Charles Skinner

Charles Skinner came to St. John's Cathedral more than 40 years ago at a moment in his life when he needed some help. Since then, he's helped this church in every way imaginable - as an acolyte, a verger, greeter, folding bulletins, taking people to medical appointments, singing in the family choir years ago, helping organize youth sports programs and much more.  Charles chatted this week about his life at St. John's and what this community has meant to him. In a conversation laced with his infectious laughter, he recalled raising his daughters in the church and making lifelong friends here. He talked about how nervous he was the first time his daughter served as a lay reader, when she was just a young girl. "I think she was the first child to actually lay read," he said. "She started reading and then the more she read, the more the church became completely silent. You could hear a pin drop." Read more about what St. John's has meant to Charles and why he believes it is so important to give time and treasure to the church.

Judy Martin has written a warm tribute to friend and parishioner Jean Robertson Forster. Judy remembers, "I met Jean in, of all places, the kitchen at St. John's. And where else? That's where she volunteered most of her time to our church.  She never said no and worked so diligently and responsibly that she became almost irreplaceable. I knew that I could count on her all the time. Jean was always there for her friends whether they were ailing or economically challenged or saddened in other ways." Read Judy's full text here. A memorial service for Jean will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. in the cathedral's Ascension Chapel. The Rev. Ben Clance will officiate.

Melissa Dearing, who is teaching "Financial Peace University" as part of our Wonderful Wednesday line-up, writes here about how her family learned to manage their household budget. Learning to manage money wisely, she writes, is the first step in gaining the freedom to be generous with what we have.

Father Perry Smith, recovering from surgery, sends this update:  Dear Kate and Loving People of St. John's,
I am home three days now and each day brings new strength and progress. The surgical team (Dr. Robert Still) and folks at Baptist Heart Center were extraordinary.  I expect to be home another four weeks with an exercise (rehab) program, dietary changes, etc.  This type of recovery is a slow process, but I pray I will be with you again on All Saint's Day.  Some have predicted that I will likely be back playing tennis in 8 to 10 weeks. It is hard to imagine that right now.Many thanks to you all for your prayers, calls, cards and gracious encouragement.  Those things...large and small...and having my daughter Meghan here... were sustaining and are incredibly important to my recovery.

Don't miss the parish picnic Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. at Episcopal High School. We'll have BBQ, games, fun for all ages. Please let us know if you're coming by signing the sheet we've posted in Taliaferro Hall, or call Judy Maurer at 904-356-5507, or E-mail jmaurer@saintjohnscathedral.org.

Youth paint day, bowling party & more

Attention St. John's youth in grades 6-12: We are sprucing up the Rite 13 Youth Room (the Undercroft Room) at the cathedral with a splash of paint and some pizazz. We are having a Youth Paint Day THIS Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come take ownership and be part of the change!

AND Youth Cosmic Bowling Night will be Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Bowl America, 1033 San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville from 8-11 p.m. If that is a little past your bed time, have your parents pick you up at 10 p.m. or earlier. Bring $10 to cover games and shoes.

Lastly, the St. John's Student Ministry Facebook group page is open and active, please join if you are on Facebook and haven't already. Questions? Email youth ministry intern Aaron Mayeski.

Blessing of the Animals will be this Sunday

Bring your dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, birds, and any other creature you might have on hand to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with us on Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. in Cathedral Park on Church Street. If you'd like to bring items to donate to shelter animals, check this list of items needed at the Jacksonville Humane Society.