Al Cutchin, the Naval Hospital historian who conducted the fantastic hospital tour during the Chisholm weekend festivities, will conduct his annual Naval Hospital cemetery tour on Wednesday October 30, 2013 @ 3:30pm.  Allow yourself plenty of time to get through the guard gate (you will need a valid driver's license) and meet Al at the cemetery entrance by the starting time.

A Diocesan Service of Repentance, Reconciliation & Healing for the sin of racism will be held on All Souls Day (Saturday, November 2) at 11am at Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church (560 W Olney Rd) in Norfolk.  Bishop Hollerith will preside with Canon Stephanie Spellers (a priest from the Diocese of Long Island and chaplain to the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops) as preacher.

This liturgy does not point fingers or assign blame.  Instead it provides an opportunity for the church to recognize the times when we have fallen short in recognizing all those created in God's image.  St. John's own Lena Simmons and Dave Wiley are singing in the diocesan choir and vestry member/kitchen manager Rick Bishop will assist in leading prayers for this event.

As your rector, I will be attending for Marion, William Henry, and all those who followed them at St. John's Church.  Their names appear on the first page of our original parish register, noting that these "colored" were baptized on June 10, 1851.  Their parents are listed as Willis and Ann (colored) and their godmother was Milly (colored).  No last names are given for them or for any others of African descent who were baptized or married in our church during the 19th century.  These saints of God are lost in history, known to God alone. 

I can't change the past, but I can acknowledge it.  I can be a part of repairing the breach.  Won't you join me and others from our parish at this diocesan service of repentance and reconciliation on All Souls Day?

 J. Derek Harbin, rector

During worship on All Saints Sunday (November 3), we will remember those who have died and gone to God's heavenly feast since last year's All Saints celebration.  Thanks to the talents of Mary Colby, worshippers at St. John's historically join the procession while carrying banners bearing the names of departed loved ones, reminding us that they are indeed "Christ's Own Forever."  If you have had a relative die since last November, please contact the Parish Office by this Sunday (October 27) so that you can learn how to prepare your loved one's banner for this special day.

Scripture tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.  Bring the photographs of the past saints who have made a difference in your life (framed or unframed) and help us surround our worship space the earthly images of those who are now in the presence of Jesus. 

Sign up to prepare a meal for this year's Pilgrims in Christ group using the sheet posted in the Parish Hall.  Use your gifts of hospitality while you fulfil your baptismal promise to "do all in your power to support  these persons in their life in Christ." 

2014 Budget Funding requests are due to our Treasurer, Millie Wilkerson, by 10/27. 

Portsmouth's Great Pumpkin Lighting begins soon!   Bring a carved pumpkin to display on the steps and in the courtyard of the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center -PACC (400 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth).  Pumpkins will be lit at dusk on 10/25 & 26 for the Olde Towne Ghost Walk and Safe Trick-or-Treat Pumpkin drop off: Thursday, 10/24 (4-7 pm) and Friday, 10/25 (10-3 pm).  Call 393-8543 for more information.

Introduction to Centering Prayer, 10/26.  Have you heard about centering prayer and wondered if it was for you?  Here is an opportunity to learn about this form of contemplative prayer.  Hosted by St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Chesapeake from 10am - 3pm including lunch.  Cost is $40.  To register contact Nancy Hess  (email or 468-9256).  Register by October 21.

Flower Guild Meeting, 10/27.  St. John's Flower Guild will have a team meeting after the 11am Eucharist on Sunday, 10/27, in the conference room on the second floor over the parish hall. We will review how we've done after our first two months of arranging and begin planning for Advent/Christmas. Anyone - women AND men, who would like to join the Flower Guild are welcome to attend.  If you're not sure - come anyway to see what it's all about!  Contact Linda Buchanan (443-852-1782) if you have any questions.

The unveiling of an historical highway marker to honor Archdeacon James Solomon Russell  (1837-1935), a priest who was born into slavery and later founded St. Paul's College, will be held the afternoon of October 26.  If you plan to attend, please be present at Trinity Episcopal Church in South Hill by 1pm.  Need more information?  Contact by email or 434.594.4437.

Parish Garden Work Session, 11/09 from 9am-noon. More specifics will be published as we get closer to the date but we'll have jobs for everyone - young and old, gardeners and non-gardeners, earn that badge for your service organization, just get out in the fresh autumn air! Watch for sign-up sheets in the parish hall in the next few weeks - be the first to sign up to grab the job that you want! Hot cider and pumpkin donuts - what more could you want! Contact Linda Buchanan (443-852-1782) if you have any questions.

Contribute by PayPal.  Our website now offers a PayPal option to receive contributions.  Click here or at the bottom of our website homepage.  

The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the latest parish directory, parish handbook, access worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well parish financial reports.  Need or don't remember the password?  Click here.  

For Evelyn & Eric Stallings who are expecting a daughter

For a Holy Death

Lee (stepfather of Della Stearns)