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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Keys - Pastor and People: Part Two
- No Children's Sunday School on August 17
- Churchwide Survey
- Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust
- Love Offering for The Fousts
- Pride Volunteers Needed!
- WOC August School Supply Collection for ourBridge
- Retirement Drop-In Celebration
- On the Way!
- Youth Parent Meeting
- Faith Journey Book Study Starting September 8
- WOC Luncheon
- Rise Against Hunger
- Crop Hunger Walk
- Fall Churchwide 2025 Save the Dates
- Fall Kickoff Cookout for Children & Their Families
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Keys - Pastor and People: Part Two
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
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Keys are symbols of leadership. In my pocket are keys that both open and secure doors. Through five decades, I have turned in keys knowing the next church had keys waiting for me. When I retire in ten days, I will turn in my St. John’s keys. My pockets will be lighter. Yet, some keys to pastoral ministry are not carried in pockets or purses. Let me name three.
One key to pastoral ministry is compassionate prayerfulness. Chevis Horne was pastor of First Baptist Church of Martinsville, Virginia for forty years. In the summer of 1992, I was able to spend an afternoon listening to him tell stories. I will always remember him saying, “One of the keys to being a faithful pastor is to love your people as you pray for them.” Like parents pray for their children before they hold them in their arms, I have prayed for you every day since the spring of 2011. I didn’t move into your senior minister’s office until the week of August 15th, 2011. I was praying for you before I met you. Praying for you has helped me see you through God’s heart. I will continue to hold you in my heart in prayer.
Another key to pastoral ministry is intentionality. Too often too much of what happens in ministry is without purpose. For decades, I have taken a couple of weeks in the summer to plan with intentionality. I took twenty to thirty boxes and bags of folders, planning notebooks, and resources to prepare for the next eighteen months of ministry. One aspect of this was a list of priorities and another was development of a worship theme and scripture/sermon plan. While it could be adjusted along the way, it was helpful to me and to staff and to church leaders to know where I was going. I would always ask questions such as, “Where do I sense God at work in our congregation today?” “What are the needs and spiritual desires of our people?” “What changes and challenges lie ahead of which we are aware?” “What do I sense in my spirit that I’m not sure others are noticing?” It has allowed me to be a non-anxious presence and not respond viscerally to most experiences. Being intentional is not being rigid. Yet, it does provide innovation when inflexible designs or manipulative purposes unfold. Creativity often develops best when options have already been considered by a leader who plans with intentionality.
A third key to pastoral ministry is collaborative negotiation. Intentionality can cause stress for some individuals if they perceive planning is happening in isolation. Every year, I have requested input prior to my planning weeks and after my return. If directions and priorities need to shift after conversations with staff and church leaders, we make alterations and additions as needed. Intentionality and collaborative negotiation are best when balanced. Professional and mature staff members have always appreciated this balance. It protects us from silo mentality and promotes team building Collaborative negotiation is a key that opens and secures doors when church people work together in ministry.
And, if no key fits, remember the message I received in a fortune cookie several years ago: “You belong to a select group of confused people figuring out why people are confused.”
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No Children's Sunday School on August 17!
Children’s Sunday School will NOT meet on Sunday, August 17. Nursery care will be provided as scheduled.
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Help define the hiring profile for our next Senior Minister! | |
The St. John’s Pastor Search Team is tasked with identifying and recommending the next Senior Minister following Dr. Foust’s retirement in August, and your perspective on the type of candidate we should look for is important. We are asking for your participation in two ways:
- Step 1 is completing a quick survey to capture your thoughts on the demographics, background, and characteristics of an ideal candidate.
- Step 2 will come in September when we gather as a church for a conversation based on the survey results, and to further refine any input on key priorities for the Search Team.
Details on what we are asking you to do now:
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Please take a few minutes now to complete the anonymous survey by clicking on the link provided here, or by entering the link address in your browser. https://forms.gle/Q1Dda2Fhq8wgWwZj6
- There are 9 questions that ask you to select from options provided, and one question for you to provide any additional input you feel is critical.
- Each member or regular attendee is asked to share their input, meaning there will be multiple surveys completed for each family. We just ask each person to use the link to complete your input once.
Paper copies of the survey are being sent to those members who normally receive a printed version of the Family News. However, if you are unable to complete this online and need a paper copy to complete, please reach out to Amanda Morrison in the church office. Please return your paper copy to the after hours box outside of Amanda's office.
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and we are excited to receive your input! Thank you for your prayerful attention to this important part of our process.
~ St. John’s Pastor Search Team
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| Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust | | |
Please join us for a catered lunch in Broach Hall immediately following worship service on Sunday, August 24, to honor the ministry of Dennis and Paula Foust.
There will be no charge for your meal, but YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO ATTEND!
Only register children if they will be eating with you in Broach Hall.
Otherwise, childcare will be available for free, starting at 11:30 AM, and includes a child-friendly lunch. YOU MUST answer YES to childcare and provide your child’s/children’s name(s) and age(s) when registering yourself.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
Register by clicking HERE!
