Week of April 18-24, 2022 | Vol. 81 Issue 16

Have you purchased your tickets for an evening with Karen González?

St. John’s is hosting a community event on Saturday, April 30 at 6PM featuring Rev. Karen González, the author of The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong (Herald Press, May 2019). 

Karen has lived the experience of being an immigrant, having arrived with her family in this country from Guatemala at the age of 9. She is a sought-after speaker who has written about and presented on a variety of topics, including spiritual formation, Latinx identity, race and culture, women in the church, the Enneagram, and immigration. 

In The God Who Sees she weaves together her own story and those of other immigrants with stories of immigrants in the Bible. She is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and works for World Relief in Baltimore, an organization that serves immigrants and refugees. 

Karen is a compelling speaker with a message for all of us who want to connect with our neighbors from other countries who are making Charlotte their home. We invite you to join us on April 30 for a time of fellowship and learning. 

The evening will begin with a reception (light refreshments), followed by Karen’s talk at 6:30, Q & A, and a book signing.  The event will be held in Broach Hall.

Tickets for the April 30 event are $10 and can be purchased through Eventbrite by clicking the button below.





Strangers to Neighbors

Refugee 101 Orientation at St. John's

Conditions around the world are resulting in increasing numbers of people fleeing conflict in their homeland. Some of them arrive in Charlotte and become our neighbors. St. John’s is partnering with some of the refugee serving agencies in Charlotte and we are following their guidance in finding ways we can “welcome the strangers” that have come here seeking safety and security and a better way of life.

One of these partner agencies is Refugee Support Services, which offers a variety of services for many of the newcomers who settle in Charlotte. For anyone wishing to have direct contact with the clients served by RSS, participation in their volunteer orientation is required along with a background check. On May 18, at 11:30, the volunteer coordinator at RSS will come to St. John’s to provide the one-hour Refugee 101 orientation session.  

Plan to come to the lounge, bring a sandwich for lunch, and learn the latest about refugees arriving in Charlotte and how we can help extend a welcome to them. Whether you plan to volunteer for direct contact or merely want to find out more about the RSS programs and other ways to support the work of this organization, mark your calendar now and plan to join us for an interesting and informative session! Please email either Nina Phillips ([email protected]) or Beverly Hester ([email protected]) to let us know that you will be there. Thanks!

From the Heritage Room

St. John's survived a financial crisis in the fall of 1929. However, as the economic depression continued, another crisis arose.

From "Twenty Triumphant Years" (written by Richard Young to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the church)--

"On November 1, 1934, the church could show only $40.43 in the current expense fund; its debt stood at $78,090. Current bills were t0 days past due; salaries were 30 days in arrears; interest in the amount of $1,512 was due in 10 days. This crisis became even more intense until one of the most significant decisions in the church's history was made on March 1, 1935. On this day, after earnest prayer and long consideration, the church launched the Belmont Tithing Plan which provided that every member pay into the church treasury ten percent of gross income for a period of 14 weeks. A total of 325 members agreed to accept the plan, and the increase in gifts was almost miraculous. It became possible to pay off the second mortgage on the pastorium, re-roof the Community house, meet the May and November interest payments and all current obligations.

After the 13 weeks, the average offering increased threefold and at the end of the year the mortgages on the pastorium and the church had been refinanced at a lower a rate of interest. There was $4,140 in the bank and the finance committee was able to combine current expenses and debt service requirements into a single budget, eliminating the previously recurring drives and appeals for money. Each subsequent budget was balanced Most important of all, the spiritual life of the church was so revitalized and strengthened that greater achievements were soon to be attained."