a church community: fellowship, education, prayer, sacraments, and pastoral care. The problem is that not all military families find churches easily.
 
That's where we come in. We have an opportunity to become more intentional about reaching out to the military and inviting them in.
 
The Vestry of St. John's has agreed that we will register our parish with the Military Chaplains Association as Veterans/Military Friendly Congregations so that chaplains can send people our way. We also can advertise our military ministry on our websites and in our E-Newsletter
 
Bishop Susan has identified this coming year, 2021, as the Year of Evangelism. Ministry to the military offers us a way to tell the Good News to our many neighbors in the military and to give the opportunities to use their spiritual gifts while they are with us.
 
If you would like to me a part of this Outreach ministry to our military members and their families, please contact Rev. Roger at the parish office.
 
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral Care
 
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 [email protected]

MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Parish Prayer Lists

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.

Our Parish Prayer Intentions
 
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, Steve, Gary and Shirley, Fr. George Calvert, 
Tony, Brian, Ed, Priscilla, and Hugh,
and for all first responders, medical professionals, 
essential workers and their families.

Cycle of Prayers for the Church

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of Christ Church, Coronado.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Igreja Episcopal Anglicano do Brasil.

Prayer Quilt Ministry
 
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind 
you that there are many quilts available for anyone in need of prayer and support.  This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. Please contact Diane Gustafson directly ([email protected]) or through the office ([email protected]). 

 
OFFICE CONTACTS
The Vestry

David Dennehy, Senior Warden
619-840-9994 
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Jane Ferguson
Muriel Kulikowski
Alejandra Valdez-Beer
Lynn Young

Upcoming Events at St. John's

February 13, 2021


Spaghetti Dinner-Virtual

February 15, 2021


President's Day; Office Closed

February 17, 2021


Ash Wednesday

Parish Office Hours

Updated Diocesan COVID Guidelines -Church Offices:
  • Ensure that to the extent possible, church staff are working remotely rather than coming together in person.
  • If staff and/or volunteers must come into the office for necessary activities, they should remain masked and distanced, with outdoor windows open and doors shut between people, to minimize exposure.
The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.  Please call before coming into the office, as our hours of availability may change.

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.


Your weekly newsletter highlights 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.

AROUND THE DIOCESE
RefugeeNet Virtual Benefit

RefugeeNet invites you to register today by clicking here 
for a live show from 5 to 6:30 pm on February 27 that will include cooking and dancing lessons, African music, and life-changing testimonials that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. Pre-order a reheatable meal prepared by our new Mama Africa catering project and we'll deliver it to your doorstep the night of the event! And keep your eyes out for a range of auction items in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Colin at [email protected].
 
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.
 
Episcopal Relief and Development
What Would Love Do: 1000 Days of Love

Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.

What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change

Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.

 
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: 619/301-0724
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