You are encouraged to write a note to the Fousts and either mail it to the church, leave it in the church office, or drop it in a basket provided at the luncheon.
| | Love Offering for The Fousts | | While planning continues for the 8/24 special service and lunch to celebrate Dennis' final service as our Senior Minister, we are also providing another way to give the Fousts a loving sendoff from St. John's. A special Love Offering fund has been set up as a tangible indication of our best wishes for Dennis and Paula from the St. John's family. If you would like to make a donation, just follow the special link below to give online, selecting the "Love Offering" option (the last one in the list of options). While this is the easiest and preferred method to donate, you can also put a check or cash in a separate envelope marked "Foust Love Offering" and drop it in the collection plate. Love offering donations are direct personal gifts and are not considered tax deductible donations to the church. To give online, click here. | | |
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Charlotte Pride is Saturday and Sunday, August 16–17 at First Ward Park and surrounding streets in Uptown Charlotte.
We need volunteers to walk in the Charlotte Pride Parade on Sunday, August 17 and help us share the message: “GOD LOVES EVERYONE!”
If you can't walk but still want to support, we also need booth volunteers:
- Saturday, August 16: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 17: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
(Booth shifts are 2 hours each.)
To sign up or ask questions, contact Amanda Morrison at amorrison@sjcharlotte.org
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OurBridge for Kids School Supply Drive | |
The Women of the Church are sponsoring a collection of school supplies and gently used or new school uniforms for our ministry partner ourBridge for Kids from now through September 15.
Our Bridge for Kids provides resources and out-of-school programs specifically designed for immigrant and refugee children and their families. Their goal is to address the social service gaps and help newly arrived children and their families adapt, develop a sense of belonging, and thrive in Charlotte.
Drop off bins will be available in the Giving Nook beginning this Sunday.
We are collecting the following items for the age and size range of K-8:
- Backpacks
- Binders, folders notebooks, and lined paper
- Dry erase markers, crayons, colored pencils, pens and pencil cases
- White, navy or red polo shirts
- Khaki or navy pants and shorts
I was a stranger and you welcomed me” Matthew 25:35. Help us extend a loving hand to these children as a new school year starts!
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Retirement Drop-In Celebration for Dennis & Paula Foust
All Adult Sunday School classes are cordially invited to the Dennis and Paula Foust Retirement Drop-In Celebration on Monday, August 18 from 4:00-6:00pm at the home of Kathy & Rod Spence (1312 Hazelhurst Avenue). Please plan to drop in for a short visit to share your well-wishes with Dennis and Paula!
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On the Way
Las Margaritas, Thursday, August 21
St. John’s retired adults and friends are invited to gather for lunch at Las Margaritas (4426 E. Independence Blvd.) at 11:30 am on Thursday, August 21.
Please email Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you plan to attend so our reservations can be adjusted for the right number of people.
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You are invited to join the Faith Journey Book Study. We will begin meeting on Monday September 8 and will meet each Monday at 11:00 in the Church Lounge. Our book for the fall is Gospel Medicine by Barbara Brown Taylor. Books can be ordered by contacting Loretta Brown (lorettaybrown@gmail.com or 434-579-2669). All are welcome to this discussion group. For further information contact Kathy Bragg or Loretta Brown. |
WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ANNUAL LUNCHEON | |
We’re looking forward to our annual Women of the Church Luncheon and Business Meeting on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Broach Hall immediately following the worship service.
This special gathering is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share fellowship, and welcome friends—both familiar faces and those we haven’t seen in a while.
We are especially excited to welcome our guest speaker, LeDayne Polaski, Executive Director of the Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network (Meck MIN), who will share an inspiring message with us.
Cost: $15 per person
Registration opens August 18 – details coming soon!
Mark your calendars, invite a friend, and plan to join us for this meaningful time together.
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Rise Against Hunger - September 28 | |
We’re coming together to pack 15,000 meals for families in need around the world!
Partnering with Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization, we’re joining a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies. Since its founding, Rise Against Hunger has packaged and distributed over 600 million meals to countries worldwide.
This is a unique, family-friendly way to make a real impact — join us and be part of something bigger!
Register Today by visiting the link here!
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| Fall 2025 Churchwide Save The Dates: | |
- Rise Against Hunger Sunday, September 28
- Children's Sabbath and World Communion Sunday, October 5
- Fall Festival Sunday, October 26
- NAMI Walk Saturday, November 8
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Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Tom Blackmon, Judy Kersey, Carl Phillips, Ken Sanford, Debbie Stillerman
Continuing Prayer:
Mary Rickenbaker, Joseph Freeman
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2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
Income Received thru July - $703,942
July financials to be published later in August
Global Missions Offering - $23,000
Income Received thru August 10 - $18,170
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- Aug 11 - 17: Kheresa
- Aug 18-24: Todd S.
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
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Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
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Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
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Noel Lance, Minister for Worship & Music and Organist
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Liza Tindall, Media Coordinator
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
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Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
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Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
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