Have You Had Your Sabbath Rest?

The Very Reverend Kate Moorehead, Dean

  

Dear Friends,

 

This week, I have moved from the controversy of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church to the peaceful setting of the largest Episcopal Conference Center in the nation.

 

Episcopalians gather from all over at Kanuga to relax, pray, study scripture and just play together. Located on top of a mountain in North Carolina, Kanuga is a beautiful setting for people of all ages to enjoy Sabbath time, from infants to people in their eighties. We meet at meals, pray in the evenings and share in a variety of programs.

 

The mountain air coupled with the lack of cell phone coverage makes me breathe deeply. I am reminded of how Jesus frequently snuck off, either at night or in the wee hours of the morning, and walked up a mountain to pray. Jesus knew that time alone with God was vital. So he found a way up the mountain.

 

Have you found a place and time to pray? Do you take Sabbath rest? If Jesus could find a way to be alone with God, even while crowds were clambering to meet him, surely we can find a place to pray too.

 

In Christ's love,

 

Kate+

Audire: The Central Florida Foundation for Spiritual Direction

Orientation day for the Audire program is scheduled for this Saturday, July 21st from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the San Pedro Retreat Center in Winter Park. Audire is a 3 year formation program that trains people for the ministry of spiritual direction and provides listening and companioning skills which are beneficial to many ministries. Orientation days are designed for those interested in Audire to provide information and answer questions about the program. A new term begins in September. Members from St. John's who will be attending the program are Susan Bancks, Joe O'Shields and Claudia Milligan. More information about Audire can be obtained at www.audirespiritualdirection.org. To register for Orientation day, contact Diane Francisco at 321-254-1876.   

New Wednesday Evening Class:
"Misfit Musicians:
Four Centuries of the Men of Sacred Music"

Beginning August 1st, from 6-7 p.m. in Cummings Chapel, this four week class, led by our own Canon for Music Tim Tuller, will be a guided tour of the lives, works and legacies of some of the most colorful eccentrics in sacred music from the 17th through the 20th centuries.  Walk through the early days of the English reformation, the Baroque and the Romantic ages, all the way to the modern era.  As we explore several composers' great contributions to the canon of classical music, we'll also discuss their lives, loves, passions and perversions, as well as their spiritual insights... or lack thereof!

Formerly known as VBS, "Summer Fun Downtown" will be a week of engaging activities for kids from 5 to 8 p.m. from August 6th to the 10th. All children from Pre-K to 5th grade are invited to come, whether they attend St. John's or not, so encourage your children to bring their friends! During the first hour, children will check in and enjoy a "snack" supper. For the rest of the evening, children will have fun acting out Bible stories, making crafts and music together, and enjoying other recreational activities. The nursery will also be available for younger children during this time. Volunteers are welcome! We can use either adult or youth volunteers to assist with the children. Prior registration is required to attend. You can pick up a registration form at the back of the church, at the office, or download and print out the form here and return or mail back to the office. We are also in need of donations toward our expenses, so please contribute if you are able! If you would like to give a donation, please make out your check to St. John's Cathedral and put "Summer Fun Downtown" on the memo line.