SJOTM Sketch
St. John on the Mountain
This Week on the Mountain
For the Week Sunday, November 6, 2011
A Message from Mother Susan

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

What a week this has been!  The storm that cancelled our Celebration of New Ministry-and all of our other festivities last week-has surely left its impact on our grounds.  We are still without power, and it seems unlikely that power will be restored until next week.  At this time our building lacks heat, phone lines, or running water, and remains closed for the safety of those who work and gather on our property. This is, of course, frustrating for so many of us.


Despite these disappointments and frustrations, we have much to be grateful for. While trees and power lines came down, our buildings were not harmed. Members of our parish have been caring and generous, as they have helped clean up the mess, and looked out for one another.  I am so proud of the way in which the members of this community responded with selflessness and hard work as we have tried to get back to normal.

 

This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints; the day when we remember the great cloud of witnesses which has surrounded us since before our birth, and whose prayers and witness encourage and support us in our Christian life.  Not gathering together for this feast is unthinkable to me!  Thankfully, our neighbors at St. Mark's in Basking Ridge, and their rector, Father Rick Morley, have graciously invited us to share this feast day at their parish on Sunday at 10:00 for a Festal Eucharist.  Fr. Morley has invited me to preside at the Eucharist, and he will preach.  Our choirs will combine to lead the liturgical music. We will remember before God the names of those who are longed for and remembered by both our assemblies.

 

I am eager to be with you all at the Lord's Table on Sunday, as you, the saints of God at St. John on the Mountain, are all so dear to me. Fr. Morley and the people of St. Mark's are excited to welcome us, and eager to celebrate this feast day with us.  I can think of no better way to mark the Feast of All Saints than to gather with our sisters and brothers on Sunday.  I can think of no better way to honor the Lord Jesus, whose sacred body we have all become, than to continue to love one another, as we have been so extravagantly loved by God.

 

See you on Sunday.

 

Yours in Christ,
Susan+

 
IMPORTANT!!             Sunday Worship News!            ATTENTION!!
We are still without power, water, and heat!

St. Mark's in Basking Ridge has graciously invited us to worship with them this Sunday at 10:00am. Together our communities will celebrate the Holy Eucharist and the Feast of All Saints

 

 Our rector, Mo. Susan, will preside at the Eucharist, and Fr. Morley, rector of St. Mark's, will offer the homily.   Both choirs will sing together. It promises to be a memorable morning of worship, prayer, song and fellowship, where we, the saints here on earth, gather to celebrate our unity as the Church. 


Please join us this Sunday, November 6th at 10:00am 
as we celebrate Holy Eucharist for All Saints' Day 
jointly with the People of St. Mark's in Basking Ridge.
The Institution of The Reverend Susan R.  Ironside
Has Been Rescheduled for Saturday, December 3rd

 

Please Join us as 

The Right Reverend George E. Councell Institutes 

The Reverend Susan R. Ironside 

as the Seventh Rector of St. John on the Mountain 

on Saturday, December 3rd at 3pm.  

Reception to follow.  Childcare provided.

Announcements

Rutter Requiem

On Sunday, November 6th, you are warmly invited to worship with and hear the choir of Christ Church in Short Hills, who will be joined by members of the SJOTM choir and our rector, Mother Susan, in a service of remembrance at 3:00pm.  The choir will perform the Requiem of English composer John Rutter, scored for chorus, solo soprano, and chamber orchestra. The service will include a reading of those who have gone before us, prayers, a hymn of praise, and the anthem, "Set Me As a Seal" of American composer Rene Clausen.  Soprano soloist Susan Bovan will be featured, along with instrumentalists Melissa Bohl, Jill Crawford, Andre Emelianoff, Joe Keefe, Michael Hey, Scott Martin, and Merynda Adams.  The conductor for the service is Dr. Andrew Paul Moore.  A free-will offering will be taken, and a wine and cheese reception will follow.  Click here for directions to Christ Church in Short Hills.

 

Bishop George E. Councell Announces his Retirement 

A message from the Bishop -

"I write to inform you that, after prayer and consultation with family, friends and advisors, I intend to resign the office of Bishop of New Jersey and retire in the fall of2013.  Please be assured that no crisis or sudden deterioration in my health has driven me to this decision. By the grace of our God I plan to continue to serve as your Bishop for at least the next two years - that is, until I complete ten years in this ministry and reach the age of sixty-four. Since the process leading to the call and consecration of a new bishop usually takes eighteen to twenty-four months, I hereby call for the election of the Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey. Note that this call is for the election of a diocesan bishop to succeed me immediately upon her or his consecration and not for a coadjutor bishop."

To read the letter in its' entirety, please click here.

 

Special Parish Meeting Concerning the Election of a 

New Bishop for the Diocese of New Jersey

On Sunday, November 13th immediately following the 10am service, we will be having a congregational meeting which has been called by the Bishop for the purpose of electing six delegates to a special meeting of the Convocation.  If you are interested in being nominated, please contact Mother Susan ASAP.

 

Pies, Pies, Pies

Sunday, November 13, 2011, immediately after the 10am service until about 3:00 pm.  Once again, we will be making and selling pies for Thanksgiving. This is our one big fundraiser for the year which allows the Youth Group to be self-supporting and supporting of others. We will be making Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, and delicious frozen Peanut Butter Pies. Please help us to take orders during coffee hour on Sundays, October 30th, November 6th and 13th.  All youth from 7th grade and up are invited as are adults.  For more information, please contact Diane Morash ([email protected]) Community service hours will be given.

 

November Ladies' Luncheon

The Ladies' Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 17th at 12 noon at the home of Wendy Argent-Belcher in her new dining room, 55 Seney Drive, Bernardsville. Please bring a sandwich.  Beverages and dessert will be provided. Mark your calendar!  Please RSVP to Wendy at 908-766-1011.  

 

Food Bank Network of Somerset County

SJOTM parishioners will staff the Food Bank Pantry each Saturday in November from 9:45am to noon. Located at the United Reformed Church, 100 West Main Street in Somerville. All are invited, including older children, to help interview clients, bag and distribute food. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. For more information, contact Pete Ackerman [email protected] or (908) 537-9905.

 

Adopt-A-Family

Parishioners have the opportunity to buy and deliver ingredients for an uncooked meal to a needy family, for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. For more information, contact Pete Ackerman [email protected] or (908) 537-9905.

 

Stock Donations

We would be happy to accept stock donations this year for any type of  pledge payments. Contact St. John on the Mountain's bookkeeper, Lisa Keenan, in the Finance Office at (908) 766-2282 x13 or [email protected] to learn how.

Quick Links

 

St. John on the Mountain
379 Mount Harmony Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
908-766-2282